ABSTRACT

After being separated for ten years NK and RK, fate

makes them cross paths with each other once again
in a different country. Their differences and hatred
awakens once again but under different
circumstances. They are both successful in life but
there are a number of hidden secrets that will come
into play. Will these two overcome their difficulties
and fall in love with each other again or would they
unmasked characters cause them to always be at
crossroads with each other

Windows User
Dive in to find out more.

The crossroads
By Nancy Kelvins
Chapter one (1)
The cool, fresh air rustled the leaves of the trees, and I could smell the sweet scent
of spring in the air. The birds sang melodiously, filling the garden with their joyful
song. And there, in the midst of it all, I danced. I twirled and whirled, feeling the
wind on my skin and the earth beneath my feet. I felt like a child again, full of joy
and wonder. It was more like I was reliving my teenage years. Suddenly, I felt a
familiar scent that reminded me of a warm summer night spent under the stars. I
knew, without a doubt, that he was near. And then, before I could turn around, I
felt his warm strong arms encircling my waist and pulling me close. I could feel
the beating of his heart against my back. I closed my eyes, letting myself be lost in
the moment. My skin warmed under his touch. I turned my head and our gazes
locked.

I smiled and whispered his pet name;’ Mr. GAR.’

He grinned mischievously and playfully tickled me.
‘You know I don’t like that name, Shawty,’ he teased. I laughed and tried to
squirm away from him.
‘As always you can’t do anything about it, right,’ I said winking.
‘We’ll just wait and see what I can do after I get hold of you,’ he said starting to
chase me.
As I ran and darted between the trees, the weather suddenly changed. A heavy
cloud covered the sun, and darkness descended. I could no longer see anything. I
wanted to find my way back to him but the darkness was disorienting. I ran
blindly, not knowing where I was going. I stopped in my tracks, feeling the cold
wind sting my skin. I looked around, and saw that I was standing at a crossroads.
The road was grey and desolate, the only sound the howling wind. As I stood there,
trying to process what had happened, I felt a sudden sense of loneliness.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. He was standing on the other side of
the road, his back turned to me. I felt a rush of emotion, and for a moment I
considered running to him. But before I could take a step, something strange
happened. Thorns began to sprout from the ground, like a barrier between us. The
thorns grew higher and higher, until they were taller than me. I was trapped, unable
to reach him. I felt a mixture of sadness and frustration, knowing that I was so
close, yet so far away.
My spirit was rudderless floundering in the dark. Though it felt like love would
never find me, I could not lose hope. I returned to the world of harsh jests and cruel
taunts, eyes dry of tears, still determined to find comfort. The man who knew not
what he did, turned, his gaze meeting mine. Though he tried to soothe me, his
words fell flat, and his steps soon disappeared into the distance.
I was lost in a daze, a ghost of my former self. In the darkness recesses of my
mind, a single thought flickered: “Ma’am! Miss NK! Nancy madam! Your PA is
on the phone, she says it’s urgent and that your phone’s off!”
The words cut through the gloom like a blade, and I jolted awake.
“Don’t go!’ I shouted, bolting upright in bed. I was drenched in sweat, my heart
pounding in my chest.
“Ma’am, are you alright?” Grace asked, rushing in with a glass of water.
I gulped the water down, my hands shaking. “Thanks,” I managed to say, giving
her back the empty glass. I took the phone from her, still trying to catch my breath.
“Stacey, hie!” I answered the call.
“I know you told me you were coming to work tomorrow,” Stacey said, her voice
shaking, “but I have to tell you something urgent.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice sounding more even than I felt.
“I just found out that Mr. Rana has sold his shares!” Stacey said, her voice
trembling. “I don’t know who he sold them to, but I heard he’s new and very
powerful as well as influential.”
“What! Mr. Rana sold his shares without telling me,” I said, feeling a mixture of
shock and anger.
“Why didn’t he wait for me to come back? I know he wants to go and settle
elsewhere with his family, but he could have at least asked for my approval first.
Does this mean other board members knew about it too?”
“Yes, but only a few,” she replied.
“Listen, tell everyone that there’s an urgent board meeting at 8:30 sharp,” I said.
“Oh ma’am, I had forgotten to inform you that there’s a meeting that Mr. Rana had
already arrange at 8:15 and he had told me to inform everyone including you. I
think he’ll be introducing the new shareholder,” Stacey said.
“What, now things are being dictated to me in my own company. You got to be
kidding me. It’s ok Stacey, will be there in thirty,” I said as I cut the call.
I stood up, disoriented and groggy. My head was still swimming with what I had
just heard. I put aside my dream for some time. I needed to clear my head. I
walked over to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The hot water felt good on
my skin, and I took my time to let it wash away the grime of the journey and the
shock news. After showering, I dressed in a simple black suit with a white blouse. I
didn’t bother doing my hair, just pulled it back in a ponytail. I only had twenty
minutes to get to the office, so I didn’t have time for makeup, or anything else. I
grabbed my bag and rushed downstairs.
“Morning, chef,” I said in a hurry.
“Morning, Miss,” he replied.
“You seem to be in a rush. No breakfast?”
“No, I’ll eat at work. Tell Jerry to drop and pick up Chris from school today. I will
see him in the evening. I’m already late.”
“No problem, Miss. Drive safe.”
I got in my car and started driving to work. I connected my phone to the car
speakers and dialed Ayanda’s number.
“Morning, Nancy,” she said in a warm voice.
“Not so much of a morning for me,” I said in a low tone.
“You can tell something’s up. What is it?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“Well, I had that dream again this morning,” I said.
“Again! This is the third time this month right,” Ayanda said.
“Yeah, and it’s been ten years now, I don’t know why suddenly I am dreaming of
him,” I said distressed.
“Well, don’t ponder over it so much my dear, that chapter is forever closed and
God willing, you won’t face your past again,” she said.
“Hmm, okay,” I agreed in an even lower tone.
