Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

It was Callum. His friend invited him here after he got off work and he had just arrived when he saw Elspeth entering the bar with the man. While looking at them with inquisitive eyes, his friend beside him seemed to have noticed his gaze and looked in the same direction to see a woman in a black floral dress with wavy hair that ran down the back of her neck. She had distinct facial features that looked stunning yet mysterious under the light. Matthew March opened his mouth to joke, “Hey. Has Mr. Winthrop finally found love? Does she suit your taste? She does look pretty. Do you need my help to get you her number? Wait a minute… Is the guy beside her Harper Summerfield?” Frowning, he asked with a tone of curiosity, “Harper Summerfield?” Matthew nodded. “Yes. He’s the vice president of the mysterious Azure Corporation.” This mysterious company was precisely a large and powerful corporation; yet, only a few people knew who its president was as Harper had always been the one dealing with company matters. “Callum, I think you’re much better than Harper, so I’m sure you can get her.” “You’re talking too much,” Callum replied coldly. He then looked over at Elspeth with inquisitive eyes again. She has just arrived at Damoria. How did she get to know someone like Harper Summerfield? “Callum, I’m serious about what I said. Harper is a playboy and she’s such a beautiful woman. How unfortunate…” Callum was rendered speechless. Without saying anything, he grabbed his wine glass from the table and took a sip. At that moment, he saw Harper leaving the bar and many pairs of eyes landed on the beautiful Elspeth. Soon, a vulgar-looking man approached her with a wine glass. “Hey, beautiful. Why don’t we get to know each other over a glass?” “I’m not short of friends.” The smile on the vulgar man froze as he continued, “I just wanna make friends. How about I pay for your bills?” “No need.” The vulgar man might have been under the influence of alcohol, so he looked at her calm expression and began to scream at her, “Cut the act. Didn’t you come out here in such sl*tty clothes to attract rich men? I just happen to be rich, so tell me, how much do you want?” Meanwhile, Callum was watching everything from upstairs and Matthew beside him urged, “What the heck? Callum, save the damsel in distress!” With a frown, Callum was about to get up and head downstairs to help Elspeth; not because he was interested in her, but because of his father’s orders. Just as the two rose to their feet, something unexpected and dramatic happened. The vulgar man was about to touch Elspeth when he was suddenly smashed in the head with a wine bottle. Though they could not hear what was happening on the first floor, Callum could read lips and he saw her say, “I don’t want money, but can I have your worthless life?” She was arrogant and cocky. It was then Harper returned from the bathroom. Since the vulgar man knew of his identity, he quickly apologized, afraid that Elspeth might really take his life. After the incident, her mood was ruined and she no longer wanted to stay there anymore, so she bid goodbye to Harper and left the bar. She booked a ride on her phone and half-heartedly sat by the roadside to wait. Litting up a cigarette, she lifted her head and looked at the sky. Dad, are you doing well there? At that moment, a black car stopped before her. She thought it was the car she booked, so she put out her cigarette and threw it into the dumpster before opening the door to get in. Yet, she saw a man in a black suit. I didn’t call for a shared ride. “Excuse me… I must’ve gotten the wrong car. Wait, why are you here?” It was then that she noticed the man was Callum, who then ordered in his low voice, “Get in.” She paused for a moment before sitting beside him. For some unknown reason, she felt guilty meeting him here. Wait, why should I feel guilty? “What a coincidence. I came here with a friend. Did you come with your friends too?” Callum nodded. Turning her head to look out the window, she thought, Was Callum in the bar too? Did he already notice me, or is this just a coincidence?