Chapter Text
As usual, Heathrow Airport was busy, one of the major international airports in West London, United Kingdom. Businessmen, tourists, overseas workers, flight attendants, pilots and other people waiting all around for their loved ones to arrive filled the place as early at 7:30 am. Meanwhile, a certain flight from New York arrived, carrying EMPIRE's successful and well-known personality back to his home.
Three years being away from his family had taken its toll on the man but despite feeling homesick earlier his stay, it only made him work harder and reach where he is today. His old friends would even call him one of the richest British bachelors. If you would ask Louis, he'd tell you he never saw this version of himself coming. Back then, he was just an eighteen year old boy working as an intern in one of the biggest companies in London. Who thought he’d be an important asset in a huge company in New York City?
After taking the lift, CEO of Styles Industries hopped into his Range Rover as he drove to the airport to pick up his boyfriend. He hasn't seen him for a while now and he took his phone to dial his number, knowing that for sure he already landed.
Back to the airport, Louis' phone rang as he pulled his suit case to the exit gate. He took his phone from his right pocket and smiled when he saw the caller's ID. "Hello?"
"Hey, I'm almost there." Harry said when he saw the airport's sign, stopping at the red light ahead.
"Hmm.. Where?" Louis whined but smiled wider at the same time.
"Impatient you are, as always." Harry replied as he drove again, entering the airport's lot. "I can see you now." He added when he saw him standing by the exit.
"Well, I can't." Louis said, laughing lightly.
"Almost there." He whispered, turning so he can park his car nearby the exit. "You'd see me in 5, 4, 3—"
Louis didn't wait for another second to pass and hang up the phone when he saw his mother's white BMW X1 pulling over. He was waving ecstatically at his sisters sitting at the back, with Lottie already opening the door even when his mum hasn't pulled the car in full stop yet.
Meanwhile, two cars behind them, Harry Styles was hugging his boyfriend of two years Noah Shaw, also his CMO, who came back from a business trip in America. "How's the flight?"
"Okay, I guess." He answered as he pulled his raven hair back. His blue eyes blinking back at him, tiredly. "Let's go."
Harry nodded and wasted no time helping him get his things to his car, obviously not knowing a very familiar someone also arrived in London. Someone who was currently getting ambushed by his younger sisters.
"God, I missed all of you. So much." Louis said hugging his identical siblings tightly. He looked over the older two among them who were carrying his bags to the car. "Charlotte, Felicite, come here babycakes, give your old brother a hug first."
Fizzie rolled her eyes but a smile formed in her face. She and Lottie walked forward, hugging their older brother tightly. "Hi Lou."
He hummed in response and backed away half a minute later only to hug his mum. "Hi, mum."
"Hello love." Jay said as her first born walked to her open open arms. "I'm glad you're back."
"Me too." He muttered, his chest tightening. "I missed being home so much."
When they were all settled inside, her mum asked if he wanted to eat first before driving home to Doncaster. He politely refused, apologizing as he told her he has a meeting to attend to around nine. He then asked her to drive to his flat in Hampstead.
"Working right away, Lou?" She asked, a bit concerned that her son might be working too much. She thought he could get some rest first, especially with a jet lag.
Louis bit his lower lip for a while before answering, "Yeah, quite urgent actually."
"Oh. I don't think I caught this in our conversation before your flight, what meeting again?" His mother asked.
"A proposal from the Styles." He answered almost nonchalantly. His mum turned quickly to look at him, a little shocked from the information.
"Oh."
Louis only nod, he could feel Lottie and Fizzie's eyes in the back of his head, watching him with worried expressions. "You sure about this, Lou?" Lottie asked, earning a light smack on her left thigh from Fizzie.
"Of course." He answered just when he noticed the large billboard that used to show a very familiar face. "What happened?" He asked, nodding at the changed billboard when his mum turned to look at him.
It took Jay a minute before she understood what he was asking and sighed when she finally did. "Apparently, he is not the wealthiest businessman in Britain anymore. If I remember correctly, Nick Grimshaw managed to steal his spot two years ago."
"Serves him right." Lottie muttered under her breath but Jay caught on.
"Lottie." She reprimanded, her daughter only looked away, brows still furrowed.
Lottie knew everything, that even if her brother happened to be over it already, she still wouldn't be. It was her brother who won't stop crying three years ago anyway.
"Still, Harry's more handsome than Nick!" Phoebe chimed in, making Daisy laugh. The two completely oblivious to the tension inside the car.
"He is! Right, Lou?" Daisy added, looking expectantly at her brother.
Louis only looked at them with a small smile, grabbing the paper bag from his side. "Here, I think you just need chocolates."
°°°
"What?" Harry asked, left hand closing into a fist when his sister and assistant told him how the meeting he missed that morning went. His sister called him, telling him to come to his office as soon as possible.
"They're backing out." His assistant said, a bit nervous that sooner or later her boss will lose it.
"Why? What the hell did they tell you?"
"T-they said you're–"
"Said what?" He asked, harsher than he intended to.
Gemma chose that moment to interfere. "They want out, Harry." She took a deep breath before she continued. "The board don't trust you anymore."
Three years ago, Styles Industries leaded the biggest companies in Great Britain. Second in Europe and among the biggest five, globally. Harry knew how much they lost within those three years. Harry knew how much he lost.
He knew he lost sight of his priorities, including the best interests of their hard-earned company. He knew how much his father could have been disappointed of him if he's still here.
Most people still call him "The Titan" despite, as he quoted some gossip magazines, losing his title to none other than Nicholas Grimshaw. Three years ago and few years back, Harry was known as a royalty in the business world. His reign was even considered as golden among Britons since Britain has been receiving more pounds and dollars whenever he made partnership internationally. Today, at the age of 30, he's listed under Time's Top 20 Wealthiest and Most Influential people. Just as what was expected to someone bearing the name Styles.
"Call the Greys. We're asking for help." He then said, thinking it was the only choice they have now.
"We can't do that." Gemma answered quietly.
"What?"
"They’re moving to Grimshaw's."
"Goddamn it!" Standing, Harry walked to the other side of his office, facing the large windows. "What other choice do we have?" He asked, knowing his sister already thought of possible solution.
"If we don't get a huge partnership ASAP, we're going to lose Styles Hotels and even the Airline." She took a deep breath before continuing, "We have to get the EMPIRE."
"Okay, make an appointment and we'll send Castro to New Yo–"
"Already done that. A consultant from EMPIRE is coming here, at nine.”
Harry quickly turned to look at her and then to the clock which read 8:30 am. Pulling his long hair backwards, he said. "Okay. Okay, ask them to prepare the meeting hall. Smith?" He caught the attention of his assistant. "Go."
She rushed to exit the room, almost slamming the door loudly. He didn't notice Gemma chewing her lower lip, contemplating what to say next. "Harry."
"Hm?" He hummed in response, already sitting in his chair again, reading emails from his laptop.
“That consultant–I actually asked for his help. So we can persuade the EMPIRE easier.”
What she said made Harry stop typing. “Really? I honestly can’t imagine someone would be willing to help a company about to fall.” Soon enough, he was regretting what he said when his sister visibly flinched.
“He used to work for us.”
Oh. Harry immediately felt his blood run cold. “And this is?” He asked, controlling his features as he felt Gemma’s careful look at his face.
“Mr. Tomlinson.. Louis Tomlinson.”