As a black SUV, moving meticulously with the rhythm of an election campaign despite the heavy traffic in the capital, carried Harvey into the TV studio, he reflected on the importance of the day. Everything depended on the minutes to be lived in this small box. He leaned back in the leather seat of the car and gazed out of the window at the scenery outside. As the city tried to wake up with the first rays of the morning, the grey clouds covering the sky created a feeling of gloom in the air. The city centre was both lively and quiet, the streets bustling with the hectic but calm bustle of the morning as people hurried to get to work. Harvey's thoughts were focused on the interview that was about to take place; it would be one of the most important moments of his election campaign, in a big TV studio.
As the car glided between the high-rise buildings in the city centre, through the window the image of the bursting flashes of journalists and cameras became clear among the thousands of lights and billboards lining the road. The car stopped in front of a large glass building. It towered like a masterpiece of modern architecture, its exterior completely covered in glass and the golden light of the morning sun glinting off its surface. Harvey gave a slight nod to the security guard who opened the car door, then stepped out onto the wide, cobbled pavement in front of the building. The air was cold; the wind caressed Harvey's face as he pulled his dark coat a little tighter around him. As he walked towards the entrance of the building, he was surrounded by cameras from various news channels and curious journalists, quickly taking photographs and calling out in the hope of getting a few words.
As he entered through the large revolving door, he was immediately greeted by a wave of warm air. The inside of the building was completely different from the cold world outside; the spacious lobby was filled with shiny marble floors, elegant chandeliers and modern designed furniture. On the walls of the lobby, giant screens showed images from the studio's past programmes; on some screens, information about Harvey's upcoming interview was displayed. The lobby resembled a film set; everything was impeccably organised, every detail serving a specific purpose.
Harvey paused for a few seconds in the lobby, observing the activity around him. The people working in the studio were hurrying from place to place, some with files in their hands, others with cars full of cameras and technical equipment. This activity added to Harvey's nervousness, but he managed to keep a calm expression on his face. A producer approached Harvey, greeted him politely and guided him into the studio's interior, into the waiting room. All the attention was on him, as usual. He spread a polite smile around.
The waiting room reflected a perfect combination of luxury and comfort. Soft leather armchairs were arranged around a modern glass coffee table in the centre. On the coffee table, a variety of snacks and bottled water were kept within reach at all times. The walls were painted in pale blue tones and adorned with modern artwork, giving the room both elegance and calm. For a moment, Harvey surrendered to the silence of this room; it felt good to be alone with his thoughts in this quiet room, away from the chaos outside. In one corner of the room, under a long, thin table lamp, there were a few magazines and notebooks. As Harvey tried to relax in the low light of the room, he looked out of the window at the bustling cityscape. Outside the studio, vehicles and pedestrians on the streets showed once again how fast and dynamic city life was.
His advisors and press team entered the room shortly afterwards. The quiet atmosphere of the room was suddenly transformed into a business-orientated discussion. Harvey's team surrounded him to make last-minute preparations, reviewing his talking points and discussing in detail the answers to questions and strategies.
They reviewed the key messages and strategies Harvey wanted to emphasise during the interview. They provided guidance on how Harvey might answer some of the questions in order to reduce surface tension. Harvey's clothes were carefully organised; the cufflinks on his shirt were fastened, his tie straightened and his jacket checked one last time.
A make-up artist applied a light powder to Harvey's face. This powder was meant to make him look more natural and clearer in the television lights. The fine details of his face were perfectly smoothed and his hair was professionally combed. During the preparation process, Harvey did a short meditation with his eyes closed, which helped to calm his mind and prepare for the interview. Before arriving in the morning, he had taken painkillers for a headache and forgot to eat breakfast.
It was only minutes before the start, and when the whole team had gone out, Harvey was alone in the waiting room. He hadn't had much time to be alone lately. The election was getting closer every day, which doubled his responsibility every time. Otis had been haunting Harvey for seconds, so today's interview was an escape for him. Otis hadn't turned up, Harvey was on his own. Lately, his alone time had been few and far between. It was up to him not to put up with the pressure, but he felt he had to be loyal to the man who had done so much for him. That was how Harvey was.
Just then there was a knock on the door of the room, Harvey frowned, no one entered the presidential candidate's room unless it was necessary or important, it wasn't allowed. Harvey remained in front of the window and without turning round said in a full and determined voice, "Do not disturb, it's occupied." But whoever was behind the door didn't listen to Harvey and opened the door anyway. Harvey was furious, and when he angrily turned round to see who it was, the sight left him speechless for a few seconds.
