974: Burying The Hatchet (part one)
"Still, thanks for burying the hatchet. I know we've had our differences. Hell, we've done a pretty good job of hurting you, especially Jessica. Seeing things from her perspective, I get it. The guy who was by her side for so long dumped her. She couldn't take it and did some pretty fucked up things to you. It won't be easy to forgive her, and I won't ask you to. And...and I'm ashamed to ask anything more."
Coco bit her lips and bowed her head in shame, her arrogant manner fading fast. It was not difficult as she had thought to say these words to Daisy. Really, she felt like a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. The more grudges she bore, the more harm that would do to her. It was needless to keep them in her heart any more. Just let bygones be bygones.
Thanks, Miss Coco. I'm glad we can solve this like mature adults, rather than by picking at each other while chasing insane revenge fantasies. Happy to hear it." To Daisy it was better to make friends than enemies. Since she admitted they were wrong, there was no reason to dwell on it. The past was the past. She was a soldier and wouldn't be that petty.
"It's over, Daisy. It's time we faced facts and realized we did a lot of things wrong. I don't think my cousin's going to be bothering you anymore, anyway. We people can't act against the law of nature." Coco glanced at Jessica. Her cousin's eyes were flat and her face was impassive, showing no emotion to anyone, even to Coco. She felt very sad at the thought that her aunt had gone completely nuts, and now her cousin Jessica also lost her mind. They paid for their crimes, and only God knew what fate awaited her.
"She's lucky to have you. You've been by her side the whole time, even though she can't do anything to thank you now. To be honest, I didn't think much of you before. But I've changed my mind after seeing how much you care for her. I'm sorry all this went down this way." Though Daisy wasn't responsible for Jessica's condition, she still felt a little uneasy. She remembered how furious Jonathan was a few days ago. The senior colonel shuddered to think about what would have happened if she hadn't convinced Edward's father to let it go. He didn't do anything, and she knew it was for her sake. Because of this, Daisy felt very grateful to Jonathan.
"We grew up together, how could I leave her alone? Probably a good thing that she ended up like this. She doesn't care about anything anymore. Nothing can hurt her while she's trapped in here." She pointed to Jessica's head. It was late autumn, when everyone was somewhat depressed anyway. Coco's words were all the more pathetic, given the general mood.
"Take care. If you need any help, please call me. I'll do what I can." This was what Daisy was like. She was gracious to a fault, sometimes setting aside her principles to do what she thought was right. But this was also the precious part of her heart. The saying goes, "a weak person is liable to be bullied; a tamed horse is often ridden." But if everyone thought like this, this world would be a cruel one indeed in which compassion was seen as a weakness. It was far better to care for others, and use that as strength.
"Okay, sure. Bye," Coco said while reaching out her hand. For the first time, she felt willing to be close to Daisy and touch her. So she wore a gentle smile and looked at Daisy with expectant eyes.
"Bye!" Daisy returned with an reassuring smile. At the same time, she reached out her hand and slightly shook hands with her. This handshake melted all the grudges they held against each other before. It would never come to them that they would never meet each other hence. It was not until many years later when they brushed past each other that they would suddenly find that time was so transient to them.
After Daisy walked out of the hospital, she felt sympathy for Coco and her family. She was upset, and tears started to form. She used to think that it was just karmic justice that Jessica was suffering now, that all those people who had crossed her were paying the price. But when she saw Jessica's miserable condition with her own eyes, she began to feel pity on her. Daisy was an ordinary woman who would feel sad about such thing, not a goddess who had no emotions and desires and would always remain untouched. With the weekend coming, Leena followed Kevin on his road trip to the capital city. Because they brought Lee with them, they decided to drive instead of flying. All of them had licenses and they could take turns behind the wheel. Today, the car they chose to drive was the Audi Pikes Peak Quattro S1 instead of the Humvee. Because Kevin was on leave now, he didn't want to use an official military vehicle. That didn't matter, for they had plenty of cars for transportation at home. Leena alone had two cars at her disposal. Because the Quattro had four-wheel drive, and based on an electro-mechanical multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system, it would be more than adequate for the road trip they had planned. It drove beautifully.
Looking out the window at the scenery passing by, Leena was eagerly anticipating this road trip. She'd finally get to meet his family. And, of course, she was quite nervous at the same time. Although Kevin assured her again and again that his parents were sensible people, she still felt worried that they wouldn't like her.
"What's wrong? Are you tired?" Kevin glanced at his wrist and checked the time. Because they were on a very tight schedule, they got up early this morning. Kevin worried that Leena might not be used to getting up so early for a trip. But for him, it was a regular thing.