Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Emma’s expression softened at his question. “Yeah, they’ve been doing business abroad all this time. But if you want to meet them, I can make a phone call and ask them to come back.”

Theodore replied with a wave of his hand, “No, you don’t have to. They just came into my mind, that’s all. Your dad and I used to be drinking buddies back when we were younger, you know.”

They chatted happily, with Arthur chiming in from time to time.

Contrary to the three who were talking and laughing cheerfully, Callum and Elspeth were seemingly nonexistent. He bent his head and whispered in her ear, “Are you really not unhappy?”

Elspeth couldn’t describe how she felt. “No, I’m fine,” she replied, but her smile looked somewhat strained.

Seeing that she seemed a bit uncomfortable, Callum led her out of the hotel as soon as the gathering was over.

As they walked outside, Elspeth let out a wistful sigh.

“I can see the change in my dad’s attitude toward you, actually.”

She couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh at the man’s words. “Yeah, even you could see that, so how couldn’t I?”

Callum stopped to look at her. He said earnestly, “Still, you don’t have to be worried. There’s no way my dad would dislike you all of a sudden. He probably has a reason for doing so.”

Naturally, Elspeth knew full well about this. She decided to ask Theodore about it when they went home tonight.

As the couple strolled along the bridge, it suddenly began snowing.

Elspeth was stunned; she hadn’t paid attention to the calendar for a long time. Seems like Christmas is coming, she thought.

Before she snapped out of her trance, Callum surprised her with a bouquet of Lenten roses he produced from nowhere. Though not as delicate as roses, the flowers looked extraordinarily hardy.

from someone else’s backyard?” She sounded disapproving, but inwardly,

are stalls selling things on both sides of the bridge. Weren’t you looking at these

there was indeed a flower stall where she had been standing. What was more, she’d been staring blankly in that stall’s direction just now. “Actually, I don’t like… Achoo!” She smiled in embarrassment before emitting

could finish her sentence, Callum fixed her with a murderous stare. “Are

senses, she nodded vigorously. “Yeah, I like them a

she was shivering

your tone that the weather turned chilly! Elspeth looked at her clothes—which weren’t really warm

took off his jacket

“Thank you for your kindness,

down and let her

Elspeth suddenly became talkative. “Callum, I’ve heard that a couple can remain together in their old age once

together in their old age after walking in

displeased with the man’s unfeeling remark. How

when they arrived home by car. Seeing that Elspeth was back, he pretended to leave again, but she stopped him before he could

a forced smile, “I’m fine, Elspeth.

Now he calls me Elspeth instead of Elsie, thought Elspeth. Unable to get the

study. No one knew what Theodore had said, but the next day, Callum became

that he wasn’t in a good mood, Elspeth

his head. “I gotta go to my office. You should go to Azure Corporation early if there’s nothing

you telling me to go to my own company?” Elspeth was astounded. He was just fine yesterday; why is he

lips together without

of discomfort surged up within Elspeth. “Callum, just tell me if there’s

got work to deal with at my office,” Callum replied before leaving;

gritted her teeth before going to the Winthrop Group after