Donna couldn't believe it. After studying acting and singing at Yale for five years, she had just gotten her first job. She never imagined she would get something so quickly, because in Hollywood and Broadway, competition was tough, and the only thing she could hope for was to do crappy roles until she got the one that would change her life, or the worst, staying in the shadows forever. But while she was sleeping peacefully in her small apartment in the Bronx, she was woken up one morning by her phone ringing, as an unknown number was trying to reach her.
«Hello?»
«Am I speaking to Donna Paulsen?»
«It's me, yes»
«Hello, Miss Paulsen, I'm Katrina Bennett, casting director for Jessica Pearson's new film. We received your audition tape and would like to see you in person for another screen test. Do you think that's possible?»
Oh my god. She couldn't believe it.
«Sure, of course»
«Are you based in New York?»
«I am, yeah»
«Great. We are currently in Los Angeles, but we're coming in New York in two days. Do you think you can come for the audition on Thursday morning?»
«I'll be there»
«Great. We will email you all the information and look forward to meeting you»
«Likewise»
«Good day, Miss Paulsen»
«Thank you very much»
As soon as she hung up, Donna stared at the wall in front of her for a few seconds, still sitting in her bed, before screaming with joy as her best friend burst into the room.
«Wow wow wow. What's going on? Are you alright?»
«I have an audition, Rach»
«No way? What kind of audition?»
«Do you remember that new romantic movie where they were looking for a singer for the soundtrack, the one by Jessica Pearson?»
«You kidding me? Jessica Pearson? Donna, this is — oh my god»
As she joined her best friend in her bed to hug her, the two young women chatted about everything and nothing while the brunette snorted.
«Well, it looks like you're going to need an agent»
«I'll tell you about it after the audition»
Thursday quickly approached, and while the redhead had rested her voice for almost two days, she walked with a knot in her stomach towards the place of the audition that could change her life. This new romantic drama was set up by one of the most talented directors of her generation, who had already won several awards and who could do the same with this film. If it were the case, she could also be nominated for the original song, and finally, she will perhaps be on the stage in Broadway, her dream. In front of the building, she took a deep breath before entering and following the instructions until she found herself singing in front of four people for about twenty minutes. At the end, they thanked her and promised to keep her informed.
«So? What do you think?»
«I don't know, Rach. I did the best I could, and now the decision is in their hands»
«Let's hope so»
«Yeah. Let's hope»
Three days later, when the redhead had just finished her shift at Starbucks near Times Square, her phone rang with another unknown number, and her heart raced.
«Hello?»
«Miss Paulsen?»
«Yes?»
«Katrina Bennett on the phone. Congratulations, miss Paulsen, the part is for you»
«Really?»
«Yes. Your audition blew us away, you are extremely talented, and we are very happy to have you among the cast»
«I don't know what to say, just thank you very much»
«You're welcome, Miss Paulsen. Do you think you can come again with your agent? In order to discuss your contract»
«Of course»
«Tuesday at ten o'clock will be fine with you?»
«We will be there. Thank you»
«Have a nice day, Miss Paulsen»
«You too»
As soon as she hung up, Donna changed before running to the building where her best friend worked, going straight to the reception, a bit out of breath.
«Hey, is Rachel Zane there?»
«Do you have an appointment?»
«No, but I'm her best friend, and she's not answering her phone, it's urgent»
«Well, I'll call her office — one moment»
After a few seconds of discussion, she smiled at Donna before giving her instructions on where the young journalist's office was, and the redhead walked quickly to the place to see her looking at her with big eyes.
«What are you doing here?»
«I need an agent»
«No way»
«Yes way»
«You kidding»
«No, I'm not»
«Oh my god, Donna»
«Oh my god, Rachel»
«You made it»
«I made it»
Immediately, they jumped into each other's arms screaming, all the brunette's colleagues looking at them as they were so happy for the redhead's new success. After the announcement, the two young women went to the meeting organized, where the redhead learned that she would have to travel with the cast depending on where they were filming, while the redhead had stars in her eyes. So, two weeks later, she flew to Los Angeles, where one of the set assistants was waiting for her at the airport and took her directly to the set. After making her badges to enter the place, she was taken to the set where the two actors were already busy filming. She didn't have much information about the movie she was going to sing the soundtrack for, except that it was a romantic comedy, but as she walked along, she felt her breath catch when she saw the protagonist of the movie: Harvey Specter. She knew the guy, she had already seen him mentioned in some gossip articles and in movies because he was typically the young handsome guy of the moment that everyone was talking about, and even if he looked very handsome in pictures, in real life, he was incredibly. On his side, the moment the director had shouted action, Harvey had gotten into character and was acting the scene with his co-star Dana Scott, aka Scottie, focused only on the brunette and his lines, but as he turned his head, he abruptly stopped, completely thrown off balance by a young redhead watching the scene behind the camera. At that moment, it was as if time had stopped, and it was only when he heard his name that he reconnected to reality.
«Harvey?»
«What?»
«Is everything okay?»
«Yeah, sorry, I had a blank. I couldn't remember my lines»
«It's alright. Five minutes break anyway»
As the assistant, Louis Litt, announced the break, everyone left their posts while the assistant who had picked her up at the airport introduced her to Jessica while Donna could feel the young actor's gaze on her, making her shiver.
«Donna, it's nice to meet you»
«Me too, Mrs. Pearson»
«Oh, please, call me Jessica»
«Jessica, right»
«I saw your audition, and really, I was impressed. I'm so happy that it's you who will do the soundtrack of this film»
«I really wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to put my voice for your film»
«It's us who thank you. By the way, let me introduce you to the team — everyone, let me introduce our new singer, Donna Paulsen, she'll do the soundtrack of the film»
As she nodded with a big smile hearing everyone greet her, it was only the young actor's burning gaze on her that she saw. After a brief introduction, everyone got back to work even if Harvey was really having trouble concentrating, the beautiful redhead invading his mind. As Donna was still watching the filming for an hour, the moment Louis took a new break, the two young adults not taking their eyes off each other, the redhead heard someone calling her, forcing her to take her eyes off him.
«Donna?»
«Yes?»
«This is Benjamin, the composer»
«Oh, nice to meet you»
«Likewise»
«You can go discuss together about the music for the film if you wish»smiled one of the assistants.
«I would really like to have your opinion on some of the works I composed, Donna. I am sure that your studies at Yale and your opinion could be beneficial»
«I can't wait to hear that»
After a last glance between Harvey and Donna, the redhead finally left the studio to follow Benjamin, discussing everything and nothing, as Harvey watched her disappear, hearing Scottie's voice behind him.
«What's going on, Specter? Already under the spell of Red over there?»
«Shut up»
«Everyone in position»shouted Louis.
For another two hours, the two actors played and took small breaks until Jessica announced the end of the day and Harvey hurried off the set before calling out to the assistant.
«Louis?»
«Harvey? How can I help you?»
«Hmm, where is the new singer? Donna?»
«At the studio with Benjamin, why?»
«Hmm, because — »
«— we would like to invite her for a drink tonight»interrupted Scottie, seeing the young man running out of explanations.
«Oh, that's nice of you two. Well, the music studio is near studio three»
«Thank you»
Once Louis had left, Scottie chuckled while looking at Harvey.
«What's going on?»
«What?»
«Oh please, you saw her for thirty seconds, and now you can't do without her?»
«I just wanted to greet and welcome her»
«Really?»
«Come on, they introduce her in a few seconds to everyone, we could consider her better, no?»
«Oh, I'm sure you'll consider her very well. Go get her, tiger»
«Shut up»
Without waiting for a response from the brunette, who was clearly making fun of him, Harvey left the set towards the recording studio, where he stopped when he saw them in the distance, Benjamin at the piano and Donna sitting on a couch opposite.
