After All • Calum Hood (Sequel to ISTTY)

48

I check the photos and they look like we were kissing but only because of the angle they were taken

—Madeleine -I breathe out- I haven't cheated on you, the pictures are tricky because of the angle, that's why it looks like we're about to kiss but we never did anything... In fact, that woman is lesbian, or bisexual, I don't know -I rub my temples-

—Calum, the photos are everywhere. Every damn where

—Can you trust me, Madeleine? Do you still trust me?

—I do, but -I cut her off-

—Then why you won't believe me when I say that I haven't cheated on you? Do you think that I'd jeopardise what you and I have built just for a one night stand? Do you think I'd give up my family for that? I'm not that jerk

Madeleine was calming down, holding on her tears, breathing in and out trying to fully calm down

—They're everywhere -she says almost in a whisper- even Maddy wrote me asking me how I was, my parents are looking at me weirdly

—I'll handle that, but I swear I never cheated. The girl on the photo is someone I met at the club, she was amicable, but she never tried anything and she has a girlfriend whom I met last night as well -I explain- I'm sorry you had to go through this drama, scandal, I don't know how to tag this

She just shrugs and silently cleans her tears

—Madeleine, I just want you to know that I'd never to anything to harm you this way -I pause, she slowly nods- I don't like seeing you like this so please, trust me, we've talked about this since the beginning of our relationship, you know the base of a healthy relationship is trust and communication, even more in a relationship were one of us is constantly travelling

—I trust you, Calum -she sighs- I just don't like to be on the spotlight, I don't like people talking about me and tagging me as the one cheated on, I don't like the way my parents are looking at me, full of pity... I love you, but this is the part that I don't like from you

—Which part?

—The part where your personal life is exposed to the outer world and people feel the right to judge and point fingers

Those worlds felt like a hard jab, and even though I wasn't a fan myself of my private life being out, that's what comes with achieving a dream.

—I'm sorry but I can't change it -I say a little bit disappointed-

—No, no, don't misunderstand me. I love that you're achieving your goals and living your dream, trust me... It's just that, I don't get used to this, s'all -she shrugs-

—Yeah, it's okay...

—I, um, let me go get Wyatt. You wanted to see him, right?

—Yes

She stands up from where she was, taking her phone with her, she enters the bathroom where she washes her face, signalling me to hold on, I nod, still upset. Why people had to talk about my private life as if they had the right to? If Madeleine and I's relationship was weak, this would've ended it, a lie.

I was distraught with my thoughts until Madeleine caught my attention, Wyatt on her side

—Baby, daddy's here -she speaks to Wyatt, the little kid got so excited as soon as he saw me-

—Dadda -he says reaching out for me- daddy

—Son! Baby, I love you. Daddy wants to see you already -I say making him squeal-

—Calum? -I hear a masculine voice on the background, instantly recognising Robert's voice-

—Yeah, it's me, sir.

—Can you give me your cellphone for a moment, daughter? I need to talk to Calum... Alone

—Ookay? Dad, be nice -she warns him before handing him her phone-

Once I could see Robert on the screen, I start talking

—I know you might think I cheated thanks to those pics but it's thanks to the angle they were taken -I pause sighing- I made you a promise a long time ago and I intend to keep it, I don't want to hurt Mad in any way, I know she means the world for you but she also means the world for me. She's the mother of my child and the person that I want to spend my whole life with, I won't damage it

—I just wanna tell you that seeing my daughter the way I saw her this morning made my heart shatter into tiny pieces, I didn't think you were the type of man to cheat, less when your whole life is exposed but I still didn't wanted to defend you this morning because I had no arguments

—I'm not the type to cheat -I assure him-

—Can I keep on trusting you?

—With your eyes closed. All of this was a misunderstood and I'll fix it, I don't like to talk about my personal life to the crowds but I need to with this one

—Yes, please

—Well -I say a little bit uncomfortable- how are you feeling? How you've been?

—Well boy, truth is I've been better -he chuckles-

—I hope you don't feel so bad

—Sharing a secret with you, I've been feeling worse these days but I act like everything's fine because I don't want to upset Annie & Maddie.

—Being in your position must be really hard, I don't imagine the way you're feeling.

—I hope you never have to go through this

—I hope so too -I mumble-

~

—Have I said before that I hate airports? Because I hate airports -Michael says annoyed-

—I'm almost sure we heard you the thirtieth time you said it -Sierra snaps-

—You lost your coupons of saying you hate airports until we arrive to New Zealand -Ashton adds- from now on, if you say it, any of us will punch you

—At least Sierra's fist is light -Mikey shrugs-

—Don't be so sure, she's surprised me in the past with her hits -Luke adds-

—Little but dangerous, cute but psycho -Sierra says jokingly as she flexes, making us chuckle-

We keep on walking through the airport until arriving to the VIP room where we'll be staying until the departure of our flight. We sit there and relax for a while

—Cal -Sierra smiles at me while sitting beside me-

—Hey -I smile back-

—How is it going? -she asks, I furrow my eyebrows, confused. We literally have been together for more than one hour- oh, you know, I mean how is the Madeleine subject going... You know -she says bashful-

—I get it -I chuckle- it was a misunderstood, I guess Luke told you about it already -she nods smiling- I explained everything to her and she believed me

—Thank god -she exclaims while laying her hand on her chest, breathing out in relief-

—Thank god -I repeat lowly- I would've been lost if she didn't believed me

—I can tell you love her a lot, and so does she, but don't worry, you two are meant to be together -we share a tender smile-

—Calum, you're not stealing my girlfriend, aren't you? -Luke says out of nowhere, making us laugh-

—We were planning our wedding already, but since you caught us, I'll set you free Sierra -I say jokingly, we laugh along-