LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - CHAPTER 41
“How come?” She murmured and hit her head as she realized that she failed to look behind her back to see if someone was nearer to catch her.
Field Marshal Chan’s face crumpled as he deciphered what was lying on his daughter’s head.
“Yeah, I’m watching you from the back and was about to approach you when I heard you said you are dizzy in the most awkward tone!” Said Field Marshal with a blank expression.
He was so worried when he saw his daughter fainted but then the creasing of Keira’s forehead and moving of her lips gave him a hint that she was faking it
“You brat full of fooling around!” Scolded Field Marshal Chan when disappointment plastered on Keira’s face.
That instant he knew that she was in her tricks again to get Zach’s attention and right now she was disappointed it did not succeed.
Field Marshal Chan massages his temple but then felt Keira hugged him.
“I miss you dad, hehe. Just tell them I faint for being worn out. Imagine me filling the sack with sand using those forks… It really made me dizzy…” Keira whined as her misting eyes looked at her father asking for comfort.
Field Marshal Chan let out a long sunken sigh.
“You deserve that! If I were Zach I would ask you to fill a jug using a spoon!!!” Field Marshal Chan exclaimed.
Keira pouted her lips and blinked her eyes to her father asking for sympathy.
“Why would you even fake a faint?!” Suddenly asked by the Field Marshal as he sat in his office.
Keira followed and murmured, “I want to talk to him dad and clear some things. Is it true he will leave for a dangerous mission too?”
Field Marshal Chan was surprised on what Keira had stated so he asked, “and where did you heard of it?”
“Dad, it’s not important where I heard it just please be honest with me.” Keira pleaded.
“It’s a confidential matter. You will not hear anything from me dear and don’t bother Zach with it because I’m telling you, you will only embarrass yourself in front of him,” said Field Marshal in a serious tone and Keira no longer pondered about it.
She knew that moment that no matter what she does, she would not get any information at all.
……..
Days passed and to Keira’s dismay she never saw Zach at Meteor Den at all.
He remained formal and professional as a superior and it was breaking her heart.
She kept telling herself that Zach must have a reason and it was not because he really h@??d her bold moves on him before.
“Hey cheer up,” said May, who had noticed Keira’s lack of energy than her usual self.
May looked at Lana asking for help because this was the first time that Keira acted like that and she was starting to get worried.
Lana who was often silent regarding Keira’s actions and bold moves on Zach suddenly cheered Keira out saying, “Let’s get more banners with every competition. That way, there’s a higher chance for you to corner him and spend time with him in the party.”
Keira smiled because that was she was doing right now.
“Yeah, it doesn’t suit me right? It’s just that my body is a bit tired too.” She confessed.
It was actually not because she was starting to lose interest or disheartened, but her body could finally feel the impact of their hard trainings as the weeks passed by.
If she continued further, she might collapse soon enough for real and not just because she was acting.
“Alright… At that party you must help me… and the only goal is that I sit beside the Wolf no matter what.” Keira murmured with a smile as she tried to do stretching with her aching body.
“Are you alright?” Lana asked in a worried tone because among them Keira had the frailest body.
“Yeah… I’m good. I will rest early later to condition my body. I need to work harder I guess.” Keira said with a wink.
Lana smiled back as she said in jest, “Red Riding Hood who is eagerly chasing that big bad wolf… such a twist in the tale eh?”
Keira pouted her lips with her weary eyes and Lana cursed inwardly.
How she wanted to hit Zach at that moment because of her sympathy for her friend… Men would always be a pain in the @zz and she knew this much…
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“YES!” Keira exclaimed excitedly as she looked at the streamer they had won in a combat training with another platoon.
Because of Keira’s sustained willpower with the help and cooperation of her teammates, they had garnered enough streamers to qualify and had a chance to spend a party night with other eligible platoons and the officers.
“Yeah, we gonna party! Woot, woot, yeah!” Vel was chanting, as they were getting prepared to sleep.
“Oh, yeah, finally, a party with officers, without the yelling and shouting. Geez, even in my sleep, I often hear Sergeant Park and Sergeant Cole shouting. I’m afraid that it became music to my ears already! Crap!” May creepily commented.
“Lieutenant Jang said that it would be a night full of fun, and we can also drink and sing,” added Trish who felt happy that their unit had an achievement.
They would have an opportunity to be themselves during that night… No ranks and no formalities… No rules… No yelling and no shouting from all the officers.
