"Forbidden love is a flame that burns brighter in the shadows."
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The lounge at the New York Hilton Midtown is a timeless space that mesmerises you with a seamless blend of glamour and elegance.
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When Harvey, Otis and Paula stepped in, it was a riot of politicians, everyone important was here. Otis looked like he belonged here, Harvey was trying to act like he did. When he looked up. The majestic expanse of the high ceilings gave guests the feeling of being under a window to the sky. The huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, with the sparkle of crystal stones, resembled the stars of the night sky.
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When they stepped into the hall, their eyes were first drawn to the people standing in the freedom of the large, column-free space. The cocktail hour was about to begin. The walls were decorated in soft gold and cream tones, enriched with exquisite carvings and gold leaf ornaments. These ornaments were adorned with a splendour reminiscent of the walls of a historical palace, transforming the hall into a work of art.
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As soon as they stepped onto the red carpet, the flashes prevented them from seeing what was in front of them, they smiled against the blinding lights of fame and politely shook their heads and declined interview requests, then went inside.
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Otis smiled a knowing, not very broad, but nevertheless kind smile. The reception team greeted them cheerfully and took their coats. After a brief introduction to the event, the attendant led them to the cocktail area.
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The floor was covered with gleaming marble, and the red and gold carpets on the marble were like a pathway inviting the guests into the depths of the hall.
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An elegant atmosphere greeted them. Harvey looked around once more, familiar faces were few. Most of them he had never met in person before. He was in an environment where he felt he didn't belong, but he was looking for a way out of it, because once he was running the country he would have to keep up with all these events and politicise even the man he hated the most.
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The event had a wide range of cocktails, with bartenders walking around handing out drinks, and trays of pre-dinner appetisers such as mini-canapés, fresh seafood and cheese plates. Otis looked pleased with himself. He sipped his drink and turned to Harvey.
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"This is a very important opportunity for you today, you better not fuck it up," he said and smiled around and continued.
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"Be polite with everyone, but don't look naive, and keep the power in conversations. You may be younger than the other candidates, but tonight is a good time to change people's minds. Don't ask people for their business cards, but try to collect as many as possible. I'll introduce you to as many people as I can, like I always do." he added, not without a dig at Harvey in every sentence, proud to be the one who had made him what he was today.
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Harvey gritted his teeth and finished his drink. He hated Otis's egotistical behaviour.
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"Oh, by the way," Otis said again.
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"You've memorised your speech, haven't you? Remember what I said, if you act like a robot, people will realise we wrote the speech beforehand, so you'll pretend it was improvised. Sure, we, you and I, don't know anything about acting, but we act more than most actors."
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Harvey sighed, this conversation was part of the dinner and Otis was stressing Harvey out about it.
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"Don't worry," Harvey said. "I'll be the best as always." he finished his second drink and put it on the table.
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Otis smiled. "I know, honestly, you're better than I expected. Keep it up." Otis looked around, taking in the people. Then he turned to his daughter Paula.
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"Paula, you're being quiet."
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Paula raised her eyebrows and put a forced smile on her face. She was wearing a dress that was adorned with an emerald green borrowed from the deepest shades of nature and was almost poetic with its velvet texture. The upper part of the dress elegantly wrapped around the shoulders and flowed towards the waist with a fine detail. The folds of the fabric added a pleasant movement and delicacy to the dress. The lower part of the dress was organised in layers, offering an elegant and simple elegance. This dress was both sophisticated and elegant with its eye-catching colour and classic style.
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"I'm fine, Dad, it's just that the noise is giving me a bit of a headache."
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"Or maybe it's your tight bun," Harvey said as he sipped his drink, glancing at the orchestra playing in the background before turning back to Paula. "You could relax with a drink."
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"I'm on medication, Harvey. I can't drink, you know that."
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Harvey rolled his eyes.
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"Pills... Damn pills... You're always taking them."
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"Because I need them," Paula said quickly. She'd been dealing with mental issues since she was little, ever since her mom died, and had been on medication. Harvey hated those pills because they turned Paula into a lifeless ghost.
