Special thanks to XxxAnimaniacxxX and 2crazy2handle for leaving a review for the previous chapter.(: Also special thanks to Deedee799 and hafsanasir395 for recently following the story. :3

Not much else to say…but I hope you guys like the chapter. :D

The look on his face was priceless. Anyone could tell that my words had a stabbing effect on James, and quite frankly…I think he deserved worse. I don't know exactly why he was such a douche bag. From the stories I would hear from his mother and step brother, I always pictured him as a gentleman, but that thought flew out the door the first week he started here. It was strange really…when I first met him during that Thanksgiving, he was kind and courteous. But I guess his asshole switch went off the minute he started working. Such a shame a handsome guy like James Maslow was such a dick. Wait…never mind, most pretty people have ugly personalities.

I thought I had the last word when I bowed my head and turned my back to the king of assholes, but he didn't let our confrontation die down. The words he spoke caught me off guard, and not only that but I felt my heart drop. No one has ever brought up my father like that. He had some nerve to be using my past and personal issues against me like that. "That's low…" was all I could say because I could feel a lump on my throat and my eyes begin to water. I didn't want him to see that his words affected me and that he has won and got the last word.

"Is it? Well honestly, I don't care Mr. Schmidt." Was the only thing I could process as the hurt and rage began to flow into me. I tuned him out as he continued to blabber on. Seriously? This jerk is heartless. That or he just hates me enough that he doesn't care if he hurts me or not.

I stood there, trying to hold back from kicking the living shit out of the prick, as I felt him coming closer. I felt him leaning in close to say something and I quickly turned and without thinking…I slapped him as hard as I could. I should've punched him, he defiantly deserved to get punched, but I don't know why my fist opened up as it came in contact with his pretty face. I didn't say anything else as I turned and stormed out of his office. I hope his pretty face is scarred, but then again it was just a slap. It'll only be hurting for a little bit. Knowing Mr. fucking Maslow, he was going to make a big deal out of this and most likely get me fired. Great…I just fucked myself over.

His office doors flew open as I walked into the lobby. Carlos and Logan, who was sitting on my desk, quickly turned their heads to see me rushing towards them. Logan quickly got off of my desk and came over to see if I was alright. "Whoa, what's going on Kendall? Are you alright?"

Carlos was quickly by Logan's side, trying to comfort me as I tried to hold back my tears as I gathered my things. Trying to sound as ok as possible, I took a deep breath before speaking. "I, uhm, don't feel too well Logan."

Carlos leaned over, past Logan, and started touching my forehead. "Oh no, Kendall!" He was trying to see if I had a fever, but in reality I just wanted to go home and be miserable like everyone else that isn't working. I smiled and pushed his hand away as I grabbed my car keys from the desk drawer. Carlos retreated his hand with a hurt expression.

I sighed and forced a smile on my face as I looked at the two standing in my way from escaping this dreaded office. "Look, thanks for being concerned about me guys. But, I just want to go home for the day…"

I must have made it obvious that something happened in Mr. Maslow's office because Logan gave me a sympathetic look before glaring over at James' closed doors. He sighed as me moved over so that I may get passed them and over to the elevator. "Take all the time you need Kendall, and don't worry about informing James. I'll let him know that you'll be out for the rest of the day."

I flashed a small smile at Logan as I passed him and Carlos, "Maybe for the next few days Logan," Carlos looked rather surprised and Logan nodded. I had the sick hours to miss the rest of the week, ever since starting here I've never missed a day. So I couldn't get into trouble for missing work as long as I used my sick leave hours. Carlos pouted as I grabbed my hoodie from the coat rack and tossed it over my shoulder. I rolled my eyes as I ruffled his hair playfully, "I'll be back in a couple of days Carlos, hold the fort down while I'm gone."

"Do you have to be gone so long?" Carlos asked, obviously seeing that I wasn't ill at all. But he was probably scared of being left alone in the office with Mr. Maslow, and I wouldn't blame him. But before I could say anything, Logan placed one of his arms over Carlos' shoulder.

"Don't worry Carlos; I'll do whatever I can to be sure you survive the week while Kendall's absent." He smiled as Carlos turned his attention away from me and to him. Carlos had a big dumb smile on his face, and let's not ignore the fact that he let Logan keep his arm over his shoulder like that for this long. The sight of the two was just too cute; I couldn't help but smile with them.

