Hello. This is the first time I have ever posted a story or written anything publicly. I am pretty nervous about posting something, but I'm facing my fears and doing it anyway. I love all the Olitz fanfic I have been reading over the years, and I thought I would take a stab at it and see if anyone was interested. Please leave a review after reading. I am really interested to hear what you think.

Fitz's POV

"Mr. Grant."

I look up to see my secretary with her head partially stuck in the crack of my door. "Yes, Carol."

"It's 6:30 pm; I'm getting ready to head out. Are you staying?"

"Yes, I'm staying. I have that meeting in Paris with Gabriel Bardot next week. I need everything to be perfect."

"It will be Mr. Grant. He knows how much he will profit from having a Grant Hotel in Paris.

"Yeah, I hope you're right."

"Try not to worry so much and get some sleep. It's Friday. Take the weekend and relax your mind. "

"Yeah, you're right. I will."

"Is there anything you need before I leave?"

"No, thank you. I'll see you on Monday."

"Yes, Sir." Carol has been a fixture in this office since my father, Big Jerry, opened the Grant Hotel 30 years ago. She is the glue that has kept this place running and thriving, and the only woman my father couldn't sleep with. She's a tough bird and taught me more about the hotel business than my father. She has always been my mentor.

My door closed quietly, and I turned my attention back to the stack of papers on my desk. I noticed after 15 minutes, I've read the same paragraph over and over for about the 10th time now. My concentration is officially gone. I have two choices: go home to my wife Mellie or stay here and daydream alone.

My phone begins to vibrate in my pocket, and I throw my head back against my chair in disgust. I assumed it was Mellie, but it turned out to be Andrew, my younger brother. He and I have been running the Grant Hotels together since dad became Governor of New York. Though we spent roughly 15 years separated due to our careers, it's been nice having him around again. Being around someone I trust and can depend on means the world to me and has been my saving grace.

"Drew.", I say, throwing both of my feet up on my desk. Just hearing his voice puts me in a better mood.

"Fitz! Please don't tell me you are still at work?" I can hear the sounds of chatter and glass clanking in the background. I know exactly where he is.

"You know we have that big deal to close next week."

"I know. I know. I know, and you are going to fucking nail it, but we're out having some drinks, and you should come."

"Who is 'we'?"

"Steve, Bishop, Tim, and I." I certainly do not wish to go home right now, but I don't feel like partying either. I would just bring everyone down.

"I don't know, man. I'm really not in the partying mood."

"You never are. All you do is work and bitch and moan about Mellie and dad." I can hear the guys laughing in the background.

"That may be the case, Andrew, but I have a lot of responsibilities on my plate. One of us has to be the mature one."

"You can tell yourself whatever you want. You're a workaholic because you don't enjoy an aspect of your life. We all know it, Fitz. Right now, I'm looking at some of the most beautiful women in the state of New York. It's a rich man's playground tonight in here. You should come out and enjoy yourself. Take the edge off a little. Maybe take one of these bad girls to the penthouse."

"I don't have time for that Andrew. "

"How could you not have time to sleep with beautiful women?"

"Because I'm a 46-year-old married man, a father, and very well known. I can't run around New York getting drunk and sleeping with random women in cars. I have a reputation to uphold. I'm not you or dad."

"Okay. Somebody is touchy." I rub my hands down my face. Dealing with Andrew is like dealing with an immature 20-year-old, though he is only three years younger than me. Sex and rock and roll is all the boy can think of. "You're right, you're not me. I would not be living with a woman that I don't love just because we have children together. Mellie is killing you mentally and emotionally."

"What am I supposed to do, Andrew? Divorce my wife and put her out on the streets with our three sons because I'm not happy."

"You are more than unhappy. You should have never married her. You were merely a pawn for her family, as well as dad, and let's be honest, you know damn well she wouldn't be on the streets. She would survive just fine on child support and alimony. I'm sure you would buy her a house and take care of everything she needed. No matter the dollar amount, it would be worth every penny, and you have it."

"Yeah, but you know her. The boys would suffer because of me. She would make their lives a living hell, much like the last time I tried to divorce her. I don't trust her to do what she is supposed to do and take care of them. I feel better having them in the house with me. You know she's unstable."

"Then file for full custody and placement? You know the boys want to be with you anyway."

"Dad would have a conniption saying I'm embarrassing him, me, her father, Mellie. I would be the headline for the next month. Her running back and forth to the papers saying ridiculous shit. Dad being questioned about it during every press conference. I don't want the headache. It would also be a nightmare for the boys.

