Chapter 3 - Decision Made

Well, that's gone and done it.

If he didn't accept her friend request now, she's going to know he was blatantly looking at her picture like some sort of creepy stalker. He let out a throaty laugh, the first time that day he saw the funny side of something. What have I got to lose? He thought as he flicked back to her request and pressed accept.

There. Decision made.

He resisted the temptation for the rest of the work day to open her full profile. He'd already spent more time on Facebook that day than what he had done in the whole of the time he'd had his account.

'Don't say I never do anything for you. Now who's your favourite junior partner?' Mike whistled as he flapped three files down on Harvey desk. 'I know, I know. No need to thank me, your stunned silence tells me how utterly amazed you are at my single handed prowess of copyright law...'

Harvey peered up at him, one eyebrow casually raised in amusement.

'Yes. Well done,' Harvey slowly picked up the files, 'However, I needed them an hour ago, so now you've got to march your sweet little ass down to Jessica to hand them to her as she's now taking the Davison deposition this afternoon and explain to her why they're late.'

'Since when do you hand off cases to Jessica? And you think my ass is sweet? I don't even know which question I want an answer to first...' Mike mused, taking the files back off Harvey and scanning his friend's face suspiciously. He knew what was on Harvey's mind all day today and he also knew to stay well clear of asking about it. He also valued his life.

'Since I have enough shit to deal with today, and as I've already closed the Davison merger, Jessica wants to sort the finances. And as you know, finances bore me more than listening to your latest episode of 'A Day in the Life of Mr Soap Opera.'

'What? I haven't even had any exciting storylines lately. Rachel and I are getting along great!' Mike beamed as he turned to walk back out of his boss' office.

'Good for you and good luck with Jessica... sweet ass!' Harvey called after him as Mike let out a long breathe before exiting the room knowing what he was facing with Jessica. He pulled back the glass door in one single motion and left.

Harvey picked his phone up off the side of his desk and dialled his most used number.

'Ray, bring the car round, I'm taking an early day.'

He dropped his keys into the bowl at the side of his doorway and walked into his cold, empty apartment. He slipped his jacket off and hooked it over the back of the leather chair.

It was four thirty, so to most people it was nearly the end of the working day but for Harvey Specter, this was barely half way through it. Usually he stayed at PSL until the late hours but today he decided he needed to clear his head after being caught off-guard by Donna's unexpected request, Jessica's skepticism over his state of mind, Louis's verbal outburst of truth and Mike's obvious avoidance of mentioning her at all.

He walked over to his drinks table and lifted the glass stopper out of the top of the decanter and slowly poured his favourite amber nectar into a short scotch glass. He knew alcohol wasn't the best option now, but if he wanted to look at Donna's Facebook profile he could always rely on a Macallan to soften the blow.

Feet casually up on his coffee table, tie discarded and the fireplace alight; all accompanied with the soothing sounds of his father's saxophone. He swiped his phone on and waited for Facebook to load whilst swigging another sip from his Macallan.

Last time he had overheard something about Donna, he knew she was in London, England. He'd never asked anyone himself as he had always heard by default or from Norma, who liked to remind him of what he's missing and what the firm has lost, or he'll never find anyone like her ever again on most occasions. Hence why he would always try to avoid her desk whenever heading towards Louis' office.

From what he'd gathered, Donna had left New York not long after leaving PSL and went to stay with her cousin in Chelsea, London.

She had auditioned for different parts in a few West End musicals and he had overheard her getting a supporting role in Antony and Cleopatra at the Olivier Theatre National.

Funnily enough, this was around the same time Louis went absent from the office for five days; everyone knew where he was, and all thought Harvey didn't. But he did. He knew Louis had gone to London. He never asked how she was. He never enquired as to how she was getting on. No one would have believed he cared anyway. But oh boy, did he care. He was just catastrophically piss poor at showing it.

Her profile wasn't over used, she had posted a few pictures up of her with her cousin and what looked like various friends in London. He scrolled through them, ignoring the friends and just keeping his eyes on her. Hmm, no male friends on there by the looks of it. He thought. Then wondered why he even thought that. Always in denial. Harvey Denial Specter.

On occasions, his mind imagined flying to London and surprising her, but his gut would never give him the courage to do it. He'd let her down once, surely turning up in the country she escaped to wasn't going to help. Plus, he was too busy. Always too busy.

Without warning, his body flinched in surprise to a ping. Messenger.

Donna: Hey

He paused for a second, gathering his thoughts and taking a larger mouthful of scotch. In fact, a mouthful wasn't enough, he downed the rest of the glass.

Me: Hey

Ok, this was happening.

Donna: So, you finally let Mike get you on Facebook...

He smiled, trust her to banter her first line to him in nearly four years.

Me: Only because I look good on his friend list.

Ok, this is easier than I'd expected, he thought. He poured himself another Macallan 18, just for good measure.

Donna: Arrogant and as cocky as ever I see?

Me: If not more so after four years...

There was a longer wait before her next response. Well, he's obviously let her know he'd been counting the years. Damn it. He waited while sipping his drink.

Donna: Why did we leave it so long Harvey? It doesn't seem like four years. I suppose time flies when you're having fun! I really hope you're doing well? How is everyone at that place?

Me: Same as ever. But I suppose Louis and Rachel fill you in...

Shit. That didn't sound good. He didn't mean it like that but he did know that they all still spoke to her but him. He let out a long sharp breath. Maybe this isn't a good idea. He thought.

Donna: I'm back in New York.

Those words hit him like a sledgehammer. Now, that was something he didn't already know. I wonder if Louis did, as it certainly didn't seem like it this morning when he was ranting in my face about how much he missed her? He thought, still staring at the screen.

Harvey: Since when?

Donna: Three days ago. I haven't spoken to anyone yet, but I was walking down Lexington and Fifth yesterday and I passed Del Posto.

Donna: I've missed you.

Like a lightening bolt striking the ground, his whole body was alight. What does that mean? He swallowed hard and held his jaw tight as he tried to fathom her message. How could she have missed me? I was a dick. And probably still am. I've missed you too. Was what he so desperately wanted to type back. He placed his scotch glass down in front of him and tried to think of a truly righteous Harvey Spector reply, when suddenly the screen went black and the messages disappeared.

Shit. The shitting battery.