NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 33- HIS OWN

             Sitting behind an expensive Mahogany desk, surrounded by trappings of power and success, was the General, Russo. Grunts of training and enthusiastic loud chants from the men down below, filtered into his office through the window.

                  Having a displeased expression on his face, Russo was anything but interested in the activity outside. Hell, he hasn't been for a month now. The idea had hit him a few weeks back. On how to appease the ferocious tigress who solely blamed her father's demise on his neck.

Not that she was entirely wrong anyways.

                    His laptop was open in front of him. His eyes narrowed as he scrolled through the photos of Diane at the Silver Oaks home. How could she give up her life's ambition for this? When she had asked for time out, he was thinking two weeks tops but it was a month and counting and she was yet to return.

                     As he continued to watch, Russo's expression turned to a mix of frustration and fascination. He couldn't fathom why Diane, a skilled and dedicated soldier, had abandoned her military career to care for the elderly. Further on as he continued to scroll through, He saw something that gave him a pause.

'Her compassion.'

           The infectious smiles on the faces of everyone present. Maybe that was why she didn't want to come back. There was no room for such sunshine in the military. She wasn't dressed in uniform and for the first time, he could see there was a woman underneath all that stamina she used to possess and a very sweet one at that.

             Seeing her dressed with an apron over her clothes as she passes food around was something you don't see everyday. All of a sudden, he felt a little relaxed. Lost in the moment on screen causing a faint smile to brush past his lips. Just then, the door went open, catching him off guard, he slammed the laptop shut like a guilty teenager who was caught watching porn by his strict mother. It was Captain Lewis.

"What is the meaning of this, Lewis?" He barked. "You know better than to barge in unannounced.
Lewis halted, taken aback by his sudden ire. His eyes glanced suspiciously at the closed laptop.
"I apologize, sir." He bowed. "I have urgent news regarding Operation Nightshade."
Lewis halted, taken aback by the General's sudden ire. "Sir, I apologize. I have urgent news regarding Operation Al-Jihad."

               Russo brows furrowed in immerse displeasure. He wasn't ready to confront his father's dirty linens at the moment. Getting up from his feet, He stepped out of his seat.

"We'll need to take this to some other time, Captain."
"What? But this is important."
"And I am well aware. I've got somewhere to be at the moment." He said, walking away but Lewis held him back. "Excuse me?" He glared angrily at the latter.
"I believe you've got a wise head on your shoulders, sir. This isn't a time to leave out loose ends. These are national matters that shouldn't be handled so lightly."
"If they're still angry, then why haven't we heard from them since then? Why haven't they so much as sent us a threat?"  Russo asked.
"I have no idea but still, we should be cautious."
"I know, Lewis and thank you for your concern. It's much appreciated but personally, I don't think there's anything to worry about. Not yet, I hope."
He said before making his way out of the office.

              All alone, Lewis seized the opportunity and took a peek into Russo's closed laptop. There he could see the photos of a woman filled with bright smiles in the Old People's home. His brows knotted in a tight frown. So she's the reason? Hasn't she always been?

"Diane Alvarin."

                         ~~~~~~~~~~~

            Yena was still in the kitchen, assisting the workers with the baking. While Diane, kept serving fruit drinks for lunch. The smell of pastries filled the air that beautiful afternoon. Living in here was always so magical. Diane has just finished serving the last round of drinks, wiping her hands on her white apron.

               At that Yena could be seen carrying the tray from the kitchen, when the door came open and in, came Gladys, the home operator and someone else that made Diane freeze in shock.

Deep black hair...
Cold blue eyes....
Intimidating frame....

Russo Fedorcenko!

What the hell and how the fuck is he here?

"General Fedorcenko? Here?" Yena whispered to Diane, shaking with excitement. "Isn't that just a dream come true!"
"I'm sure it is." Diane rolled her eyes.
"Please everyone, let's welcome the General. He's come to pay our humble home a visit, today." Came Gladys' voice full of cheer.
"Добро пожаловать!" We welcome you.
They all chorused in Russian.
"Thank you. I'm honored to be here today." Russo said, feigning a smile that didn't suit him.
"And so are we." Gladys smiled.

             Russo scanned the room with his eyes before finally resting them on Diane. She was just as she appeared on the screen. With the stained apron and the floral dress she had worn underneath. Seeing her so casual was amusing. He found it laughable or.....adorable and moreso, that she was trying to avoid his gaze.

"Anyways...." Gladys continued. "These are the only volunteers we have here, Yena Sergeiov and Diane."
"Just Diane?" Russo raised an eyebrow, sensing foul play.
"I never told her my last name." She answered.
"And you just let anyone in without knowing who they are?" Russo turned at Gladys who was now uncomfortable and feeling embarrassed.
"Well, well she works as in a corporative bookstore. She's not harmful, sir." Gladys quickly said.
"Bookstore?" He asked, eyes widened. Then He smiled faintly as he looked at her. "Forgive me, Gladys but this one slipped from me." He smiled.
"What?"
Yes, what the hell? Diane fumed and why would he refer to her like that?
"She's one of my soldiers. I'm only sorry, I let her stay away for so long."
"What? Is this true?" Gladys asked, in disbelief. Even Yena was now, wide eyed with shock.
"Yes, ma'am. But it's not...."
"That's enough! I'm so sorry, sir. I had no idea she was yours."
I'm not his.
"We're all bound to mistakes so I'll let it slide."
"Now you!" Gladys turned to Diane with an angry look. "Take off your apron and leave."
"What? No. Please I like it here. I really do."
"I don't care. Go back to where you're needed. I wouldn't want any more trouble."
Diane turned to Yena who looked sadly at her.
"I'm sorry." She muttered.
Diane took off her apron and shared a hug with the only friend she had made in a long long while.
"I'll keep in touch." She whispered, softly.
"Please do. We'll miss having you around."
"And so will, I."