The blood on Caroline's face flushed. Her eyes looked down on the kitchen tiles.
Here we go again! Max rolled her eyes. "Are you crying?"
Caroline shook her head. "No!" She looked up at Max. "It's just that...you can really be mean and hurtful sometimes."
"And you can be a big baby sometimes!" Max retorted. "You think this is mean and hurtful? What DisneyWorld bubble have you been living in, princess? Welcome to the real world!" Max bit her lip. Ooooh, did I just say all those words out loud? I think I went too far this time.
Is that really how you think of me? A spoiled dumb blonde who can't stand on her own feet? I thought you were different. You're just like everyone else. "That's it! I've had enough of you talking down to me!" Caroline took off her apron and threw it down on the floor. "I'm not taking any more of this verbal abuse."
She straightened her back and directed her gaze towards Oleg. "Oleg, please tell Han that I'm taking the rest of the day off."
You've got to be kidding me. Grow up! Max picked the apron up from the floor and shoved it to Caroline. "They may have taught you the 4-hour work week in Wharton. But we actually work a 40-hour week here at Han's diner."
Caroline pointed her finger at Max. "No, you do." Then, she pointed at herself. "Unlike you, I, Caroline Channing, don't have to."
Hah! We'll see about that. Max raised her right eyebrow. "Whatever. Do what you want."
Caroline turned her back and slowly walked toward the kitchen door.
Oleg shifted his stance to face Max. "Max! Ahem.." He gestured towards the dining room. "Didn't you tell me you wanted to talk to Caroline about something in private...away from the dining room?"
Not my problem anymore. Max put her hands up and shrugged. "I completely forgot what I wanted to talk about." She smiled slightly. "I'm sure it will come to me later tonight or tomorrow."
The kitchen door swayed back as Caroline strolled out into the dining area. As she walked towards the diner entrance door. She paused to greet Earl before heading out. Then, she heard a familiar voice call out from behind her. "Caroline?"
"William!" She whispered under her breath. I can't be caught dead in this diner. She kept her eyes looking straight to the exit as she pushed the door outward, about to leave the diner.
She felt a hand grab and tug on her right shoulder. "Caroline, is that you?" William persisted.
Oh god, he caught on to me. What should I do?