I cleared my throat and Logan quickly retreated his arm and returned his focus on me. "I'm going now, good luck Carlos!"

"Okay, get well soon Kendall!" Carlos yelled out as I made my way to the elevator.

I turned back to see the two engaging in conversation as I pushed the button for the elevator. I rubbed my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie as the two glanced over and saw me staring. They smiled and waved as the elevator doors opened behind me. I returned the gesture as I walked into the elevator and pushed the button for the main Lobby downstairs. As the elevator doors were closing, I saw Mr. Maslow's doors open. I caught a glimpse of Mr. Maslow as he stood there in his doorway. I made eye contact with the monster just as the doors closed. My anger came flowing back and I threw my middle fingers up in the air and said "Fuck you!" just as the elevator started going down.

I stumbled into my apartment with bags full of groceries and a brown bag with Chinese takeout. I put my groceries away and turned the television on as I plopped down onto my couch with my lo mien noodles as I started channel surfing. The confrontation with my boss earlier had me emotionally drained. After I made it to the parking garage, I cried my heart out in my car and grocery store parking lot. My eyes were puffy and my hair was a mess, but I didn't care at the moment.

Twenty minutes had passed and I tossed my finished takeout boxes in the trash and began opening my fortune cookie. Maybe the wise old Chinese men had some words of wisdom to share with me that could make me feel better. I broke the cookie in half and popped one half into my mouth as I unrolled the fortune. I chuckled and rolled my eyes as I read 'Everything will become clear in time.' Whatever that meant…

For the next two days I just moped around at my apartment being a sad sap. I hadn't shaved and my face was full of fuzz now, but I didn't care. I only had to shave to keep clean for work. Ignoring the groceries I had bought the other day, my trash was now full of fast food and take out containers. I just didn't have it in me to prepare something to eat.

I didn't know what it was…but I hadn't been myself since the incident at work. I smiled as I thought about how James must be going crazy when his best employee isn't there to hold his hand and guide him through his responsibilities. But then Carlos popped into my head and my smile turned into a frown. Aww, poor Carlos, I hope he's able to survive Mr. Maslow's tyranny. Well, he has Logan so he should be good.

Staying at home and doing nothing wasn't helping me at all. All it did was bore me, so I decided to go out and do something today. I showered and changed into something that would be acceptable to go out in. There was no way I was going out looking miserable in comfortable clothes again. I was in self pity mode for the past few days, so today was going to be different. I glanced at the time and it was a little bit before noon, so the office should be let out for lunch soon.

I grabbed my phone and dialed the number to our office. Carlos answered the phone and I decided to disguise my voice to see if he would know it was me. "Hello good day, I was wondering to see who I could speak to to make a complaint about an employee?" I deepened my voice hoping he wouldn't be able to tell.

"Hello, good day to you too sir. Yes of course, H.R. is actually out to lunch at the moment, but if you would like I can write down the complaint and send it to them once they return." Wow, he sounded so professional. "Would you like me to do that sir?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, may I get the name of the employee you're calling about sir?"

"Yes, of course. The employee I am calling about is Carlos Pena,"

He hesitated on the phone, and I could picture his reaction as he continued to speak. "..C-Carlos Pena? O-of course sir, and the complaint you're calling about is?"

"Yeah, I heard that little punk bitch was talking shit. You better tell him to watch his back," I covered the phone with my hand as I started laughing to myself.

"O-okay sir, but that isn't really a complaint…"

"Excuse me?! Who is this speaking?"

Carlos got quiet on the other line, trying to avoid answering the question. I could just picture little Carlos wide eyed, sitting in his desk, with a pen and note pad in hand. I laughed again and stopped disguising my voice as I came clean, "Ha ha, I'm just messing with you Carlos. It's Kendall,"

I could hear a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone and Carlos laughed at himself too before he started to speak again. "Oh my god, Kendall you had me scared there for a bit. You jerk,"

"Ha, I was hoping I would. Anyways, the real reason I called. Carlos, what are you doing for lunch?"

I was sitting at our table sipping on some water as Carlos came into view. I stood up and waved him over, the lost look in his face went away as he walked over to sit with me. We decided to have lunch near the office, so that we may have more time to chit chat and hang out.

