Filed to story: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me
He picked her up and left the bar. Then, he placed her on the edge of the flowerbed.
“My butt’s freezing!” Yelena pushed him.
However, Hank didn’t care. He put his hands on both sides of Yelena and refused to let her stand. “Tell me, whose coat is this?”
Yelena placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to stay upright. “I can’t remember, but it must belong to someone in the bar.”
“Why did you come to the bar?” Hank sounded furious. It was a little scary.
Yelena sobered up a little. She stared at his face and muttered, “Hey, you’re getting a new girl, aren’t you? Stay out of my business. You said you never want to see me again.” As Yelena spoke, the sadder she became, and she turned her face away. She refused to let Hank see her cry. You’re useless, Yelena. You can’t cry just like that, she thought.
Thinking that Yelena was in no condition to answer any question, Hank stopped asking. Gently, he said, “Don’t ever come to places like this again.”
Sounds familiar. He said that before. No, if he’s gentler, then it’d be just like the old him. Why is he so nice all of a sudden? Something stirred in Yelena’s heart. It felt like they had gone back to the good old days for a moment, back when Hank still liked her. “Mind your own business.” She shoved him away and leaped off the flowerbed, but her legs wobbled and she almost fell.
Hank held her up.
“Don’t touch me. We’re not a couple anymore. I don’t need your help. I hate you!” Then, she crouched down and cried like a child.
Her cry was almost deafening. Hank’s heart went out to her, but he also felt a bit awkward. In the end, he patted her head. “All right, don’t cry.”
“Do you have any idea how unfair you’ve been? You’re making me look like a simp! No lady worth her salt would do that. I would’ve left if I weren’t in love with you!”
Yelena was slurring a little, but Hank got the gist of it. Still, he shrugged. “Not the first time you’re being a simp. You did it for two years when you courted Max.”
Hank looked into her past behind her back and knew everything. The thought that the girl he liked was a simp for someone else for two years bothered him.
“So, you’re doing this because you want me to simp for you too?” For once, Yelena got what he was trying to say, and she wanted to thump him.
Hank knew that was what she would think, but he actually did have that idea. Awkward. I can’t explain this to her. He stood petrified and stared at Yelena, who was still crouching. He heaved a sigh. “Fine, I’m sorry.”
“Apology not accepted.” Yelena struggled to stand up. She held the decor beside her, holding down her urge to puke. Her eyes were red and glistening with tears. “I will never forgive you. I hate you.” He’s so annoying. I’m already getting over him, and now he’s nice to me all of a sudden.
Hank was about to say something, but he saw someone coming closer, and he frowned. “Suit yourself.”
Yelena was surprised about the sudden change in attitude. “Am I that unimportant to you?”
There was pain in Yelena’s eyes. If it were anyone else, the constant back-and-forth in this relationship would have driven them away, but she didn’t want to leave. She liked Hank, and she didn’t even take off their couple’s ring. Yet when she saw how cold he was, the lingering affection she had for him vanished. She thought something was wrong with his head.
Yelena touched her hand. The ring’s cold sensation woke her up. She looked at Hank again, but there was no ring on his finger. He had taken it off. Irritated by that, Yelena took her ring off and shoved it into his hands. “Fine. Then I’m cutting ties with you. I hope you’ll never disturb me again as you promised.”
She wanted to storm off like a brave woman, but when she turned around, she saw Cecelia happily waving at Hank. Tears fell down her cheeks. Fine. So, you found another girl, but it’s none of my business.
Ever since they hit the fourth base, Elspeth noticed that Callum was starting to be really open about sex. Even during meals, he would huddle really close to her. He would even feed her. When she asked him why he did that, he said he liked it then speared a piece of apple and popped it into her mouth.
Elspeth couldn’t get used to that, but she liked how Callum was taking care of her. If that’s what he wants, then I’ll go with it. She also noticed that Callum was staring at her belly a lot, as if a child would pop out at any moment.
Callum took the seat beside Elspeth and caressed her belly gently, as if there was a baby inside. “Are you pregnant yet?”
Elspeth smacked his hand away and frowned. “What are you talking about? Pregnancy doesn’t happen that fast.”
Callum chuckled, and he drawled, “Are you saying I’m not doing good enough?”
Elspeth shut up and stole a glance through the corner of her eye. “I think we should take it slow.”
Ignoring that, Callum leaned down and stopped above her belly. “So, would you like a boy or a girl?”
“That’s not up to me,” Elspeth said. That’s up to the father. All I provide is an ovum and an incubator for the baby.
Callum knew that. He did some research about baby-related stuff so they could have a healthy baby. Elspeth wasn’t interested in the matter. They couldn’t rush it, and there was a bit of luck involved. The most important matter at hand was Jethro.
“I can’t believe he’d let himself get corrupted. He actually conspired with Arthur.”
Callum held up a lock of her hair and fiddled with it. “Corrupted?” He scoffed. “What he did was just child’s play. Not that it matters.”
“So are you…”
Elspeth didn’t finish her sentence, but Callum knew what she was getting at.
