Olivia was sitting in her office with her District Manager Cyrus Beene. She had been the General Manager of a high-end Italian restaurant for the past three years. She had worked her way up from hostess. What started out as a summer job to save money for college had turned into something she loved.
Her parents died in a car accident when she was 12, and her maternal grandmother took her in. Her parents left her some money that was put away for college. She didn't want for anything. They were not rich by any means, but her grandmother took great care of her. She took the job, so she could buy her own clothes and other things she wanted. As soon as she finished college she went into management.
Cyrus was set to retire at the end of the month. She was expected to take over his position, but it was just announced that the restaurant chain was sold to the Grant Corporation. They had hundreds of restaurants domestically and internationally. With the sale of the company the changes eliminated Cyrus's position.
She was disappointed. She was looking forward to the new challenge, and the nice pay increase. While disappointed personally she was glad that the sale would not only save the restaurant, but no jobs were being eliminated other than Cyrus's position.
Cyrus looked at Olivia. He was proud of her. She was smart as a whip and could do anything she wanted. The restaurant was always profitable, but she had increased their sales by 20% per year. The staff adored her because she was willing to do anything that she asked them to do. He was always receiving calls from customers who adored her. She took care of them.
"Olivia, I am really sorry that you won't be taking over my job…"
"That's okay Cy. I was looking forward to it, but I still have a wonderful job. I also know that the company is in good hands with the Grant Corporation."
"True. Big Jerry and I have been friends for years. They take care of their people."
"Good, then that is all that I can hope for. I was thinking about going back to college to get my Master's."
"You should. You should consider opening your own restaurant. I also heard that some higher-level positions are coming open once they restructure the company, but it will be up to Fitz."
"I love the restaurant business, but I don't won't to open my own. When the time comes if it is right then I may consider a different position. I don't way to move far away from Nana."
"I understand. I am told that Fitz will be visiting the store soon. Just wanted to give you the heads up."
"Thanks for the heads up. You know I am always prepared. Keep in touch. I know that you and James will be traveling for a bit."
"We are friends Olivia. We will keep in touch I promise…"
The two shared a long hug before he left.
A month later and Olivia had not heard anything personally from the Grant Corporation. Specifically, she had not seen or heard from Fitzgerald Grant III.
At Cyrus's retirement party it was announced that he was being promoted to Vice-President. He was supposed to attend the party, but an emergency in Italy kept him from attending so she didn't get to meet him.
She had done her research on Fitz. He was the only child of Big Jerry and Janice Grant. He was always groomed to go into the family business and seemed to enjoy it until his mother passed away his Freshman year in college. He went on a wild streak. It looked like he slept or dated any female with a pulse. Then he started dating an oil tycoon daughter by the name of Mellie Carmichael. They truly looked like oil and water. You could tell the relationship was all about image. She was sure his dad was trying to keep up appearances while Mellie just wanted to be married to a rich man of the same hue as her.
All of that changed the night a drunk driver killed his childhood best friend. It sobered him up. He broke up with his Mellie and focused on school and the business.
She had to admit that he was a good-looking man. She didn't have a good track record when it came to men. She only had two boyfriends. She dated Edison in high-school. He was nice, but they wanted different things. Olivia didn't want to be taken care of by a man. Although it may be naïve Olivia wanted to be an equal with her husband. Maybe even a power couple. She dated Jake in college for two years. He cheated on her for most of it. Her friends kept telling her that he was no good, but she didn't break up with him until she went to his apartment and caught him in bed with another girl. She decided it was her loneliness that made her attracted to her boss.
The restaurant was only open for dinner on weekends. She took Sunday's off, but most Sundays she came in the morning and caught up on paperwork.
She hadn't been in the office long before the phone rang. Olivia answered. On the other end was a gentleman whose voice oozed sex. She really had to do something about her sex life.
She pulled it together when the man on the other end asked to let him in.
Olivia said, "Sir, we do not open until four, and I don't have any deliveries on Sunday."
"I understand that Miss. Pope. A little birdie told me that you come in on Sundays to do paperwork, and since it is just you there I thought it would be a perfect time to meet."
Olivia stood up, "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name…"
"Fitzgerald Grant III…"
Olivia gasped, "I'm sorry Mr. Grant. I'll be right there."
When Olivia opened the door they both did a double take. While they had researched each other, it was nothing like seeing each other in real life.
Olivia finally composed herself and allowed Fitz through the door.
He smiled, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you…"
"The same. I have to admit that I thought it would be before now."
