"Nothing. I'm just saying. Now tell me -- how's the report coming? Make it a brilliant one! I really want to see you get promoted before I retire." The commander didn't continue because he wasn't sure what was truth and what were simply rumors. Daisy still had an important report to finish, and he didn't want to distract her. He decided to drop it for now. He'd already cautioned Daisy about potential problems, so his job was done. 'Be discreet' was a good advice for anyone.
"I'll do my best. I don't really care about the promotion. I do what I have to do and leave no regrets." Daisy realized that the commander must have heard something about her, otherwise he wouldn't just say something like this out of blue. Since he didn't want to continue, she didn't push him. She would never force anyone to do things they didn't want to do.
"Don't say that! Be more ambitious and look at the bigger picture! Is this about what Hank said earlier?" The commander couldn't help sighing heavily. Hank had never thought Daisy was a good officer. Whenever he challenged her, he ended up humiliated. He got desperate enough to make things up in front of the commander, trying to ruin Daisy's reputation. But the commander knew Daisy; he trusted that she was a decent person. However, Hank didn't think so. He simply believed that the commander favored Daisy and ignored her faults.
"No. I just ignore his words. I think I've arrived at a satisfactory height. I've worked really hard to get where I am. I'll have to push even harder if I want to move up in rank. I've been doing this for years. Frankly, I'm really tired and I think it's time for me to stop and have some rest, "
Daisy said in a calm voice. She knew how many people had been watching and doubting her ever since she came here. That was why she did her utmost to fight for honors, and to justify herself to others.
"If you say so. But still, I don't want you to waste this opportunity. Do you know how rare it is to have someone as outstanding as you in the army these days? I want you more involved in your career, for the good of the army." The commander really appreciated Daisy. She earned her position with her own ability, rather than family connections. She was exactly the multi-pronged talent that they needed. It would be such a waste to put her on the shelf only because of some stupid jealousy.
"Commander, have some tea. It smells good." Daisy forced a smile and deliberately changed the topic. Since when was she not obsessed with pushing herself forward anymore? Probably it was because she had Edward. She used to be the kind of soldier who cared for nothing but fighting for their honor; however, medals and awards seemed less appealing to her at this point. Daisy knew the commander wanted the best for her. But being a woman, after years of fighting alone, the only thing she craved for now was to enjoy the love from the man she loved. She wanted to lose herself in Edward's endless love and care.
"Of course! I stole it from my friend. It cost him a fortune. I save it especially for you. How does it taste?" The commander smiled cunningly while reaching for his tea cup. He didn't mind telling Daisy where the tea came from, the rogue!
"I guess there's no tea for me, since you save it especially for our Colonel Daisy." The two of them both turned around and saw Kevin leaning against the door idly with a smirk on his face.
"Haha! You come just in time. Daisy has just poured a cup of tea for me. Did you follow the scent and come all the way here to my office? Your nose is surely more functional than our patrol dogs'." The commander sipped his tea while making fun of Kevin. He was another brilliant young man on this army base! Kevin came from a military family, but he had never used that to his advantage. He earned what he had just as Daisy did -- with his own ability. Though he kept a low profile, someone found out about his background anyway. So there were many people afraid of offending him by accident and tanking their careers. But Kevin was not that kind of person.
"Commander, next time you want to do something under the table, do remember to leave Colonel Daisy behind; otherwise Mark will make sure the entire army base knows about it within 5 minutes." Kevin retorted sourly while shaking his head violently. He didn't have a dog nose, alright? He knew they were here simply because Mark told him.
Kevin suddenly felt lucky that Mark wasn't living in wartime, otherwise he would definitely betray his country -- not out of maliciousness but because of his big mouth. Daisy burst into snickers when she heard Kevin. Mark was a careless young man; he loved to poke around and shared the gossip with Daisy. Daisy knew Mark didn't mean anything bad by it, and he knew exactly what he should say and who he should say it to; therefore she didn't give it much attention. Anyway, all he could pry from others was nothing but fluff. Others were not stupid; they would joyfully gossip with each other, but they also knew to keep their mouths shut when it came to something critical.