124: Chapter 124 – The general’s parables

Chapter 124 – The general’s parables

"Son, I feel disrespected."1

Devin was already sweating profusely from the general's words, not able to guess the reason the man would feel that way about him. He tried harder and when he still couldn't, he voiced his fears,

"I'm sorry Dad, but I don't understand."

The general offered him a chair and after he sat down, he pointed out, "You two are adults and have known each other for a long time. Why are you dating like high schoolers?"

Ah, Devin sighed with relief. He thought it was something that would request his head. 

"Dad, it's not my intention. I proposed marriage but she said she wanted to achieve her dream before settling down or even having children." Devin paused and brought out a ring case. He opened it and said, 

"I got this ring and was only waiting to get your permission to propose to her. I want to marry her as soon as she completes culinary school."

The general smiled with pride, not feeling any longer that Devin was trying to mess with his daughter. He wondered the reason Matilda did not want to get married while in culinary school but reserved it for later.

"Now that is a relief. Since you are not messing with her, you have my blessing and I need my grandchildren. I will retire from active service as soon as I have grandchildren to fill the void in my heart. It's lonely here, especially without her," the general confessed with a sad look. 

Since his wife died, his daughter was his only companion but now that she found the man she loved, he understood that he would not be seeing her as often as he wanted, regretting all the years he wasted being ashamed of her and caging her.

"I'm very sorry but we shall visit often. With my dad," Devin reminded him of the relationship, which would eventually bring both families together. 

The general smiled in assurance. Cobby was in the same boat as him so they would make good companions of each other.

"Yes, I would like to see Cobby James again. Now you take good care of my daughter."

"I promise that she will be my priority," Devin said solemnly. Matilda was his all and all now and he wanted to make sure that all the years they have been away from each other were well made up for.

Sadly for him, the general knew from when he was a child how possessive he was of his sisters, and when the general was about to point it out, Devin quickly cut him off with great assurance.

"I know of your sisters and…"

"Dad, my sisters have their life. I have a woman now and she is my number one."

The general smiled, happy to know that Devin knew how to differentiate and make the priorities in life, not knowing it was all because of his father's recent advice.

"I'm happy to hear that. My wife was also my number and after she died, I had no interest in marriage again," the general recalled sadly. Some of the bonds were so deep that it was just impossible for another woman to fill them. 

Devin wanted him to understand that though he was not Cobby's real son, he learned a lot from him and would do the same with Matilda.

"Same with my father and same for me. I know that we shall both live to see our grandchildren but Dad, nothing would ever put us apart."

"That is great and just one piece of advice, be more open-minded." 

The general was referring to the case of Mara but did not want to say so directly since he was not used to spoon-feeding. 

He always preferred for one to search for the truth and find it on their own. That way, it would always be theirs forever.

"Dad, I can feel that you are hinting at something," Devin pointed out. He was wise enough to know that there was more but the general would just not explain further.

"Yes, I am but I want you to figure it out yourself."

Devin felt like he was given a huge task and did not want to disappoint his father-in-law-to-be.

"I will continue thinking about it until I figure it out."

"Good. I'm hoping to see you more often. Don't keep my daughter away from me," the general said seriously, knowing how youthful love could be. It was the same with him when his wife was alive. Nothing else mattered to him. 

"I won't, I promise."

The general nodded and since he had nothing more to say, he instructed, "Please call Mr. Jewel for me."

It was not long when Devin walked out before Robin walked in, exclaiming at the doorway, 

"General."

"Mr. Jewel, your father was a very good man," the general said before pointing to the chair in front of him where Devin stood up from.

"I know," Robin responded while closing the door.

"Then have a seat." 

As soon as Robin sat, he continued, "My daughter told me about your help in clearing her name which means you know about that hacker."

Robin was not surprised that Matilda figured it out. She was quite smart but why tell her father? "He is my best friend but even he is finding it hard to track Mara's hacker. He is that good."

The general nodded his head in agreement and said,

"I called you here to let you know that I appreciate your effort in all these and should you need any help, the army would be here for you. The police are too slow." 

He pulled a drawer attached to his desk and brought out something black, like a card. "Here is my emergency number. I can be reached anywhere and as soon as you call it, my men will find you wherever you are."

Robin couldn't help being grateful. It was one reason to track down Mara and another one for going after her since she could be dangerous. 

"Thank you, general, I'm very grateful for this."

The general felt uncomfortable by how Robin addressed him and added, "As for you, you can address me as an uncle."

"Thank you, uncle. I will be in touch."

Robin was about to leave the office when he was halted by the general's next words.

"And your ex-wife?"

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