Chapter six: The First Step
817 Words
Ariana stared at the contract in her hands long after Eleanor Blackwood left the room.
The words blurred before her eyes.
**Research and Innovation Fellowship.**
**Duration: Two Years.**
**Salary: Confidential.**
**Accommodation Provided.**
For the first time in weeks, she felt something she thought she'd lost forever.
Hope.
But hope was dangerous.
Hope was what had made her trust Ethan.
Hope was what had convinced her to invest every naira she owned in the man she loved.
She closed the folder.
"I won't make the same mistake twice."
A soft knock came from the office door.
"Come in."
A young woman in a navy suit entered with a warm smile.
"Good afternoon, Miss Woods. My name is Mia Thompson. I'll be assisting you throughout your fellowship."
She placed a tablet and several documents on the desk.
"Congratulations."
Ariana smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Mia looked at her for a moment.
"You don't seem very excited."
Ariana gave a bitter laugh.
"I've learned that good news often comes with a price."
Mia's smile softened.
"Not everything in life is meant to hurt you."
The words lingered in Ariana's mind.
---
An hour later, Mia led Ariana through the Foundation.
Every floor amazed her.
Scientists discussed new medical discoveries.
Researchers worked in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Young entrepreneurs pitched innovative ideas.
It wasn't just a company.
It was a place where dreams were built.
"This is incredible," Ariana whispered.
Mia nodded proudly.
"The Blackwood Foundation believes talent should never be wasted because of poverty or circumstances."
Ariana looked away.
If only someone had told her that weeks ago.
---
They stopped outside a laboratory.
Inside, several researchers were arguing.
"No, the data is inconsistent."
"The trial has failed."
"We've wasted six months."
Ariana instinctively glanced at the computer screen.
She frowned.
"Excuse me..."
The room fell silent.
One of the senior researchers frowned.
"Can we help you?"
"I... I think your calculations are wrong."
The room erupted into quiet laughter.
A newcomer correcting senior scientists?
One researcher folded his arms.
"And what exactly is wrong?"
Ariana walked closer.
Her confidence returned the moment she saw the equations.
"You've been measuring enzyme activity under unstable temperature conditions."
She pointed at the graph.
"The samples should have been refrigerated before analysis."
Silence.
The researchers exchanged confused glances.
One of them quickly checked the data.
His eyes widened.
"She's right."
Another scientist repeated the calculations.
The results changed immediately.
Months of failed research suddenly made sense.
Mia stared at Ariana in disbelief.
"You figured that out in less than a minute?"
Ariana shrugged.
"It was a common mistake during my final-year project."
For the first time since arriving, she felt useful again.
Not because someone pitied her.
Because she was good at what she did.
---
On the top floor...
Alexander Blackwood stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
His beta, Marcus, entered quietly.
"Your Majesty."
Alexander didn't turn.
"The new fellow arrived."
"I know."
Marcus hesitated.
"Is she the one?"
Alexander remained silent.
Finally, he answered.
"My wolf reacted."
Marcus's eyes widened.
"Then she's your mate."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"Not yet."
"What do you mean?"
"I need to know whether she's ready."
Marcus frowned.
"You've waited fifteen years."
"I can wait a little longer."
Alexander looked toward the laboratories below.
"There is sadness in her eyes."
"And whoever put it there..."
His silver eyes darkened.
"...will answer for it."
---
Elsewhere...
Vanessa Kingston walked into Ethan's office carrying two cups of coffee.
She smiled.
"I brought your favorite."
Ethan didn't respond.
He was staring at his laptop.
"What are you looking at?"
He quickly minimized the screen.
"Nothing."
Vanessa stepped closer.
Before he could stop her, she reopened the window.
It was Ariana's social media profile.
Months-old photographs.
Dozens of them.
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"You've been looking at her?"
"I wasn't."
"Liar."
She slammed the laptop shut.
"You said she meant nothing."
Ethan stood.
"I said enough."
"No!" Vanessa snapped.
"You've barely spoken to me since she left."
"Every time someone mentions her, you become distracted."
"Do you regret choosing me?"
The office fell silent.
Ethan opened his mouth.
But no words came.
Because he didn't know the answer.
---
That evening, Ariana moved into the Foundation's residential complex.
It wasn't luxurious.
It was comfortable.
A small apartment.
A cozy kitchen.
A bookshelf waiting to be filled.
For the first time in weeks...
She had a place she could call home.
She unpacked slowly.
Clothes.
Books.
Her grandmother's photograph.
Finally...
The silver key.
As she placed it on the bedside table, it emitted a faint silver glow.
Ariana froze.
The glow disappeared almost instantly.
She picked it up.
"What are you?"
No answer came.
But somewhere beneath the Foundation...
Hidden behind a vault no one had opened in over twenty years...
An ancient lock clicked.
As though it had sensed the key's presence.
Something long forgotten...
Had begun to awaken.
End of Chapter Six
- Writer
