Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
“I don’t care.” Callum was looking at him, but not really. Most of his attention was on Elspeth.
The woman was in the car, draped in Arthur’s coat. There was love and pain in her eyes.
“I expected nothing less. Well, if that’s what you want, then you shall die.” Arthur pressed the knife against Callum’s throat.
“Hold it. You promised you’d let him live.”
Arthur stopped pressing his knife deeper. He turned around, his eyes filled with annoyance. “I did promise you, but if you plead for him, I might just snap.”
The woman shook her head and pursed her lips. “You won’t. You hold up your promises. You won’t go back on your words. You don’t want to disappoint me, do you?”
Arthur smiled lovingly. Ah, she’s so smart. Using my weakness against me. He cared about his image whenever it came to Elspeth. He knew the type of men she liked, so he had been trying to become that kind of man. The reason he created Bluestone Corp was partly because of Elspeth’s love for Callum, but Arthur wouldn’t tell her that. “Very well. Since you have spoken, then he shall live.” He let go of his knife.
Elspeth heaved a sigh of relief. He’s fine now. She took the coat off and held the door with one hand while handing the coat to Arthur with the other. “You should cover him with this.”
Arthur’s smile froze. “I told you I don’t like it that you care about him.”
“That’s not what I mean. Just look at him. I’m only worried he might die at this rate. And all hell will break loose,” she said calmly. Arthur couldn’t refute that.
He reluctantly took the coat and tossed it on Callum. No point wasting more time here. He put one hand in his pocket and pointed at Callum with the other. “Now, tell him what we agreed on. Then, we can go home.”
Elspeth’s heart skipped a beat. He wants me to tell him that? I hope Callum won’t get angry.
“If you refuse, I might have to rethink our deal.”
Ugh, fine. Elspeth said, “I’ve agreed to be with Arthur. Let’s break up.”
However, Callum said nothing to that. Arthur got annoyed seeing him so calm. He kicked Callum, complaining, “Hey, she’s talking to you.”
Arthur wanted to see Callum fall into despair. He hated how calm Callum could be, no matter the situation. The angrier Callum was, the happier Arthur would be. It would feel like he was finally winning.
Callum ignored Arthur. “I know you have your reasons.”
“No. That’s the truth,” Elspeth responded, but there was love in her eyes.
Callum got the message. He wouldn’t believe a word of this, so he remained silent. That’ll annoy Arthur.
“Alright, now that it’s done, can we go home now?”
Arthur was annoyed, but at least he got what he wanted. He swung his arm, and someone came ahead. “Toss him in the trunk, and let’s leave this place.”
Elspeth heaved a sigh of relief. He’s fine now. She took the coat off and held the door with one hand while handing the coat to Arthur with the other. “You should cover him with this.”
The trunk? Elspeth’s eyes went wide with fury. “He’s an adult man. You can’t just stick him in the trunk.” It’s raining, so the air is really stuffy. If Callum dies in the trunk, I’ll kill you.
“Alright, calm down. He can take the back seat.” Arthur didn’t want Elspeth to be upset. He didn’t trust her completely, but he still treasured her. He would spoil her, no matter what.
On their way back, Arthur huddled closer to Elspeth and pushed her hair back just to annoy Callum.
Callum looked on in silence, fury welling in his eyes.
She didn’t like it, but she remained seated stiffly and let Arthur do what he wanted. As long as he doesn’t cross the line.
Just then, a deafening explosion roared through the air, and Arthur immediately stepped on the brakes. Callum unraveled his bindings at that instant and grabbed Arthur by his throat.
However, Arthur wouldn’t sit by while Callum was choking him. He whipped out a knife from his chair and stabbed it backward. Then, he saw drops of blood falling onto his seat, and he froze.
He saw Elspeth holding the knife tightly. The pain was making her tremble, yet she refused to let go.
“Elspeth!” Shocked, Arthur let go of the knife. He didn’t expect her to hold the knife. He was heartbroken, but he also got even more furious at Callum.
“Don’t you dare hurt him,” Elspeth uttered calmly. Her lips were getting pale.
“Why’d you do that for him? You could’ve gotten yourself killed!” barked Arthur, his voice trembling out of fury.
“I told you he’s important to me.” She peered at him. “And I will not let anyone hurt him.”
“Very well. If that’s your choice, then you will suffer the consequences,” Arthur hissed.
He was disappointed. Elspeth just twisted the knife of despair even deeper into his heart. However, before he could say anything else, he started choking on himself. Callum was tightening his grip on Arthur’s throat, blocking his windpipe.
