Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
Jethro waved her down. “I don’t care. I can buy my fans.”
For once, Elspeth was irritated, and she raised her voice. “I am the boss here, Jethro!”
Since Elspeth was angry, Jethro stopped talking back. He stared at the ground and muttered, “I’m a loyal guy. I don’t want to date any other woman.”
“If you don’t do as I say, I’ll take it as insubordination. We don’t need employees who won’t do as they’re told.” She was threatening to fire him if he wouldn’t do as he was told.
The same threat again? Jethro hated it, but he put on a smile anyway. “Fine, fine.” Guess I’ll have to pull some pranks, then.
Thinking that she finally got through to Jethro, she said, “I’ll hook you up with Skylar later. See if you can work together. If you guys are okay with it, we’ll go with this collaboration.” Skylar Byron was the hottest influencer she had, aside from Jethro. She was sweet and adorable, just like most people’s first love. I bet their collaboration will be really popular.
This time, Jethro didn’t protest. Mysteriously, he said, “I’m looking forward to it.” Don’t blame me if something bad happens, Elsie.
Elspeth asked him to change into a new outfit for the collaboration. Once he was gone, she made a call. “Lisa, how is the investigation of my mother going?”
“Elsie, your mother is an expert in hiding herself. I’ve scoured the whole nation, and still, I couldn’t find anything.”
Elspeth had a bad feeling about this. Something’s off. A pause later, she said, “If you can’t find anything on land, why don’t you try the waters?”
Oh, right! “Got it, Elsie. I’ll do it right now.”
Elspeth hung up and composed herself. She then took Jethro to Skylar. Skylar looked ethereal, just like a fairy. Elspeth loved that elvish feeling she had about her.
The moment they met, Jethro mocked, “That’s all?”
Skylar’s slender hand hung in mid-air, her smile freezing up.
Elspeth shot Jethro a glare. “He’s spoiled. Ignore him, Skylar.”
Jethro scratched his head. Nonchalantly, he said, “What? That was just a random comment. She’s not that beautiful.”
Skylar was beloved by a lot of fans, so she teared up right after hearing what Jethro said about her.
“What are you talking about?” Elspeth couldn’t believe Jethro. He never talked like that before. What’s his deal today?
“Just the truth.” He looked at Skylar from head to toe once more and shook his head exasperatedly. Then, he smacked his lips. “Sorry if you feel upset, Skylar. Please forgive me. I just wanted to tell the truth.” He managed to turn an apology into another attack.
Skylar teared up, and she said, “Ma’am, I don’t think I can work with him.”
She had seen Jethro’s live stream before. She thought he was handsome and nice enough to befriend his fans. He was also a pro gamer. To top things off, he came from a good family. Skylar was just a regular girl who had nothing but her looks, and she liked men like Jethro. However, after their first meeting, she lost all affection for him.
“Fine by me. I told you she wouldn’t work with me. Collaboration canceled, then.”
Skylar burst into tears. What? How is this my fault?
“Now, calm down, Skylar. I’ll talk to him.” She pulled Jethro’s ear and dragged him outside. “What the hell do you want?” Elspeth crossed her arms angrily.
“I told you. I won’t work with any girls except for you.” Jethro rubbed his ear. Stubbornly, he said, “Why must you force me to work with her? We have a lot of other guys. Why me?”
“She’s the most popular influencer besides you. If you work together, that will drive a lot of traffic to the company’s platform.”
Jethro pouted. “I don’t care about that.”
“But I do. If you refuse this work with her, then you should resign.” She gave him an ultimatum.
Noticing the determination in her eyes, Jethro froze. “Do you care about traffic that much?”
“This is my company. If we have good traffic, we can expand. Of course, I care,” she said seriously.
Jethro smiled. “Fine. I’ll do it. For you.”
What is going on in his head? “Not for me. For you.”
“That settles it. So, when are we starting?”
“Right now.” She took him back into the room.
Skylar was still sobbing. When they came in, she shot Jethro an angry look.
