Chapter 3: Sixth Sense
Donna swipes to delete the messages from Jane, hiding them from her lock screen as the car turns the corner, the smooth drive of Harvey's green mustang making for an easy journey. She finds herself stealing an anxious glance at Harvey in the driver's seat, one she knows is irrational. There's no reason for him to ask questions. She places the phone in the glove compartment, wanting it out of sight and out of mind.
"Almost there," he tells her with a smile, and she turns her attention out the window, taking in the throng of beautiful and unique beach houses that line the enclosed estate. The beach visible through the gaps between each villa, giving Donna a surge of excitement.
It's been an age since she's visited the beach, or even had the chance to simply lay in the sun or take a swim. So, when Harvey had received another offer from Gwen Striker, to come and spend the weekend in one of her holiday homes in the Hamptons to finalize the details of their transfer, neither could have dreamt of saying no.
Although both carried a certain amount of guilt with them on their weekend away, and the more they thought about it, the idea of sneaking off out of town to sign themselves with a new firm, seemed unmistakably sinister.
But necessary all the same.
"We have to think about ourselves now," Harvey says, as though following her train of thought, "I know the other's will be doing the same, and as much as it hurts to leave, it's what's best for our future."
We have to think about our selves now.
Yet she knows she's not truly thinking of herself, doesn't have the guts to own up to what she really wants.
"I know," she nods her agreement, putting the thoughts from her mind and focusing on enjoying this time away, "it's for the best."
They speak as though trying to convince themselves and no one else.
The green mustang pulls into the drive way, gravel crunching beneath the wheels as they come to a stop. Harvey notices the front door opening as he exits and rounds the car, pulling the passenger door back and helping Donna out of her seat.
"Harvey, Donna, it's great to finally meet you in person!"
The pair turn as they're greeted by a man and woman. Gwen Striker is tall, hair chopped to the collarbone and colored an ashy blonde that borders on silver, she's older than the couple, her appearance indicating to the age difference. Her smile is warm and genuine, and Donna finds herself returning the gesture.
Gwen is flanked by a younger man, sallow skin and dark brown hair, he isn't smiling and while Harvey ignores him to go straight to shake Gwen's hand, Donna takes him in, the way he seems to scan both herself and Harvey, a glint in his eye that makes her senses tingle.
"Thank you so much for inviting us out here," Harvey says, placing a hand behind Donna's back and ushering her closer into the group, "We're very appreciative of the offer."
"The pleasure is all mine," Gwen replies, turning her attention to the redhead, "Donna Paulsen, I've heard so much about you, I just knew I needed you on my team here in New York."
"Wow, I'm flattered," Donna gasps, shaking the woman's hand, not used to being the one in spotlight for her work, Harvey usually taking that spot, "I've heard a lot about you too, all good things." She jokes.
Three of the group chuckle while Striker's still unnamed companion remains solemn, his unimpressed expression and stare fixed directly on Donna, catching Harvey's attention.
"And who's this?" Harvey asks, a slight frown creasing his forehead as he attempts to intimidate the younger man.
"Oh, this is my associate and right-hand man, Adam Mal." Gwen explains, gesturing at Adam as he paints a superficial smile on his face, shaking Donna's hand first, then Harvey's.
"You always let your boss do the talking for you?" Harvey quips, a remark that was meant to break the ice, however from the way his eyes darken Donna can sense it didn't have the desired effect, and she doesn't like the road this is headed down.
"You say that like Jessica Pearson didn't keep you on a tight lease," she nudges her boyfriend, with a playful smirk and he gives a sincere laugh nodding his agreement, and Donna breathes a sigh of relief, feeling the tension defuse.
"Why don't we head inside?" Gwen offers, her and Donna climbing the marble steps as Harvey returns to the car to grab their bags, Adam in tow at the request of his boss.
The younger man doesn't say a word, shooting Harvey the occasional dirty look and slinging a bag over his shoulder carelessly.
"You seem well balanced," Harvey mumbles, earning an irritated yet slightly confused glance from his company, "A chip on both shoulders." He says with a dry laugh, rolling his eyes as he takes the bag from Adam's hands, and carries them to the front door without assistance.