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"You always need them. You used to be more fun," he said, finishing his drink and clenching his jaw. He was already feeling tense.
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"I've always been like this; maybe you're the one who's changed what you find fun lately." Now Harvey was fully focused on Paula.
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"What the hell is that supposed to mean now?!"
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"You're being rude to my dad and me lately, but there's something you've forgotten. If you're here, it's thanks to my dad and me. My dad brought you back from nothing, gave you a home, trusted you with me, and yet you still act like a dick." Harvey's expression darkened; being treated like this always got under his skin. Paula knew that, and she reminded him every chance she got.
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"Maybe the truth is that I'm fine on my own, even without your help, Paula. Yes, I'm grateful for your dad's support, but I'm enough on my own. Maybe instead of seeing a therapist, you should see an eye doctor because clearly, you can't see this truth." He snapped and grabbed a new drink.
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Paula furrowed her brows and stepped closer. "If it weren't for my dad, you'd be stuck working long hours at some crappy law firm, breaking your back. But now, my dad has given you all of America, and you don't have the right to be sour about it." At that moment, Otis came back over.
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"Harvey, I'd like you to meet Charles Whitaker. Charles, this is Harvey Specter, my son-in-law and, as you know, the presidential candidate, the strongest presidential candidate." Charles was one of America's industrial giants, the owner of a major energy company, and a very significant figure in the country's business world.
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𓃭
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Throughout the cocktail hour, Otis continued to introduce Harvey to important people, while in the background, the tones of an elegant piano filled every corner of the room. National Security Advisors, renowned law professors, financial experts. The list went on and on. The melodies of the piano combined with the timbre of the crystal glasses to create a symphony that touched the souls of the guests. Guests felt like they were in a fairy tale in this magical atmosphere where elegance and refinement were intertwined.
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The gala hall at the New York Hilton Midtown was not just an event venue but a stage where unforgettable memories were made. With every detail pushing the boundaries of elegance and luxury, the hall offered its guests a captivating experience.
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At least, it was certain that it would be unforgettable for Harvey. Pretending to care about people he wasn't interested in was quite contrary to his nature, but now, this was who he was supposed to be. It was too late to change that.
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As Harvey sipped his last drink at the bar, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find it was Otis again, but this time with someone who caught Harvey's attention: Donna Paulsen. The famous, award-winning actress Donna... Harvey's forbidden fruit, Donna...
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She wore a stunning red dress by Oscar de la Renta, reflecting the passion of fire and the elegance of velvet night. In the brightest shade of red, the satin dress captured and reflected light like a jewel. The smooth surface of the satin shimmered under the light, creating the effect of an elegant wave dancing, with every curve and layer looking like a piece of art shaped by hand.
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The top part began with thick straps elegantly resting on the shoulders and continued to tightly embrace the body in the chest area.
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The waist was the focal point that gave the dress its main character. The fabric's drapery at the waist reminded one of a cascading waterfall, flowing down with a delicate and graceful fluidity. These drapes provided a soft and elegant transition to the skirt of the dress, hugging the body's curves and forming a refined skirt that flared out at the bottom.
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This dress was a work of art, designed not only to be worn but also to be admired. It was a glamorous and mesmerising piece, created for a woman who embodied the nobility and elegance of the earth.
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Her red, wavy hair was styled with a natural messiness, but this messiness had an air of being carefully organised, like a carefully created work of art. Although each wave seemed to have been shaped by the random wind, in fact, every curl, every curl of her hair had been skilfully placed. It was as if she had achieved this perfect balance without any effort.
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Some parts of her hair fall freely and curl gently, while some curls fall gracefully on top of others. These curls are slightly tangled, as if left over from a day when the wind played with her hair, but she never lost control.
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The look was like a game of balance; each wave, each mess, the perfect combination of naturalness and elegance.
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Otis put that fake smile back on his face and turned to Harvey.
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"Harvey, let me introduce you to our famous, shining star, Donna Paulsen, you may have seen her in films or at award ceremonies," The last time Harvey had seen her naked was last night in his bedroom.