“There’s more, right, tell me about it, I can hear it from your voice,” she said
“Rana sold his shares in my company while I was away on business,” I said.
“What? He did what? That’s outrageous! Why would he even do that without
consulting you first?”
“I have no idea,” I said. “I’ve only just found out. I’ve reached work now, and I’ll
try to find out what’s going on. I’ll let you guys know when I get more
information.”
“Okay, please be careful and control your temper too,” she said as we disconnected
the call.
I parked the car and walked into the building, the usual bustle of the morning
greeting me. People were coming and going, busy with their work. But I had a
sense of urgency, a feeling that something was amiss. Stacey was there to greet me,
as always.
“Good morning, Miss Kelvins,” she said with a smile.
I nodded, not in the mood for small talk. “Is everyone already in the board room?”
I asked, getting straight to the point.
“Yes, I believe so,” Stacey replied, sensing my seriousness.
I opened the door to the board room. Everyone turned to look at me, their faces
serious. I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm.
“Good morning, Miss Kelvins,” they said.
“Good morning,” I replied, settling into my chair.
“You called for this meeting, Mr. Rana,” I said, keeping my tone calm and level.
“Yes, good morning everyone,” Mr. Rana said, rising to his feet.
“As most of you have heard,” Mr. Rana said,” I have sold my shares to a
trustworthy person who will help our company achieve great things. I’m sure you
all know it was a difficult, but I’m confident it was the right one.”
I felt my heart sink as I listened to his words. I had been away in Austria and had
no idea that he was planning to sell his shares. I felt betrayed and confused.
“Mr. Rana, I don’t understand,” I said, trying to keep my tone even. “How could
you sell your shares without me? I’m your business partner.”
Mr. Rana’s face turned serious. “I know, Nancy. I apologize for not including you
in the decision-making process. But the offer was made quickly, and I had to act
fast. And besides you were handling the matters in Austria, I didn’t want to disturb.
I hope you can understand why I made the decision I did.”
I was struggling to process he was saying. “So who did you sell away your shares
to? And yes I really hope everything was legit and formal, because you can’t just
jeopardize NK Group of Industries just for the sake of wanting to settle
elsewhere,” I said.
“Well, he’s recently come to Australia. But he’s well reputed in the neighboring
countries although he lives a private life. He’s known as RK and he’s very
influential and powerful,” he said.
“How well do you know this RK of yours Mr. Rana?’ asked Andry.
“Well, we’ve never really seen each other face to face. Since he’s a very busy man
we used to have phone calls, but he sent his secretary to finalise the contract since
he was held up somewhere. But don’t worry my lawyer checked everything it was
legit.” He said
“But how can you be so sure of that,” I asked my voice rising. “You don’t even
know this man! You’re risking the entire company.”
“I understand your concern,” Mr. Rana said, his voice still calm. “But I have faith
in RK, I’ve done my research and I believe he’s the right person to take over my
shares. He’s got a proven track record of success, and I know help the company
reach new heights,”
“Well we need to see this RK of yours, where is he?” asked john.
“Yes and NK is still the majority shareholder and her signature or that of sir would
be needed to finalise it,” Mrs. Smith said.
“And you say everything with so much confidence Mr. Rana. How much did he
offer you in such a short span of time?” asked Andry?
I could feel the tension in the room, as everyone wanted to hear from Rana. As
everyone was still to process what he had just said, the door was opened. The room
fell silent as two men entered the room. The taller man was muscular and well
dressed, he had a neatly trimmed beard and dark curly hair and an imposing
presence. While the other man was more subdued, but still exuded a sense of
authority. He wore a blue suit and was more light skinned. I couldn’t make out the
tall man’s features very well because of the bright light in the room.
Stacey hurried over to them. ‘I’m sorry, gentlemen, but this is a board meeting and
only board members are allowed. Can you please wait at the reception area?’ she
said.
“This is a board meeting?” the man in the blue suit asked, his voice steady.
“Yes, it is,” Stacey replied. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait outside.”
“I am RK, the new shareholder of NK Group of Industries,” he said, with his deep
voice. This announcement was met with stunned silence. The room was filled with
the shocked faces of the other board members, and Stacey’s face was a mixture of
surprise and confusion. Most people were in disbelief because of how young and
handsome he looked.
“Don’t worry Stacey, I’m with them,” said a familiar voice from behind the men.
It was Mr. Adams. He strode to the front of the room, then stopped and turned to
face the others. Everyone was murmuring, their faces reflecting a mix of surprise
and confusion. I was also shocked to see grandpa. I hadn’t seen him in a while. As
they reached the table, I got a better view of the man in the blue suit, but the one in
black wasn’t visible to me. I was standing in the back of the room, so I hadn’t
gotten a good look at him. As the others moved aside, that’s when I caught a whiff
of something familiar. A musky scent that I hadn’t smelled in ages. I tried to place
the scent, but I couldn’t remember where I had smelled it before. It was almost
nostalgic, but I couldn’t quite place it. As the man in blue moved aside, he finally
came into view.
He took off his glasses, revealing a pair of familiar eyes. His lips were the same as
I remembered them, and his face had matured into a handsome, well-defined
visage. His height towered over me, as it always had. It was looking at a memory
come to life.
His gaze met mine, and a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I tried to think clearly
as I looked at him. There was a mixture of sadness, confusion, and anger swirling
through me. I could feel my heart racing and a lump forming in my throat. I
couldn’t bring myself to look at him, so I turned away and grabbed a bottle of
water. I tried to compose myself, taking deep breaths and forcing myself to calm
down.
Mr. Adams called out to me, “Nancy, my dear.” I felt the tears welling up in my
eyes, but I forced them back. I refused to let my emotions get the best of me. I had
to be strong and professional. After all I was going to face my bitter past after ten
years.

