Chapter 136 - In Letting Go

Ajie had been watching them stealthily. He saw them at the side of the stage when Allie wrapped up her arm around Hayri's waste. He saw those tender eyes Hayri gave to her and saw the intimate way Allie talked to him. The sight was ripping his heart apart but he knew that was part of the price he had to pay for letting her go. She was pregnant of Hayri's child and the thought of her in Hayri's arms aggravated the pain.

He followed her through his eyes everywhere, finding a chance to congratulate her personally for the intricate works of her hand. When he saw her leaving, he assumed that she was going to a powder room. He rushed to catch up to her, only to see her staggered.

Her weight on his arms in the impact of her sudden fall was nothing compared to the pressing weight in his heart. He knew that somewhere in her lower abdomen, a fetal heart was beating.

When Allie was steadied, he looked up to find Hayri to pick her up. Through the public's eyes, it was such a disrespect on Hayri's part if they would saw him hugging her ex-wife, now his fiancee. He saw him coming and he gestured to turn her over to him.

"Adrian, thank you. I must bring her to the cabin now." Ajie just nodded but his forehead creased in so much worry.

Ajie was about to turn away but the voice of Hayri mentioning his name made him stop.

"Adrian, I will be leaving in few minutes. Can you please watch her over when the doctor leaves?" Hayri then informed him that he was expecting this to happen and that he hired Dr. Yee ahead.

Ajie stared at him, wondering if he was mistaken. How could he entrust her to him knowing that he could make use of the chance to win her back? In a puzzled look, he confirmed, "Me?"

"Of course," Hayri smiled and the gentleness of the act surprised him.

Mr. Dioko followed them to the cabin. His heart bleed in seeing his son fighting to embrace the truth. It was not his fault to be in love with his sister, it was their own mistake as parents for taking matters in their own hands in a taboo way.

Hayri was there on a separate function room when he talked to Mary and Sam. He was watching them through a secret video monitoring. The news of Allie's pregnancy whom Ajie was the father, prompted him to push through with the investigation of Mary's background. He also knew that in Allie's heart, it was still Adrian and he just couldn't help himself from hurting for his son.

He didn't need the DNA test to prove his paternity to Allie. Allie's physical attributes spoke so much of her real mother and many of her features resembled Zara in many ways. He even wondered if it ever occured to Allie that she looked so different from her parents.

When Mary escaped and betrayed them, he knew she bore his child but he chose to set her free instead. He never looked for her and was never angered even if it broke Zara's heart. He rather admired her for the greatness of her heart, for being a mother enough to keep the child.

Watching him sitting beside Allie on her bed while caressing her face, his heart sank. He knew his son was facing a painful battle on a losing ground. In fact, It was through his request to give him more time to accept the truth that he decided to postpone the announcement. If only he was to decide, he couldn't wait to tell the whole world that he was the father of the second largest ship designer; the father of the lady who changed the course of their lives and the father of the wonderful lady whose courage made her defy against the storms of life.

"Son, it's time."

Hayri looked up to him and answered, "Yes, dad." He then bent down to kiss Allie on the forehead and left the room without looking back.

Before Hayri stepped down from the ship, Mr. Dioko hugged him and whispered in a cracked voice, "Son, this decision makes me prouder of you."

Hayri hugged him back without a word, drops of tears escaped from his eyes. He must leave the place right now or he might not be able to control himself. Today was supposedly his most unforgettable moment but through Allie's morning sessions with him for five years, God changed his heart and made him able to let go and accept defeat.

Seated on his car that would take him to the airport, he pulled out his phone and made some calls. And before he placed it down again, he closed his eyes as he pressed the call button.

"You may now go inside. The doctor is about to leave."

___

Inside the cabin, Dr. Yee ran the doppler stick around Allie's abdomen and brisk thuds were heard from a portable machine.

"Is it my baby's heartbeat?" Allie chuckled, her eyes beamed in happiness.

"Yes," Dr. Yee paused and smiled as she stayed the doppler on the thumping point for her to hear further, "congratulations."

"Doc, I'm scared," Allie uttered, her fear was about the bitter experience she had with Chloe.

"Aren't you planning to tell Sir Adrian

that he's the father?"

The narrow opening of the door widened as Ajie walked towards them. Little did they know that he was already there, listening to their conversation.

"What did I hear?" Ajie threw his gaze at Allie, his heart pounding in a mixed emotion.

Allie froze at being caught. This was surely not the right time yet. She stared at him with mouth opened, not knowing what to say. Before she could even think of a lie to cover the truth and return to her senses, Ajie's lips closed over hers. His tears of joy added a salty taste to the hungry kiss she was being punished with.

Ajie's thoughts then replayed the encounter and the phone call he had with Hayri... and he understood.