Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“If you don’t trust me, then record what we said. If I don’t keep up my end of the deal, you can sue me any time.”However, he shook his head.
“Elspeth, you’re too smart for your own good. As long as you say something indirectly, verbal promises won’t have legal effects. Do you think I’m stupid?”Such a weak lie couldn’t fool him at all. He saw Elspeth sitting there with her back straight, and an evil thought surfaced in his mind.He leaned closer to her and clung to her.”Or you can sleep with me tonight, and I’ll give it to you.”She looked at him in disgust. When she saw his perverted smile, she lifted her hand and slapped him in the face.He didn’t react immediately as the smack came as a shock to him.After a while, he slowly turned to look at her with a menacing look. His reddened eyes were wide open as he stared at her viciously. He was disgruntled by what had happened, yet he seemed to enjoy it as well.”Spicy, but I like it.”Arthur pushed the tip of his tongue against his inner cheek and felt the wound in his mouth. He felt a subtle pain.
“With such a big reaction, it must mean that you haven’t slept with a man yet, have you? Callum is such a gentleman. I would have pounced on you a long time ago.””Arthur, you are disgusting.”Seeing that her negotiation failed, she decided to get ginkgo another way. She stood up and prepared to leave.However, before she could even start walking, her whole body went limp, and she fell back onto the chair.Warning bells immediately went off in Elspeth’s head.”I lit an incense in the room. I’m sorry, but I’m not a gentleman. I’m a monster.”He caressed her face with his right hand, smiling devilishly.
“Elspeth, do you think Callum would be mad if I slept with his girlfriend, whom he has yet to sleep with?”Elspeth wanted to fight back, but she gradually lost consciousness.The last thing she saw before her world went dark was an evil and hungry look in Arthur’s eyes. His face was smug as he waited for the opportunity.
Arthur stared at the unconscious Elspeth beside him as a smirk crept up his face. You still fell into my hands! Just as he was about to carry her up to the hotel room, a loud crash echoed from the sandalwood door as it was kicked wide open.Callum’s face went dark as he saw Elspeth lying motionless in Arthur’s arms. Although he looked sickly, he still managed to exude a threatening aura.
“Put Elspeth down, Arthur!”When he was unconscious, he overheard Elspeth say that she would meet Arthur at the hotel. He tried his hardest to pry his eyes open when he felt the emptiness beside him to look for her. Just as expected, he found her there.”That was quick of you, Callum,”
Arthur sneered. It was frankly not within his calculations that Callum would still have the strength to come over when he was poisoned. Nevertheless, Arthur had to give him credit for his tenacity.”Well, I wouldn’t have known you were such a b*stard if I didn’t.”Callum coughed softly with a hand over his mouth and tried to suppress the ill effects of the poison on his person. His gaze landed on Elspeth in Arthur’s arms as fury lit up in his eyes.
“Aren’t you releasing her?””Let her go?”Arthur jeered,
“Have you forgotten that you’re poisoned, Callum? You won’t be able to beat me no matter how proficient you are at fighting.””Who told you that I came alone?”Suddenly, a group of burly men showed up from behind Callum. They were all packed with muscles, making it an intimidating scene.That made Arthur’s smile disappear in an instant.
“You’re pretty clever.””You only have one minute, Arthur. Put Elspeth down and hand over the ginkgo.”Callum’s words felt like a joke to Arthur as he sharply rebuffed,
“Elspeth is in my hands now. Shouldn’t you be the one listening to my demands?”
How dare Calum threaten me? I guess he doesn’t care about Elspeth’s life!”You’re only one man here, Arthur. You don’t even have a single chip to barter against me.””Is that so?”Arthur had no regard for Callum’s taunt as he smashed the glass onto the floor and picked up a shard, threateningly holding it against Elspeth’s neck with a manic smile.
