Opposites Attract (Calum Hood A.U.)

Chapter 19.5 - Chill Out

Calum's POV

Three days. I haven't been going to school in three days.

Dad was once again hospitalized and this time it was rather more crucial than before. He'd have to stay in the hospital until he recovers.

And I, I came to dad's office in place of him. I've been leading the new product launch and it's now stressing me out.

However, the band had been practicing nonstop for the past two weeks and that was my way to relieve stress in this very stressful world.

Today is the fourth day that I won't be coming to school and Luke told me he'll be skipping to help me out because I have a deadline by Friday.

Luke texted me a little over after lunch time that he was on his way and now I'm currently reviewing the presentations the product development associates sent me this morning while waiting for him.

I heard my door shut and I knew it was Luke because everyone knocks except for him. "You're late." I greeted him as he walked towards me still looking at the presentations one by one.

"I'm sorry, man. It was hard getting out of school without our friends being skeptical about it." He sat on the chair in front of the table, "So how's it going?"

I internally groaned upon hearing that. "Not good. No one has given me a good portfolio of the new product. Take note, it's just a portfolio." It's true, they were just assigned to give me a portfolio, pictures and shit, but they haven't given me a decent one.

"Chill man, the associates will surely come up with a good portfolio, just you wait. I mean, they're starting out from scratch, aren't they?" Luke explained. Since dad was hospitalized, everyone in the company was alarmed and all of their ideas were a mess.

"How can I fucking wait?! The clients are already bugging my dad about it, you know that he shouldn't be stressed." I just want this to be done and over with. It's fucking stressing me out. If I could do it myself, I would. But no, 'You have to seek help from your associates, we're not paying them to slack around,' my dad told me the other day.

Speaking of dad, of course Luke had to ask, "How's your dad by the way?"

"He's not doing well either. The doctors are still running some tests. But right now, he shouldn't be stressing about the company." I don't want dad to be stressed out, I've stressed him a lot already in the past, now this is my consequence for myself.

Luke looked at me sympathetically, I didn't need that but he did anyway.

"Sorry dude it's just, everything's been stressing me out, I'm new to this you know? Plus, the marriage, I don't know what to do with that." I need to fucking chill.

"Speaking of the marriage, when are you going to tell her?" Don't you fucking dare, Lucas.

"Tell who?" I knew who he was talking about, I just don't want him to know. But he's my best friend, we grew up together, he'll soon know everything.

"June." I stopped when I heard her name. Of course, it's Luke, he would say that.

I don't want to tell Luke about how I feel about June because obviously he feels the same. It'll be awkward as hell but he doesn't have a stop button for fuck's sake.

"Why should I?" I never thought about that. Should I tell her? Do I have to? I mean, she has to know at some point, but I'm not going to be the one to tell her.

It's not like we're dating or anything. I'm pretty sure she'll move on after I got married to Naomi, or maybe Luke could help her.

No, what the fuck?

Am I really considering giving June up for Luke.

No.

But I won't have her to.

I'm too fucking selfish.

It'll just hurt more if I ever see them together.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Luke spoke again, "You know, I almost kissed her."

OF COURSE I FUCKING KNOW THAT, I WAS THERE YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE.

But he doesn't that I was there. He's still getting on my nerves.

I'm so bipolar, what the hell?

"What are you really doing here? Help me or interrogate me?" I looked at him sternly and walked to the closet in the corner getting a stack of papers which has the names of our sponsors.

"Here, this is the list of sponsors we've had for the past launches. Look them up and see if they could work with us, okay?" I gave him a load of work so he would stop asking me questions.

I went back to looking at the presentations and I heard my phone beeped, meaning I have a message.

It was from Naomi saying she has a gift for me. I didn't bother to reply not wanting to deal with her right now and I got back to work.

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A/N

I'm sneaking these updates from work so I'm sorry, I haven't seen your comments hahaha.

SML XO

- Schy