She nodded vigorously and gave him her hand. Michael slipped the jewel on her left ring finger. Olivia lifted her hand, gazing at the dazzling aquamarine gem, and in seconds her lips covered his in a long warm kiss that left her short of breath.
"And today isn't when we started dated-"
"It's the first day I asked you out, and you turned me down, so it is to me because you eventually said yes. So I win," grinning widely. "So what'd you get me?"
Olivia bounced off the chair and ran to her room; she returned with a medium-sized jewelry box. "Open it," she gushed.
He lifted the lid revealing the leather, personalized bracelet. One arm tightly around her in a light hug. Michael lifts the band, smiling at the gift. "Thanks, I love it."
"Good, I'll get dressed, and we can go."
Pecking her boyfriend's lips, the girl trots back to her room to prepare for the day. Abby was seated on the edge of the mattress, messaging cream on her legs. Olivia stuck her hand in Abby's face.
She scrunched up her face as if she smelled something rotten. "Um-he asked you to marry him with that?"
"Shush, big mouth, and no, he didn't. It's a promise ring...it's my birthstone," she clarified.
"It's beautiful-I'm surprised he could afford it. You sure he still has enough for dinner?" She said tactlessly, laughing at Michael's expense.
Olivia scoffed, "and I'm the snob. How much money does David have?"
"Let me just put it like this; I can have the shoes to match. But you're right. We shouldn't shit on the poor- it's mean" disingenuously; Abby pushed off the bed, slipping her shoes on. "Call me later; I love you."
"Love you too," she called over her shoulder. "And I can buy the shoes myself."
While pecking Liv's cheek, "That's the problem," Abby says,
Olivia shook her head in dismay and walked into the bathroom. Adjusting the shower valve to a bearable temperature, she finished gathering her clothes but was interrupted by the ringing cellphone.
bringing the annoying device to her ear, Olivia answered, "Hello?"
"Ms. Pope, I have some information about Mr. Grant."
Olivia leaned against the sink, remembering the code her father gave her."Carolyn 5,8,4,2,8."
After confirming the code, Diego began, "In October 2015, over seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars was misplaced. Officials at the time didn't investigate further because of Mr. Antone Phipps. He claimed there was nothing more to it and dropped it fast. I've been on this for two weeks, and I found the money- well, what's left of it."
Closing the toilet seat using it as a chair, Olivia tried to concentrate on the gentleman on the other end. But she couldn't stop her mind from wondering to Fitz and wondering if he knew about any of this. They're father and son; he couldn't be that oblivious to Big jerry's affairs. In 2015 Fitz was there working on that very campaign. It would be the biggest shock to her if he didn't know.
"Did you tell my father this?"
"Yes," The agent cleared his throat, continuing to name off the offenses, "Wire fraud, mail fraud, bribery. Buying votes and my favorite tax invasion."
The puzzlement evident on Olivia's face when she scrunched up her eyes in deep concentration. "How does he evade taxes when the government literally pays him?" she asked, mostly to herself.
"what do you want to do, Ms pope?"
she gulps hard, staring at the door. "What did my father say?"
"He said it's your choice."
"Turn him over," Olivia said quickly before hanging up.
Who made her judge, jury, and executioner? First Craig Davis, now Fitzgerald Grant ll. Olivia undressed and stepped into the heated spray. Reminiscent of the day she'd gotten back to D.C after that horrible night in Florida, Olivia went straight to her father and secured Senator Davis's opponent an easy win.
After her much-needed cleansing, Olivia got dressed and left the house with Michael as if nothing happened.
XXX
Olivia settled into his lap, welcoming the hands that encircled her waist. She pressed her core into his building erection. Michael withdrew, kissing her while his hands slid up her shirt, kneading her breast. "Ohh," she moaned when the vibration from his phone stimulated her clit.
"Mmmh," he stopped, raising his hips so he could retrieve the buzzing device. "It's my parents," answering; Olivia climbed out of his lap and excused herself to the bathroom.
In the bathroom, Olivia sat with her back against the door. She was hiding from Michael and his parents. It's a phobia now; anytime he mentions the fact they're waiting to meet "the lovely girl, they've heard so much about," Olivia avoids the subject altogether. She's out of excuses, and that's how she whined up here. To hear mike talk about his family, they're straight out of a 90s family sitcom. Happy, genuine, and accepting, but she won't allow herself the vulnerability. After their conversations ended, Olivia found her way back to her boyfriend.
