Chapter 10
Security protocols meant switching cars and drivers at each transfer point. The vehicles were draped in heavy fabric–even the drivers couldn’t see who rode inside.
After Calista settled into the car, Ken emerged from the house. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll these researchers safely to the handover site.”
He slid into the driver’s seat and eased the car forward.
get
Calista sat in silence, her thoughts a tangled mess. What a strange way to say goodbye. At the transfer point, Ken opened the compartment, letting the passengers file out. Calista kept her head down, hat pulled low, as she passed him.
Ken’s heart clenched. He found himself staring at one particular figure before quickly looking away. His mind must be playing tricks–it couldn’t be Calista.
Then a gust of wind snatched the hat from her head.
“Your hat!”
Ken turned at the shout, and his world stopped. It really was Calista. Their eyes met, and the color drained from his face.
“Calista, why are you-”
“She’s a satellite researcher,” someone laughed. “Where else would she be?”
Understanding crashed over Ken. He sprinted toward her, wild with desperation.
“Calista, don’t go!” He reached for her, fingers grasping at empty air. “We grew up together! We promised we’d never be apart. How can you leave me?”
The engine rumbled to life.
Calista sighed softly. “Ken, you left me first. Let go–the car’s leaving.”
“Giving Up My First Love For Secret Research: Second Chance ar Happiness
en’s eyes burned red. Only now, too late, did he see his heart clearly. He had never truly Been her as just a sister.
He loved Calista! It is unimaginable to live in a world without her.
“Come home with me,” he pleaded, his voice raw. “If you come back, I won’t marry Viola.”
He held out his hand, certain she would stay. After all, she’d never left his side since childhood. “Come on. Get out of the car. I’ll take you home.
Calista stared at his outstretched hand, lost in memory. Those hands had rescued her countless times–from mountain paths, from rainstorms, from schoolyard bullies.
They had always been there, reaching for her. “Let’s go home.”
Once, she’d believed home was wherever Ken was. But not anymore.
“Stay with Viola, Ken.”
Ken’s certainty crumbled. In his moment of shock, Calista pulled her foot into the car, and it
urched forward.
“Calista! Calista! Don’t go!” He ran after the car with everything he had, until his strength gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
O(0)
