2. DONNA
Donna catches herself in the mirrored windows on Madison Avenue, careful to avoid the slushy snow on the sidewalk as she follows the numbered buildings. The weather has been unusually temperamental. Storming one minute, quiet the next, and the wind is cold but her lips turn up at the warm rays of the sun breaking through the clouds.
They lead her to the place she's looking for, a stylish Japanese restaurant Rachel insisted they try, and she takes a last, quick glance at her reflection. The check has less to do with vanity, her wardrobe just a way to dress her confidence, but she wants her best friend to see her life is moving in a positive direction now. Gone are the nights of pouring her fears into too much wine, lying awake and wondering what she was going to do next. She's taken control back, used her contacts and sass to land a role she was born for at a reputable, established company, Sampson and Parker. It's not a Law firm, and she's no longer a COO, but her job is to integrate different departments, read and assess people's needs, and find solutions to give them value. SP is an environment she's thriving in, garnering respect from her new colleagues, which she knows she deserves. She's already starting to feel at home in the company, and is eager to tell Rachel all about it in person, her gaze darting from the window back to the glass embossed doors.
She's ready, her heels leading the way through to a romantically lit space, her eyes washing over an array of oriental booths that are draped with sprigs of cherry blossoms and fairy lights. It's a soft contrast compared to the weather outside, and she shrugs off her scarf, smiling at the host who approaches her. "Reservation for Zane."
She follows behind him, breathing in the floral aroma, spotting Rachel who has her nose buried in the menu which makes her lips quirk with amusement. She would have been happy with a bagel from a street vendor, but the brunette is a self-confessed foodie and according to her enthusiasm, the Sashimi here is the best in town. "Hey, you," she greets warmly, removing her coat and handing it to the waiting host. "Could we please order two shots of Sake, thank you."
Rachel beams at the dazzling burgundy dress the redhead is flaunting, an off-the-shoulder cut which is figure hugging while still keeping in the realms office appropriate. It's stunning, and she stands with a grin. "You look, incredible," she gushes, placing her hand on Donna's hip to spin her around.
Donna indulges the show, not one to shy away from attention, and when she faces Rachel again, she pulls the brunette in for a hug with a teasing tone. "I always look this good."
The familiar sass makes Rachel relax as her arms unwind from the taller woman. They've been keeping in contact with phone calls and texts, but she'd been secretly worried her friend's reassurance was all just an act. Nobody goes from devastated to kicking ass in the space of a few weeks, but Donna doesn't exactly adhere to conventional standards, and Rachel can already feel her doubts waning as they slide into opposite sides of the booth. "You do," she admits, stumbling over the implication. "I just meant-"
"That you were expecting raccoon eyes and sweats." Donna smirks, raising an eyebrow.
Rachel winces, guilty her concern had been obvious, but defending against the dramatics. "That's not what I meant."
"It's okay, Rach." Donna smiles, folding her hands together over the table. She'd been determined to make the best of her new circumstances but hadn't expected to land on her feet so quickly either. The potential for everything to fall apart was real, but once she'd rationalized the worst had already happened, the revelation had given her the push to turn things around and prove she was more than just an influence behind two named partners. She'd fallen back on her instincts, trusting herself, but it wouldn't have happened if it weren't for people like Louis, who had written her a glowing letter of recommendation, or Rachel, who's been there through all the ups and downs, never more than call away. "I actually wanted to thank you," she says more seriously. "I couldn't have done any of this without you, and I really mean that."
"You don't have to thank me, Donna." There isn't a flicker of hesitation in her voice. More than anything, she's glad to have been given the chance to help. It wasn't that long ago Donna had confessed to pushing her away, scared of being judged over a situation with her ex-boyfriend, and she'd been worried the same thing might happen again, but she's been nothing except proud of the way Donna's handled it all. She can't take credit for the woman's strength, and she motions across at the positive glow she's radiating. "And, this... is all you. Whatever you've been doing, it's clearly working."
