"Let go of me!" Matthew said as he struggled free of Gilbert's grip, who had grabbed him when they reached downstairs. "What do you want? I don't even know you and here you are bothering me!"

Gilbert's smile never faltered. "Well, it seems to me that I just saved your job, obviously."

Matthew frowned and faced him. "Well, it seems to me that if it wasn't because of you, I wouldn't have got fired in the first place, obviously." Matthew glared at him as he pretended to think.

"Hmm, I wouldn't be too sure. He didn't look like he favored you to begin with."

Matthew felt tears coming to his eyes. He knew he wasn't favored by him. But he just had to bring it up, didn't he? Matthew started walking away towards the closet and away from him. "He doesn't favor any of the staff," he finally said bitterly, holding back tears. "Now if you don't mind, I have work to do so why don't you just go bother someone else?"

Gilbert couldn't believe it. He just saved this guy's butt and now he was telling him to scram? Like hell he would!

"If you've forgotten, I will be the future manager of this hotel, so why don't you change your damn attitude and be a little nicer and respectful, Williams."

"Great, he sounds just like Ben." Matthew thought, "Now the future head of the hotel hates me." He usually didn't care what people thought of him but, he didn't know why he wanted Gilbert to like him. Maybe it's because he'll be his boss one day, yes that has to be it.

Matthew grabbed a couple of brushes from the closet and a bucket then looked at him. "Okay Mr. Beilschmidt, I am sorry, b-but could you just leave me alone."

Gilbert groaned behind him. This was so frustrating! How dare he tell him what to do!

"Listen, I do-"

"No! You listen to me!" Matthew finally snapped. "I know you are mister rich-butt-son-pants, but that doesn't give you a right to just pester me until I break! I rather be fired! I know Mr. Jones doesn't like me, okay!? He's my damn stepdad! He has always favored my older brother and he treats me l-like crap, okay?!" Tears started to stream down Matthew's face. "Now if you excuse me, I have a damn job to do."

Gilbert just stood there, wide eyed and in disbelief. He watched as Matthew walked away and felt as guilt gave him a good slap in the face.

oOoOo

The next day Matthew ran to work in his school uniform after school and arrived at the hotel about five minutes early. He went to the closest washroom and changed into his hotel uniform. He knew that the staff was meeting at the lobby again because Gilbert was supposed to say how he felt about the hotel at that point and alert Mr. Jones of any changes he wanted to make to the place. He gritted his teeth, knowing that he'll have to see that jerk again, but kept a straight face.

Matthew stepped into his usual spot in the second line-at the end. Maria saw him and gave him a little wave from her new spot at the middle of the first line; Matthew smiled back. Then suddenly Maria made gestures to her tie and neck. Mr. Jones was slowly making his way to the lobby.

Matthew was confused at Maria's gestures but then reached up to his neck and realized he had forgotten to put on his tie! Mr. Jones was stricter than strict about correct uniforms and dress codes. Matthew knew he would get a major embarrassing chiding from him in front of everyone if he didn't have on his tie. Maybe he'll even get fired a second time!

Matthew panicked. He didn't have time to go back up and put on his tie and Mr. Jones was making his way into the lobby. "Damn, what am I going to do?"

Before he could think of anything, a navy blue tie was thrown at him-like a gift from heaven. Without thinking, he grabbed it and tied it quickly around his neck the minute Mr. Jones took his first step in between the rows. Matthew quickly glanced around and saw that Gilbert was the only one without a tie around his crisp white collar. His heart warmed because up until this point, he always thought Gilbert to be cold-hearted and he smiled weakly at him. Gilbert just looked away and out the window like he didn't see him.

"Ugh, he's still a jerk. But, Mr. Jones won't yell at Gilbert for not wearing his tie for sure," thought Matthew, "so he is safe."

"Alright everyone! You all know why you're all here so I won't waste my breath to explain to you," Mr. Jones said. "Mr. Beilschmidt? After a day spent at our hotel, what do you think of the staff, system, and the look of the hotel?"

Gilbert looked straight at Mr. Jones and smiled, "I appreciate you for asking my opinion."

