Donna left the TV studio at a brisk pace. As she waited for her chauffeur to pick her up, she couldn't contain herself. She felt trapped. Not only was the way Harvey had kicked her out of the room a dagger in her heart, but Harvey had said in front of everyone that he loved Paula.

Yes, Harvey was a presidential candidate and he was married to Paula, those were facts, of course he had to say those things, or pretend to. But it didn't stop Donna from feeling like nothing. Donna had everything, a good career, a loving family, good friends, fame, fans who loved her, people who supported her. Donna had everything a person could want.

Paula, on the other hand, had a workaholic father instead of a loving family, she didn't pursue her career despite studying at the best schools, she had no one to call a close friend, she grew up crushed by her father's fame.

Donna was everything Paula wasn't.

And yet, Paula had the one thing Donna wanted but couldn't have. Harvey.

And to hear Harvey say today, "I love Paula," even if it wasn't true, made Donna feel like she had nothing.

She didn't like that feeling, she hated that feeling. Donna was strong, she could face adversity alone, she could overcome it. She couldn't believe she was hurting herself for a man, for Harvey. Harvey was many things, but he wasn't Donna's. He was forbidden. He was someone else's. Harvey was Paula's. Maybe not in spirit, but by the full authority of the law, Harvey was Paula's husband. Not Donna's. Harvey was nothing to Donna.

At the end of the day, Harvey was in the same house as Paula, in the same bed, eating breakfast at the same table, communicating as much as they did with each other all day, even if they didn't spend their days side by side all the time.

Donna was too far away from Harvey to have even these simple things, and too close to him to want to have them. It was like there was a thin line between them, a line that Donna couldn't cross, no matter how much she wanted to. The line could only be crossed if Harvey wanted to. When Harvey was free, when Harvey didn't have a meeting, when Harvey wasn't with Paula... And Donna? She was waiting. For Harvey to be free, for the meeting to be over, for him to come round Paula's side. Because Donna couldn't make a move, couldn't leave, couldn't have Harvey anytime, anywhere. Donna had to make do with crumbs while Paula spent all her days with Harvey fighting and being petulant.

Being in that position made Donna feel like shit. Being the other woman.

As tears fell from Donna's eyes, her car arrived and Donna quickly got into the car. As the car sped past buildings, people and places, Donna's mind was on that TV studio. No, Donna's mind was on Harvey, she hadn't even stopped until the end of the interview, the moment Harvey said "I love Paula" Donna had left the control room, she couldn't take it anymore, it was too much.

As she cried in the back seat of the car her phone started to ring, it was Donna's friend, Kayla Hearst, an actress like Donna and they had been in the same project before. Donna wiped away her tears and answered the phone, trying to keep the hurt and sadness out of her voice.

"Hi Kiki."

"Hi Didi! Where have you been?" said Kayla, sounding as cheerful as ever.

Donna sighed and looked out of the car window at the road, the passing trees and buildings emphasising the speed of time.

"I'm in the car, about to go home actually."

"Okay, great timing! Go home, put on your sexy clothes and get your arse over here." Donna grinned. Kayla always knew how to get Donna in the mood even if she didn't know she was doing it.

"Where are you?" said Donna curiously, Kayla was usually in interesting places.

"Are you alright? I'm at The Metropolitan Club, there was a conference, you can't have forgotten. You said you'd come." Donna's eyes lit up, this had completely slipped her mind. She had agreed to go to this club event just to meet Harvey, but now, in this situation, she no longer felt like going.

Donna opened her mouth to speak but the words stuck in her throat, she knew Harvey wouldn't be there because he was in the interview, still she wasn't sure she wanted to go out in public right now and spread fake smiles.

"I don't know Kiki," she finally pulled herself together and said in a voice that didn't sound happy and continued.

"I feel bad today, I think I should stay home. Besides, I need to memorise the script..." these were just excuses, Donna had done her memorisation two days ago.

It was obvious from her tone that Kayla wasn't going to give up.

"Oh, come on girl. If I didn't know you I'd believe it, but unfortunately and fortunately I do know you. Come on over here, I'll entertain you, and I just saw your name already reserved at the table, so you need to come." Donna closed her eyes and sighed, attending such important events was important for her job in terms of interacting with people. There were always important people in that club and the members were carefully selected, Donna was one of the lucky ones, and so was Kayla.

Kayla spoke again as Donna silently considered what to do.

