Summary: Fitzgerald Grant III was on his journey to become the leader of the free world. But when his loving wife died, his politicalcareer went to a halt. He'd been closed off and dedicated his life to his daughter, Karen. But since Karen left for boarding school, Fitz had been finding meaning in his life by focusing in building his own empire until he laid eyes into a mysterious woman whose life was unexpectedly entangled with his - in ways both of them couldn't imagine.

PROLOGUE

It's ironic, because the day his wife died would also be the day Fitz would unsuspectedly feel alive again. It was a warm summer day in Manhattan and unbeknownst to Fitzgerald Grant III, the heat will start to melt his cold exterior. The sun was bright early in the morning and the birds inhabiting the trees were starting to chirp uncontrollably. It seemed like a normal beautiful day for anyone, but not to Fitz.

It was the fourth day of May 2016 – it had been three years since his wife died from a car accident. At this particular day of the year, Fitz has allowed himself to drink to oblivion – to honor Catherine's memory and at the same time, to forget the life he had and will never have with her. He wasn't self-destructive, he wasn't suicidal, and most of all, he wasn't dramatic – but at this particular day, he was allowed to be pathetically lonely. Since her wife's passing, Fitzgerald Grand III had been mourning privately. It had been helpful that, as a child, he was thought not to show raw emotions, not even to people close to him – but it didn't make it any less painful for him to live a life without his beautiful wife.

This year wasn't any different from the past three years – it anything else, it was worse. Karen was growing up too fast. She just turned thirteen and, with Fitz's in-laws encouragement and great influence, Karen decided to go to boarding school in Switzerland hence it had been harder for Fitz to deal with every day life. Growing up as a Grant and having experienced a lonely childhood, Fitz had hoped and dreamt to give Karen normalcy and loving household. With Catherine beside him, he knew he can give Karen what he never had. She was the miracle that happened to Fitz's life. She actually made Fitz believe that he can actually feel human emotions and he can actually be a father. With her, Fitz actually felt grounded and was normal like everybody else. And after Karen was born, he finally felt whole. But since Catherine's tragic death, all his hopes for better life disappeared like dust. He's starting to believe that normal is over rated for a Grant.

Fitz woke up early and drove by himself to the Grant's private tomb in New York City to visit Catherine's grave. He brought her favorite flowers, Hydrangeas, and trimmed the grass which started to crawl up her headstone. He stayed there for quite a while telling stories, mostly about Karen. His thoughts went back to her daughter; she's growing up beautifully just like her mother. For that, Fitz was contented and quite bemused. Karen had been his saving grace and consistent source of his happiness. However, she had become an adult prematurely to compensate Fitz's shortcomings in maternal department. For this, Fitz also felt like a failure. He was becoming his father after all. Even though Karen doesn't show it, Fitz knew he was lacking in so many things, especially a mother's tender love and understanding. The Grant curse must be true.

He wanted Karen to be his top priority. For the past three years, Karen's wellbeing took precedence in every decision he made. As much as he can, he's very hands on in rendering Karen's needs, not just material but also emotional needs. He never wanted her to feel abandoned. He never wanted her to feel alone. He wanted for Karen to have someone to look up to especially now that she's becoming a young lady. And he knew, with his in-laws being one of the most elite member of New York high society, Karen's life will be inescapably subjected to public's prying eyes. Currently, she only has her maternal grandmother, Cecilia, and Fitz's executive assistant, Elizabeth North, as women role model – Fitz will forever be thankful for their constant presence in Karen's life but he knew it isn't enough. The thought of finding love again never actually cross his mind. But it broke his heart every time he would catch Karen enviously looking at her friends as they spend time with their mothers. A mother's love is different from a Father's – it's something he can't give and his money cannot buy; it's a fact that Karen had long accepted but she can't help but crave for.

He looked at Catherine's headstone again and brushed off the dust that had settled before giving it a kiss. He needed to say goodbye – again. He yearned for the day that it wouldn't be too hard to leave her. He longed for the day that he can finally let her go completely. But he knew it wouldn't be today. Every day, Fitz would look through the mirror and tell the man in front of him to suck it up and just bury himself to work. And so, that's what he did and he was actually very good at it that he almost believed he was doing fine. Well, up until the inevitable day has come.

"Goodbye, my love." Fitz whispered as he kneeled and rested his forehead on the headstone for another minute. He then slowly stood up and turned to his path. He immediately glared because of the eye-blinding sunlight directly shining in front of him. He took his dark sunglasses from his breast pocket and started to walk to his car.

Fitz would usually end this day at the cemetery with a bottle of whiskey – her favorite drink – until he was buzzed enough to go home in an empty bed. But that day, Fitz had to visit Catherine early in the morning so that he could leave just in time to finish his work at the office and make it to the other side of the town by dinner time. Fitz's trusted friendand business partner, David Rosen, had coincidentally arranged an important business dinner at an upscale French restaurant in Long Island. If there were any suspicions about the meeting coinciding with his wife's death anniversary, he didn't question David.

Fitz went about his day like any other day. He arrived in his Manhattan office and went through long meetings. He only allowed himself to be interrupted by phone call from Karen, who gave him a recap of her adventures in St. Gallen before saying her father goodnight. By three in the afternoon, and after three cups of brewed coffee, he wrapped up his meetings and finish his paperworks in his office before driving across the town.

