The Ruse ||Calum Hood

IX

A month had passed since I last spoke to Calum and honestly it was one of the hardest months I've had to endure. I had convinced myself that he was better off without me and deserved someone more like him. It was the only way to prevent myself from running back to him. I had several moments of weakness, where our gazes would lock  instantly reminding me why I was so captivated by him. Calum at first constantly bombarded me with messages and phone calls until he gave in. The night the calls stopped my heart broke. He was probably fed up and I couldn't blame him, if only he knew the truth.

We were all gathered in a room trying to plan another event for The Arts, we just so happened to be in the room opposite Calum's office, as soon as this became apparent I was ready to protest and demand we go somewhere else but the voice in my head reminded me I was being ridiculous. I was an adult, I could do this.

My mind continued to drift as the boys expressed their ideas, every now and then I found myself peering up from my notepad to briefly glance at Calum. Why did he have to be so distracting?

"Evelyn."

"Yes, I completely agree." I said, tearing my gaze from his office.

Michael chuckled slightly. "You have no idea what we just said."

"Guilty." I sighed. "I'm sorry, I just don't know what's wrong with me today."

"I do, it's definitely Hood related." And they sniggered in response, I could only roll my eyes knowing that he was right.

"Just admit you're miserable without him." Said Luke, twisting a biro between his fingers."Because so is he, he's a lot more irritable as well."

Shaking my head, I stood up. I could no longer listen to them describing the pain I had caused Calum. "I'm going on a lunch run, what do you guys fancy?"

"You don't have to go."

"I want to, I could do with some fresh air." I placed my notepad in front of them, indicating that this was no longer up for discussion. Ashton was the first to grab the pen and scribble his order and then Michael and then Luke.

I retrieved the pad from the table before reaching for my coat and bag. The boys had settled back into their seats and were still going over the different events. I interrupted them with a small cough and they looked up with no hesitation, faces expressionless as they noticed my hand was outstretched towards them.

"What?"

With a small smirk on my lips I said "You're still paying."

~

During the whole thirty mintues I was out, my mood had decreased significantly. The queue at the burrito place was extremely long, which was to be expected since it was a lunch time rush and the restaurant was popular. Upon exiting the restaurant a swarm of journalists were waiting for me, yelling all sorts of questions.

I rushed to get back to the office, hoping to lose them but they were persistent.

"Miss Fitzgerald, reports say that you and Calum Hood have been seeing each other? How do you feel about his past relationship with Marisjah?"

By the time we had reached the office, I was surrounded cameras constantly flashing as they waited for my answer. Everywhere I turned there was a microphone pointed at my face, I could feel myself beginning to feel light headed, until an arm had been wrapped around my waist guiding me through the crowd of people and into the building.