That was Donna. She closed the door, leaned back and looked at Harvey with a smile. She was wearing a dress that was the epitome of timeless elegance. The deep emerald green hue gave the dress a sophisticated nobility, while the soft fabric draped like water, creating a delicate silhouette. It looks like a dream inspired by an ancient forest, brought to life in the deepest shade of emerald green. The fabric carries a light yet impressive weight, as if woven from a time period trapped between day and night. It was as if the spirit of the forest was woven into every fibre of this dress; the cool, fresh and mysterious air of green was felt.
This dress tells a story that combines memories of the past and the magic of nature with the elegance of modern times. Wearing it makes you feel like a traveller lost in the depths of a forest, but discovering a new secret at every step. Mesmerising in every detail, this dress was like a poem that penetrated the wearer's soul, leaving an unforgettable mark in every moment.
"I don't think your waiting room is too small for two people," the sound of the thin heel touching the floor created a slight ringing effect, the trace left by the heels with each step leaving a small signature on the texture of the floor. This was not just the sound of a shoe; it symbolised an existence, a stance. She approached Harvey and looked into his eyes, even deeper, into his soul, his heart, his face, she put another smile on her lips, took a deep breath, touched Harvey's arm and finished her sentence. "Mr President."
Donna's touch was the first move that managed to fully wake Harvey, who had been running around since the early hours of the morning. He gripped Donna's hand and closed his eyes for a few seconds. Feeling her was the most peaceful feeling in the world, but the timing and the place were wrong. There were people outside and the interview was about to begin.
"What are you doing here?" Harvey finally said and let go of Donna's hands.
Donna shook her head, looked around and picked up the water bottle on the coffee table and drank it.
"Nothing, I just came to get your autograph, I'm a big fan." she said, mocking with Harvey, but it didn't last long because Harvey's face, which remained serious and expressionless, showed that he really wanted answers. He kept his gaze on Donna and slightly bowed his head and waited for her to answer.
Donna maintained eye contact, looking for signs of cheerful attitude, but Harvey was still serious. Donna gave up and put the water bottle back on the table and walked over to the couch and sat down.
"Okay, fine, I know the director, he gave me permission." Harvey quickly walked round the couch to stand in front of Donna and looked down at her, she looked relaxed, not worried at all.
"You need to go. Go. This isn't your penthouse, there's a lot of people here," Harvey said, sounding more panicked than he was. Donna kept her relaxed demeanour and leaned back in the couch and took one of the energy bars left for Harvey, opened it and started eating it, crossing her legs. This annoyed Harvey.
"Donna, I'm serious. If anyone comes-" Donna interrupted Harvey.
"Yeah, it would be a disaster, blah blah blah. Relax, two adults can sit down and have a chat."
"Two adults, yes. A married presidential candidate and a famous Hollywood star, in our case, no. This interview is important, I can't just shit in it."
Donna rolled her eyes at the word "married" and stood up.
She cut him off, "A candidate on the brink of divorce." His anger simmered beneath the surface, feeling as if Donna was deliberately twisting his words.
"Look, that's not the point. Now realise the seriousness of the situation, put those energy bars back and get out of this room as soon as possible. I don't want them to see you here. I don't want to be seen with you." Harvey's voice grew harsher and colder with each sentence. Harvey felt like he was on the edge of a cliff, one wrong step could plunge him into an endless abyss.
The four corners of the room pressed down on Harvey like a wall towering over him. He could feel a pair of eyes watching them from every corner, every whisper turning against him. The beating of his heart seemed to echo in his chest and vibrate the walls of the room. The thought sent a growing wave of terror through Harvey.
It was as if time had stopped and the world revolved only around his panicked heartbeat. The tension of the moment put a weight on Harvey's shoulders that he had never felt before. No matter how deeply he tried to breathe, the air filling his lungs was insufficient; each breath was not enough to extinguish the fire of panic growing inside him. At that moment, Harvey's mind was filled with one thing: fear of the inevitable. Someone would see them, everything would be revealed, and that would be the end of everything.
"Come on, Donna, get out of here. I don't want you here, this is a disaster. Get. out. of. here. We'll find a way to see each other later! Go away!"
