Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“Oh, you flatter me. I’m but a regular man like everyone else. We’re all working for the company. I can’t be the only one to be nominated.”
He was lying. The smugness in his eyes was unmistakable.Elspeth shot him a look and sneered.
“What a hypocrite.”Xavier’s face fell. What a rude young lady.The female shareholder shot Elspeth an icy look.
“I know you don’t like the results, but that’s the truth. We’re calling a vote. As long as the combined number of shares of the people that vote for Mr. Horus exceeds half, he will be our new president.”Elspeth nodded.
“I presume none of you own more shares than me?”Xavier smiled.
“Of course. With Mr. Winthrop absent, you are the biggest shareholder.”Elspeth smiled, but she felt disgusted. Does he think he has won this?
“Then I think I can vote for Callum, can’t I?”
She stood up and pushed her hair back.
“The number of shares I own coupled with the number of shares he owns should be enough to veto your decision.”Xavier expected that, so he explained,
“Miss Lynwood, the vote is counted only if the shareholder is present and voices their decision. As you can see, Mr. Winthrop is…”Elspeth paused for a moment. Sly old fox. I knew this would happen.
“So, you’re saying you’re elected president without competition then?”That’s a bit too explicit. Sheepishly, Xavier said,
“No. We need to call a vote-“He wanted to say more, but then someone said coldly,
“She’s not the only one vetoing your decision.”It was a familiar voice, and Xavier turned around in disbelief. When he was met with Callum’s icy look, he gasped,
“Callum?”The shock made him forget everything. He didn’t even address Callum with any formality. None of them expected Callum to be in full health, and now he even came to the company. Damn it. I was so close to being the president. Xavier gnashed his teeth, but he could do nothing about the matter.
“You’re finally here, Mr. Winthrop. We were just fooling around. We all know you’re the only one who can push our company forward.”Xavier was cursing and screaming in silence. I spent nearly a million last night to buy everyone out, and now it’s all for nothing!”Didn’t seem like a joke to me.”
Callum approached Elspeth, and she made way for him. He took the seat and announced,
“I’m healed. I can work now, and it’s a Friday. A BOD meeting is on par for the course, so let’s begin. First agenda: the company’s development.”The shareholders paled.
Callum looked at Elspeth.
“You may leave.”Even though she knew it was normal that Callum was treating her indifferently, it still made Elspeth tear up.Noticing the dour mood, Callum paused for a moment and added,
“Elias and Edmund are waiting for you. They have something to tell you.””I see.”
Elspeth smiled bitterly. She nodded and left the office. Then, she took a deep breath to hide her pain. Standing outside the door was a pair of identical men smiling and waving at her. The sight of them made her sadness go away a little. She approached Elias.
“I’ve told the doctor to make your case the top priority. It’s been an hour, so the results should be out now.”Elias nodded in resignation.
“That’s why we came. We’re not related. It’s just a beautiful misunderstanding.”Elspeth put her own problems aside. Surprised, she said,
“Really? But that’s impossible!”Elias and Edmund exchanged a look, then they chuckled.
“You actually believed that? My, you’ve gotten a lot stupider, Elspeth!”Edmund. Winthrop. How dare you trick me?
“That was your idea, wasn’t it, Edmund? All just to prank me?”Elspeth suspected Edmund first because she knew how cheeky he could be. But this time, Edmund didn’t confess. Instead, he rolled his eyes.
“You can’t pin the blame on me just because of your stereotypes. It could’ve been Elias. He’s not exactly innocent.”Elias shot Edmund a glare.
“You’re the older brother here. Can’t you cover my *ss?”Edmund extended his hand and smacked Elias’ head.
“As if. I didn’t even cover the Winthrop brothers when they needed me to. Why should I do it for you?”They’re so childish. Amused, Elspeth laughed.
“You’re taking this well, Edmund. Don’t you care about the Winthrops?”Edmund stopped smiling.
“I’m not part of that family. It’s a fact, and I can’t deny it. However, that would mean all this fighting against Callum had been for nothing. I’m a bit miffed, to be honest.”You still want to fight him right now? Elspeth’s lips twitched. But it’s good. At least they can get along now.Edmund knew what Elspeth was thinking, and he sneered.
“Don’t think I’m going to get along with him. Now that I’m not part of the Winthrops, I don’t have to hold back anymore. I can fight him with all my might.””And even then, you’d still lose,”
muttered Elspeth.Edmund heard it, and his face fell.
“Elspeth!”Elspeth held her laughter back and changed the topic.
