Chapter Four: Tease
The next morning, Fitz pulled a body closer to his. Their soft body molding deeper and deeper as he snuggled them closer. The smell of peaches invading his nose, a soft hand rubbing soothing circles on the top of his. He was in relaxation -knock knock knock- for all of two minutes. The sound of someone knocking on the door, woke Fitz up from his sleep on the couch. And even though he knew he was sleeping with someone else, he was still startled when he opened his eyes, and saw Olivia next to him in his arms. He jumped in surprise, and accidentally knocked Olivia off the couch.
"Ahh!" Olivia screamed, as she rolled off the couch hitting hard on the floor. After the initial shock faded away, Olivia looked up at Fitz in amusement. "You know if you wanted the couch all to yourself, all you had to do was wake me up. You didn't have to push me."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Fitz held put his hand and helped her up.
"Well I would hope not."
"The knocking at the door startled me awake." Fitz explained. He was trying the best he could to focus, but he was finding it rather difficult. Sometime during the night, Olivia had taken off her tights, and her skirt had ridden up in her sleep. Now it was exposing her bare thighs to Fitz, and he could hardly take his eyes off her silky brown skin.
"Fitz?" Olivia took him from his thoughts.
"Huh? You say something?"
"Yeah, said I'm gonna go shower. You wanna get the door?"
"Yeah sure."
Olivia was trying to play it cool. It seemed Fitz wasn't rattled at all by last night, r the fact that they slept together. And actually slept, and he held her all night long. Maybe she had read too much into last night. He did say he wasn't interested in a relationship with her, in so many words. Maybe this was just about the thrill and chase to him. Perhaps he did this to all the young and naïve girls who work for him.
X
An hour later a freshly showered Olivia walked out her room in her hotel bathrobe. They had about an hour to before they had to leave, and she didn't want to get her clothes wrinkled before she left. So she put on her bra and panties and threw on the robe. She didn't think Fitz would mind, it was long enough to cover her entire body, but something told her that he wouldn't object to her eating breakfast in the nude.
"Something smells good."
"Yeah, that was room service. My assistant pre-ordered for me. I had them bring up another for you about ten minutes ago. It was starting to get cold."
"Oh thanks. I didn't mean to take that long in the shower. But those jets were amazing, I feel like I just got a full body massage."
Fitz eyed her suspiciously. How could she be acting so calm? He knows nothing happened last night, no matter how much he wanted. But they had slept together, actually slept. He held her all night, to him that was more intimate than sex. How was she so calm?
"Is that all you're gonna have?" Fitz asked, looking at Olivia's plate. She only had a bowl of grapes and a piece of toast. A big change in appetite, opposed to the gigantic burger and side order of fries she had last night. It was like to different women.
"Oh yeah," She answered, pouring some water into her glass. "I've never really been a breakfast type of person. I just don't really have a big stomach for food in the morning. Most of the time, I'm working on something by time the sun comes up, because I've thought of a new painting in my sleep. My inspiration comes from everywhere really." Olivia suddenly paused, her cheeks becoming red in embarrassment. "And you didn't ask me all that, and again I'm rambling. I'm sorry."
"Stop Apologizing Liv. This is a conversation, we are having a conversation. And in a conversation, you have to talk. Okay?"
She slowly nodded her head, still slightly embarrassed that she couldn't seem to stay on track with him.
"Good. Now are you excited for today?"
"I am actually, but I'm also a little nervous."
"What are you nervous about?"
"Isn't it obvious? What if no one buys my paintings? What if they don't like them or me?"
"Olivia relax."
"I mean I am the new girl. I've never been here before, so they haven't seen any I f my art to know they like it yet. The only people who have seen it and actually bought it aside from my family, is a very select few who happen to shop at Val's store."
"Olivia calm down okay. Yes you are a little new and these people haven't see your work yet, but they are going to love it, because they know brilliant work when they see it. Besides, I submit a copy of everyone's work that going to be at the gallery to my website. That way the buyers can look ahead, and know what they want instead of just walking around, and us hoping they stop by."
"You submitted some of mine."
"I submitted all of your work that's gonna be in the showcase. I submitted everyone's in fact."
"Speaking of which, I never got a chance to look at the pieces you chose for my showcase."
Fitz pointed to the other side of the room, "They're on the trolley up against the wall with the others.
