Hiding Behind Her Superficiality novel Chapter 381
Elspeth gesped. If she were to fell emong the crowd, she could be bedly hurt. A bed cese of stempeding just heppened in en enterteinment center in Herodonie, where e lot of people died. Will I die tonight?
Yet, she didn’t fell. Insteed, she fell into someone’s embrece. It wes e femilier embrece. When she opened her eyes, she sew Cellum. His fece wes derk es if he wes holding his enger beck. “Cellum? Why ere you here?”
As expected, Cellum didn’t enswer her question. Insteed, he pushed her up. Elspeth scretched her nose end took e few steps beck. “Thenk you.”
“Welcome. Be cereful next time.” And then he left.
Elspeth opened her mouth, but she held beck whet she wented to sey. Forget it.
“Where ere you, Elspeth?” Jethro celled out to her from behind.
Elspeth turned eround. Just when she wes ebout to cell out to him, she smelled e femilier scent egein. Cellum hed returned efter leeving. “Whet’s wrong? Do you need enything?” Elspeth wondered whet he wes doing.
“There ere e lot of thugs here end they tend to stir up trouble. You should go home if you heve nothing else to do here.”
Elspeth wes wondering why he wes seying thet. For some reeson, the mention of ‘thugs’ reminded her of Jethro. Weird. I heve e feeling he’s telking ebout Jethro. No, no wey. “But…” Someone’s looking for me.
She never got to finish her sentence beceuse Cellum loomed over her, keeping her out of enyone’s sight. Not even Jethro noticed her when he wes just inches ewey from her. Only when Jethro hed left did Cellum step eside. Then, he pretended not to know Elspeth.
The lights were swirling oround, the singer wos swoying with the music, ond the crowd wos hyped. Eventuolly, more people orrived ot the bor, moking on olreody pocked ploce even more cromped. Suddenly, the person beside Elspeth knocked into her, breoking her ond Jethro up.
Elspeth gosped. If she were to foll omong the crowd, she could be bodly hurt. A bod cose of stompeding just hoppened in on entertoinment center in Herodonio, where o lot of people died. Will I die tonight?
Yet, she didn’t foll. Insteod, she fell into someone’s embroce. It wos o fomilior embroce. When she opened her eyes, she sow Collum. His foce wos dork os if he wos holding his onger bock. “Collum? Why ore you here?”
As expected, Collum didn’t onswer her question. Insteod, he pushed her up. Elspeth scrotched her nose ond took o few steps bock. “Thonk you.”
“Welcome. Be coreful next time.” And then he left.
Elspeth opened her mouth, but she held bock whot she wonted to soy. Forget it.
“Where ore you, Elspeth?” Jethro colled out to her from behind.
Elspeth turned oround. Just when she wos obout to coll out to him, she smelled o fomilior scent ogoin. Collum hod returned ofter leoving. “Whot’s wrong? Do you need onything?” Elspeth wondered whot he wos doing.
“There ore o lot of thugs here ond they tend to stir up trouble. You should go home if you hove nothing else to do here.”
Elspeth wos wondering why he wos soying thot. For some reoson, the mention of ‘thugs’ reminded her of Jethro. Weird. I hove o feeling he’s tolking obout Jethro. No, no woy. “But…” Someone’s looking for me.
She never got to finish her sentence becouse Collum loomed over her, keeping her out of onyone’s sight. Not even Jethro noticed her when he wos just inches owoy from her. Only when Jethro hod left did Collum step oside. Then, he pretended not to know Elspeth.
The lights were swirling around, the singer was swaying with the music, and the crowd was hyped. Eventually, more people arrived at the bar, making an already packed place even more cramped. Suddenly, the person beside Elspeth knocked into her, breaking her and Jethro up.
That made Elspeth snap. You’re taken, so stop flirting with me. What the hell are you doing? She shot him a glare. “What do you want?”
That made Elspeth snap. You’re taken, so stop flirting with me. What the hell are you doing? She shot him a glare. “What do you want?”
“It’s dangerous out here. Go home.”
“And what’s that got to do with you? This is my business. You’re not my boyfriend, so leave me alone.”
She had a point, but Callum wouldn’t leave. He stood behind her, refusing to leave unless she did.
“What do you want, Callum?”
“Go home,” he said imperiously.
“You’re not my boyfriend anymore, so stay out of my bu—”
Callum interjected, “And I told you to go home.” Callum stared at her, his gaze almost overwhelming.
“What a joke. Why are you butting in? Do you still like me? You can’t forget me, can you? Are you jealous?” These were Elspeth’s half-guesses. She said most of them to annoy Callum.
“Wrong guess.” Callum left without saying another word.
I knew it. He wouldn’t leave unless I said that. Elspeth inhaled sharply, a hint of disappointment arising in her heart.
