(Secret Love
Chapter1
Julia Kang had been secretly dating Shaw Mond, the pilot of Flight C919, for five years. As a highly skilled pilot, Julia willingly served as his co–pilot. But the moment she found Shaw was secretly seeing his ex–girlfriend, Sierra Reyes, she knew they were done. She applied for a solo flight assignment, aiming to become the first female captain of Skyways. Plus, she chose a new route, one that would never overlap with Shaw’s flight path.
Chicago, Skyways Airlines base.
“Julia, you’ve been Shaw’s co–pilot for five years. With your qualifications, we’re considering giving you a promotion. Do you still want be his foil this year?”
Director Thompson pulled a promotion application from his desk and slid it across to Julia, who was wearing her crisp white uniform.
“You’re incredibly talented, and everyone at Skyways wants you to be our first female captain. Think about it. Do you want to continue as Shaw’s second–in–command, or grab this chance to captain a new route?”
Julia’s eyes turned a bit red when she heard this.
She lowered her gaze, taking the application. “Thanks, Director Thompson. I’ll think about it.”
Ten o’clock in the evening, a suburban house in the North Shore.
Julia arrived home. The vast house was empty and eerily quiet. She stared at a picture on the entryway table- her and Shaw, both in their uniforms, posing in front of a plane. She felt a pang of pain.
Everyone at Skyways knew they made the best team. They didn’t know they made the best love,
too…
Since the graduation and their flight training together, they’d built a legendary partnership. Shaw had pursued her relentlessly. For her birthday, he arranged for 520 drones to draw her portrait in the sky. When she was sick, he’d stay up all night watching videos, just so he could make her a nourishing soup.
Julia was deeply impressed and gradually fell in love with him. To make this relationship last
longer, and for his career advancement, she agreed to keep it a secret.
During the day, they flew together on Flight C919, crossing half the globe. At night… well, they shared a bed and had sex in countless positions.
Thinking of those moments, Julia’s eyes grew dim.
She lost track of time.
There was a click.
“You’re still up?” She asked.
Shaw walked in, his white uniform gleaming, the four stripes on his epaulets shining brilliantly. He smelled faintly of cologne, pulling Julia back to reality. He said, “Jet lag keeps me awake.”
She didn’t fly with him because she was on vacation.
Shaw didn’t notice her weariness. He pulled a small, velvet jewelry box from his pocket.
11:47
*Secret Love? Chapter 1
“It’s for you.”
Julia’s eyes flickered, and she opened it.
Inside was a Cartier diamond bracelet, the latest one. Three months ago, she casually mentioned it on a flight, and he remembered that. That was indeed sweet.
However…
she’d scen this bracelet three days ago on Sierra’s Instagram.
“Shaw’s got great taste! This bracelet symbolizes eternal love!”
In the photo, Sierra was in her flight attendant uniform, wearing the bracelet and taking a selfie the mirror. The diamond bracelet sparkled. There was a comment from her colleague: Did you two get back together? That bracelet looks amazing on you!
Sierra replied: No guessing!
Looking at the identical bracelet, Julia felt a lump in her throat.
She didn’t know Sierra was Shaw’s ex–girlfriend until she had been with Shaw for five years. That explained why he always walked Sierra home after crew dinners, while she took a cab. Now, the bracelet she’d wanted was also on his ex’s wrist. She didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.
Seeing her silence, Shaw asked softly, “Don’t like it? I had someone wait in line for six hours to get it. You said you loved it, didn’t you?”
Julia closed the box.“Not so much anymore.”
She didn’t even love him as much as she used to do.
Shaw frowned. “Then I’ll get you something else next time.”
He headed for the bathroom.
Julia watched his back with a pang of sadness inside her. Would he buy Sierra the next gift too? Or would he just buy two of the same thing?
Gathering herself, Julia looked at the promotion application under the box. She’d deliberately placed it where he’d see it. But he just ignored it.
This unequal relationship had been wrong from the start.
Julia took a deep breath, picked up her phone, and called Director Thompson. “Director Thompson, I’d like the
I’d like the new solo assignment. But I want Route 728.” Thompson was surprised.“Route 728 runs in the opposite direction of Flight C919. You’ll practically never see Shaw again. Are you sure?”
Julia gripped her phone.“I’m sure.”
That was exactly what she wanted.
Thompson sighed. “Okay, I’ll submit your application. Do the hand–off and start at the Denver Airport on Route 728 at the end of the month.”
A glimmer appeared in Julia’s eyes.“Okay.”
She
down put
the phone, grabbed
a
pen,
and signed the promotion form.
Sat Loved Chapter 2