Olivia got up from the table, and walked across the room to the trolley. She was excited and nervous to see what five paintings Fitz had picked from the dozen she had given him over the last three months. She hesitantly found her bundle, and opened the large string bag. The first painting was one of the very first ones she painted when she started working for him. She remembered how nervous she was to give it to his secretary. Knowing she was gonna turn it in to Fitz, she wanted to make sure it was perfect. She spent two days, just looking it over, repainting areas she though were lackluster adding a bit more color here and there. In the end, she thought she had done a great job, and she guessed that she had been right, since it was here in Paris. The next three pieces brought on the same emotions, and she could see why Fitz picked those paintings out of all his choices. The last one however, caught Olivia completely off guard. She couldn't believe what she was staring at. How did he get this?! He hadn't submitted this particular piece to him, so how did he get it. This wasn't supposed to be in Paris, this was supposed to be part of her private collection, note up for sale to the highest bidder.
"Something wrong?" Fitz asked. He was still sitting at the table, enjoying his breakfast as he watched Olivia look at her paintings. He loved to see the smile on her face become wider and wider every time she flip to a new painting. The last one, however, had caused her smile to disappear and her entire face became flush. Wanting to make sure she was alright, he got up from his chair and quickly made his way over to her. "Olivia are you alright? What is it? What's wrong?"
She didn't dare look up at him, too embarrassed by what she was still looking at so intently. She still couldn't believe she was the one who had painted it.
"How did you get this?"
"The painting? I don't know, I suppose Lauren left it in my office after you gave it to her. That is how it works."
"Yes I know, but I never gave this to Lauren to give to you. This- I didn't want this to be turned in. This was something I was doing on my own. It was supposed to be part of my private collection."
"I'm sorry, but there isn't a private collection at the center. If you work on it there, then I need you to turn it in."
"Fitz you can't put this in the showcase tonight. You have to pull it."
"Liv I can't do that, you know I can't do that. I've already sent the shots and numbers of everything I'm showing tonight. They are expecting to see five pieces at Olivia Pope's showcase, so there has to be five paintings. Look there's nothing to worry about okay. Yes it's different from the others, but it's still art. To be honest I was a little shocked, when I found out it was yours. I never took you for the kind to paint erotica."
Fitz looked down at the painting, still shocked that his sweet Olivia was the one who painted it. It was a portrait of a man and woman in the throes of passion. The man had a woman pinned to the wall, his back and bare ass was the only thing visible on him. And the woman was screaming out in ecstasy, her legs wrapped around his waist, as she scratched his back with her nails. The painting was the result of another one of Olivia dreams of her and Fitz. That why the male in the painting was white, and the female was black, Olivia had enough sense, to paint a different face on the woman though, instead of her own. She knew who it was, and what it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be for her, to fantasize about. Not up to the highest bidder, or hanging on someone else's wall while they jacked off.
"Look Liv I'm sorry okay. From now on I'll tell Lauren to check with the artist, before she brings something to me okay." Olivia didn't answer, just kept staring down at her painting. "I have to go get ready okay I have to be down at the gallery before everyone else. You need to start getting ready too, the car will be here shortly to take you all to the gallery." Fitz didn't wait for her to respond, just walked off to get ready.
X
"Hey Liv, nice set up." Abby said, as she and Huck walked over to Olivia's showcase. She got a nice section of the gallery, and had plenty of space to set up her paintings anyway she wanted. "Mine is just over there." Abby pointed to a slightly smaller section a couple booths down. "And Huck is just on the other side. We'll be able to see each other."
"Great, you two get to be together. I wish I could be down there instead of here, they put me next to Jenna. And we all know she isn't my biggest fan."
"Oh fuck her. Everyone else has." Abby snickered. "Don't let her don't let her steal your shine. Don't let her steal your thunder either. This is your night too. You're gonna do great. Oh by the way I brought you some coffee, in my experience these things can go all day. I don't know why they have two sessions, when they just end up overlapping anyway." Abby held up the tall coffee she brought for Olivia.
"Thanks, but I don't drink coffee just tea."
"Told you." Huck held up an extra cup in his hand. "It's still warm."
"Thanks."
"So I thought you had five paintings, why are there only four?" Abby asked, noticing a hole in the middle of all the paintings.
"Oh yeah, there's one more. Fitz thought it would look better in the middle, I just haven't put it up yet."
"So where is it?"
