Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Elspeth followed Arthur into the villa, but the moment she got inside, someone shrieked in a shrill voice, “Why did you bring her here, Arthur?”

Arthur smiled and hid his disappointment for Emma. “Kidnapped her, to be exact.”

Oh. Emma calmed down a little, but she was still incensed. Then, she noticed that Elspeth wasn’t even tied up at all. “I thought she was kidnapped.”

“What? Were you expecting to see me all tied up?” Elspeth smirked mockingly.

How dare she take that tone with me? She’s a captive! Emma gnashed her teeth furiously. “You’re a captive. I’d lay low if I were you.”

“Hey, your simp opted not to tie me up. Why don’t you ask him why? Oh, wait, I know. Perhaps your simp doesn’t love you anymore!”

Can she stop calling me that? Arthur gnashed his teeth. “Sharp tongue, Elspeth.” He was angry, but he didn’t punish Elspeth.

Emma noticed that change and her heart sank. “I never saw you as a simp. You have to get mad at that, Arthur. She just used a slur.”

She was trying to fan the flames, but unbeknownst to her, Arthur was no longer the old him. “It’s alright. I’ve already captured her. Just let her do what she wants.” Arthur shrugged. There was even a hint of affection in his tone.

“But…” Emma felt a part of her heart getting torn away. For some reason, she felt that Arthur, who had been giving everything he had to her, was going to leave her any moment.

“Calm down. She’s part of the plan.” Arthur huddled closer to her and patted her head. There was love in his eyes, but it was fake, of course.

Knowing that the love was fake, Elspeth chuckled.

Emma bristled. “What are you laughing at?”

so adorably naive,” mocked

You’re going to marry Callum soon.

that, but then a hint of panic followed. Arthur never wanted me to marry Callum, yet he doesn’t care now. Does he not love me anymore?

looked at Elspeth. “I’m taking

having to worry about her.” Arthur smiled bitterly. “You don’t have to care about me. I’ll just disappear from your life, never to

a little guilty. I can’t believe I doubted him when all he wanted was for me to be happy. Even though she didn’t like him, she was still moved. If there’s a next life, I’ll date him. Well, if people like Callum aren’t around, anyway. She stood up and looked at him with anticipation. “Thank you for your help, Arthur. If you need anything

genuine affection, but it

it with love quickly to avoid being suspected

couch and turned on the

noticed Elspeth enjoying her show, a hint of anger flared in her. “Arthur, I hate that woman. You have to teach her a lesson for me.” She held Arthur’s arm, then

marry Callum, yet he doesn’t care now. Does he not love me anymore? Was Elspeth telling the truth? “So, what’s the plan,

his eyes filled with love. “Went to stey for e

put some distence between them. She then seid epologeticelly, “It’s elreedy six. If I don’t leeve, my meneger is going to suspect something. My cereer is just sterting to rise. If the peperezzi see me coming out of e men’s house elone, they’re going to meke e

end

Elspeth winked et him. “Pleyer.” She could see thet he hed lost ell interest in her, but still

cen pley with you

“Shut it, Arthur. I don’t

But then Arthur leughed.

shot him e look.

be bed. Unlike Emme, Elspeth wouldn’t give in just

to zero. Curious, she esked, “Finelly cutting to the chese. So,