"Hi, Zheen! Are you there? I have already talked to Jane and she also suspected that Chloe may have a speech problem. Since she is aiming to be a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, I am sure she could handle Chloe's case very well. She will be evaluating my baby tomorrow at her office. "
It was already 1 am in Istanbul but Allie still couldn't sleep. She was too hurt and bothered by Ajie's plan on marriage annulment as well as his plan to remarry. While her thoughts was on him, a message notification sounded. She hurried to pick it up and her heart instantly skipped a beat in seeing Ajie's name.
"Nice to hear that. The earlier the intervention, the better. " She replied
with a heavy heart as it was rent in so much worry for her daughter.
"Yes. Thank you so much for noticing it. "
"Adrian, why do you need to bring Chloe to Jane's office when you said you are all living with her? "
Ajie smiled inwardly after reading her question. p. "It's because she is very busy. And besides, all her tools are in the office. "
"I see, " was Allie's brief reply.
"Zheena, would you mind if I also ask some things about you? It's been five years of chatting with you and our topics were only mostly about Chloe. "
"Sure. "
"Tell me about yourself. " His request somewhat made Allie's heartbeats go in a wrong direction.
She was a bit confused on what and how much would she reveal about herself. It took her longer to reply but Ajie sent her a follow up question.
"I work as a personnel manager of a shipping company. I also have a daughter but I leave her to my parents because I get a job here in other country.
"Married or single mom? "
"Married but our marriage is already on the rocks. "
"Sad to know that. Would you mind if I ask why? "
Allie held her breath upon realizing that she had gone far in exposing herself.
"Perhaps because of distance and also because he has found someone else. "
"Really? "
"Sadly, yes. "
"Aren't you going home and reconcile with him? "
"I am but it seems he can no longer wait. "
"Do you still love him? Or, is there already someone else? "
Allie's mind went on Hayri and his persistence in courting her. Though her heart broke many times in pity for him but he was not yet her "someone else".
"When I gave my vow, I was thinking of forever. "
Ajie choked when he read this but before he could change the topic, Allie sent him a message.
"What about you and your plan for marriage dissolution? "
"I'll be filing it as soon as possible. "
"What!!!!"
"I'm sorry, Zheen. This may sound cruel of me but I have my reasons to do it. Trust me, this is for the good of both of us. "
Ajie was explaining? What good could he get from it? Freedom from her? Allie felt her heart was pricked with million thorns...
On the other hand, Ajie was thinking about the advantage of doing it as Mr. Lopez suggested. Either she would show up or Louise would think that Allie was really gone, because even he as her husband even gave up in finding her. Somehow, his thoughts went on Jane...
Allie stood up as she felt she couldn't breathe anymore. What would she do? Would she just allow him to be gone forever? As she pondered about it, she came up with an idea.
"Adrian, I need an investor for my business expansion in the Philippines. I am wondering if you might be interested. "Allie held her breath as she waited for his reply.
Business expansion? How come a personnel manager be expanding a business when she was only an employee? Why does she have to work and focus instead on her business?
"Business? "
"Yes. I am the new principal shareholder of Rough Seas Marine Supplies and Equipments. "
"Really? "
"Think about it, Adrian. I will send everything you need to know about the company. "
However, after few minutes, Allie only sent him the details of the company's profile and their financial growth.
"Where's the proposal? " Ajie asked impatiently as it really caught his interest.
"Let's talk about the details personally, Adrian. The company will shoulder all the necessary expenses including your plane tickets and hotel accomodation. "
"Istanbul, Turkey? " Ajie got horrified with the thought of traveling that far, having no interest in business at all.
"Yes, Adrian. Consider it as your short break. " She clasped her hands together, praying that he would consider.
"I'll think about it then. "
___
Early the next morning, Ajie couldn't wait to talk to his most trusted consultant. He picked his phone, scanned his contacts and pressed the call button.
"Adrian..."
"Sir, someone asked me to invest for a business expansion in the Philippines. " Ajie then narrated everything which Allie offered to him.
"That's good for a start up. Grab it, Adrian. All the branches of my company, AJ & J Builders, will surely sign a contract with you. "
"As for the financial aspects, I'll help you on that. "
Ajie was dumbfounded. His intention was to ask for his opinion only but he didn't expect that he would also offer his financial support.
___
Few hours later, Ajie was already knocking in Jane's office with Chloe.
"Come in. " Jane said as she looked up from her desk.
Seeing Chloe holding Ajie's hand, she stood up gracefully with a big smile.
"My baby is so beautiful! Come to auntie. " She said as she bent down and lifted Chloe in her arms.
"Say good morning to auntie. "Ajie demanded as he saw that Chloe remained silent.
"Good morning, auntie. " Chloe gave her a quick glance and looked down shyly afterwards.
"That's so cute of you! " She exclaimed as she pinch her cheek gently and kissed it afterwards.
"Shall we play together? "Jane said excitedly as she reached out a box at a shelf on the corner.
Seeing the pictures on the box, Chloe wriggled and slid down from Jane's arms. She then looked up and reached out for the box.
Jane poured out the contents of the box on the center table. Those were wooden, square blocks which had four equal sides.
"Baby, each block has a letter on it. I want you to arrange it in proper order. "
Without further instructions, Chloe quickly grabbed the blocks and turned it all to display the letters on the top. She then arranged it from the first letter of the alphabet down to letter Z. "
"Wow! My baby is so good..." Jane then brought another set of blocks with numbers in it.
Seeing the box of another set of blocks, Chloe spread out her little arms and reached out for the blocks.
"Do you want to play with this? "
Chloe nodded vigorously.
"What will you say to auntie if you want to play with this? "
Chloe looked at the tray, gave her a swift glance then walked away from her. She then walked towards a shelf of educational toys and touched one of them admiringly.
Jane put down the tray of blocks in her hand and went over to Chloe.
"Baby, do you like that? " Jane asked Chloe as she picked up the box.
Chloe nodded vigorously again.
"Then ask auntie a permission to play with that. "
Chloe glanced up at her again but did not say a word.