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The smell of bacon rouses her. Her stomach begins to turn as saliva pools in her mouth. Last night was rough on her from the dinner, to the unforgettable moment shared with Fitz. She turns and finds Daniel staring at her from the bed.
"How long have you been up?"
"I didn't get much sleep last night, I kept thinking about last night and…that's not me." Daniel looks over at Olivia, taking in all that she possesses. "I always wanted to make my dad proud. For him to notice me and yesterday was the first time I saw the person I am; the person I was becoming. And all I want is to just make you proud of me." He reaches for Olivia's hand, looking down at their conjoined hands.
"I want to be the man you would be proud to call your husband. The father of your child."
"Daniel…"
"You are all that matters to me." He moves to sit in front of Olivia on the bed "They are having a party tonight and we are going to go shopping for a dress."
"You hate shopping."
Daniel nods "I do but I love you so shopping here we come."
Olivia nods her head, knowing she needs to reconnect with Daniel more than ever before. Her head has been swarming with images of Fitz and Daniel and as much as Daniel had hurt her, she loves him and this infatuation with Fitz will die down once she's able to reconnect with Daniel. Fitz just happens to be at the right place at the right time. What she has with Daniel is history built on a foundation of trust and friendship and love.
"Daniel?"
"Yeah?"
"How come I had no idea Fitz was your brother? Why are there no pictures of him at your house?"
He kisses the palm of Olivia's hand "Fitz and I have a complicated relationship, and I prefer to think that he didn't exist."
"Why?"
"One day, I will tell you."
"Is he not a good guy?"
"Fitz, is the good guy and then he's not. That's the problem." He rises from the bed kissing Olivia on the cheek as he moves to get up and get ready.
She waited for as long as possible to come downstairs for breakfast. The last thing she wanted to do was sit down at a dinner table with these people but she knew she had to go otherwise whispers would be spread about her absence.
She walks down the spiral staircase, taking note of the family pictures on the wall and one distinct person on the wall she has yet to seen. She never noticed it before until now, the cascade of family photos. Photos of the family surround the isolated wall, never would she recall this house and these people having a family photo wall, but Olivia supposes that even them too are a family.
"Fitz, I'm taking Olivia shopping would you like to go?"
Olivia hides in the walk way as the family converses, she knows she should make her presences known but she can't help herself from listening in on this private conversation.
"I'll pass but thank you Daniel."
"Fitz you need to go." Jerry Commands.
"Now, I'm definitely not going." Fitz retorts taking a sip of his orange juice.
"Helen's party is tonight and you need a suit, need I remind you that it is a black and white attire."
"I have a suit in the closet, that I only wore yesterday for an hour."
"No." Jerry eyes Fitz darkly.
"Fitz, just come with me and Olivia and save yourself the fight that will happen another day."
"Daniel you need to spend time with your girlfriend, I don't want to intrude. I'm surprise Olivia didn't run away last night."
"Why would she do that?" Daniel asked.
"Because this family is terrible and horrible for the way we treated her."
"There you go. Lover Boy strikes again. Olivia is not your problem and you need not worry about my relationship." Daniel curses, seething at Fitz reminding him of his cowardice.
"You asked."
"I'm going to do right by Olivia, that won't happen again."
"For Olivia's sake I hope you are right." Fitz says coolly as he takes a bite out of his crepe.
"I'm trying to be nice here, Fitz."
"I know you are. Which is why I am being nice by refusing."
"Fitz." Helen turns to Fitz having been quite throughout the breakfast "please go with Daniel and buy a suit."
"I don't feel comfortable going with him."
"Why not?" Daniel asked clearly hurt by Fitz's refusal.
"Because you and I are polar opposites. I would worry about you reporting to Jerry about what I did and what I said. I will drive myself out to the mall."
"Fitz, please go with your brother and bond with him."
Having heard enough, Olivia walks into the dining room and the conversation immediately stops as all eyes fall on her.
She explains pleasantries with everyone and a subtle smile at Fitz who does not attempt to hide the smile plastered on his face at the sight of her walking in the room like a breath of fresh air.