Chapter two (2)

I turned round and I looked up at him, trying to keep my composure.
Mr. Adam’s voice was gentle and reassuring. “Nancy, please welcome Mr. Roy
Kruger. Don’t worry I knew all about the selling of Rana’s shares, in fact I was the
one who advised him to sell them to RK as I know him very well, he’s like my son
and he’s a good man.”
I was speechless and I had a lot of questions in my mind. I managed to speak after
a while. ‘So you knew all about this sir?’
“Yes, I trust Roy and I also trust you and I know you trust my decisions right,”
I only nodded in agreement. Everyone went ahead and welcomed him to the
company whilst I stood there stationary. The meeting ended and everyone soon left
from there except RK, Stacey and I.
He walked over to where I was. “Hie, Miss Kelvins,” he said with his deep and
steady voice, extending his hand. “I’m glad that I’ll be working with you as your
business partner.”
I looked at him, and I didn’t respond. I then looked at Stacey and said, “Please
show Mr. Kruger around, make sure he’s comfortable and get Rana’s office
cleaned and put his name plate on and transfer his things there.”
I then got out from there. I hurried straight to my office and got into the bathroom.
I went and splashed some water on my face. I looked at myself in the mirror as
drops of water dripped from my face. Everything that had happened ten years ago
was flashing back right in front of my eyes. The pain of the old wounds was
suddenly fresh again. The past that I had forgotten about was back into my life
again. How so? The dream that I’ve been having these past few weeks, could it
have been this that it was trying to imply and mean? He’s back now as Roy
Kruger, RK, why of all the places did he choose here? All this thoughts were like a
bombshell dropped in my head and these were conflicting thoughts.

