Chapter 90 - Closer To The Truth 2

Jeff was their band's male lead vocalist who was replaced by Ajie way back in college. His father was the captain of a local merchant ship, the MV Helena. Through Jeff's intervention, his father agreed to carry out the plan he suggested to terminate Cherry's memory from her family and friends. He understood that the burden she was carrying at such a young age was too great for her to bear. Too great that it held a great possibility that she would be ruining her life instead. With the help of a loyal crew, the shout, "Man Overboard", rang through the walls of the vessel after that loud splash was heard. The plan was meticulously carried out that there was not a little suspicion or doubt after the investigation. Any act of carelessness would have lead to the ruin of the image of Jeff's dad who maintained an outstanding reputation in his twenty years of service.

Cherry was then lead out of the vessel towards the homeplace of Jeff somewhere in Mindoro. Having finally accepted for a job in Istanbul after many trials in online application during her last year in college, she left the home she owed a gratitude with after few months.

"Jeff didn't tell me where you went..."

Ajie sadly said after recalling the event.

"Because I told him not to. I deactivated all my social media accounts and together with my new life here, I buried Cherry's memories in the pit of forgottenness. " Cherry then laughed with tears in her eyes and Ajie stood up and hugged her.

Cherry cried for a long while in the shoulders of Ajie which made Allie uncomfortable. She also cried hard together with her, having known her story ahead, as she buried her sobs in her pillows. The truth behind her suicidal issue surprised her and she brooded at the fact that Ajie didn't tell her about it anymore. It only showed that he really cared for Cherry more than her!

"Shall we continue now? " Cherry said with a big grin as she looked up at Ajie after she calmed down.

"You're okay already? " He asked, patting her head before he went back to his seat across her.

"Yes, " She paused for a while until Ajie settled comfortably in his seat. "Moving on, I worked as a marketing officer in Dream Builders, Inc. It's where I met Zheena." She paused and glanced over at Allie in the room before she continued.

"She applied as an agent of Rough Seas as her part - time job. Through a private chat, I learned that she's also new in this country. She worked in Gretel Shipping Lines as a personnel manager and at the same time, a student in a university so she needed an extra income. " Cherry looked up at Andrew and she saw that glints of interest in his eyes, wanting to know more.

"I helped her gain the approval of our departmental heads and many months later, she covered all the shipyards in Istanbul with the influence of Gretel Shipping Lines. When the demands of her expansion to other places got beyond her capacity to handle, she hired me. "

"But just as our growth skyrocketed,

Rough Seas announced their bankruptcy and so with the help of Sir Hayri, the company is now primarily owned by Zheena. "

"As you have seen, we have covered the whole Europe as we attracted more investors. And now, we plan to expand in our country and to have you as our new investor for the Philippine market, caught me by surprise. "

"You didn't know about it? "Ajie asked him with disbelief in his eyes.

"Zheena's forte is to gain investors while I on the marketing side." Cherry ended her story with a pursed smile and a pause. "It's your turn. "

Ajie sighed deeply as he threw his gaze at Allie who was lying down in her head with the covers up to her eyes. He watched the rhythm of her breathing and when he saw that it was regular, he started his own storytelling.

"I went back to Cebu and I almost lost hope in finding Allie back..."

Ajie narrated his whole story of how he met Allie back in the hospital through his rescue of Mr. Lopez and down to how he also bumped into Andrew. He also told her about the diary and what he only read.

Hearing back about it, Cherry laughed in shame and

awkwardness. To avoid further discomfort, she then changed the topic.

"I'm afraid Andrew had succeeded in taking revenge on you through Allie. It's good to know that you found her again before everything got worst. "

"Perhaps, he was suffering from a mild anxiety disorder because a normal human being with intact intellectual capacity wouldn't act like he did. " Ajie replied sardonically as the memories of Andrew's courtship on Allie flashed on.

Cherry laughed out loud in response to Ajie's presumption and when she finally stopped, she dismissed the topic. "Can we move on to another topic, please? "

Ajie then went ahead and started talking about his studies in Japan, Allie's disappearance and down to his abrupt return for the reason that he couldn't allow his daughter to be left out by both parents. Of course, he didn't mention about Allie's main reason of running away. He also mentioned about Chloe's psychological deficiencies and that a strong family support could help her improve.

"I have filed for annulment already as suggested by Mr. Lopez. At first, the purpose is to let Allie come out wherever she was hiding but lately, as I've learned about Chloe's deficiency, I have decided to pursue the annulment so that I can get married to Jane. "

Cherry's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe that he would come to the extent of breaking his love and loyalty for her. As far as she had remembered, he was firm as a rock in his promises.

"Adrian, I can't believe it. I'm hurting for Allie. I just can't forget how you placed her in a pedestal. " Cherry started crying again, being already sensitive after crying so much a while ago.

"I never want to do it either but my daughter needs a mother image. I believe Jane can be a very good

one. "

"How about you as couple in the future? " Cherry asked, still in the state of disbelief. His marriage would never be successful in the absence of love and she was worried about it.

" We have established a good friendship already and I even depend on her on many decisions that I make. So, it wouldn't be a big deal. "

Allie pulled up the cover over her head as she heard Adrian confirning his decision to Cherry. The real threat as of this moment, as she realized it, was no longer Cherry but Jane whom he had already shared a home. The pain crept up deeply and harshly again into her whole being and she started crying bitterly. It was too painful that she was almost tempted to wail at the top of her lungs. Then, in few minutes, she heard another bomb exploding right at the deepest recesses of her heart when Ajie spoke again.

"I proposed to her already. " He said as he fixed his gaze on Cherry. "And during the launching of my cruise ship, we will be announcing our engagement. "