Smartly dressed in her uniform for the first time in a while, Yelena just finished giving the joining report to Major General Lucian Arlyn, the Commander of the Rayvix Special Forces.
Major General Lucian was so delighted to see Yelena in a good shape to the point where he almost forgot the formalities and rules of the army which earned him a little chuckle from the Captain.
"Now that I have finished all the formalities, you can talk freely." Yelena playfully said to the Commander who sat beside her on a single sofa.
"You brat, do you even know how much you make me worry?" The Major General helplessly sighed. After she gave him that much trouble, how can she still joke around?!
"Really? Then I'm sorry, Uncle Matchmaker." The Captain had no intention to stop teasing her uncle!
"That nickname again! I already said that I'm not your matchmaker!" He leaned towards Yelena. "Will you please stop calling me that? Your father will kill me if he heard that." He whispered while giving her a pleading look.
"Well, that will depend on how well you treat me, Commander. As you know, I was barely revived from death and I'm still very weak." She put on an act of a sick woman who was very fragile and the Uncle burst out into laughter.
"You have become so menacing. What will I do with you?" Major General Lucian laughed as he shook his head at her cheerful nature. Witnessing her this way was so rare and it made him so happy. Her behaviour which was very unlike the past warmed up the heart of the Uncle.
Yelena simply chuckled without saying anything.
"By the way, have you heard that we have a new Deputy Commander? He joined about a month ago."
"Is that so? How is he?" Yelena immediately asked.
"He is very good. He was in the same batch as Colonel Maverick and he always has excellent results, only second to the Colonel." The Commander notified her.
"That's great. I will try to greet him soon." Yelena was truly glad to hear the news as the previous Deputy Commander was such a loser.
"Okay but I think there will be one person you would like to meet first." The Commander hinted with a smile.
Feeling puzzled, the Captain asked, "Who is this person you mentioned?"
"Eleanor Geraci. She is recently promoted to Captain and she will lead Team Echo. She is -"
The Commander couldn't finish his words as the Captain abruptly rose from her seat and ran out the room saying, "Sorry, Uncle. Let's continue our chat later."
"Are you fit enough to run? Yelena!" The Commander shouted after her but she already stormed out of the room.
Feeling bewildered, the Major General shook his head and chuckled at her unpredictable nature.
Yelena stormed out the Commander's office and rushed to the office of Team Echo. Her sudden appearance startled the team members but they immediately maintained their composure and saluted the well-known Captain. She didn't even spare them a glance and instead, she barged inside the Team Leader's office without even knocking.
She stood next to the door and she could barely catch her breath. She just realized that she had lost her fitness much more than she imagined. She must work on her fitness right away.
Captain Eleanor's eyes darted to the door and she saw her ex-best friend who suddenly barged inside her office. A genuine smile appeared on her face but it was short-lived as how Yelena could barely catch her breathe instantly dampened her mood.
Why did she run like that? Didn't she just recovered from a gunshot wound?!
She rose from her seat at once and approached her old friend. "Are you crazy or are you courting death? Who told you to run like that?" She knitted her brows.
Placing her hands on her knees, Yelena lifted her head and look at Eleanor. "Ella." She could only mutter her name. Though she wished to say more, she was busy catching her breath.
Ella frowned and returned to her desk to pour a glass of water for her. She handed her the water while maintaining an indifferent face. The latter took the glass with a grateful smile and gulped it. "Thanks." She said with a smile never leaving her face.
Captain Eleanor was more than happy to see her but she felt so ashamed to show that. She still felt guilty towards Yelena for breaking their friendship like that. She stood still with her face a mixture of guilt and ashamed and Yelena didn't fail to notice it.
"I really miss you, Ella. I want to be your friend again. Will you give me the chance?" She decided to take the first step.
While they were in the National Military Academy 6 years ago, Ella was the one who approached her first and offered her hand to her. For Yelena who never had a real friend, it was such a special memory which she could never forget. Now, it's her time to be the one to make the offer.
"I'm the one who broke our friendship. Why do you talk like it's your fault? You're making me feel worse." Ella huffed, still refusing to act soft.
"But I'm the one who wanted to reconcile." Yelena was finally able to stand straight. She gazed at her old friend with a hopeful smile.
Ella was amazed by the behaviour of her friend which was very surprising for her. Throughout the six years that she had known her, she never witnessed her this carefree which instantly aroused her curiosity.
She was about to say something but the sound of the telephone ringing interrupted her. Once again, she returned to her desk and answered the call.
"This is Captain Eleanor Geraci of Team Echo."
"Yes, Sir. I understand. We'll be there right away."
She put down the telephone and walked to Yelena. "Let's go. The Deputy Commander wants to meet both of us." She notified her.
"Didn't you already meet him?" Yelena confusedly asked.
"No. I only joined yesterday and he was not here at that time." Captain Ella replied and the two Captains went to the Deputy Commander's office.
Entering the Deputy Commander's office, the two Captains approached the desk where the Deputy Commander was there, rising from his seat to welcome them.
The moment her gaze landed on the man, Yelena was a bit shocked. She didn't expect the Deputy Commander to be a young man. But if he was second to Colonel Maverick the legend of the Silveren Army, it's not a miracle that he was already a Colonel at this young age! Besides, the man was still 5 years her senior in the military.
However, there was still something that troubled her. Why does he look so familiar? It was like her memory was aroused and a part of her still remembers him! But she cannot figure out where she met him.
Along with Captain Ella, they stood before the Deputy Commander at ease and Ella was the first to greet him.
Ella stood in attention and saluted the man. "Captain Eleanor Geraci of Team Echo!" She introduced herself in a firm manner as a soldier should.
"Colonel Arias McLean. Nice to meet you, Captain Eleanor Geraci." Colonel Arias reached out his right hand to her and offer a handshake which the Captain firmly complied.
Now, it was Yelena's turn. She stood in attention and saluted the Colonel. "Captain Yelena Arista of Team Delta!"
Colonel Arias lips curved into a smile. "Just like I said before, we meet again, Captain Yelena Arista."
"At ease." He added.
Captain Yelena stood at ease and glanced at the Deputy Commander. She had finally come to a realisation! He was the man from the exhibition, the one who called her name even though she doesn't introduce herself at that time.....