Jethro caused a big problem and almost sent Callum to jail. Callum would’ve given Jethro a taste of his own medicine, but in the end, Jethro was just a young lad who got with the wrong crowd. Callum shook his head. “He’s not exactly involved in this matter. Just make up an excuse to fire him. If Old Mr. Wilstone knew of Jethro’s behavior, he would teach him a lesson too.”
“He’s young, but honestly, he’s scheming.” Elspeth massaged her forehead. “I don’t understand. Why does he keep coming after me? I’m a lot older than he is. He can just get someone his age.”
Oh, that reminds me of Aldea. After Elspeth came back, she hadn’t had time for her company and had forgotten about Aldea. “So, what’s Aldea doing? Jethro’s first love, I mean.”
Callum didn’t know much about this matter, but there was one thing he knew. “She quit her job.”
“What?” Elspeth perked up. “Why? That’s so sudden.”
This wasn’t a good time to quit, at least for Aldea. She stepped into fame abroad as an influencer and was well-regarded in the nation. If she worked harder, she might be able to debut in the entertainment industry. That would open the doors to a brighter future. So why did she quit all of a sudden?
Oh, wait. I think I know why. “Did Jethro say something? He must’ve said something to her to make her quit.”
Callum’s face fell. “Why do you care about them so much? Just let them do what they want. Not like their affairs are your business.” As long as Jethro stayed away from Elspeth, Callum didn’t mind letting him live.
“Alright, fine. Just curious, that’s all.” He’s jealous again. I should look into this myself. I should probably cheer him up. Softly, she said, “Fine, I won’t ask. Honestly, all I wanted was some tea.”
“You could’ve used that time to find out something more useful like how to keep your man loyal.” Callum cheered up a little.
“Oh, I don’t need tricks.” Elspeth smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning closer to him. “I know my husband is the most loyal man of them all. I have a good eye for that.”
Callum realized that Elspeth would refer to him as ‘my husband’. A bit formal, but it was nice. Moreover, she would always speak softly whenever she said that. It turned him on a little.
At the same time, Elspeth was also praising herself. She has a glib tongue. Callum wasn’t annoyed and actually loved it. He looked at her beautiful, slender neck, and that lit up the flames of desire in him. “Then reward me with something.”
Elspeth froze up, her smile disappearing. “I think…”
Callum kissed her before she could finish the sentence. A gust of wind blew into the living room, whispering moans of desire to those who would listen to it and causing the curtains to flutter.
…
Max’s funeral was a simple one. Theodore and Margot watched as their son was slowly buried under the ground. They were devastated and burst into tears. Margot eventually blacked out again, causing a scene.
Then everyone left, leaving Elspeth and Callum to deal with the loose ends.
“Elspeth.” A woman in a black dress slowly approached Elspeth. It had been a while since Elspeth saw Yelena. There was a hint of darkness as well as sorrow on Yelena’s face.
“You look listless.” Elspeth was worried about her best friend, and she held Yelena’s hand. My God, she’s lost a lot of weight.
“I’m fine.” Yelena tried to smile but she couldn’t, not when she was at Max’s funeral. “I just need a bit of rest.”
“Hank’s still ignoring you?”
The mention of Hank made Yelena pale. “Elspeth, we’re… not going to see each other anymore.”
What? Whoa, it seems like Hank is really mad. Elspeth took a deep breath. She stopped talking about Yelena’s relationship so she wouldn’t feel sad. She said, “I know it’s hard to accept it, but I think Hank really loves you, and that love cannot be erased that easily.”
Yelena shook her head. “He went on a blind date. Soon it’ll be the engagement, and then a wedding.”
That was a surprise for Elspeth. She thought something was wrong. Hank’s love for her wasn’t an act. If it was an act, then he’d be a terrifying man. If his love for her is true, then what caused this breakup?
Noticing Elspeth’s worried look, Yelena couldn’t hold it in anymore. She cried and threw herself into Elspeth’s embrace. “He’s dumping me. He took a woman back to his firm, and he was really nice to her. Like how he was nice to me.”
A frown furrowed Elspeth’s brow, but she could do nothing. She just patted Yelena’s back. “Don’t cry. We’ll deal with this. Calm down…”
Yelena’s incessant cries caught the attention of all the reporters. Some of the sharper ones recognized Yelena. They knew she was engaged to Max, but the engagement was eventually canceled. Now she’s here at the funeral, and she’s crying. She must still love Max. Poor lady.
The reporter quickly took a few shots of the crying Yelena. Elspeth shot him a glance, and the reporter almost tossed his camera away in fear. He quickly ran away with his photos before Elspeth chased after him.
“I’m fine, Elspeth.” Yelena finally stopped crying. She took a seat and muttered, “I think he doesn’t like me anymore. I’m not going to try and convince him anymore.” Besides, he’s close to that girl. If I continue to hound him, that’d make me a homewrecker. Being a simp is the lowest I can tolerate. I will not be a homewrecker. That’s disgusting.
