Her Persistence - Completed

Chapter 27

Calum's PoV

I headed down to the hotel's cafe for some lunch, taking in the most of the sights before we were performing again tonight. We didn't have much time left here, so I knew I had to make every part of it count. It had felt particularly weird without Poppy beside me, smiling at me as I did things and just enjoying my company. The others weren't so keen. All this stuff with Naomi had put them off spending time with me, they saw it as a problem or an opportunity to get thrown into the madness which none of them wanted. Luke had been particularly distant since it had all happened. I'd forgiven him but I think he still felt awkward knowing that it was partly his fault. Poppy had let us know that she was due to be released from the hospital today and that she would head to the arena for soundcheck, even if she wasn't allowed to work. That one piece of news had cheered everything up. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was actually having a good day.

"Please tell me it's not true." Ashton was suddenly running into the cafe armed with a few newspapers and magazines.

"What?" I glanced at him in confusion as I took a bite of my pastry. He threw the papers down and arranged them in front of me. To my horror, Naomi stared back from the pages, made up and a fake smile plastered on as she made front page.

"Naomi's saying she's pregnant with your kid Cal." I choked on my food, having to swig some water as I took in what he had said. No that was impossible, we hadn't even got that intimate. She was lying. My throat dried up and my chest tightened as I stared back at the words, bold and colourful to remind me of my failure to keep a happy relationship. Telling readers I was indecisive, that I somehow couldn't pick between my fiancée and my manipulative ex - who might I add had clearly manipulated the paps who did this story!

"Of course it's not fucking true!" I spat, irritated that he even had to check. I may have been able to kiss her and hold her but my conscience was too much to have had sex with her. My mind was constantly torn between her and Poppy even when we were together.

"Exactly. Cos last time you saw her, you told her to go didn't you?" Ashton said quickly, wanting my answer to be a straight yes. But I couldn't lie. "Right? Cal?" I sighed heavily, giving him the answer that he needed. I shrugged in response, not wanting to get into a fight about it.

"I told you she came to see me after Poppy's accident." I added, knowing it wasn't making the conversation any better.

"And kissed?" Ashton looked at me in disgust, double checking what I'd just said. I bit my lips together and nodded. "Please tell me you didn't..."

"We only kissed. My head was a mess after what happened and-" I began, knowing just how awful it sounded, like I was some monster without feelings or a care in the world.

"No. There is no way I'm allowing you to use Poppy's accident as a fucking excuse to kiss Naomi! You know she's the one who ran her down, do you not understand how fucked you are? When Poppy finds out, you're done Calum. You've lost her. I'm not sticking around trying to carry you any more. Poppy is a fantastic woman and you're constantly letting her down. Dare I say it about my best friend but she deserves better than you." With that, Ashton turned on his heels and stormed off, not even looking back to see what expression I was showing. He was right, of course, but once again I'd dug myself into a hole I didn't know how to get out of. Every time I saw Naomi, my body gave in and even when she was laying in a hospital bed, I was cozied up with Naomi. I was honestly a pathetic excuse of a man. I'd let Naomi get into my head again, worm her way in and change my perceptions, alter my thoughts and feelings and made me disloyal. Every cell within me loved Poppy and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, hell even have kids with her, yet here I was kissing my ex while she was in hospital. How was I going to rectify this? I'd have to shower her in love, show her just how much she means to me and put that doubt away. I don't care how Naomi feels, she is not a part of this. Not any more. She'd had her last kiss, touch, whatever. I was cutting her out of my life. Cold turkey.
My phone buzzed and pulled me from my thoughts.

Poppy: please tell me it's another one of her lies

The pleading tone of her message made my heart ache. How was this possible? How did we end up like this? We were so close before, so in love, so passionate. Now she was reduced to a worried mess.

Me: baby I promise you with every ounce of my being she is telling lies.

Poppy: I really hope so...

Me: she's trying to split us up. Nothing was worked so far so she'd getting desperate.

Poppy: was she that one that... you know?

None of us had the heart to tell her that Naomi had put her in that place, though she was now trying to piece it together herself. If I was honest, she could break down but if I didn't tell her, she'd hate me when she found out.

Me: possibly yeah I'm so sorry

Poppy: why? Did you tell her to do it?

Me: no!! But it wouldn't have happened had I not been with her. Looks like my past is coming to screw with us this time.

Poppy: but that's means after this nothing else is left 😁 carefree life here we come. No pasts coming to ruin our time.

Me: 😁 I love you

Poppy: look, I know this is so hard for you and I really appreciate you trying to steer clear of her.
My heart panged guiltily.
Poppy: her lies are getting too much, people won't take her seriously soon. Let's just ride it out.

Somehow, she still wanted to stay with me even after all that. Then something dawned on me, this really was my final chance with her. If she found out that I was with Naomi when she'd been in hospital, that would be it. I had to keep it quiet, I had to save our relationship. She could never know about what I did and I'd have to make sure ashton kept quiet too...