“Why don’t I take you to Mr. Irving’s place? You want to see your father, don’t you?”
The light in Edmund’s eyes dimmed.
“I do, but…”
Edmund sighed.
“But Mom might be heartbroken when she finds out. I’m not Arthur. I can’t just up and leave my family.”Elspeth nodded.
“I knew you were good. You might have a short temper, but you’re a nice guy.”Annoyed, Edmund gnashed his teeth and smirked.
“One more word and I’m smacking your head!”Elspeth stuck her tongue out and hid behind Elias.”Alright, enough. I’ve talked to Margot, and she’s letting you see Dad. Don’t worry about her.”Elspeth was starting to worry. It was good news for Irving but must be devastating for Margot. The fact that Edmund was someone else’s son meant her child could’ve been switched at birth or was dead.Edmund realized that as well.
“Margot will always be my mother, no matter what.”Elspeth patted his shoulder.
“Glad you feel that way. I’m sure Margot will be happy as well. Now let’s go to Mr. Irving’s place.”Edmund nodded, and Elias drove. They made their way to Irving’s place as fast as they could.The first thing Irving did after coming home was to purchase a villa and decorate it with some simple furniture. Looks a bit like home. When Elias told him that Edmund was coming, Irving paced around in excitement, and he kept changing clothes, wanting to meet Edmund in the perfect look. He could feel his heart coming to a stop just from delight alone when he finally heard the knock on the door.Elspeth led Edmund into the house. Edmund thought the man before him was unfamiliar, but he felt a sense of familiarity. It was probably a resonance within the blood.Moved by the reunion, Irving cried.
“My son!”
He stepped forth and hugged Edmund tightly.It was Edmund’s first time getting a big hug, and he tensed up nervously.
“Mr. Cole.”Mr. Cole? The light in Irving’s eyes dimmed, but he didn’t give up. It’s our first meeting. Of course, he can’t call me Dad, but he will do it one day.
“It’s alright. You’ll call me Dad someday.”He let go of Edmund, and then a sense of awkwardness filled the air.Time for some icebreaking. Elias said,
“Dad, you’ve never even hugged me like that before. This is unfair.”Irving rolled his eyes.
“Your mother died right after she gave birth to you two. I held you in my arms a million times when you were a kid, but I’ve never hugged your brother. So what if I gave him a bear hug?”Elias scoffed.
“Well, someone’s going to ignore me now. I think I should pack up and move out. Don’t want to be hated now.”
Elias wiggled his eyebrows smugly. He didn’t feel sad at all.Irving burst into laughter. Elspeth and Edmund smiled as well.”So, Edmund. Since you’re accepting me as your father, do you want to change your surname? How does Edmund Cole sound?”Edmund’s smile disappeared right away.
“I’m not changing my name.”
Even an even-tempered guy like Irving became a bit angry.
“But you’re my son. Shouldn’t you take my surname?”
He couldn’t accept the fact that his son had taken the surname of another man. He could’ve lied. I would’ve been happy with it.”The Winthrops raised me. I am greatly indebted to them, and I won’t change my name that easily.”
There was determination in Edmund’s eyes but a hint of guilt as well.Elspeth could understand his feeling. It was the same reason she refused to return to the Jonesons, and she sighed.
“It’s alright, Uncle Irving. This just proves that Edmund is a kind soul. He’s grateful.”Irving was still a little miffed, but he accepted the fact in the end.
“Fine, if that’s what you wish, then so be it.”
I still have Elias. At least someone will continue the bloodline.
“But you still need to return to the family just for show. I shall be holding a banquet in Damoria a few days down the line, and I shall announce that you are my son then.”
Irving wouldn’t budge on that.Edmund wanted to say no, but then he needed the Coles’ name to do something, so he agreed to it. Elias stayed back, while Elspeth and Edmund returned to the Winthrop Residence. Since Callum had gotten a lot better, he had moved back in, and Elspeth ran into him the moment she entered the house. He had just returned from the meeting. They used to be a close couple, but now things were awkward between them. They stared into each other’s eyes, yet they said nothing.”Callum,”
Elspeth said. That was the only thing she could say.Callum looked at her coolly. He didn’t even give her any response, not even a greeting.Elspeth smiled bitterly.
“If you don’t love me anymore, then we should break up.””I know you must be upset.”
Callum’s eyes glinted.
“But I can’t respond to your feelings as I am right now.”Elspeth could understand that, but she still felt powerless and defeated.
“I know. I’m sorry for pushing you.”
