how not to lose harvey in 10 days

chapter one

ten days ago

Donna Paulsen has heard of the infamous Harvey Specter long before she even acquired a job at the firm she's currently a junior partner at. She has heard the gossip, the rumors, and the fact that he was apparently a father to sixteen different children. With a man who's known to be a womanizer, Donna doesn't know wether to believe them or not. She hasn't had a run in with Harvey Specter, at least not face to face, and boy was she glad for that.

She sat at her desk, focused on her laptop when Jessica Pearson strides inside the room. The woman was the senior partner at this firm, and quite frankly, she and the older woman had become close friends. Donna looks up, aware of the strong presence of female badassary, she would know considering she has also acquired that trait. Or because she's Donna and she just knew.

The older woman in front of her had a smile that Donna knows all too well. Jessica needed a favor. Donna huffs in response, gathering the files she had laying on her desk and tucking them away in a folder.

"Yes, Jessica?"

"You know Harvey, right?" Jessica asks, a little too casually.

"Specter?" Donna quirks her eyebrow up.

"A little birdie told me that a client we desperately want is leaning towards the direction of their firm, and not ours." Jessica says firmly, crossing her arms.

Donna nods in understanding.

"Who's the client?"

"Paula Agard."

Donna had to stop herself from from laughing. She had met with Paula a couple weeks prior, and she seemed like the type of woman who was threatened by other powerful women. Don't get Donna wrong, she admired powerful women, but not the kind who uses it for superiority. The whole meeting was practically led by her father (whom she is inheriting the company from) with Paula popping in, contradicting anything Donna had to offer. She had called it good after that meeting because she had no intention of dealing with Ms. Agard. But apparently, now, Jessica seems to think that she should have closed it with her.

"What's this got to do with me?"

"You already had a meeting once with Ms. Agard once and I intend for you to set another one again, this time, swaying her towards our firm."

"And how do you suppose I do that?"

"That's when Harvey comes in."

Jessica's lips turned upward into a mischievous smile, one that Donna was very aware of. This wasn't a simple favor, it was going to me more than that.

"How exactly does Mr. Specter come in?"

"I need you, to distract him from Paula Agard."

"With what? My ass?" Donna practically laughs, knowing the rumors surrounding this Harvey.

"Well-" Jessica sighs.

"I am not going to jump into bed with him." Donna declared, and the older woman couldn't help but chuckle.

"Do whatever it takes Donna, be friends with him, let him in the Donna charm, don't let Specter and Agard cross paths."

"Wouldn't Robert Zane have already informed Harvey about this?" Donna asks.

Jessica sits down now, in front of Donna's desk. Donna listens intently. Jessica had the information that Paula Agard's father was going to be out of town for ten days before the proper meeting with the Zane lawfirm and Harvey Specter was set. Meanwhile, Paula Agard was going to be attending an event, in which Pearson and Zane lawfirms are invited to. Jessica adds that Paula Agard had her eyes set for Harvey.

"So you're telling me that this woman wants Zane lawfirm to represent her in hopes of getting into Harvey Specter's bed?" Donna retorts, her fingers rubbing her head, trying to process the ridiculous information.

"I'm sure you can do a better job distracting him." Jessica smiles, standing up from her seat and walking towards the door.

"I can't believe you're pimping me out." Donna comments, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Jessica pauses and turns back.

"You'll be named a senior partner after you close the deal with the Agards."

Donna's mouth opens, a smile threatening to form on her face, "Well Jessica, why didn't you open with that?"

"Bullshit."

Harvey Specter looks over at his associate wearing a smug smile on his face. He was sitting in his office, casually going over files that he had missed signing from last night. For some reason, right now, he and Mike had been talking about the topic of relationships, one Harvey was very familiar (when it comes to the passion and desire part) and unfamiliar (when it comes to the feelings and staying together part) with.

"I have had serious relationships." Harvey insists.

"Name one." Mike challenges leaning his body closer towards Harvey's desk.

"Scottie."

"Friends with benefits don't count. Notice how it's called Friends with benefits?" Mike counters, crossing his arms and shaking his head when the older man was left speechless.

"Stop being a smartass."

"I'm just saying, jumping into bed with a woman is not a serious relationship." Mike retorts.

"Please, I can't stop the Specter charm. It's not my fault that it takes a day for a woman to develop feelings and jump into bed with me." Harvey said smugly, leaning back in his chair.

"You're a pig," Mike responds.

"Who's a pig?" Another voice interrupts, when Mike realizes it was Robert Zane, he quickly stood up and fixed his skinny tie.

"Harvey." Mike coughs.

Robert Zane looks over at Mike and shakes his head, sometimes the duo could be amusing.

"Zip it, Mike." Harvey glares, then turns his attention back to his boss.

"He's right, you know." Robert says, Harvey peers over the corner to watch Mike mouth I told you so. The named partner holds back a chuckle and Harvey rolls his eyes.

"It takes a day for a woman to jump into bed with me and suddenly I'm the bad guy." Harvey smirks.

"One day, huh?" Robert asks.

"Yep," Harvey responds with no shame, popping the p in the word.

"And you're that sure that every woman are like that?"

"There hasn't been one that proved otherwise." Harvey said confidently. He could see Mike rolling his eyes from where he was sitting.

Harvey glances at the older man and notices a small pause, and then his pointer finger raising, as if to stop Harvey from speaking.

"I just thought of an interesting way for you to prove that you're worthy of being a senior partner." Robert says, gaining the attention of both Harvey and Mike.

"As if me being the greatest lawyer isn't enough?" Harvey says smugly.

"See, this is exactly why my assignment for you to prove your title would be worthwhile."

Harvey raises his eyebrows, still clueless on where Robert was going with his little speech. Robert continues to explain.

