Chapter 1

"Damn it Sebastian, can't you do one thing right? I didn't want to head to the venue building, that was the brilliant reason I put you in charge. You're useless. You know what, consider this your two week notice. I can't rely on you anymore." Fitz tossed his phone on the seat next to him, deeply frustrated.

"And you, Felix, can't you speed the fuck up, do we really have to hit every red light? Can't drive, don't know why you're my driver anyway." Fitz smacked the window of the town car.

"What's your problem boss? You're a bit lighthearted today, usually you would have smashed the window by now." Felix had the window fixed so many times. The temper on his privileged white silver spoon born client was out of control. If he didn't get his way, he kicked and screamed in times worse than a two year old in a toy store.

"Shut up and drive, hit one more red light and find out how lighthearted I am." Fitz shook his head in frustration. This wasn't his job to be visiting and checking the maintenance on his buildings. That's why he OWNED them. His handyman, who he paid way too much, was supposed to do it. But Sebastian couldn't do it today. His damn wife had to go into labor two weeks early.

The party that was taking place there now was about to be over and the manager had kept the leaking water undercover, but it was getting worse. So, here Fitzgerald Grant the Third was, heading to the building to make sure it didn't cost more than the building itself to be fixed.

Felix had to stop short merging on to the highway, and Fitz flung forward. "God damn Felix, what the fuck with you today, you forget how to drive? I'll hold your paycheck, use it on driving school, useless shit."

That was it. It wasn't worth it anymore. This rich ass, ungrateful little daddy's boy can drive himself the rest of the way. Felix had enough. He pulled over to the shoulder of the road and put the car in park.

Fitz looked surprised out the window. "What the hell Felix, you stopped on the side of the highway. Get back on the highway, I want to get this shit over with. I have a million things to do today and being in a car accident isn't one of them." Fitz sat back waiting for the car to move.

Instead, his driver of six years, Felix Upshaw opened the driver's side door, gave Fitz the finger, and said "drive yourself, I fucking quit you little shit."

Fitz's eyebrows crossed in both anger and confusion as he watched Felix walk along the shoulder of the highway and take the close exit, on foot into town. Fitz looked to his left, then to his right, as if someone was going to magically appear and take care of this.

His phone began to vibrate, and it was Justin, the banquet hall manager. "Sir, the baby shower is ending, and the water is."

"I know, Justin, for Christ's sake, I know. I'll get there as soon as I can. Call a local handyman or something."

"Sir, it's the weekend."

"So what? Offer him whatever, just get someone there for an estimate and quick fucking fix, what don't you get?"

"Yes sir." Justin took a deep breath and hung up.

"This is insane." Fitz pounded the seat and opened his side door, quickly hopping into the driver's seat. "I can't remember the last time I drove my own car." He adjusted the mirrors, the seats, and turned off the damn music Felix liked so much. "I don't even know how to get there." He rubbed his eyes, put the address into the GPS and pulled slowly out to the highway, still in shock that Felix walked out of the job.

Fitzgerald Grant the Third was all the things everyone despised in a person. He was greedy, overpowering, difficult to work for, and rich, very rich. He never let his employees forget who the boss was, and most of his behavior was because of his parents.

They spoiled him from the moment he took his first breath. He was groomed in private schools with kids of stars, politicians, and athletes. He had anything he wanted at his disposal and that included people. One thing Fitz's father instilled in him was that everyone has a price. No amount of money was too large, not for a Grant anyway, and that's how Fitz lived most of his life.

Being only 30 now, Fitz's father gave him ownership to various catering halls, bank offices, and bars around the city. He started small but was about to hit big time soon with Gerry's retirement. He had to pretend to like this role in order to step into the CEO of operations for his father's business, FTG Incorporated.

Now, driving on a highway at 75, he couldn't wait to tell his father what Felix did. The man needed his last paycheck, Fitz knew Felix had two year old twins to support. "Well, that's tough shit, isn't it now." Fitz said to himself as he looked into his rearview mirror. "My father isn't paying you a dime, and don't think it's coming out of my accounts." Fitz smiled to himself in the mirror. "Fuck with me, I'll fuck with you."

Yeah, Fitzgerald Grant was ruthless, and he didn't care. People worked for him, he called the shots, and thus far it's been a great life. He snaps, he'll get a date; he had the looks. He pushes a button; his plane will arrive ready to go anywhere. He makes a phone call, and 12 of his buddies are ready to go anywhere they want, to do anything they want. This was the life for Fitzgerald Grant, and no one, not one person would change that. There was nothing wrong with it anyway, at least Fitz didn't think so.