"It's uh, its right here." Liv pulled out the painting of her erotica couple, and hung it up on the wall.
"Whoa." Abby and Huck both said simultaneously.
"Whoa good or whoa bad?"
"Whoa as in I didn't think you painted erotica. Maybe you're not the goo girl everyone thinks you are." Abby teased.
"It's not just erotica Abby." Olivia explained. "I mean yeah, they're obviously having sex, but it's deeper than that."
"Oh he's deep alright." Abby joked, making Olivia laugh a little.
"Abby stop. It's not just sex okay, its sexuality and exploring it. Its-l"
"It's vulgar and inappropriate is what it is." Jenna came from behind Huck, to make her presence known. "I can't believe Fitz chose that tasteless pornographic painting to be in a showcase next to mine."
"Oh shut up Jenna, its art" Abby defended Olivia, because it was obvious she wasn't going to defend herself. That was another one of Olivia's bad habits. She didn't stand up for herself all the time. Alex let her know when they got home, that she was proud of her for standing up to their mother for once. "And he chose it because he knows brilliant and artistic, something you will never hear said about your work. Don't get mad because you can't even hold a paintbrush."
"Oh yeah, then who'd I get here huh? Why are MY paintings hanging on the wall?" Jenna gloated.
"You still sitting on Jake's lap every night?" Abby answered, before walking off. She enjoyed putting Jenna in her place, it was the highlight if her day on most days. After Abby and Huck walked off, the lights dimmed a little and the lights above the art pieces brightened. It made the whole galley a little more alluring.
X
Half an hour later, Olivia was hiding out in the bathroom, hyperventilating over her showcase. No one's gonna stop, they don't care about some wanna be artist from New York. They're not gonna like it, you're flashing a big white behind in their face of course they're not gonna like it. Oh my god, they're gonna think I'm some kid of pervert. Or some sex crazed freak. Can you be a perverted sex crazed virgin? That's not a thing right? Oh my god my heart rate is really starting to rise. Olivia put two fingers to her neck, willing herself to calm down. Talking to herself always got the best of her, and in the end always didn't more harm than good.
Deciding that she wasn't getting anywhere locked in the bathroom, Olivia decided to go back to her booth. Maybe someone had come while she was away, that was a possibility right? As she was walking out the door, she ran into a very solid chest that smelled of expensive liquor and wood.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Liv? Where the hell you been baby, I've been looking all over for you."
There goes that 'baby' again.
"I- I was fine one minute and then the next I was crying in the bathroom." Olivia started tearing up again. She really didn't know where all these tears were coming from, she really wasn't one for emotional display.
"Shh its okay." Fitz wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. They were in the back of the gallery, so no one would see them unless they had to go to the bathroom. "All you have to do is stand next to your showcase and let everyone else walk by. You don't even have to speak if you don't want to. Just answer their questions if they have one, don't overcrowd them, and don't walk them the whole time they're there; it's weird. Next thing you know, the bidding sheets are gonna be filled."
"You really think so?" Olivia said, with her face buried in his chest.
"Yeah I think so, come on." Olivia let go of him, but was pulled back when he grabbed her arm. "Hold on. You can't go back out there with tear stains. And this one piece of hair never wants to stay in its place huh?" Fitz wiped her face with his pocket handkerchief and moved her hair from her face. Olivia loved when he did that, she didn't know why, but she felt giddy every time he did. Olivia noticed that he was a different person when he was alone with her. The hard exterior he puts on in front of others was just a shell. On the inside he was really just a big teddy bear. Like an onion, you had to peel Fitz back a layer at a time. But Olivia preferred to us a knife. "There, now you're perfect." Fitz kissed her forehead lightly before releasing her. "I don't think I've told you how beautiful you look tonight."
"Thanks." Olivia shyly held her head down. She liked the dress too, it was a just because present from her sister. And all though she loved it, she never wore it. It was a long sleeve royal blue dress that stopped mid-thigh, but not too revealing. She wore the strappy heels that Alex put in her bag, and the diamond studs she and her sister got on their twelfth birthday. It was their first pair of real diamonds. She took the time to curl her hair his morning, something she didn't do often, and wore it half up half down with her favorite diamond studded hair clip.
"You okay now?" Fitz asked, and Olivia nodded her response before he took her hand and led her back to the gallery. Once they were down the hall and back in public view, Fitz dropped her hand. She tried to not let it get to her but it did. It hurt that he didn't want to be seen with her in that way, she felt rejected. She felt like he was embarrassed of her.
