Mr Hood

Chapter 16

MICHAELS POV

I had her right where I wanted her now.

Ashton had oddly agreed to letting her come with me without putting up a fight.

But I knew he'd be straight to Calum's office when he got back.

And Calum would be waiting for me when I got back.

I'd had a lucky escape getting out of the office unseen.

I knew he was in a meeting but I wasn't ruling out Luke refusing to let me leave.

He hadn't been around and I'd got out without any obstacles.

Now, as I sat at the table, I grinned, the biggest shit eating grin possible.

I had her in the palm of my hand and I could tell her anything I wanted.

She'd believe me because she was so fucking gullible and naive.

I knew Calum was going to tell her about my little run in with Ashton.

I was oddly surprised Ashton hadn't ran to her already.

But when I'd overheard their conversation in his office just a few days ago, I knew I had a little time.

Calum would be at her soon, telling her everything so I had to work fast.

"So, how's life in the office? With Ashton and everything?" I asked.

I didn't think beating around the bush was what was best right now.

I didn't want to waste time.

I only had an hour with her.

She rolled her eyes as she munched on her pizza.

"Better," she said, shaking her head.

She exhaled deeply and put down her slice of pizza.

"He's still wary about you and claims you lied about Calum," she informed me.

I gasped, clutching my chest dramatically and acting like the innocent party.

"Me lying?" I gasped.

She nodded with a sad smile.

"I didn't lie about anything. Calum has always hated me. They're both liars," I scoffed.

"I thought that too. Like why would you lie about that," she tutted.

"I wouldn't. Ashton and Calum have never liked me. They have always been out to get me," I frowned.

"Michael," she cried, reaching for my hand.

She squeezed it soothingly, and rubbed her thumb across the back of my hand.

She was literally eating this whole bullshit lie up.

How was she not suspicious?

Ashton was her best friend and she wasn't even considering he was telling the truth.

"I just can't believe he'd lie," she pondered.

"He lies all the time Daisy," I lied. "I think he may even be a compulsive liar."

"Really?" she gasped, her mouth falling open.

I thought about it for a second trying to come up with a lie that sounded convincing.

"Oh yeah big time. You know Marley?" I asked.

She nodded.

Let's hope this worked otherwise I'd have thrown myself to the wolves.

"Have you seen the way she looks at Ashton?" I asked.

She thought about it for a minute and then nodded.

"Yeah. She hates him but I never knew why," she said, helping me with my lie.

Bingo!

She was a good one!

"Yeah she does. And I know why," I said smugly.

"Why?" she pressed, leaning forward in her seat.

"He went around the office telling everyone they were together. Turns out he had a little crush and she turned him down. I kinda feel bad for the guy," I lied.

"What did she say when she found out?" she asked.

"Well, it took a while before she finally found out because he told only a few people at the office and he said it was supposed to be a secret so they couldn't utter a word to her," I explained.

"Then he went as far as to say they were engaged. And at the sound of wedding bells a lot of the female employees became excited and wanted to see the ring. So of course they went to her," I said.

"Oh my god. And what did she say? What did she do?" she gasped.

"Well, she told them it was bullshit of course and went to find Ashton. She slapped him up so hard for it and told him to stay away from her in future. Calum was pretty pissed but he kept Ashton on if he promised to stay away from her, because he was too good at his job to lose him."

I span the wheels of the lie in motion and just waited to see if she'd play along.

Of course she believed every word I'd said and she apologised for even believing Ashton a bit.

She said she felt awful for doubting me and begged for my forgiveness.

I pretended to waver the idea and in the end forgave her but made her promise she wouldn't believe him again without coming to me first.

She promised and I sat back smiling proudly.

My job was done.

--

ASHTONS POV

I only agreed to Daisy going to lunch with Michael because I thought she'd be coming to the cafe.

But when half twelve struck and there was no sign of her, I panicked.

I went to text Calum but remembered his meeting and instead texted Luke.

From Ashton:
Hey Luke. I agreed to let Daisy go to lunch with Michael because I thought she'd come to the cafe and I could watch them. But she hasn't come in and it's been half an hour, I'm slightly worried. Can you try and find out where they are, and keep watch?

I waited three agonisingly slow minutes for his reply.

My foot tapped on the wooden floor and my hands clutched the phone tight.

He finally replied and I breathed out a sigh of relief.

From: Mr Hemmings
I will look for her now and keep you updated. Don't worry we don't have to let Calum know.

I was relieved to know he hadn't texted Calum in those three minutes it took to reply.

I didn't want Calum getting wind of this or he'd kill me.

From: Mr Hemmings
I've found her in a pizza place not far from the cafe. I will keep watch until she leaves and make sure she returns safely

I was glad to know she had been found and even more relieved that Calum was none the wiser.

As long as Michael didn't go and rub it in his face when he got back, I might just get out of this scot-free.

I enjoyed the last 30 minutes of my lunch break, enjoying banter with my work colleagues.

I'd managed to dodge a pretty dangerous bullet.

--