It'll Come Naturally

"Leena is going with Kevin to the army base? Then I'm also going," Edward said, running a wisp of her hair between his fingers and smelling it.

"Do you really want to go with me?" Daisy beat his hand off with a reproachful glance.

"Yep! Why, can't I?" Edward rubbed his aching hand. 'Ungrateful woman! Why did she have to strike me so hard? It is so cruel of her to treat me, her husband, like this,' he thought to himself. "Okay, why not? You can come with me." Daisy agreed after a momentary hesitation.

"Daddy, Mommy, where are you going? Can I also come with you?" Justin suddenly appeared from out of nowhere.

"You little brat! Were you eavesdropping, huh?" Edward pinched his son's chubby face with profound sufferance. It was not always easy having a clever child like Justin.Content © NôvelDrama.Org.

"Don't you even think of leaving home without me," Justin cajoled, looking back and forth between his parents.

"Have you prepared a talent show? If you have, then you may come with us," Daisy said. She was, at times, fed up of having to deal with the cunning father and son duo.

"What? A talent show? What about daddy? Has he prepared something as well?" Justin grumbled, pouting his lips. He hadn't prepared a talent to show off.

"Well, why don't you ask him yourself?" Daisy said, turning away, so Edward would not see her smile. She didn't want him to realize that she was poking fun at him, or she'd never hear the end of it. "Daddy!" Justin stared at his father wide eyed in anticipation, trying to win Edward's heart with his innocent gaze. But he forgot that Edward was never a soft-hearted man.

"Don't look at me like that. If you want to come with us, ask your mommy." Edward was changing his clothes. He would never stoop to giving a performance in public, unless it was a company speech. "Mommy, take me with you, please!" Justin pleaded. He knew his mother would never refuse him.

"Let's make a deal first. When you see Aunt Leena, you must not do anything to provoke her. She's pregnant now." The relationship between Leena and Justin was a constant headache. They just couldn't see eye to eye. "No problem. I promise, I will stay far away from her," Justin immediately promised. He was eager to go to the army base with his parents, and no matter what conditions Daisy imposed, Justin would agree to them all. "Really? You are not just saying that?" She had to cement an agreement with Justin in advance, as she didn't want to spend the night sorting out endless bickering between Justin and Leena.

"I swear, Mommy." Justin ran to his room with a happy smile. He wanted to change into a more appropriate outfit.

"I just can't deal with the two of you anymore." Daisy rolled her eyes at Edward, wondering why they both wanted to accompany her to the army base.

"I'm glad to hear that. It means Justin and I still have some pull with you," Edward said. This year, Daisy had been busier than normal. She had even been away on official business for an almost two month stretch. Edward was becoming really frustrated; he felt she was moving farther and farther away from her family responsibilities.

"What do you mean by that? I can tell you are implying something." Since Daisy knew Kevin was also on his way to the army base, she was not in a hurry, and would get to the bottom of his insinuation.

"I didn't mean anything. Forget about it. It's just a comment." Edward had promised that he would respect her work, and it was normal for her to get busy. He was just feeling left out lately.

"You know what, you are acting like a little wife, making me your husband, and I'm getting pretty fed up with your endless whining." Having said that, Daisy burst out laughing and ran downstairs as fast as she could. She was not stupid enough to stay there, and face Edward's imminent wrath.

"Daisy!" Edward yelled after her, but he could do nothing. Daisy was already out of his sight.

"Daddy, I'm ready. Where's mommy? Uh, why are you looking upset? You look really angry." Justin had changed into a camouflage uniform, and looked the part of a little soldier.

"Why do you think? Who else pisses me off, more than you?" Edward asked in reply. Quietly, he pondered how to teach her a lesson.

"Got it! Mommy made you angry again. Where's she? Has she left already?" Justin inspected his uniform sadly.

"No, but if we don't hurry, she will leave us both stranded," Edward said. 'She is becoming more and more guileful. And who's to blame? Me! I spoiled her, and now I reap the fruits of my own actions. But she has really gone too far this time. She compared me to a wife who complains constantly? I will exact revenge for that insult!' he thought to himself.

"Let's hurry up, Daddy!" Justin urged Edward, eager to catch up with Daisy. He had deliberately put on the uniform to show off for the soldiers. He rushed down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

"Slow down! What if you trip and fall?" Edward rushed after Justin. He was worried about Justin's safety. If Justin got hurt, Daisy would not forgive Edward for not having taken better care of him.

When the family of three arrived at the army base, it was already dark. The soldiers had already eaten dumplings, and the party was in full swing in the assembly hall. The hall resounded with the soldiers' merriment.

"Mommy, are we late?" Justin had spent all his Spring Festivals at the army base bar the previous year's. He knew the schedule by heart.

"Yes, we're late. But the party is not over." Soldiers would present their talent shows during Spring Festivals. It was an opportunity to express their loyalty to their country and show affection towards their families.

"Well, if we were at war, this army base would be seized easily with all the soldiers gathered in the hall," Edward said. The moment they entered the hall, he couldn't help but frown in distress at the crowd. There were so many soldiers in uniforms, and their irregular patterns caused Edward's heart to beat wildly. He suffered from trypophobia, and preferred a plain or structured environment.

"Oh really? Why don't you try to launch an invasion right now? Are you blind? Did you not see the soldiers on duty everywhere?" Daisy took a reproachful glance at Edward. 'Are you really the CEO of a multinational group? Why are you being so stupid tonight?' she thought.

"Come on! I was only kidding." Edward could tell from her scornful smile that she held him in disdain for his comments. So, he tried to bluff a joke to recover some composure.

"Mommy, I'll go play with the uncles." Justin had spent much of his formative years in the army base, and knew most of the soldiers. After bidding goodbye to Daisy, he ran towards some of the soldiers whom he knew.

"Son, don't run about. What if they think you're a spy and arrest you?" Edward teased Justin, but Daisy glared at him with burning eyes. She felt Edward was playing the fool today.

"It's you who might get arrested instead. Mr. Mu, are you here to cause trouble?" Daisy asked coldly. She really began doubting his intention for coming here.

"Don't concern yourself about me. I'm not your responsibility," Edward answered coldly.

"As long as you're in this army base, you are my responsibility, and I should discipline you if you step out of line." Daisy looked around, searching for Kevin and Leena. It was difficult to find them in the mass of similarly dressed soldiers. "Why don't you go discipline Kevin and Leena? They are also here, after all," Edward retorted.

"Seriously? Kevin is my superior. He would be the one to discipline me. Edward, what is wrong with you tonight?" Daisy gnashed. She finally saw Kevin and Leena. Grabbing Edward by his wrist, she hauled him towards them.

Edward stifled some dry coughs in his fist to conceal his laughter. He was afraid that Daisy would realize that he was baiting her, and in rage drop him to the floor right here. The mere thought of the humiliation that would cause, made him tremble. "Daisy, there you are. Edward, what are you doing here?" Leena greeted them happily, clearly surprised to see him there.

"You're here. So, why can't I be here?" Edward was feeling at odds with Daisy, and now vented his anger on Leena.000000