Hey Everyone!
I felt so depressed when Thursday rolled around, since I had nothing to watch at 10pm (so tragic... what the hell are we going to do for a whole year?). So since I am feeling sad, I wrote a very long chapter to try to fill the void, and trust me, it is filled with a whole lot of goodness!
So sit back, relax, and enjoy!
P.S. Rights go to Aaron Korsh
The sun hit the woman's eyes as she slowly woke up in the million dollar condo. The windows were bright, deceiving to Max that it looked like a warm, sunny day, when in reality, it was a sunny, yet chilly October morning. She sighed with content into the silk pillow case; she actually enjoyed chilly mornings very much. It reminded her of the same day several years ago, where her mother and herself would walk to the park bright and early before going to breakfast. Afterwards, her mother brought her to school, where she endured a day of torture. When her mother picked her up, they made their way to F.A.O Schwartz, where Max picked out any toy she wanted. Max smiled at the memory as she stared into the skyline of the city, enjoying the moment. She completely avoided what happened the previous night. She didn't need anything to drag her down that specific morning. The arm around her waist pulled her closer to the body attached to it as Harvey snuggled to her body. Max's arm covered Harvey's, having her hand clasp onto his own. She could feel his warm breath on her cheek.
"Happy Birthday," he whispered into her ear.
She turned her head to face him, "Thank you."
He rested his head on his propped-up arm, forcing Max to turn and face him. She tucked her arms under her pillow, snuggling into the expensive sheets, "I don't want to move from this spot."
"I can arrange that," Harvey said, smiling.
"No, I'm not missing work just because it's my birthday," Max said, huffing into the pillow.
"But you want to," the man said, rubbing Max's leg.
"More than you know," she mumbled, lifting her head up to rest on her hand, "Don't you have a client to meet today?"
"None. But I have a feeling someone from your father's company is going to make a surprise appearance today.."
Max paused at what Harvey said.
"Max?"
"Maybe I should skip work today," she said before slamming her head in the pillow.
When Harvey picked Max up the previous night, he could sense that something was off. Max was very good at hiding things, but Harvey was better at finding hidden things. He didn't push it, knowing Max would eventually talk about it. Harvey wasn't just about to ruin her birthday by asking her what was troubling her so much. But he hated when Max was thinking about something else. It affected her work, and he needed Max to be his rock; strong and always there for him.
"Babe," Harvey said, grabbing her attention. After saying it sarcastically for such a long time, it just became normal for them to call each other 'babe'.
"Yeah?" She said, peeking through the pillow with one eye.
"What happened?" Harvey asked.
Max sighed. It was like Harvey had ESP. She sat up, causing Harvey to follow suit. The man started to worry; it seemed to be very serious if Max was preparing to tell him what she needed to say. The woman's hair was ruffled, which Max tried to comb her hair with her hand, trying to calm it down. She was wondering how the hell Harvey was going to react about the news.
She looked into his brown eyes.
"Julian is suing me."
It was as if someone took Harvey's record collection and broke every record by stomping on them with force, only ten times worse. The rage that flashed across Harvey's face caused Max to flinch back slightly. She had never seen Harvey like this. The man was so passionately angry that Max could feel it radiating off of his body. It took a while before Harvey could respond, and the brunette woman was worried if Max caused him to become catatonic.
"Harvey," Maxine said, trying to get his attention.
"Your father is suing you," he finally whispered, causing Max to sigh in relief.
"Not me exactly, my mother's estate. But since she's dead and I'm the only living relative..." she said, rubbing her face, "Remember the safety deposit box?"
"The one he doesn't know about?"
"Apparently he does now," Max said, fluffing out her hair, "Might have to do with the fact that I emptied out the safety deposit box a few weeks ago. He must have people working for him within the bank."
"But how could he have found out about the safety deposit box in the first place? Didn't your mother keep it hidden from him?" Harvey asked, running a hand through his hair. Max liked the fact that Harvey's hair wasn't perfect at the moment as the tips of his hair brushed his nose.