«Okay, let's try that, but at the end of the rehearsal, you go up two tones higher»
«Okay»
As soon as the first notes of the piano were heard, then the voice of the redhead following, Harvey felt his heart accelerate and butterflies in his stomach, a sensation he had never felt before, while she continued to sing a cappella, following the composer's instructions. She was physically beautiful, for sure, but hearing her sing, it was like she was the only one who mattered now, and even if he wouldn't admit it to himself, he was scared of what he could feel right now. He couldn't have said how long he had stood there listening to her sing, but when he heard Benjamin announce the end of the session, Harvey fled, not ready to be alone with her. He, who was always sure of himself, hyperarrogant, and extravagant, now that he had to face the redhead alone, panicked. While he was back in his dressing room to change, the redhead's voice clouding his thoughts, he hurried out of his shower, only his towel around his waist, as he stopped dead when he saw Scottie sitting on his couch.
«What are you doing here?»
«I thought you were going to ask her out for a drink, but since you didn't do it to her, I did it myself»
«What?»
«Oh, come on, she's cute»
«Don't you dare»
«What? You're jealous already?»
«No, I'm not. What do you want, Scottie?»
«We're going out with the team tonight to the bar near the studio, are you coming?»
«I don't know»
«She's coming»
«Scottie»sighed Harvey.
«I'll count you in then. See you»
As soon as the brunette left, Harvey found himself alone and sighed. Usually, he would have gone out, drunk until he was completely wasted, and probably slept with Scottie after, waking up with a hangover the next day, but he couldn't have explained, tonight, he didn't feel like it, and even if he didn't admit it to himself, he knew very well why. It was crazy, he didn't even know her, hadn't even spoken to her, and yet, she had such an effect on him that he didn't understand what she had done to him, as if he wanted to be exemplary and not disappoint her. It was crazy, completely crazy, and yet, at eight o'clock sharp, he found himself in front of the bar, watching as Donna and Scottie laughed together. For her part, the redhead had been surprised that the brunette had invited her for a drink, and if she still felt like a simple stranger in front of a big star, she had been surprised to see how they were in reality two young adults passionate about acting and art. While Scottie was explaining to her one of the shoots where she had fallen asleep during a scene and that no one had woken her up, she heard a hoarse voice behind her make her shiver.
«Hey»
As soon as she turned around, she found herself face to face with the actor who had been running through her head since this morning while she murmured weakly.
«Hey»
«Oh, Harv, finally. Well, now that you're here, Harvey, this is Donna, and Donna, this is Harvey»
«Nice to meet you»smiled the redhead.
«Likewise»replied the actor.
After shaking hands, he sat down at the same table, later joined by Katrina, Louis, and a few other actors from the film. While they all chatted and laughed together, Harvey and Donna tried to participate in the conversation but were quickly distracted by the other. As it was almost one in the morning, with filming starting up again at eight the next day, everyone decided to go home, and as Donna answered a call outside, Scottie approached Harvey with a smirk.
«I guess you won't be sharing my bed tonight»
«No»
«Busy sharing hers?»
«Neither»
«That's surprising»
«I'm not an animal»
«No, you're not, but I know you like women and don't like spending the night alone. She's cute, and clearly, she's as sensitive to your charm as you are to her»
«I'm not going to have sex with her, Scottie»
«And why is that?»
«Dana»sighed Harvey.
«Come on, we're friends, no? You can tell me»
«I can't explain it to you. I don't even know her, but yet she's... different»
«I can see that. Anyway, I leave you alone, and for your information, she is staying in the same hotel as us. Good night, Harvey»
«Good night, Scottie»
While he was still in the bar, he watched the redhead on the phone outside, Scottie leaving, waving to the young singer before disappearing. So seeing that Donna had finished her conversation, Harvey quickly went out to call out to her.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«Hum, can I walk you back to the hotel?»
«If you don't mind»
«I don't, no»
«Great»
«Let's go?»
«For sure»
The first few seconds, they remained silent until Harvey whispered.
«I heard you sing earlier. You really have a beautiful voice»
«Oh, thank you»
«Is this your first time doing the soundtrack for a movie?»
«This is my first job actually»
«Really?»
«Yeah. I only graduated from Yale three months ago, and right now, I'm a barista at Starbucks in New York. What about you?»
«I've been in a few small movies, but it was my series with Netflix that propelled me. Now I'm in this movie, and it's kind of my first big project»
«I saw you on set, you're good»
«Thank you»
The rest of the walk, they chatted about everything and nothing, while the conversation seemed so natural, until arriving in front of her hotel room.
«Look like our paths are going to separate there»
«Yeah. Hum, good night, Donna»
«Good night, Harvey»
As she expected him to leave, she saw him approach, her heart beating wildly until she felt his lips rest on her cheek before he disappeared from the hall, leaving the redhead short of breath. That night, neither of them had slept much, Donna torn between the fact that she had a crush on the guy, but at the same time, she knew very well that they did not belong to the same world and that he would never be interested in her, while for Harvey, who refused to believe in love and commitment, felt for the redhead things he had never felt before after barely a day, and it scared him to death. He didn't want to be hurt, but right now, his heart and head screamed him to go to her and try to be happy, at least for once. The next day, after only a few hours of sleep, they crossed paths again on the set, Harvey heading to the setting, Donna alternating between the set and the studio, observing the scenes to give the most suitable performance, while they met up with everyone else for meals. Days passed, and the two young adults grew closer and closer, realizing that, in addition to being attracted to each other, they found each other funny, kind, devoted, and sweet. It was no surprise then that for their first day off on Sunday, Harvey knocked on the door of her hotel room until she opened.
«Harvey»
«Hey, am I disturbing you?»
«No, no. Is everything okay?»
«Yeah, yeah. Um, do you have anything planned today?»
«I'm going for a walk. I've never been to Los Angeles, actually»
«Shall I show you around?»
«Really?»
«Yeah. I filmed for two months for a series here, if you want, I'll show you»
«If you don't mind»
«I don't»
«Perfect, then»
As soon as they were outside, they ordered an Uber, and as soon as they got out of the car, Harvey put on a cap and sunglasses so as not to be recognized while the two young adults spent their day chatting, laughing, and walking around the city, forgetting for a day that they were a singer and an actor, just two young adults with a huge crush on each other. In the evening, as the sun began to set, they decided to return to their hotel, their hearts sinking as they thought that this incredible day was coming to an end. They had known each other for two weeks now, and if from the beginning they knew it was a crush, now they were sure: it was more than that. As he walked her back to her hotel room, she turned once at the door, their faces inches apart as he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, brushing the corner of her lips. But as the two of them locked eyes with lust, in less than a second, they were kissing passionately against the wall. When Donna felt him press her between him and the hard surface behind her, grinding her crotch against his, she moaned before pushing the door open and pulling him inside with her, slamming the door shut behind them. In less than a second, they found themselves in their underwear, Donna's legs around his waist, her arms around his neck as they French kissed again and again, completely addicted to each other's lips and tongues. If usually Harvey would have simply removed their underwear, fucked her quickly, and then left the room, this time, he wanted it to last forever. He laid her on the bed, kissed her passionately while sliding his fingers into her panties, finding that she was more than ready, before removing it, depositing kisses on her neck, her cleavage, her stomach, and finally, between her legs. For long minutes, he let his tongue slide between her folds, his hand placed on her stomach to keep her pinned on the mattress while she squirmed and moaned, driving the young actor completely crazy. For Donna, she had no idea what was happening to her because, whatever Harvey was busy doing between her legs, she knew he had ruined any possible relationship in the future since he was way too good. As she came on his fingers and mouth, he placed a series of kisses all over her body, completely crazy seeing her skin redden before kissing her dirty, the redhead's eyes shouting wide open when he slid his tongue against hers, testing herself on his lips. She used her legs around his waist to put his boxers down with her feet so that both of them were bottom-bare. Harvey took the opportunity to flip them over. The redhead found herself on top of him before he quickly unhooked her bra, sat down, and squeezed her breasts together to place open-mouthed kisses, Donna scratching the actor's head with her nails while moaning against his temple. Feeling that it was too much, Harvey flipped them over again before straightening up on his knees, observing the redhead's perfect body in front of him before leaning over the redhead and whispering against her lips.
«May I?»
«Yeah»
As he slid his tip between her folds, he saw the redhead rolling her eyes, and without even being capable of controlling himself, he gave a sharp thrust, finding himself completely inside the redhead while both of them moaned loudly. After that, they had sex for hours without ever stopping, both of them completely obsessed with each other, not wanting the night to end, but as Harvey just came for the third time that night, still being on top of the sweating redhead, the two of them kissed lazily, trying to catch their breath, as Harvey used the last of his strength to pull out and fall next to her.