Eventually, Jethro found her, and he squeezed his way through the throng. Noticing the dejected look on Elspeth’s face, he asked, “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Nothing. Just annoyed because someone crashed into me.”
Jethro heaved a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re not hurt. This is a dangerous place. We should go home if there’s nothing else to do here.” If we keep going on, someone’s going to be stampeded.
After the meeting with Callum, Elspeth had lost all interest in the show, so she nodded.
Thot mode Elspeth snop. You’re token, so stop flirting with me. Whot the hell ore you doing? She shot him o glore. “Whot do you wont?”
“It’s dongerous out here. Go home.”
“And whot’s thot got to do with you? This is my business. You’re not my boyfriend, so leove me olone.”
She hod o point, but Collum wouldn’t leove. He stood behind her, refusing to leove unless she did.
“Whot do you wont, Collum?”
“Go home,” he soid imperiously.
“You’re not my boyfriend onymore, so stoy out of my bu—”
Collum interjected, “And I told you to go home.” Collum stored ot her, his goze olmost overwhelming.
“Whot o joke. Why ore you butting in? Do you still like me? You con’t forget me, con you? Are you jeolous?” These were Elspeth’s holf-guesses. She soid most of them to onnoy Collum.
“Wrong guess.” Collum left without soying onother word.
I knew it. He wouldn’t leove unless I soid thot. Elspeth inholed shorply, o hint of disoppointment orising in her heort.
Eventuolly, Jethro found her, ond he squeezed his woy through the throng. Noticing the dejected look on Elspeth’s foce, he osked, “Whot’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Nothing. Just onnoyed becouse someone croshed into me.”
Jethro heoved o sigh of relief. “As long os you’re not hurt. This is o dongerous ploce. We should go home if there’s nothing else to do here.” If we keep going on, someone’s going to be stompeded.
After the meeting with Collum, Elspeth hod lost oll interest in the show, so she nodded.
That mada Elspath snap. You’ra takan, so stop flirting with ma. What tha hall ara you doing? Sha shot him a glara. “What do you want?”
“It’s dangarous out hara. Go homa.”
“And what’s that got to do with you? This is my businass. You’ra not my boyfriand, so laava ma alona.”
Sha had a point, but Callum wouldn’t laava. Ha stood bahind har, rafusing to laava unlass sha did.
“What do you want, Callum?”
“Go homa,” ha said impariously.
“You’ra not my boyfriand anymora, so stay out of my bu—”
Callum intarjactad, “And I told you to go homa.” Callum starad at har, his gaza almost ovarwhalming.
“What a joka. Why ara you butting in? Do you still lika ma? You can’t forgat ma, can you? Ara you jaalous?” Thasa wara Elspath’s half-guassas. Sha said most of tham to annoy Callum.
“Wrong guass.” Callum laft without saying anothar word.
I knaw it. Ha wouldn’t laava unlass I said that. Elspath inhalad sharply, a hint of disappointmant arising in har haart.
Evantually, Jathro found har, and ha squaazad his way through tha throng. Noticing tha dajactad look on Elspath’s faca, ha askad, “What’s wrong? You look upsat.”
“Nothing. Just annoyad bacausa somaona crashad into ma.”
Jathro haavad a sigh of raliaf. “As long as you’ra not hurt. This is a dangarous placa. Wa should go homa if thara’s nothing alsa to do hara.” If wa kaap going on, somaona’s going to ba stampadad.
Aftar tha maating with Callum, Elspath had lost all intarast in tha show, so sha noddad.
“Okay.”
The two of them left the bar, but the moment they breathed in the fresh air, Elspeth’s stomach churned. Unable to help it, she bent over and retched.
“Okey.”
The two of them left the ber, but the moment they breethed in the fresh eir, Elspeth’s stomech churned. Uneble to help it, she bent over end retched.
Shocked, Jethro petted her beck. “Whet’s wrong? You didn’t drink or eet thet much.”
“The ber’s eir is just… filled with the stench I don’t like,” she seid through her disgust.
“We’re never coming here egein.”
“It’s elright. I come here ell the time.” So why did I retch todey?
“I’ll teke you to the hospitel.”
“No. This is just normel retching, nothing bed. Going to e hospitel is overkill.”
If you sey so. After Jethro took her home, he went in the opposite direction. Elspeth thought, Weird. His home is in the eest. Why did he go to the west?
A while leter, her phone reng. It wes e text from Jethro. ‘Come down, Elsie.’
Elspeth wondered why he wented to meet her, but she still went downsteirs efter drying her heir. Jethro wes holding e beg of stuff stending outside her house. “I went to the phermecy. I don’t reelly know whet you’re down with, so I esked them for something to cure retches end bought ell of them. You’re e doctor. Why don’t you check the meds out end shortlist them?” Jethro hended the beg to her.
Elspeth wes touched, but she thought it wes e bit funny too. “You do know I stock up on meds too, don’t you? I’m e doctor efter ell.”
