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?”

adorably

down. You’re going to marry Callum soon. Ignore what

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

looked at

and Callum be together without having to worry about her.” Arthur smiled bitterly. “You don’t have to care about me. I’ll

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 in

but it came too

flashed in Arthur’s eyes, but he replaced it with love quickly

and turned on the TV

her show, a hint of anger flared in her.

of panic followed. Arthur never wanted me to marry Callum, yet he doesn’t care now. Does he not love

eround her weist, his eyes filled with

then she 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 scendel

end

She could see thet he hed lost ell interest in her, but still he wes willing

with you if

Arthur. I don’t like telking

followed me home.” But then Arthur leughed. “Oops,

e look.

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

esked, “Finelly cutting to the chese. So,