«Wow»
«Wow indeed»
For a few minutes, they said nothing, the sound of their ragged breaths echoing in the room, both of them trying to recover from so much emotion. If Harvey would normally have left the bed as soon as she pulled it out, he was too comfortable by her side and had no desire to leave. So when she snuggled into his arms, he placed a kiss on her forehead before whispering.
«Do you mind if I stay?»
«I was hoping you were going to ask me»
«Good»
«I'm exhausted»
«I exhausted you»chuckled Harvey.
«Oh shut up»snorted Donna.
«Alright. I have to be on set at nine. What about you?»
«Benjamin is waiting for me at the studio at eight»
«You better sleep then»
«You too»
«Good night, Donna»
«Good night, Harvey»
Quickly, they fell asleep together, snuggling in each other's arms, the actor's chest against the redhead's back, their legs intertwined, while Harvey's lips were placed on the nape of Donna's neck. The next day, when the redhead's alarm clock rang, Harvey woke up with her, both of them stayed for about ten minutes lying on their backs, one of Harvey's arms slipped under Donna's neck, the redhead playing with the young actor's fingers while they spoke softly and laughed together. As her alarm clock rang again, she got up while Harvey groaned.
«I have to go to the studio, Benjamin is waiting for me. You should start getting ready too, someone might see you»
«Would it be that bad?»
«I don't want people to know I slept with you»
«Sleep with me»
«What?»
«It wasn't just a one-time thing, Donna»
«Harvey»sighed the redhead.
«I know I have a reputation, I know, but you're different, and I feel things for you like I never have before, and it scares me»
«What are you talking about?»
«I —»
As Harvey was about to speak, he was interrupted by Donna's cell phone ringing, and when he saw that it was Benjamin calling, he handed her the phone while she sat on the edge of the bed to answer. Harvey couldn't help but place kisses on her bare back.
«Yes, Benjamin, I'll be there. See you»
As soon as she hung up, she turned to Harvey, who was lying on the mattress and was sliding his hand into her hair as she whispered.
«I have to go»
«Alright»
«We'll talk about it tonight, okay?»
«Okay»
After a last kiss, she went to the bathroom to lock herself in while Harvey got dressed to leave her room and go to his. If Donna kept thinking about Harvey's words throughout the day, the lawyer's mind wandered on everything that was going on in his head and in his heart. The day passed, and apart from the meal where they crossed furtively, the two lovers had not spoken to each other. In the evening, as planned, he knocked on the door of her hotel room before she opened it and invited him in.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«How was shooting?»
«Tiring. What about the studio?»
«We're making good progress»
«Great»
«Harv, do you want to talk about it? About what you said this morning»
Without answering, he took off his shoes, undressed until he was just in his boxers, and lay on his stomach, his head hidden in the pillow. In two weeks, Donna had gotten to know the man she had spent the night with, and aside from his confident and arrogant air, she knew that deep down, he was sweet and sensitive, so seeing him like that, she understood that this was a conversation he might not be ready to have. She then approached to sit against the headboard to caress his bare back.
«If you don't want to talk about it, Harv, you don't have —»
«My mom cheated on my dad and I kept it a secret»
«What?»
For almost ten minutes, he told everything that had happened — his childhood, his relationship with his mother, and how fucked up he was in his head because of that — while the redhead continued to caress his bare back while listening to him.
«I'm afraid of getting hurt, Donna»
«It's not because it happened like that with your mother that it will happen to you»
«What if it did?»
«Harv»
«I'm so afraid»
Without even answering, she leaned down to place a kiss on his bare shoulder blade, then his neck, his jaw, his cheek, and finally his lips while he quickly undressed her, and they found themselves under the sheets again, enjoying each other's bodies for hours. That night, they had talked until the middle of the night about their deepest secrets, confessing things they would never have confessed to anyone before, feeling so safe in each other's arms. After that, they spent every night together, sometimes having sex, sometimes just talking for hours to finally falling asleep in each other's arms, waking up together in the morning, and sharing the bathroom to start the day. Even though rumors of a secret relationship were circulating on the set, both of them pretended that they were just friends, after all, they both had acting training. Days passed, turned into weeks, and the two young adults fell more and more in love without ever admitting it to each other, too scared of what could happen the day they'd stop shooting. One morning, while the actors were off, the brunette knocked on Harvey's bedroom door, and he opened it instantly.
«Scottie»
«Hey, Harvey. Can I come in?»
«I was just about to leave. Do you need anything?»
«Oh, no, it was just to spend some time together. It's been months since we've spent time together»
«Sorry, maybe another time?»
«Where are you going?»
«What?»
«Right now? Where are you going?»
«I don't know, for a walk»
«To see her, right?»
«Is that a problem?»
«No. Careful, it looks like you're in love»
«Scottie, it's not —»
«Whatever helps you sleep at night. Anyway, I'll leave you, see you tomorrow»
Without even waiting for a response from him, the brunette leaves the hall while Harvey grabs his few things to walk to the studio and join Donna. After greeting the few people at the entrance, he entered discreetly before positioning himself behind the studio window and observing what was happening in front of him. The room was huge, about fifty musicians were arranged in a circle around Donna, who was in the center of the room, with a huge headset on her ears and a microphone in front of her while she listened attentively to Benjamin's instructions without having noticed him.
«Works for you, Donna?»
«Yeah, yeah, it's perfect»
«Alright. Aaron, it's your turn»
After seeing the man turn to the musicians and make a few gestures, they all started playing while the redhead closed her eyes for a few seconds before starting to sing, and as always, Harvey felt like he was losing his mind hearing her vary her voice with such simplicity, the live instruments giving a majestic aspect. She had sung for nearly three hours without stopping while Harvey had remained standing hidden high up to observe her. At the end of the day, seeing that she still had to discuss a few points with Aaron and Benjamin, he waited for her directly in her room while reviewing his last scenes. There was only one week of filming left, and just thinking about it made the young actor feel like he was dying. So he pushed the idea away from his mind and continued to revise until she returned to the room. They ordered two pizzas that they shared in front of the television, falling asleep a few hours later against each other, avoiding discussing the subject that scared them both. The days went by, and both of them could feel the end approaching in each kiss and sex session that was much more rushed, dramatic, and passionate — the fear of being separated giving the feeling of not being able to hide anymore more and more present. The morning of the last day of shooting, while Donna was lying on her stomach and Harvey was caressing and kissing her bare back, she heard him whisper.
«Where are you going after?»
«I'm going back to New York. They contact me for a leading role on Broadway and a few smaller things»
«For how long?»
«I don't know yet, the director is giving herself ten months to set everything up, they asked for my help to built it, then my contract will start in April. After that, depending on the public's reception, it could be for years»
«So New York»
«Yeah. What about you?»
«Singapore for six months, then I have a five-month shoot in London. After that, I think I'll take a little break — in New York maybe?»
«It could be good, yeah»smiled Donna as Harvey kissed her.
«I'm going to miss you»
«I'll miss you too»
After that, they didn't talk anymore, too busy enjoying their bodies until they had to get up to go to the set. That same evening, they participated in the wrap party organized by the assistants, where both ended up completely wasted and went back to the redhead's room, where they made love all night. The next morning, Donna threw up all the alcohol she drank the night before before taking a shower and hearing Harvey join her a few seconds later, his muscular torso against her back while his lips worked wonders on her neck and his fingers were making their way on her belly, murmuring against her skin between two open-mouthed kisses.
«I can't believe we won't be together for more than a year»
«Yeah»
«I don't want to leave you»
«My flight is in five hours, you better use this time for good use»
As soon as the tap was turned off, Harvey pulled Donna against him, and both of them fell into bed, still soaking wet from their shower, enjoying the last few hours they had left. Two hours later, after observing his face a few minutes, she left the bedroom, leaving Harvey asleep in her bed, heartbroken as she made her way downstairs to the waiting cab, hearing a female voice behind her.
