General and I

A TASTE OF HOME

The laughter around the table was the kind that melted walls.

Leah sat surrounded by the people she loved most her sister Maya, Jenah, and Derek and for the first time in what felt like forever, her world was simple again.

Dinner was humble fried rice, roasted chicken, and a small bowl of fried plantain but to Leah, it was a feast fit for a queen. The aroma of her mother’s old recipe still lingered in her memory, and Jenah had done justice to it.

Maya sat close to her, grinning from ear to ear. “You’ve gotten stronger, Leah. Look at your arms!”

Leah laughed, taking a playful bite from her sister’s plate. “I told you camp food is no joke. If I stay there longer, I might turn into one of those strict sergeants.”

“Please don’t,” Maya said, scrunching her nose. “You’ll scare me.”

They all burst into laughter again. Derek raised his glass. “To Leah the soldier who survived hell!”

“To Leah!” they echoed, and the tiny room erupted in cheer.

Leah couldn’t help but smile. It felt surreal, being here no shouting, no drills, no piercing stares from a certain general. Just peace. She’d forgotten what peace even felt like.

When the laughter died down, she found herself lost in thought, her eyes drifting to the window where the night breeze swayed the curtains gently. Somewhere far away, she wondered what he was doing if the General was still at work, or if he ever thought of her the way she found herself thinking of him.

She shook the thought away quickly. That was ridiculous. Men like him didn’t think of girls like her.

Still, her chest ached with a strange warmth she didn’t dare name.

The city lights shimmered far below Damien’s condo a private sanctuary carved into the skyline.

The penthouse stretched wide, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, glass and marble reflecting every glimmer of moonlight. The air smelled faintly of cedarwood and rain clean, masculine, and hauntingly calm.

Everything about the space screamed control: the polished grey floors, the minimalistic furniture, the abstract paintings, the perfectly placed whiskey decanter that caught the faint golden light.

Yet, even surrounded by perfection, Damien felt… restless.

He stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade down his shoulders, washing away the weight of the day. But no matter how much the steam fogged the glass or blurred his reflection, her face remained Leah’s.

Her dark eyes, the quiet fire in them. The way she looked that night fragile yet defiant, drunk yet honest. The way she smiled even when terrified.

He tilted his head back, water running down his jawline, his breath uneven. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.

She had invaded his thoughts like an uninvited ghost soft, stubborn, unforgettable.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to scrub her out of his mind, but the more he tried, the clearer her image became. The curve of her lips. The tremble in her voice when she said thank you.

When the water finally turned cold, Damien stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. He stared at his reflection for a long moment the same hardened face that had scared men into silence now betrayed a flicker of confusion.

He didn’t like confusion. Especially not from a 22-year-old recruit who didn’t know when to keep her distance.

Shaking off the thought, he dressed and grabbed his car keys. Tonight was family dinner an obligation he couldn’t avoid.

*************************

The Cole family estate was a different world entirely.

Nestled on the outskirts of the city, it spanned acres of perfectly manicured gardens, marble fountains, and a mansion that looked like it had been carved from royalty itself. Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings like frozen waterfalls, and every corner gleamed with quiet, expensive taste.

Damien walked through the grand foyer, his footsteps echoing against the marble. He was heading to the kitchen to grab a drink before dinner when he stopped his jaw tightening instantly.

There, standing by the counter with a too-sweet smile and a glass of juice in hand, was Ann.

Her hair fell in soft curls, her lips painted a delicate shade of pink that matched her dress. She looked every inch the picture-perfect socialite his mother adored.

“Damien!” she chirped, setting down her glass. “I was just talking to your mother. She mentioned you’d be joining us tonight. I didn’t expect you so soon.”

He gave a curt nod.

“You’ve been so busy,” she continued, stepping closer. “I did it get to see you before I left camp. We couldn’t even talk at camp you were so unreachable

“I’m your superior at camp not your family friend ,” he replied flatly, brushing past her toward the refrigerator.

Her smile faltered, but she quickly recovered.

Damien pulling out a bottle of water and turning to leave.

“Wait,” she called, her voice softening into something almost pleading. “I just wanted to thank you… for looking after me at camp. You were strict, but it showed how much you cared.”

He paused, his expression unreadable. “You’re welcome,” he said, his tone devoid of warmth, and walked out.

Ann’s smile cracked completely this time.

Minutes later, Damien descended the grand staircase, now dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers. The dining room was set for five his parents at the head, Ann beside his mother, and an empty seat waiting for him.

“Damien, darling,” Mrs. Cole greeted, her diamond earrings catching the chandelier’s light. “You don’t mind Ann joining us for dinner right? Her mum called saying she’s feeling down after the rigorous exercises at the camp and you know I’m good at emotional support”

“So I see,” he said, sitting down without meeting Ann’s gaze.

Dinner began with quiet clinks of silverware. Mrs. Cole led the conversation, asking Ann about the training camp.

“Oh, it was tough,” Ann said with a soft pout. “But Damien was there, so it wasn’t so bad. He was such a good leader very disciplined. I don’t know what I’d have done without him.”

Mrs. Cole’s approving smile grew wider. “He’s always been responsible. You two make such a balanced pair.”

Damien said nothing, simply focusing on his meal. He could feel Ann’s gaze on him, searching for some reaction, some acknowledgment but she got none.

Mr. Cole, ever the quiet observer, cleared his throat. “So, Ann, I hear your father’s company is expanding into Europe.”

Ann’s face brightened. “Yes, sir! Daddy’s very excited about the new partnership.”

“Impressive,” Mr. Cole said with a polite nod. Then his eyes shifted to his son. “You’ve been busy too, haven’t you, Damien? Heard your camp reforms are drawing attention from the central command.”

“They’re necessary,” Damien replied evenly. “Structure breeds results.”

Mr. Cole smiled faintly, proud but amused. “Spoken like your grandfather.”

After dinner, as the servants cleared the table, Mrs. Cole took Ann to the sitting room for dessert, leaving father and son in the study.

The air there was softer mahogany shelves, cigar smoke, and the faint scent of old leather. Mr. Cole leaned against his desk, studying Damien.

“You know she went to camp just because of you right ?”he said.

Damien exhaled. “I have no idea.”

Mr. Cole chuckled. “Funny how you two used to be very close ,you used to look after her as a big brother then ,wonder what made you two grew distant “

“We were young then ,now we’re grown it’s only right for us to act mature “Damien said simply.

“Then you’re right to keep your distance.” His father’s tone was calm, understanding. “Don’t let anyone force your choices, son. Your mother means well, but… she comes from a world where alliances matter more than love.”

Damien looked up at him, his usually stoic eyes softening slightly. “And you?”

“I married for love,” Mr. Cole said with a wistful smile. “It made all the difference. I’d want the same for you.”

The words lingered long after his father left the room.

Damien turned toward the large window, the city glowing faintly in the distance and somewhere in that endless sprawl, a young woman with bright eyes was probably laughing over dinner.

He couldn’t help but smile faintly.

A smile he didn’t even realize he wore.