Chapter 32 - Harvey/Anastasia

HarveyI wake up in my bed with Ana next to me. It's the first time she's slept here. She looks extremely relaxed and peaceful curled up besides me. I've never found it harder to leave my bed in the morning. But I couldn't stay given last night's discovery about Hardman's involvement in the CM lawsuit. So, I replace my presence with a pillow and force myself to get up. Get dressed, prepare coffee and breakfast -for Ana too- and head out.

However, my good mood dies as soon as I step in the elevator and remember that I'm on the 46th floor now. Hardman's decision to move my office down here was extremely offensive. I haven't been on this floor since I was an associate. I brace myself by focusing on the fact that this is where my and Ana's story basically started.

Unfortunately, those thoughts get cut off early when I step out of the elevator and come face-to-face with Louis. By the looks of it, he is waiting for me. Which is a bold move after I found him snooping around in my office last night.

"You are banned from this floor" I say

He ignores my warning and comes closer. "It's pee in a cup time" he holds a form and the cup

"Drսg tests are for associates, not the partners" I remind him

"Yeah, well, Hardman believes in running a real clean ship. Which is why a new policy went into effect as of this morning" he hands me the papers signed by Hardman. "You know, I don't smell it on you now, but I sure as hell did last night when you manhandled me in your office" he states.

I should have guessed it. If Ana smelled it on me last night, so did Louis. And this snake went straight to Hardman with it. I should have known he'd rush to daddy with it. He bugged my office, he ran to Hardman about the CM lawsuit and Monica Eaton, he sold his soul for senior partnership and now that he got, he created a drug policy with the sole purpose of firing me.

"You want to take it, you're gonna have to take it forcibly" I state, not scared of his dirty tricks, and slam the papers on his chest

"Refusal to take this test gives me grounds to fire you for cause" he warns me

"I refuse" I insist

"You're fired" he tells me

"Per our bylaws, I'm entitled to a hearing in front of a quorum of our senior partners, and I'm on record" I raise my voice in order to be heard by the partners that are around us too.

I sit in my office and text Ana that I'll probably be late due to the new circumstances, explaining briefly what happened. 

AnastasiaThe mention of a drug test and a hearing in Harvey's message got me stressing over breakfast. Something tells me that my father is responsible for this, and it's the closest he's gotten to firing Harvey. So, I'm worried.

I finish my coffee and get ready to leave Harvey's place. I head downtown to the firm, second day in a row. In the elevator, I run into a couple of partners that mention the quorum that begins in half an hour. My heartrate picks up as I reach the 50th floor and I come to term with what I'm about to do.

I knock on Daniel's door, hoping that Jessica didn't see me from the office right next to his. 

"Anastasia, come in" he smiles when he sees me, "To what do I owe the pleasure?" 

"Don't got through with the hearing" I ask him

"Of course..." he chuckles, "I should have guessed you'd come running to Harvey's rescue"

"You got the firm, you're on top, it's over. You don't have to keep knocking him down" I beg

"And why should I stop? The man is arrogant, uncooperative, and provocative. As managing partner, I can't trust him and I can't work with people I can't trust" 

"So, you decided to set him up and embarrass him in front of the rest of the partners?"

"I did no such thing. I only signed off on a simple drug test. It was his own decision to refuse to take it and call for a hearing in front of a quorum"

"Yeah, after your partner cornered him" 

"Is that why he send you to get him out of it?" he assumes

"He didn't send me. Harvey doesn't even know I'm here. If he knew, he would have already carried me out of here before I had to tell you what I'm about to..."

"And what is that?" he wonders.

"If you let Harvey off the hook, I'll give us another chance to amend our relationship. I'll pick up your calls everyday. We'll go for dinner every week. We'll talk about anything you'd like. And when I understand your perspective,  I will be able to forgive you" I lie.

I lie because I hate him, and that will never change. I can barely look at him without getting angry. But I will tolerate him if I have to.

"Yesterday, you closed your door to my face telling me that you are no longer my daughter. Today, you're begging me to let the man that drove you away from me in the first place off the hook" he points out 

"He didn't drive me away. I was already drifting away because of your decisions. But I am willing to reconsider if you are too".

He takes a moment to think. "I want one more thing, and I'll cancel the drug test and the quorum" he says

"Name it" I reply immediately

"Break it off with him" he demands

"What?" I almost lose my breath

"If I keep him here, I won't have him throwing your name around here like a trophy. And I certainly won't be able to rebuild my relationship with you, knowing that you are going home to him" he explains. "So, Harvey can keep his job and I will stop coming for him entirely, only if you two are not together anymore. And this is my final offer" he states.