The Legion Commander Strikes Back

• Excuses Of War

Valerie blinked a few times, she couldn't believe her eyes. After so many years, he actually returned. When news of the explosion got to her, she accepted that he was gone. 

The grief from losing him however lingered with her ever since and she had given up on love, considering herself to just be unlucky because her first love died.

The little time she spent with him was one of the best moments of her life. She felt a genuine connection to someone for the first time.

“Ethan,” she whispered and extended her arms. Her fingers brushed his face as tears filled her eyes. 

Clifford, who was watching all this unfold from the corner, spoke. “Valerie, Ethan was engaged to you sister, how can you be so shameless!” He berated her.

She lowered her gaze, he was saying the truth and it hurt her to admit it. She had shamelessly fallen in love with her sister's fiancé.

“Keyword, was. Renée and I have nothing together and never will,” Ethan clarified.

Clifford's nostrils flared as he took a step back. “Definitely, what would a low life like yourself have to do with someone as big and successful as my daughter.”

He then looked between Valerie and Ethan. “You two better not think of being together because you are still.my daughter Valerie and I forbid you from being with this man. Even if you want to ruin your life, at least pick somebody rich and important, not someone that would bring shame to the family.”

“You cannot dictate my life like you did for my sister, your dictatorship is the reason she's almost thirty and unhappy.”

Clifford paid her words no attention but faced Ethan. “For slapping me Ethan Vanguard, I will make you and your miserable family wish you never existed, mark my words.”

Ethan smiled and then eventually laughed. “Mr. Sterling, you seem to still think that I was the defenseless boy you and my uncle sent to war six years ago and I find it quite comical.”

Ethan neared him again, making Clifford step back in fear of getting hit again. “If you come after my family, I will destroy everything you've ever worked for and then kill you,” he threatened. 

“I’d like to see you try,” Clifford said and then turned to face his daughter. “I'm giving you a week to pack up this charade you call a company or you'll force me to shut it down myself, permanently.”

With that he spun around and left. 

Ethan wanted to be near Valerie and pull her into a hug but she immediately took a step back. 

This was too much for her to process, the man who she'd thought to be dead all this while was still very much alive.

“Where have you been? Valerie whispered as she let her tears stream down her face. He stretched his hand to offer her some sense of comfort but she pushed his hand away.

“Don't touch me.”

“Valerie, I was at war,” he explained.

“Bullshit! Many people other than you had gone but they returned to their families, they sent notes and letters. But you, not even a word!” She cried, her breathing became uneasy as she broke down. 

“You won't understand-”

“Stop making excuses!” She shrieked and then wiped her tears.

“I want you to leave my office please, I'm not ready to speak with you.” She sniffled. 

Ethan respected her decision and turned to leave. “I just want you to know that I'm back Valerie, and I won't let you and the people I care about suffer anymore.”

With those words he respected her wish and left her office. 

Valerie felt her knees buckle as she leaned against her table. She wouldn't ever in her wildest dreams imagine that the love of her life would return just when she was at the brink of losing her company. 

After she was sure that Ethan was gone, she knew she had to take her mind off him, all these years without him and she was surviving, she even helped Elizabeth and Skyler from time to time knowing their condition.

But now her father wanted to take even that away from her, he wanted to take the one thing that gave her purpose, her company. 

She shook her head. It would never happen, she wouldn't go down without a fight. She had worked on her analysis of the issue overnight, and she realized that if she was able to raise up to a certain amount to cover operational costs and expenses, she could still keep the company afloat.

Valerie straightened her back and picked her bag, she had not run out of options yet. She walked briskly downstairs to her old car and hopped in. 

After struggling with the ignition for some second, it finally sputtered to life. She drove straight to the city bank. 

Just a few weeks ago, they had sent a representative to her concerning processing a business loan for her, which she politely turned down. 

Of course, as a fast booming start up, they wanted her to be their regular client. Now she was to leverage on that. 

When she arrived at the bank she made her way in and headed straight to the managers desk. 

“Hi Fiona,” she greeted.

Fiona, the manager who had sent a representative to her just some weeks ago, responded. “Valerie Sterling, what a pleasure to have you here.”

“Thank you, I'm actually here concerning that loan, I just double checked and I actually do need it, don't worry I meet all the requirements for it,” Valerie stated.

Fiona leaned back, “I don't know…” 

“If you're worried about what you saw on Times news, don't even worry about that, I have it under control I can assure you that.”

“I'm sure you do, however I've received instructions from the head office not to grant any loans to Sterling enterprise.”

Valerie felt like her heart was just shredded into bits. “What? Why? But last week they were the ones who… I can't believe this!”

“I'm so sorry, I was equally as shocked and confused, but I have to follow orders.”