Donna's cheeks prickle with heat, and she's grateful when a waiter arrives with their Sake, not wanting to be caught out blushing, but she has been paying more attention to her body recently. The first week after resigning, her diet consisted of wine and ice-cream, the subsequent bloat motivating her to start mixing in pilates with her regular yoga sessions. Although her weight hasn't changed, her muscles are becoming noticeably more toned, but the real benefit is being clearer and focused. Her mind is in a good place with a positive outlook, even though a hint of sarcasm slips into her voice as she swallows a sip of the Japanese wine. "Let's just say a fifty-day Specter cleanse works wonders for the skin."
Rachel smirks, her attention shifting to the man beside their table."Could we have a few more minutes, please?" He nods with a smile, leaving them alone again, and she pushes the menu over to Donna, wondering if she should point out that a 'Donna cleanse' clearly doesn't have the same effect. Harvey's been more rugged than usual, even sporting a faint dusting of stubble on a few occasions, which could be Paula's influence. It's not necessarily a bad look, but it isn't him, and it's more likely the extra hours Mike said he's been pulling at the gym stealing his time for a clean shave. He's been visibly stressed, the impact of Donna's unfilled role falling on his shoulders, and she's tempted to bring it up so her friend knows how irreplaceable she is, but the two of them have an agreement. Unless Donna specifically asks about Harvey, his name doesn't get mentioned, and she lands on a safer topic. "I need to hear everything about this new job, spill!"
The enthusiasm is completely genuine and Donna makes a quick decision, picking the seared salmon salad for when their waiter returns, beaming a confident smile."I think I've successfully staked out my territory as office queen."
"Please don't tell me you beheaded the old one?" Rachel ribs, watching Donna shoot up an amused eyebrow.
"It's not Game of Thrones, it's an office," she quips, twisting her lips, "and I didn't have to do anything, I'm Donna, remember?"
That she is, the title and name in one not at all misplaced. It might be a running joke but Rachel knows how hard Donna works, what she's capable of, and in some ways Specter Litt had been a road-block for her talents, which surface faster than she's expecting.
"That's how I know you didn't just invite me here to try the sashimi," she says, placing the menu down. Although the invite to lunch was a nice surprise, if they were just catching up it would be over a bottle of wine not just a shot, and it wouldn't be happening in the middle of the day.
Rachel's hand moves to the alcoholic drink in front of her, lifting it to take a sip, and when she meets Donna's gaze over the rim, it's filled with self-assured curiosity, making her face warm with nervous embarrassment. There's no point trying to lie. The redhead would see straight through any attempt, and she wants to clear the air, own up to the dinner with Harvey and Paula that Mike had blindsided her with. "I don't want you to be mad," she lowers the Sake, fidgeting with the glass between hands, "but if you are, I'll completely understand, and if you tell me not to go, I won't because it's not too late to cancel, and-"
"Rach," she stops her friend, urging her to slow down, "go where?"
The brunette takes a breath, letting it fall out beneath a sigh. "Mike organised a double-date, with Harvey and Paula."
Donna swallows, Rachel's confession the last thing she was prepared for, and she reaches for the water on the table, glancing up as the waiter returns for their orders. She clears her throat, reeling off whatever she can remember, a dish that isn't even close to her first choice. "The chicken teriyaki, please."
"I'll have the salmon sashimi with ginger and sesame oil." Rachel smiles politely, the gesture the opposite of how she's feeling inside. Her stomach is in knots because she'd told Mike she could do this, but sat across from her best friend, she doesn't know if she can go through with it. "I don't have to go," she says again, seriously this time, hoping to lift some of the awkwardness that's fallen between them.
"Yes, you do." Donna composes herself, letting the sting wash over her. Mike is still Harvey's best friend and these kinds of situations were bound to present themselves eventually. What matters is no one else's relationships fall victim to the consequences. They've been down that road before, Harvey and Mike coming between them, and she's not about to make that mistake again. "Whatever Harvey and I went through, it didn't happen to you or Mike and neither of you should have to choose sides because of it. Paula is part of his life, she's going to be involved in yours too, that's just how it is."
The declaration wavers but she pulls herself together, and Rachel honestly doesn't know if she'd be so understanding if things were reversed. Harvey certainly wouldn't be so quick to let it go. And even though she'd promised not to bring the man up first in any context, she simply can't help herself. "You've always been too good for him, Donna."