«Donna, hey, wait»
«Scottie?»
«You're going to the airport?»
«Yeah»
«Do you mind if we share?»
«Of course not. New York?»
«No, Floridafor a few weeks then Thailand for a now movie »
«Lucky you»
«So? How was that first filming experience?»
«So good»
«Yeah, and I'm sure Harvey made it even better»
«What?»
«Oh, come on, not to me. I know you two were sleeping together»
«I mean, it's not —»
«Hey, it's fine, I'm not going to be scandalized. Plus, I know he's a good lay»
«Excuse me?»
«Oh, he never told you?»
«Tell me what?»
«We used to sleep together, but it didn't mean anything. I mean, it's been like that since we met in college, neither of us were looking for a serious relationship, so it suited us fine»
«He slept with you?»
«Not at the same time as with you. The proof is, when you showed up on the set, he didn't come by my bed anymore, much too obsessed with you»
«Oh»
«I'm sorry, Donna. I didn't mean to make things weird, you know, it was just sex. I'm pretty sure that whatever was going on between the two of you was not what was happening between him and me»
«Sure»
«Anyway, what's your plan next?»
Even though the redhead had been shaken by Scottie's words, she pretended that everything was fine, tears pricking her eyes as she felt betrayed. Harvey had just jumped from one bed to the other, and even though she was convinced that he had been sincere during their almost three months of relationship, now that they were away from each other, he would probably jump into the bed of his next co-star in Singapore, then the one in London, forgetting the redhead who would have had a hard time forgetting him. It was with this idea that she returned to New York, and her best friend jumped into her arms with a big smile.
«Oh my god, Donna. You're back»
«Yeah»
«And why do I feel like something's wrong?»
«It's fine»
«Harvey?»
«Yeah»
«How are you feeling?»
«Heartbroken»
«I understand, but you'll see each other soon, right?»
«I'm not sure»
«But you told me that the two of you planned to see each other in a year?I know it's long, but still »
«I don't know about that»sighed the redhead.
«What's going on?»
«He was sleeping with Scottie before me»
«What?»
«He jumped from her bed to mine in a day»
«But you told me that your Harvey had nothing to do with Harvey the actor»
«That's what I thought»
«Donna»
«Let's forget about it. I mean, he didn't even text me or anything, so it's best to forget»
«I'm sorry, sis»
«Not as much as me»
On the other side of the states, Harvey had woken up naked with his alarm clock, completely alone, with no trace of the redhead except for her smell on the pillow, as she was gone from the room, and gone from his life. He had spent nearly two hours staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything and nothing, the redhead clouding his mind until his agent pulled him out of his reverie by calling him.
«Hello?»
«Hey, bro, How long until you get to the airport?»
«I'm still at the hotel»
«What? Dude, you're going to miss your flight»
«I'm hurrying»
«Hey, bro. Is everything alright?»
«I don't know, brother»
«Look, we'll meet in Singapore tomorrow. You'll tell me everything, alright?»
«Alright»
«See you, brother»
«See you, yeah»
As soon as he hung up, he got dressed again and left the room where he had spent almost three months of happiness and carefree fun with the one who had stolen his heart at first sight. Reluctantly, he finished packing his suitcase and headed to the airport to take a taxi for Singapore, where he would spend the next six months. As expected, the next day, Harvey heard someone knock on the door of the apartment he was renting, and he smiled when he saw his best friend and agent: Mike Ross.
«Hey, brother»
«Mike, how are you doing?»
«Better than you, as I can see. You scared me yesterday on the phone»
«I'm fine»
«Tell me everything»
As soon as they were inside, the two best friends chatted over a beer, Harvey explaining to Mike the three months he had spent with Donna and the inner emptiness now that she was gone. Once finished, Mike whispered.
«Do you love her?»
«I don't know»
«Well, you made an exception for her. You've never talked to me about a girl like you just did, and your eyes sparkle just by saying her name. Why don't you call her? Come on, she's different, that's what you told me, right?»
«She is, but Mike, me in Singapore, then London, while she's in New York and potentially all around the world with her Broadway shows, what's the point of even getting into a relationship? I should have never fallen for her, now she's gone, and it hurts»
«Harv»
«It's for the best, Mike. It's better for it all to end now than to suffer once my world revolves only around her. It'll hurt, but it'll pass with time»
«You sure?»
«It has too»
«I'm sorry, brother»
«Not as much as me»
Without even consulting each other, the two lovers had decided not to get back in touch, preferring to stop right away rather than suffer from the distance, so both of them resumed their lives, Harvey on the sets of a new action film and Donna in New York participating in the writing of the new play in which she was going to act. Two months after their so-called breakup, the two best friends were sitting on the couch while the redhead was on the brunette's phone.
«What are you doing?»
«I stalk him»
«Donna»sighed at Rachel.
«Look»
As she turned the phone towards the journalist, Rachel sighed at the photo before looking at her best friend, who began to speak.
«It's his old co-star, Scottie. They're close, right?»
«I don't know»
«They're leaving a nightclub, and she has her hands on his chest»
«That doesn't mean anything, you know how paparazzi are»
«She's gorgeous»
«You're even more so»
«Clearly not enough. Urgh, it's stupid. Anyway, it reassures me in the idea of having cut ties with him»
«You sure?»
«Yeah. It hurt less»
A few hours earlier, on the other side of the globe, Harvey was leaving a nightclub in Singapore a little tipsy with Scottie, who was a little too touchy with him. The brunette was filming a romantic comedy in Thailand and had taken advantage of a week off to visit Harvey, her college friend, with whom she had kept a good relationship even after shooting their movie together. So that night, as he was getting ready to turn back to his place, Scottie approached before whispering in a rather sexy voice.
«Are you going to show me your apartment?»
«No, I'm not»
«Why not?»
«Because I'm not interested by whatever you implied»
«I don't understand, you wouldn't have hesitated a few months ago»
«A few months ago, sure, but I'm not the same man anymore»
«Why not? It is me?»
«No, it's not»
«What is it, then?»
«Nothing»
«Don't tell me it's Donna»
Seeing Harvey lowering his gaze.
«So what? You're in love with her? Please, Harv, not with me»snorted the brunette.
«Leave me the fuck alone, Scottie»
«Harvey, we've known each other for years, don't make me believe that you're in love with her when you've never been in a serious relationship and you're afraid of commitment»
«Good night, Scottie»
That night, he spent hours looking for information about the redhead on the internet, scrolling on his phone until the middle of the night, his eyes burning, but without success; it was as if she didn't exist, only professional news was posted. So he drank again and again, until he fell asleep on his couch, missing the morning of shooting planned. Despite Scottie's many calls, he never answered back, focusing on his career while the weeks continued to go by and the memory of Donna was just as livid. For the redhead, she had accepted several projects at the same time as co-directing the play, as being the voice for the next Disney princess and working in collaboration again with Benjamin to co-write and lay down her voice for the next album of a big American pop star. So with this frightening pace, trying at the same time to forget Harvey who always made her heart beat, the redhead was getting more and more tired and felt her body giving out.
«Donna, you should slow down»
«I can't, Rachel, my career is finally taking off. I can't slow down now»
«Are you sure?»
«Yeah yeah»
As she gave her a sad smile, Donna hugged her before hurrying out to go to the studio. That morning, it was eight when she sat in the room with Benjamin to start as she felt smeared and got up hastily.
«I'll be back»
In less than five minutes, she found herself vomiting over the toilet, like the day before, until she coughed, emptying her entire stomach before getting up, rinsing her mouth, and returning to the studio under the worried eye of the composer.
«Are you alright, Donna?»
«What?»
«You're pale»
«Oh, yeah, I must have eaten something that didn't go down well»
«I'm not just talking about today»
«What do you mean?»
«It's been almost a week that I can see that there's something wrong, like you're off. Will you think about going to see a doctor, please? That will reassure me»
«Alright, I'll go get a blood test as soon asI leave the studio. If it reassure you»
«Thank you»
«Should we turn back?»
For almost another hour, they wrote, tried, and rehearsed until Donna left the studio to go to her GP to get a blood test as promised to Benjamin. When she was called into the doctor's office ten minutes later, she sat down across from the doctor and could see by her sad smile that something was wrong.