"Hey, sorry, stomach bug."
Without a word or acknowledgment, Michael pushed off the bed. It was his turn to avoid her by using her haven. She reached for him, but he twisted from her grasp and kept moving.
She dropped her arms and gave a long sigh. Soon she got ready for bed. He didn't come back until he thought she was asleep.
Melody shuffled through the documents of Fitzgerald's closing statement. Frowning when she realized this wasn't the original argument they'd worked on together.
"Why did you change this?" She asked, shoving the evidence in his face.
"I don't wanna talk about the trial" he kissed her neck lightly, his arms holding her in a loose embrace.
Mellie twisted away, "you're not a lawyer; I think I can write a sufficient statement," she said, folding her arms hard.
"Olivia and I changed it," he said, trying to get her to focus.
"Why are you talking to Olivia? I already told you I don't like her" She glared, pushing his chest.
No longer in the mood, Fitz tossed the blanket from around his lower half. He pulled the shirt over his head. "Liv-Olivia is the lead, and she said it needed to be better. So that's what we did, you had a good statement, but it was cocky and didn't correlate with the opening." He says as he starts to put his shoes on. "I'm gonna go; you're welcome to the room." Piling the papers up, he zipped his bag.
"Stop, get back in bed" standing on her knees, she crawled to the edge. "I'm sorry."
"No, I really should go; I'll see you tomorrow." Leaving the room.
Setting back on her calves, Mellie sighs. Bad enough, they're in a hotel, but he just managed to belittle their relationship into something dirty and shallow. Staying here would prove that, so she got dressed and called a Lyft.
"Fitz, call me back; I'm sorry," she left on his voicemail.
Cambridge highlands is roughly four minutes away from the university. However, there is a significant difference between the exclusive and highly wealthy college town and Area four. The lower-middle-class ethic part of Massachusetts.
The driver continued through the streets and slowed when they reached the dilapidated building. She was almost embarrassed for him to see it; she quickly exited, not even bothering to thank him.
"Home sweet home," she mocked, "Jenna?"
Getting a roommate was her only choice. Even in the bad part of town, rent was 1200 dollars and up. The shifty roommate stepped into view, holding a hot skillet.
"What's up? I thought you'd be out with that rich boy." Jenna says
"No...I have work tomorrow, and he's busy" Mellie shrugged. "That smells good; what is it?"
"Just chicken- a recipe I got from online. You know I'm thinking of going back to CC. My mom says she's proud of me." Jenna explained, basting the oil and flour roux over the chicken.
"That's amazing. Have you already enrolled?"
"Yea, and that's why I'm glad you're here- my mom offered to let me come home...you know to save money," keeping her back to Mellie, whose face went from happy and jocund to bleak and dreary.
Fiddling with something on the counter, Mellie somberly asked, "when are you leaving?"
Now turning to her friend, "oh don't think of it that way," Jenna says
"When!?"
"Next month, October." quickly ripping the band-aid off, "Since I'm gonna be saving money, I'll pay my half next month anyway...okay?"
"Thanks," dejected and downcast Melody, grabs her bag, retreating to her room.
"Shit," she heard Jenna say just above a whisper.
Money has always been an issue for Mellie, and it has just gotten worse. She thinks about how stupid it was for her to bully Michael about his room and board Grant because right about now, she wishes she'd gotten that Grant. after a few hours of sleep, Mellie gets ready for work.
XXX
"I'm telling you, Abby- I think the judge is judging me for wearing expensive clothes to trial." Olivia quips, Browsing the blouses in Macy's
"So you came to Macy's? I think you should try target if you're trying to match the judge," Abby snickers, sucking on the straw in her strawberry mango smoothie cup.
"Classist," Liv mumbled, "Michael is mad at me...again."
Abby does a double-take, looking past the rack of clothes. "About?" she asks.
"He and his parents are extremely close- they call every night, and when we're together, he wants me to talk to them, but I always end up hiding in the bathroom." She says, unabashed
"David wants me to meet his family. But if you don't want to, you don't have to. Tell him to stop forcing it."
shocked by her friend's advice, "Wow, Abby...did you just give me good advice?" feigning astonishment, "I'm surprised you didn't find a way to call him poor."
"I'm not that horrible" Olivia finally peers at the redhead whose neck is extended, looking at something intensely.
"What are you staring at" Olivia stands on her toes, trying to see what the giraffe is seeing.
"I could be wrong, but I think miss melody works here," she says, pointing at a vest clad Mellie.
pulling her bestie back, Liv looks at her like she lost her mind. "You are not going over there," whispering.
