The Balloon Man (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 3

Louis pinched the bridge of his nose, his glasses pushing up to his forehead as he let out a deep breath, "stop talking..." he said into the phone, straining himself to stay calm.

"Mr.Tomlinson it shouldn't take more than a week. With that time we can-"

"Can what?!" he snapped, "I make deadlines, I expect them to be met! Should I just pay you to sit on your ass and wait for these papers to get filed?!"

"Sir it's a back up with the city, the permits-"

"I own the fucking city!" Louis screamed, veins popping from his neck, "I fucking built it and if they want more of it they'll push these fucking papers through!"

He knew he was losing it, but at this point it was too late to stop him. He was so furious he felt close to shaking or breaking whatever the closest object was.

"... Yes sir."

With that Louis hung up, immediately shoving his phone in his pocket so he wouldn't throw it.

He just had to breathe, take a second and remind himself he was at home, he couldn't be worked up like this. Louis was at least grateful he was in his office away from Elisa and Arabella, putting this room on the top floor for a reason.

He took his glasses off and tossed them on the coffee table before throwing himself onto the couch and groaning. Louis didn't waste a second before stretching his legs out and rubbing his hands over his face, feeling his pulse slow ever so slightly.

He was hoping by leaving the office early today he could spend some time with Arabella before his dinner with Harry. But if anything he's only been busier because he was out and had 10 different people trying to talk to him about 15 different things. His head was spinning and it didn't help at all when he glanced at his watch and saw the time.

Louis couldn't cancel. He already has twice because of work and once because of Arabella, he couldn't keep doing this to Harry.

Louis saw him in the park of course in the past week and a half, but there's only so much they can say or talk about in front of Arabella. He very rarely had extra time to spend getting their daily balloon creation, but the fact that he saw Harry pretty much everyday was enough to keep himself calm and assure the younger man in person that he was more than serious about going out.

And Harry would smile back at him and tell him over and over it was okay before his attention was taken away by Arabella. The green eyed man gave it to her right away of course as he knelt to her height and asked about her day. And however her day went or what she did gave the balloon man his inspiration for the day, albeit a unicorn, an airplane, a lantern or necklace, it was always something special for her.

Coming to the park has always been fun for Louis, he loved spending time with Arabella, but now he had a new appreciation for it. Now he really watched the two and after getting to know Harry over their dinner and multiple texts exchanged between them he could easily say everyday he got more and more nervous to see him. How Arabella hasn't felt his hand sweating or noticing him grow quiet every time the balloon man comes into view is beyond him, but she's 3, and he's grateful for it.

Louis knew if he didn't stop working now though then he'd be stuck doing more and wouldn't see his little girl before his date. He wasn't going to reschedule, he wasn't going to cancel, this had to happen. Tonight he finally had something planned, something he thought Harry would really like and there was no way he couldn't go through with it.

Louis had to spend some time with his daughter first though, so he pushed himself off the couch and made his way downstairs. He peeked into Arabella's room and her playroom, and when he didn't see her he continued further down the home.