Harvey was crushed under the weight of this moment. He wanted to run out of that room, to escape the grip of this fear, but his feet seemed to be nailed to the floor. His heart seemed to be in its last convulsions. Panic had taken over his entire being. The only way out of this room now was to overcome this fear, but Harvey was not ready to carry this burden.
Donna, however, did not share this dark fear. To her, there was no real danger. The fear of being caught had become a monster growing in Harvey's mind, but Donna could never see it.
For Donna, everything was simple. The danger of these secret meetings was a source of excitement for her. The lure of the forbidden lit a fire of passion rather than fear in Donna's heart. The possibility that someone might discover them was the beginning of a catastrophic scenario for Harvey, but for Donna it was just a game, an adventure. She felt light as a devil's feather in the darkness of this danger. Unlike Harvey, Donna never felt threatened.
As Donna looked at Harvey's sweating forehead, she found his fear a little exaggerated. To her, these meetings had their risks, yes, but not so great that they would tear their lives apart. Their moments together had the sweetness of forbidden fruit for Donna, but for Harvey it had turned into poison. Donna was experiencing a disappointment mixed with bewilderment in this situation. The storm raging in Harvey's mind could not even reach the edge of her thoughts.
For Donna, Harvey's constant glancing around, checking to see if anyone would notice them, was an unnecessary distraction. None of the people floating like shadows in the centre of the crowd were paying any attention to them. Harvey's fussing made him look to Donna like a child who couldn't enjoy the game. Donna had accepted the rules of this game from the beginning.
Donna, unlike Harvey, was not afraid of the possibility of getting caught. She had accepted the forbidden nature of this relationship, even if it was difficult; whatever the consequences, she was ready to go all the way, ready to be Harvey's, even if it cost her her job. She did not harbour a shred of fear, for fear, in her view, haunted only the souls of the weak.
It was a heavy ache in Donna's soul. She wanted to see herself as a trace in Harvey's life, but the uneasiness in his eyes was trying to push Donna like a shadow to the edge of her life. As Donna confronted this thought, the resentment growing inside her felt like a coldness that enveloped her.
As she tried to understand Harvey's fear, she realised that this fear was actually a rejection. Instead of putting Donna's existence at the centre of his life, Harvey had chosen to conceal and hide her. This realisation was like a blow that shook Donna's heart. Had Harvey's value for her been reduced to a love only in the dark, out of sight? With this thought, Donna faced a harsh reality: Harvey wanted to hide her from the world. This was a disappointment that resonated in Donna's soul, because she did not want to remain a secret in Harvey's life.
Yes, Harvey was married, but one day he would get a divorce. He had to get divorced. He was in an unhappy marriage. It was just torture to keep it going. It was in everyone's best interests to end it.
Harvey's efforts to keep the affair secret had created a deep-rooted distrust in Donna's heart. Harvey's hiding it had damaged Donna's self-confidence and self-belief. She had dreamed of being a reality in Harvey's life one day, not just a secret, but now that dream was behind a wall of Harvey's fears.
She knew that Harvey was trying to do the right thing and that they would be in deep shit if they got caught, but hearing it out loud hurt her more than she had expected. There was a fine line between knowing and hearing.
Harvey's desire to hide it made Donna feel worthless. Yet Donna had wanted Harvey to hold her with the same passion as she burned in the fire of this relationship. But now she realised that Harvey had chosen fear over that passion. This realisation tore a wound in Donna's heart, for she had never imagined that Harvey's love could be so weak. The fact that Harvey wanted to hide it was a reality that shattered Donna's dreams. She was not willing to let this relationship remain a secret to be lived only in the dark.
Donna felt a growing anger and frustration at Harvey's desire to hide her. She had never wanted to see Harvey so weak. In her imagination, Harvey was someone who would be there for her against all odds, someone who would live this love in defiance of the world. But now she had to face Harvey's cowardly behaviour. This confrontation had opened a wound in Donna's heart that was difficult to repair.
Donna looked at Harvey's face for a few seconds, then looked away, looked around the room to hide her tears, then sighed and headed for the door.
"I'll be in the control room, I've got some work to do, then I'll go, enjoy your interview Mr Specter." and with that she slammed the door and left.
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Harvey felt as if he were drowning in solitude as Donna left the room. The sound of the door closing took with it the last vestiges of peace in the room. The silence that now surrounded the room only intensified Harvey's tension. The rapid beating of his heart became a scream that seemed to echo in every corner of the room. The panic inside him, coupled with Donna's departure, drove him into the dark depths of loneliness.