"I need some customer service," she says, snickering.
"You'll look like a mean girl," Olivia warns, trying to reason with the green-eyed monster, also known as her best friend.
"Liv, that bitch, made fun of Michael for working at the coffee shop, and she works here. Let's get a bit of revenge, c'mon Liv, if it were anyone else, you would do it." Abby tilts her head, raising her brow.
"I'm an adult-"
Abby folded her arms in defiance, huffing. Olivia ruined her moment of fun. "You're right, let's go," pulling Olivia towards the exit, she couldn't help herself, and when melody walked past, Abby made sure to let her know they saw her. And the humiliation that covered the girls face left Abby laughing all the way back to the car.
"Now I'm an adult. That was my last time being immature." she laughs.
Cutting her eyes at Abby, Liv often wondered how they're friends.
Yesterday after Olivia returned from the mall. She spent the remainder of the day doing domestic chores. Something to clear her mind about everything: by nine O'clock, Olivia was knocked out sprawled wildly across the king-size bed.
And the following day, she got ready and ate breakfast, a cup of low-fat yogurt, and trail mix. By ten-thirty, she was on campus, preparing for her journalism course. This morning she didn't bother picking Abby up or visiting Mike at the cafe.
Since Friday evening, he's subjected her to the silent treatment. Which doesn't really bother her; it's given her time to construct what she's going to tell him as far as his parents. A simple: "I'm not ready." Should do.
Professor Novak's journalism course is first on her schedule by the end of the course. Olivia has to attend two more classes after and then meet the convening mock trial team in building B for a quick debrief about last week's trial and scores.
Walking in, she can tell they've been talking for a while. She slides in the only open seat; next to Fitzgerald. Friday morning put her in a weird funk. Before, she didn't know how to act around him, and now it's even more complicated.
"What's going on?" Olivia whispers in his ear.
Matching her volume, Fitz leans towards her "we won last round, and now he's critiquing us. He started with witnesses- I thought they were good, but he chewed them out seconds before you walked in"
Soaking up the information, she nods her head "thanks."
No matter where they are, who they're around, his eyes always find her. And he can never look away. Those wondering eyes fell upon the stone, living on her finger.
"Did I miss your birthday or something?" Fitz asks, with his eyes straight ahead.
Looking down at the jewel, Olivia shakes her head, not wanting to have this awkward conversation.
"Your dad?" He pushes this time, facing her.
"Mike," she mouths, and that look right there was why she didn't want to tell him. He looked as if someone kicked his dog.
"Nice" his tone was pleasant, but that vein in his forehead was bulging.
Olivia decided to end it there. She sat back with hands folded in her lap, covering the ring. She only sat up when Mr. Green started speaking about her performance. Mostly good things, but criticized her delivery of the opening.
"I thought it was perfect," Fitz says, watching Olivia shrivel at Mr. Greens' harsh words.
When he was done, Olivia was almost in tears. Her legged vibrated underneath the table. But she didn't dare oppose him. The violent bouncing of her leg caused Fitz to drop his hand, stopping the motion.
"Breath," he whispered; he hadn't realized Olivia had a temper.
She was finally letting out the breath she'd been holding. Her glare turned soft when she looked into Fitz's soft, serene blues.
"Keep breathing" he removed his hand from her thigh.
Soon Mr green dismissed the team, Olivia made a b-line for the door. Fitz stayed behind, he didn't get any critiques, and he wants an explanation.
"Fitz, what can I do you for?"
"What were my scores?" he asks.
Mr green is packing up but stops and turns to Fitz. "Good, that's why I didn't address you."
"And Olivia's?"
"Also, good which is why I gave her a necessary assessment of how I think she performed along with the rest of the team," he said nonchalantly like he didn't just target Liv.
"It was over the top, that wasn't constructive-it was destructive" Fitz walked out before Mr. Green could rebut.
Olivia massaged a dime-sized amount of conditioner into her curls. Only to realize she would need more. By the time, her head was thoroughly coated. The bottle was half empty. She'd have to add that to the list.
She sauntered over to the 1980s record player her father gifted to her after graduating. It was something extraordinarily sentimental and deeply reminded Olivia of her mother. She flipped the record and started singing along too—Georgia on my Mind by Ray Charles.
That record player and albums were the oldest things in her apartment.
"That old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind..." Olivia smiled, remembering what her mother used to say whenever she'd sing.