X
"Hey Mr. Grant." Jenna greeted, when Olivia and Fitz came into view. "I'm doing great, I've already got at least six bids on two of my pictures."
"That's great Jenna."
"How's it going over there Olivia?" Jenna asked, there was a smile on her face, but anyone who new Jenna could tell it was fake. Jenna never cared about anyone but herself, yet alone anyone else's well-being.
"I'm not sure. Haven't checked yet."
"Well why don't you check now. I'm sue Mr. Grant would love to see your progress." Jenna smiled mischievously. She was trying to embarrass Olivia and Liv knew it. Jenna had kept an eye on Olivia's display while she was gone, and saw people browsing and looking at her art but couldn't recall anyone writing anything down.
Olivia rolled her eyes, knowing exactly what Jenna was doing. She wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of upsetting her. Nor was she gonna break down in front of all these people, potential paying customers. On shaky knees, Olivia slowly walked over to her section to check the bidding sheets for all her pieces. She kept her face even, not wanting to show her emotions if she saw something she didn't like. She peeked at the first sheet, and her eyes grew. Then she looked at the second and had the same reaction. Then she glanced at her lotus painting and turned back around to face a smiling Jenna and Fitz.
"Well?" Jenna said.
"Four of them have bidding's." Olivia smiled brightly. "At least eight on each."
"What?!" Jenna shouted and rushed to check the sheets herself. How could her paintings be doing better than mine!
"Congratulations Olivia." Fitz looked over to Jenna pointedly waiting for her congrats too.
"Yes Olivia congrats." She said reluctantly before storming off.
"I don't think she likes me very much." Olivia said to Fitz, watching Jenna weave her way through the crowd to get to Christopher.
"Ahh don't worry about it. Jenna only likes one person, and that's Jenna."
"Can you believe someone actually bid on my paintings? And not just one person!" Olivia giddily jumped a little, finally relaxed and happy.
"Yes I can believe it. You're an amazing artist Olivia. I hope one day you can see that too, and stop doubting yourself." Olivia smiled, no one except her dad and Alex, had believed in her that much.
"Thanks. And it's not surprising, that the only one not bid on is the erotica. I didn't think anyone would want it."
Fitz noticed that she didn't look sad that no one had bid on the painting, but rather relieved. Relieved like she didn't want someone else to buy it, she didn't want anyone else to have it.
"Excuse me." A male voice broke Fitz from his thoughts. Fitz looked at the younger man, and grinned, thinking he was going to bid on another of Olivia's paintings. His smile quickly faded, when he seemed more interested in Olivia than the art on the wall.
"Well hello beautiful." The man said, grabbing Olivia's hand and kissing it. Fitz wanted to rip the guy's head off. The nerve of him touching his woman. Well she wasn't really his, but if he couldn't have, her no one would. "My name is Jackson. Jackson Beauford."
"Hi." Olivia said, unaware of the glances the man was giving to her bare thighs in her dress. "Olivia."
"Are these your paintings Olivia?"
"Yes."
"You're very talented." Jackson complemented.
"Thank you, so I've been told." Olivia glanced at Fitz briefly before turning her attention back to Jackson.
"The piece in the middle has me captivated. It's very sensual, I love it."
"Really?" Olivia and Jenna both asked at the same time. Olivia hadn't even realized she had come back.
"Yes really." Jackson said, as he reached for the pen to write down his name a bid on the painting. Fitz saw her lip pout as he wrote down his name. He didn't like seeing her sad, but thought she would be happy about someone buying her art. "I'm shocked to see that there are no other bidders. I guess people don't know art when they see it."
"Mm." Jenna rolled her eyes, and went back to the people looking at her art.
"Well I hope you enjoy." Olivia said, not giving Jenna a second thought.
"You look upset."
"I just be a little sad to see it go. I spent weeks on this painting, trying to get it just right. I guess I never thought about the fact it might be sold. I kind of attach myself to all my work, but this one was special."
"Oh? Is this a self-portrait?" Jackson grinned.
"On no, no no." Liv laughed, trying to hide the embarrassment. No way was she gonna admit that the painting was supposed to be her. Especially not with Fitz standing there, since he was the man in the painting.
"You know some people pour their real life scenarios into their work."