"Fitz?" Olivia says having got comfortable at the dinner table "Are you excited about going shopping with us?"
His eyes shine on Olivia in a way that leaves her suddenly warm inside. The gentle smile carved on his face brings forth tranquility in her growing mind. How the morning light doesn't seem to shine as brightly as he does internally.
"It would be my honor." Fitz says gently as begins to clean his plate.
"I have it Bernard." Fitz says calmly opting instead to remove his dishes from the table much to the butler's protest.
"Mr. Fitz."
"Your welcome." Fitz slaps him on the back as he walks outside to the pool house.
"Where is he going?" Olivia asked thinking she was asking the question to herself.
"Fitz prefers the pool house instead of the main quarters." Helen says calmly as she carries on eating.
"Why?"
"Because Fitzgerald is a stubborn and defiant man who believes the further he is away from us the less likely he will be like us." Jerry sips his coffee as he watches Fitz walk outside.
"That sounds scary." Olivia answers honestly.
"You won't have to worry about anything." Daniel whispers in Olivia's ear as he cradles Olivia's hand in his. Working and living up to Jerry's impossible expectation were the sole purpose for living to Daniel, to see and feel respected by his father, to feel the love and adoration pouring from his mother as she smiles at him proudly. He's worked continuously and endlessly for their love and praises. Never quite satisfying or spectacular as Fitz but the work he's done has brought him to this moment where he looks at the women that he loves and he simply doesn't care about them or anyone else for that matter. Just as long as she sees him.
Olivia regretted inviting Fitz the minute they started walking on Rodeo Drive. There she was laughing and walking side by side with Daniel and she wasn't thinking about Fitz. For the first time since meeting him Olivia was finally okay with his absences from her mind though her eyes fell on him from time to time as he walked in front of them, always several steps ahead, with his intentions clear that he wishes to give them privacy.
"Wait!" Daniel yells running after a flower cart. Handing the owner a twenty he grabbed a white peony as he ran back to Olivia who was waiting for him.
"For you." Daniel says slightly out of breath as he hands Olivia the flower. Her fingertip ghost around the soft petals before inhaling the heavenly scent. Happily she kisses Daniel and for the first time she notices how his crooked smile is similar to Fitz's.
They enter Prada where Daniel forced Fitz to enter.
"Come on, Fitz." Daniel slaps his brother on the back "it's on me."
"I don't want you paying for me, but I appreciate the gesture."
"Fitz, you don't have an income. I know you are struggling and I commend you for being this strong but let me help you this one time."
Fitz smiles at Daniel, knowing that his intentions are pure.
"I'll look around." Fitz offers and he does. He looks at suit after suit, ignoring the soft giggle escaping Olivia's mouth as she talks with Daniel as she looks through the racks of dresses lined on the wall. Fitz is aware that whatever attachment he managed to forge with Olivia was temporary in nature, he just never thought it would be over so soon.
"How can I help you?" A beautiful blonde saleswoman walks to Fitz seductively.
"I'm just looking." Fitz points to the suits hung on the wall.
"Anything in particular?"
"Umm." Fitz brushes his finger through his hair "black and white party."
"Say no more." The girl says as she purposely rubs her ass on Fitz's crotch as she reaches for the slim cut suit with impeccable design.
"Why don't we try this on?" the double meaning plainly palpable.
He blinks for a second deciding whether to refuse or give in to mild fun.
"Fair enough." Fitz says politely as he allows the saleswomen to walk him to the fitting room.
"Do you need help?" she ask seductively
His mouth opens in agreement but he closes it shortly somehow overwhelmed by what his agreement could mean to this young lady.
"I think I can manage." Fitz says softly "but thank you for your assistance."
"You are really nice."
"Excuse me?" Fitz asked turning around to face the lady thinking she had walked away.
"You rejected me and I don't do this often, actually I never did this before but instead of agreeing you respectfully declined my invitation."
"It wouldn't be fair to you."
"Why not?"
"Why play with your feelings. You seem like a nice girl and I like to think of myself as a nice guy."
"You have a girlfriend."
"No" Fitz shakes his head "no girlfriend but there is a women."