"Ms. Pope, I am so sorry if any of the gifts were damaged by the water." Justin, the manager of FTG banquet hall was apologizing.

"No worries at all Justin, everything was fine. We had a wonderful time. Abby is so happy." Olivia watched as Abby came out, all seven months pregnant of her. "Hey Abs, mother to be of a my beautiful goddaughter, you alright?"

Abby walked over to Liv and gave her a big hug. "I still can't believe how big you went for this shower. Liv this was really over the top and unnecessary." She rubbed her best friend's arm. "Seriously, thank you so much."

"Anything for you and that baby." Liv called the car over. "Hey, can you take Abby home with the gifts, please. Leo is there, he's waiting to help you unload." Liv paused. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Alfredo, ma'am, but your father said the car was for you." Alfredo looked confused.

"No worries, I'll get him to get another one." Liv began dialing her dad's number.

"Liv, where's Baxter?" Abby was referring to Liv's long-time driver.

"He moved to Indiana a week ago. His mother got ill very quickly, so he had to go be with her. Until I find someone, I have temps for now, it's no big deal. Baxter talked so much I couldn't get any thinking done. Seriously, though I miss him. He was always so good to us."

"You have to think, you're an author." Abby laughed. "A best selling on the rise author."

"Yeah, yeah." Liv waved her hand. "I have to get to the food bank now. They are expecting over fifty families there. I am going help hand out food and get some families into the shelter across the street overnight."

"I'm sure you're dads on it, he protects you like no other manager would. You'll have a new driver and a talking friend in no time. Maybe the driver will be good looking enough for you date." Abby winked.

"Overly protects, let's be honest, Abby, but I love it, and I love him." She kissed Abby's belly. "And, I love you little Miss in there." She looked back up at Abby. "One day, maybe, but I'm not in any hurry to date anyone."

"I don't get it, Olivia. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Guys around here, and everywhere we go for that matter, always are around you. Not one of them resonates with you."

Olivia shrugged. "I guess I'm just not ready for one to. I mean, you know my type, it's not only about looks. It's about making me laugh, intrigue, mystery, and someone so out of my league I have to bring him back down to earth."

Abby laughed out loud. "Wow, Liv, yeah, good luck with that." She rolled her eyes as she heard the driver call from the window.

"Car's all ready Ms. Pope."

Olivia gave Abby a hug as a text came in from her father. "Car is on the way, black town car."

As Olivia watched her normal car go off with Abby, she walked into the building and saw Justin trying frantically to mop up streams of never-ending water. "Do you want some help with that Justin?"

Startled by Olivia's voice, Justin stopped what he was doing. "No, not all Ms. Pope, thank you. We have maintenance coming for this. It has to get fixed ASAP; we have the Johnson/Kobyn wedding tonight." Justin took a deep breath.

"Oh, wow, I heard about them. High class. He's the coach's son from university, right?"

"Number one ranked in men's college basketball university, yeah, and she's daughter of the Colony bank chains CEO, this can't go wrong. Besides my boss will have my head floating upstream if I can't get this to work."

Liv tilted her head and pouted a bit. "I'm sorry, Justin." She saw a town car pull in and she turned to Justin. "That's my ride." She pulled a card out of her pocket. "Here, that's Ramzi's number. Best plumber, slash handyman, slash anything you need done. Tell him Olivia said to call. He'll be here instantly, I promise."

Justin took a sigh of relief looking at the card. "Thank you so much Ms. Pope, man this will be a life saver."

Liv smiled and walked out, just as the car stopped. The driver went to jump out, and Liv opened the back door by herself. "No need to open the door, I can see myself in." She got comfortable in the back seat, as she saw the driver peer back into the car. Wow, Olivia thought, he is one handsome driver, thanks dad.

"What the hell are you doing?" Fitz looked at this woman who made herself comfortable in his car.

"Oh please, it's fine, I didn't break my hand opening my own car door, my dad is always so overkill. Come on, get back in, I told DC I would be there by two."

Olivia Pope was the 28-year-old daughter of Eli Pope. Eli had raised Olivia on his own as a single dad. Her mom, Maya, had left him early in Liv's life. Maya wanted custody of Liv, but Eli fought it. Maya moved to Russia with her lover, and there wasn't a chance in hell Eli's daughter would be raised in Russia.

