Eating Out

Louis breathed a sigh of relief after sneaking past Andrea. Her back was facing the exit, which made it easy. He stared at her a couple of seconds before sneaking away.

She was still on a phone call, her hair fell over her shoulder and her outfit hugged her petite figure.

He sighed. She looked too good to be a street fighter. Maybe she was an actress or a model.

He bought a cup of coffee before heading for work. He worked as a model for a small fashion house. The pay was bad, but no one was willing to hire him any other place apart from restaurants because of his tender frame.

He walked in and headed to his work station. Most would call him a model. As always, the fashion house was busy crafting new designs.

All he did was to have his measurements taken, and an outfit was made in his size, then photos of it would be uploaded to the media. He didn't have any kind of popularity or anything.

"Hey Louis, over here". One of the designers called him.

He headed over. Louis stared at the newly made piece of teddy shirt. His eyes glittered in amazement.

"Good morning Ben". He greeted him cheerfully. Ben was the head designer at the office. He was older than Louis by almost a decade.

"Ha, what happened to your face", Ben hurriedly asked, but before Louis answered, he added,"You are having a photo shoot today, and you got into a fight, huh".

"Sorry it wasn't my fault", Louis pouted. Everyone was used to him coming to work with a few bruises, but it didn't matter since it was easily covered with makeup.

Ben glanced up at him, scanning Louis up and down with his eyes,"Are you sure you are okay?". His gaze stopped at the bruise on Louis' neck. Louis shook his head. He actually felt better after the hot bath and some painkillers.

Another staff member walked over and threw her hand around Louis's neck,"Hey Louis, I dreamed of you last night".

"Hey Layla, get off me", Louis laughed. Layla slapped her hand on his head and smiled,"You don't treat me well and you know that right".

Layla was a junior designer, and just two years older than Louis. She was the niece of the owner of the fashion house. Her bubbly character easily won over a lot of hearts.

"Let him be Layla. Can't you see the bruises on his face?" Ben winced.

Layla's eyes roamed his body, and she scanned his face,"What happened? Those boys bullied you again, huh"She cried.

"I'm fine. Someone saved me last night", Louis laughed.

"Who?", Layla asked.

"Ah.. You gossip a lot", Louis nudged her off.

Ben went back to work, leaving Louis with Layla.

"Boss asked me to get your make-up done for the photos". Layla dragged him with her.

Suppressing the pain in his ribs, he followed her to her desk. The office consisted of about ten designers, including Ben and Layla. Each one was either sketching designs or sewing fabrics together. He mumbled greetings to a few as Layla dragged him along.

She pulled out a seat for him in front of the mirror. Pulling out the make-up kit, she got to work.

Layla smiled happily." You always look so good but with makeup, you look like a fairy". She complimented.

"Don't exaggerate too much", he laughed. All he said in the mirror was a pale-looking-skinned blonde boy with really cute eyes.

If he was that good-looking, the girl from last night would not have second thoughts about kissing him.

"But it's true". She brushed his eyebrows and moved to curl his lashes.

"Fine, I believe you"Louis laughed.

Layla frowned unhappily,"You are lying, but I won't push you because I'm about to do my favorite part in our makeup session".

"Layla," he yelled, causing her to laugh.

She laughed and picked up the lipstick and a wipe. She cleaned his lips and started applying the liptick,"I love painting your lips, they are so beautiful".

"Stop, I feel so embarrassed", Louis laughed. She did that all the time. Always praising his well carved lips.

"So who saved you last night, huh"Layla asked.

Louis glared at her."I knew you would never let me be in peace".

Layla waved her hand impatiently." C'mon was it a hot guy or a handsome devil?" She sighed dreamily.

Louis frowned as his mind went back to earlier that morning. He was really acting childish because of the previous night. He should have thanked her before leaving.

"It was a girl".

For a moment, Layla went dumb and an incredulous look crossed her face." Louis. You were saved by a girl".

Louis nodded but there was an ache in his heart,"Yeah. A very beautiful one and she…"he quickly held his tongue. He must not reveal he had slept at her place or Layla would never let him be.

"That's terrific, she called the cops, right?".

"She fought them till they ran off" he smiled. Although he did not see much, he knew that it took a lot. Alex and his lackeys might even stay away from him.

Layla dropped the lipstick on the makeup kit and combed his hair." Wow! And what happened? Did you get her number?"

Looking at his appearance, Layla smiled in appreciation. His hair was pressed over, and the edges fell on his eyes. His lips were beautifully coated, and his lashes appeared longer than usual.

Louis' faced turned blank, and he said displeased,"She probably didn't even glance at me twice, but you are asking if I got her number".

Layla chuckled and patted his head tenderly, her eyes were filled with warmth and concern,"You are so handsome and tender, so I believe that any girl will fall for you and if no one does, I'll kidnap one for you."

"You don't have to say that to make me feel better" he said.

She squatted in front of him and smiled gently,"You are one of the best-looking people that I have ever come across", she added.

"I feel better"Louis playfully nudged her hand and stood up. 

"I'm just being sincere". She smiled and followed him back to Ben's desk.

Ben handed him their new designs, and he went into the fitting room to try them on. He carefully pulled off his shirt and pants and put on his new outfit.

He had purplish bruises all over his side and his body was aching. He slowly got dressed and felt thankful, the outfit covered up his bruises.

The outfit was ripped white knee pants and a ripped elbow suit like a shirt. He stepped out and walked into the studio for the photoshoot.

"You look good boy". The photographer complimented and guided him in different poses. After several clicks, he changed into another, a floral shirt with shorts and a peacock hand fan. 

It was nearly two when he finished with the photo shoots.

"I'm done for the day" he said as he picked up his phone.

"Bye Layla"

"Bye Louis".

He smiled happily, his bullies were nowhere in sight, they must be treating their injuries. He smiled and so decided to grab something to eat.

"Hey wait up". Layla came running out of the fashion house.

Louis paused and turned towards the entrance,"Is anything wrong, huh".

Layla breathlessly stopped in front of him. She quickly held his hand and smiled broadly,"I asked for a few hours off, and I want to take you out, bills on me".

Louis looked anxious and pulled his hand away from Layla,"You don't have to spend your money on me".

She didn't want him to refuse, so she pouted at him,"I just want to celebrate with you and I promise that I won't spend a lot".

After a moment of silence, he gave in,"Fine, but I'll pay for my own food".

"No. It's my treat so just enjoy it,"Layla linked their arms together, ignoring Louis' look of protest.