LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT - CHAPTER 38
“You don’t have a boyfriend! How did you get pregnant? Who’s the father?” Zach asked in a row.
“That guy, Drey Russo,” Cielo mumbled as she pointed her lips to Drey’s platoon.
Zach’s face darkened, as he was in a rage, thinking Drey took advantage of his friend, he started walking in Drey’s direction.
At that moment, Torin, who had already noticed Zach, ran towards them, but Cielo signaled him to stop Zach.
Torin stood in front of Zach and asked, “Bro, what’s the matter? You look like you are ready to ki|| someone,” Torin said looking worried as he shifted his questioning gaze to Cielo.
“That Russo got Cielo pregnant! I’m going to ki|| that bastard!” Zach hissed as he pushed Torin away, but the latter quickly got up and blocked him again.
“Stop, Bro!!! Didn’t Cielo told you? She was the one who took advantage of that poor Russo guy!!!” Explained Torin with a crumpled face as he looked at Cielo.
“What?!” Zach burst out and turned his head to Cielo who bowed her head because of embarrassment.
Torin scratched his head and explained everything that had happened to Zach who ended up open-mouthed.
“So it’s Cielo’s fault. She should be thankful that she wasn’t sued,” Torin added while he suppressed his laughter.
“Shut up, Torin!!!” Hissed Cielo.
“So what are your plans now? Russo must know about that…” Zach suggested.
Cielo smiled and said, “Don’t worry about me, because I know what I’m gonna do. It’s just, I’m sad that I can no longer accompany you two on the next mission.”
Zach sighed and said, “Don’t think about it and focus on your baby. If you need anything at all we are always here.”
Torin quickly interrupted, “Yeah, but I’m sure what Cielo need is a father to her baby and I can only be an Uncle or Godfather, okay? Don’t ask me or Zach to be the father!”
Torin shuddered as if he had chills running down his spine and Cielo threw her ballpen at him.
“Torin, stop teasing! It’s not good for Cielo’s baby to look like you,” commented Zach nonchalantly that made the three of them laugh.
_______
Keira and the rest continued undergoing physical and tactical training. Most commonly was the Physical Endurance Course.
“Today, we will do 16 different obstacles, including rope climbing, rope swinging over trenches, crawling through mud pits, horizontal bars crossing, cross-swaying rope bridges, tunnels, and even leaping various sized walls,” explained Sergeant Park to Keira’s platoon.
Keira sighed as she listened to Sergeant Park while he was doing the usual what’s right and wrong instructions to overcome the obstacles.
She knew that Zach was back so she waited for him last night but he did not come.
“This will test your physical and mental capabilities.” Sergeant Cole interrupted.
Then she added, “By the way, I have good news. Once you complete all the obstacles, I will select representatives to compete against other platoons. These representatives will challenge each other for the fastest time of completing the course.”
Keira’s face light up when she heard what Sergeant Cole said next.
“The platoon with the fastest time will earn a phase banner streamer. You do know that these streamers serve as incentives, rites of passage, and of course, bet you will all agree that it provides a sense of pride to the platoon with the most streamers at the end of the week training. By the way, the platoon with most streamers can also join the party with our officers,” Sergeant Cole explained further.
“Why are you looking so excited. You don’t need those incentives anyway… You can even give us all the incentives yourself,” said Trish in a jest when she noticed how excited Keira was as she encouraged everyone from their platoon to win the said competition..”
Because she’s too caught up with the idea of winning, Keira hastily said, “It’s not the streamers that are important but the celebration night with the officers. I want it.”
Then she winked, Lana was too late to stop Keira from saying those words so she quickly pulled her away from Trish’s spot. Meanwhile, May distracted Trish on the other side as Lana sighed.
“Why?” asked Keira with a creased forehead.
“Shh… I just got this hunch about Trish. I feel like she is intently observing your every move, so don’t be too trustful with her. I mean, it’s just a hunch but it’s better to be careful,” said Lana as she explained her thoughts to Keira.
Keira understood what Lana was conveying. She suddenly felt sad about Trish approaching her only because of an ulterior motive.
“Anyway, let her be. She may have her own reasons. Let’s focus on the obstacle, I need you and May… Let’s have a night party with the officers. I’m sure it’s fun,” said Keira with twinkling eyes.
May’s nostrils flared, as she complained, “Yeah, right, you and Lana will surely enjoy it with Wolf and a Falcon.”
Keira laughed and murmured, “You will eat a feast there, May. Aren’t you tired of military food at the canteen.”
May straightened up as she led the way tor the obstacles.
She stopped walking and turned around. “What are you two waiting for? Let’s go and kick some @zz!” May energetically shouted.
Lana looked at Keira while Keira shrugged her shoulders and commented, “Food is her life…”
Zach arrived some later to watch the obstacle competition with Torin.
“Wow, look at those girls, all fired up?!” Torin commented as he watched Keira and the rest moving fast passing the obstacles.
Sergeant Cole laughed and said, “I guess they want that banner streamer.”
“Nah… Maybe, they want to have a party with me-the handsome Lieutenant,” Torin commented arrogantly.
“Is that even a joke, Lieutenant?” murmured Sergeant Cole mockingly.
“What the heck, Sergeant… Are you blind? I’m stating a fact here.” Continued Torin defensively.
Sergeant Cole laughed and shook her head as she said, “If I heard that from General Lim… that would be what you call stating a fact, I guess. But from you, I consider it a joke.”
Before Torin could debate, Sergeant Cole bid her farewell and ran to the soldiers.
“Look at that old maid! No wonder she’s an old maid. She has very bad eyesight,” Torin leered with a crumpled face.