«Is it serious?»
«No, well— »
«I'm just tired, I know. I'm juggling three jobs, but —»
«You're pregnant, Donna»
«What?»
«I asked for a pregnancy test in your blood test because your symptoms could have matched, and it's positive»
«No»
«I'm sorry, Donna»
«How?»
«Well, you're twenty-four, I don't think I have to explain how, but —»
«No, I know how, but I'm on the pill, and my last sexual encounter was three months ago, and I — oh no, the wrap-party»
«What about it?»
«I probably threw up my pill the next day, I had a horrible hangover»
«And you had sex in the following days?»
«That same morning»
«So you know who the father of the baby is»
«Oh my god, it can't be»
«I'm sorry. Look, there are solutions, and we can discuss them»
«I just need some time to think»
«Of course. I'll schedule an appointment for two weeks from now, if you want to come before, you call me. Okay?»
«Okay. Thank you, doctor»
With the results in hand, she left the doctor's office to go home, staring into the void until she reached the apartment where Rachel was looking at her with big, lost eyes.
«Hey, Donna, Are you alright?»
«No»
«What's going on?»
«I'm pregnant, Rachel»
«What?»
«Harvey got me pregnant»
That night, Donna cried for hours in her best friend's arms without ever stopping, until she fell asleep, an impossible choice facing her. She couldn't believe it, it couldn't happen, not now and not in this situation, but on the other hand, she had always dreamed of being a mother, and in Hollywood, was there a better time and a better situation? She didn't think so. So after almost a week of thinking and seeing the first physical transformations — bigger boobs and a small curve in the lower part of her stomach — she made an appointment with her gynecologist, who received her with a big smile.
«Hello, Donna»
«Hello, doctor»
«Please settle down, we're going to talk»
Once settled in front of the doctor, the woman began to speak to her in a gentle way.
«Have you made a decision?»
«Not yet. I just want to see that it's a viable pregnancy before making a decision»
«I understand, settle down, we're going to start then»
Complying, Donna sat on the examination table and lifted her t-shirt while the woman put some gel on her lower belly before pushing the probe on her belly. The moment the screen lit up, her decision was made seeing the baby's head and the two little legs. For nearly ten minutes, the doctor explained everything while the redhead cried softly with joy, despite the harshness of the situation. Once finished, she wiped the gel off her belly before getting dressed again and answering a few questions to establish her pregnancy follow-up. Barely back home, she explained the ultrasound to her best friend, stars in her eyes while showing the little ultrasound to the brunette.
«Look like your choice is made»
«Yeah»
«You have to tell him»
«I know, it's just —»
At the same time, Donna's phone rang, announcing that the trailer for the movie had been released and that her voice was the soundtrack. The discussion about the paternity of her baby was therefore postponed, and the two best friends watched the trailer with wide eyes. Once finished, Rachel murmured.
« Wow, this is intense. What do people think about the trailer? »
As Donna scrolled through the comments, she felt her heart tighten. While most of it was about how handsome Harvey was, she couldn't help but read all the ones about the love story between the two co-stars and how cute they were.
«They're together?»whispered Donna.
«I don't know»
After some research, she came across a series of paparazzi photos where they were seen together in London, walking around, Scottie in Harvey's arms, both of them laughing, posing for the paparazzi, having lunch together, and being close as the redhead's heart break.
«So they're together»
«I'm sorry, Donna»
«It's fine, I'm tired anyway, I'm going to nap»
«Of course, yeah»
Seeing the redhead heading towards her room, Rachel sighed as she compared the joy with which she had entered the room and the sadness with which she had left. For his part, Harvey was going back and forth between Los Angeles and Singapore, continuing his filming while starting to promote his future movie. The photos with Scottie were just set-ups, the idea that two co-stars could be a couple before the release of a romantic film was only beneficial, even if deep down, it had been almost four months since he had last seen Donna, and yet he couldn't get her out of his head. Taking advantage of his fame and his presence in Los Angeles, many magazines had approached him for interviews, which his agent had confirmed everywhere, leaving Harvey no choice but to do it. While he was in his little apartment in Los Angeles, he heard someone knock and saw Mike in the doorway.
«Hey, you're ready, brother?»
«Yeah yeah. Where is it?»
«In one of the studios downtown»
«Is this going to last long?»
«Half an hour, I think. Don't you see what this is?»
«I haven't looked»
«Harv, this is the WIRED Autocomplete Interview»
«You're my agent, it's up to you to tell me»chuckled the young actor.
«Well, you take little pieces of paper off a board, and these are the most asked questions on Google about you, and you just have to answer them»
«I'm not comfortable answering this kind of stuff, dude»
«Come on, you must not be sincere. You're an actor, you just have to pretend. You answer by making it seem like you're a single, free, handsome guy, still letting the rumor continue that you could be with Scottie at least until this movie comes out, while flirting virtually»
«This is sick»
«This is Hollywood. The thing that will propel you to the top will be your acting, but also your good looks, your abs, and your singleness, so please, make an effort»
«Alright»
«Come on, we have to go»
Once outside, he made his way to the studio before getting his makeup done — his hair already done thanks to the new buzzcut because of his new movie — and dressed in a simple tight, black t-shirt as they turned on the camera and Harvey started answering questions. In New York, Donna was in the studio to continue the double of the new Disney movie, a big sweater hiding her swollen belly, until nightfall as she went home. While Rachel was still working at the office, Donna took a shower and put on her pajamas before settling into bed with a shitty Thai she had just made delivered. As she opened her YouTube, her breath caught as she saw the trending video that was suggested on her screen.
Harvey Specter Answers the Web's Most Searched Questions WIRED
She knew she shouldn't give in and click on the link, but the curiosity was too big, and she couldn't help but do it. The moment she heard his hoarse voice, tears welled up in her eyes as she watched him introduce himself before he started tearing off the little papers and answering the questions with humor and an arrogant smile like she knew him to have. The minutes passed and her heart melted seeing him, he was so adorable and handsome, she understood why she had fallen in love with him at first sight. If, until now, she couldn't help but chuckle at the answers he gave, in a second, she felt sick hearing what he said next. As he tore off the small piece of paper, he read the sentence in an uncertain voice.
«Is Harvey Specter... a daddy? What? What does that even mean?»
As he was chuckling, he threw the small paper on the ground before looking up and thinking about what we were going to say. After a few seconds, she saw him looking at the screen again with an arrogant smile before speaking.
«Well, I can be a daddy, but not a baby daddy — I'm kidding — no, in reality I don't want a child, at least not now or even in the near future. I mean, my career is starting to take off, and a baby will kind of ruin everything. So yeah, I can be a daddy, whatever that means, but no baby. Good? Yeah, good for you? Alright, next one —»
If he was laughing at the camera, clearly amused by the question, Donna was just crying silently, caressing softly her belly as she made her decision: she couldn't do that to him, he was right, she decided to keep this baby, whatever will happen to her career, but she couldn't impose a child on him and ruin everything for his future. That night, everything changed for her, she continued her pregnancy while alternating with her projects, remaining quite discreet about her baby, and even if the people around her had understood she was expecting, no one asked questions. At the same time, Harvey finished his filming in Singapore, then flew to London, where he continued filming for a miniseries. It had been nine months since he had last seen Donna, and as he wrapped up filming in London while flying to Los Angeles to officially start promoting the movie with Scottie, his heart was racing at the thought of seeing Donna again. But when he arrived in the room and didn't see her, he approached Louis to ask him.
«Donna's not coming?»
«Oh, no»
«But she's in the movie too, she's part of the cast»
«Of course, she was invited, but unfortunately, she has a tight schedule, and she couldn't make it for the press tour. But don't worry, she confirmed her presence at the first projection»
«In three months?»
«Yes, in three months»
«Oh, alright»
«Harvey, let's go?»asked Scottie from afar.
«Yeah, sure»
While Harvey and Scottie were doing interviews, Donna was in the delivery room, pushing with all her might, tears streaming down her cheeks in pain and sadness that her child will never know Harvey. If Donna tried not to think about him too much, it was hard, especially when the midwife placed the screaming baby on her bare chest while whispering.
