Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

Emma’s countenance changed the instant the voice rang.

Arthur slowly came toward them from nearby. Looking at the two women before him, he walked past Emma and stood directly next to Elspeth, as though he hadn’t noticed the former. “Elsie, have you had enough to eat?” He reached out and stroked Elspeth’s hair, his voice sounding so affectionate as if they had an intimate relationship.

Emma fumed with anger at the sight of this, but she couldn’t appear too acerbic in front of everyone. She had no choice but to soften her voice, asking, “Arthur, why are you so cool toward me? Did I do anything wrong?”

Arthur’s gaze slowly shifted toward her with an air of indifference. “We’re not related in the first place, Miss Walker. What’s the matter? Aren’t you in love with my brother? Why are you in such a hurry to make yourself a relative of mine now?”

Emma dared not say anything further, what with dozens of news outlets’ cameras facing them at this Fashion Week. She could only smile awkwardly, saying, “Even if I’m in love with your brother, you and I are still considered a family, so you don’t have to be so cool toward me.”

“It’s not necessary.” Arthur stared at her with an unfathomable smile. Then, he turned to Elspeth, saying, “Elsie, I just saw something interesting over there—”

Before he could finish his sentence, he sensed Elspeth stiffening up next to him. He followed her gaze, only to see Callum standing nearby with a hint of inscrutable darkness in his eyes. “Relax. He’s forgotten about his feelings for you now, no?” he whispered softly in Elspeth’s ear. “Even if we do something, he wouldn’t care about it.”

Elspeth broke into a cold sweat the instant she saw Callum. Others might not perceive it, but she sensed the murderous desire behind the man’s inscrutable gaze. He probably wants to stab Arthur to death for standing next to me, she thought. However, Arthur moved closer and closer to her to the point where he was almost pressing himself against her, as if he were totally unaware of the man’s presence. Panicked, she whispered to Arthur, “Alright, cut it out. Stay away from me now.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you still care about him now?”

“Of course, I don’t.” Elspeth’s fingers curled up nervously. She knew she couldn’t let Arthur realize that Callum had recovered his feelings, or he might stir up trouble.

wrist with a smile, his heart swaying a little as he felt the smoothness of her skin. “Well, in that case, you’re my companion today, so it’s

Callum, who had been standing nearby just now, suddenly came to their side and looked at Elspeth’s wrist with a piercing gaze. “It’s a bit inappropriate for you two to tug at each other

Arthur’s hand and stepped aside to free herself from the man. “No,

then did Callum

to confirm this, he immediately pulled Elspeth into his arms while looking at Callum defiantly, saying, “Callum, isn’t

no one else around them, Callum finally stopped hiding everything; he instantly pointed out,

did you forget that you’d already broken off your engagement to your

the look of complete indifference in Callum’s eyes, but she knew there was nothing wrong with him doing such a thing. After all, he had

“In that case, what about we ask the

thought Arthur as he turned

eyed Elspeth

instantly panicked. They’re letting me make the choice? But why? Aren’t they driving me into a corner by doing so?

Elspeth’s affection. What has Elspeth done to deserve having two outstanding men fight for her affection? I was the one whom they treated like a princess before; it’s all Elspeth’s fault for taking all of this away from me! At the thought of

of your business, no?” Callum replied

“Callum, I—”