"Do you like her?"
"Yes, I do."
"She's lucky to have you wanting her, does she want you?"
Fitz rubs his cheek absentmindedly as he recalls Olivia's sweet laugh and remembering the source of it.
"I don't know. I don't believe she does."
Warmly the lady walks into Fitz's fitting room, forgetting that she could be seen by others but at this moment she truly doesn't care. Unsure what came over her, gently she kisses Fitz on the lips.
"She's missing out and so are you."
Fitz smiles at her "I most certainly am, aren't I?"
Unbeknownst to Fitz, Olivia was in the accompanying fitting room. The wave of emotions she felt in those several minutes unnerved her, she was happy today, she felt the reconnection and bond between her and Daniel but then at this moment she heard Fitz and softly she felt her soul cry a little at his fragility and kindness.
It wasn't just her that saw Fitz shinning like a diamond in rough, if anything this moment confirmed what she always knew to be true. Fitz is special and it wasn't just her to have witnessed it, but it's how he carries himself that shows his true value and worth, kind yet strong, tender yet heavy.
She eyes herself in the open mirror in the middle of the fitting room, with Daniel on the phone outside, Olivia smiled at the black form fitting dress.
"You look beautiful." Fitz says from his door as he watches Olivia from the mirror.
"Thank you." Olivia blushes at the compliment as she smiles in the mirror knowing Fitz would see her smiling at him.
"Oh" Olivia walks to Fitz laughing warmly at his missed and messed up buttons on his shirt "you missed a few buttons." Olivia laughs
"As you can tell, I don't wear many button up shirts." Fitz jokes as he watches Olivia unbuttoning his shirt just to redo it. At any second Daniel could walk in and see her in a compromising position yet she didn't care at the moment. Olivia isn't sure what came over and why she felt compelled to walk over to him and undue his shirt. And she tried earnestly to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as she noticed the freckles sparsely kissed on his chest.
Fitz moves the slightest bit closer to Olivia, softly inhaling her heavenly scent. Olivia's hands begin to shake softly as her breathing become labored. Fitz hasn't even touched her yet but the air between them is electric.
"If you wanted to touch me all you had to do was ask." Fitz says gently in Olivia's ear causing a shiver to run down Olivia's spine.
"I don't want to touch you; I'm just making sure you look presentable."
"Either way, I don't mind what you do to me." Fitz answers honestly as he takes note of Olivia's touch both gentle and warm. Her fingers ghost around his skin leaving a trail of goosebumps with each passing. She smiles nervously at his inquisitive stare as her hand manages to caress his clavicle as she finishes his finale button.
"There."
"How do I look?" Fitz asked moving to look in the mirror.
"Perfect." Olivia says softly as she walks back into her room.
"I can't do this." Daniel pleads "I am out shopping with Olivia; you need to postpone this." He sighs heavily on his phone as he moves away from Olivia and Fitz for privacy.
"Jerry, any other time you would prefer Fitz but this one time where I prefer to stay here with Olivia you need me. What are you doing? No. "Daniel turns around to look at Olivia "I won't do that her. I'm happy and you are trying to take that away. Get Fitz to do it, he's the one you want."
"No." he shakes his head vigorously as he watches Fitz come up to him.
"What's going on?"
"Big Jerry, he wants me in on this meeting with Patterson in an hour but I have Olivia."
Fitz turns around to see Olivia staring at them concerned.
"Let me talk to Jerry." Gladly and willingly Daniel hands Fitz the phone.
"What to do you need?" Fitz says coldly
"I need Daniel this time and he is disappointing me."
"He wants to spend time with his girlfriend so I'll come in his place."
"Since when have you cared about Daniel?"
"Maybe I just started. I'm going to catch an uber and be home in time for the meeting."
"No." Jerry commands "You do not have details on this account, Daniel has been seeing it through personally."
"It won't take me but a few minutes to know everything about it. I think you forgot I'm the best."
"Damn shame the one time I don't want you, you finally wish to come back."
"I'm not coming back; I'm doing this for Olivia…and Daniel."
