Love Beyond The Equator

Chapter Thirteen: When the paths collide

Alicia's phone rang, shrill in the silence. She answered, her voice poised. “Hello?”

“Hello, I'm the general manager of Amazon Gold Company, Ecuador. We're interested in doing business with your company.”

Alicia's heart skipped a beat. “Wow, Amazon. I know that company.” She felt a surge of excitement, thinking about the possibilities.

The manager's voice was smooth. “Can we meet tomorrow to discuss the details?”

Alicia agreed, her mind racing. She called her manager, Mr. Collins. “I just got a call from Amazon Gold Company. They want to meet with Ali's gold company tomorrow.”

Mr. Collins's voice was calm. “I'll be there, Alicia.”

“Amazon company is the biggest gold extraction company in the world, I have been following up this contract before now. This contract was supposed to be given to Grayburg company, I don't know what happened. Please put in your best tomorrow”. Alicia confidently telling her manager.

Mr. Collin's voice was trembling, but he has to pretend he is confident to handle it. Yes, Alicia.

The next day, Alicia and Mr. Collins met the Amazon manager at a restaurant. The transaction went smoothly, and Alicia felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. “Congratulations, Alicia,” the manager said, smiling.

Alicia touched her growing belly, whispering to her unborn child. “We're growing, baby. Don't worry, dad will come one day.” She felt a sense of hope and determination.

“Amazon company, the biggest gold company. Wow! I am rich!” She screamed in her room. She was drunk and crying...... “Rooney, why did you do this to me?”

Almost the day of delivery, Alicia's doctor advise her to always have sex with her man for easy delivery.

“I will apply for a CS. please. My man has not been around”.

'I will need your man's signature or a family member,' The doctor requested with a calm voice.

“Okay, that not a pool problem.” Alicia's eyes shimmered and heart skipped.

Meanwhile, Rooney was struggling with his demons. He visited his parents in Los Angeles, feeling trapped. “Mom, I won't marry Kendra. I don't love her.”

His mom's voice was stern. “What do you mean? You can build a life together.”

Rooney's dad remained silent, his expression calm but disapproving. Rooney felt suffocated. “I need to focus on my career, not your company and Kendra's engagement.”

The conversation ended in a stalemate, with Rooney feeling more determined than ever to forge his path. He thought about his book, his passion project, and how it could be his ticket to freedom.

Months passed, and Rooney's book became a bestseller. He won an award, feeling vindicated. But he couldn't shake off the memory of the mysterious woman he had met. He wondered if it was love at first sight.

When an old friend invited him to a wedding in Ecuador, Rooney saw an opportunity. Maybe he would find the woman again. He thought about the what-ifs and maybes, his mind racing with possibilities.

At the wedding, Rooney met Detective Dan, who revealed a shocking truth about Rosaline's innocence. Rooney's world was turned upside down. He felt betrayed and confused. "You can release her, Detective".

He visited the Gold company at Sandwich the next day, searching for the woman. Mr. Michael showed him to the office, where Rooney's eyes locked onto Kuri's reluctant gaze.

“Remember me?” Rooney asked, his heart pounding.

Kuri's expression softened. “You're the man who asked for my name.”

Rooney smiled, feeling a connection. “I'm Rooney.”

Kuri's pause was brief. “I'm Kuri.”

As they talked, Rooney knew he had found the one. But would she give him a chance? He thought about his past mistakes and wondered if he was worthy of love.