Chapter 141 - Somewhere Down The Road

Their eyes locked for a moment but Andrew did not show any sign of being surprised. Allie began to think that perhaps, he worked his way to be here. She knew it was wrong to think something bad about a person but thinking back about how he succeeded in manipulating her decisions, a sense of distrust quickly crept up within her. How could she ever trust him again?

Before any one of them could react, Andrew held out his microphone to his mouth and made an announcement.

"Our beloved guests  and friends who are here today, our dear family members, ladies and gentlemen, good day!"

Everyone around held their gazes towards him as he went on. "I would like to ask a favor to everyone of you to please join me in asking Mr. Adrian James, our honored builder and designer of Allyza, to render us a wonderful song."

Allie and Adrian froze but before the latter was able to respond, a wave of gasps and cheers roared on, making Adrian walk towards the elevated platform which  served as a stage to pick up a microphone. Turning the button on, he ran his eyes from left to right, before returning his attention to Andrew who then quickly made his way behind the grand piano.

"For old time's sake,  Mr.Andrew," he paused as he acknowledged him also, "and for my wife, Allyza, who is my inspiration behind this work of art."

Allie gave him back a smile as his sweet words made its way into her heart, that she initiated the first claps the moment his deep and beautiful voice broke into the atmosphere. The audience followed through and soon a thunderous round of applause rocked the whole lobby, creating a sense of thrill and excitement in everyone's hearts.

The song he chose was made popular by Barry Mannilow titled, "Somewhere Down The Road". Even before he sang the first line, she knew that the message of the song was aimed to stir an emotion deep within her. It served as a heartfelt reminder that despite everything they went through, she belonged to no one but him alone.

"We had the right love at the wrong time

Guess I always knew inside

I wouldn't have you for a long time

Those dreams of yours are shining on distant shores

And if they're calling you away

I have no right to make you stay."

Allie finds it hard to remain smiling as she tried to manage a pursed smile. Ajie never left her eyes and the message was clear. He wanted her back and regretted those moments he allowed her to slip away.

"But somewhere down the road

Our roads are gonna cross again

It doesn't really matter when

But somewhere down the road

I know that heart of yours will come to see

That you belong to me."

A round of applause erupted again as the crowd felt thrilled as they followed Adrian's eyes. The emotion was so tangible and the love he wanted to reach out to her was all too real. The inauguration was broadcasted worldwide and the rumor of his lovelife had leaked out, making almost everyone around know about his story.

"Sometimes goodbyes are not forever,

It doesn't matter if you're gone

I still believe in us together

I understand more than you think I can

You have to go out on your own

So you can find your way back home."

"Letting go is just another way to say

I'll always love you so

We had the right love at the wrong time

Maybe we've only just begun

Maybe the best is yet to come

'Cause somewhere down the road

Our roads are gonna cross again

It doesn't really matter when

But somewhere down the road

I know that heart of yours will come to see

That you belong with me."

Adrian had long put down his microphone already and the music had faded into the background but the crowd had not extricated themselves yet from their moments of euphoria. Only when he spoke into the microphone, thanking everyone for listening, that the crowd snapped back to the reality.They gave another boisterous round of applause while other shouted, asking for more. As the noise died down, a woman's voice echoed  into the momentary silence of the audience.

"Can mom have more? It's a shame that mom did not know how well her son can sing."

Chuckling, he went back to the stage and picked up the microphone again. Andrew was also quick to select songs for him. They were together in a music band after all for a whole long year so he knew which song fits into a certain occasion.

As the music of the second song flowed in, Mrs. Lopez began to sniff. No one could ever tell how happy she was for having, not just brilliant children, but gifted ones as well just like her. Only that, no one knew about it, even Jane. The life inside her had died down the moment she lost Ajie and so were her hobbies and interest.

The next three hours, somehow, ended like a showdown of their singing talents and another moments of happiness were spelled out for the new family. Not long after that while all of them settled into cups of tea, Allie's phone vibrated. She wondered who could it be, only to feel guilty when Cherry's name appeared on her phone's screen. 

For the whole time Allie arrived home, Cherry never bothered her with any company troubles. And now she was wrapped up with guilt for forgetting about her. How could she go into a cruise while leaving  her burning her midnight candles just to take over the responsibilities she left behind?

"Allie, sorry for disturbing you but Mr.Tan could no longer wait to talk to you," narrated Allie on the other line.

"Mr.Tan?' Allie asked, wondering where she had meet that business man she mentioned.

"He is Rough Seas' big fish. When he knew that you're going on a cruise, he decided he must join as well so that you can have more time to discuss about  partnership."

Alllie was a bit disappointed. There should be no business matters to interfere with them while she was with her whole family but how could she dampen Cherry's spirit?

"Is he already here?" Allie wondered. If so, he could be one of the crowd earlier who gathered around.

"Not yet, he will be joining on your next stop in Japan."

Allie nodded but then something occurred in her mind. "Che, how about coming over for a short vacation?"