He parked his car and Fitz checked himself in his rearview mirror. He decided to remove his tie and unfasten two or three buttons of his impeccable dress shirt.

By the time he arrived, the place was buzzing and Fitz actually felt the vibe. He walked through a crowd of mostly young professionals who are having nightcaps from long day in the busy city until he found David and the rest at a more secluded part of the restaurant.

"We actually thought you bailed on us, Mr. Grant," Troy Miller greeted as he shook his hands while others cheerfully acknowledged his presence.

"If only I could," He jokingly replied as he took his seat beside David and placed his arms in his shoulder. "But I wouldn't hear the end of it from this guy." And the crowd laughed.

"Before anything else, we would like to make a toast." Troy offered him a glass of scotch which he gladly took. "To the Grant Enterprise and to the man himself, Mr. Grant! May you never get tired in seeking new and great ideas and may you continue saving our butts from having stupid ones!" The entire table erupted into laughter.

"Cheers!"

Fitz was able to socialize effortlessly like a normal human being and he later found himself actually enjoying a drink with his team and clients. Yes, Fitz was actually relishing this night. Earlier this day he thought he'd be spending it at Catherine's graveyard. The night was young and it turned out to be promising. Maybe he enjoyed it too much that he didn't stop himself from having conversations with them – young new investors with fresh ideas. He wasn't actually in a laughing fit, but he actually liked their company tonight rather than drink himself into stupor. He's is enjoying it immensely that he had been holding his bladder for the first couple of hours so as not to miss taking part on interesting conversations.

Finally, he excused himself and it was during his trip back from the restroom when a young ebony woman caught Fitz's attention.

She was sitting on her own at the table by the window. The room was dimly lit but the light from the moon and New York Skyline was enough for Fitz's to appreciate her beauty. Her petite body was wrapped elegantly in classic black off-the-shoulder bodycon dress but what etched on his memory were her big doughy eyes, vibrant brown skin and plump limps. Her black hair, in soft loose waves left out to fall over her shoulders while the jagged cut bangs are blow-waved straight. Seeing her prominent clavicle and shoulder, Fitz can't help but imagine how it would feel against his lips. He silently reprimanded himself but he was captivated by her beauty. She was a sight to behold and her features were forever painted in his memory. She was shining beneath the moonlight – and it was a sight he can never forget.

Fitz finally regained his composure and went back to their table. He joined David and their clients in their merry-making but he can't take his eyes off from the woman across the room. She looked sophisticated and poised as she downed glass after glass of red wine. By here stance, she seemed like a woman of importance. It was obvious from how often she checked her phone and expensive looking watch that she was waiting for someone. Her grace reminded him of Catherine but whilst Catherine's existence was full of life, the woman who had been occupying his thoughts looked distant and unattached to the world around her. He started to be intrigued with her.

Suddenly he was caught staring. Sultry big brown eyes looking at him as she slowly downed another glass of wine. The ever charismatic man that he is, Fitz sneakily raised his glass towards her direction and smiled. Her perfectly shaped brow was raised in curiosity but she seductively smiled nonetheless and Fitz was just captivated. He knew he already saw those expressive eyes before - but where and when? He cannot exactly remember. She was enormously beautiful but it was her eyes that enchanted him – behind the perfect pair were mystery and loneliness mirroring his own.

"You should talk to her, maybe ask her out," David's playful voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Excuse me?"

"The girl you've been eyeing. If I were you, I wouldn't let her go without even getting her number."

Fitz just drunk his whiskey straight up, relying on the warm liquid as he mustered some courage. Surprisingly, he was actually contemplating on taking up his friend's suggestion. After another hour of drinks and stolen glances – which was caught several times but gained a smile nevertheless, Fitz was already buzzed, both with alcohol and desire for the mystery woman.

It was almost ten in the evening and Fitz noticed the young woman hasn't left and was still very much alone. The frown forming in her face was evident and she kept her arms crossed in front of her. One by one, people in his table were saying their goodbyes. On normal days, Fitz would be the first one to be on his way. But tonight, he can't get himself to leave without talking to the breathtaking woman. He knew he would regret it if he let his chance pass. He didn't know what got into him, but as soon as David left him with a knowing look, he found himself walking towards her direction. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was his own loneliness, maybe he was finally fed up going home to an empty bed, or maybe, for the first time in a long time - he was actually attracted to a woman other than his wife.

He walked across the room with purpose and cadence. The woman noticed him as he was nearing her table and their eyes once again connected and Fitz saw raw emotions.

"Hi" He greeted with his drink in one hand and a bottle of red wine on the other. He stopped and stood in front of her table, wearing his charming smile, not wanting to totally invade her space. Only then he noticed that the view outside was spectacular. The restaurant was several floors above and it has a picturesque view of the city skyline and the east river. With the woman in front of him and the view behind her, the perfect vision was permanently painted in his memory,

"Hi." She softly answered – her voice was soft but a little bit hoarse. She kept her gaze at the tall, handsome, well dressed intruder. Fitz was thankful to his stylists for his perfectly tailored dark gray suit which hugged him flawlessly and accentuated his body.

Wearing his immaculate smile, he was silently asking for permission to join her. He was surprised of his boldness. He didn't know he still got some confidence in him. He was married to Catherine for six years and he hadn't laid eyes on anyone other than her even after her death. But tonight the beautiful woman brought out a lot of buried emotions and made Fitz feel them all at once.