Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Elspeth ran to the bathroom and washed her hands before hurrying to the kitchen to help set the table. After that, she plonked herself down, spooned up the food, and put it in her mouth. “Apart from anything else, you’re pretty good at cooking.”

“Why wouldn’t you notice that I have other strong points besides my cooking?” Arthur complained. Taking off his apron, he placed it aside on the dining table before sitting down to dine with her.

“Sorry, but I don’t really have much of a good impression of you,” Elspeth replied, slurring her words with her mouth full.

Arthur spent a long time poking at the dishes before him without actually picking up any. “I’m speechless.”

Noticing that he seemed kind of unhappy, Elspeth quickly changed the subject. “By the way, Emma has arrived in Eden. Do you know that?”

Arthur paused for a moment. “How did you know about this?”

Elspeth froze before she could blurt out the answer. “Uh, she’s gonna attend some Fashion Week, no? It’s been announced on the news.”

Arthur looked askance at her before picking up the remote control on the dining table and turning on the TV.

The news of Emma attending a fashion show in Eden had just aired on TV right after Elspeth had blurted out her reply. Realizing that the timelines didn’t match up, she had no choice but to make up another lie to cover up the previous one. With a flicker in her eyes, she said, “I read about it on some tabloid website.”

Arthur was in no hurry to expose her lies either. He asked with a calm smile, “On which website did you read about it? I’d love to know that. Its source is so accurate.”

“Is there anything that I’m unaware of? I’m a world-famous hacker, after all,” Elspeth replied. With the world’s best search device in her possession, learning about these things was merely a piece of cake.

she’s in Eden?” Arthur ate his meal

look of disbelief touched Elspeth’s face when she saw how calm he looked. “Aren’t you supposed to be excited about her

“I’m bored with kissing her *ss. One has to stop when their feelings for someone don’t get reciprocated.” I swear I’m only saying

of a sense of justice, “Alright, don’t upset yourself. So what if you’ve been an *ss-kisser? It’s not something embarrassing, anyway. One’s called an *ss-kisser when they kiss a woman’s *ss, but if they kiss the *sses of all women, they’re called a feminist ally!

a valiant and animated speech. Putting down his cutlery, he looked her square in the

I’m comforting you, so don’t be ungrateful!” Kiss my *ss? I’m grateful enough that he doesn’t

his gaze unwavering. “But I suddenly

Emma have the good luck. Not

was the first time Arthur heard such a novel word. He asked curiously, “Oh, is that so?

not, why would she choose Callum

made between him and Callum, Arthur wouldn’t have been wounded by such words. His face

with feigned remorse. Then, putting a drumstick in her mouth, she sneaked straight up the stairs, saying, “I’m going back to my room first, so could you help do the dishes?” With that, she entered her room

him. Then, taking a look at her disappearing figure

…

to her room, Elspeth dared not lie down on the job anymore; she unlocked her tablet and began to search for Rayan’s information. It read, ‘Rayan Adler. Male, 28 years old. Likes horse racing, playing golf, clubbing, and

death with his apparent weight of

the second day of every weekend. He would get a young lady to go horse racing with him. Then, the two would

a shudder of disgust through Elspeth, but she kept on reading despite the goosebumps all over