Teasing Contest

Elias packed the muffin along with some berries into two separate containers. Then he left the officers’ mess hall and went downstairs, where a throng of soldiers lingered after their breakfast, trying to engage the three women in conversation. His presence commanded respect, and the soldiers quickly straightened up, saluting him as he passed by. ‘As you were,’ he said, acknowledging their salute. Among the trio, Wendy was the first to notice Elias approaching, and she couldn’t contain her excitement. ‘Hey, look! It’s your lieutenant colonel!’ Wendy nudged Callie. Callie looked up, a smile spreading across her face as she saw Elias making his way towards them. ‘Yup, that’s him.’ Angelia, ever composed, noticed Elias too. Her eyes trailed over his tall and imposing figure, taking in the insignia that marked him as a Major General—a gold star surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, with two red stripes on a red background, worn on the collar of his olive green uniform. She pegged the ma