I wiped my face and went back into my office and sat on my chair and opened my
laptop to find out more about him on social media I searched for him on every
platform and found only a few things about him. Nothing much about what all he
had been doing in the past ten years, the information was recent, and there was no
information about how he became so successful. Only that he owned a couple of
hotels and companies in Africa and around the world, that he’s an investor and
successful businessman. It was like he was involved in every department, he
owned hospitals too. And now seems like he’s interested in engineering and
spacecraft as well as construction in fact in everything that I do that’s why he’s
come here too.

I saw his pictures with his mom and siblings and most of his other things were
private. What surprised me was that he had been following me on all my social
media platforms and I never realized it. This clearly means that he’s known what I
have been doing in the past years and he had been keeping an eye on me for a long
time now.

Soon after everything that I had found out, I dug for my phone in my messy bag
and then I made a video call to my girls. The call got connected and I urgently
needed their advice.

“Guys, we need to meet up its urgent,” I said.

“Hello to you too Nancy!” Anastasia said sarcastically.

“Sorry guys! How are you?” I said.

“We’re okay,” both Ayanda and Princess said.

“But you don’t seem ok to me. What’s up with you?” Ana asked.

“Guys you won’t believe this when I tell you, I think its best if we met up right
now.”

“Well, sorry Nancy but I’ve got an important surgery in thirty minutes from now
so I’ll catch up with you later onwards,” said Ayanda.

“Oh, ok its fine. And what about you two?” I asked.

“Let’s meet up in fifteen minutes at the café near your work,” Princess said.

“Okay, so now I’m the unbusy one too,” Ana said pissing everyone off.

“Geez, Ana what’s up with you, it’s okay if you’re busy alright,” I said pissed off.

“You know I can be a baddest sometimes, sorry, I’ll come Closie,” Ana said.

“Yeah, yeah we all know how you can be, its definite you on your irregular cycle
again,” the three of us said laughing and as we hung up.

I quickly grabbed my car keys and left from my office. When I got downstairs, I
couldn’t believe my eyes. No one was settled at all, instead all they were doing was
gossip about the new young, hot and handsome boss who had come. Especially the
women were busy crushing on RK. When they noticed my presence they all
displaced quickly going back to their desks. I walked away from there without
saying a word. I got inside the car and drove off to the café which was ten minutes
away from my work place.

When I reached they were already waiting for me at the table at the poolside and
like always Ana was stuffing herself with food. I walked over to join them.
“Waiter can you please bring my usual drink please,” I called out to him a I took
my seat.

“Wow, Walkie you looked f*cked up,” Princess said as she looked at me
concerned.

“What’s wrong?” Ana asked.

“Ayanda told us you had that dream again, is that what’s bothering you?” princess
said.

“Even worse, I wish it was a dream but it’s actually a nightmare, my worst and
realest nightmares,” I said.

“Okay so tell us,” they both said.

“Guys, he’s back, D-Roy is back as someone named Roy Kruger,” I said.

“You must be kidding us, what on earth are you even saying, D-Roy here in
Australia! What would he be doing here? You must probably be hallucinating
because of those weird dreams of yours which look and sound like some crappy
shit of poems,” Ana said laughing.

“Ana, Nancy doesn’t look like she’s kidding at all,” said Princess.

“Can’t you take me a bit more seriously Closie,” I said upset.

“Okay sorry! Continue,” she said.

“Are you really serious that Decent alias D-Roy is here as Roy Kruger, but how?”
Princess asked unable to believe it too.

“Yes, that same old D-Roy and what will blow your brains out is that, he’s now my
new business partner, he’s officially a shareholder at NK Group of Industries,” I
said.

“Damn, hell no! How?” they both said shocked.

“I know, I’m also trying to process it all,” I said a I sipped the hot coffee the waiter
had just served to me.

“NK, tell us everything in detail,” said Ana.

I took a deep breath as I had my coffee and then I explained everything that had
happened for him to acquire the shares and everything else. I narrated every detail
and just like I knew they understood my emotions well.

“But how did Mr. Adams know about RK?” asked Ana.
“I’m not sure but soon enough I’ll find out,” I said.

“Walkie I honestly can’t believe that he’s back, how will you manage to work with
him?”

“Don’t worry if anything I’ll make sure that he goes back from where he came and
I will make him regret ever being my business partner and actually entering my life
again,” I say bitterly.

“Do you have a plan in mind right now?” they asked.

“Not now but soon I will,” I said.

“My advice to you is that for now do not take matters personally, just behave like a
complete professional that you are, keep your anger and don’t how it to others,”
Ana said.

