Cufflinks and Quiffed Hair // L.S.

*11*

*Harry's POV*

I came back to my house the next afternoon.

Mum offered to drive me, but I told her I'd go myself. When I reached, Niall had been waiting for me. I walked over and hugged him, who hugged me back saying, "Missed you H. You okay, right?" I smiled and said, "Much better, Ni. Thank you. How are you?" He hummed in affirmation.

I walked into the house, where Gemma, Ash, Liam and Zayn awaited me. All hugged me one at a time and we all sat making small talk for a while. Then, Zayn said, "Louis asked me to ask you when he could talk to you."

The mood of the house immediately turned serious.

I sighed as Gemma said, "He's already offered me and Niall jobs, which we accepted. Zayn is his P.A. again. It's just you he has to talk to now."

I rubbed my hands over my face. This was gonna be hard. I didn't know if I was ready to talk to him. Well, maybe I should and the sooner the better. It's probably for the better. I've got nothing more to lose anyways. I looked at Zayn and said, "Today evening. Ask him if he's okay with that."

***

I had had an eventful day so far. I decided to go grocery shopping with Gemma. In the shop, I tripped over a stall of Cauliflowers (which I hate) and ended up squishing some lemons in the nearby stall. We had to pay for all the damage done, luckily, nobody realized who I was or they would've mobbed me all day long.

Niall said he'd cook and ended up burning not only the food, but also the stove and utensils. Liam was appointed to do the cleaning, and he grumbled about saying he was the only sensible one around.

Zayn decided to buy Gigi a bouquet of flowers, as she had been really helpful towards all of us. He bought the flowers, but when he rang the doorbell, Niall opened the door and shouted 'BOO!', making Zayn drop the entire thing and cover his face.

I laughed the entire time; things weren't as bad when you had people like Niall around.

It was five in the evening. Louis was expected to come at six, after work.

I was deciding what I should wear. Gemma said I should wear a blazer, while Liam said I should wear anything I wanted because Louis wasn't here with a business deal, just a job offer which I could accept or reject and also because I shouldn't respect him if he doesn't.

I was gonna protest, but Zayn said I really should wear a blazer and Niall already got ready to iron it with an iron box. I immediately stopped Niall from ironing it, because the last time Niall had done that, it was my dress pants and they were in an absolutely beautiful state after he was done.

Niall pouted, but handed Liam the iron box and walked out of the room, to watch television. Seeing Liam holding the iron box, we all left the room. Liam shouted, "Why is it always me?!"

We all laughed and went to watch television with Niall.

***

Louis arrived at sharp six.

I was sat in my room when Niall's voice boomed in the house, "Hitler's here, Harold!" I heard Niall open the door, make small talk with Louis and ascending the staircase to my room.

I don't even know why my hands were sweating. I rubbed them fiercely on my pants, not caring if they got messy.

I heard a faint knock on my bedroom door. I cleared my throat and said, "Come in!" The inner boss in me was awaking, I suppose. The door swung open and Niall entered, followed by Louis.

He looked the same- quiffed hair, grey suit and tie with a white collared shirt - and I realized how much I hated him, still do. His stupid little stubble, annoying accent, tiny little body...

Everything just eww. I think I'm being kind to him only for a job.

"Mr. Tomlinson." I said, trying to divert his attention from my absolutely spotless room to me. He looked at me, extended his hand out and said, "Styles."

We shook our hands, and I couldn't help notice how small his hands were. Another disgusting thing. I asked, "So, what brings you here?"

I saw Louis roll his eyes as he sat down on the chair. He said, "Like you don't know why I am here."

I huffed, "I do know." He chuckled and I felt snapping his head into two. He said, "Alright, sit down, will you?"

Louis dickhead Tomlinson, sitting on my chair in my house, and asking me to sit down on my own chair in my own house. This was ridiculous, but I needed this job. So, I didn't say anything, just sat down opposite him.

He intertwined his fingers and kept it in front of him as he said, "So, Styles. Keeping our enmity aside, I want you to know I know you aren't the bad guy between you and Simon. I know you are smart and not that stupid to get involved in a scam. I know you aren't a scamster. I know how you built your company. I know the amount of charity you do."

I didn't say anything. This was probably a plan or something, to prove how stupid I was and am.

He continued, "So, Styles. I'm not giving you a job."

I kinda knew it. I took a deep breath in. But before I could say anything, he said, "I want you to work with me, not under me."

I opened my mouth and closed it again. Nothing came out. I said, "What do you mean?"

He said, "I mean I want you to work with me. I know you are bloody brilliant in what you do and you working under me will be a waste of talent. And I'm not doing this just for you, it's for me myself too. You're actually smart so, I thought if you worked with me, my company could make double the profit it has been making. So, it's like, killing two birds with one stone."

I was gaping at him by the time he finished. Did he really think all that? Or this was again a way to fool me? Should I even believe him?

He finally looked at me and our eyes met.

I don't think I've ever realized how blue his eyes were. They were beautiful, I'll admit that bit to myself. But his eyes held sincerity, which told me he wasn't lying and he actually meant what he said.

I nodded, "I'll do it. Thank you so much, Louis." He smiled wide, his eyes crinkled at the corners, another disgusting thing about him. He said, "Thank you too, Styles."

He got up, so did I, he extended his hand out which I shook. He asked, "Will you be there from tomorrow? Niall, Gemma and Zayn are joining tomorrow."

I nodded. It was a Monday tomorrow. I said, "I'll be there, thank you."

"I'll text you all the salary details and other related things. Feel free to text me whatever you want, company related, whenever. Alright?" He asked and I nodded, "Thank you so fucking much."

"And one more thing. We're just business partners, alright? We aren't friends, or anything. Just business partners." He said and I agreed right away. Like I wanted to befriend him anyway.

"Now that it's all good, I'll take your leave. Thank you, Styles." He said, and left the room before I could say anything.

Maybe he wasn't all dumb.

*** 

1282 words. Yeah he gave him a job.
Y'all saw those Holivia pics? They're getting married and can't wait to start a family!! And their parents are against this too. And the ring was designed by Harry himself!! Wowwww this is so cuteeee awwww ❤❤❤❤

Honestly, Jeff needs to work on his rumours. Not 26th July, 2021 written on that magazine lmao

Anygays...vote and comment besties!!

Love,

S

P.S. Lots on the wayyyyy xx