"What you know about this song?" Maya was grinning when Olivia spun around. She'd been watching her sway lightly, humming and singing.
"Mom," she giggled, "dad bought me this after we watched Ray; he said he'd buy I've got a woman when I'm older." The ten-year-old grabbed her mother's hands and started swaying again.
"We used to play so many of these songs when you were a baby; I had no idea you'd come to love them so much." Maya quipped. "I thought you'd form your pallet."
"Nope," little Livvie smiled and trotted over, switching vinyl.'
"Ooooh, sometimes I get a good feeling yeahhhh, something's gotta hold on me," bellowed out. Olivia bounced around singing the lyrics. Maya watched just as she was before.
She's so brave, beautiful, and talented. Maya felt her heart pull. It was hitting her what she had come to tell Olivia. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. Tears ran down her face.
"Livvie?"
She popped her little head up, going over and sitting beside Maya.
"Mom, why are you crying?"
"Because I'm happy and sad. Do you know what that's like?"
"Um...kinda."
"Oh baby, mommy's not always gonna be here, but I want to spend as much time with you as I can, alright, Livia."
Little Livvie nodded her head, smiling sadly.
Her mother died a year later.
Olivia snapped from her thoughts and went to rinse her hair. Afterward, she pressed it.
Abigail watched as her best friend destroyed her wardrobe. Olivia couldn't find one inexpensive blazer or skirt. The name brands filling her closet only made her a target for the judge. An Ivy League school going up against a substandard school down the road doesn't look good, especially when their competition is wearing Macy's best attire. The first night Olivia wore a grey Chanel skirt suit and during the feedback session. Judge madden zeroed in on her shoes, condescendingly complimenting her.
"Liv, liv?" Abby shouted,
"What?- I need-" Olivia said, out of breath. She'd been running back and forth for the past thirty minutes.
"You need to get dressed" Abby twisted her wrist, showing her the time, "You have an hour. Put this on and go," She said, stuffing a blouse and skirt in her arms. "No complaining-go."
Olivia dressed in the outfit that Abby haphazardly put together. "Ok, how do I look?"
"Like your father is the ex CIA director and now runs the Smithsonian," Abby teased.
"hate you. I hope you know that...let's go" Olivia was getting used to having Abby as her chauffeur.
"love you too," sticking her tongue out at her.
XXX
The third and final night of mock trial and Harvard's up against Bridge water state. That school has never lost a round and has made it to championships two years in a row. The only difference tonight is, they've never gone up against Harvard. The so-called best mock trial teams have been humble by Harvard on many occasions, and tonight will be no different.
Their opponents sit over there preparing for the motion trial. Harrison hasn't lost one motion out of the two, so they have complete faith in him now.
"Your honor, the script has no standing in this trial. Bailey wrote that script six years before July 7th. I ask that it be removed, your honor" Harrison smiles cockily, taking his seat.
Now it's time to hear from the prosecution, "if I may appease the court, your honor. That script details the murder of a spouse- in the exact way Taylor Matsumoto was murdered." The motion lawyer clears his throat. "Do you expect us to believe she didn't just open the script and literally take a page from her own book and recreate that scene, your honor?"
Judge Riley nods "will there be a rebut before I make my decision?" Searching their faces waiting to see but no one speaks so Riley nods, "Motion granted, I will admit the script into evidence." She bangs her gavel, turning the floor over to the lead attorney.
The lawyers share a look of frustration. Winning each motion has been the backbone of the cases. Harrison did the hard work, so Liv and Fitz didn't have to. Now they're gonna have to go harder on the witnesses.
The clerk announces the case, and Olivia stands to address the court.
"Your honor, My client Bailey Matsumoto is a grieving widow on trial for the death of her late husband. Tonight the evidence will prove that my client Bailey Matsumoto is not guilty and did not murder Taylor on the evening of June 7th, 2019. The evidence will show that Taylor Matsumoto's death was nothing more than a tragic accident." Olivia concludes
As time goes on, each lawyer goes back and forth. Hit for hit. Bridge waters team made their entire case on that damn script, and now that it's considered evidence. The judge is noticeably intrigued by them. Closing arguments began. The opposing counsel has expectedly circled back to the script. But the expert witnesses didn't hold up; both Olivia and Fitz poked holes in their sworn statements.
