Chapter 403 - Can we talk (12)

10 May, Residences, Military base, City K

John after turning off the engine, looked directly at Bronwyn and said "You are kidding?"

Bronwyn shook her head, saying "No." As she looked up, she noticed her father had come out and was watching the two of them.

Hearing dead silence, John looked at Bronwyn and then followed her vision, before seeing the man watching the two of them. Without thinking Bronwyn said "Quick we need to get out…"

Instincts kicked in for John and he quickly exited the car grabbing his keys and phone before moving around to the passenger side opening the door and helping Bronwyn out. As she stood up, the look she gave him told him that she was annoyed at this but at the same time there was almost a sense of relief.

Briefly letting go of her hand, Paul opened the rear passenger door, picking up his jacket before shutting both doors, locking the car, and escorting her towards the waiting man.

"Young lady…"

"Daddy, let it be…"

"Daddy?" came the almost quizzical response from General Li. "I thought it was General Li today…"

"Daddy, we are off duty and you want to insult me. Can you not wait until we at least get inside my apartment before you start to question by boyfriend and me. Plus, you know what Legend would say if he saw you here…"

Shaking his head, General Li turned and walked inside with Bronwyn and John following. Just before they reached the door Bronwyn quietly whispered "His bark is worse than his bite but be prepared. I am his baby girl, his princess and outside work he is an overprotective father."

Before John could respond, he looked and saw General Li, waiting for the two of them at the threshold of the apartment. John let go of Bronwyn's hand, and let her enter before him. As soon as he was inside, the door slammed shut, causing Bronwyn to say loudly "Daddy. I do have neighbours."

"Young lady, as if I give a care about your neighbours, and what would they do anyway?"

"Stop threatening to throw your rank around, Daddy. I have had enough of it, and if you continue, we will just leave. Plus, I will tell mummy and you know she should not be stressed…"

Shaking his head, General Li said "Threatening me with your mother, that is…"

"Low even for me. Daddy, who did you expect I learnt my craftiness from and why I decided on the career I have."

Smiling, he said "There is that."

John stood there watching the two of them. From Bronwyn's reluctance previously to talk about her family he thought that she did not have a good relationship with them. This was not what he expected given her refusal to talk about them. But at the same time as of her father's position, he could understand that she could not talk about her parents other than in the most general of terms.

General Li, turned and said "Sit Mr Nang, Bronwyn…"

"Daddy, I have to see to tea…"

"No. Legend has arranged for a meal for the three of us to be catered by the mess and brought here."

"Daddy, what did I saw about that…"

"No, we are going to talk. Now sit."

Hearing he tone in her father's voice Bronwyn moved and quickly sat down on the sofa, pulling John with her, and urging him to sit down beside her. As her father sat down, Bronwyn turned and looked directly at her father. She knew, unless she stood her ground, he would ruin another relationship for her. Despite only dating, John never pressured her for anything and there was just something about how she felt, even at this early stage, that made her wonder if John was the one for her. Would it even be possible?

"Mr Nang…"

"Daddy, my boyfriend's name is John."

"I know all about your boyfriend Bronwyn. You know all your boyfriends have to be appropriately screened before they can even know who I am, let alone come into contact with me. And I do not appreciate you trying to short circuit the rules through going to Legend firstly."

"Daddy…"

"No," came the sharp snapped reply.

Hearing the underlying anger, John turned and said "General Li, you might be the head of special forces nationally and a senior general, but do not, and I mean do not ever speak to my girlfriend in that tone in my presence. She is a soldier in your chain of command, but here at this moment, she is your daughter not someone you can order around. And at the same time, while in a work context I am someone you can order around, here at this moment I am your daughter's boyfriend. No wonder she never wanted to talk about you if this is your attitude…"

"Bronwyn!" shouted General Li.

John felt Bronwyn tense up beside him. He squeezed her hand, and continued "No. Currently respect her. I have spoken to General Rong…"

"Your aider and abettor…"

"No, my friend, but your daughter's superior. As I have worked out, she did what she was required. Informed the relevant people. Apparently, that should have been Matthew, but due to our relationship she went to someone neutral and asked that be passed on to who it needed. I wondered why, and just thought it was due to her working in special forces, but I see that it is because of you. But I will make this clear before our meal arrives. What happens between us, is our decision, not your decision. You try and interfere I will do what is necessary to protect her. I do not care if that costs me a career I love because Bronwyn means more to me that that."

Quietly from beside him John heard Bronwyn ask hesitantly "Really?"

Turning, and looking at her directly in the eye, John said "You do."

"Seriously?" asked a still shocked Bronwyn.

"You do. Have I not told you that many times before today…"

John was interrupted by laughter from the General, who said "Young lady, finally I see someone you are interested in who might be just worthy of my princess."

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