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, but

glance. “There are stalls selling things on both sides of

she’d been staring blankly in that stall’s direction just now. “Actually,

fixed her with a murderous stare. “Are you saying

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

frowned when he noticed that she was shivering

tone that the weather turned chilly! Elspeth looked at her

why are you shivering?” Callum lowered his gaze as he took off his jacket and

smile of gratitude. “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Winthrop,

crouched down and let her get

didn’t have to walk by herself, Elspeth suddenly became talkative. “Callum, I’ve heard that a couple can remain together in their old age once they’ve walked together in

don’t know if a couple can remain together in their old age after walking in the

the man’s unfeeling remark.

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 going on

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

Now he calls me Elspeth instead of Elsie, thought Elspeth. Unable to get the truth out of him, she decided to look

returned to her bedroom, Theodore summoned Callum into his study. No one knew what

a good mood, Elspeth

office. You should go to Azure Corporation early

own company?” Elspeth was astounded. He

lips together

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

with at my office,” Callum replied before leaving; his broad figure looked desolate

going