“Elspeth’s life for my freedom. That should be enough, Callum.”Callum hesitated for a moment before calmly answering,
“Okay. Release her, and I’ll let you go.””Aww. You wanna play the hero and save the damsel in distress. I’ll return her to you once I get out.”Then, Arthur held onto Elspeth’s waist as he slowly made his way out.Callum didn’t stop him as he followed quietly behind. Then, he even caught Elspeth, who was thrown to the ground as Arthur got into the cab.After the car drove off, Callum once again looked down at Elspeth, who was in his arms, only to see that she had opened her eyes, and they contained a hint of gleeful triumph.
“You’re alright?”It was good news to him that Elspeth wasn’t unconscious, but she tricked him too!”Yea. It was an act. He said that the ginkgo was in the room, but it didn’t feel right for someone as sneaky as him to reveal his ace up his sleeves to me so easily. So, I pretended to faint under his drug and frisked him.”Elspeth raised her dainty hand and playfully shook a small glass bottle that displayed the ginkgo for all to see.Callum shook his head in resignation as an amused smile crept onto his face.
“Arthur will be furious.””Who cares? He was the one who started it!”He looked over her from top to bottom. Once he was confident that she was alright, he finally relaxed a tad before asking,
“How did you discover the drug?”
She felt that Arthur’s drug was like child’s play and scorned,
“I noticed it with just one whiff. That’s such a simple drug that I didn’t even want to waste my time making it when I started learning medicine.”Callum almost forgot that the person he was worried about was Elspeth, the medical genius. He was purely overthinking it.”Wait. Why are you here? Didn’t you pass out?”His eyes darkened as he quietly replied,
“I realized you were missing when I woke up and recalled what you said when I was unconscious. So, I came here and found you.”Fortunately, he arrived in time. If Arthur had been more ruthless… He didn’t dare think of the consequences.”Let’s go. You and Frank will recover just fine once I’m done whipping up the antidote.”Callum nodded in agreement, and their entire procession returned to the Joneson Residence.The process of making the medicine was brief. Elspeth soon came over with a bottle filled with light yellow powder after tinkering for a while.”I can’t do anything advanced with the lack of equipment here. So, I can’t turn them into pills, but the effect is the same. Here you go.”Callum picked up the medicine bottle and watched the liquid swirl around as he raised an eyebrow.
“What happens if you poison me to death?”Elspeth, on the other hand, was amused by him.
“If I wanted you dead, I would have transferred all your assets under your name to mine. Besides, who would use such an expensive herb as a poison? That’s a huge capital. It’s easier to slit your throat in your sleep.”She was right. The market price for this ginkgo was sky-high. People fought for it as it was extremely scarce. It was indeed overkill to use it as poison.However, he still found what she said funny and couldn’t help but chuckle at the imagery.”What are you laughing at?””You’re cute.”He was only stating the facts.Elspeth shot daggers at him with her hands on her hips like a petulant child.
“What’s cute?’Callum glanced at her from the corner of his eyes before commenting,
“Small things… are cute.”She couldn’t fault him for saying that. Elspeth was tall and fair with long slender legs. It was just that she wasn’t really curvy.She immediately understood what he was hinting at and covered her chest. She returned the favor by scanning him up and down before teasing,
“Hm, you too. Small and cute.”Her insinuation immediately triggered his dissatisfaction as his eyes darkened. His tone was dangerously low when he drawled,
“Small?”Elspeth hadn’t realized the severity of the situation as she thought her retort was successful at his disappearing smile and nodded her head proudly.
“What? You’re annoyed by what I said? Don’t worry, Callum. Even if you really… I wouldn’t leave you.”Callum restrained his temper, and his tone was even as he tossed her a question,
“Why don’t you give it a try?””Try what?””If it’s small or not.”Elspeth’s face instantly became beet red. She couldn’t continue the dirty conversation and sat on the edge of the bed, looking a little lost.Callum lifted his hand and curled his finger as he gave her a knock on the head.
“Remember to stop saying nonsense next time. Else, don’t blame me for bullying you.”Elspeth understood what he meant by the word bully despite being inexperienced in terms of intimacy. So, she scrambled to back away.