There's a part of her that thinks the comment probably isn't fair, but she squashes it down, done with being the person who rushes in to defend him. "I know, right?" She'd made her own mistakes but is tired of wrestling with them, of wondering how she and Harvey could cut each other out so completely after over a decade of friendship. What's done is done, and she has no intention of ever questioning it again. "Now, can we please stop talking about Harvey so I can tell you all about the receptionist who is a twenty-something version of Norma, except, weirdly older, somehow?"
She cocks her head, her eyes lighting up with the description, making Rachel laugh. It's a story she has to hear, along with what will probably spin into an hour long gossip session she's all here for. They might not be working with the same people anymore, but Donna never skims on details, and she's sure that they'll become like a second family to her as well.
Everything is changing, but from what she's seen so far, all in a good way, and if she has to do a little gloating on Donna's behalf at Mike's imposed dinner, she will. Because it's about time Donna started putting herself first, and she's not going to be the one to hide that her best friend is finally getting every bit of the happiness she deserves.
...
...
"Any messages while I was out, Zoey?" Donna stops at her assistant's cubicle, setting a coffee on the counter as she shrugs out of her coat, while the young blonde flaunts a post-it at her.
"Two… but I want to hear about your lunch date first?" She waggles the yellow square, teasing her boss with it. Her former manager had been a total hardass, rarely giving her the time of day, but she'd formed a fast rapport with the fiery redhead.
Donna reaches for it, cocking her head when Zoey pulls it back."Not a date," she tells the woman for the fiftieth time, reaching for the coffee she'd placed down, "and unless you want me to drink this soy mocha latte myself…"
There's no hesitation behind the exchange and she takes the note, casting her gaze over it. Lunch with Rachel had thrown her a curve-ball, but she hadn't let it ruin their meal because she has no reason to feel threatened by the dinner-date. Paula didn't steal Harvey away. He chose to be with her, and even though her dislike for the woman is still raw, she has more important things to focus on.
Zoey claps her hands around the hot beverage, smiling behind the plastic rim. "Trevor from finance wants to talk to you about the report you submitted last week. He'd like to get other departments using the same module. He sounded impressed," she beams the compliment, taking a sip of the mocha and letting the chocolate flavour swirl over her tongue. It's heavenly, from her favourite cafe down the road, and it isn't any wonder her boss managed to get Trevor onside, though it was unexpected. She's been working at the company nearly a year and hasn't once heard the director sound happy, but he'd been all jokes over the phone, so whatever Donna did or said, it obviously made an impact. "I think you grew his heart three sizes."
Donna smirks, feeling a sense of pride at the girl's awe, though she keeps it under wraps. Initially she'd been wary about needing an assistant, too many years of being one herself making it hard to relinquish her control and trust someone else, but Zoey has been a god-send. She's perceptive, smart, organized and quick-witted, all qualities Donna holds in high regard. "Did Collin Pullman say what he wanted?" She reads the second message, wincing as her memory places a leering face to the name.
Zoey shakes her head, not surprised by her boss' intuition. The man has a reputation and it isn't a good one, leading her to check over her shoulder before opening her mouth. "The guy's a creep."
It's the vibe Donna had gotten off him the first time they'd met, his eyes spending most of their time level at her chest. She knew avoiding him wouldn't be possible but had hoped to have a few more processes streamlined before moving across to his department. "So it's not just me, then?"
"HR has an entire filing cabinet of complaints, but his father is Ted Pullman." There's nothing excusable about his behaviour, especially the fact daddy is a silent partner, but anyone who gets the director offside either has their credibility questioned or is outright fired. She doesn't want that happening to Donna, issuing a warning she knows the woman isn't going to like. "He's not going to sign off on anything if he feels threatened."
It frustrates Donna that the caution is necessary, and when she takes in Zoey's pensive expression it hits her. She isn't just senior management trying to do a job, she's also a role model, and she won't let herself, or anyone working under her be bullied. "I don't care if his father is the king of Sheba. Tell him I'll try to find some time this afternoon."
