"What's the matter?" Leena had never asked about his schedule. Kevin was a bit surprised. He wondered what she had in mind.
"There's a party tonight, the anniversary party of the FX International Group. I am wondering if you can come with me." Somehow Leena felt Kevin seemed quite commanding that morning. Was it because of the serious look on his face? Or perhaps she was just being paranoid? Either way, Leena couldn't dare to look into his eyes.
"Sure. I think I can make it. I'll be there with you unless something urgent comes up at the base." Kevin answered absently with a frown. The anniversary party? Why didn't Daisy mention it before? There would be a lot of celebrities at the anniversary party. To be honest, Kevin didn't want to go. However, he had to because he was now Leena's husband. More importantly, Daisy would be there. He had tried his best not to think about her anymore; but no matter how hard he tried to run away from her, his path always led him back to her. And Kevin hated himself for being such a spineless coward.
Okay. I'll prepare your clothes." Leena was a professional designer, and she didn't need to use the measuring tape. She gauged Kevin's size with her eyes and started thinking about what she should pick for him tonight.
"Go have a bath. I'll be downstairs making breakfast for you." Kevin didn't mind what Leena would do to him. But he felt that being too polite to each other would make them seem like friendly neighbors rather than a couple. He hoped they could be more casual and relaxed.
Lost in thought, Leena bit her lip, watching him leave the room without saying anything. The more time she had spent with Kevin, the more confused she became. Leena could sense that Kevin was deeply in love with someone else, and she knew she was only a replacement, or more sadly, a rebound. She might be mistaken, but Kevin's strange behavior somehow confirmed her assumption.
Kevin knew he was not himself in the morning, so he went to the shooting range as soon as he arrived at the army base. He wanted to get rid of the troubling thoughts hovering in his mind. Kevin was always calm and focussed. So why did he get so grumpy earlier that morning? He shouldn't have lost his temper, Leena didn't do anything wrong and she didn't deserve it.
He became more frustrated by the thought of the party. After tonight everyone would know him, he didn't care how the media would portray him, but he couldn't ignore Leena's brother and his friends. After all, Kevin had stolen their little princess, and they wouldn't let him go so easily. What they would do to him was Kevin's biggest concern now.
Mark, where's your colonel?" After Kevin stepped out of the range, he saw Mark rushing somewhere. Shouldn't he be in the office with Daisy at this hour? Why on earth was he wandering around?
"Major General Gu, there you are. I've been looking for you." Mark wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead and sighed with relief. He had been looking around for Kevin ever since he saw his car in the parking lot. "What? You need something from me?" Kevin's heart sank as he saw Mark's anxious look. Did something bad happen?
"Yes! I was hoping you could ask the commander when our colonel would get reinstated." Mark was pissed off because Daisy was suspended. It meant that she could lose the chance to get a promotion! He felt he must do something to help her. He decided to find out what had happened to Daisy. But Edward had forbidden him to tell Daisy that she was suspended. With no one to turn to, Mark became more anxious as time went by.
"What do you mean by 'reinstated'? I left for just half a day! What on earth happened to her?" Kevin became nervous when Mark implied something terrible had happened to Daisy. He had a bad feeling when he saw Mark run off in a hurry, but he didn't know how bad it was until now.
"Don't you know? The disciplinary inspectors summoned our colonel." Mark replied honestly, while scratching his head. How could Kevin not know something this important?
"When? Damn it! Why didn't anyone tell me about this?" Kevin frowned and raised his voice. He looked worried.
"Yesterday afternoon. I thought it wasn't a big deal. But I was shocked when they decided to suspend her. I forgot to call you because I was freaked out and didn't know what to do." Mark hastily followed Kevin and explained the whole thing to him. They might still have a chance if Kevin was willing to help. However, Mark remembered that even the commander couldn't change the inspectors' decision, then what could Kevin do to help? Mark was getting anxious again.
"Do you know why they suspended her?" Kevin asked as he walked toward the commander's office. What could Daisy possibly do that got her inspected? She was the epitome of discipline! All these years, she hadn't violated a single rule. There's no way that the inspectors would go after her.
"I heard that someone reported her for bribery." Mark was furious about this accusation. What bribery? Which law stated that military officers couldn't drive a luxury cars? There was no such a law! So why did they suspend her? It was evident that they were picking on Daisy because she didn't have a strong background.
What did you say? Bribery? Kevin stopped abruptly as he heard the word. Mark almost bumped into his back.
I only heard their discussion. Colonel wouldn't tell me, and she forbade me to ask, answered Mark. He lowered his head and shuddered when he saw the rage in Kevin's face.
Fuck them! Her husband is the CEO of FX International Group! Any one of his affiliated companies taxes were more than what common enterprise could earn annually! Why should she take any bribe?
Kevin felt he just heard the lamest joke in the world. And instead of laughing out loud, he wanted to strike who ever had dared to report Daisy with such a lame excuse. Meanwhile, Kevin was relaxed. He knew about Daisy, and he knew the report was not true, which meant Daisy's name would soon get cleared.