Inside The General's cabin.
Alexander sat in his chair, spinning slightly, a rare smile playing on his lips, one that would shock anyone who knew him. The most feared General Gonzales was lost in thought, dreaming about a certain pretty doctor like a lovestruck teenager. He'd already been informed that the medical team had arrived and that she, his little doctor, was leading them. Now, he was waiting for her to walk through that door any moment.
Knock.
"Yes… come in," he said softly, a trace of warmth in his voice.
The door opened, and a soldier stepped in, looking hesitant and oddly surprised.
"Si…r, these papers need your appro–"
The words froze on his tongue the moment he saw it. His cold, ruthless superior is smiling. Smiling like an idiot.
The soldier's eyes widened in alarm.
"Oh my God, there's an imposter!!!" he shouted.
Alex's dreamy haze shatters. His face hardens instantly.Unfortunately for the soldier, the real General was back.
"What the f^*k is wrong with you?! Why are you shouting?!" Alex barked, fury flashing in his eyes. His disappointment at seeing the wrong person only fueled his irritation.
The soldier stammered, trembling.
"S-sorry, sir… you were… smiling…" Before he can speak any further Alex barked.
"Leave the damn papers here and scram!!"
The man practically threw the files on the desk and bolted out of the cabin.
Now completely agitated, Alex turned toward the window, exhaling sharply to steady himself.
"Great…. Just great." He muttered to himself.
Another knock.
He clenched his jaw.
Then another.
"Come in," he said through gritted teeth, each word bitten off, refusing to turn around.
The door creaked open softly.
"What now?" he snapped, voice low and dangerous.
No reply.
He shut his eyes tightly, trying to rein in his temper. Then he spun around, yelling, "Cat got your ton…"
The words died in his throat.
Standing before him was her. Trembling, eyes glistening with unshed tears, hands clutching a piece of paper.
In that instant, Alex wished he could take back every harsh word he'd said that day.
Minutes ago.
Ria was walking toward the General's cabin when she saw a soldier sprinting out, panic written all over his face. She slowed her steps, watching him with mild amusement.
'Why would anyone be scared inside a protected place like a military camp?' she thought, shaking her head. Dismissing the thought, she knocked gently on the cabin door.
A deep voice replied, "Come in."
Something in the tone made her pause. It didn't sound welcoming, in fact, it was laced with irritation. Uneasy but determined, she pushed the door open.
What greeted her froze her in place.
The man behind the desk, tall, broad-shouldered, his aura commanding and cold, turned sharply toward her, his expression thunderous.
"What now?" he barked.
Her breath caught. No words came out. None.
No one had ever yelled at her before. Not her family, not her friends, not even her colleagues.
The harshness of his voice echoed off the walls, suffocating the air around her.
She couldn't move. Confusion and fear twisted inside her chest. Why was this stranger shouting at her?
Her palms went clammy. Her body betrayed her, trembling, sweating, barely able to stand straight.
"Cat got your tongue?" he snapped, turning fully toward her.
That did it.
The moment she saw his rage-filled face, her throat tightened. Tears welled up, blurring her
vision. She clutched the paper in her hands tighter, as if it were a lifeline.
Now, they stood face to face, the air between them tense and heavy, her fear meeting his
regret.