Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“He didn’t bother with you when you sought him out, did he?”
Reminded of her stupidity, Yelena started to cry again. “Yes.”
“He brought another girl back when you were there, correct?”
“Yes.”
Elspeth mulled over it for a while, and she thought something was off. “Maybe he did it on purpose.”
“Why would he do that?” Yelena sobbed like a hurt kitten.
“So, you’d back off. You’ve been hounding him, so he wanted you to leave,” said Elspeth, but Yelena cried harder. “No, don’t cry. I’m not saying he doesn’t like you. He just wanted you to leave.”
Does that make any difference? Yelena sobbed.
Elspeth held her forehead. “What then? Did something else happen?”
“No… No, wait. I went to Luna alone that night. I met a friend there, someone who shares my values.”
“Scum, more like,” Elspeth snickered. There are no decent people in bars.
“Fine, I ran into a scum. I had a chat with him and then fell asleep. I think he draped a coat over me before he left. When I woke up, Hank was right beside me. I was surprised, then he took me away from the bar and asked me whom the coat belonged to.”
That settles it. He still likes her. Elspeth’s confusion lifted a little. “And?”
“I said nothing to him, so he got mad. Then he tried to cheer me up like he used to. And then…” Reminded of Cecelia, the light in Yelena’s eyes dimmed. “And then the woman came. Hank then started giving me a cold shoulder.”
Elspeth patted Yelena’s head happily. “Good, good. You’ve summarized the whole thing. Don’t you get it?”
Yelena shook her head. “I get it. He likes the girl really much, so he gave me a cold shoulder after he saw her.”
My God, you really need to level up your comprehension skills. “I mean, he might be chasing you away for some reason.”
“He didn’t bother with you when you sought him out, did he?”
Yelena looked at Elspeth in disbelief. “What? No way. He would have told me if he had a reason. Why would he hide it from me?”
Elspeth shook her head. “I have no idea either, but I’m sure that things are more than meets the eye.
It’s not what you think.” If Hank wanted her to leave, he could’ve done so a long time ago. There’s no need to leave her hanging. He’s not the kind of person to allow her to visit him while he pays no attention to her, unless he’s a psychopath.
“What should I do now? Keep seeking him out?”
Elspeth froze. “Are you stupid? He’s ignoring you. Don’t give him a moment of your time. If he wants you to leave, then leave. Do as he wants you to.”
“But…”
“Stand up for yourself. You’re not his slave. Distract yourself. Pretend you don’t know him at the moment.” Elspeth thought this was a good way to deal with the matter, but she also had a personal agenda. Hank tortured my friend for quite a while. I won’t let him control her like she’s a pet. If he’s really pushing Yelena away for a reason, then keeping Yelena away from him will frustrate him. That’s what he gets for tormenting my friend.
Yelena always listened to her friend. Sobbing, she nodded. “I know. I won’t see him again.” I’m not going to be a simp.
“Don’t worry. Whatever you lose now, you will gain it back.” A smile curled Elspeth’s lip. It’s time to see Hank.
…
Elspeth made an appointment with Hank that weekend. Hank refused it, but then Elspeth mentioned
Cecelia. That forced Hank to see her. He came downstairs and saw Elspeth on the couch sipping some coffee. He asked, “What do you need from me, Mrs. Winthrop?”
Seeing as he was so distant, Elspeth had the urge to tease him. “I see Yelena was right. You’re actually a heartless man.” Elspeth clicked her tongue and sighed.
“I trust you have more important things to say, Mrs. Winthrop. Cut to the chase, please.” Hank took a seat on the other couch and crossed his legs elegantly.
“Very well. I shall cut to the chase then. About your marriage with the Yhorman girl… Is that true?” She had looked into Cecelia. She was the only daughter of the Yhorman Family, and they spoiled her. The family was also powerful politicians. Cecelia was bred to be a politician as well, and her background was perfect. No wonder Hank’s family likes her, but what does Hank want?
