Donna was a dreamer. From a young age, the redhead imagined herself at the forefront — whether on stage, at the top of a podium, or under the spotlight. She decided she would be an actress at ten, when she landed the lead role in her school's Christmas play. From then on, she joined the drama troupe, attended theater summer camps, spent hours rehearsing in her room, and dreamed of performing on Broadway one day. Singing, piano, dance, acting, even tap dancing — Donna did it all. Then, when her father lost all their money, the teenager felt that she had to start over. Despite the setback, she didn't let it discourage her, and she kept training and dreaming, albeit with fewer resources. After high school, she left Hartford for New Haven, earning a summa cum laude degree in Theater from Yale, before heading to New York to chase her dreams.
«I don't know, mom»
«Sweetie, it's been barely two years»
«It's already been two years»
«You're welcome to come back to Hartford anytime, you can come whenever you want, and we'll find something you'll enjoy here»
«Mom, I can't go back to Connecticut. I've worked too hard to give up on New York. It's just… I'm exhausted. I wake up at five in the morning, work all morning at Starbucks, and then run to the restaurant to serve until late at night. I dream of Broadway, but I never dreamed of being a waitress or a barista. I'm not sure I have the energy to keep going like this»
«Maybe you could consider something else?»
«Like what?»
«Get an office job. Something with lighter hours and better working conditions»
«What about my auditions?»
«You're Donna Paulsen, you always find a way»
«Yeah, you're right. I need to think about it»
«It'll be okay, sweetie. I trust you. I know you'll make the right choices»
«Thanks mom, I needed to hear that»
«You're welcome»
For a few minutes, they talked about everything and nothing before hanging up. For a moment, Donna stared at the tiny studio she was renting in the Bronx — a single room — and sighed. She had dreamed so much of New York, of Broadway, of success, of the theater, but now, aside from fettuccine Alfredo and cappuccinos, she could hardly dream of anything else. Collapsing onto her mattress, she spent a few moments reflecting on her mother's words and her future. Then, as the first rays of sunlight reflected off her flat, her eyes stung with realization: she hadn't slept a wink all night, but in the end, she decided to keep going, at least for now. She was only twenty-three, resilient, and determined, she didn't want to let the opportunity slip away just because she was tired. So, she pushed on, over and over, until one day it hit her like a slap in the face. When she managed to get her colleague to cover her shift at Starbucks, Donna raced to the audition location, and after announcing herself, she sat down in the waiting area, surrounded by about thirty other young women, all eyeing each other warily. Nearly twenty-five minutes later, as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers, she heard her name called.
«Donna Paulsen?»
«Yes, that's me»
«They're waiting for you»
A few seconds later, as she entered the room, Donna greeted the people inside politely but received no response. The others just stared at her, silently urging her to start reading her lines — no words of encouragement and no smiles. Barely five minutes later, they thanked her coldly and told her to leave. As she walked toward the exit, a bit lost, the fresh air hit her face as she stopped dead in her tracks, replaying the audition in her mind. It was then that she heard a voice beside her.
«They acted like real bitches, right?»
«Excuse me?»
As she turned, Donna noticed a blonde girl leaning against the wall, a cigarette in her hand, while the woman gave her a sad smile before speaking.
«The people you're auditioning for, they acted like real bitch, right?»
«They didn't even reply when I said hello. I mean, it's the least you can do, no?»
«Don't take it personally. They see thousands of girls desperate for even the smallest role in one of their projects. It's not about you. You're just one of many. So, what role did you audition for?»
«I'm embarrassed to say»
«If it makes you feel better, they offered me an audition for the grandmother role — and I'm forty-two. So, what role did you audition for?»
«The sexy girl — literally, that's her name» sighed Donna.
«Jesus» snorted the woman.
For a few seconds, the two women laughed before the woman with the cigarette spoke again.
«I'm Kate, by the way»
«Donna»
«How long have you been auditioning?»
«Two years. You?»
«More than twenty. Well, I did the whole thing for the first five years, and then I realized it was like fighting against something invisible. So, I cut back on the auditions, started picking up more shifts at the coffee shop where I work, and slowly gave up on the dream»
«And now?»
«Now, I'm a manager» smiled Kate.
«I mean acting» chuckled Donna.