"I thought about that," she said, playing with the tassels on the blanket, "Maybe he always knew about the box, but he couldn't get to it without setting alarms off. My father's lawyer sent me a written statement from their divorce saying they would look over every item they both posses and evaluate who gets what. Since the items in my mother's box have never been evaluated, my father's calling it to question, per their agreement."
"He wants something in the box."
Max nodded at Harvey's comment, "Maybe that's why my father took everything from my mother. He was looking for something specific."
He grasped her hand and held it tightly, "And you don't know what it is?"
"No. The only thing valuable is my Bordeaux, but everyone knows about Julian Satin's 1992 Screaming Eagle is the cheapest wine he owns."
"At an astounding eighty thousand dollars," Harvey said, smirking at the thought.
Max smiled at Harvey's light humour, "Now my dad wants me to meet with his lawyers, bringing all of the items in the security box so they can evaluate it."
"Like hell that's going to happen," Harvey said in his definite tone, "If Julian wants something from you, he better take it himself."
Max could see the gears working in Harvey's head. If the man was known for anything, he would be known for fighting the system when the system had wronged someone. She knew that he would do everything in his power to make sure her father wouldn't snake himself out of this situation.
"You mean try to take it," Max said grinning.
Harvey smiled.
"That's my girl," the man said, leaning in to steal a kiss from Maxine. She smiled into the kiss, grabbing his neck tightly. She pulled him down to the bed, kissing him passionately as his hands held her bottom tightly. He smirked as her hands dug into his skin, with her nails leaving a slight burn from under his shirt. He pulled away, causing the woman underneath to pout, and for him to laugh.
"Would you relax? We don't have time for that," he said, pulling himself off the bed, holding out his hands for the woman laying in his bed.
"What do you mean we don't have time?" Max said, letting Harvey drag her to her feet, "We have another hour. That is plenty of time," the brunette said, wrapping her arms around Harvey's neck before placing her lips softly onto his own.
"Tempting," Harvey said, running his hands over Maxine's body before walking out of her embrace and moving out of the room, "But that would defeat the purpose of your present," he shouted back at her.
Max's smile faltered. Oh no. No, no, no...
"Harvey..."
Maxine Harris never liked birthdays. It wasn't because of her age; she actually liked getting older. It was that birthdays required parties. Big, obnoxious parties that had people she hated, yet were still invited. Putting people in situations that they weren't comfortable with, the tension between several people, and worse, the price of actually hosting the party. After Max's seventeenth birthday fiasco, she had sworn off of streamers and balloons, hors d'oeuvres and loot bags galore. What was worse, she hated when people gave her presents, since most of them were not-well thought out ideas. Really, what was she going to do with a matching cat and mouse salt and pepper shaker from her neighbour three doors down?
Harvey came back into the room with his hands behind his back, "Don't worry Max; I didn't spend a dime."
She would have been relieved if it wasn't for Harvey pulling the little blue box from behind his back.
"I spent a little more than that."
Mike had been leaning over Rachel as she was seated at her desk, scrolling over pages on her computer. It was as if they were in their old groove again, acting as if they were together for ages. Rachel smelled just as she always did; jasmine and lavender. It made him sigh with happiness, since it was such a scent he had missed.
"Ooh, there," Mike said, pointing to a Italian restaurant on the screen.
"Nice guess, but not even close," Rachel said, smirking up at him.
Mike huffed. If Rachel was good at one thing, it was hiding the restaurant that Rachel picked out for Max's surprise birthday party.
"I still don't think it's a good idea..." Mike said with a worried tone.
"Suck it up. Max is going to like this party because the food at this restaurant is to die for."
"Said the foodie to the masochist."
Rachel rolled her eyes, "It's not going to be torture, Mike. We're just going out for dinner. Four people attending is hardly considered a party."
"Still, Max hates surprises," Mike said, leaning over to place his hand over Rachel's, holding onto the mouse as he was navigating his way through the computer, trying to find the restaurant. Rachel blushed immensely. The subtle things Mike unconsciously did were the ones that the caramel-skinned woman loved the most. It was as if his mind was acting out what he wanted to do, and he shamelessly acted upon those wants. She shook her head, only Mike would have this much power over her. She focused her attention back onto the screen, noticing Mike was now intensely looking at every restaurant he laid his eyes on. His eyebrows rose at one of them, and he smiled in victory.