"Your confidence is what I admire about you. And," Robert says, giving Harvey a firm look, "If you are to prove your theory on this so called Specter charm, then the spot for senior partner is yours."

Mike chuckles from a corner, and feigns a cough when Harvey glances back towards his direction.

"Done." Harvey says, leaning back against his chair.

"Ten days." Robert says.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll give you 10 days as a cutoff, afterall, I have the confidence that not every woman is like what you describe." Robert explains.

"I'm not gonna need those 10 days," Harvey glances up at his boss.

"They're on the table just incase. Besides, you wouldn't wanna lose your spot as senior partner because you couldn't make a woman fall for you, right?" Robert questions, "Oh and Harvey, you only get one try, so choose well."

"When do I start?"

"At the gala this weekend." Robert simply says before walking out the door.

Mike walks over towards Harvey's desk and looks at him, who had a smile spread across his lips.

"You're that confident?"

"Of course I am."

Harvey and Mike walk into the ballroom where various lawyers and clients roamed around. It was a charity event, and Robert Zane insisted on Harvey and Mike attending. Harvey takes a shot of whiskey swiftly from the waiter walking around. Taking a sip of the amber colored liquid, he glances around the room, ready for the bet to take place. One woman. He was confident.

As he glanced around the room, a woman with dark hair approached him, wearing an all knowing smile Harvey knew instantly.

"You must be Harvey Specter," the woman said, she held her free hand out and Harvey takes it and shakes it.

"I am," Harvey says, Mike glanced around the room awkwardly.

"Why don't we head out of here and have some fun." The woman suggested, her hands slightly touching Harvey's tie. Mikes eyes grew large seeing how easy this assignment could be.

"I'm good, sweetheart." Harvey smirks, walking away from the woman.

"You could have already been senior partner by now." Mike says a matter-of-factly, as he walked by his boss.

"It's only 9 in the evening, I might as well have a little fun. Besides, if women themselves approached me, I have plenty of time." Harvey smirks.

As the evening went by, Harvey has had a couple of drinks while Mike had only one. Harvey had conversations with numerous clients and Robert, who asked when he was going to start the bet. As he was sitting on the bar stool, with Mike now talking to a woman he thinks was Rachel, he hears a woman next to him order.

"Vodka, please." The woman said.

Harvey looks over at the woman, and is immediately captivated by her beautiful red hair, and emerald satin dress. She was beautiful.

"Wouldn't take you to be someone who drank hard liquor," Harvey found himseld saying.

Donna stops herself from rolling her eyes at Harvey Specter who she thought had the worst possible opening line for a woman. However, she decided to play along and entertained him.

"Really?" Donna smirks, "What kind of drink do you suits who I am?"

"Uh," Harvey responds.

Donna watches Harvey struggle to come up with an answer. No woman had probably questioned that line before. Tonight, Donna wore a green silk dress with a high slit on the side, and a dangerously low cut. Knowing the history she knew with Harvey, she ought to stand out in the crowd, except as she's standing by the bar and watches the man, she knew she won't have any problems getting Harvey to date her for at least 10 days.

Harvey was enthralled with the woman in front of him. He liked a little challenge, and the redhead in front of him was beautiful, there was no denying that. He looks slightly at her left hand, no ring.

"I'm Harvey Specter," he finds himself saying as he extends his hands towards her.

Donna takes his hand and shakes it, "Donna Paulsen."

"Is your brother or dad Don Paulsen?" Harvey asks.

"Who?"

"Don Paulsen, the lawyer who seems to be getting up my reputation of being the best goddamn closer New York has seen." Harvey smiles.

With that, Donna laughs and Harvey knits his eyebrows. "I'm thinking that you truly are the self entitled person people say. No, Harvey, I'm afraid to tell you that Donna Paulsen and Don Paulsen are one and the same."

"Wait a minute, you're a lawyer?" Harvey asks.

"Yes, I am, and one apparantley coming for your reputation." Donna raises her eyebrows.

"I must have misheard your name."

"Maybe you just don't like losing to a girl," Donna jabs.

"Ouch." Harvey responds, his hand going over his chest, Donna smirks as she takes a sip of the vodka the bartender had just set down.

"So, you're the great Donna Paulsen I've been hearing about." Harvey says as he signals another shot from the bartender.

"You've heard about me, huh?" Donna asks curiously.

"I have, all good things I suppose." Harvey grins again, he has never found himself grinning this much to impress a woman.

"I've heard about you, too." Donna responds.

"And?"

"And?" Donna chuckles, "Is it true about the sixteen children?"

Harvey chokes on his drink and immediately felt Donna stroking his back. Her other hand slightly over his. He was beginning to think that this wasthe woman for the bet, and that he was going to need those extra 10 days. He shakes the thought out and told himself that he's got this.

You don't need the ten days, Specter.

"Donna..." Harvey says.

"Hm?"

"Nothing, I'm just remembering your name seeing as I made the mistake of thinking you were named Don the first time." Harvey flirts.

"You have no idea how Donna I am."

Harvey spots Robert on the other side of the bar and gives him a small nod. The woman with the fiery red hair and green dress that complimented her skin tone beautifully was going to be the one.

The two continued to flirt. Robert watches from the other side of the bar, knowing the woman with Harvey may be smarter than his colleague and he doesn't even know it.

Jessica, on the other hand, watches from the corner of her eye as she talked with a fellow lawyer. She watches Donna work her charm on Harvey Specter. She knew Donna had it handled, and she was so damn proud.

You're gonna be in my bed by the end of the night, Paulsen, Harvey thinks.

You're already falling in love with me as we speak, Specter, Donna thinks.

I hope you guys enjoyed this so far! Sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors you may have encountered. I'm so excited to write another movie inspired fic. Review and thoughts are much appreciated!