«Well, as you can see, I still go to a few auditions when I have the time. Otherwise, I try to live a simple life»
«Aren't you too disappointed?»
«It was a dream, but you know what a dream is, right? A construct of the imagination, meant to escape reality and fulfill a desire. I made peace with it, and I'm okay... well, better, at least»
«Right»
«Hey, I'm not saying this to discourage you. I'm just sharing my experience»
«Got any advice for me, then?» smiled the redhead.
«Remember why you wanted to be an actress in the first place: because you loved acting. Don't let it become a source of anxiety and unhappiness. Anyway, I'm back on my shift in half an hour, so I should get going. Maybe I'll see you at another audition — or on a set. Who knows?»
As she crushed out her cigarette, Kate gave Donna one last smile before disappearing into the street, leaving the young redhead with a bitter taste in her mouth. Once Donna regained her composure, she walked for a few minutes, lost in her thoughts, before heading to the Spring Street subway station as she stood there, waiting for the next train, hoping the Wicked playlist in her ears would lift her spirits. When the train finally arrived, she boarded, sat down, and stared ahead, still lost in her mind. At first, she didn't pay attention to anything around her, but when her eyes landed on an ad in front of her, something about it caught her attention. It was as if a lightbulb went off in her head.
Get your legal secretary certificate in just three months with our online course
Legal secretary? Three months? Well, that's an idea. Without wasting any time, Donna headed home and immediately began researching. The role of a legal secretary was to provide direct assistance to lawyers, schedule client appointments, and organize and maintain legal documents — nothing too complicated, at least on the surface. As she read through the job description, Donna felt confident she could handle it. Then, she looked at the required skills and qualifications, and once again, everything seemed to match her perfectly: time management, organizational skills, client relationships — she was a real flirt — integrity, discretion, computer skills, and verbal and written communication — totally her, after all, she was an actress. As she continued her research, comparing schools that offered the best yet shortest programs, after weighing her options carefully, she decided to dip into her savings to cover the tuition. Her first class would start the following Tuesday, and from that moment on, in addition to the exhaustion of juggling the coffee shop shifts, restaurant work, and auditions, Donna now had to fit in two online classes each week in the evenings, plus hours of studying. But three months later, as she sat in the lobby at Skadden, her resume and diploma carefully tucked into her folder, she let out a sigh of relief.
«Miss Paulsen?»
«Yes. That's me»
As soon as Donna entered the room, she greeted the woman and the two men sitting there politely as they responded warmly, and the questions began, lasting nearly half an hour. It wasn't until the woman shifted her focus that the questions took a more personal turn.
«We see on your resume that you have a degree in theater. Why not pursue that?»
«Well, I think it's no secret that breaking into Broadway or Hollywood isn't easy. I've persevered for over two years, and I'll continue, even if the odds are slim. But someone once told me that acting is something I love, and it shouldn't become something I hate. So, while my former path didn't quite work for me, I'm confident that working as a legal secretary with your firm could be a mutually beneficial opportunity. For you, I'd be an asset to your team, and for me, it would allow me to approach my passion more calmly — knowing I'm professionally and personally fulfilled»
As they seemed satisfied with her answer, they asked a few more questions before informing her they would call during the week to let her know whether she got the position or not. After all that information, Donna left the interview, hoping it had gone well, and just as if the universe had been listening, the HR woman called a few days later to announce that she'd be starting the following month. After resigning from the coffee shop and the restaurant where she had worked for over two years, Donna used her remaining savings to buy a few tailored suits and dresses, and on Monday morning, she showed up at exactly eight o'clock.
«Donna, I'd like you to meet Mr. Miller. You'll be working with him at his office. I'll leave you two to get settled»
After thanking the woman, Donna turned to the lawyer, who gave a brief nod and murmured.
«Pleased to meet you, Miss Paulsen»
«Likewise, Mr. Miller»
Richard Miller was a sixty-something-year-old lawyer, just a few years away from retirement. He was calm, personable, and always took the time to listen to his clients. While many might have found it frustrating to work for someone so laid-back in the fast-paced world of law, Donna found a comforting side to him. From the beginning, he had taken the time to answer all her questions and teach her everything he knew about the American legal system — a world that was completely foreign to the redhead. Over time, she came to see him almost like a father figure, and the elderly man thought of Donna like a granddaughter, as his own family lived on the other coast, and Donna was always attentive and present for him. Now twenty-five, Donna had been working for him for two years. If everything was normal, one evening, as she read through the same file for the fifteenth time, she suddenly grew frustrated, hurriedly stuffed the document into her bag, and rushed to Mr. Miller's office as she knocked frantically on his door until he opened it.