Eli fought a long, hard custody battle, and won. He got sole custody of Olivia and they never looked back. She was the joy in his life, the twinkle in his eyes, and she would want nothing in life. Eli made sure Olivia would grow up getting what she wanted, but also helping along the way. She had turned out as humbled as he hoped, if not more.

For as long as Liv could remember, her father always took her to food banks, shelters, and even walked the streets to help the homeless. It was how she knew the guy she recommended to Justin. Liv helped get Ramzi off the streets, into trade school, and he was a successful handyman. He was giving back to his community, just as Liv and Eli gave to him. Ramzi was one of many stories they had helped over the years.

Olivia, by chance, wrote a book about the homeless of the city. She wrote the book at the age of 11, and publishers were so intrigued by it. Eli met with a few of them, picked out the one he liked best, and Olivia was on her way to becoming a best-selling author.

Having everything she needed in life, she never let that stop her from giving. The Pope's were very well respected in this urban community. Despite the money they had, they still lived in the apartment Liv grew up in.

Olivia was very giving, loving, and never saw a bad bone in anyone. She tried to help anyone who would accept the help, and she loved every minute doing it.

Fitz didn't know why, but he got back into the driver's seat. He turned to Liv. He began to speak but noticed her innocent brown eyes staring at him. She smiled, and the eyes smiled with her. "Some thing wrong?" she asked innocently. "What's your name anyway?"

"Look, I'm…"

"I know, not used to driving in the city. Most of my dad's drivers he finds aren't used to it, but you get the hang of it quickly." Liv waved her hand. "I can direct you to where we need to go."

"Look, Ms." Fitz stopped.

"Pope, Olivia Pope, but you can call me Liv." Liv waited.

"Yeah, Livvie, whatever." Fitz stopped, hearing her laugh.

"Livvie? No Liv, not Livvie." Although she liked that funny nickname. "But if Livvie suits you, then stick with it. I'm going to need a driver for a while until my dad finds one full time." She shrugged. "Can we go now? And your name is?"

Fitz shook his head in disbelief. How did this woman not know who he was? Anyway, his frustration found the best of him, he needed to get out of the car and get into that building. "Name is Tom, ok, and I'm not going to drive…."

"Too fast, I know, my dad said that to you. It's one of the requirements. It's fine, I won't tell if you won't tell." Liv looked at her watch. "Now, Tom, I am going to be late, and I don't want to be late. It's just ten minutes away. You can drop me off and I'll call you back to get me when I'm done, ok."

Fitz didn't have the time to argue and once this chick left the car, he would never see her again, so ten more minutes wouldn't hurt anything.

"Jesus, fine, where the hell are we going?"

"Garfield Avenue, it's two lefts and two rights after the traffic light up the road." Liv sat back waiting for the car to move. What was this guy's problem? Why accept the job from her dad if he didn't want to work? Maybe the poor guy needed the money. Liv wouldn't judge; besides she smiled thinking of him calling her Livvie.

"Where in God's hell are we?" Fitz looked around at how fast the streets changed. "This area looks horrible and dangerous."

"Don't judge based on appearance Mr. Tom. There are some very nice, loving families that live in this community." Liv said with pride.

"Says the girl who just hops into cars. What building are we looking for?"

"Over there on the right. The white building with the sign."

Fitz pulled up to it. "Food bank? Why did I just drive to a food bank? If you can hire a car, you can afford food." Fitz looked at the dingy little building.

"It's not for me, I volunteer here. We can use an extra hand; would you like to join me?" Liv asked nicely.

"Are you out of your mind? No way I'm going in there." Fitz gave a laughing sigh.

Liv shrugged. "Ok, then, thanks for the ride. I'll tell my dad that you, Tom, were one of the best I've had driving me."

Fitz just stopped, looking at her blinking and squinting in disbelief. Does she not think I'm arrogant and disrespectful? If not, he had to change that, pronto. He may be getting soft on his game.

"Don't tell your dad anything, I don't think this gig is for me." He assured her. He heard the smash of glass shattering, and he looked up at the road.

Two men were in a fight, and one threw a bottle at the other. The bottle broadly missed the man's head and shattered on the brick wall. Fitz looked at Liv, sure to see her scared. Great, she's going to jump into my arms and want protection. No way, Fitz, that isn't happening. Get her in the building and get your ass out of here.

Olivia just sighed. "Hey, Buzzy and Max, there's no need for that. Go on inside and get some food, stop the nonsense." Olivia had half her body out of the car as she was yelling at the two men. At the sound of her voice, they stopped instantly. They both turned and walked away opposite the food building.