Keira smiled widely before she returned to her bed. That night she went out and visited the Meteor Den again, but as she already expected, Zach was not there.
As the days passed by, she couldn’t advance any further with him. Because of the hard training her time was too occupied and she was used to or got contented just seeing Zach and hearing his voice daily during the training.
‘Am I categorize to unrequited love already?!’ she mused sadly. But the first and bitterest taste of unreciprocated love seemed to be dwelling deeper into her heart, though she couldn’t accept it.
That was her last thought, as she closed her eyes and dozed off while tears ran out of the corner of her eyes…
Then in her sleep, she murmured, “I won’t give up…”
………………..
The party was held in the open Assembly Hall. Keira, together with Lana and May, prepared well to do their best so Zach and Keira would end up next to each other at all times.
“Okay, let’s disperse and call each other if something,” said Keira. Mobile phones were also returned to them for the night.
As May was searching for Zach, she saw their Sergeants and she automatically paused and saluted them in a formal greeting.
Sergeant Cole and Sergeant Park both laughed and May scratched her head because she forgot that she did not have to do the usual routine that night.
“Geez, I felt like a robot now doing things like that,” she murmured.
“Nah, that’s because you are becoming more of a soldier. That’s how a soldier is… But we are very different from robots you know,” commented Sergeant Cole who was still laughing.
May quickly bid her farewell and found Zach’s spot so she quickly called Keira and Lana.
The program had begun and everyone gathered and found their seats.
Another soldier was about to sit beside Zach, but May was quick and pulled him away, as Keira sat on it.
Lana shook her head as she suppressed her laughter because of the soldier’s confused look as he scratched his head.
She sat next to the soldier who sat next to Keira and was startled when Torin sat beside her.
“Why are you here?” she asked with an arched eyebrow that made Torin pout his lips as he murmured, “I want to sit beside you.”
Lana did not know whether to laugh or get irritated with Torin’s face.
“Please…” Torin begged, smiling at her. Lana blushed unknowingly as she nodded.
Meanwhile, as soon as Keira settled on her seat, the first thing she did was to greet and smile sweetly at Zach with a simple, “Hello..”
Zach just nodded at her but never talked back.
There were program and entertainers for the night.
As usual, the emcee was Lieutenant Long, who was very comedic and made the night a lot livelier.
Keira was very aware of Zach’s presence though they never talk but enjoyed the program. She laughed every now and then while Zach ended up stealing glances at her whenever he could.
He could feel that Keira was trying hard to get near him but he must not get swayed. He was going to leave soon. They just got a report that their troops were already in a critical stage so they would be dispatched as soon as the signal was received.
‘This is for the best…’ that was what he kept on reminding himself that he was doing what’s best for all of them.
The soldier beside Keira stood and she was startled when Jeru sat on it next and greeted her, “Hi, Keira.”
She smiled back at him.
Jeru seemed to be smitten and talked to Keira more.
“You are doing good in the training, but I’m worried about your health.” Jeru commented and Keira could see his sincerity so she unconsciously touched Jeru’s arm and said, “Oh, it’s so nice of you…”
Then suddenly an idea came to mind and she added, “How I hope that others could be as considerate and nice as you. But I do really appreciate the concern.”
‘Blag!”
She was startled with the stomping of Zach’s glass, as he murmured irritably, “How come there are mosquitoes here!”
Keira looked at the glass he was holding, and indeed it seemed like he was ki||ing a bug with it.
She ignored him and talked enthusiastically with Jeru.
“So what are your further plans?” asked Jeru.
“Hmm, I’m not sure because right now I’m having a hard time,” she said honestly.
“Why? What’s wrong? Keira, if you need anything, you know that I’m always here for you, right? Please, I hope that you won’t hesitate to consider telling me if you need help. I really want to get closer to you,” declared Jeru.
‘Blag!’
This time it was the sound of Zach’s chair, as he stood up and called Torin as if he was gesturing something.
Keira ignored him and turned her head back at Jeru smiling as she was about to answer, but then Zach interrupted with a cup of alcohol in his hand as he said, “General Liu, I would like to have a drink with you.”
Then he turned his gaze to Keira and said, “Miss Keira Chan, if you don’t mind, can we swap chairs!?”
Keira’s mouth opened wide when Zach signaled her to move to the other chair that he was previously occupying.