«Donna. What are you doing her?»
«Mister Miller, you absolutely need to see that»
«What is it?»
As he motioned for her to come in, Donna stepped into his apartment. He then quickly sat down and began reading through the documents she had handed him while Donna stood by, waiting for some kind of reaction. After a few minutes, he looked up at her, and Donna tried to read his expression as she softly murmured, her concern clear.
«He lied. There may be discrepancies in the interpretation of the facts, which means his alibi could be false»
«How did you find out?»
«I was at the firm, rereading the file— »
«You were at the firm?»
«Yes»
«But Donna, it's seven»
«I know, but something was bugging me. It was driving me crazy not knowing, so I kept going over the file again and again. But I'm sure he's lying»
For a few seconds, she explained everything that had raised her suspicions, while the older man listened attentively, and once she finished laying out her argument, he smiled softly and murmured.
«You would be an incredible lawyer»
«Don't talk nonsense» chuckled the redhead, shaking her head.
«I'm serious. Being a good lawyer isn't just about knowing the law — it's about being a good listener, being available, responsive, and having tenacity and perseverance. You need an analytical mind, strong negotiation skills, and most importantly, ethics, integrity, empathy, and emotional respect for your clients. And, Miss Paulsen, you have all of that. You're a good person with a big heart, and on top of that, you're an incredibly intelligent young woman. I'm convinced you would be an incredible lawyer»
«I'm an actress»
«But not just that»
For a few seconds, there was silence as Donna stared down at her feet, lost in thought, the older man's voice breaking the stillness.
«You should try»
«I don't know»
«Why not?»
«Because my dream is to act, to perform, and to live off my passion. I've been to university, I've got my degree, I've lived a thousand lives… I'm not sure it's worth reliving all of that»
«You're twenty-five, you're young. You still have so much ahead of you»
«What about acting?»
«Well, you could always continue acting on the side for fun. And you know, being a lawyer is also a kind of performance. I'm not that type of lawyer, but some of them — when you see them in court, it's like watching a play. Their performances are so theatrical. I mean, you could be that kind of lawyer. Why do I feel like you're hesitating?»
«It's another three years of study»
«Well, those years will pass either way. Might as well make them count»
«And besides, I don't have enough savings left to pay for tuition. I wouldn't be able to work full-time, so I'd never be able to afford it, it's impossible »
«That will be on me»
«What?»
«I'll pay for your studies»
«No»
«Of course, I will»
«No, Mr. Miller, I can't accept that»
«Listen. You've seen my life, right? All this money I make, I don't know what to do with it. So, I'd rather see it invested in your education than have it go to my ungrateful son, who only contacts me when he needs something. Let me help you. I'd be proud if you took over when I retire»
«I don't know what to say»
«Say you'll apply to the best universities in the country»
For a few seconds, Donna said nothing. She just continued to stare at the floor, unsure of what to think, while Richard gave her arm a reassuring squeeze and smiled warmly. That night, she couldn't sleep, his words looping in her mind until a few days later, when she placed her application on the lawyer's desk.
«Do you need a letter of recommendation?»
«If possible, I'd really appreciate it»
«Of course, Donna»
In the end, Donna waited three long weeks. Then, on a random Monday morning, she opened her mailbox and froze seeing an envelope with the Columbia University crest. Her heart raced as she rushed to the firm, bursting into Richard's office as he immediately looked up, concern evident in his eyes as he saw her out of breath.
«Are you okay, Donna?»
«I have the answer from Columbia»
«And?»
«I'm too scared to open it»
«Come on. Where's the Donna I know? The one who has full confidence in herself? The one with the emotional intelligence to navigate complex situations, who fears nothing and can keep her cool in crises, acting pragmatically to solve problems?»
«Yeah, you're right, Mr. Miller»
Quickly, she tore open the envelope and read the first sentence aloud, her voice trembling with emotion.
Miss Paulsen,
It is with great enthusiasm that I write to congratulate you on your admission to the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program at Columbia Law School. You have every reason to feel proud of your accomplishment, and I am delighted at the prospect of you joining our community in a few months.
