Chapter 7

All the events for today were over. Fitz had just finished an interview in the lobby of their hotel with a local news station. The edited three minute segment would air tonight on the eleven o'clock news. He was great as usual. He smoothly talked about his wife who was back in Sacramento keeping the home fires burning. There it was the reality of her situation.

She had slept with a married man last night. She had done deliciously wicked things with him and when she remembered them her panties became damp. Sex had never affected her this way before. She did it and it was over, there was nothing memorable enough about it to warrant discussing it again, until now. What happened last night was life-changing. A lot more happened last night than sex!

He had just finished the interview and he wanted to talk to Olivia. He needed to talk to her and get her to see that what had happened between them was very special. She had to know that it was not just about the sex it was about the connection they made. It was a love connection. Surely she could see that. He just needed to see her. Alone. She was avoiding him and she was making sure they were always in the company of others.

He walked over to where she was standing with Cyrus. "Olivia, could I speak with you privately for a moment? I have some personal notes I want to go over with you. Would you excuse us Cyrus," he asked.

"Sure, I am off to bed. That Georgia sun was no joke. And all that red dust swirling around that ball field, ugh, my lungs are crying. See you guys in the morning. The bus pulls out at what 5:30?" Cyrus had asked.

Right Cy. See you then," Olivia said. She turned to him. She was dreading this conversation, but it had to be done. "Ok Governor let's sit at the bar."

"Olivia couldn't we just go to either your room or mine? You know this is not about campaign strategy. We need to talk about last night and what it really means. Don't shut me out Livvie, please don't do it. You have avoided me all day. I can see you have changed your mind about us, where you want this to go. I can see that. I just want to say some things not to try and change your mind, but just to set the record straight about what happened," he said heartbrokenly.

"Governor please step over here with me." She lead him to a small alcove away from the bar area. "Governor I have to put this back on a professional level. I have to. And we have to pretend last night never happened. It is the best thing to do. You are married and you are running for President of the United States of America for god's sake," she whispered.

Goddammit Livvie that's not fair and you know it. And stop calling me Governor it is ridiculous after last night. I cannot believe you are going to let what is between just float in the wind. I cannot fucking believe it," he said angrily.

She looked up at him then and he could see the tears in her eyes. "Fitz I am so sorry. I thought I could do this but I cannot. Please don't hate me. I am so afraid right now. Please don't hate me," she whispered as she literally ran from him.

"Shit, I have fucked this up. What in the hell am I supposed to do now? It cannot end here I won't let it," he whispered to himself.

She locked herself in her room and let the tears fall. What they had shared was the most precious thing in her world and she was now going to deny it, deny him. An affair could ruin him, and her for that matter. But he had more to lose and he would blame her eventually and of course he would leave her. Everyone she had ever dared to love had always left her. Her mom left on a business trip and never came back. Her plane had crashed. For all intent and purposes her father died that day too. He abandoned her physically and emotionally. Her world had never been the same.

She wasn't sure how long she had cried but she knew her eyes were swollen. She called room service for some ice and tried to get rid of the swelling. She was crying over a man that was never even hers. She was being ridiculous. She looked at herself in the mirror. The ice had made a big difference in her appearance but her heart was still broken. She was just sitting there going over campaign folders and pictures she had of him. Stop it Olivia, you cannot have him!

He had wanted to bang on her door when he had gone past but he did not. She had walked away and apparently she did not feel the way he did. He knew deep in his soul she was the love of his life. Anything he had ever felt for a woman before Olivia meant nothing. He knew that now and it nearly broke him to think that it was really over before it began. She was young and feisty. People of her generation did not really fight for love, they usually just moved on at the first sign of trouble.

He was sitting in his room looking at the few pictures he had taken of her where she had been so happy and carefree. She was determined he would be President. He was wishing she was as determined that he would be her lover. "Livvie why can't you see we are meant to be? I love you so much. Give us a chance Sweet Baby, give us a chance," he spoke out loud.

She turned her head looking for him. He had just spoken to her, she heard him. He was asking her to give them a chance. He loved her. She loved him too, so much. Could she be a mistress? Could she live with just stolen moments? Could she face herself in the mirror? She was not sure, but she was about to find out. She was in her pajamas; she grabbed a robe and her room key and made a mad dash for Fitzgerald Grant.