Pièce de résistance

The Suspicion

Uncertainty. Confusion. Fear. Madness.

Those were the uneasy feelings that invaded Logan for two whole days since they return to Paris after his successful stint at New York Fashion Week. He didn't know what or why but he was really bothered and it had everything to do with the love of his life, Kendall.

On the first night of their return, Logan jolted awake from a bad dream. In his dream, he and Kendall were walking hand in hand, free and happy like the lovebirds that they are but suddenly, Kendall began to fade away. Logan began to panic and frantically grab hold of Kendall but it was no use. Before long, Kendall had completely disappeared, leaving Logan alone. When he woke, he felt around for Kendall, hoping and praying that he was there by his side. And he was. He was relieved but not for long. Somehow, the sight of Kendall gave him fear, an unknown, foreign fear. What was it? Logan couldn't quite figure it out. Although fearful, Logan was still thankful that his rock was still by his side and he quickly fell asleep again in Kendall's arms, who was unfazed by Logan's sudden waking. Kendall was usually a light sleeper but the exhausting journey from New York to Paris must have worn him out.

On the second day of their return, Logan had a few contract negotiations to go through. Several international agencies wanted to sign him after his outstanding catwalk performance in New York. In the modeling industry, it is normal for a model to be signed to various agencies whether internationally or around the region. Now that Logan had made a name for himself in one of the 'Big Four' fashion weeks, it should come as no surprise that agencies from all over were flooding his mailbox with representation deals. Before Logan took any action, he returned to Ford Models and informed them about the news. It turned out that he did not have an exclusive contract with Ford so he was free to sign with other agencies.

While Kendall went about his business that day, Logan went through the contracts that was presented to him. There were eight contracts in total but only three caught his attention. They were London-based Storm Models, the New York branch of his former agency, Rocque Models and Instar Model Management, an agency based in Beijing, China. He thought of how Storm Models could help him broaden his exposure in the European market while Rocque Models could pave the way for his return to America should Kendall or him decides to go back home, whereas Instar Model Management could help him crack open the Asian market, a market that Logan had only visited briefly. After going through the terms several times, Logan replied the three agencies of his choice, feeling accomplished when he was done. Quite coincidentally, Kendall returned home at that moment. Logan was surprised but judging from the look on Kendall's face, Kendall had some good news to share.

'Looks like someone has some good news.' Logan said, raising an eyebrow.

Kendall went up to Logan and placed his hands on Logan's shoulders, his face plastered with a giant smile. 'I've never doubted that you're a genius! Follow me!'

Kendall then took Logan by the hand and led both of them out of the house, with Logan barely having even a second to compose himself. But he went along with Kendall anyway, knowing full well that Kendall always knows what he's doing. They crossed two streets which took them out of the residential area and into the commercial district. Kendall pointed to a giant billboard on top of a shopping mall. The billboard was an ad for Hush Puppies. The ad featured a smiling Kendall leaning against the wall carrying the famous mascot of the Hush Puppies brand, the Basset Hound, his legs positioned in such a way that attention was drawn to the pair of brown loafers he was wearing. The words Mettre à l'aise can be seen above the Hush Puppies logo at the lower right corner of the billboard. Logan's eyes widened and he turned to Kendall, who shot him a look that felt as if he was saying 'Well?'

'God...your very own billboard! Kendizzle! Your very own billboard!' Logan exclaimed.

'Yes! And my very first billboard!' Kendall joined in the excitement.

'Come here.' Logan held out his arms and Kendall slid into his embrace. Logan took the opportunity to plant a kiss on Kendall's cheek. Kendall chuckled. 'Je suis fière de toi, Kendall!'

'Merci, cherie.' Kendall replied.

As interruption took no permanent form whatsoever, Kendall's phone rang, breaking their body contact.

'Sorry.' Kendall apologized for the sudden disturbance and answered the call. 'Hello? Hi! Yes...thank you! Where are you? Yeah that sounds good to me. See you then!'

Kendall ended the call and turned back to Logan. 'Logie, Guitar Dude just called. He saw the ad too and he's asking me out to go celebrate! Let's go!'

Logan's mind went blank when he heard the name, Guitar Dude. His mind began to form a string of thoughts and they all spew out like waters shooting out from a fountain. Guitar Dude...Greg...is that...? No, surely it can't be, right? Kendall confirmed it himself, there's nothing going on between them. But then again, how can anyone explain this strange feeling I get since we came back here? Why these feelings? I can't believe I 'm saying this but maybe, just maybe, my intuition was right; that guy is up to no good!

'Logie? Logie? Logan!' Kendall shook Logan's shoulders as he called out his name. Logan let out an involuntary gasp and looked at Kendall, flustered. 'Logie, is everything okay?'

'Y-yeah...fine...' Logan said, recovering from his thoughts. Kendall was not convinced and he had a feeling that Logan was having insane thoughts about Guitar Dude again.

'Look, it's fine if you don't feel comfortable with this. I can call off -'

'No, no...just...just go, Kendall. Go and meet Greg.'

'You're coming with me, right?'

'Um...no, I'm fine, Kendall. You go ahead and have fun.' Logan smiled weakly.

'Logie...' Kendall took hold of Logan's hand, who flinched at the contact for reasons unknown even to himself. 'What's wrong? Come on now.' Kendall let go of Logan's hand and replaced his arms around Logan's neck, stroking the back of his soft brown hair.

'Kendall, I'm fine, really. Send my regards to Greg, alright?' Logan pulled out of the hug and flashed Kendall his weak smile again.

'Here.' Kendall handed Logan his phone. 'Copy his number into your phone and call him so that you can check on me.'

'What? No! Are you trying to make an overly attached boyfriend meme out of me? Geez!' Logan laughed and pushed Kendall lightly. Kendall laughed along with Logan.

'Okay I'll go but I promise I'll be back as soon as we're done celebrating, okay?'

Logan nodded. Kendall planted a chaste kiss on Logan's lips before leaving. Logan watched Kendall as he walked in the opposite direction, probably to where Greg or Guitar Dude wanted to meet up. As Kendall got further and further away from his view, the nightmare that Logan had not too long ago crept back into his mind. Is this a sign? Is this coming true?

After taking a final look at the Hush Puppies billboard, Logan started his own journey back home on foot, all the while thinking about the possibility of losing Kendall again and Kendall going back to his first love.

What is this? A test? First there was James, and now there's you, Greg, Guitar fucking Dude or whatever the fuck your name is. Why can't you just get out of my fucking mind?