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"How nice to meet you at this event, I'm a huge fan of hers," Otis said and smiled at Donna, then turned his gaze back to Harvey.
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"Donna, this is Harvey Specter. You probably know him, he's going to be President of the United States." Harvey and Donna exchanged glances,
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They were in a room, among dozens of people, eyes looking away, lips smiling at others and murmuring other words. The silence between them is the deepest, most intense sound echoing in the noise around them.
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Whatever they shared is now hidden behind an invisible wall. Each of them is trying hard not to let a wave from the past wash over them, without touching the other, without speaking. But that wave ripples inside each of them, behind the pupils of their eyes, deep inside their ribcages.
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There is a thread between them that no one can see; a thin, almost breaking, but not breaking bond. It pulls them together at every step and pushes them back at the same time. This attraction grows stronger every moment they have to pretend not to know each other; the weight of the past, together with the hidden meanings attached to their memories, makes everything more difficult.
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Every word they did not speak fell into the space between them; every unspoken word remained in them like a cut mark. The memories echoing in both of them bring them closer and push them away at the same time. Emotions brought on by memories seem to escape their eyes, but they immediately retreat, because they must not recognise them. Every smile, every word is hidden behind a mask; but no matter how strong the masks are, there is still a trace of the truth somewhere in the depths of the eyes.
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Although they seem strangers to each other, their hearts still wander in those places where they once knew each other. While this distance increases the tension between them, it also deepens their longing for each other. There is a struggle between them that no one realises; invisible, silent, yet powerful. This struggle reignites at every glance, at every encounter, yet they remain silent. Because they have to pretend not to know each other; because to confess the truth means to reveal everything, and this leaves them completely defenceless.
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Donna smiled. "Hi." she said and gently squeezed Harvey's hand, they both felt a rush of electricity through their bodies, but it couldn't last long. Harvey squeezed Donna's hand, then pulled it back and put a smile on his face, his first genuine smile tonight.
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"Hello, nice to meet you," Harvey said.
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Otis, who was oblivious to everything, smiled.
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"Harvey is also my son-in-law," Donna and Harvey exchanged glances as Otis continued, this forbidden relationship was becoming more difficult by the day, especially now that being in the same room with Harvey's wife made Donna feel like she was going to throw up. It was hard to have to share the man she loved, to let him sleep next to someone else, to wake up next to him in the morning. She tried many times to give it up, but found herself drawn into the same circle.
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When Otis finished speaking neither Donna and Harvey had didn't listened to him fully, both nodded and smiled as if they understood.
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"Donna, which table are you at?" Otis said and looked round.
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"Table Six," Donna said.
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"You're too far back, you need to watch Harvey's speech from the front when he's on stage. Why don't we put you at our table, Alexander Sterling couldn't be here today on urgent official business, busy man. You take his chair, I'm sure no one will mind."
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Donna looked at Harvey, this was a bad idea. Very bad. Because it would mean Donna sitting at the same table as Paula.
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"Oh no no no," Donna interjected.
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"I'm sure Mr Specter's voice will echo around the room, I can hear him clearly from my table, don't worry." A sudden wave of overwhelming emotion overtook Donna, her body now electric with panic. She felt a heaviness in her stomach. The thought of sitting at the same table with the wife of the man she had a secret affair with rocked her world.
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Otis didn't even listen to Donna, he walked off to speak to someone in charge and change table places. As Donna took a step closer to Harvey, the heart palpitations she felt echoed throughout the room.
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"I can't sit at the same table with her, Harvey."
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Harvey followed him with his eyes, not understanding why Otis was doing this. Otis had always been an impulsive man, always doing what he wanted.
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"I know," Harvey said.
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"I'm going to talk him out of it somehow." Just as Harvey was about to follow Otis, an official came up to him.
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"Sir, it's time to move to the main hall, the official opening will begin shortly, if you wish I can direct you to your table."
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"Okay, I'm on my way," Harvey swore under his breath so no one could hear him, and when the official left, he turned back to Donna and leaned in close to her ear, the scent of her perfume taking him away from this party and into another realm.