"That one," he said, pointing it out as if he were five.
Rachel laughed, "Really Mike?"
Before he could come with a rebuttal, he saw the brunette bounce around in the office, holding a permanent smile on her face. Her hazel eyes made contact with Mike's blue, and she quickly made her way across the office and stood in front of the paralegal's door.
"Happy Birthday," Rachel said, quickly getting up to give Max a hug.
"It is a good one," Max said pulling away.
Tucking the file under her arm, Max fixed her shirt.
"Anything interesting today?" The brunette said, looking softly at Rachel. The other brunette noticed that the hazel-eyed beauty currently was wearing diamond earring studs, with a small diamond on a chain to match. It didn't have to take a genius to notice that those diamonds were real, and by real Rachel thought real-ly expensive. There was no way Max would spend that much money on herself. But to Harvey, it was chump change.
"Besides the rocks on your ears, nothing too serious," Rachel said, causing Mike to laugh.
Max nodded, "He went a little overboard. But you won't hear me complain..."
"Why? Because you had breakfast at Tiffany's?"
Max's eyes widened in surprise, "Wow. The foodie quoting a movie," Max leaned in, whispering to her quietly, "are you sure you're not picking up any traits from Mike?"
"Says the girl who quotes Star Trek."
"I liked Star Trek before I even met Harvey," Max said in a definite tone.
"So you say..."
The shorter woman of the two leaned against the door, "So what time should Harvey and I come to Babbo?"
The other woman sighed in frustration and defeat. How the hell Max knew about things before she was told them, well, she'll never know.
"Eight."
Maxine smiled, "Great. Don't forget to bring your ball and chain."
"Oh don't worry. He can get there on his own," Rachel said as Mike walked past both of the women, grabbing onto Max's arm. Max said a quick goodbye to Rachel, while Mike gave her a peck on the cheek before he left with the birthday girl. Max looped her arm around Mike's arm as they strolled down to her office.
"Twenty eight years later," he muttered under his breath.
"Very funny, Ross," Max said halfheartedly.
"Is it just me or am I the only person in the world who can't figure out a secret?"
"Yes Michael. It is a disability for you," the sarcasm in Max's voice caused Mike to roll his eyes in frustration. She really was an ass sometimes, but he loved her anyways.
"Mike," Max said in a soft tone.
"Yes?" The blond said, curious at the sound of her voice.
"Will you help me with my house hunting at lunch?"
Mike stopped dead in his tracks.
"You're moving?"
Max smiled, "You really think that I would stay at my place forever? If you haven't noticed Mike, I've been making bank," she said before reaching out to his collar and fixing his tie, "it's about time I move out."
"But..." Mike stuttered, "how will I survive?"
She smiled, "Don't think I'll abandon you. I'll find a way to keep you alive."
Mike shuffled his feet, "Does Harvey know?"
"No, and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as I can."
She could feel Mike's gaze as she looked at her. She knew that she might as well move in with Harvey, but Max liked space. If she had distance away from Harvey, it made it that much better when she saw him again. Yes, she spent most of her free time with him, and she did "sleep" over five nights a week, but Max liked being able to have some time by herself, as did Harvey. Plus, it was way too early in the relationship to be even thinking about moving in together.
Mike sighed, "Alright. Whatever floats your boat."
The blond gave a quick kiss on the cheek, "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you," she said, watching as her very close and dear friend walk back towards his cubicle. She smiled, he was always such an amazing person. Max turned to walk back to her office, pulling out her cellphone in the process. She scrolled to Harvey's name before typing out a new message.
'Pull out one of your casual suits tonight. Rachel did pick Babbo.'
She held her phone in her hand, going over a few files that some of the associates were showing her. With a small vibrate, she opened the text.
'Funny how you can figure out these things.' Harvey's text said.
She smiled, 'I learn from the best.'
'You're damn right.'
Max was getting closer to Harvey's office, 'I've got the Bracebridge-Caullinder merger. I'm walking it to your office.'
His response was oddly fast.