"Your honor, I want you to take a look at Ms. Matsumoto." Fitz pointed to their actress, "That is distress, not because she's guilty- but because she is alone, her husband is gone. And this witch hunt has done nothing but abuse a poor widow, trying to grieve the man she loved. Your honor, we ask for a verdict of not guilty," Fitz recited flawlessly.
Now that the closing is done, Judge Riley prepares to make her verdict. Olivia crosses her fingers. Winning the ruling doesn't automatically mean they're going to championships, but it means Olivia argued well.
"The people V Matsumoto finds the defendant...not guilty."
The gavel bangs, and Olivia beams then shot the opposing team an arrogant smirk.
"Good job," Olivia whispers to her partner.
The judge takes a quick break and then resumes for the feedback session.
Judge Riley scans the room with a broad smile, showing gratitude for both teams. "Harvard did not come to play, and bridge water you guys were magnificent" both accept the praises.
"Now, I have some notes. I'll start with the defense," turning to Olivia, she gives her a sympathetic half-smile "you've been watching too many legal series. You came in here ready to fight for your client, and I applaud that, but you were too aggressive...the witnesses broke character too many times..."
The room started echoing; Riley's voice was distant and in slow motion. Thump-thump was all she could hear now. Olivia's heart was beating so fast, and she wasn't taking in any breath. Her leg shook uncontrollably; Olivia was fuming.
Fitz notices right away. Olivia was alone in her head; the entire room heard judge Riley shit on her performance.
"Liv?" Fitz says in a hushed tone. It would appear Olivia can't handle any criticism, but this was an actual attack on her. She wasn't overreacting. But he needed her to calm down and breathe.
Sound comes back to Olivia, and she stands abruptly. She pushes the lump down her throat. "May I go to the restroom?"
Shocked, the judge nods her head and turns back to the other team continuing her assessment of their performance.
She was rushing to the bathroom. Olivia runs into the stall, lurching forward, emptying the contents of her stomach. After a minute, the sounds of shoes pad the floor.
Fitzgerald pushes the stall open; Olivia is sitting on the toilet, tears rolling down her cheeks. A pitiful look covers her face, and he extends his hand.
"Let me take you home," he says,
Without lifting her head, Olivia nods.
The drive is silent, ominous almost. Olivia laid her head against the window. Fitz glanced at her, mesmerized by the way the moonlight danced on her brown skin. He realized she was sleeping, so when they arrived at her building, he nudged her lightly.
She'd already had a horrible night; the last thing he wanted to do was startle her.
Olivia stirred, "sleepy head, you're home."
"Thank you" her voice is raspy from crying.
"It's no problem, please get some rest. The hard part is over," he says, hopefully.
"Goodnight- I...thank you, Fitz" tears come back to her eyes, and she gets out of the car before they fall.
"Goodnight," and he waits to see her go in the building, making sure she's safe.
Upstairs, Olivia crashes. She exhausted, her mind, her body, everything has been coming down on her, and she needs a minute, just one minute.
It's noon when Olivia wakes up, and the week starts to replay in her mind as her thoughts are running wild. Last night hits her especially hard; the last few months, she's been extremely unfair to Fitz, and he's been nothing but helpful and there whenever she was panicking. Olivia pulls herself up against the headboard.
Rubbing her eyes, Olivia peered at her phone. Without thinking, she grabbed it and dialed Diego's private line.
"Carolyn 5,8,4,2,8." The call connects, "Diego, I need-" She began but is interrupted.
"I was just about to call you-" he says
"Let me speak; I want you to bury whatever you found on governor Grant."
"Uh...too late, that's what I was just calling to tell you."
Olivia sighs exasperatedly. Last week she was ready to get her revenge, take his career, but now she doesn't want to hurt Fitz. And this would hurt him.
"Open your laptop, click the attachment," Diego says eerily
Another sigh of frustration sounds; Olivia reaches over, grasping her MacBook. She pauses, taking a breath.
The attachment is opened; it's a video from a press briefing.
"Effective immediately, I will resign my position as governor of California. Lieutenantgovernor, Harold Winfrey, is the best man for the job, and I sincerely wish him all the luck. It has been an honor to lead this state.-"
That's all she watched before she slammed the laptop shut. "So no investigation, you blackmailed him into resigning?" Asking frantically
Diego sighs. "He's resigning because of the investigation. It's not public- but it will be"
"Shit, Diego" she disconnects the call and throws her phone.
Olivia seems to be changing, her feelings for Fitz are still there, and she's in quite a pickle. What conflict will this cause? Leave a review, and I hope you all enjoy it. Have a nice night or day. And stay safe