Mr. Jones stood up straighter and prouder. Then Gilbert turned to the group and said, "I think that the staff was very well-chosen and very fit for this hotel. The system's relatively good, it can be improved though." he nodded at the old walking stick who smiled and replied, "Of course, Mr. Beilschmidt," like a true suck-up. "Okay then, everyone get your carcasses back to work!" he shouted at everyone except Gilbert. "And you are on cleaning duty today, Williams," he added to Matthew when he passed him.

"Cleaning? Did that include scrubbing toilets?" Matthew frowned.

"You mean scrubbing toilets, sir?" asked Matthew. Mr. Jones turned around, looking annoyed. "Of course, Williams. Get to work."

Matthew frowned but then someone spoke.

"But, Mr. Jones, the toilets were already cleaned by someone else on the staff."

Matthew froze when he heard this.

"Of course, Mr. Beilschmidt! I mean he could vacuum th-"

"Why doesn't he take lunch duty? I think the cook is starting to catch a cold."

Mr. Jones' face grew red and he nodded. "O-of course. Okay Williams, you're making lunch today."

Matthew stood there is disbelief. Why was Gilbert helping him? How did he know he liked to cook?

Matthew gave Gilbert a warm smile and turned to head to the lunch area.

"Don't get use to this, Williams." Mr. Jones mumbled under his breath.

oOoOo

Matthew had a definite spring to his step as he strolled upstairs. Not getting fired, no toilets, and being a normal hotel worker for once could really lift a boy's spirits. A familiar uniformed worker passed by then side tracked back to Matthew.

"Whoa, what's the sunny smile all of a sudden for?" Maria asked curiously.

Matthew smiled even wider as Maria fell in pace with him to the cleaning equipment closet.

Maria looked suspicious all of a sudden, "It's not about having an unbelievably handsome new worker here, is it?"

Matthew halted. "What?! There's an unbelievably handsome new worker here?"

Maria laughed heartily, "Duh! Don't tell me you're blind and haven't noticed that Gilbert or, 'Mr. Beilschmidt', has dropped from the sky and into this humble little hotel." Matthew stared at Maria. He'd been so wrapped up about toilet scrubbing and being angry at the world that he completely forgot Gilbert was even the slightest bit attractive.

"Gilbert? He's a not THAT good-looking," he covered up and lied as he continued his pace and shrugged.

"Ha! You must be blind then. Haven't you seen every girl at this hotel swoon over him like a show piece whenever he passes by?"

Matthew shrugged again, "If you love him so much, why don't you go and sworn like the others?"

Maria pretended to look insulted, "First, I do NOT 'love' him, I just have eyes, unlike some people," she glanced meaningfully at Matthew. "And second, I do NOT swoon like a little giggly school girl."

Matthew smiled at his friend's normal attitude and hung his arm carelessly around Maria's shoulder, "Yes, my friend. You don't 'swoon', you 'stalk' right?"

Maria nudged Matthew in the stomach with her elbow then put her arm over Matthew's shoulder also and grinned, "Maybe..." They continued to walk like two best friends, until Maria reached over and pulled the maroon tie that hung loosely around Matthew's neck gently to her nose.

"Cologne. Aren't you going to return that to Gilbert?" Maria indicated the tie.

"Sure," Matthew replied mindlessly while opening the closet of cleaning equipment with his employee key, "I'll do it after we finish busting our butts."

Maria smiled and turned to leave, "Well, back to work I guess."

oOoOo

It was almost 7:00p.m. when Maria and Matthew finished cleaning. Maria left Matthew to hurriedly set up a ride home since Matthew had insisted on walking.

Matthew opened the door to the main lobby, suddenly regretting his last move when he saw the scene in front of him. A crowd of loud girls was surrounding the reception desk. At the center was Gilbert, sitting like a king with all the time in the world as he talked to the girls charmingly.

It made Matthew sick. All thoughts he had of this person having at least half a heart diminished immediately. Gilbert was just another rich, spoiled playboy with a pretty girl at his every beck and call.

He angrily ripped the tie from his neck and started to push through the crowd of perfumed and giggly girls. After breaking a sweat to finally reach him, he threw the tie at him and hissed, "Here Mr. Beilschmidt. Thanks for the tie but you make me sick." Then he stomped back to the back of the hotel and could hear the girls behind him whispering curiously.

"What's his problem?" one asked. "He thinks he's all that," another whispered.