"Tell Daniel I'll see him in thirty." Big Jerry hangs up abruptly
"I'm sorry." Fitz says as Olivia walks up to them
"What's going on?" Olivia says as she watches the two brothers converse.
"My father wants me to lead this meeting in an hour and I have to leave but I don't want to."
"Don't go." Fitz says
"I can't do that."
"Yes, you can. Screw Jerry. Stay here with Olivia. I offered to go and he refused. Let him figure it out."
"Let's go." Olivia says
"No. Olivia you didn't buy a dress."
"That's okay."
"No. you and Fitz continue shopping. I'm going to catch an uber and I'll see you home later today." Daniel kisses Olivia on the lips as he looks down at her.
"Daniel." Olivia protest not entirely sure she wants to be left alone with Fitz. She knows he would never cross the line or be inappropriate with her but the problem though is that she is unsure of herself when she's around him.
"Have fun." Daniel kisses Olivia on the lips "I love you."
"I love you too."
Within minutes Daniel was gone leaving Olivia and Fitz alone. He turns to Olivia with a nervous smile plastered on his face. Olivia doesn't smile at him, how can she. Relieved and nervous about Daniel's departure Olivia has become keenly aware of her entanglement and infatuation with Fitz. The smart and reasonable action would be to leave and typically she would follow her head but not this time. After all, what is the problem with frivolous bantering?
The silence was both exhilarating and frustrating, she wanted to talk to him but he never opened his mouth to speak.
"You didn't like the suit?" Olivia asked as they continue walking down Rodeo drive side by side.
"Too expensive." Fitz said as they wait at the stop light. "in fact I can't afford any of the clothes there or here."
"How much do you have on you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"$217"
"That's it?"
Fitz nods his head "that's it."
"Where is your source of income." Olivia bites her tongue for asking such personal questions.
"Odd jobs here and there. I paint and I sell my paintings and I'll take portraits so that's my income. Some days its good and other days I'm in a drought."
"Are you in a drought right now?"
"I am. But my head is still above the sand."
"For how long?" Olivia's voice drops with concern and granted she shouldn't be concerned about a grown man.
He reaches for Olivia's arm halting her movement "I'll be okay. Grant men always come out on top." Fitz says somehow sensing Olivia's concern.
She nods her head sadly and Fitz shakes his head disappointedly at himself for telling Olivia about his financial difficulties. He didn't discuss it with her to make her feel bad but to express that when it comes to life they sit on opposite sides of the world.
"Olivia, I do not want sympathy. I work. I wipe tables. I clean dishes at restaurants and I'm a bartender sometimes. I do not regret my life choices and I hope you do not make me feel as though I should."
She turns to him. Shocked by his openness. Fitz is from one of the wealthiest families in America yet he prefers working and staying close to the ground a reason for that he says 'the closer to the ground I am, the less likely my fall will kill me.'
"I would never judge you, in fact I commend you for living the life you wish to live. Not many people do that. I'm not entirely certain that I could do that."
Fitz smiles to Olivia as he opens the door for her to enter the car.
Without a word spoken they drive and to Olivia's surprise she never questions where they were headed and for how long. With the music playing gently in the background Olivia looks around as they drive by.
"Where at the mall?" Olivia asked shocked yet amazed.
"Yeah?" Fitz said confused why Olivia wouldn't think they would come here.
"I haven't been at the mall in years?" Olivia says mystified.
"Where do you shop?" Fitz asked shocked.
"At boutiques around Manhattan and stuff."
Fitz nods his head "I forgot your rich and boujee."
Olivia laughs loudly pushing Fitz playfully. There is a sense of truth in what Fitz said, has Olivia become removed from reality where she no longer associates herself with the common man and women. It's not that she finds herself above them but this is a reminder of how far attach she has become to others.
Fitz opens the door for Olivia as they enter Macy's.
"Do you honestly think that about me?"
"What?" Fitz asked as they walk in the store side by side.
"Do you think I am just a rich girl who thinks she's better than everyone else? Like your family?" She tried to ignore his statement but it ate up at her. The idea that he thinks less of her.
"What? Of course, not." He stops Olivia from walking "do you think I judge you or think less of you because you don't shop at a mall?" Fitz asked incredulously.