«Congratulations, Donna. You have a beautiful baby girl»
As soon as her daughter was against her, Donna began to cry while placing small kisses on her little head, whispering how beautiful she was and that she loved her more than anything in the world. She regretted so much that Harvey was not aware, but she continued to believe that imposing her choices on him would have been destructive for him and his career. The young actor was deeply kind, and if she had told him about their baby, he would have assumed and taken his place as a father, but a part of him would have resented her and have regrets, so she preferred to live like this, alone with her daughter, without him knowing about her. Days passed, Donna was back home and took care of her baby while following a strict diet and alternating between breastfeeding and pilates, trying to regain her body as fast as possible, knowing she'll have to see Harvey in a few months. Fortunately, the redhead hadn't gained much weight, and if she was confident that her past pregnancy wouldn't show for others, she knew that Harvey had spent a lot of time going over her body and that he would notice if it was too different. So she worked out again and again, never going out to avoid a paparazzi taking pictures of her with her daughter, taking advantage of the garden of the small house she had bought in Brooklyn Heights with her best friend to get some fresh air. The days went by, and Donna dreaded the moment when she would meet the father of her daughter in the hallways during the first screening of their film. That very morning, in Los Angeles, as Harvey looked in the mirror for the fifteenth time, Mike chuckled.
«All this for Donna ?»
«It's been almost a year since I saw her»
«And how do you feel?»
«I don't know. I mean, it was my choice not to go after her when we separated, and I also knew that I was going to see her again at some point, but still, I don't really know how to react. Should I deny her? Hug her? Kiss her? I have no idea»
«Well, you'll see when you get there»
«Yeah, that's right»
In a hotel in Los Angeles on the other side of town, Rachel was lying on the bed playing with the little girl in her arms while Donna got dressed for the evening. In three months, she had lost almost all the baby weight, but as her belly could have gave it away, she decided to put on a loose olive green sweater, wide leg pants and sneakers, before taking her baby in her arms, covering her with kisses.
«Baby, mommy is just going to see a movie, in the meantime, you're staying with Aunt Rachel, and then I'll turn back to take care of you. I love you so much — thanks again. Rach»
«No problem. By the way, how are you feeling about tonight?»
«Well, the idea of leaving her alone for so long scares me, but I know she's with you and —»
«Donna, I'm not talking about that»
«I know»
«So?»
«It's been a year since I last saw him, he'll be there with his girlfriend, and maybe he'll have forgotten our three months together. Who knows? So I'm just going to go, say hello nicely, attend the movie screening, and then come back here to take care of Aida»
«So you're not going to tell him?»
«Rach, you saw the video like I did, he doesn't want children, it will ruin his career, he said it himself»
«And if one day it comes out in the press that you have a child? If he asks questions? What are you going to tell him?»
«Rachel, please, it's already hard for me, I'm not going to start imagining hypothetical scenarios too»
«Yeah, I'm sorry. Look, have fun tonight. I'll take good care of her, and I'll see you later. Alright?»
«Yeah, alright. Urgh, I should go. See you, Rach — Bye my baby»
After a last kiss to her baby, Donna left the hotel room to get into the taxi that took her to the movie theater where the first screening was taking place. There, her heart was beating a thousand miles an hour while she greeted the people she had worked with a year ago, not having seen Harvey yet as the young actor was smoking a cigarette outside the building. He was not a smoker, only when he was really stressed, and there, the idea of seeing again the one who had taken his heart without ever giving it back to him was making him anxious. So after crushing his cigarette and throwing it in the trash, he entered the building until he saw her from behind, her long red hair waving down her back. As she was deep in conversation with Louis, she heard a deep voice whisper behind her and felt a shiver run through her before she turned around.
«Hey»
«Harvey, hey»
«It's been a while»
«A year, yeah»
«I'm happy to see you»
«Me too»
«Do you mind?»
As he held out his arms to her, the redhead understood that he wanted to hold her and accepted. The moment his hands slid down her hips to surround her back, his nose nuzzling her neck, Donna felt like she was back in that hotel when Harvey was hugging her, dancing to his father music, in the middle of the room. As he was holding her as tightly as possible, she wrapped her arms around his neck to slid her fingers to the back of his head, while he was inhaling her very particular scent that made his head spin. They didn't know how long they stayed like that, and even though they could have spent the night there, they were interrupted by Jessica, who invited everyone to sit in the room. If Scottie rushed to sit next to Harvey, who didn't take his eyes off the redhead for a second, his heart beating a mile an hour, he watched as Donna settled into the last seat and while she was checking her phone every five minutes since the broadcast began. While the movie had been going for almost half an hour, seeing her read a message then get up to discreetly leave the room, Harvey did not understand her behavior and decided to follow her out of the room then into the fire escape. When the redhead was quite far away and isolated, she settled on the last step before facetiming her best friend and starting to talk.
«Hey, how's it going?»
«Everything is good, Donna. Why are you even worried?»
«I know, sorry, it's just that you told me she still wasn't sleeping, so it freaked me out»
«Donna, she always falls asleep in your arms. With now that mommy's not here, she has a harder time, but she'll fall asleep eventually»
«I hope so. Did she drink her bottle?»
«She did, yeah, half an hour ago»
«Alright»
«Stop worrying mama bear, she's alright. Is the movie already over?»
«No, it's in progress. I'm going back to the theater»
«Alright, see you, Donna»
«See you and give her a kiss from me»
«I will, bye»
After hanging up, she stood up before turning around and stopping dead in her tracks when she saw Harvey at the top of the stairs, his mouth slightly open, his eyes wide, and a shocked look on his face.
«Harvey»whispered the redhead.
For a few seconds, no one said anything, both of them looking at each other, not knowing what to say or do. Feeling the weird atmosphere, Donna was about to say something but was interrupted by Harvey who whispered.
«You have a baby?»
«Look, it's —»
«How old?»
«Harvey»
«How old, Donna?»
«She's three months old»
«Don't tell me she's mine»
«I'm so sorry, Harvey»whispered the redhead.
«You fucking kidding me?»
«Harvey, I couldn't —»
«You couldn't what? I have a fucking baby, and you didn't think about telling me?»
As he went down the few steps, he found himself face to face with Donna, anger visible on his face while the redhead answered with a trembling voice.
«I'm so sorry»
If until now the stairwell was relatively quiet, in a split second, the tone rose and the two young adults began to shout at each other.
«Sorry? Fuck, Donna, what is wrong with you?»yelled Harvey.
«Don't you dare yell at me»
«I have every fucking right after what I just learned»
«I just couldn't tell you»
«You couldn't tell me? How sick is that? You made a fucking baby behind my back, you kept it a secret, and you didn't think I was going to find out? Fuck, why did you do that? You're fucking selfish and —»
«I wasn't going to ruin your life and your career because of my choices, Harv»yelled the redhead in turn.
«What the fuck are you talking about?»
«This fucking interview, Harvey»
After the redhead's shout, the hallway fell silent again as Harvey swallowed hard. Seeing the young actor at a loss for words, Donna continued in a trembling voice, tears streaming down her cheeks.
«I realized I was pregnant three months after I left Los Angeles. At first, I wanted to tell you, and I saw those pictures with Scottie, and even though I didn't want to get in the way of you two, I thought you deserved to know. But after my first ultrasound, while I was thinking about what I was going to do, I saw this video of you answering questions. When they asked you if you were a daddy, you joked for a few seconds before you said you didn't want kids now or in the near future and that it would ruin your career. How did you expect me to react to that?»
«It was just an interview»
«Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't mean what you said during that interview»
Faced with Harvey's silence, Donna wiped her tears with the back of her hand before whispering.