'Don't. I have a client.'
Max's eyebrows furrowed. Harvey never cared if there was a client in the room. Any excuse to see her made Harvey happy.
'Are you sure?'
This response was faster than the previous one.
'Yes.'
She stopped in her tracks. One-wordered texts? Harvey and her never did one worded texts. Must be a serious client, she thought. Whatever it was, it couldn't be that serious. This client must have been high on the food chain if Harvey couldn't see her at the moment.
It's not like he's meeting the Devil.
Harvey placed his phone back into his jacket pocket quickly, hiding the fact that he was texting. The client in the room was briskly gazing at his record collection, flipping through every cover. A small tick from a tongue, or a unceremonious 'hmph' would come out of the mouth of the client. Harvey noticed that the figure hadn't said a word since arriving. The figure, who happened to be a man, looked over the panoramic view of Manhattan. His lone figure was brazen and lean, with his full head of black salt-and-peppered hair perfectly sculpted. His turquoise eyes scanning almost every inch of the scenery, and Harvey could tell he was criticizing it in his head. His face was stern and aged, almost with a permanent frown. The man was overflowing with power as he walked with his hands behind his back.
"I'm sure you didn't come to look at the view," Harvey said towards the man.
Billionaire Julian Satin slightly tilted his head towards the man sitting at the desk. Slowly, his face turned towards Harvey, placing a sinister smile on the already devilish silhouette.
"No, I didn't," the deep voice of the Devil said, "we are business men, you and I, so we should get on with our business."
Harvey pulled out the file, going over it quickly as Julian still wandered around the office.
"Now, Mr. Satin-"
"How is my daughter doing?" He asked, arms-crossed.
Harvey's eyes shot out of his face. Did Julian know about them? "I'm... sorry?"
"My daughter, Maxine," Julian said, walking around to Harvey's side of the desk, "I'm sure she's told you about me by now. But how is she, really? Is she good? Is she well?"
Harvey's anger rose. He's been keeping tabs on Max? What gave him the right to do that? Why did he care all of a sudden? Almost instantly thinking the thought, Harvey remembered his conversation with Max earlier that morning. Julian wanted the safety deposit box, and now he thinks if he plays the role of 'daddy', everything will be fine, and he'll get what he wants? Twenty eight years later, and this guy still thinks he has the right to call him her father? And out of all days to choose from...
"I was under the impression you wanted to speak of you enterprise." Harvey said, keeping his anger in check.
"My brother, Logan, takes care of all of that. I'm merely the face and the bank of the company. You ought to know. You, yourself, are the face of Pearson Hardman."
"Jessica Pearson would have to disagree," Harvey said deflecting.
Julian's eyes caught onto the picture on Harvey's desk. Before Harvey could say anything, the man picked up the picture frame, holding it in his hands. If Harvey turned away, he wouldn't have seen something that irked him. But his eyes lingered on the powerful man's gaze, noticing a sense of longing and regret in his eyes. Harvey would have taken pity on the man, only his anger outweighed everything else he was feeling.
"She is rather beautiful. A replica of her mother," the man said placing the picture back onto the desk.
The brunette was having none of it, "You loved her mother, right?"
Julian was taken back by the upfront approach of Harvey Specter. Sure, the man was ballsy, and he was willing to stick his neck out on the line. But Julian knew he could crush Harvey in a matter of seconds, and yet the underdog of the situation was standing up to him, with his tough exterior, but kind heart.
"I did, yes," the billionaire said.
"So why did you divorce her while she was carrying your child?" Harvey asked as he was leaning back in his chair, "Better yet, why didn't you at least make the effort to spend time with your daughter, that looks exactly like the woman you love," the lawyer was getting angry, and Julian was getting more curious, "How could you sue your daughter?"
"Now you hold your tongue young man," the brunette realized that it had been a long time since he'd been called 'young man', "you have no right-"
"What do you want with the safety deposit box?" Harvey asked in a neutral tone.
The older man scoffed, "How dare you cut-"
He cut him off again, "You better tell me now. What is in the safety deposit box that you want?"
