NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 36- HER FIRE

By the time she arrived in his office, Russo was still standing by the window. By this time, his gaze had shifted to the others down below. So watching his men train was just a casual habit. Ofcourse it was. What was she thinking?

"You called for me, sir?"
"Oh yes. Take a seat."
"I'd rather be on my feet."
He shrugged, unconcerned. "I'm glad you decided to come back."
"Not like I had much of a choice."
"You always have a choice. Don't ever make anyone feel like they can silence you. You're back here because you want to. If you feel uncomfortable then, you're free to walk out the door and never come back. I for one would respect that decision."
Diane parted her lips but she couldn't find the right words to reply.
"Anyways, I thought you should be aware of this before it commences." Russo said as he handed her file on the desk.
"Wh...what's this?"
"A military project."

Why would he need her opinion on a military project? She eyed the brown paper suspiciously as she opened it with her hand. Even if her attention was needed that would have been when she was still a Major. Not now. What was this even about?

Diane ran her eyes through the words printed out on black ink on the piece of paper and halfway, she was dumbstruck at the information before her. Glancing up, she stole a shocked look at him and he was more than pleased with her reaction.

That, was what he had been expecting afterall. He would have been a little disappointed if she had just tossed him the paper but who in her shoes would?

"A s-stature? Of my Father?"
He watched her eyes lids flutter in confusion.
"The Late Lieutenant Corporal, yes." Russo nodded, watching her closely. He wanted to savor this moment.
"What the hell?"

Diane muttered underneath her breath, confused. Refusing to believe all this was true. Her emotions were in a crazed frenzy at the information. What was he up to?

"Why?" She asked, out loud.
"Why not? The Nation needs to know how valuable the man was and still is. It'll serve as a constant reminder of his patriotism, not just as a Soldier but as a citizen."
"And that's all?"
"Almost forgot. You'll be returning to your previous position as Major from next week."
"What?" Her voice rose in absolute shock. He only smiled in return. This...was just too much. Diane thought, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yes, this is all very real." Russo assured.
She set the file back on the table. "Is this your way of atonement? Or like you said; making amends?
"Not good enough?" He asked, amused.
"What you're doing, is like adding layers of icing to a battered cake." Diane said, bitterness lacing her voice. There was just no impressing this woman, was there?
"I see nothing wrong with that."
"And you never will. You're trying so hard to cover up your ills and seem like an angel."
"When you put it like that...."
"That's exactly what it is. Ofcourse. Throw money at the problem and it's solved. That's your pathetic solution to everything, isn't it? I bet daddy never thought you what compassion meant, did he?"

She cut in, determined to bring down his ego, even a little but the Man's expression was as hard as steel as he moved forward and closed in on her. She kept firm eye contact, refusing to back down.

"No." Answered his voice, a deep baritone. That set off vibrations, now that he was so close. "I never had the spare time to learn."

Diane knew what he meant. As next in line, she could only imagine the physical drills he had to go through from the moment he turned a teen. Most likely ten times that of the average militant. She didn't want to be in his shoes.

"That fire..." Russo continued, sweeping his gaze down to her chest. "....in there..." She suddenly felt the need to get a blanket over her body even though she was fully clothed in her uniform. His gaze was as uncomfortable as it was burning.
"You remind of a tiger."
"Huh?"
"It's beautiful and I'm starting to love it. I don't know anyone who's loved like you do. I understand the hurt you feel but if you use that as an excuse to close out the genuineness of people around you, you'll only end up consuming yourself." He said and her brown eyes flashed at him in surprise.

Taking a step back, he pulled out a card from his pocket. Taking out her hand, he placed the plastic card on her palm. She looked a confused question at him.

"Orders won't be given to commerce the Stature until you give your permission. Take you time and think about it and when you do, do well to let me know."
She stared at the card in her hand.

'His contact.'

Taking one look at him, she turned around and left his office. Honestly, he was surprised she didn't throw the thing at his face. He was starting to doubt if she would give the offer a chance. She was quite the tigress, wasn't she? He smiled, faintly.

The keys clanked as she put them in the slot and turned it sideways, pushing the door to her living room open. Sighing tiredly, she took off her uniform and got into the shower before fixing herself something for dinner. His offer was still lingering in her head.

Her initial response was to say yes but then again, wouldn't that be degrading? Taking his petty apologies. She wanted to but it felt like an insult to her ego. To her vow that she would bring him to his head. But right now, with no evidence in hand, taking his apology felt like the only option.

"I understand the hurt you feel but if you use that as an excuse to close out the genuineness of people around you, you'll only end up consuming yourself."

Urgh! Diane groaned in pain. She suffered a small cut on his finger from the knife she had been slicing vegetables with. What if he was right? What if she was only carrying a grudge for no good reason?

She thought as she stared down at the blood seeping from her wound. The General wasn't the one hurting from a cut finger. It was her. Mom. She needed to call her mother. Picking up her phone, she dialed in her number. It took a few rings before Tanya came up on the other end.

"Hello honey."
"Mom." She sighed, relieved.
"You don't sound alright, are you okay?"
"Yes." Hearing her voice just brought her immerse release from the tightness in her chest.
"How have you been faring, honey?"
"It could be better. I have something to tell you, mom."
"What's that, hun?"
"The General....He offered me a proposal today."
"What could that be?"
"A military stature." Diane said, pursing her lips.
"But you're no longer Major. I know I'm no expert in what you do, but aren't projects like this supposed to be handled by higher ranks?"
"Mom...." She called out, her voice breaking. ".....it's of Dad."
"What?" Tanya gasped, holding a hand over her mouth. "Wh-what do you mean?"
"He's also given me back my position as Major."
Tears slipped down Diane's eyes and she could tell her overwhelmed mother was sobbing also.
"I don't know. He's apologizing. He claims he's sorry but I don't want to believe he's genuine in the very least. Hell, nothing about the Fedorcenkos are supposed to be trust worthy, right?" She sniffed.
Blinking the tears away, her mother sighed. "Sweetie?"
"Yes, mom."
"Your father is gone, honey and no matter how much he tries to atone for his errors, it won't bring him back."
"Exactly my point. All the more reason why I'm so fucking....."
"But neither will holding a grudge against the General forever." Tanya cut in, catching her daughter by total surprise.
"What? Mom, what are you...?"
"Let go of the past, sweetie and focus on your future. I know you're hurt. So am I but the earlier we let ourselves heal, the better. Your father would have wanted you keep heading forward in the military. You know how he was."
"I do." She sobbed.
"You know what to do, honey. Remember, I'm in support of whatever decision you eventually make."
"Thank you, mom."
"Goodbye, Diane and take care."
"Love you."

Hangup!

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Diane braced herself for the firm resolve already settled in her heart. She walked into her room and searched through the back pockets of her military khaki pants until, she found the card Russo had handed her earlier that day. She typed in his contact on her cell and place a call. Each vibration from her cell, syncing with the rhythm of the thumping of her heart.

Nervous....
Anxiety.....
Uncertainty.....

"Yes?"
She heard his voice from the other end, undoubtedly.
"Diane Alvarin, sir."
A faint smirk curled up the side of lips. So she did give it a thought.
"And yes, I give my consent for the commission of the Stature." She said, waiting for his response.
"Wonderful. We begin tomorrow."
"What?"
"You and I. At the construction site."