The interior of the home is just as jaw dropping as the outside, one story, open plan living area with high ceilings, and a paneling of glass at the back of the room which looks out on a pool and sea view. There's an atmosphere of peace and calm within these walls that both Donna and Harvey find welcoming, their eyes catching each other as a grin blossoms on both their faces.
"I take it you like the place?" Gwen smirks proudly at their reaction, the question rhetorical if the awe-struck looks on their face are any indication.
"Oh, we haven't had a holiday in years – and this, well, it's a dream come true," Harvey answers, "How many of these did you say you own?" he inquires, considering purchasing one on the spot.
"My wife and I design and rent them, we have a few clusters all over the country, she's an architect, and I've just got an eye for these things." She quips, and Donna decides that her and Gwen may just be cut from the same cloth.
"I'm very particular myself," Donna adds, with an approving nod, "but this place is wonderful, so peaceful-"
"We have all of the homes sound-proofed," she explains, "our security systems are state of the art, only a choice few know the ins and outs of how to operate them and the glass we use for our windows is better than bullet proof, so not only is it secleuse, it's safe."
"So, should we get down to business?" Harvey asks, eager to get things moving.
"Oh, no, not yet," Gwen shakes her head with a smile, "why don't you both enjoy the day, take some time to unwind and we'll meet and discuss our endeavour over Sunday lunch tomorrow?"
"That sounds like a brilliant idea," Donna complies, itching to get into her swimsuit and out into the pool, "we could both do with the rest." She says, slipping her hand into Harvey's, though subconsciously she may just be trying to delay this as long as possible.
"Excellent," the older women replies, "I have to return to the city for a meeting this evening, but Adam will be staying in the villa next door, so should you need anything, his number is on the fridge, as is mine."
Donna flickers her gaze in the direction of the dark-haired associate, wearing a look on his face like an unimpressed teenager left to babysit.
Adam doesn't put a lot of faith in her when it comes to this new endeavor, and though she likes Gwen, something about this man makes her sixth sense tingle. He looks her way as though catching on to her thoughts and she quickly diverts her eyes, leaning further into Harvey, as they see Gwen and her shadow of an associate to the door.
The day passes in a haze of bliss, spent doing a large variety of nothing, but it's all they've been needing. Lounging by the pool, a walk on the beach, chatting about everything and nothing at all.
It's approaching dinner time and they're still sprawled out on one of the out-door double cushioned sunbeds, her head resting on his chest as she reads her book, his eyes fluttering open and closed every few minutes as the temptation to doze off pulls at him.
Donna closes her book, coming to the end of a chapter and yawning with a nice laziness, her chin tilting up so she's looking at his face, eyes closed, her cheek still resting against his ribs. Her hand goes to his forehead, finger trailing a path from his hairline down along his nose and over his lips, thinking him asleep until she feels a kiss to her finger.
"Hey sleepy," she murmurs, letting her hand trace his jaw as it falls to his shoulder, "I didn't mean to wake you."
"Yes, you did," he smirks knowingly, leaning down to place a kiss at her temple, "I know that look, you want attention."
"Guilty as charged," she replies, sitting up to straddle him, "And I deserve it." Her lips brushing his teasingly.
"That you do." He replies, and it's barely above a whisper, his mouth mirroring hers as they kiss, hands landing on her waist and pulling her closer.
When out of the quiet, he hears a low grumble, followed by a giggle from the red head.
"Oops." She sniggers.
"Someone's hungry, huh?" he shakes his head, biting his lip and raising his eyebrows, amused.
"Starving, actually."
"Well we can order in, and work up even more of an appetite while we wait…" he captures her lips again, until the sound of the doorbell rings through the villa, echoing out through the open back door.
"Did I mention I may have already placed an order about half an hour ago?" She raises an eyebrow, lifting herself from her perch in his lap and leaving him wanting more as she heads back inside.
"You're a tease Donna Paulsen." He shakes his head in disapproval.