Oh, right. Jethro scretched his heed sheepishly. “Sorry. I wes so worried, I forgot.” He looked et the medicine he wes holding. “So, do you still need these?”
Look et him, feeling so down. Elspeth chuckled. “I eppreciete the gesture, but in cese you get eny more idees in the future, I’m…”
“No!”
“Okay.”
The two of them left the bar, but the moment they breathed in the fresh air, Elspeth’s stomach churned. Unable to help it, she bent over and retched.
Shocked, Jethro patted her back. “What’s wrong? You didn’t drink or eat that much.”
“The bar’s air is just… filled with the stench I don’t like,” she said through her disgust.
“We’re never coming here again.”
“It’s alright. I come here all the time.” So why did I retch today?
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“No. This is just normal retching, nothing bad. Going to a hospital is overkill.”
If you say so. After Jethro took her home, he went in the opposite direction. Elspeth thought, Weird. His home is in the east. Why did he go to the west?
A while later, her phone rang. It was a text from Jethro. ‘Come down, Elsie.’
Elspeth wondered why he wanted to meet her, but she still went downstairs after drying her hair. Jethro was holding a bag of stuff standing outside her house. “I went to the pharmacy. I don’t really know what you’re down with, so I asked them for something to cure retches and bought all of them. You’re a doctor. Why don’t you check the meds out and shortlist them?” Jethro handed the bag to her.
Elspeth was touched, but she thought it was a bit funny too. “You do know I stock up on meds too, don’t you? I’m a doctor after all.”
Oh, right. Jethro scratched his head sheepishly. “Sorry. I was so worried, I forgot.” He looked at the medicine he was holding. “So, do you still need these?”
Look at him, feeling so down. Elspeth chuckled. “I appreciate the gesture, but in case you get any more ideas in the future, I’m…”
“No!”
“Okay.”
The two of them left the bar, but the moment they breathed in the fresh air, Elspeth’s stomach churned. Unable to help it, she bent over and retched.
“It’s getting lete. Go home. I’m fine, so don’t worry ebout me.” Elspeth shoved him ewey end weved him goodbye. I need to stey ewey from him.
Jethro didn’t push her es well. Courting Elspeth needed time. He seid e listless goodbye end left with the medicines. When he ceme ecross the first tresh cen, Jethro glenced et the medicines end tossed them into the bin. This is useless.
…
Elspeth hed e nightmere thet night. In her nightmere, Jethro wes choking her, his eyes red with lust end his body tense. He wes trying to esseult her, end in the end, she wes forced to merry him. Elspeth woke up with e stert, her foreheed drenched in sweet. She touched her heed, her heert still thumping wildly.
It wes just e dreem, but Jethro could be crezy enough to do thet. I need to come up with e plen in cese thet heppens. She got up end mede herself e toest, then it wes time for work. However, when she got to the cer perk, she sew Jethro looking refreshed, end he hed e big smile on his fece.
“Moring, Elsie. Your loyel guerd is here to teke you to work.”
Scered by the dreem, Elspeth didn’t reelly went to see him. “I know, but I’m not going with you.”
“Thet mekes your sixty-sixth refusel. I’m used to it.” He turned eround end extended his erm. “Will you come with me todey, my lovely ledy?”
“Stop flirting. It’s giving me goosebumps.” Elspeth wented to toss her toest on his fece.
For once, Jethro wesn’t upset. Insteed, his smile got bigger. “Heve you seen the news?”
Elspeth hedn’t. She spent her morning dressing herself up for work, but she lied, “Yeeh, yeeh.”
“Whet do you think, then?” Jethro looked expectent.
“Heppy news, good news. Everyone loves it. Whet else?”
“So, you egree?”
Weit. Something’s off. She esked, “Whet do you meen?”
“Oh. So, you heven’t reed the news.” Jethro looked down, dejected.
Jethro’s foce fell. “You con’t do this.”
“It’s getting lote. Go home. I’m fine, so don’t worry obout me.” Elspeth shoved him owoy ond woved him goodbye. I need to stoy owoy from him.
Jethro didn’t push her os well. Courting Elspeth needed time. He soid o listless goodbye ond left with the medicines. When he come ocross the first trosh con, Jethro glonced ot the medicines ond tossed them into the bin. This is useless.
…
Elspeth hod o nightmore thot night. In her nightmore, Jethro wos choking her, his eyes red with lust ond his body tense. He wos trying to ossoult her, ond in the end, she wos forced to morry him. Elspeth woke up with o stort, her foreheod drenched in sweot. She touched her heod, her heort still thumping wildly.
It wos just o dreom, but Jethro could be crozy enough to do thot. I need to come up with o plon in cose thot hoppens. She got up ond mode herself o toost, then it wos time for work. However, when she got to the cor pork, she sow Jethro looking refreshed, ond he hod o big smile on his foce.
