Mr Hood

Chapter 10

CALUMS POV

* Three days later *

Three days had passed and I had not seen her again.

It was like she was avoiding me.

I had not seen Michael either but I was not complaining

I was glad to see the back of him.

Each day for the last three days, I had gone to the staff room during her lunch but she was not there.

I went by the cubicles but she was always mysteriously gone.

I blamed Michael.

Whatever ideas he had put in her head was the reason she was avoiding me.

And I hated that.

I hated knowing she physically could not stand me and went out of her way to avoid me.

I just wished she would listen when I told her he was bad news.

I knew that he had told her some lies because everyone in this place knew he was a compulsive liar.

Everyone except her.

I was surprised Ashton had not said anything.

It was clear he was close to her so I assumed he would want to protect her.

That was exactly why I had called him to my office.

A light knock at the door announced his arrival.

"Come in," I called, as I took a seat.

"You wanted to see me sir?" he asked, as he stood in the open doorway.

"Yes. Please, have a seat," I said, waving to the chairs.

He sat opposite me, his hands placed in his lap twisting together nervously.

"I just want to clear some things up," I informed him.

"You are close to Daisy, correct?" I asked.

"Y-yes sir," he stuttered.

"And you have told her to stay away from Michael, correct?" I asked.

"Yes sir," he replied with more vigour.

"Have you told her that he can be a compulsive liar?" I inquired.

He frowned and I knew without him speaking, that he had not.

"May I ask, why not?" I questioned. "Because from what I have seen you are very close. I would have thought you would be eager to keep her safe," I noticed.

He sighed as he looked up at me.

"I just want her to be happy sir. And she seems to have fun with him. Who am I to ruin that?" he questioned.

I did see his point, but her happiness should not come from him.

"I understand Mr Irwin. But I would now like to ask you for a favour, if I may?" I informed him.

He nodded.

"I want you to keep an eye on him. Make sure he does not do anything to hurt her, physically or emotionally. If she tells you anything that he has said, report back to me immediately. Also, keep her occupied at all times, take her to lunch, ask her out in the evenings, just keep her busy so he has no way of seeing her. Can you do this for me?" I asked him.

It was a big ask but I needed this from him.

And I trusted him.

"Of course sir," he finally grinned. "I want to protect her just as much as you do."

"Thank you. That is all I wanted to speak about. You are free to leave," I announced.

I pulled up my laptop and began typing as he left.

He stopped at the door, hesitating and finally turned.

"Can I ask Mr Hood, why do you want to protect her so badly?" he asked the inevitable question.

"Because I love her."

--

YOUR POV

* The next day *

I had successfully managed to avoid Calum for four days straight.

And Michael as well.

Of course, I'd had help from Ashton.

I'd made him promise to warn me when he saw either of them coming.

He'd spotted Michael only twice and I'd ran straight for the bathrooms.

Calum, on the other hand, had been more eager to see me.

He'd come by the cubicles three times each day, and even passed by the staff room, as I was leaving for lunch.

Thankfully, Ashton had kept to his promise and had my back.

But what he had to say today, I was not prepared for.

"Good morning," I said, cheerily as he took his seat.

He smiled rather sadly at me.

"Ash?" I asked, concerned.

"We need to talk," he mumbled.

He nodded down the hall to the staff room.

I followed him down there, my mind coming up with all kinds of crazy scenarios.

When he entered the room, he closed the door behind us.

"I don't think I can help you hide anymore," he told me, sadly.

His tone was remorseful, like he had let me down.

"Oh," I said, not really knowing what he wanted.

"I just don't think it's fair. Why are you hiding if you like Michael so much?" he questioned.

"I just feel bad for hating either of them. I mean, I still highly dislike Calum. But I don't think it's fair to hate. And anyway, I'm the cause for their constant arguing so I'm stepping back," I explained.

He chuckled.

"They were arguing before you came along. You just pushed them off the edge," he teased.

I slapped his arm and he gasped, feigning hurt as he rubbed his arm.

"And I'm ending it. I don't want to get in the middle anymore. Calum may have stolen Michael's girlfriend and not given him his promotion, but that has nothing to do with me," I decided.

I stepped around him and moved to my locker.

I pulled out my phone and notebook and pens, then shoved the bag in the locker.

As I locked it, I noticed Ashton was being oddly quiet.

When I turned back to him, his face had dropped and he was slack jawed.

"Ash," I breathed.

"What did Michael tell you?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"That he had a girlfriend and Calum wanted her. Michael said he was supposed to be offered a promotion, but Calum gave him an ultimatum. If he wanted his promotion, he must dump his girlfriend," I told him, shrugging like it was obvious.

"That fucking liar!" Ashton seethed.

He stormed out of the room leaving me alone and wondering if what I had said was wrong.

Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it.

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