"Besides, you'll be sorry if you miss the free drinks." Donna put a dry grin on her face and bit her lip in stress. Maybe she would regret this later, but right now she felt like she had no choice. Besides, the longer she stayed home alone, the worse her thoughts were going to make her feel, so a distraction might be good.

"Fine, fine, okay. I might miss the conference, but I'll make it to the dinner."

Kayla's high-pitched laughter rang in Donna's ears.

"Haha! That's my girl. All right, I'm waiting for you, stay sexy, and PS, there are some very handsome businessmen here, although it would be better if they weren't married... Whatever girl, bye." The grin wiped from Donna's face as Kayla hung up the phone, the mention of 'married men' naturally reminded her of Harvey, but she didn't let herself get caught up in it and shook her head from side to side, trying to put Harvey out of her mind. Donna was going to the event, that was all that mattered.

𓃭

She went home and quickly went up to her room and started looking at her clothes, she didn't have much time so she hurried and put on her new Alexander Mcqueen dress.

It was a glamorous evening dress that combined elegance and elegance. The dress was made of charmeuse silk in a deep shade of purple, silky to the touch and perfectly fitted to the body.

The fabric of the dress flows like a liquid in the light, emitting an elegant lustre. The deep purple colour is as deep and expressive as the stars in the night sky, conveying an elegant melancholy and glamour. The texture of the fabric was as smooth as fine satin, hugging the body and leaving a subtle shimmer as it moved.

This dress offers not only physical but also spiritual elegance. McQueen's design combines both a bold and refined poise with elegance, so that it leaves a mark around the wearer with every step.

The back was left boldly open, revealing the graceful curves of the shoulders and back. The back detail was tied with a thin thread, creating an elegant silhouette at the waist. The bust sags with a soft drape, creating a form that gently hugs the body, but at the same time moves freely. The skirt fluctuates gracefully with each step, reflecting the movements of the wearer like a symphony.

The sleeves of the dress reinforce the elegance of the design. Designed in a long and slender shape, it completely wraps the sleeves and falls gently in harmony with the body. The light texture of the fabric wraps the sleeves like a drape, yet offers a comfort that never feels tight when moving. The sleeve ends are slightly gathered with a fine stitching, creating a slight drape effect for an elegant aesthetic.

𓃭

After getting ready, her limousine came to pick her up and soon they arrived at The Metropolitan Club.

When Donna stepped through the doors of the Metropolitan Club's dinner party, she stepped into a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As a famous actress, she had a reputation for always being at the centre of attention, but tonight, the eyes were not only on her. Politicians, corporate executives, business leaders, media representatives, and of course the social elite were there.

Behind the door, a grand hall welcomed her, the walls reflecting an elegance reeking of history. Dark wood panelling was decorated with exquisitely carved patterns. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, illuminating each corner with a sparkling glow, making the atmosphere magical.

In the centre of the hall, a long and flamboyant table was carefully arranged. Finely crafted porcelain plates, gold-leaf cutlery and fine crystal goblets were placed on the table. The aromas of food wafted through the air; cinnamon, thyme and freshly baked bread triggered Donna's nostalgic feelings.

Donna shone like a star in the venue with her dress and glamour. The deep purple dress she wore accentuated her elegant silhouette, while gold jewellery and delicate make-up enhanced her elegance. As she entered, the conversation abruptly ceased and a moment of silence filled the room. The attendees greeted Donna's entrance as a kind of ritual, bowing their heads slightly and saluting her.

Donna walked with graceful steps towards the table. Each guest admired her grand entrance, their eyes fixed on her. A waiter handed her a glass of champagne. Donna took the glass with a gentle smile and began to greet the people around her with great grace.

The food was prepared with the chef's artistic touch; each plate was a work of art. Each bite, with its rich colours, consistency and flavours, was a taste experience.

Donna's eyes wandered around the large and magnificent hall. There were familiar faces and many people she had never met before, everyone was important. Champagne bubbles danced in the glasses and the air was filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread and a variety of gourmet dishes.

As Donna stepped into the setting, she felt a sense of serenity amidst the light whispered conversations and harmonious notes of classical music. The gracious and attentive behaviour of the guests added to the elegance of the setting. People gathered around her, slowly interrupting their conversations. Suddenly, all eyes were on Donna.

As she slowly made her way to the table, the guests greeted her with various compliments. Even if each handshake, each smile was not real for Donna, she did it. People were talking, but she was here in body, her soul was somewhere else. Her soul was with Harvey.

