The Competitor Is A Woman

When Mr. Lopez didn't hear a reply from the other line anymore, he suspected that Ajie was being astounded with the news. He, perhaps, did not expect that someone else would share his glory. Although Ajie was never a greedy person, he could still feel frustrated. After all, he had always wanted to gain the reputation as the builder of the world's largest and most beautiful ship. Not may be forever, but for a certain span of time.

All the ship builders had an association and it was impossible for him not to know about any progress a ship building company would have. Yet, this Rina DK Builders, Inc. was silently creating their masterpiece which shocked the whole marine insdustry. To top it all, the CEO was Louise himself, which for him was too unbelievable, having known him personally from his childhood. Though he garnered myriad of awards in school, he thought these would all be in vain since his anger and revenge would destroy it all.

Just yesterday, as he visited Mr. Dioko in jail, Mr. Gregorio was there.It was when he got the full length of the story. Mr. Gregorio happily announced that the shipyard which just used to be a side business of the main Gretel Shipping Line, had independently separated and ventured on building marine vessels.

Mr. Dioko was in tears when Mr. Gregorio narrated everything, including his success in the completion of his business degree. He also relayed his plans in taking over the management of Gretel Shipping Lines as well as in carrying out their goal to produce a fleet of luxurious superyachts and military warships.

At the mention of Louise's plan to take over their main business, Mr. Dioko broke into a sob. Who would ever thought that his son, who was spoiled and overly - protected, could handle such downfall and loss! He didn't expect that he would be highly motivated to such length despite his absence. At that moment, he felt he was the proudest and the most accomplished father in the whole world. No one else, except a father, would understand just how deep was his joy and sense of fulfillment. He felt he was already ready to die, seeing that his son could now independently support himself.

"All because of a woman, Dioko boy."

Mr. Gregorio gave them both a wide grin as he encircled an arm around Mr. Dioko to comfort him.

"You mean my prince is in love? "He said as he sniffed in between his sobs.

"Definitely. And with the woman who motivates and inspires him. "

"Arrange them the marriage as soon as possible. I cannot afford to lose this woman over his delay in proposing to her. Too many things can happen in a day."

"She's the woman whom you granted a scholarship. And true to her words, it was she who drafted the design of our first vessel. The irony of it was that she seemed to have discarded that design as she is focusing more on building superyachts. But your son stole it and had it built secretly in a place she didn't know until now."

"When is the ceremonial launching? "

Mr. Dioko stopped crying and his face glowed in happiness.

"During their graduation. It would be your son's gift as a tribute to the woman who inspires him to become what and who he is now. "

Mr. Dioko cried again. "It's so sad that I cannot be there for them. "

Mr. Gregorio became teary - eyed as well. "Cheer up, Dioko boy! Her maiden voyage will be from Turkey to the Philippines. "

Mr. Dioko then turned to Mr. Lopez after some moments of silence.

"Angelo, the only way I can be in the vessel's inauguration is to push through with my plan. "

Mr. Lopez drew his brows together and gazed at him.

"What plan? "

"To be a state witness. I would not only be acquitted but I will also be granted with the law's security and protection program."

___

Ajie got lost in his thoughts as he stared on the page of the magazine. If Louise was now occupied in his business, perhaps, he had already stopped on his hunting for Allie. And the best way to let Allie come out from her shell was to push through with the plan. And besides, the launching of both of their creation would surely brought him and Louise together. His marriage annulment plan would then be exposed and that would give Louise the conclusion that Allie's appearance was already hopeless. In that way, Allie could safely return without being tracked down. If only she would show up again, he would be the one to hide her and keep her safe. Their daughter needed a mother and he needed a wife.

A ring from his phone broke him away from his train of thoughts. It was Mr. Dioko.

"Son, I forgot to tell you that your competitor is a woman whom Louise adores... " He then told him the whole story he got from Mr. Gregorio.

Ajie suddenly felt uneasy at the mention of ' a woman that Louise adored'. He didn't understand but there was an ill feeling inside him which he couldn't explain. Perhaps because, he could not accept that his competitor, the one who could possibly thwart the realization of his dreams, was no other than a woman.

Poking and twirling his fork on the cheesecake absentmindedly, he was abruptly brought to the reality when he unintentionally noticed that the cheesecake was crushed into tiny pieces! He recalled that it was supposedly Chloe's share so he also remembered that this moment was supposedly for her alone. He stood up with a sense of guilt for having allowed other things to steal his time for her.

He stood up and walked towards the direction of the playroom. He opened it slowly and saw Chloe walking through a maze. Being unnoticed or perhaps Jane just pretended that she did not notice him, he sat down silently in a chair near the door.

Next, he saw that Jane was opening up a video. It was a fire scene where a firetruck was seen coming over to a burning house.

"Baby, what's the video all about? "

Chloe, who was now feeling comfortable with Jane, pointed a finger on the video while jumping up in place excitedly.

"Auntie, firetruck! "

"What's the firetruck aiming to do? "

"Fire! Fire! "

"Do you mean that the firemen are going to stop the fire? "

"Yeah! "

"How are they going to do it? "

"Like that, like that! "Chloe clasped her hands together and moved it up and down, acting out the way a fireman put out a fire with a hose.

Jane smiled tenderly at Chloe and then she stretched out her arms to hug her. Chloe also ran towards her and wrapped her short arms around her waist.

"Because you are very good, auntie is going to reward you with a cheesecake! " She said excitedly as she held Chloe's hand towards the door.

She pretended to look surprised to see Ajie by the door, watching them intently with those lazy eyes of his.

"I'm done with my assessment. Let's talk. "