The explosion was done by Callum’s men to distract Arthur. They finally caught up to Arthur’s car and smashed the door open. They were relieved to see Arthur pinned down. The man in the lead dragged the driver out of the other car and tossed him over to Callum.
“Got him, sir.”
“Don’t kill me. I did nothing, I swear!” Thinking that he might die that night, the driver almost pissed his pants.
“I won’t kill you.” Thinking that it was inconvenient to keep his hold on Arthur’s neck, Callum swiftly took the knife and held it against his throat. “You’re worthless, anyway.” Callum looked at the driver.
“Yes, yes. Please spare me.” The driver knelt on the ground, shivering in fear.
Angered by his driver’s cowardly performance, Arthur shot him a venomous glare. “You useless oaf.”
The driver kept his mouth shut, though he wouldn’t stop trembling.
Callum pushed Arthur over to his men and told them to keep an eye on him. He quickly pulled some tissues and tried to stop Elspeth’s bleeding, but no matter what he did, the blood wouldn’t stop. Her lips were getting paler by the second. There’s no time to lose. Callum ordered, “Strip the driver bare and toss him somewhere crowded. As for Mr. Winthrop here… Well, he’s the president of Bluestone Corp.
Can’t humiliate him too much. Strip him bare and step on him. Then, toss him somewhere really crowded.” Then, Callum added, “Also, toss them into different places. Don’t want anyone to recognize them, after all.”
The man in the lead chuckled and rubbed his hand. “No problem, sir. I know what to do.”
“I know you do.” Callum nodded and took Elspeth to his car. Then, he drove her to the hospital.
Once Callum was gone, the leader of the gang turned his attention to the stubborn Arthur and slapped the man. It wasn’t a hard slap, though Arthur felt humiliated. “What are you looking at, punk? Do you really think you’re high and mighty? You’re just a nobody.”
Callum had received the same treatment half an hour ago. And now, it’s my turn. Arthur hated this, but he couldn’t do anything about it. If he tried anything stupid, the men would humiliate him even more. Thus, he smirked politely. “What’s so good about him? You’re wasting your talent working for Callum. Why don’t you work with me? I promise-“
Before Arthur could even finish his sentence, the man punched him in the face. “Shut it. Do you think I care about money?”
Arthur staggered backward before standing firmly. He wiped the blood off his lips and continued, “I’m just trying to be nice. Working for him has no future. But if you work for me, I can give you riches and power. A job. A great job.”
“Oh, shut it. Your promises mean nothing. I don’t care about your money. Money and fame aren’t my dreams. And besides, Mr. Winthrop is way better than you. You might scapegoat us one day. Getting backstabbed isn’t exactly a good job in my eyes. Now, shut it.”
He gave his men a look, and they pinned Arthur and the driver down.
“You’ll regret this! Everyone who crosses me will!” Arthur yelled.
“Come at me, sonny. Daddy’s waiting,” the leader mocked.
And his men burst into laughter.
Arthur looked at the men. Guess there’s no escaping this. He could only watch helplessly as the men stripped the driver bare. Then, they stepped on Arthur like he was trash. His coat was creased, and his collar was torn. Arthur looked like he had just gotten beaten up.
The man in the lead chuckled and rubbed his hand. “No problem, sir. I know what to do.”
In the end, the men tossed Arthur and the driver into east and south Damoria. Even though there weren’t many people out due to the rain, there were still some who noticed Arthur. They huddled closer and whispered among themselves, wondering who Arthur was.
Thanks to his face covered in mud, nobody recognized him, yet the crowd was amused nonetheless. They laughed at Arthur as he slowly got back up. This isn’t the first time.
Last time, Callum told his men to strip Arthur bare and toss him into a crowded spot. He was humiliated back then. And now, the same thing happened again. This is annoyingly familiar. Hatred welled in his heart, and Arthur roared, “F*ck off!”
Thinking that Arthur might be mad, the crowd quickly went away, and only Arthur was left. He was shivering in fury. Never have I ever been humiliated like this. And it happened twice, no less. Damn you, Callum. I’ll kill you! And I’ll make you pay, Elspeth!
…
Callum watched silently as Elspeth was getting bandaged up.
Noticing his dour mood, the woman said, “I know you’re down because of what happened. We’ll make Arthur pay for what he did to you.”
He shook his head and held her hand. “That’s not the only thing I’m bothered about. You didn’t have to do as he told you. You could’ve refused. He wouldn’t have hurt you. You don’t have to care about me.” Callum didn’t like that Elspeth played along with Arthur’s plan just for him.
