Edward opened his eyes the moment Daisy turned around, but kept quiet, only caressing the place where she kissed. A sweet smile crept over his face. The truth was that without her around, he couldn't sleep well, however tired he might be. He just pretended to be asleep when he heard the sound of the door opening. He didn't want Daisy to know that he stayed up to wait for her in case she forgot he was around. It would make the surprise that much sweeter.
Daisy, on the other hand, had no idea Edward had these thoughts. After showering, she got into bed and cuddled into his arms as usual. It had been a long time since she could enjoy his hugs so freely. After all, before Edward recovered, she was worried about either his wounds or being seen by medical staff in the hospital. But tonight she could savor his embrace without any concerns.
She moved her hand and stroked his handsome face. At last she began smoothing his knitted brows. Her movement was so gentle and affectionate. She wondered why Edward had so much to worry about. Did his worry come from her?
Honestly, even today when they loved each other so much, she still felt him hard to see through. He was like an inviting enigma -- making her constantly ponder all the possible ways to walk into his world, not the real life world of course, but his world of thoughts, or even his soul. She wanted to know him, his head, his heart, all of him.
But that was a pure wish, a remote dream. But surely she was happy enough now as Edward lay beside her. She could snuggle him into her arms by only reaching out one hand. It was so warm a hug that it always set her heart racing. But at this sweet moment, Edward turned his back to Daisy, which seemed to be an accidental move. That sent Daisy from the apex of happiness to the valley of distance. Aggrieved, she bit her lip, then turned a cold shoulder to him as well. They remained back to back till the next morning. She could tell now that Edward was mad at her, but judging from what happened last night, there was no way that she would budge. They would just wait and see who lost their cool and made a concession first.
Too sullen to eat any breakfast, Daisy went to the army base early in the morning. Yet there was no peace to be found on base either. When she got out of the hummer, she found herself face to face with Hank, fists up, ready to fight. Daisy prepared as well as she could, but Hank still landed a blow on her. The fit of pain made her frown.
Hank, are you serious? You want to fight me?" Daisy scolded and dodged, her eyes cold. She was just upset and mad about Edward ignoring her last night. She would love to take it out on someone. But she didn't expect to find a human punching bag so soon.
"Cut the crap. Today, we will see who wins." Hank assaulted Daisy ruthlessly like a mad dog. His cruelty left Daisy no choice but to ditch her briefcase, leaving it with Mark, who hurried to catch up with her so he could take the important documents out of her way. She dropped into a fighting stance.
"Why are you doing this? Nothing worthy of your jealousy happened to me recently." Daisy asked. First she blocked his fist with her hand, then threw him down the ground with a sweep of her leg. Her move was quick and smooth.
Humph. Cunning fox," Hank retorted. He had regarded Daisy as open-minded, yet this morning he went through arbitration, and ended up with a demotion. It turned out that Daisy was just a cunning bitch who stabbed others in the back. And he wouldn't even have known it was her that conspired against him if he hadn't rushed over to the commander and watched the video.
Are you saying I'm cunning? Don't you think you've gone too far?" Daisy frowned, but didn't slow her pace anyway. She dodged, swirled and attacked -- all her moves were powerful and decisive.
"I'm talking about you. Like I've always said, you are just a bitch who makes use of your beauty to climb up the military ladder. You are a black sheep in our military." Hank was aware that when his plot against Daisy was exposed, he would be punished and demoted. Yet it never crossed his mind that he would be busted back down to lieutenant. That meant suddenly his years of hard work were in vain. There was no way he would just swallow that bitter pill willingly.
Hank, before you start all this, can you just present your evidence? When did I bring shame to the military?" Daisy tilted her head and avoided Hank's heartless attack. With a kick, she tossed him to the ground.
"When? Everybody knows when." The throw just enraged Hank even more because he felt such shame, losing to Daisy in front of so many fellow soldiers. So he sprang up immediately and started to hit Daisy's soft spots.
"Everybody knows? I think you just pulled it out of thin air. Stop finding excuses to pick on me. You keep it up, and I can't be responsible for what happens next." Daisy was angry at his sudden attack and abuse, but she never thought of injuring him. She fought back just to keep herself safe. Yet what she got in return was not concession, but even harsher fists and kicks. In this case, she didn't need to give way anymore. So she showed her true colors and moved in quickly with a joint lock. She easily brought Hank under control -- he couldn't move without causing extreme pain to himself.
"Bravo..." Soldiers on site suddenly applauded and cheered. It was once in a blue moon to see two military officers fight each other. And it was even rarer to have Daisy in the fight.
Can you swear that you have nothing to do with my demotion this time?" Hank stopped fighting and asked bitterly. He wouldn't want to shame himself again in front of the crowd.
Disperse. As you were," Daisy ordered and tidied up her uniform. She regarded the crowd coldly. Immediately all the soldiers scattered for fear of Daisy's harsh punishments -- none of them felt the need to do 200 push-ups. After clearing the site, Daisy dialed back her coldness, turned around to Hank and said,
Hank, you are just the devil rebuking sin. You are the one who stabbed me in the back first."
Then you admit that it was you who sent the video to the commander." Hank clenched his fist and glared at her as if he would shred her to pieces. But he didn't mention his framing of Daisy at all.
"If I say it wasn't me, will you buy it?" Indeed she would have known nothing about the video hadn't the commander called her over that day. So she could tell him resolutely that it was not her that sent the video to him. But it was Edward. So she wasn't completely innocent in this.
You think I'll believe you? No way. I wasn't born yesterday. The video was taken at the party for the FX International Group. Even if the person who taped it was not you, it must be someone related to you. Or who would be so bored to film something completely useless to himself?" Hank answered while he dusted off his clothes. He wouldn't buy it that Daisy didn't know where the video came from.
Hank, I remember asking you if you know Jessica. And you said you didn't know her." Daisy sighed. If it wasn't the video, she would be wronged and unable to get the justice. How did Hank, the one who plotted this, even have the right to stand there arguing with her? He was so shameless.
You already turned in the video then? And you acted as if you knew nothing and questioned me. You are indeed calculating."
That was classic Hank -- awfully arrogant and selfish. He picked on others but never admitted his own mistakes. He acted as if all the bad things happened to him were engineered by others, but thought it was okay to gain benefits by hurting others.
Suit yourself. I don't care what you think. I will not deny what I do, but equally I will not be accused for things I didn't do. Yes, the source of the video has something to do with me. But I'm not involved in this. So if you want to find out who sent it, go to the FX International Group. I'm sure they'll give you a satisfactory answer,"
Daisy sneered. She knew that Hank wouldn't dare seek justice from Edward. it would only make Edward angrier, and demotion would feel like light punishment compared to what Edward would do.
Colonel Ouyang, you are just throwing your weight around now. You are so proud to be the wife of the president of the FX International Group." Hank would be Hank. He could talk black into white. He was really good at distorting what anyone meant.
"I don't think there is anything to show off as the president's wife. The only thing that makes me proud is the military uniform on me. So... It sound like something else make you proud. Mind telling us what?
Daisy slightly shut her eyes in displeasure. After all, it was not so cheerful to dtand here and argue with him early in the morning. Consequently her tone grew frigid and aggressive. Her look was all chilly and impatient. Hank had better choose his next words carefully.