"I'm sorry." Olivia says walking away embarrassed.
"Don't be." Fitz catches up to Olivia "What you think about me matters to me too."
Nothing else is spoken about the encounter as they shop in the men's department for Fitz a suit to wear.
"Fitz they have Ralph, that's reasonable." Olivia concludes as she grabs a suit from the rack bringing it over to Fitz. With a keen eye, Fitz looks over the suit but stops at the price. Without a word, he grabs the suit from Olivia's hand and places is back on the rack. Holding Olivia's hand, Fitz guides her to the clearance rack filled with sports jackets and pants.
"This is where we shop, Olivia." Fitz says as he looks through the rack of clothes all while holding Olivia's hand in his. He should have never reached for her hand but since he never saw or felt Olivia shun from his touch even when they stopped walking Fitz took it that Olivia was okay with it and she was.
Her heart skipped a beat when she felt his warm heavy hand holding her smaller one. The action took her by surprise and under normal circumstances she would have never gotten this close but it's too late. Olivia is falling, slipping deeper into crevices of their unholy union.
"Look at these." With her only hand available Olivia lifts the sports jacket and pants, though they are from different designers they look almost identical in style, color and fabric.
"What size?"
"36."
"Perfect. And the jacket?"
"Large."
"Price?"
"Total would be fifty-seven dollars."
"Sold."
Much to Fitz's amazement Olivia also found and bought a dress at Macy's that was beautiful and to her surprise she didn't need for it be altered, it somehow manages to fit her in all the right places, accenting her curves and her favorite features.
Despite finding their outfits for the evening, neither Olivia nor Fitz tried to leave the mall. With the comfortable silence between them, Olivia and Fitz walk hand and hand in the mall. For a moment, Olivia did fear getting caught with Fitz but then she remembered who they are and she knows the last place anyone from the Grant family will see a familiar face is at the local mall. With no harm committed Olivia found herself enjoying her time spent with Fitz as they walked around the mall with Fitz demanding to carry their bags.
"Oh A food court!" Olivia says excitedly.
"Are you hungry?"
"No" Olivia says quickly embarrassed that she became excited at the sight of the several food chains all aligned on the wall. From Chinese, to Italian, to Indian, Olivia's senses were in overdrive at the delicious aroma.
But her heart nearly fainted at the sight of a young girl holding a large peperoni pizza with cheese and grease dripping through the plate.
Without a word, Fitz guides Olivia to sit at the food court as he waits in line for pizza. It wasn't until the pizza was in front of her that Olivia realized that Fitz has paid for their lunch.
"Fitz." Olivia begins to protest knowing that Fitz has spent at least a third of his money today.
"I got you a water and me a coke." Fitz playfully placed the bottle water in front of Olivia as he sat across from her.
"You shouldn't have bought this."
"I was hungry and so were you."
"I wasn't" Olivia protest but she's lying and he knows it too.
"I'm okay. Let's eat. I doubt you have had greasy non-gluten pizza in years." Fitz jokes causing Olivia to laugh loudly and Fitz takes note of how her nose scrunches when she giggles or when she gets embarrassed she uses her hand to cover her mouth to hide her smile.
Olivia's phone rings and the two exchange a known stare. Daniel's calling and this perfect day has come to a sour end.
"Yeah. I found a dress. We're still shopping but we'll be home soon. Okay, talk to you soon." Olivia says on the phone all while looking away from Fitz.
"Time to go?"
Olivia nods her head. She couldn't bring herself to talk, and have Fitz to hear the disappointment in her voice at having to go back to reality and forget this day spent with him. Olivia won't admit that she was dredging hearing from Daniel, so many questions are going through her mind and all of them stem on this kind man sitting in front of her with lips glistening from the grease of the pizza.
"Your lips are greasy." Olivia laughs handing Fitz a napkin
"I like it." Fitz says placing the napkin down on the table Olivia handed him "I think you could some of my grease."
Olivia hollers laughs shaking her head at how that statement could go so many ways. "Am I ashy?"
"Just a little dry." Fitz counters.