"Well that didn't happen here, trust me."
Fitz was about to explode, he needed to get this asshole away from his woman and quick. He was a young charming bastard and by the smile on Olivia's face, she was enjoying his attention.
"Uh Olivia, could you step away for a minute? I want to talk to the entire group about the rest of the itinerary."
"Oh yeah sure. Jackson it was nice meeting you." Olivia shook his hand again, before following behind Fitz.
X
"Ugh, I am so tired! Who knew standing around in place could be so tiring!" Liv giggled, as she took off her shoes on her feet and padding down the hall to her room.
"Hey Liv." Fitz called out as he made his way down the hall to her room. "Liv?"
"Yeah?" She was taking the clip out her hair, and taking off her jewelry.
"I got something for you. Close your eyes." Olivia closed her eyes, and Fitz reached just outside the door and got his surprise for Liv. He held it out in front of him, before tell her to open her eyes. "Okay, open."
Olivia opened her eyes and gasped. "Fitz… How did you get it?"
"I bid on it." Fitz said, holding Olivia's erotica painting. "I saw how you looked, when that guy bid on it. You looked like you were about to lose your best friend. I don't like seeing you sad, so I bid on it. Although I had to keep out bidding that Jackson."
"So that's why he kept coming to my table?" Olivia asked, more of a statement.
"That amongst other things." Fitz said under his breath so she wouldn't hear. "I had to keep bidding while you were away from your table, so you wouldn't know it was me. I even had to use a fake name."
"Yeah, I thought Thomas Jones sounded fake."
"Well my middle name really is Thomas."
"Fitz you really didn't have to do this."
Fitz shrugged, "I know, but I wanted too. You wanted this painting back, and the only way I was gonna be able to do that was to either buy it back for you or somehow convince Jackson to give it up. I tried that route, but he was hell bent on mounting it above his bed."
"Gross." Olivia muttered.
"They normally don't hand out the paintings until tomorrow, but the lady who runs it is a friend of mine. I talked her into giving it to me early."
"Thank you Fitz."
"You're welcome Liv, but I'm not done."
"What do you mean you're not done?"
"Don't be mad okay? And don't start with its too extravagant or anything else you have to say besides I love it and thank you okay?"
"Fitz what did you do?" Olivia asked, the glimmer in his eye didn't put her at ease at all.
"Go look in your closet and find out."
Olivia looked back at her closet, then back at Fitz. What was in my closet? Is this a trick? Something's gonna jump out and scare me. Against her better judgement, Liv slowly and reluctantly walked over to her temporary closet. She grabbed the handles and gently slid the doors open. The sight in front of her almost had her in tears.
"I saw how you look at it yesterday, and I wanted to see that shine in your eyes again. I knew you would look beautiful in it, and I also knew you wouldn't buy it for yourself, so I did." Hanging in the closet was the black and white ball gown dress that Olivia saw in the boutique window as she and Fitz were walking by. Olivia stood frozen, not really believing that he had gone through that much trouble to make her happy, and want nothing in return but to see her smile. Where had this man been all her life, and why couldn't she have him now?
"I bought the dress, and had them deliver it while we were out so I could surprise you."
"Fitz… I- I can't-" Olivia tried to refuse, not that she wasn't appreciative she was. It was just too extravagant a gift. Not many people would see a dress as an extravagant gift. But when the dress cost as much as some cars, it was considered an extravagant gift.
"Liv what did I say?" Fitz cut her off, before she could give him fifty reasons why she couldn't take the dress. "I don't want you to worry about how much it cost or any other reason you can think off as to why you can't take that dress. I already paid for it the security tag has been cut and the ink on the receipt has dried. It's yours, and all I want to hear is 'I love it' and 'Thank you'."
In the next moment, Olivia had hurled herself against Fitz, her arms wrapped tight around his neck. She buried her face in his neck to stop her tears from coming. Why was the world so cruel? Why would it give her this man, why would they him to her if he was only going to tease her about what she couldn't have? He was a handsome, sweet, charming, caring and thoughtful man; and he wanted to be 'just friends'. Why was the world so cruel?
"I can't hear you Olivia." Fitz teased in her ear.
Olivia pulled back a little, only so she could see his face. "I LOVE it." Olivia reached up to caress the side of his face.
"I didn't hear thank you." Fitz said in a low voice, she as getting t him again and he felt like he was about to do something he would regret later.
