Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 46

Engfa and Charlotte had just entered the Ministry of Defense compound, bustling with people moving about. Today, they each had important tasks to complete. Engfa was heading to the military area to check on training conditions, while Charlotte had to decode a high-level cipher that had been sent the previous night. Standing beside Engfa's military vehicle, the two exchanged a tender look before parting ways.

• "Take care, okay? Don't get hurt; I'd be heartbroken." Charlotte reminded, her eyes shining with a mix of worry and affection.

• "You too-don't let those ciphers give you too much of a headache." Engfa teased, gently brushing Charlotte's hair.

They shared a smile and a light hug amidst the hum of engines and the surrounding bustle. Bidding Charlotte goodbye, Engfa headed to her office to pick up the necessary files for the inspection and quickly got into her vehicle with Tif-a close colleague and her comrade from many past campaigns.

On the way to the military area, Tif adjusted her military cap with a grin and asked:

• "Did anything fun happen over the weekend, ma'am?"

Engfa chuckled, instantly recalling a lovely morning spent with Charlotte:

• "Well... someone took me out for breakfast and even gave me a stunning new car."

Tif gaped in surprise:

• "Wait, that red car is a gift from Charlotte? Ma'am, you're truly lucky!"

Engfa laughed, adding:

• "I really am lucky to have her. And you? What did you do over the weekend?"

• "Oh, I just stayed home, watched movies, and tried a new recipe... I was planning to cook it for 'someone special,' but I haven't gathered the courage to invite them yet," Tif shyly admitted, making them both burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, Charlotte stopped by a nearby café to pick up two coffees-one for herself and one for Tina, a close colleague from the intelligence department. Bringing the coffees to their office, Charlotte smiled as she saw Tina looking radiant and cheerful today.

• "Hey, you look extra cheerful today! Got some good news?" Charlotte teased, placing Tina's coffee on her desk.

Tina laughed and replied:

• "Yeah, I just finished a freelance project last night, so I'm feeling a lot more relaxed. How about you? I heard you received a high-level cipher today?"

Charlotte nodded, her gaze focused but calm:

• "Yes, it's a highly classified document. I need to decode it by today."

Tina nodded, handing her a tightly sealed document bearing the Ministry of Defense seal.

• "This came straight from the Minister's office, so it must be serious." Tina said, her tone more solemn.

Charlotte nodded, took a deep breath, and dove into her work. She analyzed each symbol and complex data sequence in the document, with Tina by her side, ready to assist.

• "These codes are more intricate than usual. It looks like a new type of cipher." Charlotte murmured, her eyes glued to the page.

Tina nodded:

• "Yes, I heard they've started rotating encryption types frequently to counter espionage."

The two immersed themselves in their task, working seamlessly together. Time flew by, and by midday, they had only decoded half of the message. Not wanting to risk exposure, Charlotte and Tina decided to order lunch to the office to continue working while eating.

At the military training grounds, Engfa and Tif observed from a distance, hats on and glasses shielding their eyes as they watched the soldiers drill. Engfa scrutinized each formation, noting areas for improvement.

• "They need to improve their close-range defensive skills," Engfa remarked, eyes fixed on the soldiers.

• "I agree. A few got injured in the last drill due to this. You should bring it up-they might improve significantly with some guidance," Tif suggested.

Engfa nodded, approached the training commander, and shared detailed feedback based on her combat experience. She carefully recommended supplemental exercises to help the troops sharpen their close-combat response.

After finishing her work, Engfa and Tif joined the soldiers for lunch in the field, where Tif cheerfully recounted the story about Charlotte's red car gift, sparking laughter all around. The group shared amusing work stories, making the lunch warm and enjoyable.

That afternoon, having completed the inspection at the military grounds, Engfa and Tif returned to the Ministry of Defense. The sun was setting, casting a gentle glow over the parking lot. After dropping off reports in the upper-level office, they decided to stop by Charlotte's office to wait for her to finish.

However, upon arrival, they saw a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the office door. Engfa furrowed her brow, understanding that Charlotte and Tina were still deep in work and didn't want interruptions. So, she and Tif sat on a row of chairs in the hallway to wait.

Tif chuckled:

• "Never thought I'd be waiting like this."

Engfa smiled in agreement:

• "Intelligence work is complex; they have to ensure total confidentiality. Sometimes a work session can last all day."

Tif leaned back against the chair, smiling at Engfa with a playful glint:

• "Hey, do you usually wait for Charlotte like this?"

Engfa chuckled softly, her gaze fixed on Charlotte's office door with a gentle expression. She answered with a warm and sincere tone:

• "Actually, my happiness is waiting for her. I wouldn't mind waiting a lifetime."

Tif looked at her in slight surprise, then nodded with a look of admiration:

• "That's so touching. I didn't expect someone like you to be so romantic."

Engfa smiled lightly, her gaze distant:

• "It's not romance... It's just that... she's the one who brings me peace."

The two sat in silence for a moment, with only the ticking clock marking each passing second.

They waited there, reminiscing about shared memories from the military and recounting past missions together in hushed tones.

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