“We’ve talked things out, and he’s willing to work with you now.”
Skylar froze in disbelief. “But he said he wouldn’t work with me just now.”
“Ah, that was horsesh*t.”
Jethro shot Elspeth a look. “Horsesh*t? Mind your language, ma’am. You’re the president of a company.”
“You mind your manners.” She raised her hand, threatening to pull his ear again. Scared, Jethro held his ear and moved back. Elspeth turned to Skylar and noticed her spacing out. Worried that she might be intimidated, Elspeth smiled kindly. “Don’t worry. I’m nice to girls in general, but this idiot needs some taming.”
Skylar didn’t think Elspeth was fierce. She just thought there were some secrets between her and Jethro. Everyone in the company knew that Jethro liked Elspeth, and there had been a lot of gossip about both of them recently. She had been wondering how Elspeth managed to tame this mischievous soul, but now she could understand why. She nodded. A collaboration with Jethro was good for her, and she had no reason to refuse. “I’ll work with him.”
Jethro extended his hand. “It’s my honor to work with you.”
Skylar was surprised. She couldn’t believe he was trying to get close to her. It was like he had forgotten what he said to her earlier. However, now that he was extending his hand, she shook it. So big. And his fingers are cold, but his palm is warm. She felt an electric current coursing through her hand.
“Electrifying, wasn’t it?” Jethro smirked.
Skylar blushed. She muttered, “Just a bit…” Does he like me? I knew it. Everyone loves me. I’m the lovely Skylar Byron-
“Good.” Jethro nodded. “I should ditch wool sweaters next time. Can’t believe they still have static on them.”
Oh, so that’s what he meant. Skylar blushed harder.
Noticing her spacing out, Jethro huddled closer and smiled at her. “Were you thinking about something else?”
Elspeth noticed him trying to flirt with the girl, and she smacked his forehead. Stop doing that!
“I wasn’t.” Skylar had never been in a relationship before. She had a lot of suitors, but she liked none of them. Now that a handsome guy was flirting with her, she felt her heart race.
“Stop teasing her. She gets shy easily. Now get ready. We’ll be shooting a short later.” Have to start things off quickly.
Jethro frowned. “That soon?”
“Yes, and I have the perfect theme?”
“Which is?”
Elspeth slapped her thigh. “The romance between a school bully and the adorable top student. You’re the bully, and Skylar’s the cute student.”
Jethro’s frown deepened, and he pointed at himself in confusion. “You want me to be the school bully?”
“It’s the perfect role for you. You used to be one.”
“Yeah, I used to. Not anymore, alright?” I’m not a bully anymore.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s the perfect theme.” Elspeth would allow no protests, and she even gave him some incentive to make him take the offer. “If you work with her, I’ll go home with you tonight.”
A smug smile had curled Jethro’s lips. “Your place or mine?”
Elspeth smacked his head. “I’m just giving you a chance to drive me home tonight.”
Skylar watched them mess around, and then she realized something. I might be the lead role in the short, but I’m an outsider here. She bit her lip, a hint of venom flaring in her eyes. Why? I’m supposed to be loved by all. Why are they ignoring me?
Elspeth was teaching Jethro a lesson, so she didn’t notice the change in Skylar’s expression at first. When Elspeth noticed Skylar’s dark look from the corner of her eye, she realized they might have been messing around a little too much.
“It’s getting late. We should go to the shooting location now. I’ve informed the cameraman.” Then, the three of them went to the set.
The cameraman Elspeth called was a man she met abroad. He came back to start a business here, and since he was free at the moment, Elspeth asked him to help out. Herman had been living in another country for years, so the moment he met Elspeth, he gave her a tight hug. “It’s been a while. Miss me?”
The hug annoyed Jethro, and he forcibly pulled them apart. “Hey, that’s borderline harassment, bucko. Watch yourself,” he hissed. Jethro was a mischievous and fierce lad most of the time, and he could be scary if he wanted to.