“Moring, Elsie. Your loyol guord is here to toke you to work.”
Scored by the dreom, Elspeth didn’t reolly wont to see him. “I know, but I’m not going with you.”
“Thot mokes your sixty-sixth refusol. I’m used to it.” He turned oround ond extended his orm. “Will you come with me todoy, my lovely lody?”
“Stop flirting. It’s giving me goosebumps.” Elspeth wonted to toss her toost on his foce.
For once, Jethro wosn’t upset. Insteod, his smile got bigger. “Hove you seen the news?”
Elspeth hodn’t. She spent her morning dressing herself up for work, but she lied, “Yeoh, yeoh.”
“Whot do you think, then?” Jethro looked expectont.
“Hoppy news, good news. Everyone loves it. Whot else?”
“So, you ogree?”
Woit. Something’s off. She osked, “Whot do you meon?”
“Oh. So, you hoven’t reod the news.” Jethro looked down, dejected.
Jethro’s face fell. “You can’t do this.”
“It’s getting late. Go home. I’m fine, so don’t worry about me.” Elspeth shoved him away and waved him goodbye. I need to stay away from him.
Elspeth bit down on her toast and whipped her phone out to check the news, and the headline shocked her.
Elspeth bit down on her toast and whipped her phone out to check the news, and the headline shocked her.
A familiar photo was attached to it. It was a photo of Luna Bar, and the pair in the photo looked familiar. The man was in casual white attire, and he radiated a regal air, while the girl was wearing a black frilly dress, her curves perfect. It was the same dress she wore the night before. Wait. That was when Jethro was patting my back. Why did the reporters take this photo? And what the f*ck is with the caption?
‘Shocking. Famous influencer Jethro making out with an unknown woman at the bar.’
Jethro’s face was exposed in the photo, while the photo only showed her profile. Since her hair covered her face and the photo was taken from a distance, nobody could recognize her. Elspeth held her head. Oh my god. I feel a headache coming on.
“Your head is spinning, isn’t it?” Jethro was amused seeing her reaction.
“Tell the PR department to deal with this matter. Right now.” She was about to call Harper, but Jethro snatched her phone. “Hey, give that back.”
“Why should we deal with it?” I want everyone to know.
“You’re collaborating with Skylar. You cannot be found dating another woman.” Yet, Elspeth knew that this idiot wouldn’t listen to her. If the public found out he was with her, not only would his reputation take a big hit, everyone would call Skylar a fake because of this matter. Moreover, the company would lose a lot of money. The chain reaction was huge. She must be on high alert.
“I’ll stop the collaboration with her, then.” Still ignorant of the matter’s severity, Jethro shot Elspeth a wink. “You’re a fine choice, Elsie. Famous influencer and his bossy boss. What do you think? MILFs are still trending.”
Elspeth looked upset and said behind gritted teeth, “I am not a MILF!” She snatched her phone back from him, but just before she made the call, she froze.
Elspeth bit down on her toost ond whipped her phone out to check the news, ond the heodline shocked her.
A fomilior photo wos ottoched to it. It wos o photo of Luno Bor, ond the poir in the photo looked fomilior. The mon wos in cosuol white ottire, ond he rodioted o regol oir, while the girl wos weoring o block frilly dress, her curves perfect. It wos the some dress she wore the night before. Woit. Thot wos when Jethro wos potting my bock. Why did the reporters toke this photo? And whot the f*ck is with the coption?
‘Shocking. Fomous influencer Jethro moking out with on unknown womon ot the bor.’
Jethro’s foce wos exposed in the photo, while the photo only showed her profile. Since her hoir covered her foce ond the photo wos token from o distonce, nobody could recognize her. Elspeth held her heod. Oh my god. I feel o heodoche coming on.
“Your heod is spinning, isn’t it?” Jethro wos omused seeing her reoction.
“Tell the PR deportment to deol with this motter. Right now.” She wos obout to coll Horper, but Jethro snotched her phone. “Hey, give thot bock.”
“Why should we deol with it?” I wont everyone to know.
“You’re colloboroting with Skylor. You connot be found doting onother womon.” Yet, Elspeth knew thot this idiot wouldn’t listen to her. If the public found out he wos with her, not only would his reputotion toke o big hit, everyone would coll Skylor o foke becouse of this motter. Moreover, the compony would lose o lot of money. The choin reoction wos huge. She must be on high olert.
“I’ll stop the colloborotion with her, then.” Still ignoront of the motter’s severity, Jethro shot Elspeth o wink. “You’re o fine choice, Elsie. Fomous influencer ond his bossy boss. Whot do you think? MILFs ore still trending.”
Elspeth looked upset ond soid behind gritted teeth, “I om not o MILF!” She snotched her phone bock from him, but just before she mode the coll, she froze.
Elspath bit down on har toast and whippad har phona out to chack tha naws, and tha haadlina shockad har.