"Thank you oh so very much Mr. Grant." In the next moment, before she had time to finish her sentence Fitz had her pinned against the nearest wall with his mouth firmly attached to hers. Something about her calling him Mr. Grant ignited something in him. At first he had to get her to say his name, now all he wanted to hear her say was Mr. Grant in that breathy voice of hers.
Olivia moaned, as Fitz unexpectedly ground his hips in her. This is what she had been wanting for three months, this is what she had been dreaming of for three months. Now she just hoped he didn't stop and didn't make her regret this later. But for the moment she as gonna enjoy all she was getting. She felt Fitz' hand pull her right leg up on his hip, then before she knew it he had pulled her up by both her legs and she was suspended in the air, legs wrapped around his waist.
Fitz walked over to the bed in a hurry, needing to feel himself pressed up against her body wanting the warmth. When he felt his legs hit the bed, he bent over until her back was on the bed and crawled over her.
"Fitz." She moaned, as Fitz left a trail off wet kisses down her neck, sucking and nibbling as he went. She knew she should've told him not to leave a mark, but right now she couldn't care less about anyone seeing them. Fitz trailed his mouth back up, licking the side off her face up to her plump lips. Earning another moan as he snaked it in her mouth and she sucked hungrily on it.
Wanting to feel more of him, she pulled off his suit jacket that he still hadn't taken off. She then tried to get his shirt off, she got all the buttons but got caught on his cuff links. Sensing her dilemma, Fitz raised up on his knees. Olivia was scared at first, she thought she had taken it too far and he was gonna stop now. She wouldn't be able to take it if he stopped now.
But instead he simply popped the buttons off his shirt, and slid it from his wrist. Olivia was yanking on his undershirt, and he quickly slipped it off too, before diving back down to her lips. Olivia was more than happy that he took off his shirt. She ran her hands up and down his bare chest, as his snaked higher and higher up her dress.
She reached down and cupped him through his jeans, and he again ground his hips into her. Pumping into her hand as she caressed and squeezed at his manhood. Just as she was about to dip her hand into the waistband of his jeans, his phone started ringing. It rang three times before Olivia made him answer it, something she knew she would regret later.
"Fitz answer the phone, it could be important." She nudged his hand from under her skirt, and made him answer the phone. Without looking at the caller id, he quickly answered so he could quickly hang up and get back to business with Olivia.
"Hello?" His voice was barely recognizable, because of the thick layer of arousal in his voice.
"Fitzgerald?" The woman's voice was like an ice bath and bucket of cold water all in one.
"Hello mother." Fitz sighed, and rolled off Olivia, who was now laughing. His mother calling him, brought him back to the real world. He quickly pulled his undershirt over his head and left the room. Olivia didn't think anything by it, just that he had to have a talk with his mother. Nor did she think anything about it when he left and didn't come back to the hotel until late that night and left early the next morning.
X
"There someone I want you to meet. He's gonna be at the dinner with his brother."
"Who?" Olivia asked. She was in the mirror curling her hair, while Abby decided what jewelry to wear for the night. It was Saturday night, and they were getting ready for the black and white dinner tonight. Fitz had already left earlier that afternoon, so Abby decided to get ready in Liv's room. Abby had picked an all back sleeveless dress with a high split on the side and wore her hair in loose curls down her shoulders.
Olivia decided to wear the dress Fitz bought for her. She was even more grateful, when she realized Alex didn't know her itinerary so she didn't know to pack her something for the dinner. If Fitz hadn't bought the dress, she would've been forced to wear one of her regular dresses.
"You remember the guy I was telling you about? Tyler? Well anyway I ran into him at the party we went to the other night, not entirely a coincidence I'm sure. But he told me he was bringing his brother and I said I had a friend I could introduce him too."
"No no and no, I will not be his babysitter he can ditch his brother and get laid."
"Come on Liv it's not like that. I would never leave you with a stranger. I just thought he was cute and thought you two would hit it off."
"I don't know Abby."
"What do you have a boyfriend or something?"
Olivia wasn't exactly sure how to answer. She didn't know what she and Fitz were doing, yet alone what they were to each other. "No."
"Then what's the harm? It's not even a date, I'm just asking you to meet him not to marry him. Besides we leave tomorrow anyway, you won't even see him again."
Olivia rolled her eyes, and gave in. "Ugh fine!"