We placed our orders and continued to talk when a shadow came over our outdoor table. We both looked up to see Logan standing over us with a big smile on his face. "Logan, hey how are you?" I asked as he took off his sunglasses and placed them in his suit pocket.

"I've been great Kendall, thanks for asking." I smiled and nodded as I took a sip of my drink, eyeing Carlos' obvious attraction to Logan. It was really cute actually. Carlos looked like a school girl that would crush hard on the jock boy; he always had a huge smile around Logan and couldn't help but stare at him.

We began to catch up on things that were happening in the office when we were suddenly interrupted by a voice coming from behind me. "You, uh, ready to go Logan?" Oh no…that voice. I could recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere. It belonged to James. I could see his shadow come next to Logan's, and I just stayed looking at the Carlos.

Logan nodded and took something from James' hand. It was a brown to go bag, so they must have just came to pick up their lunch. And it just so happens it was at the same place we came to eat lunch at. "I guess great minds think alike," Logan said as he held the bag up.

"Yeah, I guess so." I replied. James' presence made the friendly atmosphere turn awkward, and I swear…my blood pressure began to rise as James spoke.

"Glad to see you're doing well, Mr. Schmidt." Aha, he was 'glad' really? I doubted that. He was probably enjoying the time I haven't been at work; it was probably like a vacation for him. I only nodded in response and avoided looking at the asshole, I was afraid I might throw a punch at the guy. He still hadn't acknowledged that it was a douche move to bring up my father like he did, and what made me even angrier was the fact that he didn't apologize.

He took the hint and began walking away towards the office, "Let's go Logan, don't want to interrupt their lunch date." Wow, really? He really is the biggest asshole I've ever met. I watched as he walked away. Logan sighed and shrugged as he began to walk to catch up to his step brother.

"Got to go, have a nice lunch you two!"

Carlos waved goodbye to Logan and returned his attention to me. Carlos didn't seem to notice the awkward vibe just now and continued our conversation about 'The Walking Dead'. Our food was brought to our table just as he began to speak and I stared into the distance to see Logan and James crossing the street at the street lights. I was glaring at James, when he suddenly looked in our direction. Maybe it was just me…but I could swear we were making eye contact. I couldn't be entirely sure though, because he had his sunglasses on. We stared at each other until he turned away.

Carlos was still talking away, not noticing my attention was elsewhere. I poked at my food with a fork and cut off Carlos, "Hey Carlos," He stopped talking and glanced up at me, with his mouth shut and full of food. "How is it at the office since I've been away?"

Carlos finished chewing his food and swallowed before speaking, "It's actually…well it's been quiet really."

"Quiet how?"

Carlos took a sip from his drink and continued, "Well…for one, you've been absent. So our lobby is quiet, I have to play music so I won't go crazy not talking to someone. And Mr. Maslow really hasn't been himself either,"

I raised an eyebrow at the last sentence he spoke. I wonder what he meant by that. Carlos noticed my facial expression and continued, "Ok Kendall, I don't know what happened that morning at work. And we all know something happened; but Mr. Maslow came out of his office right after you left…and Logan stormed into his office."

"Logan stormed into his office?"

"Yeah, it was a bit scary really. Logan's usual sweet and friendly approach turned into anger the moment he saw Mr. Maslow. He excused himself and forced Mr. Maslow back into his office. I don't know what was said in there…but ever since that day Mr. Maslow just goes into his office and only comes out for lunch or whenever he has a meeting to go to. Other than that, he locks himself in his office."

This information peaked my interest. I wonder what Logan had said to James, and did I make it that obvious that something happened? Well, I've been avoiding work…so yeah, it was most likely obvious. I was avoiding the problem instead of confronting it…I've been a coward. Mr. Maslow probably thinks the same of me at the moment, and I didn't like that thought. I wouldn't let him know that he got to me. I was running from my problem, Mr. Maslow, but that was going to stop. Tomorrow was a new day, and I would return to work and show James fucking Maslow that Kendall Schmidt didn't run away from his problems. Even though I kind of already did…but whatever, it'll be in the past tomorrow.

I am planning for next chapter to be kind of an emotional one…I just hope it comes out as good as it sounds in my head. xD We'll find out what happened between James and Logan, and hopefully I can start bringing a bit more Cargan into the story…the Kames romance hasn't started yet, I know, but it will…soon. ;D