Love is War (L.S.)

2

Louis walks into the tall, sleek, skyscraper building with power visibly radiating off of him. He's in his classic black suit again and he adjusts his cufflinks before he pushes past the glass double doors. He had taken in the expensive-looking cars that were parked in the front of the building and that kind of ticked him off that he was definitely in the right place. He already had his story straight. Word was that they were looking for a new member to join their team. Bernardo, who used to work for Maria Tomas until she kicked him out with nothing short of his own dignity left, had been in contact with Browski for some time now. He told them that Maria was looking for a new hire, that she'd been getting fed up with the ones she already had. All he had to do was say who referred him. It was as simple as that. Everything was underground so Louis wasn't expecting them to do a background check or anything of the sort.

He waltzes into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The entire building wasn't Maria Tomas' - only the top floor. She had rented out the rest to different companies so as to hide suspicion. Tomas herself was working under the cover that she and her team were simply building managers and inspectors. However, if anyone took one look at the cars parked out front, they'd see right through the lie. Louis supposes people simply know when and when not to ask questions.

The elevator door dings on floor 13 and a beautiful blonde enters into the elevator with Louis. She gives him a small smile which he returns with a small nod.

"What floor?" Louis asks her.

"You've already pressed it actually," she responds easily.

Oh.

Louis inconspicuously watches the blonde from his periphery. He wonders momentarily what business she could have with Maria Tomas.

It's quiet in the elevator except for a light jazz playing over the speakers and the sound of the blonde woman's charm bracelets clinging together when she moves her hand to sift through her purse. Louis watches as she pulls out a pack of gum.

"Do you want one?" she offers the pack toward him.

"No, thanks. I'm fine," Louis declines. It's only when she had spoken the second time did Louis realize she was American. Not French.

The elevator door dings open and Louis gestures for her to go first. She does. He waits a beat before leaving the elevator as well. The entire floor is empty except for closed doors that run along both walls of the narrow hallway. He watches as the woman from the elevator disappears into the second door on the right. At the very end of the hallway there's a massive oval shaped door with glass surrounding it so it's possible to see inside.

Louis steps closer and tilts his head a little to the side. He recognizes a boardroom table that's similar to the one he has his team meetings with Browski at. He also notices that there's a few men in suits huddled around one of the tall windows. There's a woman seated in a chair by the table, sipping on what looks like coffee or perhaps tea. She isn't Maria Tomas, though. Louis walks in a small circle and tries to assess the situation.

He could walk into the room, demand to speak with Maria Tomas and tell her that he's her new hire. The reference name he was told to use by Bernardo was 'Jackson DeMille,' whoever that is. If she refuses to let him into her team, then he could always prove his skills to her. It's unlikely she'll decline though. His other option is to simply stand in the hallway and wait for Maria Tomas' inevitable return. He could maybe even investigate the place while he waits. Each option could get him killed if he appeared too suspicious.

The former option seems less time consuming, so he choses that one.

Louis pulls his left pant leg up to make sure his gun is secured in its strap near his ankle before taking a deep breath and pushing open the double doors.