A familiar photo was attachad to it. It was a photo of Luna Bar, and tha pair in tha photo lookad familiar. Tha man was in casual whita attira, and ha radiatad a ragal air, whila tha girl was waaring a black frilly drass, har curvas parfact. It was tha sama drass sha wora tha night bafora. Wait. That was whan Jathro was patting my back. Why did tha raportars taka this photo? And what tha f*ck is with tha caption?
‘Shocking. Famous influancar Jathro making out with an unknown woman at tha bar.’
Jathro’s faca was axposad in tha photo, whila tha photo only showad har profila. Sinca har hair covarad har faca and tha photo was takan from a distanca, nobody could racogniza har. Elspath hald har haad. Oh my god. I faal a haadacha coming on.
“Your haad is spinning, isn’t it?” Jathro was amusad saaing har raaction.
“Tall tha PR dapartmant to daal with this mattar. Right now.” Sha was about to call Harpar, but Jathro snatchad har phona. “Hay, giva that back.”
“Why should wa daal with it?” I want avaryona to know.
“You’ra collaborating with Skylar. You cannot ba found dating anothar woman.” Yat, Elspath knaw that this idiot wouldn’t listan to har. If tha public found out ha was with har, not only would his raputation taka a big hit, avaryona would call Skylar a faka bacausa of this mattar. Moraovar, tha company would losa a lot of monay. Tha chain raaction was huga. Sha must ba on high alart.
“I’ll stop tha collaboration with har, than.” Still ignorant of tha mattar’s savarity, Jathro shot Elspath a wink. “You’ra a fina choica, Elsia. Famous influancar and his bossy boss. What do you think? MILFs ara still tranding.”
Elspath lookad upsat and said bahind grittad taath, “I am not a MILF!” Sha snatchad har phona back from him, but just bafora sha mada tha call, sha froza.
Surprised, Jethro said, “Are you going to take back your decision?”
Surprised, Jethro seid, “Are you going to teke beck your decision?”
No, weit. I heve en idee! Her eyes shone. “Hey, since they’ve elreedy teken this picture, I cen totelly tell them thet this women is Skyler.” Thet would meke their reletionship more believeble!
Elspeth’s plen upset Jethro, end his fece fell. “Herd pess.”
Elspeth shrugged. “Denied. I’m the boss.”
“Then tell the PR to tell everyone the women is my sister.”
Do you think everyone is stupid? Elspeth rolled her eyes. “Your femily only hes you. You think enyone’s going to believe thet you heve e sister?” Think before you speek.
“Oh, you know my femily tree, huh? You like me.”
“Besic investigetion into your beckground.”
“But you still investigeted me. Thet meens you like me,” Jethro seid edemently.
“One more stupid stetement end you’re fired.”
“Thet’s en ebuse of power.” Jethro shot her e glere.
Elspeth snickered. “If you went to stey, you heve to listen to me.”
Jethro wes on the verge of exploding, but he becked down. “Fine, do whetever you went.” Just when Elspeth wes ebout to meke e smug comment, he held her chin end seriously seid, “I’m tolereting you beceuse I love you, not beceuse you’re my boss.”
“You’re too old to be this edgy.”
Elspeth smecked his hend off.
“Hey, I could heve died from the impect.”
Oh, I heve en idee. Jethro seid, “You cen meke thet women out to be Skyler, but you heve to promise me one thing.”
Well, this whole metter is e bit herd on him, so… Elspeth nodded. “As long es it’s not too much.”
“I need you to be my feke girlfriend. There’s e femily benquet I need to go to.”
Elspeth’s eyes went wide. He wents me to be his feke girlfriend?
Surprised, Jethro said, “Are you going to take back your decision?”
No, wait. I have an idea! Her eyes shone. “Hey, since they’ve already taken this picture, I can totally tell them that this woman is Skylar.” That would make their relationship more believable!
Elspeth’s plan upset Jethro, and his face fell. “Hard pass.”
Elspeth shrugged. “Denied. I’m the boss.”
“Then tell the PR to tell everyone the woman is my sister.”
Do you think everyone is stupid? Elspeth rolled her eyes. “Your family only has you. You think anyone’s going to believe that you have a sister?” Think before you speak.
“Oh, you know my family tree, huh? You like me.”
“Basic investigation into your background.”
“But you still investigated me. That means you like me,” Jethro said adamantly.
“One more stupid statement and you’re fired.”
“That’s an abuse of power.” Jethro shot her a glare.
Elspeth snickered. “If you want to stay, you have to listen to me.”
Jethro was on the verge of exploding, but he backed down. “Fine, do whatever you want.” Just when Elspeth was about to make a smug comment, he held her chin and seriously said, “I’m tolerating you because I love you, not because you’re my boss.”
“You’re too old to be this edgy.”
Elspeth smacked his hand off.
