Restricted

Chapter 18

Management wasted no time in getting Louis back into the mainstream. With Louis's new Harry-less depression he didn't go out at all and declined any and all invites from old flings. His team was ecstatic believing this new somber Lou was a result of their genius plan to send him away. Oh how stupid they were.

Louis was briefed almost immediately after his return of a gala he was expected to attend. It was supposedly the prime event for kicking off his post R&R career.

Seated in the meeting that held all the members of his team and his parents, they explained the plan.

"Okay so Louis, you aren't set to perform now but Mike and I think it'd be wise if you offered. Show you're a more charitable person and fame hasn't gone to your head and all that... Louis? Louis are you listening to me?" Sean, his head events coordinator, questioned. Louis sat up suddenly and wiped the drool from his chin, quickly covering his doodle of he and Harry titled "The Styles'".

"What? Yeah... 'Course. Arse kissing, singing, charming important people. I'm solid guys, I know how to do my job."

Truth was, Louis hadn't been listening. He hadn't really listened to anything since he drove away from that town that held everything he cared about. Sean had started up again on something like seating and people Louis'd slept with. Louis sighed loudly.

"You know guys, this is really fun and all but unless you tell me I can go ahead and hop on out of the closet, I don't see what I'm doing here."

To his right, Carl gave him a nudge, something like, 'I know what you mean and you're right. But knock it off you're being a prat'

Louis rolled his eyes and slumped back in his chair when Liam chimed in.

"You know... I think it'd be wise if Louis took someone to this gala." Louis's brow narrowed in suspicion, what was Liam up to? "Like, a girl obviously. For reputations sake? Someone to credit his 'transformation' for? How about El! I'm sure she'd love to, right El?"

Eleanor barely suppressed a high pitch squeal at the suggestion.

"Oh god. You can't be serious?" Louis craned his neck away from Eleanor to avoid her slaughtered expression. "I'm gay Eleanor. It's obvious, everyone knows. Get over it." Louis snapped. Wow, he really was a fuck head.

"Louis, we think that's a great idea. You will take Eleanor to the gala and you will make sure she has a great time. Grow up, will you?" Mike added through his teeth. Since when did his entire team hate him so much?

"Fine Mike. But I won't fuck her afterwards, if that's what you're hoping. Gay isn't temporary." Ignoring the appalled looks on everyone's faces, he stormed out of the building and out to his car.

He laid his head on the steering wheel and cried for a while, missing Harry. Wondering how his mom was. Hoping she was getting better. It wasn't long before he was calling the only hospital in Holmes Chapel and asking for anyone who could update him on the state of Anne Twist.

After a while of being deferred and put on hold Louis discovered that Anne had recovered almost fully in the last week. It was a miracle that none of the doctors understood but she was practically fully healthy and he had no reason to worry. It simply hadn't been her time.

Louis thanked the woman on the phone and set it down. Bowing his head, he felt the all too familiar burn of tears in his eyes but this time, out of relief. Harry didn't lose her. Harry had someone.

It didn't change that Louis's life was bad for Harry and he wouldn't go back, but it was an incredible relief to know she was okay. Louis couldn't help but think, what if he'd stuck it out another month? Been there for Harry's mother's recovery? Became worthy of him? Not run away from the problems that separated them.

He knows what would have happened, he would've told Harry he was leaving, Harry would've dropped his entire life and came with him and Louis would be responsible for his misery. Harry didn't deserve the stresses and prosecution that went with being a gay celebrities boyfriend. He'd done the right thing. He was sure he had.

Hadn't he?