18 A million and one proposals

In a secret military base,

"Welcome Major General, how was your trip?" Sergeant Mello who was standing at the entrance of the General's quarters asked.

"Get Captain Matilda here and Lt. Col. David right now"

"Actually, Captain Matilda is still on a mission and Lt. Col. David had to go with five hundred soldiers to support them as we hadn't heard from them in a few days since they left. We've tried tracking their locations with the tracker in Captain Matilda, but the GPS keeps saying it can't recognize their location. We do not know when they will return and it seems the Hantils had anticipated our attack."

"Mn. Get me my laptop.""Yes Major General."

His fingers flew across the keyboard and after a few seconds, a gruesome scene appeared on the screen. On the screen, a thick forest could be seen, as men in yellow and black shirts holding sophisticated guns were walking to and fro while some things that looked like human beings could be seen on the lying on the floor. Their faces were completely disfigured. A tattered soldier's uniform was hung on a pole in the middle of the camp.

"General, how did you get this? Tho..thos... those men, are they .....not the Hantils?"

"En, I fixed a tracker in the member we caught, and released him. Although, the signal went off after ten days, it was obvious that he had gotten to his gang's hideout and he probably died due to the exhaustion. But before that, I had gotten the exact location and I sent the drones the Senate gave to us for operations. That's why I can see their every action from here."

"I will start calling you grandfather from now on General." Mello said mesmerizingly.

"Get the remaining men prepared, we are going to strike now. From the situation on the screen, it seems like some of our men have been taken hostage."

"Yes General. I will go and meet Colonel Li Yun right now to inform him of your arrival and the new plan."

"Okay."

********************************

"Lia, what happened with that guy that came just now. He didn't want anything?" Catherine said with worry plastered all over her face.

"No, he just wanted to tell me that he liked me. I'm starting to feel scared. I mean, this happens almost everyday. I don't even know what to do. I can't accept them. I don't need that now, not at all. Mrs Juliana Roberts will murder me if she hears of it." Iliana replied with a sigh.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they understand. Besides, what do you need such pretty boys for? You need a real man my dear friend. One that can get you out of the clutches of your step mother and provide you with the luxuries of life that you truly deserve."

"Stop talking nonsense Rina."

"So what do you wanna do now? We are to take a break." Catherine said doing a happy dance.

"I don't want to do anything, I just want to relax and stuff myself with this amazing pastries."

"It is nice that Mr Anderson treats the workers well though."

"Yes, he treats us very well." Iliana said emphasizing on the very with a smile on her face.

"Okay, so little miss heart snatcher, look there."

"Where?" She asked with a raised brow.

"There."

"Oh no, don't tell me I'll be doing this again today."

"What can I say? They can't believe that such a rare beauty with a pairof amber eyes is just a few metres away from them."

"Oh, keep shut Rina"

"Well, I guess I have to resume my duties now." Rina said with an air of confidence as she dusted her shoulders.

"What duties?" Iliana asked her while eyeing her suspiciously.

"Right from year one in Bright Stars High, I have rejected a million and one proposals on your behalf."

"Wait! What! Oh my God! What did you do Rina? I'm sure you didn't reject them nicely."

"Ace was the most unlucky one. He came when I had just failed my Science test, and so I clearly told him that I couldn't let my friend go out with someone who was her cousin's slave."

"Oh my God! Rina! Please stop. My stomach hurts from laughing too much."

"That isn't all my dear friend."

"Seriously? No wonder some boys in the class didn't really like me at all. Gosh! Rina, you are the queen of heart break."

"What can I say? You are too lucky to have me."

"Hehehe, are you sure you don't mean the other way round? Remember in year two when you almost got beaten by Fat Alben Kain, it was I who saved you."

"I was so foolish then, I can't believe I actually mocked him for having weirdly shaped body. But he deserved it though, he broke my favorite pen and still didn't apologize."

"I will never forget the look of fear on your face."

"Hey! I wasn't scared." Catherine said frowning.

"Fine you weren't. But still, I wonder how many people's heart got broken because of you."

"Me or you?"

"Just forget it" Iliana said as she slung her arm around Catherine's neck.

"So you know, you told me you were watching your weight. Can I have half of your share?"

"Back off! Who asked me to be so fat? Waaa!" Catherine replied wiping off fake tears from her face.

"Don't worry, your grandma here will tell you her secret. Just release the cakes already."

"Fine, have it" Rina murmured.

"Hehe, you are the best" She replied pecking her cheek.

After stuffing herself full with the pasties, Iliana spoke again.

"Our break is over now. Let's go."

"Ahh, we have just fifteen more minutes"

"I can't wait for Helen and Joshua to replace us already. I'm so tired. The customer line was extra long today."

"It is extra long everyday"

"Okay fine."

"Don't worry heart snatcher, this queen won't bother her subject which is you, anymore"

"You wish" Iliana said laughing as they both walked back to the counter.

******************************************

"Spring of roses, did you manage to get any information about those idiots from yesterday?"

"I thought I was fired?" Spring of rose drawled while yawning.

"Just shut up and give me the information I'm asking for. If you don't speak up now, you pay will be slashed by a quarter this month."

"Blablabla, is that all?"

"How dare you!" Melina screamed into the phone.

"Okay, don't burst my eardrums. I did get information. I got the plate number of the car. I will trace it now and get back to you."

"You better do." Melina said as she hung up the phone.

"Aaaaah! I feel like ripping my hair off! Who the hell is she? It couldn't have been Iliana, it can't be her. Where would she even get an invitation card from?!! Trash like her can never be invited to such a prestigious event."

"Melina dear, are you okay?" Her mother said with a look of worry while closing Melina's room's door behind her.

"Yes mother, I'm fine."

"Your brother will be coming back today. So we will be going to the airport to get him. Okay?"

"Yes mother. But I don't feel too well today. You and dad should go. I'll wait for you here."

"What happened? Are you sick? Or wait!? Don't tell me you are pregnant."Her mother said with a teasing smile on her face.

"Stop making silly jokes mum. You know I've never done anything like that before. Besides, I have not even gotten to know him very well yet. I'm fine. I'm just stressed out." Lina replied bashfully.

"Of course I was only joking. I know my daughter is pure and innocent. It would have been very good if you were carrying the Harrison's next heir though.Anyways, if you need anything you can call any of the helpers or the butler. Don't worry too much okay, I will tell Kira to come and give you a massage later."

"Okay. Goodbye mother."

"Good bye."