Then he turned around, looked at Zach and asked, “You’re too quiet there. Since yesterday you look so worn out. But Grandpa is doing well already.”
“Torin, we are a bit loose with new recruits,” murmured Zach.
“What?!” Torin asked with a confused look.
“The training- we have a responsibility to train them as hard as we can,” muttered Zach with conviction as he walked towards the training grounds.
Torin followed a bit confused. He felt that something was wrong with how Zach was acting.
Keira and her group won the obstacle competition against another platoon that made her shout and jump as she hugged her team members.
She saw Zach and smiled widely at him. But Zach answered her with a frown.
Then he looked at Sergeant Cole and Sergeant Park.
“Sergeants, make sure that the soldiers know their places,” Zach said in his serious tone.
Then he looked intently at the soldiers in front of him and said, “Military courtesy is very important. You should only smile if it’s needed but you must keep your formal face in front of all Superiors inside the Military Academy. If you think that you can go into the military and just defy orders given to you, I don’t want you in my military! GET SERIOUS! Serving in the military isn’t a game, it’s is not a joke! There are time and place for joking around but not in the middle of the training! Understand?”
“Yes, Sir!” answered the soldiers in chorus.
‘What is wrong with him? Is he having his period?’ Keira mused as she stared at Zach intently who look straight at her as he said his final words.
‘Why do I feel like he is only talking to me?’ Keira thought inwardly as she pouted her lips as soon as Zach turned his back and left.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Did something happen?” Lana asked as they were getting cleaned in the bathroom.
“Yeah, Wolf scolded us out of nowhere, but I feel like it was only for Keira. Did you smile at him when he arrived? I mean I feel like he deliberately said that as a warning.” May commented.
Keira pursed her lips, as her eyes narrowed.
‘Is it because I kissed him?’ Keira suddenly thought.
She must confirm it with him later. She hurriedly cleaned up herself.
“I will leave first,” she said to Lana and May.
After settling her things, she quickly walked towards the Meteor Den.
She was almost halfway up the stairs when she saw Zach going down.
She smiled at him and said, “You are back early. How’s Grandpa? Who’s with him now?”
Zach had his usual blank face.
“Soldier Chan, is that the proper way to address your Superior? Haven’t I made myself clear earlier today?” Zach stated in his serious tone.
Keira was caught off guard but quickly recovered and answered, “Sorry, General. I thought it’s applicable only during the training sessions and while we are with other soldiers.”
“I will reiterate again, you are inside the Military Academy so obey the rules. Now, go back to your unit. You will do a mile run tomorrow as your punishment for not addressing your superior properly,” scolded Zach as he stared at Keira intently.
‘What the heck is this?’ Keira wanted to cry out at that moment.
She felt that Zach was too serious.
She was even startled when Zach spoke once more in a formal manner, “Soldier Chan! What are you waiting for? Do you want me to make it a two-mile run?”
Keira narrowed her eyes and said, “Noted, General Zacharias Lim! I will be going now, Sir! Hope you have a good night’s sleep, Sir!” Then she muttered, “and hope you won’t have a nightmare in the name of Keira Chan!”
“What?!” Zach hissed.
“Nothing, General, I said sweet dreams and sleep well!” Keira uttered and turned away irritably to walk back to her unit. She could feel that something was off but she didn’t care if Zach was treating her coldly. She would melt that ice no matter what.
‘If you are the ice, then I will be the fire!’ she thought with flaring nostrils.
After a few steps, she stopped and turned around to look intently at Zach as she shouted, “By the way, General Lim, welcome back. I’m so happy that I didn’t miss a day seeing you!”
She winked at him before she ran away to go back to her unit.
Zach’s shoulders dropped. He did not know whether to laugh at her antics or be more alarmed…
He thought he succeeded in scaring her away, but Keira was obviously not taking his scolding seriously if she still dared to turn around and make that kind of remarks.
He let out a long, distressed sigh and scoffed, “I h@?? her…”
…….
Cielo was walking around and smiled when she saw Drey outside.
“Why are you still up, Soldier Russo?” she asked with an arched eyebrow.
Drey’s face paled, as he thought, ‘The pervert tigress is here. I must run!’
“I will go now, Ma’am! It’s almost curfew time. Goodnight, Lieutenant!” he said and quickly turned around to run to his unit.
“Stop right there, soldier!” Cielo commanded harshly and Drey instantly froze at his spot.
He did not know why but he always ended up following the tigress’ orders. Even that night when she forced herself onto him. He felt weak in her presence.
Cielo grinned at how Drey reacted to her words. Then she walked closer to him. She looked around first. When she saw that the area was clear, she said, “You have to do well in the training! Make sure you make a name and excel me in rank Russo! Make me proud and our…”
She paused but then added, “Anyway, I will give you from three to four years to become strong.”
“What?!” Drey burst out, a bit confused by what Cielo was saying.
Cielo winked at him and smiled.
“I must think everything thoroughly first whether I should tell you a big secret or not. Meanwhile, you can go, Soldier Russo! Make sure to gain more muscles! I want a leaner body, so work it out!” she said teasingly as she enjoyed Drey’s weary look and paling face.
Drey quickly ran and almost stumbled on his feet that made Cielo laugh hard as she watched.
“Baby, look at how funny your father is? Do you think I should tell him about you this early? I’m afraid he will run if he finds out right now. Why don’t we wait and let him focus on his training first?” Cielo murmured. Her eyes never left Drey while she gently touched her tummy.
“You agree, right? Daddy is still young, so let’s wait a bit more till he grows up. Anyway, you have mommy while he’s not around…” she added with a sigh.
She had decided to leave the army soon and focus on taking care of her health and the baby. She did not regret anything at all but she was actually thankful for a wonderful gift she got from Russo.