The Rise of General Aidan Crowmwell

"Safe trip, Commander Aidan Cromwell!" Twenty soldiers lined up on both sides of Aidan as he made his way to the private military plane. The soldiers had their fingers to their brows and stood at attention, saluting the commander of the Central Zone and youngest five-star General of the United States Army. Other generals with their chests adorned with badges and medals were also there. Aidan was a powerful man and they respected him. He had led them to many victories since he joined five years ago. He even earned the recognition of the president. Aidan walked to the end of the line before he turned to them and saluted. He turned again and walked up the stairs into the plane. He walked confidently to the seat that the flight attendant showed him. "Something to drink, sir?" The woman asked, holding a glass and a bottle of champagne. "Please," Aidan replied, taking the glass. He watched as she opened the bottle and poured him a drink. "Thank you." "Allow me, sir," she said. She took the glass back from him and took a sip. She kept her eyes on him as she did. She was checking for poison. Although Aidan was respected and feared, some people wished to see him dead. "All clear, sir." She handed him the glass but not before her hand lingered on his and she licked her lips. She was flirting with him. Aidan smiled back politely. He was not interested. He had never been interested in anyone. Even though many women were chasing him, he only had eyes for one. That was the woman of his dreams, Maisie West. "Thank you. You are dismissed." He said. She smirked and sauntered away, swinging her hips as she went. Although he looked calm, Aidan was battling a storm in his mind. It had been five years… Five years since he had decided to leave his old life. Doing that, he had also abandoned his wife, Maisie. He hadn't talked to her or seen her during that time. He had almost forgotten the sound of her voice but he remembered everything else about her, down to the birthmarks on her milky skin. He even remembered what her body looked like, his own personal art canvas. As the plane lifted off, Aidan relaxed into his seat. All the memories of his life before now ran through his mind. Five years ago, he had been nothing but a nobody. He was the disgraced and hated illegitimate son of the wealthy Cromwell family. Because of this, he was expelled from his own family. With nothing to his name, he was forced to make a living for himself. He began to work as a dockworker. Life was a struggle to keep living for Aidan. But, then one night, everything changed. Aidan was drugged. 1 was kidn*pped and taken to the docks. He had been sure that he was going to get killed and his body would be thrown into the sea. But instead, he found Maisie. At that time, she had looked like the most beautiful woman on earth. He thought that she was an angel sent to save him. The night had been a blur of passion and pleasure. The two of them had lost control and given in to their desires. They ended up spending the night together, their bodies tangled up as they made love. The next morning, even before the two strangers woke up, the news had already spread. It was a plan made to tarnish Maisie's reputation. The shares of the company, Sterling Group, which Maisie owned and had built from scratch, crashed overnight. The wealthy founder had an affair with the lowly dockworker. It was terrible for business. Remembering all the drama that happened, Aidan took a long sip of his champagne. He remembered everything that happened after as if it were yesterday. Maisie's family wanted to fix the problem. They forced Aidan to marry Maisie. For him, it was a chance to start afresh. He would become a worthy husband to the woman he was coming to love and admire. But, he was a laughing stock. He was a mere dockworker without a college degree. He was never going to be good enough for a woman like Maisie West. So he had made a choice. He left. He later joined the military, determined to build a life that would one day be worthy of her. He worked hard, day after day, to become the man who could stand proudly beside Maisie West. Now he was a five-star General with power, control and authority, he was on his way back. He was going back to the woman he had left behind. He did not know if Maisie would welcome him or curse him. He only knew that he needed to see her again. The plane touched down. Aidan stepped out into the airport. Beside him, his assistant and bodyguard Brenton followed him as they moved through the crowd. Aidan’s eyes scanned the terminal. He was alert, taking in the unfamiliar faces walking past. But then he saw her. It was a little girl. She looked no older than four and had wide brown eyes and dark curls. Strangely, he felt that there was something familiar about her but he was sure he didn't know her. She stood in front of him, staring. She seemed to recognize him. But before he could say anything, she blurted out, "Daddy?" Aidan stared at her, stunned. But, he offered her a smile. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. You must be mistaken. I'm not your father." The little girl’s eyes filled with tears. She shook, "You’re my daddy! I’ve seen your pictures!" She began to sob. "I know you're my daddy. You don’t want me, do you? Is that why you left? You don’t want me anymore." Aidan didn’t know what to say to her. How could he comfort this girl who believed he was her father? Was it possible? Could he have a daughter he never knew about? He knelt and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it’s not like that, little one. I’m sure you’ve made a mistake. I don't have any children. I’m not your dad." But she only cried louder. People in the airport were beginning to stare at him. They wondered why the man in the military uniform was making a child cry. He probably looked like a bully. Aidan sighed. “Brenton,” he called to his assistant. The man stamped his feet and saluted. "Let's take her to the airport security office. We need to find her parents.” Brenton nodded. He tried to get her to follow him but she refused. She only let Aidan lead her. He dropped her off there, despite her crying and begging, and left. Minutes later, Maisie West burst through the doors of the airport security office. She looked around until her eyes landed on the small figure in the corner. "Hazel!" she called. The little girl ran toward her mother, still crying. “Mommy, I saw Daddy. He doesn’t want me. He said he isn’t my daddy.” Maisie's heart skipped a beat. "You saw daddy?" She asked. Hazel nodded. Maisie had feared this day for years. After her mother had told her that Aidan had demanded $500,000 from her father before disappearing, she knew he was not a good man. He had left without a word, abandoning their marriage. She had to face the scandal alone. To top it off, she found out that she was pregnant. Despite her family pressuring her to abort the baby, she had given birth to Hazel. Despite how Aidan had left, Maisie chose to make sure Hazel knew her father. It was only right. But now, after all these years, Aidan was still causing pain. He had denied his child. Maisie quickly looked over at the security officer. “Can you tell me where they took the man Hazel was talking about?” The officer hesitated. “Ma'am, if this is a family matter—” "It is," Maisie cut him off. "He left a few minutes ago," the officer replied. She had waited five long years for Aidan to return. Carrying Hazel in her arms, Maisie rushed out of the airport. She looked around. That was when she saw him through the open window of a black limousine that drove past. It was true. Hazel was right. Aidan Cromwell was back.