✧・゚: *✧・゚:* *:・゚✧*:・゚✧
"...would be everything you'd need to consider financially," Louis addresses the firms multi-million dollar clients over the boardroom table, shuffling the papers in his hand with a slick grin. So far their bit is playing out exactly as planned but the corners of his mouth twitch when the spiel is followed by Harvey's distracted silence. It's his role to close the merger and Louis clears his throat subtly pronouncing the cue.
Harvey catches the sound and glances up from his phone gaze shifting to the elderly gentlemen and his board of associates who are all sat expectantly waiting. He knows the drill, has the speech retained in his memory and it rolls smoothly off the back of Louis' report, "Mr. Wellington we understand your assets are not your primary focus. Your company and the people who make it are. That' why we-"
He sees another call light up his phone and stops suddenly. It's the third time in as many minutes Donna's mother has tried getting through and unease twists in the pit of his stomach. He should ignore it, needs to for the sake of the merger, and reluctantly clasps his hands together realigning his focus to continue, "that's why we guarantee if you choose to go ahead we are going to make absolutely certain nobody is put at risk. Austerline Motors have promised a twenty-three percent increase in their employee... "
The ID screen activates again and dead silence hits the air in place of his conclusion.
Instead of waiting Louis quickly jumps in to to cover the slip, "a twenty-three percent increase their employee gains. We can promise you your staff will not be in any way threatened by this deal taking place."
Harvey nods half-hardheartedly, barely registering the save as he swipes the phone up off the table. "Excuse me, I'm sorry but I need to take this." He peels himself up from the chair unable to shake the dread crawling beneath his skin. The last time he heard from Donna was yesterday evening, after her mother returned home from shopping, and he'd assumed the two were merely spending some quality time together. Now he thinks about it the radio silence seems unusual especially given their somewhat tremulous relationship.
Ignoring the looks of confusion he's being thrown, he closes the glass door taking long strides as he accepts the call but he doesn't get two words passed Diane's panicked voice filling the line. It confirms his suspicion that something is wrong with Donna and he breathes out trying to keep her mother calm, "Diane, listen to me... you need to slow down and tell me what's going on."
He pauses for a beat, heart thudding as he adsorbs the information being fed over the phone. "How high is her fever?" He winces when he finds out it's up in the hundreds and she won't go see a doctor. Of course she won't, she's Donna. Unless it's the plague she'll just keep passing it off as a mild case of the flu and he gives his tie an exasperated tug making a split second decision, "just do what you can to bring her temperature down, I'll be right over." He hangs up, heat building under the knot as Louis appears stalking towards him and he opens his mouth to quickly explain, "Louis I need-"
"I don't give a shit what you need!" He admonishes the suggestion with a firefly throw of his arm, "Wellington is threatening to walk if we can't present a united front on this so you need to get your ass back in that meeting, now."
The ultimatum hits Harvey like an impenetrable wall but the two choices don't even contend and the metaphoric gun Louis is holding up is a sharp shooter. He knows how to disarm it and squares his shoulders taking the fastest and simplest route, "Louis, it's Donna."
The seriousness portrayed in the tone puts a direct block on Louis' anger, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. Anyone else and he would probably protest but Donna is his best friend and when it comes to her well-being he's learnt to have faith in Harvey's instincts. "Go."
Harvey nods, expressing his gratitude with the small gesture. They haven't lost anything yet. So long as they both keep a cool head there's no reason why the merger can't still take place. "You'll do fine, just remember Wellington has a soft spot for Mustangs."
Louis takes the advice, stealing a moment to collect himself as Harvey vacates the area. The firm needs this win but it needs Donna more and he straightens his tie deciding that if Harvey can take care of the latter he owes it to both of them to close the deal.
It's a silent prayer he sincerely hopes comes to fruition on both counts.
AN: Sorry I know this was short! But I've made a start on the next three chapters so I'm hoping to get them up a little more quickly. Lots of drama, lots of worried Harvey and lots of her mother giving him the third degree. Hopefully that covers all bases ;)