She saw him in every conversation, every glance, even when he wasn't here. Donna hadn't seen Kalya since she came in, hadn't had time. Everyone was in different places, chatting to lots of people. Donna took her third glass of champagne and walked around some more.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of activity. A famous artist introduced a painting that was lying next to the table, and the guests looked at it with great interest. The painting was a masterpiece of colour and form.

The artist placed the painting on the floor with great care and, standing in front of it, took a few steps back to gather the gaze of the audience. He took a deep breath and spoke his first words:

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour for me to introduce to you tonight a very special work, which, as part of my artistic journey, reflects not only my own inner world, but also my emotional and aesthetic thoughts at this time."

The curators made way for the guests who surrounded the painting and the artist began to explain the details of the painting by pointing with his hands. On the surface of the painting was a landscape of vibrant colours mingling together. A wild and mesmerising portrait of nature had emerged with intense brushstrokes. Deep greens, deep blue seas and variegated skies reflected a cross-section of a dream.

As the guests listened attentively to the artist's words, they began to examine the painting more closely. The details in the painting revealed the artist's spiritual depth and technical skill. Many people closely scrutinized the fine details and intricate patterns, which increased their desire to learn more about the artist's work. Continuing his narration, the artist emphasised that the painting was not only a visual feast, but also an emotional journey.

𓃭

After some time had passed, Donna felt as if she was suffocating in her dress, although it was not even tight, Donna's soul was shrinking, she seemed to feel that something bad was going to happen. As she was walking, however, she tripped over her dress and the champagne glass in her hand shattered when she stumbled, the shards scattered all over the floor, most of the stares turned back to Donna, people thought she was drunk and started to gossip, but Donna had only stumbled, but she couldn't change people's minds now. She swore under her breath, wiped the remnants of the champagne off her hands with a napkin and made her way to the other side of the room, where she was shocked at what she saw.

Paula was there. She and her socialite friends were chatting and laughing.

She was wearing Elie Saab's "Velvet-Trimmed Lace Mini" dress, the design of which was like an elegant reflection of a fairy tale, embellished with a midnight blue velvet fabric, adorned with finely embroidered lace details. The depth of the black parts was reminiscent of the dark sky on a starless night; calm, powerful and full of secrets.

The upper part of the dress had a transparent and deep cleavage, shimmering with the sparkle of the fine lace texture. The lace was elegantly displayed in every corner of the dress, like the delicate flowers of a winter garden. The velvet fabric created a delicate texture at the bottom of the dress, perfectly emphasising the silhouette with its form-fitting cut.

Under the dim light reflected from the wall, the rich texture of the velvet and the lace details blended together to create a unity. The skirt of the dress gently undulated in a graceful movement, emitting a subtle sparkle with every step.

The woman in the blue dress who had just been where Donna had dropped the glass smiled warmly and walked over to Paula and whispered something in the direction of their group, then most eyes turned to Donna. The woman had probably told a rumour about Donna that was not true.

As Paula looked into Donna's eyes, Donna felt her stomach tighten, she was breathless. She tensed next to Paula because what she and Harvey had done was despicable and something no one deserved.

The woman in the blue dress, Juliet, gave Donna a fake smile and gestured for her to come over to them. Donna tightened, her shoulders tensed, feeling herself recoil with every step. When she got to the society group, the women gave Donna a pitiful look, one of them put her arm round Donna's shoulders.

"Are you all right, honey? Do you want to sit down?" Donna raised an eyebrow, she realised why she was asking this, Juliet told them that Donna was supposedly "drunk". and broke the champagne glass.

Donna put a smile on her face and directed her sharp gaze at the woman's face.

"Afraid I'd draw attention to myself by standing in front of you, honey?" Donna laughed sarcastically and then rolled her eyes.

"Just kidding," she said, and looked at the women's faces, which were like walls, and it gave her a little pleasure. Of course that didn't last long. Paula turned towards Donna.

"Donna, right?" She looked Donna up and down and continued. "We met at the Al Smith Dinner, Dad introduced us," she said, and Donna remembered that night, the first time she had ever met Paula in person, and she was as nervous as she had ever been, as she was now.

"Yes," she nodded.

"It's surprising to see you here. We're in a more serious environment than in Hollywood, but you seem very relaxed. Politics is a bit heavy for Hollywood stars like you, isn't it? Why do you always come to these events?" said Paula, a subtle sneer in her eyes. This easily caught everyone's attention.

