Chapter 10 - A Line

As the waitress serves the dishes they ordered, silence goes on between the two soldiers who spare each other a glance once in a while but never at the same time. Then the Deputy Commander gestures for Alora to start eating with a little smile on his face. However, the pressure is still evident to the Captain who is even amazed that the Deputy Commander of her division has such a side in him.

As far as she can remember, Killian Gray is always a tough perfectionist who excels in everything and has everything. Be it wealth, skills, manners, or looks... he has it all.

"I never understand why someone like you would take interest in me, Deputy Commander." Alora becomes the one breaking the silence but the words she spoke... they are what she mutters mindlessly. As such, she instantly regrets when she notices Killian Gray raising a brow. "I mean... I..." She practically stutters as she struggles to explain herself. And much to her surprise, Lt. Col. Killian flashes a small yet amusing smile.

"You are still frank even when you are not in your uniform," Killian Gray points out and remarks, "I think that's cool."

Frank? Was she ever frank with him even while wearing her uniform? All Alora could do is flash a bemused smile. She dares not open her mouth again just to put herself in a more awkward situation!

"I hope you can relax with me," Killian mutters as if he understands how Alora is feeling. "We don't even wear our uniform and we are outside work too. Besides, I don't think I am that scary."

His last sentence ends up making Alora chuckle. "Maybe you have no idea, Deputy Commander. There is not a single soul in our division who is not afraid of you."

"Oh. Really?" Killian sounds like it is his first time hearing such a thing but Alora is sure that it isn't. She also knows that he doesn't really care as long as he carries out his duties and responsibilities.

"Are you an exception, Captain?" The Deputy Commander suddenly asks and points out, "Judging from the way you are behaving right now, you don't look like someone who is afraid of me." There is a hint of menace in his voice.

"Let me think," Alora simply says and chuckles before responding, "I think instead of fearing you, I respect you more. But I admit that you can be very scary at times, especially when you are angry."

"Angry?" Killian Gray says as a question and Alora nods her head.

"But don't worry, Deputy Commander," she says, matching that menacing tone used by Killian earlier. "Whenever you are angry, it always makes sense. I mean, I would also be angry on those occasions if I were you."

The Captain's words end up making Killian burst out into laughter. And once he becomes a bit composed, he remarks, "You are eloquent, just like General claims."

"It seems like my father tells you almost everything," Alora points out, even sounding a bit disappointed.

"Maybe," Lt. Col. Killian shrugs and adds, "But after listening to what you said about me, I have a feeling that you did quite an observation on me." There is a smile in his voice that makes Alora feel some pressure.

Observation? She has no idea.

Still, the Captain smiles. "I said before, Deputy Commander. I admire you and when it comes to working, I look up to you a lot."

Lt. Col. Killian could feel how Alora's words draw a line between them, be it intentional or unintentional. However, he still manages a smile, perhaps because it is not that unexpected. "Being admired by someone who is predicted to become a legend of our Elentrus Army... that's an honor."

"Says someone who is already coined as a legend," Alora remarks with a hint of a playful smile on her face, making Lt. Col. Killian chuckle once again.

"It's hard to win against you," he frankly says instead of remarking on what she said. Then they both continue with the dinner while also keeping up the small chat. However, even by the time they finished, the General is still not there.

Noticing how the Deputy Commander glances at his wristwatch over and over again, Alora says, "I don't think he will make it. Maybe the matter is really huge and urgent." Once she has Killian's full attention, she suggests, "Shall we just leave, Deputy Commander?"

Killian Gray narrows his eyes at his phone and contemplates if he should give the General a call. However, as he is so sure that the General won't be able to pick it up if he was still at the meeting, he ends up deciding against it. Then finally, he nods his head.

Before Alora could even say a word, Lt. Col. Killian calls for a waiter and settles the bill. Once he is done, he shifts his attention back to her and flashes a small yet pleasant smile. "Let's go."

Alora nods her head and they both rise from their seat and start walking. "My father arranged this dinner yet he doesn't get to come. You should have at least let me pay for it, Deputy Commander."

"Never mind," Killian Gray shrugs and jokingly adds, "Whenever I eat or drink with the General, he never allows me to pay, saying that the one with the higher rank and salary should pay. Just think of it as something I learned from him."

Once again, the Captain ends up chuckling at the Deputy Commander's response. "That's so like my father. He is always..." Her voice trails off when she happens to look to her left and spots a familiar face, making her abruptly halt her step!

It's him... again?!

Seeing him standing just a few steps away with his gaze in her direction, the Captain is hit by how surreal everything is!

She spent 9 years, hoping to see him again until she suddenly ran into him one day. And now, not even a day has passed and she already crosses paths with him again!

Twice in two days after nine long years? What were the odds?!

At the moment, Alora McLean even forgets about Lt. Col. Killian who is halting beside her, confused. Still, Killian trails her gaze and sees two persons who look like... a couple?

Does Captain Alora know them?

Killian has no idea how much the presence of the woman beside the man bothers Alora! After all, she tries hard to hide everything apart from sparing her just a quick glance. However...

To make things worse and more awkward, Alessio DeFazio slowly makes his way to them with a beautiful woman holding onto his arm. At the sight of this, Alora secretly squeezes her clothes to keep herself in check.

She is unprepared to meet him even much more than the day before, especially with some woman in his arm.....