Hi guys! Thanks to my first three readers, I hope I won't disappoint you.
For this chapter I thought about a little playlist:
Johann Strauss – Viennese Waltz
Christina Aguilera – But I'm a good girl
Jay Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of mind
The Soho Dolls - Stripper
She was there, again. Apparently the exchange happened between them the day before didn't bothered her too much. Her hair were arranged in a messy ponytail, letting full access for him to see her bare shoulders. She wore a black tank top, that cling tightly to her slender figure, and a long skirt, that she had just collect on her lap to fight the heat and let her legs free to breath. Harvey couldn't help but appreciate the gesture. That morning he took his coffee and just sat at a table near hers, trying to understand what he could do next. He knew that if he had just talk to her, or ask something probably she would have dumped him in a second, or she would even pretend not to hear him, like she did with all the guys he observed during the past few weeks.
She began to shift uncomfortably on her chair, as if she was feeling his gaze, which was an actual possibility, since Harvey realized that he wasn't even blinking. His cell rang, and in the same time, she looked up.
-Harvey Specter – he answered, not recognizing the number. He found himself staring in her eyes again. The girl put an hand on her delicate neck, bewildered, trapped by that strange substrate of desire and unconsciousness. Harvey couldn't explain what happened between them. When he was with her, when his gaze met hers, when they looked at each other in that connected way, the time just stopped, the world exhaled his last breath, and suddenly everything became just electricity. Destiny, inevitability, he didn't know how to call it, but he wasn't actually trying to explain that to himself.
- Who? – he asked, keep looking at her – I'll be there in five minutes - he shut the phone, smiling. He stood up and made a step towards her. The girl just observed him. – I'm Harvey Specter – he said, his hands deep in his pockets.
- I heard that – she whispered, biting her lower lip. Then she closed her eyes and in the time of a breath she began to read again.
- Sorry if I bother you, could you at least tell me your name? – he continued, surprised. She was rude? But rudeness is far from her character, as he could tell after weeks of observation. Maybe she was just annoyed, like all the time guys approached in her time of reading. But he wasn't just some guy in a bar.
The girl looked up again. She didn't seem annoyed, or angry, or anything.
-There are any chances that you'll stop asking if I refuse to tell you? – she answered. Harvey smiled.
- Not really -
-My name is Catherine Earnshaw, and I just want to read my book – she said in a quiet voice. Harvey frowned. He knew that name from somewhere. And he took a Spanish note in her voice.
- I understand that, I never saw anyone so concentrated on something in my entire life. It was a pleasure to meet you – he said, and with a nod he left. At least he had her name. Mike was outside, wearing is brightest smile.
- Hello, sunshine – he said.
- By your tone, I assume that you found something. Nevertheless I can't see any other reason for you to call me sunshine and think that you won't be fired – Mike frowned.
- You really have to work on your manners, you know? And from what I saw, she thinks that too – he pointed the cafeteria behind them.
- Are you trying again to be my BFF? I don't want to break your heart, but we're not even in the same playground – they walked fast in Pearson and Hardman's direction.
- We're touchy this morning, aren't we? So, I discover something, but it's a really lame track so far – Harvey stopped in front of the building, looking Mike. The boy rolled his eyes.
- What? I didn't sleep and I searched the entire archive, and no, Rachel wasn't there with me, and yes, it was boring beyond your imagination. The only track I found it's an old report about a girl who tried to suit Kolk for aggression and rape, but the case never went anywhere, the PD office just let the thing go –
- It doesn't sound lame to me – Harvey said.
- Yeah, because I haven't finish. They just archived her report because it seems that the gal was trying to obtain Kolk's favors, and she had a past as a strip dancer –
- Bad witness –
- Yep –
- By now is the best lead we have, so follow it – Harvey entered the building, just in time to jump on the elevator. He blocked Mike, who was trying to follow him.
- Where are you going? – he asked raising his eyebrows.
- I had to leave my stuff … - Mike was cut out of the elevator.
- Good work! – he heard Harvey saying from behind the sliding doors.
- Jerk – he muttered, turning to exit.
Harvey loosened his tie, leaning on his office chair. He turned to see Manhattan, a billion lights just popping in front of his eyes. The case was difficult, and he knew it. Proofs were really poor, and it was only a matter of court charisma. He normally wouldn't be worried about it, because he is the best, also in court. But Kolk had on his plate a lot of favors to regain. His cell rang.
-Finally – he said to Mike.
- Harvey, you have to come here – the boy seemed excited.
- Where, and more important, why? – he answered, annoyed.
- Believe me, you want to see this one –
In the night, the ballet school was just another dark building. Ray leaved Harvey in front of it, and he had to search the address two times before he found the right door. But on the inside, it was great: one of those old dancing schools, with wood walls and high ceilings, with mirrors all around and just some benches on sides. He asked for Stage 4, and he entered a smaller place with a little bleacher that faces a big glass, just like a hockey game. Mike stood near the glass, clearly staring at the figure that danced alone in the bigger room on the other side of the window.
-What am I doing here, Mike? –Harvey asked, going near him.
- Thought you'd like to see this – whispered Mike, without looking at him.
And in that moment, Harvey's eyes focalized on the girl that was dancing.
