Hate That I Love You

Chapter 22

Louis walked into the house, his hands slightly sweaty and a little nervous in his body. This time, Mark would give him the what for. Or maybe even more. He knew that sooner or later he would pass to him but, after meeting his biological father, the tension in the house was palpable.

Mark said he had everything under control but still didn't explain to him how he managed to get rid of him.

"I'm home," Louis announced. He noticed, first of all, that all the waitresses who usually went around the house had disappeared and, of course, that was not a good sign.

"Louis" his sister Lottie immediately approached him. "First of all, I think our plan is starting to work," he smiled.

"Your plan, Lots," he said, rolling her eyes.

"Secondly, there are some really good pictures," she shrugged. "And third, the big boss is waiting for you in your room."

"Ouch" took the blow, clutching his head in his shoulders. "If he's waiting for me in my room it's never a good sign. Anyway, thank you for finding this whole situation very amusing, little sister."

"What can I say," she smiled, showing her teeth. "Did I tell you or not to tell him before? At this point he would have accepted it already, and all this trouble wouldn't have happened. So, Boo bear, I'm dismayed but I really have to tell you, I told you so."

"Shut up." he muttered. "What about Mom? How did she take it?"

"Mom speaks Mama so I don't understand her," she snorted. "She says, 'a mom doesn't need to see these things'," she imitated. "And then, she started cleaning the house like she does every time she's nervous."

"Great," he sighed. "Wish me luck."

"No, you deserve it," she scolded. "So you learn not to listen to me."

"Fuck it," he grumbled, heading for the stairs and climbing them two by two. On the second floor, he slowly opened the door to his room, with a slight fear.

He had seen Mark angry a few times in his life of trouble, yet he feared that he would soon see him again and yes, he didn't care.

"Dad," he announced himself, entering the room and finding his father sitting in the chair behind the desk impatiently awaiting his arrival. "Before you start to get angry I ..."

"Don't say anything, Louis" Mark's stern frown made him start sweating cold "Come here," he ordered.

Louis took a sigh of encouragement and walked over to him, sitting in the chair directly opposite. "Mark, I ..."

"Louis" he interrupted him again, "You know how the relationship with that family is broken, don't you?" he asked him.

Louis sighed. "Yes, I know," he whispered, looking down.

"And do you also know that that man, Des, doesn't care about anything or anyone when it comes to money? Not even his own son?"

"I guess," he nodded.

"So you are aware that the Styles are not really a family to respect."

"Yes, but .."

"But nothing" he stopped him. "I trust you, son. And I know you wouldn't be fooled by guys like the Styles," he said sternly. "Not after what I'm doing because of Troy, that man I will never, ever call your father."

Louis bit his lip. "I don't know what you're doing."

"It's not difficult," he shrugged, "I yield to his demands."

"What?" he widened his eyes.

"Every year I will have to pay him a considerable amount into his bank account, otherwise he will tell everyone our secret."

"Are you joking?" he asked.

"No" he shook his head. "Your mother never looked for that man after you were born, you know. And we can't prove that he kicked you out, I wouldn't want any unfortunate problems to arise. And, besides, it's not the right time to get put in place. I stir the advice. I don't want them to think for a moment that you don't deserve the leadership of my company by right."

"Dad, but ..."

"No buts. I'm your father, blood or no blood, and I have to protect you," he said, "Even when you disappoint me heavily."

Louis lowered his head, taking the blow silently. Sometimes, his words hurt more than anything else.

"But I don't think that's the case," he said, seconds later. Louis jerked his head up. "You did all this on purpose, didn't you?"

"Er, I-well, actually, I didn't really do it on purpose, but anyway, if I did it for a reason," he began, slightly embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

"I knew it!" he exclaimed, suddenly standing up and smiling. "You are a genius, son, a genius!"

Louis stared at him puzzled. "I am?" he asked hesitantly.

"Sure! You're trying to screw up Des's son's marriage to that royal!" he exclaimed. "If the Styles even take possession of a noble title, it would be the end of his disproportionate ego!"

Louis began to gasp. "Oh, I see ... let's say that the idea of ​​screwing up his marriage had crossed my mind, but ..."

"God, Louis!" he said again. "I actually, I wanted to ask you, but you know how I feel about feelings, I didn't want to play that card! But you did it yourself, you want to make Harry fall in love with you so he doesn't get married. Now you explain your behaviour to the stage!"

"Well, the idea of ​​making him fall in love with me was also very present, but anyway ..."

"You're a genius, son! A genius! That asshole Des is trying to steal the deal with the Azoffs, he flew up to Los Angeles to convince them not to sign with me but with a future noble family!"

"Dad!" he exclaimed, interrupting his joy. "I can't blow up a marriage for stupid revenge! Or selfish reasons! I thought you weren't playing with love!" he said, a little indignant.

"First of all, everything is fair in war and love. And Des, behaving in that childlike way, has started a war. Second, they are still my opinion but, well, you will not believe that those two are getting married for love! Pretty sure Des is pushing his son to marry, poor boy. So, I like to look on the bright side, save his son from an unhappy marriage and at the same time take my little revenge. Whatever happens, Harry might find himself with a broken heart, but, in short, we also do him a favour."

"So, what are you asking me to do?" Louis raised an eyebrow.

"Make him think you really like him," he shrugged. "So he can be persuaded not to marry."

"What if Harry wants to do it anyway?" he asked him at that point. "What if Harry really loves him?"

"There I leave you free choice," he raised his hands. "You can't make him not love or love someone."

"Um, I-I don't know," he muttered. "But, okay."

"Great, son," Mark smiled, patting him on the back and heading for the door. "And your mother who thought you were really in love with him, tsk," he chuckled. "Imagine your wedding dinner, World War III!" he exclaimed laughing as he walked out of the room.

Louis sighed, lowering his head. "Am I in love with him?" he whispered. "When ever."