At that moment, Harvey's mind was a jumble of thoughts, each one trying to strangle the other. Donna's turning her back on him had turned his emotions into a whirlpool. The silence that followed made Harvey face the cold face of loneliness. At that moment, there was a great emptiness inside Harvey. Donna's absence had caused not only a physical separation but also an emotional collapse.
He took a deep breath because this interview represented a critical moment in his career. However, the tremor in his heart had turned everything in the room into a muffled, silent scream. The approaching hour of the interview forced Harvey to take action, but it was not enough to push aside the tension and regret. There was a wound in his heart over Donna's departure that made it difficult for him to concentrate.
As Harvey struggled to compose himself, his thoughts collided with each other in his brain. He was constantly reminded of the hurt on Donna's face, how everything had gone wrong, the darker side of this relationship. Now, he was alone in the room and had to prepare for the most important moment of his career. These two conflicting emotions deepened Harvey's inner turmoil and led him to a dead end. He had to carry the responsibility of this important interview and at the same time manage the tension left behind by Donna.
At that moment, the door of the room slowly opened and a member of the venue's professional staff entered. His face was solemn, indicating that things were in order and everything was in order. The attendant came in front of Harvey holding a file and a tablet.
"Mr Specter, are you ready?" he asked, his voice professional and remarkably clear. This was one of the team who made the arrangements for meetings and interviews. There was a focus in his eyes that reflected his dedication and attention to his job. Standing next to Harvey, not knowing his mood, he reminded him that it was time for the interview and that everything was fine.
Harvey closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. The counsellor next to him was waiting quietly, giving him time. Harvey's mind swirled with what he was going to say in this interview, trying to find a way to contain his excitement. Seeing Donna and having a bad last speech was starting to take over his mind, but he tried not to let it. He was determined to leave his emotions outside the waiting room. A short while later the door opened gently and an attendant entered, indicating it was time to go into the studio. At that moment, Harvey's mind became completely clear; with each step, his confidence seemed to grow a little stronge.
"I'm ready," he said, and they started walking.
When he stepped through the door of the studio, another world greeted Harvey. The studio felt like a grand theatre stage. Huge cameras stood silently around like mechanical giants, bright lights illuminated every corner of this stage. Ahead, the seat allocated to him waited like a throne, simple, modern, but at the same time representing authority.
The studio crew worked quietly but meticulously. The lighting technicians were working hard to ensure that the lights illuminated Harvey's face in just the right way. Each of them walked around with careful steps, making sure that every detail was perfect. The cameramen were focussed on Harvey's seat, adjusting their frames. As their hands moved lightly over the buttons on the cameras, the seriousness of their faces conveyed the gravity of the moment
In the background, a huge screen displayed the studio's logo and the name of the programme. Lights were positioned around the screen, clearly emphasising Harvey's face and expression. Camera crews were positioned in different corners of the studio, each camera ready to capture Harvey's every movement and expression.
Harvey sat in the seat allocated for him and the journalist sat opposite him. Before the interview began, a few technical adjustments were made; microphones were tested, lights were checked for the last time. At these moments, Harvey took a deep breath and focussed himself completely on the interview. The journalist began the interview in a calm and courteous manner; the first few questions, as expected, were about general information and Harvey's campaign strategies. However, as the interview progressed, the questions became more challenging and critical.
The journalist, Susan Chadwick, was sharp-tongued. And she seemed to know how to push Harvey's buttons within legal limits.
"So, Harvey, you're running as an independent. Some people might think that's an uphill battle and the odds are against you. What's your response to that?" she said, as she gave Harvey a sharp look from behind her glasses.
Harvey didn't lose his composure and confidence in the face of any of the questions, these were things he had prepared for. To be fair, he hadn't been asked anything too reactionary so far, but that didn't mean it would last forever.
Harvey smiled confidently and squared his shoulders.
"Well, Susan, being an independent candidate does mean taking on the two major parties. But I believe that many Americans are ready for a fresh perspective. I'm not concerned about the odds-I'm focused on my vision for this country and why I'm the best person to lead us forward."
Susan smiled, seemingly unimpressed by Harvey's knowing demeanour.
"That's a confident stance. Another concern that some voters might have is your lack of political experience. You've never held public office before. What makes you believe you're qualified to lead the country?"
Now the real thing was starting. The interview started to turn into a war from now on.