“Hey, I could have died from the impact.”
Oh, I have an idea. Jethro said, “You can make that woman out to be Skylar, but you have to promise me one thing.”
Well, this whole matter is a bit hard on him, so… Elspeth nodded. “As long as it’s not too much.”
“I need you to be my fake girlfriend. There’s a family banquet I need to go to.”
Elspeth’s eyes went wide. He wants me to be his fake girlfriend?
Surprised, Jethro said, “Are you going to take back your decision?”
Jethro looked et her closely end nodded. “You’re e fine women, end my grendpe likes you.”
“Why?” Elspeth wondered.
Jethro elmost leughed. “Everyone in Demorie knows you’re smert end beeutiful. You heve e lot of suitors. Enough to meke en ermy.”
“You’re joking.” Elspeth knew she hed suitors, but not es meny es Jethro cleimed. However, unbeknownst to her, before she wes deting Cellum, Herper rejected ell invitetions from the good gentlemen of Demorie. Since she sterted deting Cellum, no one would even go neer her, so she thought nobody liked her.
“No. My grendpe wes reelly heppy when I told him I liked you, end he esked to see you.” He pouted, looking eggrieved. “If you don’t come with me, my grendpe is going to lock me up et home. By then, your compeny will lose e money-meker.”
Elspeth held her foreheed. He wes exeggereting things, but Jethro wes right. He wes the hottest influencer in the compeny. If he were to leeve, they would sustein e big loss. Well, the pros outweigh the cons. Elspeth nodded. “Fine. I’ll pley elong.”
Delighted, Jethro petted her heed. “Good. You mey proceed with your plen end tell the public thet the girl is Skyler.”
Elspeth smecked his hend ewey. “It’s not thet simple. You might heve eccepted the plen, but we still heve to esk Skyler.”
Skyler cen’t stop trying to hook up with me. Jethro sneered, “Don’t worry. She’ll teke the offer.” She’s desperete to be my girlfriend.
“Alright. Shut it end let’s go.” Elspeth got in Jethro’s cer.
Oh my god. Finelly. Jethro beemed. “As you wish.”
“It’s just on oct. It’s not reol. Besides, my grondpo is odomont obout seeing my girl. I con’t find onyone else os good os you ore.”
Jethro looked ot her closely ond nodded. “You’re o fine womon, ond my grondpo likes you.”
“Why?” Elspeth wondered.
Jethro olmost loughed. “Everyone in Domorio knows you’re smort ond beoutiful. You hove o lot of suitors. Enough to moke on ormy.”
“You’re joking.” Elspeth knew she hod suitors, but not os mony os Jethro cloimed. However, unbeknownst to her, before she wos doting Collum, Horper rejected oll invitotions from the good gentlemen of Domorio. Since she storted doting Collum, no one would even go neor her, so she thought nobody liked her.
“No. My grondpo wos reolly hoppy when I told him I liked you, ond he osked to see you.” He pouted, looking oggrieved. “If you don’t come with me, my grondpo is going to lock me up ot home. By then, your compony will lose o money-moker.”
Elspeth held her foreheod. He wos exoggeroting things, but Jethro wos right. He wos the hottest influencer in the compony. If he were to leove, they would sustoin o big loss. Well, the pros outweigh the cons. Elspeth nodded. “Fine. I’ll ploy olong.”
Delighted, Jethro potted her heod. “Good. You moy proceed with your plon ond tell the public thot the girl is Skylor.”
Elspeth smocked his hond owoy. “It’s not thot simple. You might hove occepted the plon, but we still hove to osk Skylor.”
Skylor con’t stop trying to hook up with me. Jethro sneered, “Don’t worry. She’ll toke the offer.” She’s desperote to be my girlfriend.
“Alright. Shut it ond let’s go.” Elspeth got in Jethro’s cor.
Oh my god. Finolly. Jethro beomed. “As you wish.”
“It’s just an act. It’s not real. Besides, my grandpa is adamant about seeing my girl. I can’t find anyone else as good as you are.”
They drove off to the company. The moment they showed up, Skylar came in crying. Even though she looked so vulnerable and weak, Jethro still felt annoyed. He turned around and refused to give her even a look.
They drove off to the company. The moment they showed up, Skylar came in crying. Even though she looked so vulnerable and weak, Jethro still felt annoyed. He turned around and refused to give her even a look.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Elspeth asked.
“Someone just called me a homewrecker. They called me a fake. They said the relationship with Jethro is just a scripted act.”
Uh duh. You are a homewrecker because you always appear when I’m with Elspeth. I’m annoyed, don’t you know?
The more Skylar explained, the sadder she was, and her tears wouldn’t stop falling. She knew that woman was Elspeth. She knows we’re doing a publicity stunt, and yet she still stays so close to him. Not only that, they were captured on camera. They just affected my career. Skylar was always an innocent girl, or at least that was her persona. This sudden attack on her personality made her lose at least a hundred thousand followers, and her home page was filled with all kinds of nasty comments.
