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.

asked, “Callum, did you steal these from someone else’s backyard?” She sounded disapproving,

things on

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

murderous stare. “Are you saying that you like Lenten roses very

her senses, she nodded vigorously. “Yeah, I like

she was shivering with cold.

looked at her clothes—which weren’t really warm enough—before emitting another sneeze.

shivering?” Callum lowered his gaze as he took off his

a smile of gratitude. “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Winthrop, but my legs

Callum crouched down and let her get onto his

didn’t have to walk by herself, Elspeth suddenly became talkative. “Callum, I’ve heard that a couple can

a couple can remain together in their old age after walking in the snow, but I’m sure they’ll get hospitalized for

was displeased with the man’s unfeeling

in the living room watching TV when they arrived home by car. Seeing that Elspeth was back, he pretended to leave again, but she stopped him before he could do so. “Mr. Winthrop, may I ask what is

replied with a forced smile, “I’m fine, Elspeth. Don’t think

of Elsie, thought Elspeth. Unable to get

No one knew what Theodore had said,

he wasn’t in a good mood,

shook his head. “I gotta go to my office. You should go

to go to my own company?” Elspeth was astounded. He was just fine yesterday; why is he beginning to distance

together without saying

up within Elspeth. “Callum, just tell me if there’s anything. Don’t keep

my office,” Callum replied

gritted her teeth before going to