The Takeover {Larry Stylinson}

HARRY POV

I was sitting in my office, thinking about Louis, again. Thinking about him made me remember that I needed to renew his contract. I remembered asking him where it was, but the only problem was that I didn't quite remember his answer. I sighed. I was too busy getting lost in his beauty that I forgot to take note of what he was saying. But suddenly, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. I checked the drawer in the desk and saw that the contract wasn't there. I smiled, a plan forming in my head.

I called for Louis, and within five minutes, he was standing there in front of me, looking at me in confusion.

"Louis, you told me that the contract was in the drawer but I can't find it in here." I said, knowing full well that that was definitely not where he had said the contract was. I could search my room to see where it was, but I wanted to see him again.

"Sir -"

"Please call me Harry. Sir makes me feel too old."

"But I work for you so I don't think I will be comfortable calling you by your name when all my co-workers call you Sir and plus, it is beyond the code of conduct."

"Okay, how about this then. You can call me Sir in front of everyone, but when we are alone, you can call me Harry." I said, desperate to make him feel like I am a friend.

"Okay Si- erm, I mean Harry." I nod approvingly. "I told you that the contract is in the cupboard over there. I think there had been some confusion."

I was confused at first about what the hell he was talking about. But I soon realised that I had called him for a reason, and he was answering my query. So, I picked up the keys to the cupboard and headed over to it. I opened it and tried looking for it, but again I called for Louis, because this time, I really couldn't find it. Louis came and looked for it and within a matter of minutes, he handed me the contract.

"May I go now, Harry?"

"No!" I answered a little too fast. " Uh- I mean, erm, you will ha-have to stay here until I am done with reading this contract." I tried to save my ass and then I quickly realised that it won't be enough time to spend with Louis so I added, " and modifying it to fit your new employee profile."

"What do you mean new employee profile?"

"You won't be working as a waiter here anymore, Louis." I informed him.

"But why? Did I do something wrong?"

"No Louis, I am promoting you."

"Promoting? What will be my new post?"

"Why do you have to ask so many questions?" I asked, laughing.

"Sorry, Harry."

I didn't reply, I just nodded and started going over the contract. It was sickening, the purpose with which it was formed, and the way Presco had tried to prevent the contract from every loophole just so he could use Louis. If it wasn't for the unawareness of Presco, Louis would never have been able to get out of the trap.

As I was going through the contract, I was thinking about what position I should offer him. I suddenly thought that a manager was needed for this hotel. There was an assistant manager, but not a manager. I thought that Louis would be apt for that post since he had been working rigorously in this hotel even after going through such an ordeal. Sure, he tried to resign, but when he worked, he worked to his fullest potential. It was clear from the customers' feedbacks. Sure it was way too early to trust him with such a position, but I had a feeling that he would do justice to the job.

And I have to admit, that if he was the manager, he would be closer to me. But, that wasn't the only reason. I knew he had potential. Soon, I started re-framing the contract. Louis was trying to take a peek at his profile but I wanted to keep it a surprise, so I looked up and gave him a mock glare. He sat back timidly in his seat and started looking around, looking anywhere but at the contract.

Once I was done framing it, I re-read the terms and conditions and smiled, satisfied with my work. I called Louis to where I was sitting and he came to stand by me. I handed him the contract, and I saw the shock on his face when he saw his new post.

"Harry, I-I can't take this job. There are more experienced people who are worthy of this post. Why don't you give it to Paul? He has been the assistant manager for a very long time."

"I know Louis. But I think that you have that potential and also that you have shown a lot of dedication to the hotel. If you wanted, you cold get the hotel to shut down, but you didn't. I know that you asked the cops about what would happen to Riveria after Presco went to jail. I think it was very selfless of you that instead of breathing in a sigh of relief that Presco had gone to jail, you chose to care about those fifty people who work here as staff to earn a living. Also, I have been looking at the feedbacks the customers had given about you and they were amazing. One would think that with all that you were going through, you would be grumpy and snappy and do your job with irritation and frustration, but you have done your work with utmost devotion and to the satisfaction of the customers. I was looking at the reviews for the hotel over the past year and in the last past five months, the ratings have increased drastically. Sure, you are not the only reason, but Louis you have been a major part of this. Most of the good reviews we have received are about your services. So I think that you would be absolutely amazing for this post." I finished and gave him a wide smile.

He looked like he was one the verge of tears. "Thank you so much Harry. I didn't know I was that good. I didn't think that I would ever be deserving enough for this post. Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me. You deserved it." I responded and he read the whole contract. After he was done reading, he went back home, since the shift was over. Tomorrow, Riveria would have a new manager, and I, a new friend.

Notes