"Who? Him? I've never seen a man like him in my whole life!" Edward retorted sourly and gulped down his glass of water; he was parched after arguing with Brian. Edward just met Brian at the party last night. He had no idea Brian was Daisy's younger brother, that was why he mistook him for her ex-lover and got green with envy. The second time they met was here at the restaurant tonight; and once again, Brian stole Daisy's attention from him when he intended to have a romantic date with her. How could Edward put on a happy smile and greet him?
"Daisy, why did you choose to be a soldier? I have no idea about that, " asked Brian. Brian dropped the topic as soon as Daisy told him to. He always followed whatever she said. He knew Daisy loved Edward and didn't want to see them fight, so he changed the topic and asked Daisy the question that had been lingering in his mind for quite a while. They grew up together, and he certainly knew Daisy's dream career when she was little, and it had nothing to do with the military. He wondered what made Daisy change her mind all of a sudden.
"Nothing special. I guess I just felt like it. Why did you ask? You don't want me to be a soldier?" Back then, Daisy gave up everything and chose to be a soldier because when she first met Edward, he said he didn't like weak people. Edward might have forgotten this, but on that day Daisy decided she had to be strong. However, Daisy figured Brian didn't have to know those details. In fact, even if she had chosen to live a different life because of what Edward had said, still she was utterly devoted to her career. The new identity had been her redemption.
After spending more than a decade building her strength in the army, she was no longer the weak girl who used to weep tears of grief. She was a fierce and strong female colonel with numerous honors and medals. It wasn't easy for a woman to gain so many achievements in just a few years. Daisy had learned a lot after wiping her tears and bravely facing the tough training. She wasn't scared of the terrible conditions of the jungles. She didn't feel frightened when she fought criminals. She was brave and strong because she had the faith; Edward, the man she had fallen in love with when she first saw him, was the source of her courage. She wasn't weak and afraid anymore, and it was all because she loved him.
No. I'm just a little surprised since it's quite different from what you wanted to do when we were little. Whatever you do, I think it's okay as long as you're happy. I was shocked to see you in uniform the other day; you looked so dignified and elegant!" Brian used to follow Daisy around when they were kids. He loved her unconditionaly. Therefore, whatever Daisy chose to be, Brian believed that she had her own good reason; and he would support her with all his heart.
Edward remained silent as he listened to the brother and sister catching up with each other. He knew Daisy and Brian hadn't seen each other for years, and they must have much to talk about. Therefore, Edward quietly took Daisy's plate and helped her cut the steak into small pieces. He didn't interrupt them because he knew how much his wife cared about her younger brother, and Brian had been there for Daisy before she met Edward; their time together meant a lot to her. As her husband, Edward knew all he needed to do now was to sit back and let them talk.
Things change, as we do, including dreams. After all, we don't always have a choice. Sometimes things just happen whether you want them or not. What you can do is to either face them or run away."
Daisy forced a bitter smile. Dreams were always bright and beautiful, yet the reality was dim and desperate. It was almost a miracle that she had survived her stepmother and stepsister's torture when she was little. How could she dare to think about her dreams? But still, she was somehow grateful to all the people who had hurt her. Because of their repulsive behavior, she had grown into a strong woman. No matter what they did to her - gossiping, torturing, back-stabbing, Daisy took them all in and swore to be a stronger person. And she did it.
"I'm sorry, sister. I was too young and weak, and there were too many things beyond my power. I couldn't do much to help you. Now that I've grown up into a strong man, I can protect you with my strength; however now you are stronger than I am, and you don't need me to defend you anymore. In the end, I couldn't do anything for you, and that's my biggest regret."
With his eyes fixed on the tablecloth, Brian confessed his true feelings to Daisy. He was like a little tail following her around when they were little; there wasn't much he could do for her since he was too small. However, he usually tried to seek warmth and love from Daisy since he couldn't feel them from his own mother. Brian suddenly realized that he was no different than his mother; he had never considered things from Daisy's view or done anything useful for her.
"It's okay, Brian. I'm fine now. Everything is fine. Can we put it behind us? Now tell me something about yourself. How have you been doing abroad all these years?" Daisy comforted Brian with a warm smile. Past should stay in the past; there was no point bringing it up over and over again. We all had a life to live, and we couldn't let ourselves get lost in sad memories forever. Grieving over the past would do us no good, it only made things worse if we were crying for the lost and paying no attention to the present.
"I've been doing okay. Nothing particularly interesting. I was just studying there and enjoying life. Brian curled his lips into a weak smile. He didn't mean to show off that he had been living an afluet and carefree life when Daisy was suffering in the army. He felt ashamed of himself because of his purposeless way of life.
Edward cast a surprised look at Brian when he heard what he had said. The look on his face seemed sincere; it didn't look like he was lying. Then Edward frown and was lost in his thoughts. He realized that although Brian came from Ouyang family, he wasn't like the other members of his family. Brian was nice and decent, unlike his arrogant and spoiled sister Mary. No wonder he got along with Daisy. Edward suddenly felt sorry for him. It must be hard for Brian to choose between his parents and his beloved sister. But he was an Ouyang, and that was the problem he had to face. Edward figured that life didn't go easy on anyone, and every family had their own problems to solve.