With the mood between them settling nicely she asks, "So what are you about to get into?" He sighs as he replies, "Nothing much, maybe a late lunch while I finish watching the coverage of the gala. Looks like it's in full swing already." She advises, "I hope you find something more eventful to watch than that. No need to punish yourself."
He shrugs his shoulders as he replies, "For me it's entertaining, for you it's probably punishment sis." She nods in agreement with his response as a previous thought re-enters her mind and she asks, "I know you weren't giving the speech at the gala, but why didn't you attend?"
He replies, "Honestly once I had it out with Fitz, it didn't seem like it was worth the trip. I didn't want to deal with the press asking questions about him no longer being a part of the freshman class. Or deal with Barron's smugness either. So I decided it was best I stay home."
Listening to him she recalls all the fanfare surrounding Edison and Fitz facing off in the senate race. Everyone felt like Fitz was the one for Edison to beat if he wanted to win the support of the party. And most felt like Fitz could easily take Edison down just in popularity alone. His name recognition would be half of the interest, only capped by his intelligence and likability. So this really was a big night for her brother in respect to all of the media political hype that had been ramping up to this moment.
Upon processing her thoughts she admittedly says, "I can respect that. And I really am sorry things didn't work out. I can see it meant a lot to you to have him run." He nods as he replies, "Thanks sis. I appreciate that I guess the thing for me is he could run and win, he could beat Edison hands down in any debate and the rest is just popularity, charm and wit, which has has in spades."
She smiles as he says out loud what she just randomly thought herself, and she responds. "I agree. He'd likely beat Edison easily." He nods as he's speaking with her, but then his expression changes to one of confusion as he says, "Wait, that's why she was at his house."
Confused by his utterance she asks, "What are you talking about? Who was at whose house?" He replies, "Oh, I'm sorry. I started looking at some of the gala coverage and I see Edison and a young woman arriving that isn't Olivia. And it reminded me of seeing her at Fitz's the other day."
She's a little thrown by the news of Olivia and Edison being broken up because Fitz didn't mention that when she spoke with him yesterday. But, she checks back into the conversation as she responds, "Oh yeah. You mentioned you saw her there at the house. But how do you correlate that to being confirmation of her and Edison breaking up, her and Fitz have been hanging out since high-school."
He agrees but replies, "Let's just say the way she was dressed suggests they were doing more than hanging out." The smirk on his face instantly lets her know that he saw something that indicated Olivia and Fitz were spending more than friend time together, it was intimate time too. Curiously though, she asks, "Why didn't you mention that when you told me about her being there?"
He shrugs his shoulders as he replies, "Maybe because I was still too revved up from my altercation with Fitz. To be honest I didn't think about it until I saw Edison and his date on the screen a few minutes ago. And what's more interesting is that the press isn't talking about Olivia not being there." Like a lightning bolt striking, Rose says, "A gag order was probably issued as well as an NDA signed by both Olivia and Edison. That's why nobody is saying anything."
He agrees as he replies, "True, that's normally how this pans out. Which also means they've been broken up for a while, because it takes time for those to be put in place. But at the same time I can't imagine the stress Barron and Louise felt going into this weekend with this situation brewing, and Edison having a new girl on his arm that I'm sure the press is digging into as we speak." She takes a breath as she responds, "Agreed. I don't envy them. And I guess it's a good thing you didn't go after all."
He asks, "Why do you say that?" She replies, "Because I'm sure they'd find a way to blame you somehow, with her and Fitz being friends." He nods as he says, "Good point. He definitely going to be looking for someone to blame, and it won't be his son. I'm actually surprised Fitz didn't mention their break up to you."
She assuredly replies, "Well he didn't. This is the first I'm hearing about it. But I'm sure he's well aware of it and they've found comfort in each other since he's no longer dating Mellie." Gerry smiles as he says, "Interesting phrase choice, finding comfort in each other indeed. He's definitely working his Grant charm whether he's admitting to it or not. And I can't blame him for being interested in her."