"I've learnt to be versatile enough to walk the red carpet and understand the real issues at the same time. I like to look at the world from different perspectives. The fact that you only see it from one window may make my point of view seem strange, I can't say anything about that. Participating in politics can be difficult for those who want to do more than just talk and have fun. But I don't run away from difficulties," Donna said, as polite as she could be, irritated by Paula's unnecessary outburst.

Paula was surprised, she certainly had not expected such a response. The sharpness in her eyes was evident.

"Hollywood stars usually know how to run," she said and took a sip of her water. "Still," he said and took a step closer to Donna, the tension building.

"politics isn't as simple as you make it out to be. After all, your place is on the red carpet, this is for real people, not show business. Politics may be too complicated for you. After all, you know nothing but memorised scripts. Doesn't politics seem like a waste of time to you? You're probably more concerned about who you're going to be photographed with or how you're going to look in the tabloids."

Donna felt every word that came out of Paula's mouth as if it was floating in the air. The sounds hitting her ears carried a metallic echo; harsh, sharp and cold. At first she couldn't believe it.

"It's hard to believe this place means anything to you. Politics is too much for you." Donna's breathing quickened, her heart echoed in her chest, her hands trembled. Paula was doing this to her on purpose, she knew it. She had said these vile things just to provoke her, to throw her off balance, to unleash her anger. But this knowledge, far from calming Donna's anger, only sent her into an even more intense hurricane.

"As I understand it, the reason you come to such events is to fill your empty private life. After all, it's not surprising that you're here alone. Managing a real relationship can be as difficult as politics. Strong leaders build strong relationships."

Paula's words echoed over and over in Donna's mind. The audacious condescension that judged her existence solely in terms of relationships was like fire in Donna's veins. "Strong leaders build strong relationships." This sentence tore through Donna like a deep wound. Paula knew nothing of her life, only that she shone in the spotlight.

But Donna felt with every fibre of her being that there was a being beyond these lights. Having or not having a relationship made her no less valuable, no less worthy. And yet, despite knowing this fact, she couldn't help the pain that grew inside her at these words. The thin mockery that seeped into her veins drove a nail into her heart every time Donna took a breath.

It was not hatred she felt, it was much deeper. The weight of those stone-heavy questions that she had patiently accumulated for years had collapsed on her. All of them descended on her at that moment like a flood. The condescending smile on Paula's face was wearing Donna's patience to the limit. She was trying to humiliate her, to make her look weak with these so-called "leadership" lessons. She was implying that she was weaker just because she was alone, just because she didn't have a mate or partner in this crowd. Seeing what was behind this arrogance drove Donna mad and made her stronger at the same time.

But the worst part was that she could hear the voice of reason in the face of all these attacks. Paula only wanted to make her angry, only to fuel her rage. Paula, seeing a woman surrendered to her anger would perhaps be her greatest victory. But Donna knew this game. Although the anger in her veins swelled like volcanoes, it would be more painful than anything else to submit to someone who wanted to trap her in this trap.

The arrogance in Paula's eyes, glinting insidiously, reflected the satisfaction of having hit Donna in a weak spot. At that moment, Donna looked into those arrogant eyes. Anger flashed in her eyes like lightning, but her words didn't reach her. She swallowed, took a deep breath and recovered the resolve in her voice. The anger swelled inside her like a sea, but Donna knew she had to harness the storm. Because her venting her anger was the only thing the other woman wanted.

Donna pushed down the heaviness in her chest, the trembling in her heart, and with an inner strength, she held her head high with a wry smile. No longer would she let this moment dominate her. No, her anger would not harm her, would not diminish her. She was aware of her own power, and that awareness had a depth that Paula would never understand.

As Donna was about to speak, Paula's gaze shifted and a smile settled on her face.

"Excuse me, ladies, the presidential candidate, my husband, is here." Donna's eyes sparkled and she turned her head to look where Paula was looking. Harvey was here. Donna had thought he couldn't come, but Harvey was here. He didn't look happy, in fact he looked very angry. Mad, even. Otis was with him, and the two of them seemed to be having a tense conversation. Paula put a smile on her face and went over to them.

𓃭

The fight with the journalist painted a picture in Otis' eyes of how uncontrolled and inexperienced his son-in-law was. It had all erupted during an interview. Harvey had failed to display the professional demeanour expected of him and had lost his temper in the face of the journalist's sharp and provocative questions.