It was she. The girl wore a black ballet dress, which emphasized every curve of her body, and a light black skirt around her waist, that followed adorably her moves. Harvey stepped closer. He saw a guy on a corner behind her, he sat near a stereo player. The music was some Strauss waltz, and the girl just danced on points. She was clearly a classical dancer, and a really good one. After a few minutes alone, another guy joined her, and they just keep following the music, weightless, soundless, apparently without any effort. Violins echoed in the empty room, in a crescendo of pathos, and passion, and Harvey felt his heart racing, because he just couldn't stop to looking at her. Her hands, her feet, her long legs, her breast: she was perfect. And he loved beauty. He felt passion running through his veins, like she was dancing for him, and for him alone. When the last waltz notes began to fade away, they suddenly stopped. The girl smiled, and began harshly to take off her shoes. She threw them away and the other guy passed her some simple ballet flats. He was smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
-Be good, Jerome - she exclaimed, still smiling and apparently waiting for something.
Harvey frowned. He turned and looked at Mike. The boy just smiled.
- You'll see - Mike murmured.
And then the room was filled with music again: this time it was a burlesque melody.
- Do you want me to stay tuned with Aguilera? - with a laugh she began to dance, changing style completely: following the words, she created a new choreography, helping herself with a chair. Harvey was speechless: she was becoming another person, just in front of his eyes. The girl he was watching in that moment was pure sensuality, self consciousness, a bit ironic, naughty. The cold and elegant classical dancer was far away now. Then the song ended, and without even thinking she began to follow the next one. This time some rap song, and she switched another time, with a confident smile on her lips.
-She's amazing, isn't she? - Mike smiled – She can catch up with every song he throws on her, and it last for at least twenty, twenty-five minutes - he explained.
-She began to do it a few years ago - said a voice behind them. Harvey and Mike turned to see a girl entering the room, a bag on her shoulder - she is the only one who does that. Basically it's something that doesn't even exist, but she has this talent, she just know how to move, without thinking - she continued, sitting on a bench and beginning to change her shoes.
-Wait a minute, are you telling me that she's improvising? - asked Harvey, raising his eyebrows. The girl smiled.
- Yeah. If you two were a little introduced in our world you would have recognize her. She's pretty famous - her phone rang, and she blushed, silencing it and going away, glancing at the people inside. Clearly phone tones weren't allowed inside the stages.
- Mike, why are we here? - asked Harvey after a moment.
- Because you told me to follow the lead. I did it -
-The girl that sued Kolk works here? - Harvey couldn't believe it, but he had a horrible sensation.
- Her name is Isobel Rojas - answered Mike, with an unmistakable look in his clear eyes. He glanced at the girl on the stage, now dancing a pop song. Harvey shook his head.
- I knew it wasn't Catherine Earnshaw - he muttered. Mike burst into laugh.
- Surely, or to obtain her number you would have to be Heathcliff and throw children from the stairs - he saw the clueless expression on Harvey face. - Ehm... you know, Wuthering Heights? Catherine, Heathcliff and all that stuff? -
- I knew I've heard it before - said Harvey smirking.
- I began to love this girl - Mike smiled, but he stopped when he saw the look on his boss face.
The music stopped. Harvey turned and looked at her. She was laughing with the stereo guy, a towel around her neck. He told her something, and then indicated the two men outside. She turned quickly, and she saw Harvey for the first time.
Harvey just stayed still where he was, watching her approaching with her tumid mouth tightened in a hard expression. She arrived in front of him, her hair up in a messy chignon. Harvey bored his deep brown eyes in hers, incapable of saying anything. Seeing her dancing, feeling her closeness, everything just pull him towards this girl.
- So what, are you following me? - she asked, breaking the silence. Why the hell was she always so sweet and nice and kind with everyone except him?
- I'm a lawyer - answered Harvey in his low voice. In his mind he just grabbed her, molding her body to his, and then press his mouth on her full lips. He blinked, regaining focus - are you Isobel Rojas? -
- Lulie - the girl corrected him without thinking. He thought that name was perfect for her. And then, for the first time, she smiled to Harvey. It was a strange, sad smile, but still... Harvey just looked at her. He saw some freckles on her straight nose, and her eyes seemed just wider and deeper. He kept feeling dragged towards her like a magnet.
- We're working on a case against Randy Kolk – he simply answered, observing her reaction. Jerome stepped forward, leaning a hand on Isobel's shoulder. She looked at him, shaking her head and smiling weakly.
- Everything's ok Jerome, don't worry – she whispered in her quiet, velvet voice. The man nodded, glaring at Harvey.
- I'll be just outside the door – he said, and Mike noticed his warning tone.
Isobel walked to one of the benches, undoing the knot that kept her little skirt up. Harvey followed her, and he couldn't avoid looking at her toned back. Then he turned to see Mike doing exactly the same. He pushed him a little, giving him an hard look. Mike shrugged.
-What do you want from me? – she asked, without looking at them. She slipped in a pair of large sweatpants, keeping collecting her stuff in a big black bag.
-Our client is suiting him for sexual harassment, but we haven't enough proofs – explained Mike. Isobel raised her head up, and her eyes were all of a sudden full of anger. She stood up, trembling a little while she threw the bag over her shoulder. She was just irradiating heat, and passion, and a lot of tangled emotions.
- I don't want to have nothing to do with this – she said firmly looking Harvey straight in his brown eyes – so please, leave me alone, for good – Harvey felt a hint of her Spanish accent sliding in her words, and he fought the impulse to take her wrist and draw her to himself.
Isobel just walked away, and as Mike tried to follow her, Harvey stopped him.
-Not now. Let her think about it – he said, watching the point where she disappeared.