"You deserve to have the life you want. Not the nightmare she has created."

"Andrew, I got this. Everything is fine."

"Between Mellie and Dad strangling the life out of you, I don't know how you stand it."

"I'm doing what needs to be done. As for dad, he's harmless."

"Harmless?! He belittles us on a daily basis. That man has cost me thousands and thousands of dollars in therapy. Both of us, actually. He is far from harmless."

"You know what I mean."

"You're insane. You'll never be happy if you stay under dad's thumb or continue being married to that witch. You know I love you Fitz and you're my favorite brother. I just want you to be happy, and Mellie ain't it."

"First of all, I'm your only brother Andrew."

"That's beside the point."

My brother, the most supportive man I know. "Just enjoy yourself tonight."

"As long as you decide not to make any changes in your life, you will stay right where you are?"

"I don't need your advice, Andrew."

"I think you do, but whatever. If you'd rather sit and stare out your window at the bustling city instead of being a part of it, I can't save you."

"I don't need saving."

"I would beg to differ."

"I'll catch you later, Andrew."

"Okay, big bro."

I hang up the phone and toss it on my desk. Leaning back in my chair, I wonder how right Andrew is. Mellie and dad's suffocating grip on my life is draining. The mere thought of dealing with them both is enough to make my head spin.

As I get up to pour a drink, I reflect on how difficult I have always found it to stand up to my father. That comes from years of him telling me I was worthless, that I have only reached this far in my life because I carry his name, and I'm a gutless coward, among other things. I genuinely hate that man. I don't know if it's because he's full of shit most of the time or if he is actually right about me. Regardless, he'll be in the office for a few days next week before I leave for Paris, and the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.

But then there's Andrew, my rebellious brother who has boldly turned his back on marriage and severed all ties with our father for the most part. He refuses to bow down to dad's suffocating control and abusive behavior. I envy his strength. Andrew has always been brilliant to me. Touting a Harvard degree and a prestigious law career, his most remarkable quality lies in his ability to charm anyone he meets. He effortlessly extracts money from people's pockets and is a fundraiser's wet dream. It's precisely why our father was devastated and pissed when Andrew refused to join his campaign team to raise money. No one can work a room quite like he does. I'm sure, during dad's visit, he will not step one foot in this building, leaving me to deal with the brunt of Big Jerry's bullshit.

Andrew's right about one thing though, I need to get out here. I'm going crazy sitting in this office. I can always come in tomorrow and work, but where should I go? Going home is not an option. I'll lose my shit if I have to hear her complain about one more thing, and I don't want our boys to listen to us fight. They hear more than enough of that out of us. I could go out with Andrew, but I'm really in no mood to be social. I guess I'll do what I always do to relax, call Sara.

I open the door to the penthouse. The emptiness of the place is overwhelming. I toss my keys on the table and head straight to the bar. I gave Maria the night off; she was thoughtful enough to make lasagna for me. She makes the best damn lasagna I've ever had.

I eagerly heat the delicious plate of food Maria prepared for me, my mouth watering in anticipation. As I search for Sara's number in my phone, I can't help but smile at the memories we've created together over the past few months. Sara is a blend of youth, sensuality, and an infectious zest for life. Not to mention, she knows how to keep things exciting in the bedroom. Being with her allows me to escape from the harsh realities of my life momentarily. She's aware of my marital status, which doesn't faze her, probably because she's no stranger to juggling multiple relationships. But honestly, that doesn't bother me in the slightest. She respects my need for discretion, always making herself available when I crave her presence, and willingly fulfills my desires without question. With Sara, it's as if my every wish is her command.

After a few rings, Sarah picked up with a sexy tone in her voice, "Hey, Fitz."

"Hello, Sara. How are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm doing well. How are you?"

"Not bad; I just thought I'd see if you were free tonight. I wanted you to come by."

Sara hesitated briefly, "Oh, Fitz, I wish I could, but I already made plans for tonight. I promised a friend I would have dinner with them and go to a concert afterward."

"Oh, I see. Well, have a good time." I am thoroughly irritated.

"Fitz. I'm sorry. "

"Don't worry about it. Have a good time. Goodbye, Sara." I hang up the phone, not allowing her to respond. That will be the last time I call her. I wish I had a woman of my own. I mean not to own, but someone who wanted to be with me just for me. Not someone I need to sneak around with or be with just for sex, but as a companion. Someone I just enjoyed being with.

The only options I have left are to sit here alone or go out with Andrew. Screw it, I guess I'll go and get drunk with Andrew.