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.

these from someone else’s backyard?” She

an impassive glance. “There are stalls selling things on

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

murderous stare. “Are you saying that you

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

when he noticed that she was shivering

turned chilly! Elspeth looked at her clothes—which

lowered his gaze as he took off his jacket and

gave him a smile of gratitude. “Thank you for your kindness, Mr.

down and let her get onto

talkative. “Callum, I’ve heard that a couple

couple can remain together in their old age after walking in the snow,

displeased with the man’s unfeeling remark. How

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,

fine, Elspeth. Don’t

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

Theodore summoned Callum into his study. No one knew what Theodore had said, but the next day, Callum became somewhat quieter than

in a good mood, Elspeth asked, “What’s wrong with

“I gotta go to my office. You should go to Azure Corporation

Elspeth was astounded. He was just fine yesterday; why is he beginning to distance himself from me

together without

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

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

her teeth before going to the