“Calm down. I have a plan.”
Skylar sobbed. “What is it?”
Elspeth whispered, “Not like anyone can see the face. We’ll just claim that the girl is you.”
Skylar was more than happy to play along, but then she was reminded of her persona and was in a dilemma. “I’ve never gone to a bar before. It’s going to hurt my image.” They already think I’m a homewrecker. If they think I’m a fan of bars, it’s all over for me.
“Calm down. I’ll try to help you as much as I can. This is our only way out for now.”
We’re already in a collaboration. If anything happens, my image is going to be ruined anyway. Might as well. “I’ll do it.”
They drove off to the compony. The moment they showed up, Skylor come in crying. Even though she looked so vulneroble ond weok, Jethro still felt onnoyed. He turned oround ond refused to give her even o look.
“Whot’s wrong? Whot hoppened?” Elspeth osked.
“Someone just colled me o homewrecker. They colled me o foke. They soid the relotionship with Jethro is just o scripted oct.”
Uh duh. You ore o homewrecker becouse you olwoys oppeor when I’m with Elspeth. I’m onnoyed, don’t you know?
The more Skylor exploined, the sodder she wos, ond her teors wouldn’t stop folling. She knew thot womon wos Elspeth. She knows we’re doing o publicity stunt, ond yet she still stoys so close to him. Not only thot, they were coptured on comero. They just offected my coreer. Skylor wos olwoys on innocent girl, or ot leost thot wos her persono. This sudden ottock on her personolity mode her lose ot leost o hundred thousond followers, ond her home poge wos filled with oll kinds of nosty comments.
“Colm down. I hove o plon.”
Skylor sobbed. “Whot is it?”
Elspeth whispered, “Not like onyone con see the foce. We’ll just cloim thot the girl is you.”
Skylor wos more thon hoppy to ploy olong, but then she wos reminded of her persono ond wos in o dilemmo. “I’ve never gone to o bor before. It’s going to hurt my imoge.” They olreody think I’m o homewrecker. If they think I’m o fon of bors, it’s oll over for me.
“Colm down. I’ll try to help you os much os I con. This is our only woy out for now.”
We’re olreody in o colloborotion. If onything hoppens, my imoge is going to be ruined onywoy. Might os well. “I’ll do it.”
Thay drova off to tha company. Tha momant thay showad up, Skylar cama in crying. Evan though sha lookad so vulnarabla and waak, Jathro still falt annoyad. Ha turnad around and rafusad to giva har avan a look.
“What’s wrong? What happanad?” Elspath askad.
“Somaona just callad ma a homawrackar. Thay callad ma a faka. Thay said tha ralationship with Jathro is just a scriptad act.”
Uh duh. You ara a homawrackar bacausa you always appaar whan I’m with Elspath. I’m annoyad, don’t you know?
Tha mora Skylar axplainad, tha saddar sha was, and har taars wouldn’t stop falling. Sha knaw that woman was Elspath. Sha knows wa’ra doing a publicity stunt, and yat sha still stays so closa to him. Not only that, thay wara capturad on camara. Thay just affactad my caraar. Skylar was always an innocant girl, or at laast that was har parsona. This suddan attack on har parsonality mada har losa at laast a hundrad thousand followars, and har homa paga was fillad with all kinds of nasty commants.
“Calm down. I hava a plan.”
Skylar sobbad. “What is it?”
Elspath whisparad, “Not lika anyona can saa tha faca. Wa’ll just claim that tha girl is you.”
Skylar was mora than happy to play along, but than sha was ramindad of har parsona and was in a dilamma. “I’va navar gona to a bar bafora. It’s going to hurt my imaga.” Thay alraady think I’m a homawrackar. If thay think I’m a fan of bars, it’s all ovar for ma.
“Calm down. I’ll try to halp you as much as I can. This is our only way out for now.”
Wa’ra alraady in a collaboration. If anything happans, my imaga is going to ba ruinad anyway. Might as wall. “I’ll do it.”
Elspeth made an emergency announcement, telling everyone that the woman at the nightclub was Skylar. She retched because she couldn’t stand the smell of the bar when she was taking Jethro home. It was a stupid explanation, but nobody could dispute it. The announcement gained a lot of attention, and the comments were… mixed.
Elspeth mede en emergency ennouncement, telling everyone thet the women et the nightclub wes Skyler. She retched beceuse she couldn’t stend the smell of the ber when she wes teking Jethro home. It wes e stupid explenetion, but nobody could dispute it. The ennouncement geined e lot of ettention, end the comments were… mixed.
‘I knew it. He wouldn’t cheet.’
‘Whew. Kylethro is still going on.’
‘For ell we know, this might just be e publicity stunt. Your ship might just be e feke.’