Hank looked at her calmly. He didn’t answer that question straight. “Whatever happens, happens.”
Elspeth’s face fell. “Don’t try to use semantics, Mr. Damazio.” Yelena might fall for it, but I won’t.
Hank picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip, but he didn’t explain. “I’ve said what I should. I can’t say anything more, I’m afraid.”
Very well. If he wants to keep a secret, then so be it. Elspeth took her bag and stood up and pretended that she was leaving. “Very well. If that’s the case, I shall personally ask Ms. Yhorman about it.”
Hank stiffened up a little. “Don’t disturb her.”
Even though she knew Hank was no heartbreaker, she mocked, “My, aren’t you worried? And I haven’t said anything yet. I find you rather fickle, Mr. Damazio. It’s only been a few days since your breakup.”
Hank was unfazed. He opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, he only said, “Stay out of this, Mrs. Winthrop. I know what I’m doing.”
“Of course, but just one question.”
“Speak.” Hank knew what she was going to ask.
“Whatever you’re doing, will it hurt Yelena?”
Without hesitation, Hank answered, “No.”
“Romantically speaking?” Elspeth rebutted.
“No promises.” Not like I can help that Yelena’s feeling down.
Elspeth wanted to fly into a rage again. What’s wrong with me? It’s like I have mood swings. PMS, I guess. Wait a minute, but my period has been late for almost a month.
“Mrs. Winthrop.” Hank broke her train of thought. “Don’t worry. What I’m doing won’t really hurt Yelena.”
“Too late,” said Elspeth coolly. “She’s hurt real bad and is going to forget about you now.” She looked at him closely and noticed him clenching his fists. I knew it. He still cares about her. It’s all a lie.
“You seem upset. But this is what you wanted, isn’t it?” Elspeth smiled, then she brushed her finger across her phone’s screen. “I heard everything from Yelena. She cried her eyes out. She’s heartbroken, but I think you’d be happy to know that. After all, nobody’s going to bug you anymore.” Elspeth spoke of Yelena’s heartbreak so that it would make Hank feel guiltier.
Hank was still smiling, but something stirred in his heart. Now he could see that things were veering out of control.
“Very well. Since you have a plan, I’ll leave you to it. I’m not here to defend her, but to see how you’ll deal with the matter. It seems like you don’t care about her anymore. In that case, I shall tell her to give up as well.”
Elspeth made it sound like she was helping him, but Hank wasn’t happy in the slightest. Elspeth was going to leave, or so she pretended. Three, two, one.
“Of course, but just one question.”
“A minute, Mrs. Winthrop.”
Bingo. Elspeth turned around and smiled at him. “What is it, Mr. Damazio? Anything else?”
“Tell Yelena it’s not what she thinks.”
Elspeth pretended to not get it. She asked, “What do you mean ‘it’s not what she thinks’? What do you mean? Spit it out.”
Hank looked annoyed. “Just tell her that, please.”
Elspeth shrugged. “Why don’t you tell her yourself?”
Hank’s face fell. “There are some things I can’t do right now.”
“Then tell her when you can.” Elspeth smiled and left the firm. On her way back, she started wondering why her period was late. I should get checked just in case.
She went into the pharmacy and was about to get a test kit, but then she saw someone familiar. Jethro? Elspeth was shocked to see him, and she was about to pretend he wasn’t there.
However, Jethro had seen her. “Fancy seeing you here, Elspeth.” He held up a pack of medicine and slowly approached her. When he got closer, he leaned forward deliberately, causing Elspeth to take a few steps back. “Why are you so scared? I won’t eat you.” He eyed her up and down. “Why are you here? Sick?”
Elspeth shook her head. “Nothing.” She took her phone out and pretended to be busy. “I should go now.”
Jethro didn’t press any further. Since she refused to speak with him, he wouldn’t insist. “See you around.”