Zoey tenses, convinced that making Collin wait is a bad idea. She respects the hell out of her boss, has seen the way Donna is with people, but she also has to listen to her own instincts. "I just think-"
"Zoey," Donna stops her, cutting off her assistant's concern, "you need to trust me." If she bows down to Collin in the first month of her being here, it's going to set a precedent and she's not about to have one rule for him, and another for everyone else. She knows what she's doing, she just needs the blonde to have faith in her, and a ghostly pull reverts her back to all the times Harvey had made the same claim. She isn't unsettled by the thought though, instead she takes a leaf out of his book. "Make the call, okay?"
Zoey sets down the cup of coffee she's holding, reaching for the phone, and Donna leaves, confident her assistant is going to do what's being asked, Harvey lingering in her mind as she enters her office, but not for the same reasons as before. For all his recent faults, he'd always treated her fairly as a boss, like she was his equal, and now it's becoming more clear to her why they'd butted heads on so many occasions. He'd had to find a way to respect her option while still doing what he thought was right, and she has a new appreciation for the position he'd been in, along with how it's shaping her actions now.
One misogynistic attitude isn't something to cower to, and she wants Zoey to see that. Which is why she waits precisely two hours before journeying her way up to Collin's floor, her stride nonplussed as she exits the elevator, navigating a stretch of cubicles that are like a runway to his office. Several people glance up looking surprised, but she keeps her attention focused, reaching his glass door with a polite knock. "Zoey said you wanted to see me?"
He lifts his head, flaunting a mop of black hair and bright blue eyes that she's sure would have some woman swooning, but the way he rakes over her body, mapping her out like they're in a club not a place of work, reaffirms all her suspicions about his character.
"Donna, come in, close the door, would you?"
His lips fold around a smirk that does nothing to make her feel more at ease, but she does what he asks, sealing them in with one, slight, exception. She makes a point of opening the blinds and giving his department a full view of their meeting. "I think it's good for people to see us working together. Hopefully it will encourage the changes we can agree to implement."
He leans back in his chair, intrigued by her confidence as she lowers herself in the seat opposite him. She's obviously passionate about her job but it's a quality he'd rather see put to practice outside of the role, and he drags his pen up tapping it against his lips. "These changes, would you be open to discussing them further, over dinner perhaps?"
"That depends?" She squares her shoulders, not in the least bit susceptible to his charms. She's been working with lawyers long enough to know that handsome and suave rarely means honest with good intentions, and she hooks up an eyebrow. "Are you talking about a strictly business arrangement?"
"I think we both know it's not." He doesn't shy away from testing her. It's one of the things he enjoys the most, the thrill of the chase, and he settles himself, intrigued when she doesn't so much as flinch.
"Then I'd suggest we find a meeting room here instead." There's no mistaking her tone. She isn't flirting or trying to engage his comment, she's giving clear boundaries but when his eyes flicker over her shoulder with no regard for her stance, she knows they're being completely ignored.
"Kinky, I like it." He pulls his gaze back from the empty office that had drawn his attention, not at all opposed to the idea.
She tenses, but keeps her expression void of any obvious reaction. There's a reason he has a filling cabinet of complaints stacked up against him, and she isn't going to draw that card just yet, but she has no intention of spurring him on either. "I don't know what you think I was implying, but-"
"Relax, Red," he drops his hand releasing the pen he was holding back onto his desk, "I was just having some fun."
"It's Donna," she corrects, not all amused or convinced by his sudden turn around.
"Donna," he mimics the insistence, unsure if he's annoyed or even more turned on by it. Usually he wouldn't bother giving this kind of situation any more of his time. He runs a tight ship and that's how he likes it, but he's heard whispers about the redhead on the grapevine, and after meeting her properly in person, he's starting to get a little invested in her himself. Enough of reason to not dismiss her completely. "I just wanted you to know, I'm impressed with what you've been doing, and I'm glad to be working with you. Let's not get off on the wrong foot here."
"Of course not," she plays along, smiling at him, because he's silently just conveyed this isn't a battle, it's a war, and she has no intention of backing down. "I'll have Zoey find some time for us to go over the proposal I have planned."
"I look forward to it."
He dips his head, the arrogance infuriating, but she doesn't give it any more attention. Her next best move is to do what she does best, because the Pullman name clearly carries a lot of weight, but hers does too.
It might have been a title in the past, but she's ready to step up her game, and from now on she's bringing Donna Paulsen to the table.
A force to be reckoned with.