Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
The retail assistant’s jaw dropped. Her boss was known to be aloof and distant, and yet now he was so gentle to a young lady. Um, you sure I was supposed to hear that little conversation? Things are getting a little awkward. The retail assistant quickly said, “What else do you need, sir?”
Oh, no. Someone else is here too. This is awkward.
“No. Good job. You’ll get a bonus this month.”
The retail assistant grinned, and she sweetly said, “You have a good eye, sir. Your wife is lovely. The ring is perfect for her.”
Embarrassed, Yelena tugged on Hank’s shirt, hinting at him to leave.
That’s enough for the day. I need to give her some time to process this. So, Hank took her home.
“Here’s the thing you want, boss.”
The next day, Yelena called Elspeth and said a tearful goodbye. She told her friend to take care and not to miss her too much. Elspeth smiled and cheered her friend up, then they hung up. With Yelena gone, Elspeth had one less friend to speak to. Yelena might be a tad too talkative usually, but Elspeth would miss her when she was gone. However, right now, Elspeth had a pressing matter to tend to-the deal Haris wanted to strike with her.
Must I get a divorce? And why should I believe that my real mother is alright? That thought lingered in her head, but she didn’t know what to do. She was spacing out at work all day, even during the meeting.
One of her employees had finished their report, and they asked carefully, “What do you think, Miss Lynwood?” It was then they noticed Elspeth spacing out, and they froze.
“What did you say? I didn’t get it.”
The employee was shocked. “Were you spacing out, Miss Lynwood?” She never makes that kind of mistake. What’s wrong with her today? Everyone else was shocked as well.
Once the meeting was over, everyone came and asked Elspeth if she was fine. They thought she was spacing out because she was sick. Elspeth thanked them for their concern, but she told no one the truth. Harper then knocked on the door and came in on the pretext of handing a file to Elspeth.
“You’re a workaholic, Elsie. You wouldn’t have made that kind of mistake, so what happened?” Harper placed the file on the table and sat on the couch.
Elspeth massaged her forehead. “Maybe I need more rest. I’ve been working a lot lately, and it’s exhausting.” She was surprised she spaced out today as well.
“You couldn’t get any rest after you married Callum? Has he been keeping you up all night?”
“Shut it. I just lost some sleep.” Elspeth thought that was awkward. Keeping me up all night? Is that an innuendo?
Harper heaved a sigh and shook his head. “You weren’t like this before, Elspeth. You used to tell me everything. What’s with the secrecy?”
“I’m not trying to keep things a secret. I just don’t know how to talk about it.”
“I’m always listening. Just talk it out. I can help.”
If he insists. He’s just worried. So, Elspeth told him everything.
“So, the woman you spent so long searching for wasn’t your real mother?” Harper gaped. This is unbelievable.
“Yeah, I didn’t believe it at first, but when I compared Mom’s DNA with mine two days ago, I found something.”
“What is it?”
Elspeth put on a look of frustration. “She’s related to me, but not directly.”
Harper almost choked on himself. “So, your mother might actually be your aunt?”
“Problem is, I only have one aunt, and she killed herself years ago.”
Harper knew that. Her aunt was sexually assaulted by Callum’s uncle. She got depressed from that and killed herself. Callum’s uncle was then sent to jail. “Maybe your grandpa has more than two daughters?” Harper thought that was possible. “It’s possible. He used to be really handsome. Might have an illegitimate daughter or two.”
“He might be famous, but he has always been loyal. He never married again after Grandma died.” Elspeth rubbed her chin. “Something’s odd.”
“I can see why you spaced out. I would have taken some days off to think about it.” Harper sighed. “I’ll look into it for you. See if I can get some clues.”
“Sure. Look into it, please.”
Harper nodded and made small talk, then he left.
Elspeth sat on her chair and fell into her thoughts. Illegitimate daughter, huh? That’s the most plausible explanation for now.
Three days went by in a flash. On the morning of the third day, Elspeth received an anonymous message.
‘Have you reached a decision? If you have, meet me at the usual place at five thirty.’
That was Haris’ message, but Elspeth slept in. It was the weekend, anyway. She tossed her phone away and slept until two in the afternoon. Then, she got up and got prepared to meet the old man. Callum was waiting right outside for her.
“It’s time, right?”
Elspeth knew Callum was bothered by the matter as well.
“Have you come up with a plan?” Callum looked into her eyes, a dark light glinting in his gaze.
“Not yet. How about you?” This was hard to handle for her. Her mother was at stake. She must be careful if she wanted her mother to be safe. That was why she felt restricted.
“I won’t agree to it.” I spent a lot of effort before I could finally marry her again. I won’t get a divorce just because some prick is threatening us. If I back off now, I’m not a man.
“What should we do, then?” Elspeth was in a bind. She wanted to see Haris alone. If Callum wasn’t around, Haris might just give her a couple more days to think about it for old time’s sake. Once she found out where her mother was, or at least found out who she was, then everything would be easier.
“We’ll kidnap Jasmine,” Callum said. The thought itself shocked Elspeth.
“Are you sure you’re not joking?”
“Yes. He kidnapped your mother, so we’re going after the one he loves the most.”
It was a simple idea, but that was the best option they had for now. Elspeth hesitated, however. She wouldn’t do anything like that. Most of the time, she would only retaliate when provoked.
“I know what you’re worried about. You can be swift to punish, but you’re still kind at your core.” Callum narrowed his eyes and patted her head. “I’m here. I’ll do it for you.”
She teared up. He’s being so gentle and nice. “Why are you so nice to me?” I never did anything he liked. Why would he do so much for me and ask for nothing in return?
“That’s how love works. I’ll do anything for you.” He pinched her cheek and sighed. “Don’t worry. Leave everything to me.”
Elspeth put her faith in him. They had a simple breakfast and made out a little, then they made their way to the building. Callum made a call before they went inside, and then he held her hand. They entered the building with Callum looking confident.
Haris had been waiting. He was in green traditional attire, and his gray hair was slicked back. He looked warm and welcoming as he asked, “Have you made a decision?”
“Yes, but we have our terms.”
Elspeth said nothing as Callum was in control of the whole situation.
“What terms?” Haris didn’t expect them to put up any resistance, and his smile froze.
Callum looked into the old man’s eyes. “Why should I trust you? How can you prove that you know where her mother is?”
“Proof?” Haris folded his fan shut and slammed it on the table. “The truth is right here. You can choose not to believe it, but if you try to waste my time, then I believe there is no need for any negotiations anymore.”
Callum shook his head and cocked his eyebrow. “What if we have something you absolutely will want, then?”
Haris froze, then asked doubtfully, “What is it?”
“The thing you treasure most.”
It was obvious what he was talking about. Haris turned around, looking dark. “Butler, call Jasmine.”
The master is getting mad. He asked, “Now?”
“Now!”
The butler took his phone out and called Jasmine, but nobody took the call. Panicked, he made more calls, but only silence answered him. “Miss Jasmine is missing, sir. I can’t get through to her.” Oh no. He’s getting madder and madder. “I’ll send our men on a search. Calm down, sir.”
Haris took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Look for her right now. If you can’t find her, all of you are getting it!”
That was the first time Elspeth saw Haris looking flustered. She was amused.
Callum didn’t react, however. He rubbed the cup on the table and calmly said, “You don’t have to look for her.”