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"I have to go inside, I'm giving a speech, so find a way not to sit at that table." Harvey said and after a few seconds he stepped back, took one last look at Donna and made his way to the main hall.
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He could feel the tension in every step he took, his shoulders were tense, he couldn't help but put a smile on his face no matter what. He let out a deep sigh and went inside.
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𓃭
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Thin pendant lamps around the ceiling cast a soft glow in every corner of the lounge, making the night even more magical.
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The floor was covered with a luxurious carpet in a deep burgundy colour, soft to the touch underfoot, complementing the elegance of the hall. The tables were covered with finely crafted linens, topped with elegant candelabras and fresh flower arrangements. Each table was decorated with fine details, and carefully placed plates and crystal goblets surrounded the guests.
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The walls of the hall were elegantly decorated and adorned with eye-catching paintings and works of art, giving the space an artistic depth. Elegant curtains drawn to the corners of the walls softened the atmosphere of the space and reinforced the elegance with subtle touches.
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In the foreground, a carefully prepared stage was raised, with a large banner or screen in the background with visuals that conveyed the essence of the event. The floodlit stage glowed brightly, ready for important speeches and performances.
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Harvey found his table and took his seat, Paula was already there.
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"Where have you been? Since when are the Presidential Candidates late?" At this point everyone in the hall stood up, the opening prayer was about to be said. Harvey brought his right hand to his chest and looked sideways at Paula.
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"If you notice, your father isn't here yet either," he snapped.
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After the prayer was over, the emcee took the podium and began to talk about the significance of the evening. Al Smith gave a brief explanation about the history of the Dinner and the donations collected tonight. Then, the representatives and sponsors of the foundation made a welcome speech and talked about the projects to which the money collected would contribute. And finally, the dinner service started, just then Otis arrived.
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"Sorry, I've been fiddling with the table detail, but I've got it sorted and Donna can sit with us." Paula frowned as Otis took his seat.
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"Who's Donna?" said Paula.
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Otis smiled. "You'll see."
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Harvey sighed deeply and straightened his shoulders in the uncomfortable chair.
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"This is really unnecessary, celebrities should stay at the celebrity table. Where they belong."
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"Yes they do," Otis said.
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"But, Donna is lovely to chat to, isn't she, Harvey? You two were still talking after I left. So there's no harm in her joining us."
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Otis's sentence was a knife in Harvey's chest, he didn't want to be caught with Donna at an event like this, especially not with his father-in-law. Harvey was so stressed that he couldn't even taste the piece of food in his mouth.
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"I'm really curious, who is Donna, Dad?" said Paula and sipped her water. Just then, Donna came over, averted her eyes from Harvey and pulled out her chair and sat down next to Otis.
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"I hope I didn't disturb you." Otis let out a loud laugh.
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"A pretty lady like you brings us honor, not disturb, right Harvey?" said Otis and nudged Harvey gently with his elbow. In Harvey's mind, thoughts swirled like a whirlwind. Each thought overlapped the other and started to get lost in the waters of logic. The catastrophic scenarios swirling in his head made him see the future as a dark tunnel; everything was hidden in the dark shadow of uncertainty and fear. Reality seemed to disappear behind a smokescreen; Harvey began to think that everything around him was just a dream. His wife, his father-in-law, and his lover were at the same table, at a political event. This was worse than nightmares.
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Harvey cleared his throat and turned to Paula.
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"Paula, this is Donna. Donna Paulsen, she's a actress. Donna, this is," Harvey stopped and looked away.
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"..my wife, Paula." The sentence was like a dagger to Donna's heart, she swallowed and nodded slowly.
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"Nice to meet you," she said quickly and didn't make eye contact with anyone, so much did she want to be there as Harvey's girlfriend, but Paula in her place,made her feel breathless. As she started to eat she realised her hands were shaking, the tension Otis was causing was affecting the whole table.
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Paula studied Donna, her dress, her hair, her make-up, every detail. Donna was a very beautiful woman.
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"Nice to meet you too," she said and looked her up and down for the last time, not so much admiring, more judgemental.