"Great! Now that that's settled, how about a drink before we leave?"
"You go ahead, I'm not much of a drinker." Olivia had pinned the last of her curls into a high bun on her head, and was stepping in her dress.
"That is a really pretty dress." Abby commented. "Fits you like a second skin. Where did you get it?"
"A friend." Liv smiled shyly.
"Some friend. Must be loaded, that dress looks like my next car payment."
X
"This is the only reason I like these stuffy parties." Abby pointed over to the bar. "An open bar, come on Liv." Abby, Olivia and Huck all walked over to the bar, leaving Jenna and Christopher to fend for themselves. They had just got to the party, and Olivia was already anticipating seeing Fitz. It had only been a few hours since she last saw him, but he had been acting weird like he was avoiding her. He only said a couple words and a few smiles between coming and leaving the hotel again.
"So how'd you do at the gallery yesterday?"
"Good, I sold all them off."
"That's great. Huck and I sold all ours off too."
"Yeah." Olivia said dejectedly. She was glad to have their company, but the only person she wanted to talk to right now was Fitz. And he was systematically avoiding her at all cost. She had been looking around the ball room for some time trying to spot him, until she finally saw him standing near the tables on the other side of the room. She watched as he confidently spoke to the men next to him, how he gripped their hands in a firm handshake, wishing that he was touching her all over.
She was watching him take another sip of his scotch, when a woman came up to him. She was a tall brunette with light brown skin, and a shapely body. The dress she had on looked as if it was painted on her body, the way it clung to her hips with every move was just sinful. Olivia watched with narrowed eyes how the woman threw her head back in laughter and placed her hand conveniently on Fitz' chest. How as their conversation flowed, she got closer and closer to Fitz and her hand got more and more friendly. By the time Olivia had realized she was staring, the woman was practically on top of Fitz with his arms around her.
"Olivia?" Abby called out rather loudly. She had been trying to get Olivia's attention for the past two minutes, calling her name to no avail.
Olivia tore her gaze away from Fitz and the mystery woman. "I'm sorry?"
"Are you okay? I've been calling you for like three minutes."
"Yeah… yes, I think the uh… the drinks just got to me a little."
"Liv you've only had two drinks." Abby said humorously.
"What can I say, I'm a light head."
Abby laughed and shook her head, accepting Olivia's half ass excuse.
"Abby, who- who is that woman Fi- Mr. Grant is talking to.
Abby looked in the direction Olivia was pointing to, "Oh that's Tatiana, the heiress to the Perez corp. her daddy owns half the buildings in New York, big philanthropist. Plus she's Fitz' ex-girlfriend."
Liv felt all the blood drain from her face. It was worse than she thought. It wasn't just some stranger flirting with him, it was an old flame. "What?"
"Yeah they dated a little over a year, then Fitz broke it off. Too much attitude I heard, she always was a little testy. Anyway, they basically have all the same friends and connections so they end up running into each other very often. Plus Tatianna loves the arts too and loves these parties were she can show off all her wealth. But if you ask me, she really only comes to these things to run into Fitz. Everyone knows how bad their breakup was, and poor thing got hung up on him, can't seem to move on. But hell, how can you blame her? Look at that man."
"Could you excuse me for a sec?" Olivia abruptly slammed her drink down on the nearest table.
"Are you okay?"
"Bathroom." She simply said, before walking away before she embarrassed herself in front of complete strangers. She needed to be alone, and fast.
X
Fitz knocked on the bathroom door for the fifth time with no answer. She was ignoring him, and understandably so. Fitz had been discretely watching her not so discretely watch him since she walked in the door. He was momentarily distracted by how beautiful she looked in the dress he got her, that he almost went over to her. But before he worked up the nerve, he remembered that he was supposed to be avoiding her. So for the rest of the evening, he made sure to have several people crowding him in small talk. He even made a point to openly flirt with a few woman around him, just so he couldn't find a reason to go talk to her.
He knew kissing her yesterday was gonna be something he regretted, and now here he was just hours late avoiding her like the plague. He didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but he obviously had by the look on her face when Tatiana came sniffing around. Fitz knew that they sometimes ran into each other, but he had no idea she was even in Paris, yet alone the dinner party. He watch Olivia out the corner of his eye, every time Tatiana would touch his arm or run a gentle hand down his face, or how incredibly close she kept getting to him. Olivia looked as if she was gonna cry, like she lost her best friend and her dog died all in the same day. He knew it was cruel and a little extreme to flirt with just about every woman in the building. But he had to make a point, but at this point he didn't know if he was trying to convince himself or Olivia that they just couldn't be.