"Buzzy will be back, he always comes in." Liv sat back down in the car. "Well, I'm going. Nice to have met you, Tom." Liv dipped her head to leave.

"Buzzy? Did you just say Buzzy?" Fitz stopped her for a moment.

"Yeah, that's his name, Buzzy. He was born under a beehive, and that's how he got his name."

Fitz put his face down in both his hands. "You're lying," he said through laughter. God, when was the last time he laughed like this?

Liv was straight faced. "No, I'm not, why would I lie about that?"

Fitz threw his hands up. "I don't know. Just be careful, ok." Fitz shook his head. Why do you care if she's careful Fitz? This was her choice.

"See, you do care. I'll call you when I'm ready to be picked up. You sure you don't want to come in?" Liv tried to persuade Mr. Grumpy pants.

"No, I don't care, not in the least, but I'll walk you to the door to protect you from Buzzy's flying bottles, then Adios, you won't see me again." Fitz got out of the car and greeted Liv on the other side. Is that what he really wanted?

He was not expecting her to interlock her arm with his. "Why thank you Mr. Tom, I'm flattered."

"It's not Mr. Tom, ok, it's just." He stopped. Should he continue with the lie? "Tom, ok."

"Ok." Liv's eyes rolled. The door opened and DC stood there. "TOM" she said trying to mimic his deep voice. The door was opened by a young man about Liv's age. He smiled when he saw her.

"Liv, I didn't think you were coming. He pulled her in for a hug.

"Hey." Fitz said. "She didn't reach out for a hug, why did you pull her in like that?" Wait, was that just Fitz speaking? What the hell?

"Tom" Liv laughed., "this is DC, he runs the food bank and shelter across the way. DC, this is the driver my dad got me for today, Tom. I have been friends with DC since first grade."

DC put his hand out to shake, and he noticed Fitz's hesitation. Eventually Fitz shook it, but not without reservations. "You look very familiar. You said your name is Tom?"

"Yeah, Tom. I'm heading out."

"Ok, Tom, I'll call you when I'm done."

"No need." DC said. "I can take you home."

"Ok. I'll call dad and let him know you're free the rest of the day." She looked back at Fitz, freeing him of his time from her.

"Hey wait." Oh, what Fitz, you want to suddenly be a driver? Wait what? Fitz thought of something to say just to stall the getaway. "DC? Don't tell me you were born in Washington DC. That's how you got your name." Fitz laughed.

"No," Liv said laughing. "His name is David Cruz, but we have called him DC since he was six. Now why am I waiting?"

"Huh?" Fitz looked at her confused.

"You said, hey wait. What am I waiting for?" Liv asked again, waiting for an answer, and for the moment Fitz got caught up in those innocent eyes of hers again.

"Nothing, never mind I said that" Fitz lied. "Go ahead, tell your dad you'll be fine getting home." Fitz looked up and down the street. "I shouldn't be here anyway."

He pulled into his car and drove away, visibly shaken by how he was feeling towards the woman he just met.

"Of all the drivers your dad had to rely on quickly, he was, by far one of the worst. He is clearly arrogant as fuck too. Glad I can take you home." DC said turning in towards the building.

"I don't know." Liv answered. "He seemed kind of nice. He's got…. something I could work with." She smiled as she followed DC into the building. She looked down as her phone rang.

"Dad?" She said with a confused question.

"Where are you? The car has been waiting outside Abby's shower for fifteen minutes."

"What are you talking about? I'm at the food bank already. You sure you didn't order two cars?"

"No, I didn't order two cars, I wouldn't waste money like that. Who did you get into a car with?"

Liv shrugged. "I don't know. Someone named Tom. He wasn't too keen on driving, but reluctantly he brought me here. I wouldn't mind him again though, he's funny."

"I need to get to the bottom of this. I'll come get you when you're done."

"No need. DC is driving me home. Love you dad, see you later." Liv hung up, genuinely confused as DC came running to her.

"I knew it, Liv, I knew it." He handed her a picture he had just printed in his office. "That guy was no Tom." He air quoted the name. "He's the bastard Fitzgerald Grant the Third, richest little spoiled son of a bitch. How the hell did he wind up with you as a passenger in his car?"

Liv stared down at the picture now. She got a better look at him, being able to stare at the picture. He was very handsome, and she was more intrigued now. "I don't know." She said, "but everything happens for a reason, right?" Liv shrugged, handing the picture back to DC and joined the families waiting to greet her. She smiled radiantly as she saw how thankful the families were and would be for the next few hours.