Rose gets annoyed with his insinuation, as she replies, "Ger don't be a dog. I'm sure he's doing no such thing. He's not you." He smiles slyly as he responds, "You're correct. He's not me. But he's a man Ro. And I know you don't want to hear this, but your nephew isn't an angel, and from what I know he's damn sure not a virgin. Hell, now that I think about it, I'm curious how he's managing to have slept with two women who are friends, currently living in the same house, and at least one of them doesn't want to kill him."
Apart of her agrees with his curiosity, it's an intriguing question. But, instead she doesn't give in to his thinking. She shakes her head as she persists "Gerry stop it! Now, I may not be privy to all of Fitz's personal affairs, but I am confident your depiction of what's happening between those three is way off base. He wouldn't do what you're suggesting. And if you knew him at all, you'd know that about your son."
He sighs as he shirks, "I guess. It's still interesting even if it's not as I believe, don't you think? If nothing else the tension in that house could likely be cut with a knife. You can't deny that Ro."
She takes in his response and agreeably replies, "Yes. I agree it is interesting. But they are young and single. So we both know what that's like." He smiles as flashbacks of some of his college times come to mind as he responds, "Indeed I do."
Itching to know more about the possible drama her nephew is embroiled in, and looking to end this call sooner than later, so she can call him directly, she prepares to wrap up the conversation when suddenly he says, "Interesting, this is Barron sis. Let me call you back." She nods as she replies, "Okay keep me updated." He responds, "Will do."
When he clicks the button to talk to Barron, interested to find out what the call is about, especially since he now knows Edison and Olivia aren't together anymore. He can't help but have a smirk on his face as he answers the phone. But he can barely say hello before he hears, "You've done some low down stuff Gerry but damn! This is too low even for you! Embarrassing me and my family this way is completely unacceptable! "
He's is confused and amused all at the same time as he laughs as he replies, "Barron I'd like to partake in this conversation, but i'd first need to know what you're talking about if you don't mind."
Barron sighs out of frustration as he responds, "Fuck you Gerry! You think this is funny?" Again, unsure of what's happening he replies, "What I think is that you're either deaf, and didn't hear me ask you to clarify what you're talking about, or you're sorely misinformed about something you think I did. Either way I'm intrigued, so why don't you fill me in on what's got you so upset and in disarray?"
Fed up with him thinking he's yanking his chain, he angrily replies, "Upset? If i were in your presence I'd break your fucking nose for this stunt you've pulled!" He pushes his buttons as he quips, "That's highly unlikely, but you can dream tough guy. Now, are you going to tell me what you're talking about? I've got things to do."
Barron takes the bait as he screams, "You jealous son of a bitch. I know You posted or had posted a photo of your rat bastard son and that sedity twat Olivia online kissing, like they're in a fucking romantic comedy the same weekend of my son's proudest professional moment to date! Tell me I'm wrong!"
Realizing why he's so angry, and yet still somewhat agitated by his insults of both Olivia and his son, but managing to keep his head, he quickly replies, "You're dead wrong." Barron waits for more to be said, but he's silent. He breaks the silence as he urges, "Is that all you've got to say? I know damn well you have a better defense lined up than that."
Gerry replies, "I don't need a defense Barron, because I didn't do it. I wasn't involved in it, and I'm pretty sure the kids weren't involved either, because it's not their style." He thrown off by his reply, it's logical, short and sweet, not even remotely argumentative.
Gerry can tell he's got him thinking, and he's enjoying throwing his clam curve ball at him and watching it diffuse him or at least slow him down. But that's short lived as he hears him say, "I call bullshit on that Gerry! No way you or those assholes aren't behind this!"
He takes a breath and says, "Look Barron, I understand you're anger. But you're barking up the wrong tree here. I don't have any reason to embarrass you or your family this way. And you know both Olivia and Fitz, and how hard they've worked for their internships. Do you really think they'd jeopardize their futures this way just to embarrass Edison?"
