บท 45: Stupefied

"Sir, everything is all set-up, including the quarters for the candidates." A cadet reported and Zach dismissed him.

"What's wrong with him?" Torin whispered. He was referring to Jeru who had been with a gloomy face ever since he arrived.

Zach shrugged his shoulders as an answer.

"Good morning, Sirs!" Cielo greeted with a wide smile curved on her lips.

"Woah! What is this? Why she looks brighter than the sun?" Torin gasped and acted like he was blinded by the glare of light.

"You!" Cielo hissed but she controlled herself since General Liu was not far from them.

"Why do I feel like the admission tests for this year were too intoxicating? I love it!" She gasped as she watched the cadets working hard at one side.

"Ya!!! Guess what? Field Marshal Chan's daughter and her friends passed the complete medical exams. I sneaked into the Medical Center this morning and saw their names." Torin whispered to the two.

"Wait? Are you close to her and her friends? When did you manage?" Cielo asked with a frown.

"What's with you? Don't you remember that you even took home one of her friends? Darn, you almost give me a heart attack bidding so high for a nineteen-year-old boy, you COUGAR!" Torin teased with a low tone.

"What the fuck, Torin! I'm not 'OLD', you frustrated single horse!" Cielo jeered with her narrow sharp eyes glaring directly at Torin.

"By the way, you mean that Russo boy, right?" Cielo asked with visible curiosity and excitement in her tone.

"What the hell? Don't tell me you really took advantage of that poor thing?" Torin's eyes widened in cynicism.

Cielo arched an eyebrow at Torin and gave her friend her most evil grin…

"Oh crap! That poor boy… Ohhhh crap, Cielo! I can't believe you! How could you?" Torin exclaimed, accusing Cielo with his remarkable exaggerated expression which made Zach burst out in laughter.

"Don't act so naive and chaste, Torin! You for sure have a hidden agenda on one of Keira's friends for bothering too much and take time to look at their records. But anyway, for the record, I did not take advantage of that young boy, because he did enjoy all of it anyway." Cielo said with a meaningful tone which brought goosebumps to both Torin and Zach.

The three of them were very close and talks like that were casual and normal for them.

On the other side, Jeru felt more irritated, seeing how Zach and the two Lieutenants seemed to have fun around, so he instructed the cadet near him, "Get Lieutenant Kang here, now!"

The cadet who scratched his head because of the General's annoyed voice followed in haste. Jeru sighed… He couldn't accept how the meeting ended up last night.

'Keira Chan!' He mused as anger compelled his insides. His pride was crushed by her in front of everyone.

'You badly want to get admitted to this Academy, right?' Jeru hissed inwardly, as a smug smile showed on his dark face.

......

As soon as Cielo was called by General Liu and left, Zach turned to Torin and asked, "It's normal for a young woman to have a crush, right? To what extent do they usually go once they have a crush on someone?"

"Bro, what the hell!? Why ask questions like that out of nowhere?" Torin exclaimed as his eyes were suspiciously studying Zach's face.

"Oh, it's actually Rizie and I have accidentally heard about it as Lyra was giving her advice through the phone. You know I just got curious since it's my baby sister…" Zach explained with a stammering voice as if he was hesitating to continue further.

Zach cursed inwardly because lying was not his forte at all, however, he better not tell Torin the truth or else he would for sure be bothered by his teasing.

"Hmmm, I see, so Rizie has a crush on someone. Geez, don't worry about it too much, Bro. It's very normal at the age of eighteen, right? That's normal on puberty stage. It's actually exciting on those times." Torin replied.

He saw Zach's questioning and confused look at him so Torin continued, "Well, basically I'm sure that Rizie will stalk her crush, so she will know the guy's every move, likes, hobbies… All that involves the guy, she will definitely look into it."

Torin laughed out hard, seeing how weary Zach's face became.

"The worst part on it, Bro, is if Rizie does it boldly. There is a shy type of girls, who will be contented of just looking around and admiring, but if you base on Rizie's personality... She's a pain in the ass, Bro! Haha, I'm sure she will be bold and harass the guy all she wants! Even woo him over for sure!"

Zach's face paled, as Torin continued to outline every possible scenario that Torin thought could take place.

Torin ended his speech with, "Bro! Let Rizie enjoy her youth and don't be a killjoy! You don't know how scary and rebellious a girl can be if you hinder and prohibit her from expressing herself. Just do a background search on the man for safety reasons so at least you'll be at ease if he is someone who does not take an advantage…"

Zach was left speechless and stupefied...