‘Hello, miss, my name is Mark and I’m calling from Real Estate Investments. I wanted to share an exciting opportunity with you. We have a remarkable property available—a beautiful manor villa with street-side shops nearby. It’s located in a prime area, with great potential for growth and value appreciation…’Callie’s heart sank, her excitement dashed at the telemarketer’s voice.Frustration overwhelmed her, and she snapped at the caller before abruptly hanging up.Callie sank into the sofa, clutching a panda plush pillow, feeling lost and conflicted.She had always been independent, self-reliant, and unafraid of facing life’s challenges head-on.Yet, now she found herself deeply missing someone she had only known for a few weeks.She reflected on her upbringing in the orphanage, working tirelessly to support herself and the other children.It was this determination that had brought her to where she was now, a skilled surgeon with a bright future.But amidst all her achievements, she c

Callie smiled kindly, feeling relieved that their travel arrangements were in capable hands.‘No worries at all. We’re just glad you’re here now,’ she said.Jonas nodded and gestured towards the vehicle. ‘May I help you with your luggage?’Callie and Wendy exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.‘That would be wonderful,’ Callie replied.Jonas swiftly took their luggage and stowed it in the back of the military vehicle.Wendy nudged Callie playfully and whispered, ‘Hey, can I ride shotgun this time?’Callie raised an amused eyebrow. ‘What’s the urgency? Are you that interested in our soldier friend, Jonas?’Wendy blushed slightly, but her eyes sparkled mischievously. ‘Maybe,’ she replied in a hushed tone. ‘He’s cute, and there’s nothing wrong with admiring from afar, right?’Callie chuckled. ‘You’ve got a point. But Jonas looks like he’s barely twenty. He’s practically a baby.’Wendy shrugged, undeterred. ‘Hey, age is just a number. If you can have a thing for older men, can’t

Inside the Spartan military communal shower room, the steam filled the air, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere.The lack of proper ventilation made the room feel like a sweltering sauna.Callie took a moment to appreciate the stark difference from the shower rooms she was used to back in college.Following the signs, she made her way to the locker room and put her belongings into an empty locker.The sound of running water coming from the shower stalls caught her attention, indicating that someone else was present.Then the water was shut off, followed by the sound of a door creaking open.Curiosity got the better of her, and Callie glanced around, expecting to see her first female officer cadet.However, her eyes widened in surprise when she saw a man’s bare chest before her.His body was marred with scars, but his physique was perfectly sculpted, and water droplets slowly cascaded down his chest, disappearing behind a loosely wrapped towel around his waist.Caught off guard,

As Elias went on the hunt for the med kit, Callie couldn’t help but tease him. ‘It’s so much more spacious than my dorm. No wonder everyone wants to climb up the ranks, Lieutenant Colonel.’‘It’s Major General now,’ Elias corrected her.‘What?’ Callie was slack-jawed with wonder. ‘Major General, huh? You’re moving up in the world.’He looked back at her with a faint smile. ‘It’s just the way things worked out,’ he replied nonchalantly. ‘I never sought promotions, but I guess sometimes life has its plans.’Callie raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. ‘You’re still so young for a major general. It must be quite an achievement.’Elias shrugged. ‘Maybe. But rank and achievements aren’t what matter most to me.’It was about serving his country, protecting its people, and fighting for what was right.It wasn’t what drew him to the military in the first place, but it was what made him stay.Callie, though not a mind-reader, could see the fire in his eyes, the dedication that fuelled him to

The army reveille sounded throughout the campus at six am, signalling the beginning of a new day.In the dorm room, Wendy groaned in protest at the blaring sound.The deafening noise interrupted her much-needed sleep, and she grumbled about wanting to go back to dreamland.Angelia, who had tossed and turned all night, was just as irritated as her roommate.She rolled around to face the wall, attempting to block out the annoying sound, and buried her face in the pillow.Callie, on the other hand, was already awake, sitting up at the reveille.She climbed down from her top bunk, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.Despite her grogginess, she decided to get up and start her day.Yawning, she washed up and brushed her teeth, preparing for the morning ahead.Remembering Elias’s words from the previous day, Callie hesitated for a moment before opting for her white lab coat instead of the military uniform.She quickly combed her hair and tied it into a neat top bun.The reveille, a blaring loud