"How are you feeling?" Maison questions and I know that he instantly regrets it. He is probably referring to the fact that I look a mess; I didn't even have time to eat this morning. Of course, he doesn't mean it offensively and, I don't take it that way. He holds the door open for me in the style of a true gentleman and the familiar smell of coffee and paperwork hits me as we enter the office. The bright light feels like it is blinding me. This really isn't my day.
"I'm good, thank you." I lie, throwing myself into the high-back leather office chair. I feel so important when I sit in it. Maison stands around for a moment; I look at him briefly and begin to admire his choice of clothing. His burgundy sweater really compliments his skin tone, and his white shirt and blue tie underneath make him look really suave. It's convenient that he always smartly dressed, compared to me. - Especially today, when I know I look a state.
"How are you?" I ask and inwardly groan thinking back to the events that unfolded this weekend. Gosh, I'm an idiot. The fact is, I've already been in his company for about ten minutes and he hasn't even mentioned the ridiculous answer phone message that I left him.
"I'm really great, thanks. Good weekend?" He continues to question me and I wish he would just come right out with it to avoid the embarrassment instead of all this polite small talk.
"It was ok, I'm super tired though." I sigh, frantically rummaging through my belongings. I am so unorganised. I couldn't sleep last night, and I can't seem to pull myself together anymore.
"Have you eaten?"
"Nope" I admit as I pull a ring binder out from the cupboard and slam it down on the desk in front of me. He stares for a moment.
"Didn't have time to" I clarify.
"Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee, something to eat, maybe?"
He is always so kind but I don't even know if I can stomach anything at the moment. Before I can protest he is out the door. I stumble after him and he heads over to the coffee machine and inserts some coins.
"How do you like it?" He pursues.
"You don't have to, honestly, I'm fine." He ignores me and continues to press the buttons on the machine.
"Don't be silly! It's no problem! Milk and sugar?" He turns to face me, smiling. The machine roars as it grinds the coffee beans. He is such a caring person and I never know how to act around people like that. I give in and nod.
"It's great coffee- really fresh. Peter really splashed out on the machine."
He stirs the steaming liquid and hands it to me gently, ensuring I have a strong grip before letting go.
"Careful, it's hot." He announces, and then momentarily leaves the room. He returns a few minutes later holding a plate.
"Here" he says, passing me the plate with a croissant on. "You shouldn't skip meals, you know?"
I shoot him a knowing look and accept his kind gesture. He smiles sweetly every now and then, constantly checking if I'm okay. The truth is, I know that I shouldn't skip breakfast but I'm just so used to not having it that it doesn't come naturally to me.
We head back to the office and end up sat back in the same position we were last week. I look through some paperwork and check my emails first of all. Maison sits at his desk opposite me. He is reading over something on the Mac.
I keep skim- reading over the same boring document in my hands, but I'm not taking any of it in. I know I shouldn't still be thinking about Louis but my thoughts still seem to keep drifting back to him. I haven't seen him once since the weekend and part of me wishes I l had.
