The Struggle •Unedited•

Chapter 39

•Elisabeth•

We hit another work week and surprisingly, I'm busy enough to forget all about the whole shouting match with Louis this past weekend. We pass each other in the halls, but we have managed to avoid any sort of contact.

As everyday of the week passes, Louis has managed to have a different girl bring him lunch. Not a single one being Vanessa. If that's even still a thing.

Shockingly, it has been quite difficult not speaking to him.

It is a Thursday afternoon as I walk into my office, holding a fresh plate a food that I just had delivered. My mouth waters as the scent of it makes its way up into my nostrils. I didn't have much time to have breakfast this morning and I am starving.

Just passing my desk, a sharp pain overtakes my side as I come into contact with the corner of my desk.

"Ah, fuck!" I sharply inhale, wobbling slighty.

The plate topples out of my hand as I try to regain balance and keep my drink from slipping out the other. With a loud splat!, the food scatters on the carpeted floor. My heart breaks at the sight. There goes my lunch.

The aroma begins to take over the atmosphere and suddenly, I realize that I'm probably going to need Louis to come clean up this mess. My heart quickens a bit at the thought of speaking to him.

I shakily sigh as I place my drink on my desk and then quickly make my way to my door way. Peeping my head out, I look side to side, trying to spot the man.

"Louis?" I speak loudly.

Silence.

"Lou-iiiis," I hum a little louder. Nervous by the thought of his presence.

"Yeah?" His voice erupts through the quiet hallway.

It startles me and my head snaps in the opposite direction, spotting him. He stands at the end of the hallway, looking handsome as always. Only Louis could make a janitor's uniform look so good.

A small lump forms in my throat, my nerves getting to me. Get your shit together, Elisabeth. Why are you so nervous?

"I had a food accident in my office. Need a clean up."

His face shows no expression as he takes in my words. No annoyance, no hostility. It surprises me.

He grabs a hold of his cart and nods. "I'm on it."

"Thanks."

And I quickly disappear back into my office.

Taking a seat at my desk, Louis dully walks in, pushing his janitorial cart. His face is hard as stone. Those blue eyes spot the mess I've made and his forehead creases.

"Jesus, Elisabeth."

My body sinks slightly into my chair, embarrassed and feeling guilty.

"Sorry," I keep.

He sighs and begins to work. He picks up the solid pieces with a broom and dust pan and swiftly tosses them in to the garbage. My mind begins to wander, thinking about his muscles contracting underneath his uniform. He moves so gracefully, like if he's done this plenty of times, but yet his body is slightly slumped as if he's tired of it.

His figure then kneels on the floor, placing different types of chemicals on the carpet. That silky brown hair falls, covering his face.

Probably finished, he lifts himself up from the floor. My head shakes as I quickly turn my attention back to the blank computer screen on my desk.