“Fine, you win. Have a good rest. I’ve got to go to the hospital to treat Frank.”With that, she ran out of the room as though a pack of hellhounds was on her tail.The doors were slammed shut before Callum could even say goodbye. Then, he slowly curled his lips into a small smile as he recalled her panicked reaction.After all, it was only a matter of time before…
Elspeth ran out of the room with her heart pounding wildly against her chest. She only calmed down after taking a few deep breaths. Then, she held the other bottle of ginkgo medicine as she strode to the garage and got into the car toward the hospital.In the hospital, Frank was sitting on the bed watching an esports competition. He seemed to be in good spirits.”Frank, the medicine is ready.”
She threw the small bottle of medicine at him without a single hint of warning.”It’s such a tiny bottle. Is that enough?”Looking at the silver ceramic bottle, Frank was filled with doubt as he looked at the teeny silver ceramic bottle.It’s only the length of my finger. I can probably use it once.”Open it, and you’ll see.”Elspeth didn’t bother to explain and only told him to see for himself.Frank opened up the bottle as a pleasant fragrance swept over his face. It was light but fragrant with the unique smell of ginkgo.Inside the bottle was some sort of paste, and he tried pressing on it with his fingers. It felt warm to the touch as if it was freshly made.Frank was a little curious and asked uncertainly,
“Do I spread this on my back?”Elspeth replied in a deadpan tone,
“You can swallow it too. I’ll prepare the equipment for a gastric lavage for you.”He realized that she was mocking him when he heard that and was a little annoyed as he huffed in reply,
“Then, who’s going to help me put it on?””Why are you looking at me? It won’t be me.”They were of a different gender. So, it would be weird. Besides, he had a temper on him, and she wasn’t foolish enough to be a willing subject to his ‘tender’ mercies.Suddenly, a thought popped into her mind as she smiled.
“You could ask Spencer to help you. It could help you both to become closer.”Frank was so mad that his ears went red and rejected her hotly,
“Over my dead body.”The nurse by the side couldn’t hold it back any longer. Her eyes were sparkling with admiration as she suggested,
“Mr. Joneson, I could help you. I love putting on medicine for people.”When he stared at the chubby lady in front of him who was so eager yet shy, he turned his head and looked at Elspeth with a solemn face.”Call Spencer now!”Elspeth pressed her lips together, afraid she would laugh and hurt the nurse’s feelings.If she laughed, it would definitely cancel out all the good deeds she had done.Suddenly, Frank told her that he was thirsty and specified he wanted coffee from a particular place. She knew that this was payback for being mean to him earlier, so she didn’t refuse him and drove to get it.She also knew that he wanted her to leave since he was shy and didn’t want a girl watching him as someone slathered the paste over his injury.Spencer had clearly rushed over, considering his timely appearance. To his immense amusement, Frank only needed him because Frank couldn’t spread the paste himself. So, he gave Frank a light punch as he chortled,
“What? Am I the Joneson Family’s nanny now, Mr. Joneson?”Frank was still rather shocked by the nurse earlier. So, he wasn’t in a good mood and coldly ordered,
“Stop fooling around and get to work.”Spencer lifted his shirt and lightly spread the paste onto his back.Without Elspeth there, he was a little distracted, causing his hand to slip and accidentally press on Frank’s wound.”Argh! Careful. It hurts! Are you doing that on purpose?”Spencer immediately came back to his senses as he shook his head apologetically.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”When Frank’s grimace had smoothened out, he continued to wonder,
“Elspeth is such a two-faced woman. Why would anyone still want someone like her?”Spencer used some strength and once again pressed on Frank’s wound.Frank let out a howl this time,
“What are you doing, Spencer?”
“Oh.”
Spencer was emotionless as his fingers turned gentle.
“My hand slipped.”It was Frank’s fault for prodding right at his sore spot anyway.Frank kept hissing from the pain. That shut him up, and he stopped commenting about Elspeth.After a while, she returned with coffee and saw that Spencer was done applying the paste. So, she asked how Frank felt.He closed his eyes as he focused on his injury. He felt that his back was cool due to the paste, but his wound still stung and itched too.
