A Story Half-Told

The chairman dropped a bombshell, declaring us as the heirs to NexGen—the second-leading IT company in the country, just behind LightBridge. We weren't prepared for this revelation at all. After all, we were just regular office workers, carrying out our daily tasks without any inkling that something of this magnitude could happen. It felt surreal, like a twist straight out of a fantasy novel. Yet, here it was, unfolding in my life—a colossal, life-altering event that was far too much to take in.

I sat there, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a physical force. My appetite vanished. I couldn't even think about eating as I became painfully aware of the stares directed at me from across the table. Why us? What had we done to deserve or warrant this?

As Karun and I sat there, our minds racing with unspoken questions, Marcus, the chairman's secretary, finally approached us. He seemed to sense our bewilderment. "I'll explain," he began, his tone calm and measured. "The old man had this plan in mind for quite some time. Ever since he lost his sons, he's been searching for you both."

Marcus's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. He continued, "Losing his sons was devastating for him, not just emotionally but also practically. The heirs of NexGen—a company he built from the ground up—were gone. That loss left NexGen vulnerable, a prime target for corporate rivals waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Do you remember the sudden virus attack during the launch of our GameIn console? That was one such moment. It forced the chairman to step out of his mourning and back into the corporate battlefield."

Marcus paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "He couldn't let his life's work—his legacy—be destroyed. That's when he began searching for the two of you. Completing the mission was more than just a test of your capabilities; it was a way for him to assess whether you were ready to shoulder this responsibility. And now that you've succeeded, he's made his decision."

Marcus extended his hand toward me, his warm smile contrasting with the gravity of the situation. "Congratulations, madam CEO."

My body moved on autopilot as I shook his hand. The words "madam CEO" echoed in my head like a distant bell, and I realized I'd lost track of how many handshakes I'd given that day. Karun, standing beside me, reacted differently. Instead of shaking hands, he pulled Marcus into a hug. "Come on, man," he said with a nervous laugh. "Don't call us that. Not you."

Despite the levity in Karun's tone, the weight of the chairman's announcement lingered. I turned to Marcus. "Yes," I said, my voice firmer than I expected. "We'd like to speak to the chairman… to convince him to reconsider. This is too much for us."

Marcus hesitated, clearly torn. "Miss Kathy, I don't think he'll change his mind, not after making such a public announcement."

"Still," I insisted, "we have to try. Marcus, would you arrange a private meeting with him? Please.." Karun added.

After a moment's pause, Marcus nodded. "Alright. I'll see what I can do."

Within fifteen minutes, Marcus had arranged for a separate meeting room on the quieter side of the hotel. The room was modest, far removed from the grandeur of the main hall. Karun and I exchanged nervous glances as we waited. How were we supposed to convince a man who had clearly thought this through for years?

The door opened, and the chairman walked in, his demeanor warm and casual, as if he hadn't just upended our lives. "Hey, you two! Having fun?" he asked, his tone light.

Karun wasted no time. "Sir, this is all… it's too much for us."

The chairman held up a hand to silence him gently. "I understand, Karun. Marcus must have explained why I chose you. Believe me, I know this is overwhelming. That's why I'm not throwing you into the deep end right away. For now, you'll serve as vice presidents while I'm still here. I'll guide you every step of the way."

Despite our protests and attempts to reason with him, the chairman remained resolute. By the end of the meeting, we had signed the necessary papers, making it official. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of introductions, handshakes, and polite smiles. My head spun, and exhaustion weighed heavily on me.

Finally, I found a quiet corner to sit and collect myself. Priya joined me, offering a sympathetic smile. "Unlike you, Karun seems to be in his element," she remarked, nodding toward him. He was laughing with some executives, the chairman's hand resting approvingly on his shoulder. The scene looked so natural, so effortless, that it only made me feel more out of place.

"Well, it's Karun, after all," I muttered, trying not to let the envy seep into my voice.

Just then, a shift in the air caught everyone's attention. The once-hushed murmurs turned into a bustling commotion, and the corridor outside filled with the flash of cameras. The atmosphere became heavy with anticipation, an almost electric tension rippling through the room.

"Seems like someone big just arrived," Priya whispered, her gaze darting toward the growing crowd near the entrance.

"Hm, someone bigger than us?" I muttered, my voice trailing off as a sinking realization gripped me. I glanced at Priya, her expression mirroring my own thoughts. "It must be... LightBridge," I finished, barely above a whisper.

Yesterday's events flooded back—the blurry memory of my drunken escapade, clinging onto the young master of LightBridge in the most undignified state imaginable.

Priya chuckled mischievously. "Hope he doesn't bolt if he sees you again."

"Stop it, Priya!" I hissed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "Let's not jump to conclusions. It could be someone older, someone more... dignified." My words trailed off, and I buried my embarrassment beneath a mask of forced composure. Truthfully, I could barely recall his face—only fragments of me crying and snotting all over him.

Before I could dwell on the memory any longer, Marcus caught my eye and signaled me over. I swallowed the lump in my throat and moved to join him, my feet dragging with a mix of reluctance and curiosity.

The center of the room was beneath a grand chandelier, its dazzling crystals refracting light into countless brilliant sparks. Cameras continued to flash, their rapid clicks amplifying the sense of grandeur. The air grew denser as I moved closer, the crowd parting like waves as I wove through them. Each step felt like an eternity, the buzz of hushed voices growing louder.

It was as if royalty had arrived. The crowd encircled the central figure, their awe palpable. Chills ran down my spine. Embarrassment over my past escapade was only part of it—the other was the sheer weight of who I was about to meet. LightBridge wasn't just the leading company in the country; it was a global titan, with branches in almost every corner of the world.

As the crowd thinned, my view became clearer. His face began to take shape—sharp features framed by a perfectly tailored black suit. A luxury watch gleamed on his wrist with every camera flash, and his neatly combed hair added an air of precision to his appearance. Someone whispered, "The young master of LightBridge," and the words resonated as I inched closer.

Just as I was about to reach him, Karun blocked my view, shaking hands with him effortlessly, as if the two had been friends for years. Typical Karun, always so at ease. I couldn't help but envy his natural charm. As Karun stepped aside, the young master came fully into view. As Karun glided away, the space between us seemed to still, the hum of the crowd fading into a muted buzz. And then, he came into view—the young master of LightBridge. Time felt suspended, each heartbeat echoing in my ears as I took in his face, so familiar yet so distant, like a phantom from my dreams brought to life.

This was no coincidence. It couldn't be. The man who had haunted my dreams wasn't just a figment of imagination. He was real—standing there, flesh and bone, carrying the weight of lifetimes we'd shared and lost. My heart whispered what my mind couldn't yet grasp: it was him. It had always been him

The man I'd cried on after one too many drinks. The man who had haunted my dreams.

The man I had longed for across lifetimes.

My past, my present, my future—all intertwined in him.

There was no mistaking him—not in this life, not after everything.

My breath caught in my throat as memories rushed through me—of longing, of loss.

A story unfinished.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I stared at him,

my heart a chaotic blend of emotions—recognition, disbelief, and a sense of inevitability.

It was him, It's kris...

My Kris.