Julian would have snapped if it wasn't for the fact that the man, sitting down in front of him, had a very important point. But he was Julian Satin; he wasn't going to give up that easily.
"A ring."
The other man was waiting for him to elaborate, "A ring? That's it?"
"You make it seem like it is such a miniscule thing."
"It is," Harvey said in a monotone voice, "Why are you suing Max then?"
"I need to verify that it is coming from the safety deposit box belonging to the Harris family, and since Max is not someone you can easily talk to, I had to figure out a way to communicate with her. Suing her was the only way I could..."
Harvey's eyes narrowed, "Speak to Max?"
Julian remained silent as he stood by the door.
The lawyer rolled his eyes as he stood up and turned to face the scenery, "For a hard business man, you are very easy to see through."
He was expecting a ear-full of rebuttals, but when Harvey turned around, he found no one else in the room but him.
Max was at her desk when Arthur, the mailroom worker, stopped by her office. He handed her a bundle of mail; bills, letters from the clients, and a few junk mails from the bank. One by one she opened the envelopes, quickly gazing over the garbage written on the paper. She sighed, throwing out several envelopes before moving on to the rest of the pile. When she was almost finished, she realized her last two letters were not like the others.
She picked the first one up. The envelope was light and the paper was thick. Very expensive, embroidered paper. It didn't have a return address, nor did it have a stamp in the corner. It didn't even have her name on it. All it said was 'Happy Birthday' on the front. The paper was new, and clearly it had been written this morning. As she looked closer, she realized that the 'H' in 'happy' had an elongated line while the 'B' in 'birthday' had a slight curve on the second round. Her eyes rose at the font.
It was from her father.
Placing the note down in disgust, she picked up the other letter. It was heavy, and the paper was average. This also didn't have a return address or a stamp. The letter looked as if it had been passed around a lot, or it had been held by the same person frequently. It looked old, as if it had been written almost fifteen years ago. 'Maxie' had been written neatly on the front, and she could tell a woman's hand wrote it. What shocked Max was the nickname: 'Maxie'. It was from the one person in the world who knew her.
It was from her mother.
Awe ran through her body. She became so nervous, so very quickly. Her mother. Her mother had written her a letter long ago, and she was now getting it. Did her father send it to her? Or was it by sheer dumb luck that the letter fell into her hands? Max prayed it was the latter.
She was torn between opening which one first; her mother's letter, or her father's?
She placed her mother's down, knowing that if she read it in the office, she would break down into tears and sobs and people would think she was either crazy or she had a bad case of PMS. With her hands, she quickly opened the item, not caring that she was probably ripping hundreds of dollars worth of paper. Ha, my father, never Eco friendly. She flipped the sides up, realizing that there was also another sheet in the envelope, but she didn't care at the moment. She just wanted to get through the letter.
'Maxine', the letter started off with, and Max already rolled her eyes.
'For a long time I've lived with the death of your mother on my conscience. If I had been able to change...' Max skimmed the boring parts, reading them over quickly. '...I've missed out on your life... I wish I could take it back... your mother ordered me to try to stay in your life... she would be happy and proud if she saw you... the cheque for your trust fund is enclosed... I hope one day we can talk about what really happened-'
"What?" Max said out loud, stopping her thoughts.
Trust fund?
She scanned through the page again, looking for that specific exert, 'Your mother made me promise that if anything were to happen to her or I, I would make sure that you were kept afloat, even if the company went down. Since the day you were born, a trust fund has been placed in your name. You are the only one who can withdrawal from the account, Maxine. Think of it as twenty-eight birthday presents in one gift. The cheque from your trust fund is enclosed, my dear. I hope to spend it wisely.'
She put the letter down, picking up the envelope with shaky hands. With her thumb and index finger, she pulled the small piece of paper out, with her jaw dropping as she stared at the numbers.
A two was staring back at her, which was in front of eight zeroes.
Fun Fact: Babbo is an actual restaurant. It is located in Manhattan on Waverly Street. Their food is amazing.
ON THE NEXT TAOP: Max's 'surprise' birthday party, protective Harvey makes an appearance, and what happens when Max comes face to face with Satan himself?
xoxo N.