Luna shook her head. “If you’re a nobody, then the rest of us don’t even count. Mr. Turman said your energy core issue is really serious. Andrew, is there anything I can do to help?”
Andrew immediately shook his head. “No, there’s nothing you can do.”
Luna did not press further because she could tell Andrew did not want to talk about it.
“Then I’ll take my leave.” After another long silence, Luna felt so uncomfortable she just stood up, ready to go. At the same time, she was angry at herself for not being able to say anything meaningful, feeling completely useless.
“Oh, leaving already? Alright, let me walk you out.” Andrew stood up quickly and insisted on seeing her off.
When they reached the gates, Luna could not hold back any longer. “Andrew, didn’t you notice something different about me today?”
Andrew gave her a quick look, clearly puzzled. “Different? Sorry, maybe my eyes aren’t sharp enough, but I don’t see it.”
Luna’s chest tightened with frustration. “You seriously didn’t notice I’m wearing a dress?”
Andrew’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he nodded. “I noticed, General Phelan. You look beautiful, absolutely beautiful. In uniform, you’re commanding, but in a dress, you’re ethereal, like a snow lotus blooming on a mountaintop. Honestly, I think you should wear dresses or jeans more often, especially the fitted kind. With those long legs of yours, you’d have people breaking their necks staring at you.”
Luna’s heart filled with indescribable joy. On her face, however, she pretended to remain calm. “Thank you. I’ll be going now.”
Andrew smiled. “Alright, take care.”
But right when she was about to leave, Luna stopped again. Andrew kept smiling at her, waiting.
Luna lowered her head, her voice soft as a whisper. “One last thing, Andrew. Between us, you don’t need to call me General Phelan so formally. We’re already familiar enough, so why don’t you just call me Luna? Mr. Turman and my colleagues all do.”
Andrew tilted his head with a grin. “Sure thing, General Phelan.”
Luna’s body stiffened. Once she realized he was teasing her, her eyes flashed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. But instead of snapping back, she simply got into the military jeep by the roadside and drove off.
Andrew watched the vehicle disappear into the distance and muttered to himself. “What’s with this woman?”
Sheena had appeared beside him without him noticing. “You really didn’t see it? Some ladies’ man you are. It’s obvious that the proud General Phelan has feelings for you. You get that, right? Funny thing is, the Robertson family, the Reyes family, even our oh-so-lofty National Advisor all tried to win her over. The young heir of the Reyes family even wanted to marry her, but she turned them all down without a second thought. And yet here she is, practically falling into your lap.”
She teased, “Andrew, you’re starting to remind me more and more of Uncle Reginald. You’re both legendary!”
Andrew’s face darkened. “Don’t even joke about that. I’m nothing like my old man.”
Sheena smirked. “You’re right, you’re not. You’re worse. At this rate, you’ll have so many women in your life that your little house won’t be able to hold them all.”