«I'm in»
«Congratulations»
«I don't know what to do»
«Become the greatest lawyer America has ever seen»
Donna had never wanted to be a lawyer; it had never even crossed her mind, but as she held her acceptance letter in her hands, she couldn't help but smile like a fool. Lawyer. That was something big. So, while a part of her felt sad at the thought of letting go of her childhood dream, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It had been almost five years since she moved to New York, and yet today was the first time she felt truly at peace. Of course, there was still a long road ahead — going back to school, studying, starting over from scratch — but, on the other hand, the challenge excited her. She already imagined herself delivering a confident defense, demolishing her opponents with the sharp precision of the good justice warrior she would become.
After all, she might be leaving the world of theater, but theater would never leave her. Quickly, she arranged things with her employers to find a compromise between her classes and her job, wanting to contribute to part of her school expenses. By chance, Mr. Miller, who was tired and ready to ease into retirement, had decided to go part-time, handling lighter cases in the final years before his retirement. This allowed Donna to reduce her workload while still earning enough to cover her rent and some of her school expenses. Soon, days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and Donna had already organized her first year around her studies, focusing as much as possible to succeed, as she felt a growing sense of purpose. Wanting to celebrate one last time before diving into the serious work, she arranged to meet one of her colleagues after work at a bar near the firm as she arrived first, knowing Sienna wasn't there yet. While she sat at the bar and ordered a margarita, five minutes passed, then ten, then fifteen until half an hour had passed, and she was still alone. With a frustrated sigh, she decided to call her friend to check in, and after a few rings, Sienna's voice finally came through.
«Donna?»
«Sienna, where are you? I've been waitingfor half an hour now »
«What time is it? Oh, shit. I'm sorry, Donna. I've just been swamped and lost track of time. Looks like tonight's a bust»
«Seriously?»
«I'm really sorry, Red»
«It's alright, we'll do it another time»
«I'll make it up to you, I promise»
«Alright, see you, girl»
As soon as the call ended, Donna sighed, glancing down at her black silk dress, thinking. She had traded in her skirt and blouse for this stunning piece that revealed part of her leg with a high slit and flattered her cleavage — only to wear it for nothing. As she brought her cocktail to her lips, ready to take a sip, she froze when he appeared at the bar, wearing a dark grey three-piece suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. His dirty blonde hair was slightly spiked with gel, and his chocolate brown eyes seemed to cut through the dim lighting, confident yet warm. His square jawline, sharp but not unapproachable, paired perfectly with his easy smile, and as he walked, there was something magnetic about him, a certain charisma that made everyone — especially the women — turn their heads as Donna felt a rush of warmth, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. As he approached the bar, she pretended to focus on her drink again, trying to hide the sudden flutter in her chest while he leaned against the counter, ordering with a casual ease that made it all seem so effortless.
«Jake, can I have a Macallan 18?»
«Coming right up»
«Thanks»
As Donna continued scrolling through her phone, pretending not to notice the man's arrival, she heard his voice — a deep, enticing tone that caught her attention.
«Is this seat taken?»
«No, please»
He then settled in beside her, and she could feel his presence, even without looking up.
«Are you alone?»
«Yeah, I was supposed to meet a friend, but she stood me up»
«Well, her loss»
«She has no idea» snorted Donna.
«It's unusual, being alone at a bar»
«You're alone too, aren't you?»
«You're clearly not just a pretty face» smirked the young man.
«No, I'm not. So maybe you should buy me a drink, and we can continue this conversation in the corner»
It wasn't really her style to do this. Sure, she had flirted in bars before, but inviting a stranger to isolate themselves in a corner to drink — alone, with no one else around? That was a first. She couldn't explain why, but she felt an undeniable pull toward him, as though he had some magnetic force that clouded her thoughts, leaving her unable to think clearly. He seemed a little older than her — maybe less than ten years — and maybe that was what made her feel safe. But in that moment, watching him take a sip of his whiskey and throw her a wink, she felt an inexplicable urge to follow him anywhere — even into the depths of hell, if need be.
«I'm Harvey, by the way»
«Donna»
«Well, nice to meet you… Donna»
Alright, she definitely wasn't going to end up alone in her bed tonight.