“The pain is still there, but it’s acceptable.””If it hurts, that means the medicine is working. I added a medicinal herb for you. Even though it would hurt a little, it could get rid of that temper of yours and reduce your chances of experiencing any inflammation.”
Elspeth smiled once she saw that Frank’s injury was healing just as she knew it would.
“The wound on your back would be partially healed within a few days. Remember to avoid coming in contact with water.”Spencer, who was standing by the side, saw that she was planning to leave and asked hesitantly.
“Elspeth, we talked about the sickness of that friend of mine. Do you have time now?”Only then did she recall his request.
“Oh, you’re talking about that person with heliophobia?””Yes. I told her that I would look for someone to help treat her. She was delighted.”
Spencer tried to make his request as discreet as possible, hoping that she would take a look at his friend.Elspeth nodded.
“Sure. No problem. We can go now.”A glint of joy shone in Spencer’s eyes.
“Great. I’ll send you there.”Then, they bid Frank goodbye, left the hospital, and got in Spencer’s car to a colonial-style home in the suburbs.The whole house screamed fancy, and Elspeth felt rather oppressed as she laid her gaze on the heavily ornamental wooden furniture.Soon, a middle-aged couple greeted them as they entered the living room.”You should be Miss Lynwood. Spencer mentioned you. You’re as young and beautiful as I expected!”
The man of the couple looked at Elspeth’s face as a glimmer of darkness flashed across his eyes.”Thank you, Mr. Fowler. Where’s the patient?”Elspeth was a little peeved at his strange gaze and wanted to leave the moment she was done with her diagnosis.”Allow me.”The woman led Elspeth and Spencer to exit the living room toward the backyard and entered a small courtyard that was sealed tightly.Elspeth couldn’t help but frown at the darkness as she entered the room.”We have no choice. Tina’s afraid of the light.”
The woman noticed Elspeth’s discomfort and smiled apologetically.On the other hand, Spencer seemed fine, as he could move around freely.The three entered the room at the very back. As Elspeth noticed the girl’s silhouette curled up on the bed, her mind was miles away as she slowly stepped forward.The girl heard the door creak and looked up but shrank back timidly when she was met with an unfamiliar face.”Don’t be scared, Tina. This is Elspeth. I’ve told you about her before.”
Spencer patiently comforted her while giving Elspeth a look.Elspeth immediately got his hint and smiled.
“Hi, Miss Fowler. I’m here to help. But first, may I give you a checkup?”Tina shook her head.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to check me.”Elspeth wasn’t fazed by her rejection and tried to persuade her,
“It doesn’t matter. No matter what, it doesn’t hurt to decide later what you want to do after I’ve taken a look at you.”Then, she looked at Mrs. Fowler and Spencer, who were standing behind her, and requested for them to leave.
“Could you both leave the room for a minute? I’ll call out for you if I need some help.”Spencer nodded and walked out with a hesitant Mrs. Fowler.Once both of them had departed from the room, Elspeth turned back to the girl with a solemn look on her face.”Tell me the truth, Miss Fowler. What exactly is going on here?”
Tina dared not look Elspeth in the eye, and her body shrunk back into her corner when she heard those words.
“I really didn’t-“
“This room is filled with a strong scent. While most people wouldn’t be able to identify it at the get-go, I know what that is. It’s an ointment for bruises.”Elspeth knew that the truth behind Tina being covered with countless bruises and that she was going out of her way to avoid exposure would be revealed soon enough.”Miss Fowler, I’ll keep it a secret. I won’t tell anyone.”
Elspeth promised in a gentle tone.
“Believe me, Tina, alright?”Tina’s eyes reddened upon hearing Elspeth’s reassurances, making her look like a porcelain doll close to shattering.”Don’t cry. Tell me. I’ll help you.”Tina took in a deep breath before slowly recounting her story,
