Chapter 23: I Don’t Believe You

After some time while she was still in the washroom, she heard someone laughing loudly, followed by Zach's shouting voice. "Who the hell did this!"

He instantly came rushing into the washing room. Standing beside Emerald and pretending to be mad, he pointed at his face. "l-i-t-t-l-e b-a-s-t-a-r-d?"

Emerald looks at him in fake surprise. "Why do you curse yourself on such a bright day?"

"Did you do this?"

Emerald just gives him a side glance. "You forgot? I am illiterate!" As she took her toiletries and went out joyfully. Everyone was laughing.

Without turning around, she heard footsteps following her. She knew it was Zach but kept going. She had never been so happy and wanted to keep this feeling just a little longer.

Zach grabbed her right hand with a strong grip. Then she heard Zach's voice. "Emerald, have a date with me.... I am serious."

Emerald still didn't turn around because she noticed that Zach's voice was extremely serious.

Laughing, she asked. "Why? Feeling lonely?"

"...Yes," Zach answered, still in a serious tone.

She turned around with disdain. "Because you feel lonely and I'm the only woman here, you want to date me?"

"Don't put it that straight!" Zach rubbed her hair.

"Go away!" She tried to kick his shank, but he avoided it flexibly. "I have a boyfriend.

"I don't believe you. Your boyfriend never appears." Zach disagreed. "if you do have a boyfriend and he feels safe to let such a beautiful girl alone in this military camp filled with men, he must be insane!"

Emerald didn't want to talk about it. "There will be plenty of beautiful ladies in tonight's honor ceremony, so you don't have to be so anxious."

Zach's eyes instantly started to shine. "That's right! But Emerald, you could just dump your boyfriend...."

Emerald didn't answer but walked away. The smile on her face had faded.

Boyfriends could be dumped. But not him. He was her master, and only he could dump her.

What she wanted was a perfect plan to help her escape from her master.

She had to wait patiently to find the right time.

She also hesitated to giving-up her loyalty to him. As she had said, never betray him.

But she really couldn't accept him controlling her completely. If he was happy, she could materialize her dream of joining the army, but if he wasn't happy, she could expect to be stripped off her clothes and raped by him.

She couldn't accept this, even though he hadn't hurt her as much as she had imagined, and he had been kind to her to some degree.

****

At seven o'clock at night at the city hall of Hope City inside the banqueting hall was the most special ceremony in nearly ten years.

It had been nearly ten years since the last Zergs had invaded the human territory, and the brave air force had killed all the bandits in less than ten minutes, promoting the prowess of the military and humiliating the Zergs.

In wartime, even a space fortress' sacrifice wouldn't win a medal, while during the time of peace, the young soldiers who had killed the bandits enjoyed their well-earned popularity.

The first floor was filled with well-dressed celebrities who were smiling gracefully. Especially the young women who had high expectations for the night. Although the military was not as powerful as it had been, seeing the young hero was enough for them to look forward to an exciting night.

When the heroes came into the wide hall, it started to look crowded.

The first officer, who was in his forties, looked sincere and calm as he stepped into the banqueting hall at the forefront of his military uniform. Behind him, the young soldiers, who were all wearing green uniforms, looked strikingly handsome, brightening the hall and attracting the reporters who took countless photos for their reports.

Emerald stood behind the first officer in front of Zach. She was small but had everyone's attention on her for being the only female.

Nobody recognized her. Nobody would compare her, the cold and wounded female officer who had destroyed the Zerg's plane, to the small girl wearing fabulous makeup who had only shown up once.

Except for those who knew her personally.

Officers gather around to drink. The mayor, who was standing in the center of the senior officers, came to them with a goblet. With a smile on his face, he stated. "You are the honor of the alliance!"

The Officers all saluted in unison. "Thank you, sir! "

"Later tonight will be the honoring ceremony." Sterling quickly looked at the officers. "I am honored to grant you the medal."

"It's our pleasure," Zach responded on behalf of all.

Sterling nodded his head, and when he looked at Emerald, she said in a familiar tone. "Emerald, long time no see."

The officers were all quiet. Zach and Green stood each on Emerald's side, respectively, looking calm.

"Lord, long time no see." Emerald smiled in return.

"I'm very happy to see you realize your value in this way." Sterling's voice was low and soft, "I am proud to call you my friend."

"Thank you. It is my honor."

The mayor steps away. Everyone looked at Emerald. Zach patted her head. "The guy you saved is a nice guy."

Everyone nodded, saying the mayor looked gentle and nice. Zach lowered his head to her ear when everyone was talking and asked. "Isn't he, the insane guy?"

Emerald had to think for a while before she understood. Finally, she stared at him and responded. "You are insane!"

Zach just laughed and rubbed her hair.

One of the soldiers said. "Stop flirting. Come and enjoy the food." Zach reached his hand out to Emerald's hand, but she rejected and took the food given to her by her companion. She heard a female voice beside her when she was about to say "thank you."

"He's still that cold."

"Yes, I really doubt what his sexual orientation is."

"Shhhhh! Be quiet, he is looking at us!"

"Little wild kitten, what are you looking at?" Zach patted Emerald's shoulder.

"Nothing." Emerald sat down on the sofa, drinking the wine in the goblet.

She thought he hadn't arrived yet. However, most celebrities were sitting in the most obscure corner of the hall.