«That's what I thought. I should go»
Without a last word, she left the hallway without a last look before leaving the building and getting into a taxi to return to the hotel. For his part, Harvey remained unmoved in the stairwell, staring at the white wall where Donna had been a few seconds ago, before reconnecting to reality and thinking about everything that had been said. Since her, he had never loved anyone as he had loved her, he had a few adventures with random girls for a night without ever finding the same sensations as with her again, closing his eyes to imagine her while he was with other women, trying to enjoy the moment. And if until now she was the one he trusted the most in the world, now she had lied to him — not a little lie — and he had no idea what to think about it. At the same time, she was right; he had said that during that interview, he had meant every word, ans she just watched him say that with conviction while she was pregnant with his baby. Feeling the anger rising in him — angry at himself for saying that, at Donna for hiding it, at the media for making believe in a relationship with his co-star, at Scottie for dragging him into these lies — he punched the wall several times until his hand went numb and he stopped to catch his breath. He knew he shouldn't call Donna now, he was still emotional and knew it wasn't a good idea to talk to her about it now. So he went back into the room while Scottie looked at him strangely, whispering in his ear.
«Where were you, sexy boy? You missed a huge part of the movie»
«I have a daughter, Scottie»
After that, both of them remained silent until the end of the movie, both their gaze on the screen, while Donna arrived in the hotel room. Surprised to see her so early, Rachel looked at her best friend and noticed the red eyes and the traces of tears on the redhead's cheek.
«Oh, Donna»
Immediately, the redhead started crying silently again, not wanting to wake her daughter, who was sleeping in the co-sleeper next to the bed, while she was telling everything to Rachel, who was holding her in her arms. As the two best friends whispered about her conversation with Harvey and their fight, the little girl whimpered next to her, and Donna quickly pulled her into a hug, tears still streaming down her cheeks as she placed a series of kisses on her little face. Once she was calm again, the two best friends continued to discuss what they were going to do as Donna gave her daughter her bottle.
«What are you going to do?»
«Nothing, Rach»
«Nothing?»
«When I asked him to look me in the eye and tell me he didn't mean what he said, he just didn't answer, and I could see in his eyes that he was sorry. He just doesn't want a child, Rach»
«Well, now he knows about her, maybe it'll be different»
«And did you see him try to call me or text me? No. The movie has been over for at least three hours, and I haven't heard from him. I guess that means what it means»
«I'm sorry»
«It's alright. At least now he knows. We better sleep now»
«You're right. Good night, Donna»
«Good night, Rach»
That night, the redhead had trouble falling asleep, and after hours of staring at the ceiling, she finally closed her eyes, her best friend asleep on one side, her baby on the other, her little hand clutching her index finger, completely unobvious of the complicated situation between her two parents. The next day, the two young women packed their bags and left Los Angeles to return to New York and resume their lives. For his part, Harvey had not slept, and when Mike had arrived at his best friend's apartment the next day, he had found him sitting next to the toilet, a beer in his hand, his complexion pale.
«Wow, brother, what's going on?»
«She has a baby, Mike»
«What?»
«I saw Donna yesterday. She has a baby, my baby»
«Harvey, What are you talking about?»
«I got her pregnant when we were together, then she hesitated to tell me when she learned about the baby, but I did this fucking interview where I said I didn't want children and that it would ruin my career»
«You have a child?»
«She's three months»
«Harvey»
«I don't know what to do»whispered Harvey as tears were running down his cheeks.
«I'm so sorry, brother»
Mike sat down next to his best friend on the bathroom floor, sliding his hand down his back to scrub vigorously, showing him he was there, while the young actor was curled up in a ball, silently crying, completely lost. The days went by, and both were as lost as each other, Harvey not knowing what to do now that he had a daughter somewhere while Donna had resumed her life in New York, not receiving any news from her ex-lover, getting used to the idea that her daughter will finally never know her father. One afternoon, when Donna had just put Aida to bed, Rachel heard someone ring their doorbell and hurried to open it before stopping dead.
«No way»
«Hey. Hum, you must be Rachel»
«I am, yeah»
«Donna is here?»
«She's busy doing... something»
«You think I can talk to her?»
«Can you wait for a second?»
Without waiting for an answer, she closed the door before running upstairs and grabbing Donna by the arm.
«Wow, are you alright?»
«He's here»
«What?»
«Harvey. He's here»
Faced with the brunette's words, Donna remained stoic while looking at her best friend with wide eyes. Seeing the lost redhead, Rachel cleared her throat before whispering.
«He's been outside the door for a while now, maybe you should open it for him»
«Right»
Without a word, she went down the stairs, her heart pounding as she thought about the fact that Harvey was a few steps away from her, from them, here in New York, when she never thought she would see him again. Once the door was open, both of them looked at each other with a mixture of sadness and tenderness in their eyes, the anger having completely disappeared.
«Hey»
«Hey»
«Do you think we can talk?»
«Sure. Do you want to come in?»
«Only if you agree with this»
«Of course, come on in»
As he entered the apartment, the redhead guided him to the living room while Rachel excused herself and informed Donna that she was going to work and would be home late. Once alone, sitting on either side of the couch, it was Harvey who started.
«I hope you don't blame me for coming all the way here»
«No, no. I'm just mostly surprised, since I hadn't heard from you, you know»
«Yeah, sorry about that. My mind was a bit... overwhelmed»
«I can imagine. I'm sorry, by the way. I thought I was doing the right thing»
«I don't blame you, Donna»
«What?»
«You were right. I meant it when I said I didn't want a baby and it would ruin my career. I really meant it, but I had no idea»
«It would have ruined your career, Harv»
«You don't know that»
«I do know that. I would have been pregnant in New York, and you would still have been filming in Singapore and London? No. Plus, you were with Scottie while having a baby with someone else, it's not —»
«I'm not with Scottie»
«What?»
«I was never with her»
«You were sleeping with her, and you never told me»
«I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to know that I was having sex with an old friend because I was so fucked up in my head that I couldn't commit, but you came into my life, and it's like everything was over; it was just you and everyone else didn't matter»
«What about later? Paparazzi photos, interviews, Instagram posts, and all that?»
«Pretending we're a couple before a movie comes out is a strategic move»
«Right»
«Donna, I never stopped thinking about you»
«You never contacted me»
«You neither»
«When Scottie told me about you two, I doubted your words, and since you didn't contact me anymore, I thought you had moved on»
«I never moved on. I've been in love with you for over a year, Donna»
«Harvey»
«I'm so sorry, I'm an idiot»
Seeing the tears running down the young actor's cheeks, Donna approached to wipe his tears and place kisses on his cheekbones before hugging him tightly.
«I'm sorry too»
«Look like we're both sorry, then»whispered Harvey.
«I feel so bad about this, Harv»
«Me too»
«Harvey, I —»
As their lips were now inches apart, their bodies pressed together, Donna straddling him and their eyes looking at each other with so much love, she saw Harvey approaching, and as she was about to put her lips on his, the baby monitor started to make noises. Surprised, they broke apart as Harvey swallowed hard while Donna stood up, fidgeting her fingers, biting her lip, before whispering.
«I'll see if she's okay. Um, maybe we could meet up sometime and —»
«Can I see her?»
«What?»
«I just want to see her, unless you don't want to. I mean, I'll understand, but —»
«No, no. It's fine, I'm just surprised, but if it's what you want, it's alright. More than alright»
«Great»
«I'll be back»
As Donna ran up the stairs to the baby's room, Harvey was now standing in the living room pacing and staring at the floor, his heart beating a mile a minute as he heard the redhead's voice and the baby reasoning into the baby monitor until it cut off, probably Donna's doing. A few seconds later, when he heard footsteps, he looked up hastily, and it was as if his world had just collapsed. In Donna's arms, a baby so small was against her in a pale pink bodysuit with little red hearts, a bit of red hair on top of her head as she looked at the young actor with the same eyes as the woman he had fallen in love with. For a few seconds, neither of them moved, Donna lost on what to do, while Harvey remained fixed on the baby in her arms, his baby. As the room was silent, the little girl made a high-pitched noise while looking at Harvey with an intrigued look. Seeing that he had no idea what to do, it was Donna who took the lead.
«Do you want to hold her?»
«I can?»
«Of course. Have a seat»
As he settled into the couch, Donna approached to place the little girl in the young man's arms, the father and daughter looking at each other with tenderness and love while she began to gesticulate.
«Donna»
«She's hungry. I'll make her a bottle, can I leave you with her?»