Harvey was used to comments about his young age, so he couldn't say he was surprised. But he was definitely annoyed with Susan. If he hadn't been surrounded by people, he would have given her a hard time. Harvey kept his patience.
"You're right, I don't have a long political resume. But let me tell you something," Harvey straightened his posture, took a deep breath and raised his eyebrows. He kept his composure, but he could feel the pressure.
"...experience doesn't necessarily make someone a great leader. What's more important are the skills and qualities that I bring to the table. I've spent my life solving problems, making tough decisions, and getting results. That experience, combined with my background in law and business, will allow me to navigate the complexities of Washington and drive real progress. And most importantly, I genuinely care about the people of this country and their well-being."
Susan added a fake smile to her face.
"That definitely sounds promising. Speaking of experience, there's been a lot of talk recently about your relationship with your wife Paula Agard," Harvey knew what was coming next, Susan had done her homework. Oh, shit. Donna was here, Harvey had to think three times before he could answer any question about Paula.
"..and some speculating about the nature of your relationship. Can you speak to that? People say you married Mrs Agard Specter because of her father, Otis Agard, your father-in-law."
Harvey's complacency was slowly unravelling, he was getting angry. He couldn't tell the truth in this situation, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't, they were still playing the role of happily married and he couldn't break it yet. He took a deep breath.
"The speculation is nothing more than gossip, and it couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, I met Paula through the connection with her father, but our relationship started long before that. Her father's position has absolutely nothing to do with why I married her. We have a respectful relationship."
"What about love?" said Susan, knowing she had Harvey cornered. And she had succeeded. Harvey felt his heart sink. Donna was going to hear everything he said and it was a disaster. He wanted to disappear right now, turn back time. He knew that everything he said would stay with her forever. And for that he had to choose his words carefully.
"As in any marriage. Enough. I love Paula," he said, and it was hard. Knowing that Donna had heard it only made it worse. Harvey leaned across the table and picked up the glass of water and sipped it, widening his tie. His breath began to get short again. He felt the whole room spinning around him.
Susan, knowing she had caught Harvey, continued, keeping the gentleness in her voice.
"But you do concede that you have a unique relationship with Mr Agard? He's supported your campaign quite significantly, and some speculate that he has influence over your decisions" This was Harvey's last point. He couldn't take it any longer and slammed his glass down on the table a little harder than he should have and frowned, his eyes darkening with anger.
"Some or you? You know what, Susan? Yes, I do have a unique relationship with Mr Agard. But it's not about him influencing my decisions-it's about the fact that he believes in me and what I stand for. He's my father-in-law, and we do discuss political matters and share opinions, but that's as far as it goes. Any suggestion otherwise is just more baseless bullshit." He looked angrily at Susan, his anger at her still unrelieved.
"Mr Agard has been a great supporter of my campaign, but that doesn't mean he has any influence over my decisions whatsoever. My campaign, my vision, and my decisions are mine and mine alone. I'm my own man, and no one controls me.!"
Harvey's loud shout instantly caught the attention of everyone in the studio. The sound waves were hitting the microphones of the cameras and echoing clearly on the screens and headphones. The technical teams, feeling the gravity of the moment, decided to act quickly to avoid further escalation of the tension. The director immediately signalled a blackout to preserve the quality of the broadcast.
When Susan saw Harvey's anger, she took a step back and tried to maintain her composure. However, the composure on her face turned into nervousness; there was uncertainty and some satisfaction in Susan's eyes. Still, she wanted this confrontation to end in order to maintain a professional level.
The security teams rushed in through the side doors of the studio, stepping carefully to bring the situation under control. Every step demonstrated a serious sense of duty on the part of the security guards. They were watching carefully to protect the situation from further escalation. The producers and producers, in order not to further dramatise the situation, came in and tried to exert a calming influence.
As a result, Harvey's shouting sent a wave of stress and anxiety through all the crews in the studio. Camera crews were working hard to get through the moment quickly. Sound technicians reviewed their systems to control the reverberation of loud noises. The director decided to interrupt the broadcast and take a commercial break.
It was a moment when the professionalism of every individual in the studio reached its limits. When Harvey left the room, his face showed signs of anger and frustration, and Susan tried to maintain her composure in order not to deepen the incident. The camera lights went out and the microphones went silent. The whole team took a deep breath after the incident and stepped into the process of returning to their professional duties.
Today had been shit.