He hates to admit his reasoning makes sense, and greatly conflicts with his thoughts. Gerry continues, "I know why you think I'd be involved in this; admittedly, over the years I've done some things that may have been on the line or over it, in the name of political favor depending on who you ask. But, even you have to admit I always own up to what I've done. And for what it's worth, I would never do anything to ruin your son's political campaign launch, especially not over the fact he is running for office and my son isn't. And I certainly wouldn't leverage careers of both my son and Olivia in the process."
He thinks he's making progress with him, but Barron replies, "I don't know that I can trust what you're saying. The timing of the photo being posted is too suspicious, who else would do this?" He replies, "Probably somebody who doesn't like Edison, or maybe somebody who doesn't like Olivia or my son? Who the hell knows with this generation? It doesn't have to make sense for them to do it."
He has to agree with him there, he's scratched his head plenty of times trying to figure out how these young people think. And it's puzzle wrapped in an enigma for sure. He snaps out of his thoughts as he says, "I hear what you're saying Gerry, and it makes sense. But I want you to know if I find out you're connected to this in any way, the civil litigation alone is going to damn near bankrupt you! And once a few of your personal skeletons from your past fall out of your closet, your political career will be done all too quickly as well. You know, it sure would be a shame if the novelty of the Grant's being political royalty to come crashing down on your watch, wouldn't it?"
Gerry is over it at this point, as well as irritated and unnerved at yet his third attempt of threatening his family, and now his family's legacy. And, the more he thinks about this, he's ready to end this insane, meaningless conversation so he replies, "Damn it Barron, I've tried to be compassionate and considerate toward you during this call, and all you've done is insult me, my character, and now you're way out of bounds by threatening my family and our legacy. Enough is enough."
He interjects, "Oh I'm not threatening your family or your legacy, I am promising you'll all feel the wrath of the repercussions of your actions when I find out you're involved." Gerry catches his implication and he furiously responds, "Okay, if that's how you want to play it. Do whatever the fuck you feel you have to do; but remember who you're dealing with! Because knowing me for over 25 years, you know better than anyone, you'd better not miss when you come for me, because I won't!"
Barron feels a shift in the conversation, the menacing nature of Gerry's response has him somewhat on his heels. He now feels like he may have bitten off more than he can chew, the intimidation measure he used on the ensuing call has lost its punch, and he doesn't know how to recover; so he panics and just hangs up, making Gerry laugh at first as he says to himself, "What a jackass."
He chuckles to himself for a moment, and then his mind resettles, understanding what is at stake. He then goes into defensive mode and goes to the door, he says to his security, "Chris, bring up any recent photos of my son on social media."
Immediately the guard clicks the screen on his device and brings up a photo of Fitz and Olivia in full kiss mode, as Barron described, with their bodies entangled like they are one person.
At his initial glance even he feels the heat from the photo, and a part of him wants to say job well done son, it couldn't happen to a more deserving person than Edison.
But he again remembers the threats levied by Barron and he thinks, he needs to find out more about the posted photo. He then gives him back the phone and says, "Thanks." The guard nods as he replies, "You're welcome sir. Anything else?" He responds, "Not right now."
As he prepares to close the door to make a call, Chris says, "Okay. Before you go. I also thought you should know something big is going on with Senator Davis' camp. One of his guards was talking about a possible case of blackmail from a friend of his name Jake Ballard."
Gerry smiles as he replies, "Really? What is he blackmailing him about?" He responds, "All he said was something personal. He wasn't sure of exactly what it was. But my guess is he probably told Jake something private or he witnessed something he doesn't want to be public, and now he's holding Edison's feet to the fire for some help."
Gerry agrees that's likely. And he too is curious about the details surrounding the blackmail, it could be just the insurance information he needs to defend himself and the family against Barron and his antics. And, he knows just who to ask about it. Times like these he's glad that he's always in a proactive mindset. Knowing what he needs to do next he says, "Thanks for the heads up about the blackmail. Keep me posted if you find out any further information." He nods as he responds, "Yes sir."