"I have a confession to make. Do you mind if we sit down?"
They headed to a table in the restaurant.
Olivia looked at him, "What is this confession?"
"I have been watching you from afar. I have sent people in with cameras."
Olivia looked at him stunned. Finally, she asked, "Why…"
"I needed time to work up the courage to have this face to face meeting. You are a brilliant woman Olivia Pope, and truthfully nothing I've seen on paper compares to the real thing."
Both took a moment to compose themselves. Fitz was trying to remain professional but being in the same space with her was doing things to him.
Unbeknownst to him Olivia was feeling things to.
Fitz continued, "I know that when we purchased the company that I eliminated Cyrus's position as part of my restructuring plan. I am sorry about that. I know that you had plans personally and professionally."
Olivia nodded, "I did, but it is not the end of the world. Most importantly the company is in good hands, and the employee's jobs are safe. I don't want for anything, but I have staff and some of the other restaurants have employees that live paycheck to paycheck. It is a relief to know they are safe."
Fitz smiled. He now knew that he was making the right decision. He could hear the disappointment that she was losing her promotion, but it paled in comparison to the pride she felt that the employees were safe. That they would be able to continue to take care of their family.
"In addition to working up the courage to meet you I wanted to have an opportunity to see you in action, so I could evaluate you."
"Are you eliminating my position?"
"No, but I hope that you give it to your assistant manager and good friend Abby Whelan who you have been training to take over when the time came."
Olivia looked up at him in shock.
"What are you saying?"
"My grandfather and father have done an articulate job over the years building our company, but with some many companies domestically and internationally I feel like we have lost sight of the people, because we have no structure. Before my dad retires and leaves the company to me I want to restructure and align the company. Get rid of the organized chaos. I want to get back out there in the field like they did. It was how our company was built. I did it in high school a lot when my mom was alive, but once she died I stopped. The numbers tell me that there is no need to close any stores or eliminate jobs at the lower level, but higher management is another story. I believe that district and regions can be combined instead of leaving them out there to fend for themselves. I have a lot of ideas. More importantly I was made aware that you have ideas as well. I don't want you to hand me a folder or tell me your thoughts, and then I use them, and you don't reap the real reward. My dad wants to retire in a year. I have asked him to allow me the year to restructure the company with his final approval of course before he retires, but I want to do it with you by my side."
Olivia was impressed with how passionate he sounded. She was taken back by the last statement of him wanting her by his side. She wondered in what capacity.
He looked her in the eye, "I would like to promote you to Chief Executive Consultant. It is a position that I created with the Board and my father's approval. We both report to my dad."
He handed her a folder that showed he was serious abut the position. It provided the details of the position as well as the pay. She would be making twice the salary she made now in addition to a bonus. She noticed that she would be doing a lot of traveling.
Fitz said, "Yes, we won't be sitting still a lot for the next year, but we pretty much set our schedule. I will never require you to be away for too long from your grandmother. If we get stuck somewhere for too long, then you can just fly her to us. I promise you I am an easy man to work with, and family matters to me too. I know you could be with any company you wanted, but you stayed her because of your loyalty to family and that includes more than your grandmother."
Olivia could only nod. It felt good that he was offering her this once in a life time opportunity, and he was making sure that it didn't require her to sacrifice anything or anyone that was important to her. It was the right job opportunity for herself, and for Abby. She had put in the work to take over the story, and Olivia knew she was smart enough to help restructure the company to make it in more profitable but also functional. She was slightly curious how he knew so much about her grandmother. It wasn't a secret that she raised her, but his tone told her that he understood how close they were. Since he had talked to Cyrus she had to assume that he told him. She wasn't mad. At this point it didn't matter. For someone who barely knew her it felt like he did.
She finally looked at Fitz, "I'll take the job."
"Good, I think we will make a good team…"
"I do too…"
A/N-For those of you who are not part of the Facebook page I responded to a post that I would continue to write once the show wraps us. I most likely will write mostly AU. This is a story that I have been mulling in my head since last year. I decided to go ahead and get it started. My hand is finally healing which means I can write longer, but I do have Grave's Disease. I had a relapse of sorts. Hard to explain what this disease does to your body. My counts are so low right now that I have severe fatigue. I am giving you several updates, and pray that you continue to be patient with me as I work through my mess. (LOL!)
This chapter was short. They will get longer. Maybe not as long as my other stories, but as most writers will tell you it depends on where my muse takes me.