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Throughout the meal Donna and Harvey sat on edge, Otis's cheerful demeanour not enough to lighten the mood. Harvey was constantly trying to change the subject, trying to keep Donna and Paula out of the same conversation as much as possible. The tension was taking over, as if he was sinking deeper and deeper into his chair every second.
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When their eyes seemed to meet for a moment, she would quickly look away. When Harvey's eyes finally found Donna's, it was as if the two had found a different method of communication. Harvey's mind flashed back to last night, last night was just the two of them, alone, being themselves. Away from everyone and everything. Now here, so close, yet so far away... He could see, even feel, the uneasiness in Donna's eyes. Harvey was caught in the middle of a tug of war. His mind, and his heart.
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Harvey's heart raced every time he looked at Donna. Donna no longer looked back at him, she seemed to reject Harvey's presence. Every second fuelled the intense tension. Donna's presence was like a fireball threatening Harvey's inner peace and security. Donna was fire, danger, forbidden, poison, dagger, wound, pain, excitement, fear, lust, . And despite all this, she was the one person who made Harvey feel alive.
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And after dinner, it was Harvey's turn to speak. Applause erupted, flashes went off. Harvey buttoned his jacket and stood up, Paula took Harvey's hand in hers, Harvey locked eyes with Donna, then made his way to the podium without taking Paula's supporting hand back. Otis had a proud smile on his face.
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Harvey stepped up to the podium and looked out at the crowd for a few seconds. Already he felt like he had the whole place at his feet. Harvey put a knowing smile on his face and began to speak.
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"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests,"
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"It is a great honour and a great responsibility for me to be here with you this evening. The Al Smith Dinner is not only an important charity event, but also a platform that brings together different segments of the American society and unites them towards common goals. We are all here to work together for a better future and to support the most vulnerable members of society."
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"Unfortunately, if you don't expect this speech to be politicised, you will probably get a lot less than you expect." Harvey paused for a moment, as laughter erupted from the room. Harvey grew bolder and continued to speak with great confidence. This was his moment.
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"I recognise the obligations that come with standing before you tonight as a presidential candidate, but regardless of the outcome of the election, the common goal of everyone here tonight is the common good. I will therefore focus my speech on our election campaign, while at the same time emphasising the importance of social responsibility and our unity."
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"America is going through a time of great change and transformation. Voices from all sectors of our society are reminding us of our great potential. This election is a critical turning point, not just for my candidacy, but for the future of our country."
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He paused for a few seconds, looked out at the crowd, everyone important in America was standing, watching Harvey. And it was no longer stressing Harvey, it was making him want to do more. Everyone shutting up and listening to him made Harvey feel superior.
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"Tonight, however, I want to go beyond all that and focus on the shared values and vision that brought us together."
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"Perhaps one of the most important moments of this evening is to emphasise that we need your support to make this vision a reality. We all serve a purpose that is much bigger than our individual achievements. Coming together here tonight in solidarity with each other is critical not only for social change, but also for keeping our democracy strong and healthy."
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"The challenges, political debates and competition we faced during the campaign brought us closer to our goals. However, one thing has become clear during this process: The support, unity and solidarity from different segments of the society is the key to success. The support and contribution of each and every one of you in this process is the most important force that carries us forward."
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This time Harvey turned his gaze to Otis, who was watching him proudly. "Tonight is very special and meaningful for me as a candidate for President. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, especially my father-in-law for giving me this opportunity. My father-in-law, Otis Agard, is well known in the business world for his achievements and community contributions. Without his support, I would not have been able to get to this point. However, to be honest, sometimes one's biggest supporter can also be one's harshest critic."
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"Of course, it is a great advantage that I have the support of my father-in-law. But it also comes with a great responsibility. This is not just about individual achievement, but about making critical decisions for the future of our society. Therefore, the support of everyone here tonight means a great deal, not only for me, but for the whole country."
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"And if I've learnt anything along the way, it's that a handshake gives you arm muscles." Harvey's sentence filled the hall with laughter.
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"I thank you all for sharing this evening with us. Together, your support and contributions to build a better country and a better society pave a promising path for our future. Good evening!"
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