As Otis collected his thoughts, his eyes bore the traces of anger brought on by this incident. His nerves were stretched like a taut wire. Harvey had come across to journalists and the public as someone who could not control his anger, and that was not a good thing. The anger of the incident burned inside Otis like a fire; this kind of unprofessional behaviour on Harvey's part had exhausted Otis' patience.

"It's really great, you had a teenage tantrum on a programme that millions of people are going to watch!" he said, his sentence completely out of touch with reality.

"What kind of leadership is that? What the hell were you thinking? What kind of professionalism is this? That's what journalists do, you idiot! To provoke you, to push you to the limit! That'll give them ratings! But you, you gave them what they wanted. Instead of answering the journalist's questions intelligently, you lost your temper! This is stupidity! Any leader should respond coolly to such provocations. Your reaction shows that you are just chasing an ego!"

Harvey wanted to respond immediately to Otis' words. A wry smile appeared on his face, but it soon turned to annoyance.

"Your constant criticism is based on seeing only my flaws instead of understanding the way I express myself. Perhaps your problems are related to your constant self-deprecation of others. It seems to me that this behaviour is merely an attempt at self-satisfaction." Harvey paused and realised that he had raised his voice higher than he should have. He took a deep breath and continued.

"The journalist asked questions about my private life, she asked questions about you! Everyone has their limits. What would you do if you were in the same situation?"

Otis rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth.

"You're taking this personally, but this is about your professionalism. As a presidential candidate, such a loss of control damages not only your own image, but the prestige of our family. People expect someone like you to be cool and calculating in times of crisis. This kind of behaviour in times of crisis damages not only your reputation but that of the entire family. This is not a personal matter for you, this is a family matter!"

Harvey found it difficult to accept Otis's harsh criticism. He could feel his nerves becoming even more tense. The surrounding guests could see the tension in the conversation.

"I just answered the questions honestly. Anyone else would probably react differently. Why are you only interested in seeing my faults? Everyone will find me right."

As the guests watched this argument grow more and more tense, the air around the room became tense. Otis' eyes were affected by Harvey's anger, but he tried to keep his peace. Both sides' voices were loud, their dialogue sharp and harsh. The auditorium had turned into a battlefield, and the impact of the conflict between the two people was felt on everyone.

When Otis saw the determination in Harvey's eyes, he decided to increase the dose of the dialogue. His nerves were on edge and Otis' words triggered Harvey's need to defend himself.

"This is nothing but your mistakes, this is a failure of strategy. What is more important for you is to control yourself and remain calm in such situations. The journalist's questions may be provocative, but it is your duty to resist such provocations. A leader's composure in such crises protects his career and the reputation of our family! What will you do when you become president? Everyone will turn on you! They'll spread rumours, fake news! You're gonna throw a temper tantrum on them either?! It's a failure as a leader to find yourself in a situation like this."

After these words, in a state of complete loss of self-control and anger, Harvey felt that the discussion should end.

"Maybe this kind of thing bothers you because it's something you're having trouble with, but I have no qualms about putting people in their place when they cross my line! You and I end up in the same place every time we argue: You just criticise, instead of taking a broader view of yourself."

Otis took a deep breath to calm Harvey's angry reaction and his own inner turmoil. The traces of anger on both sides had completely changed the atmosphere of the event. This discussion had created a breaking point on both a personal and professional level

"I'm trying to teach you a lesson rather than criticise you. Leadership is not only about performing well, but also about maturity and self-discipline. This kind of behaviour of yours puts you and us in a difficult position. This is just the beginning. If you continue like this, I don't think you can be president!"

Harvey took a deep breath after these words. The intense gaze of the guests on them caused Harvey's nerves to tighten. However, as Otis watched Harvey's emotional reactions, he realised that the speech not only increased the tension, but also turned into a mirror that reflected Harvey's shortcomings.

"I've heard enough! Perhaps someone like me should be with real leaders, not critics like you. Your kind of criticism is only demoralising and not constructive." Harvey said, Otis looked at Harvey and laughed.

"Hah! If you find someone who will invest more effort and money in you than me, go ahead and go! But no one will take care of you like I will!" With that, Paula came up to them and put her hand on Harvey's shoulder.

"What's going on? People are looking at us, calm down, whatever it is, we can sort it out at home." Paula looked into Otis and Harvey's eyes as she searched for an answer. Harvey pushed Paula's hand away and walked away and went to the pub.

