Wrapped Around Her Little Finger

Elias knew there were two things his superior officer and adoptive father hated the most—betrayal and disobedience. He was about to say something to Harriet when Lemuel, his trusty aide, jogged past and pulled up short at the sight of him. ‘Good to see you back, sir!’ Lemuel quipped. Elias nodded. The smile on Lemuel’s face evaporated when he recognised Harriet. ‘Ah, Hasty Harry,’ he muttered, half to himself. The air force pilot’s presence here could only mean one thing—a storm was about to sweep through their training routines. Harriet crossed her arms. ‘Why, Lemuel, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Lemuel winced. ‘Not a ghost, just a woman who once broke two of my ribs.’ A smirk tugged at Harriet’s lips. ‘Ah, those were the days. You always put up a good fight.’ ‘Good fight?’ Lemuel’s voice took on an incredulous note. ‘You wiped the floor with me, Harriet.’ Harriet chuckled, her gaze flickering between Elias and Lemuel. ‘I do aim for perfection.’ Elias checked his watch. ‘It’s near lights out time.’ ‘Hey, Elias, mind if I get a list of classes?’ Harriet said before Elias could dismiss her. ‘If I’m not on a mission, I’d like to be involved in training every day.’ Lemuel’s eyebrows shot up. ‘That’s quite the enthusiasm, Hasty Harry.’ ‘That’s Lieutenant Colonel Hasty Harry to you, Captain Slowpoke Santana.’ ‘Hey, I’m not slow!’ Lemuel protested. ‘Oh yeah? Prove it in the boxing ring.’ Lemuel grimaced. He looked towards Elias for approval before saying, ‘I’ll give you the class schedule, but, listen, tomorrow’s combat practice with the newbies, go easy on them, will you?’ Harriet’s laughter was rich and unapologetic. ‘I’ll take it easy on them, but I can’t promise no broken bones.’ Lemuel shook his head. ‘You’ve got no mercy, do you?’ Harriet’s smile was like a gauntlet thrown. ‘Not when it comes to training, Lemuel.’ *** Back in the solitude of his dorm, Elias was greeted by the familiar buzz of his phone. It was Hershel on the line. ‘Elias, has Harriet arrived at the academy?’ ‘Yes, sir, she’s here.’ ‘Take good care of her, Elias. The two of you have not seen each other for a while now. It’s good for you to spend some time together.’ Elias pretended not to understand the implication of his words. ‘Don’t worry, sir. Harriet is like a sister to me. I’ll look out for her.’ A silence followed, the unspoken understanding between them hanging in the air. Then, Hershel’s voice took on a more serious note. ‘Now, about the marriage, have you reconsidered?’ Elias’s voice held a note of finality. ‘General, I see Harriet as family. Marrying her is out of the question.’ ‘You’re being stubborn, Elias. This isn’t like you. You never defied my word before. Don’t let that woman change who you are.’ Elias’s jaw tightened. ‘That woman, General, has a name. She’s Callista Hawthorne, a dedicated doctor and a strong woman.’ Hershel’s anger flared. ‘This is exactly what I’m talking about! She’s already got you wrapped around her little finger, hasn’t she?’ Elias exhaled. ‘With all due respect, sir, my personal life should not be subject to your scrutiny or approval.’ ‘You are my son! I adopted you when you were seventeen. Now that you are in your thirties, you think you no longer need my advice? I know what’s best for you, Elias.’ ‘Uncle Hershel, I do value your advice when it comes to official matters, but Callie’s my wi—’ He heard the dial tone before he could utter the word ‘wife.’ With a frustrated sigh, Elias tossed his phone onto the sofa. He leaned back, his thoughts a tempest within him. A while later, he got up and walked over to his personal computer, retrieved from a secure safe. With a few keystrokes, he accessed a hidden file containing intel on his parents’ killer. It was this quest that had led him to the military, a life he’d grown to embrace. The path to justice had transformed into a love for serving his country, and he wouldn’t compromise that identity for anyone. As he gazed at the screen, his resolve solidified. Elias was willing to stand against the tide, to uphold his principles even if it meant defying those closest to him. *** Callie ascended the stairwell, her footsteps light but purposeful. She reached her dormitory door and pushed it open. Wendy, her roommate and an embodiment of perpetual enthusiasm, looked up from her bunk bed. ‘Hey Callie, welcome back!’ A quick smile curved Callie’s lips as she greeted her friend. ‘Hey, Wendy.’ She stepped into the dorm and opened her suitcase. ‘Look what I got for you.’ Clay figurines, stuffed toys, and a bag of Wendy’s favourite sweets spilt out onto the table. Wendy’s eyes lit up. ‘You brought me souvenirs! You’re the best!’ Callie chuckled. ‘Anything for you, Wendy.’ Wendy’s gratitude was evident in her warm smile as she accepted the gifts. ‘Thank you, Callie. These are awesome.’ Callie’s gaze swept the dormitory, her eyes settling on an empty bed. ‘Hey, where’s Angelia?’ Wendy’s response held a touch of relief. ‘Oh, she moved to another dormitory. Good riddance, if you ask me.’ Callie nodded in agreement, remembering Angelia’s overt hostility towards her and Wendy. ‘Yeah, I don’t think anyone’s going to miss her.’ Wendy’s curiosity shifted gears, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ‘So, spill the beans, Callie. How was the honeymoon with Elias?’ A faint blush dusted Callie’s cheeks as she recalled those stolen moments. ‘It was… amazing.’ Wendy’s grin widened. ‘Come on, details!’ Callie pretended to be busy with her suitcase. ‘We watched movies, went for walks, shared meals. You know, the usual couple stuff.’ She left out the passionate kisses, but Wendy caught sight of the hickeys on her neck. The nurse’s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. ‘Ooh la la! The man leaves his mark, huh?’ Callie didn’t notice Wendy’s smirk. Her fingers brushed over the diamond ring on her finger, her expression softening. ‘He certainly does.’ Wendy leaned in to admire the ring. ‘That must have cost a fortune.’ Callie gave a soft laugh as she slipped the ring off her finger, holding it up to the light. ‘It probably did, and I love it. Only problem is, I can’t wear it at work.’