"My needs are very important," she quips in feigned defensiveness, wrapping her cover up around her, "and right now I need some Thai curry.""What about my needs?" he retorts, following her into the living area and causing her to turn back to him.
She takes a step closer, and then another, until they're less than an inch apart, her breath tickling his jaw as she reaches up on her tippy toes, "Your needs will be more than taken care of, after we eat."
It was just after their post-dinner fun when the pair realized that they were seriously lacking in supplies at their holiday home, not so much as a scrap of snack food or even a bottle of wine to be found. Harvey reluctantly opting to take the car to a shop he had spotted about fifteen minutes back on their way here, to stock up on a few things for the weekend. Leaving Donna behind, wrapped up in the crisp white bedsheets as he headed out, promising not to be long.
The redhead decided to take the opportunity to shower, emerging after ten minutes and pulling on a light night dress and bathrobe, the summer heat not carrying through into the evening.
She's brushing her hair when a noise resonates through the open door of their bedroom, surprised but delighted that Harvey had arrived home so quickly, she rises from her perch at the vanity table, making her way down the hall way and into the living area.
"That was quick-" she stops short as her eyes land on an unexpected face, pausing his actions, he seemed to be looking at something behind the storage unit, her brow furrowing in confusion, "Can I help you?" she asks, not disguising her disapproval at his presence.
Adam looks her up and down, a look of disregard and indifference gracing his features, "No, thank you." He takes a step to the right, opening a drawer and riffling through some files in a chest of drawers by the living room desk, the air of cheek in his tone catching Donna off guard.
"I meant, what are you doing here?" She asks, approaching the younger man and snapping the drawer closed, causing his eyes to jump to hers, straightening his posture, she's not in the least bit concerned with its contents, more interested in putting this man in his place. Her eyes trail over his should to the control panel on the wall, the one which controls the heating, lighting, security system and god knows what else.
"Not that it's any of your business," his tone sour and crude, "but Gwen sent me a text asking me to come over here to get some files for her.""Does Gwen make a habit of keeping important business files in her rented holiday homes?" she replies sweetly, not missing a beat and not falling for his bullshit.
"Why don't you just keep your nose out of it." He answers, turning on his heel and heading for the door, but the response doesn't pacify her.
"Sorry but what exactly is your problem?" she calls after him, taking a few steps into the center of the room and crossing her arms, "What's with the constant attitude.?"The remark catches his attention and he stops short in his tracks, turning back to face her and wearing the closest thing to a smile she's seen from him since the moment they met.
"I'm so glad you asked, because I've been wanting to get it off my chest since the moment you and your boyfriend's name first crossed my path." She sees a change in him as he approaches again, and something compels her to take a step back, anchoring herself at the kitchen island and steeling herself against his spiteful attitude.
"Listen Adam, until today, neither myself nor Harvey had even met you, so I don't see what we possibly could have done to –""I don't want to hear it, I've spent my whole career doing Gwen Striker's dirty work and what do I get in return? Passed over for some washed up lawyer who should have been disbarred years ago and his secretary girlfriend! I should be made named partner."
Donna's face stiffens at the admission, somewhat offended by the remark but now he has his cards on the table, which is exactly what she wanted. She's just about done entertaining this kid's ego, and decides to put an end to the conversation before it escalates further.
"Listen, Adam, despite how you feel, the fact of the matter is that Harvey and I are coming to work with you, whether you like it or not. So, I hate to break it to you, but you're going to have to get used to the idea." She states plainly, shaking her head with a tight smile.
The associate takes a step closer, an invasion of her personal space that she recognizes as a threat, but stays put nonetheless, standing her ground and staring him down.
"No," he mumbles, and there's a hitch to his tone that makes the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, "No, I'm not." He finishes with a smirk, stepping away from her and heading towards the door. Her skin crawling with paranoia as she tries to decipher his comment, and if his words weren't enough of a threat, the look he shoots her before the front door swings closed after him was.
Xxx
Heyyyy! Sorry for the wait on this one, I've been busy and then we were hit with so much new content that I didn't know how to function never mind write!
Hope this update makes up for it! Let me know what you think... what's Adam up to?