He was so angry that he didn't even realise it was Donna sitting on the bar stool the first time, he downed the whisky he had ordered and quickly ordered a second, it had been a hard day. That's when his eyes met Donna's, standing in the centre of the room like a roaring storm. Her eyes were cloudy and hard, like deep lakes of anger.

"Donna, what are you doi-" Donna cut him off.

"What am I doing here? I don't know, maybe I'm here to fill up my empty personal life?!" she said, repeating Paula's words. Harvey didn't understand anything.

"I can't waste my energy on this right now, let's talk later."

Donna laughed.

"Sure, I'm always the next plan, your priority is your smart arse wife." Harvey frowned, not understanding why Donna was acting like this.

"What are you saying, Donna? I don't have time for this."

"I'd be surprised if you had the time! Because you never have time for me! You're too busy playing the perfect presidential candidate husband, you know that, Harvey? At least I only have to act on screen, and you have to wear a mask for the rest of your life."

Donna's presence in the room was like the eruption of a volcano. The anger inside her was spreading like acrid smoke to every corner of the room. Her eyes focussed on Harvey's silhouette in the darkness, spitting sparks of fire. Trying to decipher the misty expression on her face, Harvey couldn't get to the bottom of Donna's anger.

"Oh, I get it now," Harvey said and finished his drink. "It's about the interview, isn't it? Don't make such a big deal out of it. I don't want everything to be so dramatised. It was just an interview, it didn't change anything. You know I love you, Donna."

"Love me how?!" said Donna, in a loud voice.

"Harvey, you saying 'I love Paula' pushed me over the edge. You've turned me, us, into a background accessory for a political manoeuvre. Everyone will recognise you with 'Paula' anyway, I'll just be a part of you that you hide!"

Harvey frowned at Donna's words.

"You knew this was going to happen before you got involved, Donna. You knew I was married and you knew I was running for president. You knew the risks. You knew I couldn't be all yours, you knew this was a secret affair, and I'm not going to be the bad guy for acting the way I am now, at least not in our story."

Donna's anger was slowly flaring up inside her like an unquenchable fire. Her eyes hardened under the pale light of the full moon, like the dark sky before a storm. Every word echoed in the air, a reflection of the intense anger inside him. Her lips, trembling with anger, looked like the crater of a bomb about to explode at any moment.

For a moment, Donna's emotions exploded inside her like a raging storm. "Harvey, the fact that you think everything is so simple shows what an empty judgement you have of us. This interview has revealed that I'm just a figurehead. You put me on the back burner so you could put yourself on the highest pedestal."

Donna's anger flared like a fire exploding from the depths of her eyes. The intense pain and brokenness inside her had taken over everything around her. Her anger was a force that was destroying both her and Harvey, deepening the gap between them. Her eyes, as she stood in front of Harvey, bore the traces of the storm inside her, each word a wound.

Finally, Donna's voice quietened like a fire extinguished by the exhaustion of her emotions. Reaching the peak of her anger, Donna took a deep breath and left traces of pain and anger in the silence that preceded everything. Everything turned into the silence left after the storm, and the space between them was like a deep loneliness.

"You know what? This has gone on longer than it should have. I'm not doing this anymore. Your selfishness and your psychotic wife seem perfectly compatible. I'm not just a memorised script." With that, Donna got up from the bar stool and walked away with her bag. Meanwhile Kayla had finally found Donna, they hadn't had time to get together all night, and they still couldn't. Because Donna had left the club without even listening to her best friend.

𓃭

Harvey was left alone in the pub with an empty whiskey glass. After some time had passed, Paula came up to Harvey and wrapped her hands around his arm.

By this time Harvey had drank too much whisky and his thoughts were muffled, he looked at Paula with squinting eyes.

Paula put a smile on her face.

"I've calmed Dad down, you two can talk again tomorrow and sort it out, don't worry." Harvey nodded slowly and said nothing. He looked down at his glass of whisky, he couldn't remember how many, and he didn't care anymore.

"Paula," Harvey said, Paula's eyes widened and she looked intently at Harvey.

"Yes?"

"Why don't you skip taking your pills, just for tonight?" he said, and he approached Paula and stroked her hair. Paula was surprised at the gesture, after so many months Harvey was showing affection.

"I can make an exception, of course," Paula said excitedly. Harvey put a drunken, dry smile on his face and kissed her.