“She’s actually right Nancy, go and clear everyone’s questions by formally and
officially introducing him and don’t let personal grudges ruin the business. Just
behave normally and tolerate whilst we gather information on him and why he’s
here, don’t treat him any different, keep your temper in control.”

“Guys, you want me to tolerate the person who caused me immense pain, do you
have any idea how this is going to affect me. I can’t bear him at all.”

“Don’t suddenly become weak, we all know what he put you through but if you
show your anger he’ll win. Put on a smile and greet him like everyone else, don’t
let him see your tears and pain else he’ll use it to his advantage,” they said.

“Yes, you’re right, I can’t let his presence affect me. It’s my company I won’t
allow him to just make his way here, I’ll make sure he regrets his choice.”

“Good, now fix up your messed up self and go show him how strong you’ve
become in the last ten years,” said Ana.

“Yeah, right,” I said as a smile and a relief became visible on my face.

After a short while of chatting with my friends I felt confident and no longer
confused and that much stressed out anymore. I drove back to work. This time
when I arrived they were all working. I went straight away to my office and then I
called Stacey to my office.

“Afternoon ma’am,” she said as she came in the cabin.

“Hie. Where is Mr. Kruger?” I asked.

“Well, Mr. Andry and sir were showing him the new aircraft machines at the
factory.”

“Are they back?”

“Yes they just arrived few moments before you came in, they are in Mr. Andry’s
cabin.”

“Okay, ask everyone to assemble downstairs, I want to make an important

statement.”

After everyone had assembled, I went downstairs. Everyone looked at me as I

stood at the center in the hall, it was they had been waiting eagerly for me to come.

“Afternoon everyone. Well as some of you have heard, Mr. Rana is leaving us. I
just wanted to inform all of you personally. I know of questions have been going
on in everyone’s heads. Yes as most of you have guessed correctly, Mr. RK over
there has joined us, as my new business partner so I’d like you all to welcome him
a well.” I said

They all clapped for him and others went over to Mr. Rana as they bid him
farewell.

Mr. Adams came to me. “Nancy, I’m glad and I’m also proud of you my dear, it’s
nice that you’ve accepted him. You two will be great partners and you’ll get on
pretty well.”

“Well sir, I wouldn’t be too sure of that.”

“What do you mean by that?” he asked.

“You know you’re like my grandpa and I respect you a lot but it doesn’t mean I’m
happy with your decision, I wasn’t even aware of this whole thing.”

“Nancy I know that you didn’t know but at that time you were busy and you do
trust your grandpa right.”

“I trust you but I don’t trust him,” I whispered to myself.

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. Anyways what’s done is done.”

“Yes, dear I was thinking since Mr. Rana is leaving after so many years of working
with us, I feel it’ll be nice if we could organize a farewell party for him, and then
we’ll also welcome RK properly.”

I didn’t know what to say. “Well, you’re right Mr. Rana has been with us for long,
he deserves a proper farewell, but what’s the need to have a double celebration?”

“Well, dear just do it, it won’t make a big deal and besides we always welcome
new members in a proper manner.”

“Well sir, it’s okay, I’ll do as you wish. You can make the announcement, but I
doubt I’ll be present at the party.”

“And why wouldn’t you be, this is your company and he’s your new partner?”

“Well, actually I had important plans with the girls today so I don’t think I’ll make
it, and this was also sudden.”

“Oh really, I see then, its okay but if you finish early everyone would be glad to
see you there.”

“Okay I’ll try.”

“Well everyone, listen up. So later on this evening we’ll be having a farewell party
for Mr. Rana and we’ll also be welcoming RK.I know most of you would want to
give him a proper farewell since he’ll be going to Mauritius in two days, so that’s
why we’ll say goodbye to him today,” sir went ahead and said.
Everyone was happy and they cheered upon the great news. Everyone got back to
their work and quickly started finishing off. I put Stacey in charge of the event and
told her that Rana’s farewell should be perfect and I informed her not to call the
media, as I didn’t want the news spreading out that RK and I were now business
partners.

After this I walked over to where RK and sir were standing. “Miss Kelvins,” he
said with a smile tugging on his face, showing off that dimple of his. I’m pretty
sure his smile was just as fake as him.

“Mr. Kruger!” I said with a serious face.

“At last you finally said my name, that’s good,” he said arrogantly.

“I’m surprised you find it good.”

“Well, I am too, because ever since I arrived you hadn’t spoken to me properly,
well the