Mr Hood

Chapter 14

YOUR POV

* The next day *

I was glad that myself and Ashton had finally made up.

He promised he wouldn't badmouth Michael again and would keep all opinions to himself.

He'd asked if he could take me out to lunch again today.

"I just need to go to the copy machine and then I'll be ready to leave, okay," he said.

I nodded and he smiled as he stood up and walked off.

Almost as soon as Ashton left, Michael appeared.

I had a strange feeling that he'd been waiting, lurking behind one of the walls.

As he neared me I couldn't remember whether I was pissed at him or not.

I did miss our daily chats and back and forth banter.

But after what Ashton had told me, I started feeling differently towards him.

Why would Ashton lie to me?

"Hey. I haven't seen you in ages," he greeted as he came to stand beside my cubicle.

He leant his arm across the top of the cubicle wall.

"Hi. I've been busy," I told him.

"I figured as much. New kid on the block must be dragged down with all the work. Hood always gives the newbies the most work to do. Tests their potential or some shit," he explained, rolling his eyes.

I nodded and looked back at my computer.

"You free for lunch today? I thought we could have a big catch up," he said behind me.

The hope in his voice was killing me.

I really did feel bad for avoiding him.

He hadn't actually done anything remotely wrong as far as I was aware.

I looked back with a sad smile.

"I can't sorry. Ashton's taking me out," I apologised.

"Again," he huffed.

I looked at him as his eyes narrowed and his lips formed a tight angry line.

"Please Daisy. Why not spend a little one on one time with your old friend? I'll be good," he said with a cheeky wink.

I couldn't help but giggle at his cheeky behaviour.

"I have reason to doubt whether you'll be good Michael," I teased.

He gasped, holding his chest and feigning hurt.

"Come on Daisy. One day out with me and we can chat like we used to," he begged me.

"How about tomorrow? I'm free then," I told him.

"Yeah sure. Tomorrows good for me," he said finally smiling.

He touched my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"See you tomorrow Daisy," he said, as he backed up.

"See you tomorrow Michael," I laughed.

He winked as he turned and left.

Something told me I shouldn't tell Ashton about my plans until tomorrow.

He would somehow find a way to get me out of it.

Ashton appeared again by my side with a smile and handed me my bag.

"Got it for you," he said.

I smiled and took the bag from his hands, and we exited the building.

--

ASHTONS POV

"So have you spoke to Michael recently?" I asked between bites.

The disgust was clear in my voice, but I was trying to hide it.

"You don't have to do that Ashton," she told me.

"I want to Dase. We're friends and if you and Michael are going to be friends, I'll try to accept it," I promised her.

She sighed as she put down her sandwich.

"Ashton," she whispered, reaching for my hand across the table.

"I'm just trying to protect you Daisy," I told her.

She pouted and her grip on my hand loosened.

I grabbed it tightly, forcing her to look up at me through her lashes.

Her brow puckered as she became irritated.

"I know you don't like people saying you need protected. But you do from Michael," I told her.

She stiffened, as she glared across at me and pulled her hand back.

"Don't shut me out again. Please Daisy," I begged. "I know you don't want to hear anyone talking shit about him and I know I promised, but I'm still going to be wary of him. I'm still going to be watching out for him. I'm going to be aware."

She sighed as she looked back down at me, her eyes sad.

I didn't want to hurt her.

"I know Ash. Thank you, you're a good friend," she said, with a grateful smile.

We finished eating and didn't speak about Michael again.

I just hoped I would be able to keep her away from him before Calum spoke to her and showed her that video.

I knew after our little meeting, he'd try and tell her a bunch of lies and drag her back into it all.

She had only one weakness and that was that she didn't see the bad in people.

It could be seen as a good thing of course but it was also pretty bad.

She ignored the signs that he was a bad person and continued to believe that he had changed.

I didn't believe that people could change if I was honest.

And I certainly didn't believe he could.

We paid for our meal and left the cafe, heading straight for the office.

Today had gone better than I had imagined.

I just hoped Calum could make her see sense and make her believe the truth for once.

That's all I hoped for her.

I wanted her to be happy.

And I knew Calum would make her more than happy.

I knew he was a loyal person and would take care of what was his.

He would make sure she wanted for nothing and was happy.

He was a good man, Mr Hood.

But Mr Clifford was not.

--