Chapter 60 - Unforgettable Memory

The snowy day a year ago. It was the day which the Captain fondly reminisce.

The tough joint training goes on under the cold snowy day. It was an unlucky day for Yelena because her fever won't go down since the other night. But it was just a low fever and not something to make a fuss about. After all, soldiers were always trained to have a high endurance rate. Besides, it was their last day of training.

Despite the fever, she joined the training which took place in the mountains. She was not fond of the mountains because it was the place where her brother met his end. But she had no choice as it was an order.

It was a survival training but an adventure course was also prepared, mostly rappelling. Feeling the temperature of her body which was higher and higher as time passed, she started to struggle to catch up with the training but she didn't want to be a nuisance.

When her time to rappel had finally come, she stood near the cliff thinking that she could complete without a problem. She was good at adventure courses though she didn't like them.

It was proved how wrong she was when her body can't take it anymore and... her vision was suddenly blurred while standing at the edge of the cliff which made her lose control! The worst part was that she was still not equipped with the safety equipment.

Brigadier Lexus who was a Colonel at that time was standing next to her. Unlike her, he was already equipped with all the safety equipment. He extended his hands to grabbed the Captain who was falling from the dangerous cliff but they ended up falling down together!

The Brigadier was hanged mid-air by the equipment while his hands were holding the Captain.

The other soldiers instantly started the task of pulling them up but maybe the unlucky charm was very effective for that day. The rope was stuck in one rock which was a little stretch out than others. Besides, it was a very sharp one which could break the rope any minute while the two soldiers lives were depending on that exact rope!

Their combined weight became their disadvantage as the more the weight, the more the rope was likely to break. And with the Brigadier's hands which were tiring out, Yelena thought that she was putting the Brigadier in danger.

To prevent more casualties and keeping in mind the rope which was slowly started breaking, she asked him to let go of her hands so that he might have a higher chance to live.

His answer was a strong NO. No matter how much she pleaded with him, his answer was the same. He won't let go of her hands because the moment he did that, she would be dead.

Their teammates were coming down to get them but there was not enough time. It would be different if the rope was carrying the weight of a single person because it will need a little time to cut off the rope. But they were two persons and that cut down the little time they had to half.

When Lexus realized that the rope was about to break, he mustered up all the strength remained in his body and pull up Yelena so that she could be on the upper while he would be on the lower level.

His movement instantly broke the rope and they fell down again but this time, he was below her and even if they landed, he would be the one to suffer the most. He shielded her with his own body.

But he also did one thing. He made sure to swung the rope to the side as much as he could. As such, they ended up falling on the forest and not straight to the rough ground.

They first landed on the trunk of the banana tree and then to the ground. Luckily, Lexus's head was not injured due to his protective helmet but he still suffered serious injuries and even fractured his bones while Yelena only had some small wounds.

In the present, a grateful smile plastered Yelena's face as she told the story to Felix. She had never forgotten about that incident. She was not only saved by the Brigadier but he also sacrificed himself to make her safe!

Ever since that day, Lexus had become her most respected superior and he was also the one whom she looked up to. Just like him, she never hesitated to saved her subordinates even if it means betting her life!

Her first mission with Team Delta was the proof. She learned and picked up such traits from him.

She always went to visit him in the hospital but he only accepted her first visit. But still, she went there every day despite the constant rejection. He also told her not to tell the story to others, especially soldiers. He was an aloof person who hated to be in the spotlight.

Felix recalled the time when his cousin returned from Silveren with severe injuries. The training took place in Silveren and he was also treated in the Silveren Army Hospital for a while, then he returned to Edeladon to receive treatment there.

"So, the one Lexus saved a year ago was you?" He wondered how fate had connected them even before they met. If her life was not saved by his cousin at that time, they would have never met!

"Yes." Yelena nodded her head. "So, I hope you could be understanding. I personally think that listening to him and obeying his words are still not enough. If I'm given the chance, I'm even willing to repay him with my life. That's how much I admired and respect him."

Felix finally smiled at her words. "Ever since we were young, Lexus was always very different from us. He talked less but whatever he said, he always meant it. But I never know that he was such a hero. He never tells us the details." He chuckled when he thought about how unique his most favourite cousin was.

"Do you know what he said to me back then when I visited him in the hospital? He said 'a superior in the army is a leader and a leader must do everything to ensure the safety of his subordinates.' He said that it was the reason why he risked his life to save mine." She narrowed her eyes and her face brightened up at the unforgettable memory.

"Even today, I still engraved his saying in my heart." She looked at Felix and hold his hand. "Today was the first time I ever met him since he returned to Edeladon. I had always wanted to meet him again and thanks for making that happen." She gazed at him affectionately.

"Now that I hear you out, I think I need to thank Lexus. Because of him, you're still alive and we have the chance to meet only because you're alive." Putting aside all the jealousy he felt just minutes ago, he made a mental note to thank his perfect cousin.

"Aren't you tired? It was such a hectic day for you." He asked. Lexus visit had greatly lifted her mood but he was still worried about her. What if she was just pretending to be happy because she cared about him? He wanted her to be just herself when she was with him.

"I'm fine." She paused when she realized that she still had something to talk with him. "By the way, are you close with her? I mean, Gina Larson." She asked.

She didn't fail to notice his changed in expression the moment she mentioned the woman. His smile had instantly slipped from his face.

"We are not exactly close but we had known each other for a long time now. Why do you ask?" He was not a fool. He understood right away that something troubled her. Did that woman say something to her? His face turned gloomy at the mere thought of it!

Yelena debated if she should tell him or not. Will it be best to talk to him now? He also went through a lot today and it was all because of her.

"She told me not to trust you. She said that you drove your ex-lover to death." She muttered. Just like he said to her while she was in the hospital, discussing everything together will help them in building a strong relationship and she decided to do as he said.

"Then what about you?" He asked her. "What are your thoughts on that?" He avoided her gaze which was very unlike him. He was not confident this time.

"I trust you." Her response came quicker than ever which made him darted his eyes to her at once. "I will only believe what you say." She reassured him how much she put trust in him.

All at once, his eyes were filled with a glint of guilt yet joy. He was flooded with mixed emotions. "Yelena." He called her name and lowered his eyes.

"I'm sorry for putting you in such a position. I know that it won't be easy for you to tell me these things. Can I ask you to wait me for just one more day? Then I'll answer your every question. I'll tell you everything."

She had already gone through so much in a single day. That should be enough for now.

He was scared. Exposing his story and all his burden to her, especially when she was this fragile all because of that video; he doubts that she would be okay.

Telling her everything will be the same as making her share his burden. Not to mention that the story concerned his late girlfriend.....