Edward hesitated for a moment, but answered the call with a frown. There was even a touch of irritation on his face.
"Hello! Who's it?" asked Edward. He had always spoken in a commanding manner, and his tone sounded very unfriendly, and harsh.
Edward, it's me, Mary. The party is just about to start, I called you to ask when will you be arriving." Mary held her breath and exchanged glances with Yakira, who was standing beside her.
"Oh! Miss Ouyang, I'm sorry, but I'm caught with some other matters at home. It seems that I will be unable to attend to your party. I'm sorry for disappointing you." Edward took a glance at Daisy, and looked a little concerned. Daisy had shifted her attention from the scenery out of the window to Edward when she heard him say "Miss Ouyang." She curiously gazed at his face, trying to find some sort of clues.
"Ah! That's a pity! But really, don't you have some time at all? My parents and I are looking forward to your coming, " said Mary, with a downcast look. Even the exquisite makeup on her face couldn't cover her sudden gloom.
Sorry, and please send my deepest apology to your parents, but I promise to visit them on another day." Although he didn't know what had happened between her and Daisy, Mary was still Daisy's family, and he acted very politely.
"Okay. That's fine then, " replied Mary. Her eyes raged with fury, and she thought, 'Some matters at home? I guess Daisy was the one who ruined my plan. That damn maid! I was slapped by her last time, but I haven't gotten the chance to revenge myself on her, yet. I didn't expect that she would offend me so soon. Let's wait and see how long she can keep being so complacent. Now that Edward has a love child, and even better, that Jessica is also pregnant with his child. Does she really think she can stay Edward's wife for good?' thought Mary.
As soon as Mary hung up the phone, Yakira eagerly asked her, "What's going on? What did Edward say?" This woman was a timeserver, and she looked very cruel from her appearance.
"He said that he won't come, because he has some matters to deal with at home. Mom, I don't care what happens, you and dad must help me at all costs, I'm determined to marry Edward!" Mary pleaded while shaking her mother's arm, and the more Edward refused her, the stronger she felt that she must get him.
Yakira said, "Okay, I will help you. It was all because of Edward's mother, who appointed Daisy to be her daughter-in-law a few years ago, that this mess happened, or otherwise, I would have never allowed Daisy to marry him. Now that his mother isn't here anymore, this time I'll certainly whip up a good plan, and help you." Her face was covered with thick powders, and it twisted while she talked, showing the greatest degree of vulgarity and ugliness in the world.
"Thank you, mom! I know you're the best mom in the world!" said Mary, while embracing her mother. Both the daughter and mother were excited about the beautiful prospect that they had already imagined in their minds, and didn't have the slightest feeling of shame for trying to steal another woman's husband.
Initially, Daisy was very confused when she heard Edward saying 'Miss Ouyang, ' but later she felt relieved. They all lived in the same city, and it would be impossible for them not to have any common connections.
"Don't you want to ask me something about the call?" asked Edward. He had thought that she would rebuke him, because she had been reluctant to speak about her family. Instead, she only seemed to be a little surprised about the call, and continued to watch the scenery outside. She didn't even look at him.
"No, I don't have any questions. I'm not as mean as you think, I can accept this." Daisy didn't think that she was an unreasonable person. Although at first she was not sure if the woman who had called Edward was Mary, her hunch was later confirmed by just looking in his eyes.
"Okay, okay, my wife is pretty cool. You live up to your name, as the youngest and most capable female officer in S City, " said Edward. He didn't care about the ridicule in her tone, and had made the banter purposely to reduce the tension in the air.
"Of course I am, I'm a Colonel. If I'm not capable of standing all of this, then how could I have agreed with your proposal before in the first place?" said Daisy. She knew that Edward teased her just to shift her attention off these things. She didn't want to let other people spoil her good mood, so she followed with his topic.
"So you're gambling on me?" asked Edward with a frown on his face, disapproving what she said. It made him feel that she was using him just to challenge the others.
"Yes. You have many women around you; isn't that definitely a gamble?" It was the first time that Daisy had mentioned of the women around him. The women she was referring to included the women that he had had in the past, and the women that he would have in the future. Because Daisy felt that it was pretty hard to read Edward's mind, and really didn't know what he would do next.
"Do you mind about them?" he asked. Edward turned his head at Daisy and took a glance at her. He didn't know how to explain himself to her for his decadent lifestyle in the past, because he had even forgotten that he was already a married man at the time.
"If I say I don't mind, will you believe me?" Daisy sneered with self-mockery. In reality, not only did she mind, but she was also very jealous, and couldn't bear the thought that the woman standing beside her husband and leaning in his arms was not her. If she had given up all of her love for him, she wouldn't have cared a bit about what he did with other women, but the case was the opposite, and she loved him very much. Truth to be told, after taking her majestic uniform off, she was just another common woman.
Yes, I believe you. Edward also sneered. It seems that she doesn't love me, or otherwise she would have minded about my past affairs. Am I destined to be kept out of her heart and wait in agony? thought Edward.
Daisy also was very surprised of Edward's reply. What did he mean with that? Does he really think that I don't mind? thought Daisy.
Their conversation had gone into verbal stalemate. They thought oppositely, and guessed how much they weighed in each others hearts. Nevertheless, they were reluctant to disclose their true feelings to each other.
The exorbitant appearance of the car added to the color of the bustling city, making it look fancier and more sophisticated. The sunset glow fell on the car and reflected a radiant light. Their sweet and gentle moment had become a thing of the past., and now there were only silence between them.
Meanwhile, in Edward's cottage, the place had been filled with Justin's excitement for Mark's arrival. In the military base, Mark was the one who had cared about him the most besides his mother. Justin is only a child, and his mind was very simple, and because of that he would often get close to the people who were nice to him. He and Mark were friends.
Although Mark had been prepared to the grandeur of the place, when he actually saw the vast land occupied by Edward's house, he was still overwhelmed, and not to mention his expression on his face when he saw that the garage was filled with famous luxury cars from all around the world. He was flabbergasted by everything!