"Olivia please open this door." Fitz pleaded again, and was once again rewarded with silence. "Liv we both know I could get in this door if I wanted to. But I would like for you to be the one to open it."
"You wouldn't dare." Olivia said form the other side.
Fitz sighed, knowing she was telling the truth. "No I wouldn't. But I would still like for you to open the door. Please Liv."
"Fitz please just go away, I don't want to talk to you."
"Olivia you know I can't do that. Listen I know you saw me and that woman earlier, and I know I've sort of been ignoring you, but let's just talk about it okay."
"Sort of? You haven't said two words to me since this morning!" Olivia shouted, snatching the door open. "Sort of he says! You know what, I don't know what your problem is, because I have done nothing wrong to deserve such treatment from you."
"Olivia you know why I've been a little distant. You know what happened yesterday-"
"Oh! You mean you kissing me like no tomorrow? You mean you sticking your tongue down my throat while you stroked my inner thighs!"
"Shush!" Fitz put his hand over Olivia's mouth, checking to see if anyone was around to hear her outburst.
"Don't shush me Fitzgerald! You're the one who's punishing me for something you did"
"For something I did? You know I wasn't the only one in that hotel room yesterday. And you weren't exactly making any attempts to stop me either."
"Well why would I! That's what I wanted you to do, I am not the confused one here. You're the one who doesn't know what he wants. You're the wishy washy one."
"Look Olivia I'm sorry about the way things have been happening between you and I, but you can't blame them all on me."
"Oh can't I. You knew what you were doing the first time we met. You were the one flirting with me, you were the one jumping at opportunities to spend time with me. And YOU were the one who started the kiss in my office. Then all of a sudden, we can't be 'whatever' and have to be employee's oh so conveniently after we've tongue wrestled."
"Olivia."
"Then you wanna be friends, to which I stupidly agreed to. Then you take me to Paris, you impose on my evening alone-"
"I didn't want you wandering around a new city by yourself. I was just being a gentleman."
"Oh and gentleman you were."
"How many drinks have you had Olivia?" Fitz asked. Surely she had to be a little lit. The Olivia he knew wasn't bold enough to almost cause a scene.
"I am not drunk, I've only had two drinks. And don't try to change the subject Mr. Art giver backer and expensive dress buyer." Olivia said in a very 11 year old girl kind of way.
"Olivia come on, I was just being nice."
"Yes and nice it was, it was beautiful. And then you kissed me and it was magical, and then you ruined it when you started ignoring me like all this is my fault. You're the one who has been pursuing me since the moment I walked in your office. You're sending me mixed signals Fitz. How am I supposed to know what we are to each other, if you can't even make up your mind?"
Fitz ran a hand down his face, he told himself he was going to regret it. "Liv. You know why we can't be together. I just can't and won't date my employees."
"Is this what you do Fitz? Feed on the weak and naïve girls, and just lead them on? String them along, dropping bread crumbs so they find their way. And then just dumb then like yesterday's leftovers."
"Olivia you're being dramatic."
"I am not being dramatic! If I wanted to be dramatic, I would've made a scene in front of everyone while you flirted with anything in a skirt. My God Fitz do you have any idea how that made me feel? To see you with all those women when you were just with me?" Olivia had tears pooling in her eyes, but she refused to let them drop. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction, and she wasn't going to give the other party goers a show. "I wore this dress for you you know. You kept saying how beautiful I would look in it, and I got excited thinking about what you would say when you finally saw me in it. Then to my surprise you ignore me all evening and flirt right in my face with every woman here, just so I would get a hint. Well you know what, I got it and I won't need another." Olivia side stepped him, to walk away but he stepped in her way, blocking her swift exit.
"Look Olivia, I know this is not… Well I don't really know what I want to say or what I need to say to make this better. But I'm sorry if I lead you on, or made you believe that something could happen between us. But I can't date my employee's it'd be a huge conflict of interest."
"I became a conflict of interest when you offered me a job Fitz. You should've never offered me a job when you knew you had feelings for me. Goodbye Fitz." This time when Olivia tried to leave, Fitz made no attempt to stop her.
Catch You Later…