Matthew ignored them but clenched his fists as he walked out. Why was he so mad anyway? It wasn't like what he did was any of his business, but he WAS angry for some reason. Maybe it was because he thought it wasn't fair that other employees, even if they'll be the future boss of the hotel, should be slacking off during work hours flirting with pretty girls. "Yeah, that MUST be it." he told himself.

Someone grabbed his shoulder and turned him around, shaking him from his thoughts.

"What, Mr. Beilschmidt?" he said rudely.

All the girls were gone, Matthew noticed.

Gilbert looked angry also, "How is it that I make you sick?"

Matthew pretended to think, "I really don't know. Maybe it's because you're a stupid jerk with money, you please yourself with pretty girls and slacks off during work hours?" he said this innocently and sarcastically then added, "Typical."

Gilbert looked even madder. He grabbed a fistful of his collar and pulled his face up to his. Matthew struggled but his dignity and pride was still intact, "What? I hit a nerve now?"

Matthew's face was inches from his. Why was no one stopping this? They were in the middle of the hotel for goodness sake! Can no one see that he was likely to get beaten up and try to HELP? Matthew groaned mentally, knowing Mr. Jones, if he DID see anything involving himself in some life or death situation, he was likely to look the other way pretending he didn't see a thing and with an even happier mood than before. It was just his luck that all the hotel guests were probably watching T.V. cozily in their five-star rooms.

"You think I'm 'typical'?" he growled dangerously.

"No use struggling." Matthew thought helplessly. Instead, he hung limply and put on a bored expression with his fists clenched, ready for punching.

"What? Are you going to hit me now?" he sneered, thankful that he didn't sound helpless and scared, like how he really was feeling.

He flashed a not-too-kind smile and matched his sneer with an impressive one of his own, "No, Williams. I don't hit babies."

Matthew took this chance to knee him in the groin as hard as he could and struggled when his grip loosened. He stumbled but seemed to regain himself quickly. "You don't hit babies, but I hit jerks," he said cheekily before plowing his fist right into his jaw; anger taking over him, so he didn't even notice what he had done.

Gilbert steadied himself, rubbed his jaw, and said, "You're going to pay for that."

Matthew froze, finally realizing what he had done. Gilbert thought he was just trying to act innocent, and scolded at his expression. "Like hell I am going to let him win this easily." he thought angrily.

Matthew tried to give an apologetic smile.

"Okay that's it, no more games," he said before pouncing quickly at him and before Matthew could even move, he was hung like a stack of potatoes on top of his shoulders.

"Argh, put me down NOW!" he yelled at him while struggling all the while. He didn't reply, just opened the heavy glass doors of the front entrance and started walking out.

Matthew was drenched the moment he carried him out. It was obviously raining again. He could hardly see through the rain because it was nighttime and dark.

"Put me down!" he yelled again. When he didn't answer or stop, he screamed, "Where are you taking me?!"

Gilbert stopped and said in a charming voice, "Here."

It was dark, but Matthew could still make out the outlines of a huge, open dumpster. His eyes widened.

"O-oh my God. Y-you're going t-to…throw me in there?" he squeaked.

Gilbert almost laughed at how vulnerable he looked and sound with those cold, pink cheeks and the soft, breathless voice.

The rain continued to come down in bucket loads, drenching every inch of human skin and clothes.

Gilbert dramatically sighed, "Yep, unless you, of course, apologize for saying all those things."

Matthew's chest tightened. He could apologize and get it over with but completely damage his dignity…or get thrown into a big wet dumpster full of trash and God knows how long it will take for him to get out.

Gilbert took his body from his shoulder and instead placed him in front of him in his arms like he was carrying him.

"Well?" He had one arm hooked under his knees and another behind his back. He slowly held him out farther away from him.

Matthew suddenly clung helplessly onto him. "Oh God. I don't want to fall in there…please, please, please." was what he was thinking at the moment but Gilbert was thinking of different things.

He liked having Matthew hug onto him for some reason.

Matthew closed his eyes and prayed that he won't end up on top of stinking bags.

"Okay, okay!" he screamed hysterically, "Just don't drop me in there! I apolo—"

He didn't get to finish what he was saying because Gilbert interrupted by pressing his lips firmly over his.

Chapter two! Sorry for making everyone a little OOC ^^;

Hope you liked anyway!