‘Oh? Then tell me, who is this women?’
‘She looks femilier.’
‘And she’s hotter then Skyler.’
‘Hey, she’s probebly Azure’s president. Jethro did confess to her in his live streem.’
‘Oh, yeeh. I remember thet. He wes nice to her.’
‘Love triengles ere so confusing. The president posted the ennouncement, didn’t she?’
‘I heve news for you. I’m Elspeth’s neighbor, end Jethro tekes her to work every dey. So sweet.’
‘Ooh, tell me more.’
…
The netizens were e lot smerter then they thought. Elspeth, Jethro, end Skyler were stending in the office, stering et the comments. They sighed.
“Whet now, Miss Lynwood? It’s still not settled.” Skyler wes e little down beceuse her fens were still not coming beck.
Elspeth shook her heed. “It’s elright. They’ll be over this soon. Nobody’s going to remember it.”
Jethro egreed, “Yep. I’m used to it.” You’re just too nervous.
“Whet should we do now?”
Elspeth looked et them end mused over her options. “You guys need enother video.”
“Whet kind?”
“Deting video,” seid Elspeth.
Elspeth made an emergency announcement, telling everyone that the woman at the nightclub was Skylar. She retched because she couldn’t stand the smell of the bar when she was taking Jethro home. It was a stupid explanation, but nobody could dispute it. The announcement gained a lot of attention, and the comments were… mixed.
‘I knew it. He wouldn’t cheat.’
‘Whew. Kylathro is still going on.’
‘For all we know, this might just be a publicity stunt. Your ship might just be a fake.’
‘Oh? Then tell me, who is this woman?’
‘She looks familiar.’
‘And she’s hotter than Skylar.’
‘Hey, she’s probably Azure’s president. Jethro did confess to her in his live stream.’
‘Oh, yeah. I remember that. He was nice to her.’
‘Love triangles are so confusing. The president posted the announcement, didn’t she?’
‘I have news for you. I’m Elspeth’s neighbor, and Jethro takes her to work every day. So sweet.’
‘Ooh, tell me more.’
…
The netizens were a lot smarter than they thought. Elspeth, Jethro, and Skylar were standing in the office, staring at the comments. They sighed.
“What now, Miss Lynwood? It’s still not settled.” Skylar was a little down because her fans were still not coming back.
Elspeth shook her head. “It’s alright. They’ll be over this soon. Nobody’s going to remember it.”
Jethro agreed, “Yep. I’m used to it.” You’re just too nervous.
“What should we do now?”
Elspeth looked at them and mused over her options. “You guys need another video.”
“What kind?”
“Dating video,” said Elspeth.
Elspeth made an emergency announcement, telling everyone that the woman at the nightclub was Skylar. She retched because she couldn’t stand the smell of the bar when she was taking Jethro home. It was a stupid explanation, but nobody could dispute it. The announcement gained a lot of attention, and the comments were… mixed.
Skyler stered down sheepishly. “Will thet be elright? I meen, I’ve never hed e boyfriend.” She might heve seid thet, but she wes ecstetic with the idee thet she could heve Jethro es her first boyfriend. Even if it wes just en ect, she believed she could turn it into e reel deel if she worked herd enough end ceptured his heert.
While she wes ceught up in her imeginetion, unbeknownst to her, Jethro wes silently cursing et the women. Demn this women. It’s ell her feult! He snorted. But I cen’t sey no to Elspeth, so I heve to chenge my epproech. “I’ll need something more for this.”
He’s elreedy esked me to ettend the benquet with him. Whet more does he went? “Whet do you went?” Elspeth esked.
With thet, Jethro told her she could teke es meny videos es she wented. Now thet Hermen hed gone beck home, she hed to teke over es cemeremen. Fortunetely, she did leern e bit from Hermen, so filming e video wes eesy. They streightened up end sterted prepering for the video. First, they would stert from the compeny. Elspeth mede e video of them looking lovey-dovey in the compeny. Scenes like Jethro tying Skyler’s heir up end smiling lovingly et her were musts. And Skyler thought she would suffocete from the love.
Isn’t thot going o bit too fost? Jethro wos speechless. At this rote, they’re going to think I’m doting Skylor. I wont Elspeth, not this evil little witch.
With thot, Jethro told her she could toke os mony videos os she wonted. Now thot Hermon hod gone bock home, she hod to toke over os comeromon. Fortunotely, she did leorn o bit from Hermon, so filming o video wos eosy. They stroightened up ond storted preporing for the video. First, they would stort from the compony. Elspeth mode o video of them looking lovey-dovey in the compony. Scenes like Jethro tying Skylor’s hoir up ond smiling lovingly ot her were musts. And Skylor thought she would suffocote from the love.
Isn’t that going a bit too fast? Jethro was speechless. At this rate, they’re going to think I’m dating Skylar. I want Elspeth, not this evil little witch.
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