"Should I eat more pizza then?"
"That would help but not as much as this." Gently Fitz sits up from his chair and kisses Olivia on the crack of her lip so faintly that if it wasn't for the grease on his lips Olivia would have never thought the kiss happened but it did.
Her eyes are burning as she stares at Fitz frozen. Was it wrong that for a second her face turned ever so slightly so he could taste more of her lips or how she enjoyed the tenderness of his lips next to hers.
"I'm sorry." Fitz apologizes shaking his head "I should have never done that. I'm so sorry Olivia."
Before they knew what happened they were on their way back home both solemn at the drive.
"Here you go." Fitz says handing a woman on the corner a five-dollar bill.
"Thank you sir, God bless you."
Olivia turns around in her seat as she watches the lady walk the side of the street panhandling.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because, she needed money."
"So do you." Olivia counters
"yeah, but she looks like she needs it more." Fitz says softly "what good is money if you can't help other people and enjoy it?"
Olivia huffs trying her best not to be moved by Fitz's generosity or how it's possible that a man like him could possibly exist in this world with the family and lifestyle he was raised in.
"I'll be fine." Fitz promises thinking Olivia was upset at him for spending money which she was in all honesty. "Don't be mad."
"I'm not mad." Olivia says softly.
Fitz looks at Olivia, feeling the distance and space between "I've clearly disappointed you."
"No" Olivia shakes her head "you have far from disappointed me. You're just too good to be true."
"Why's that?"
"Nobody acts like this, Fitz. Not from the background you have come from, you are so humble and pure and…" she stops talking having become overwhelmed.
His eyes travel across her face, silently touching he causes her nervous system to combust. Every word, syllable etched from his mouth is like a shock to her heart. Olivia feels alive in the most excruciating way possible.
Tears mount unbidden to her eyes as they share a moment that only they shall ever be aware of.
'Dear God, why hadn't I met him sooner.'
"Why didn't I meet you sooner?" Olivia whispers to Fitz's clearly pained face. He knows he should have went on and took Daniel's place and damn it he tried to stay away from her. He tried so very hard to do the right thing but at this moment all he wanted was to do the right thing for himself for the first time.
His knuckles are clenched, his fingers turn ashen as he focuses on driving. Doing anything and everything to stop himself from parking the car and putting them both out of their misery. He bites his lip painfully to stop himself from responding to her. What good will come from telling her how he feels? All that lies ahead if he were to open his mouth would be heartbreak and heartache.
Life will return to normal soon enough. All of them will go their separate ways with Olivia and Daniel making a new life together and soon enough this moment too will be a distant memory that will eventually resolve into nothingness.
At least that's what Fitz tell himself.
"Fitz?" Olivia hushes out scared, nervous as her hand touches his on the steering wheel hoping to comfort him.
"What are you doing to me, Olivia?" Fitz ask clearly pained.
"I don't know." She whispers out confused as well. "we shared this moment at the coffee shop and ever since then I haven't been able to get away from you and…I'm not sure I necessarily want to."
"Me too." Fitz stops at the red light turning to look at Olivia's vulnerability etched on Olivia's face. He caresses her cheek, sighing at the softness of her skin.
"I wish I had met you sooner, too."
"We're here." Olivia says sadly as they drive up to mansion with the gates opening for them.
Fitz parks the car before they drive inside. He turns at Olivia who refuses to make eye contact with him as she stares outside. "just go inside and will pretend this never happened."
Olivia's body becomes tense but still she doesn't move or begin to talk.
"Go inside"
Her head falls as she listens to Fitz telling her what to do. Fitz waits a minute for Olivia to decide what she was going to do but when she neither agreed or disagreed, Fitz pulled the car into drive and drove into the main entrance stopping the car to open the door and let Olivia out, who neither said a word or acknowledged his presence.
To add to his misery, Daniel was the one to open the door and greet Olivia who walked into his arms willingly.
His head falls back on the headrest with fatigue. These brief moments spent with Olivia has brought him to bridge between happiness and insanity and he simply doesn't care. Pulling the car into the garage Fitz sighs heavily remembering the party tonight.
The night is still young.