Stolen Moments

Chapter Four

Andrew Nichols had a harsh, aged face that was tattered with many fine lines of what one may have called 'season'. Olivia knew that the lieutenant governor was in the same proximity of age as Governor Grant, but she had concluded that Andrew Nichols appeared much older in the face, and he was not nearly as attractive and captivating as Fitzgerald Grant. Andrew's office was downtown at the State House, toward the back of the building in a corner where few people lingered. Most of the traffic of visitors remained in the front area of the facility. Despite the man's office being like any other work space, it was rather bleak and unwelcoming there with its all but sophisticated burlap curtains blocking the light in the waiting area. Only two chairs sat outside the office, telling Olivia that few people came to see Lieutenant Governor Nichols, who was hard at work behind the thick, glossed, wooden door.

Liv was aware that she had no appointment and that she had never called in advance, but Liv rarely ever called in advance; Surprise visits were more her style. She had told the receptionist at the front desk of the State House that she had come to see Nichols, and as she'd predicted, he had no one in his company, so the receptionist said she call him to inform him of his unexpected guest. When she instructed Olivia to go back, Liv smiled graciously and navigated her way to the detaining space that was Andrew's office and knocked politely on the door.

"Come in," he told her, his voice lacking luster and overall charisma. Olivia Pope entered with an immensely cautious state of mind. Her game face was drawn and her emotions were put to the side. Negotiating at its finest was about to be underway.

"Hello, Lieutenant Governor," she greeted with a civil grin. He nodded in response and gestured for her to sit.

As Olivia surveyed the desk, she noticed the utter clutter of his office. Papers were scattered in disarray on his desk, books were laid in stacks on the floor, boxes of files were overcoming the bench beside his window, and pens and highlighters were in every possible place. The display made it no mystery why he was lieutenant governor and Fitz was simply governor.

"Hello, Ms.?" He ended his sentence with skepticism, seemingly asking her name.

"Olivia Pope," she apprised. With a feather-light drop, she sat her handbag on the floor and soon clasped her hands in her lap. Andrew watched her with attentive eyes, and admired her classiness and stylish business wear. Whoever this Olivia Pope is, he thought, she isn't joking around.

"Nice to make your acquaintance, Ms. Pope."

"Likewise, Mr. Nichols." Andrew seemed awfully breezy and carefree under Olivia's observations, and she laughed silently to herself. He had no idea what he was walking himself into.

"If you don't mind my asking, what brings you here, Ms. Pope?" Liv tilted her head a bit with raised brows as if to say, 'fair enough'. She crossed her right leg beneath her left at the ankle, being sure not to reveal much of her legs in her appropriately lengthed pencil skirt.

"I'm here on behalf of the Grant family," she explained, much to Andrew's bewilderment. Since when did Mellie not talk to him about things of this matter? He had come to terms with the end of their affair, but he knew she still felt something for him. He knew she still wanted to protect him, or so he thought, anyways. So since when did Mellie and Fitz send attorneys to talk to him and not do it themselves?

What was peculiar enough, however, was that the idea of Mark Machado never even crossed his mind.

"Wha- Why would they do that?"

"Well, Mr. Nichols, you were aware of a planned sexual assault against Mrs. Grant. You then continued to share that information with reporter Mark Machado of People magazine. This, as you could imagine, is rather concerning to the Grant family."