«Yeah, hum, sure»
As Donna left the living room to let the father and daughter discover each other, Harvey took advantage of the arm that wasn't supporting her to slide his fingers over her face and clothed belly while she gave him little smiles — the same as his — melting the actor's heart. A few seconds later, Donna returned to the living room before handing him the bottle, and Harvey looked at her with a lost look.
«I don't know how to do it»
«I'll show you, don't worry»
After a few explanations, Harvey began to feed the little girl, who fixed her gaze on him, looking at him tenderly as she raised her tiny hand to place it on her father's cheek while continuing to drink. Without even realizing it, tears were running down his cheeks again while the little girl's eyes began to flutter. Seeing him like that, Donna settled down next to him and hurried to wipe away his tears, their faces were now a few inches from each other, and as the redhead applied herself to wiping away his tears, Harvey couldn't help himself and captured her lips between his. After kissing her deeply for a few seconds, before she could even react, he pulled away to refocus on the baby who was slowly falling asleep in his arm, placing a kiss on the little girl's forehead, while Donna continued to look at him with wide eyes, the actor completely obsessed with his daughter.
That afternoon, the redhead and the actor's lives changed forever, and if a year ago they had little hope of finding themselves today in New York, they would never have imagined that it would be the case with a baby in addition, and, as crazy as it was, they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
Three months later
Harvey couldn't sit still. The categories were announced one by one as he waited for the one he was nominated for. After nearly an hour of the ceremony, the presenter caught Harvey's attention by speaking in a calm voice.
«For the Best Actor category, the nominees are— »
As the names were announced, Harvey was shaking his knees waiting for the result, and after a few second, the moment his name was called, he felt like the world had stopped. Everyone cheered and stood up, he was passed from arm to arm, his co-stars hugging him, before he was unconsciously pushed down the aisle and onto the stage in front of everyone seconds later. As he was handed his Oscar, he walked up to the podium before speaking into the microphone.
«Wow, hum, I'm so surprised. I mean, thank you. I never thought I would have an Oscar in my career — especially not at twenty-six — and I am so grateful to the jury for choosing me today and for having the honor of holding this statuette in my hands. Anyway, I wanted to thank all the people who allowed this film to exist and who made this thing something so incredible. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to thank all the people involved, but they will recognize themselves. Finally, I would like to dedicate this Oscar to the love of my life, well, the other love of my life, my daughter, who should be asleep now but for whom I am proud to bring this statuette home. Thank you all»
He could see some surprised actors in the audience, but most of all, he had seen Donna's eyes widen because, if they had agreed not to reveal anything to the press, it was now going to be a race to find out who was the baby of the hot actor who had just won an Oscar. If after going backstage, he had to wait a few minutes to go back to sit in the audience, he saw in the distance his girlfriend getting ready with microphones in order to go on stage a few minutes after him.
«Babe, hey»
«Honey, congratulations! I'm so proud of you»
«Thank you»
«So proud. But the speech, I thought that —»
«Come on, I didn't think. I was happy, and I wanted to dedicate this Oscar to Aida. Sorry»
«No, it's alright, it's just... do you realize that it's going to be a witch hunt? Everyone is going to start looking for who your baby mama is»
«So what? My baby mama is hot and perfect, I don't mind»
«Harv, you know exactly what I'm talking about»
«Hey, even after everyone knows, we'll keep our privacy, okay? I promiseyou »
«Donna, two minutes»
«Coming — Alright»
«Come on, babe, you'll rock on stage. See you later»
«See you, bye»
After a final kiss on the lips, a staff member took care of Donna's final touches while Harvey returned to his seat in the audience. As the lights went down, the redhead's powerful voice could be heard in the room, and the young actor could feel goosebumps all over his body. For about six minutes, she did a medley of all the hit songs from the movie — a medley she had been practicing all day at home under the astonished eyes of her boyfriend and daughter — while her entire performance was speechless. At the end, while she had just finished and the room was on its feet for a few minutes of standing inovation, the presenters for the following category came on stage: best original song. Donna was nominated, but her competitors were peaks in the music industry, so at twenty-five, she had little hope and remained convinced that this victory would not be for her, but was still happy to have been able to be there to perform and support her boyfriend. So when her song's title was shouted into the microphone a few seconds later and the audience stood to applause, it was only when Benjamin grabbed her hand to pull her on stage with him and Aaron that she realized. Overwhelmed by emotion, she let the two men talk, her gaze fixed on Harvey in the audience, who was looking at her with so much love and pride that she melted. It was only when Aaron pushed her a little more in front of the microphone that she spoke in a trembling voice.
«Thank you so much. I think my colleagues have already said everything, but it is truly an honor to win this statuette tonight, and, in addition to thanking all those who made the writing and the music of this work of art possible, I wanted to thank my little family, who give me so much love and joy that I could not be happier. Thank you»
She had not mentioned Harvey and Aida, but the young actor knew who she was talking about when she mentioned her little family, the current nickname that Harvey gave when he spent a moment with the two of them. The movie then won another award, everyone going on stage, and as they sat next to each other, Harvey gently caressing Donna's thigh, hidden by the other spectators, the show ended after three hours, and exceptionally, instead of going back to the apartment in Los Angeles that Harvey had bought when he was filming in Hollywood, they had decided to go to the after party, where they had fun for hours before going home, thanking Rachel for the babysitting and falling fast asleep together. It was only the next day that the couple realized that Harvey's words had really dropped a bomb on the internet, with theories as crazy as each other. And as Harvey was lying on the floor on his stomach with only his boxers, Aida sitting in front of him playing with the two statuettes, Donna was sitting on the floor with them, still in her pajamas, while she scrolled on her phone and laughed.
«Oh my god, listen to this one. They saw that the color of your lips was different before and after your speech, so they deduced that you had kissed someone with lipstick — not false. So they compared it with all the lips of the women you approached during the night»
«Are you mentioned?»
«A few people made the connection, yeah. But the majority kept saying Scottie, in fact, it's the mystery baby mama who comes back the most»
«Hey, come on, don't make that face. I'm sure a lot of people figured out it was you. I mean, you looked so beautiful in your dress, I couldn't stop undressing you with my eyes last night. There's probably someone who figured it out»
«Good morning, beautiful family»
«Since when do you have the keys, Mike?»groaned Harvey.
«Since your girlfriend over there gave the duplicate to Rachel, who gave them to me»
«And since when does Rachel give you the duplicates?»smirked the redhead.
«What? No, it's — anyway, how is my favorite little family? You did good yesterday, Harv. Everyone is wondering now»
«They think it's Scottie»whispered Donna while joining father and daughter on the ground to play.
After a few seconds of silence, they heard Mike murmur.
«Not anymore»
«What?»
As he turned his phone, the couple saw that the young agent had just posted a photo on his Instagram where they could see the little family, Harvey still lying in his boxers on his stomach, looking at his daughter with love, while Donna was next to them in a top and another pair of boxers belonging to her boyfriend. While she slid her hand on the little girl's head with a small smile, Aida between them, holding the statuettes in her six-month-old baby hands while she made high-pitched noises, making the picture so natural. Below, the two parents laughed when they read the comment.
The next one should be named Oscar
As both continued to laugh, Harvey and Donna gave each other a loving look as they thought back to everything that had happened in a few months.
They never thought they would fall in love like they did, for Harvey, a young actor who didn't believe in love and refused to imagine that one day he could find the person who would fill the void he had felt inside for so long, he never expected for Donna to come into his life without warning to take that place. As for the redhead, she had barely left school and had fallen under the spell of one of her co-stars, and, after a surprise pregnancy, had decided to triple her efforts to make it in the Hollywood and Broadway industry, resulting in a life even more perfect than expected with a fulfil career, a cute baby, and a perfect boyfriend and baby daddy. Neither of them had anticipated everything that had happened to them — falling in love, being away from each other, having a baby together — and yet, watching their baby play with the two golden statuettes, making high-pitched squeals while looking at her parents with the same wide eyes as Donna, neither of them had any regrets. In fact, this baby could have indeed ruined their careers, and it wouldn't have bothered them, because a love like that was worth all the filming, awards, and statuettes in the world. Sharing something so precious with the love of your life takes more than any sacrifice in the world.