Chapter 102 - Amor Omnia Vincit

While Allie still stared at the screen in great awe and surprise, the scene was changed into the great numbers of spectators standing by the shore and one of them was Hayri and Mr. Gregorio. Men in navy blue uniforms, whom she instanly recognized as the team of naval architects and marine engineers of Rina DK Builders, were then zoomed one by one in seconds. Then, the beautiful white -and -navy-blue cruise ship was then focused, displaying its vibrant, multicolored ribbons cascading beautifully from the top of its stern and bow. Flags and spirals of ribbons were also deftly decorated through the strings attached from the funnel to the top of the navigation board. From there, it also extended towards the forecastle area.

The next scene moved on and a woman was seen cutting a ribbon. Then, with a bottle of champagne in her hand, she smashed it hardly against the bow. As soon as the bottle hit the masthead, the deafening sound of the drums rhytmically played, filled the atmosphere. A solemn instrumental music then floated into the air and the sound of the drums faded into the background. The voice of the master of the ceremony was then heard, proclaiming her lovely name.

"Amor Omnia Vincit", which means, love conquers all. Everyone around understood that even the name spoke of his love and gratitude for Allie. Because of her, he was able to conquer his fierce battle against himself.

Hayri then hugged her from the back, his hands were clasped in her abdomen while his chin rested in her shoulder as the video shifted into another scene. The ship was then seen moving through an inclined slipway and in the next moment, it slid into water. A long round of applause then thundered into the hall as everyone around also stood up, blending their squeals of joy with the crowd in the screen.

Allie also applauded tearfully, being overwhelmed by that great surprise. When that explosive round of applause finally died down, she turned to Hayri and thanked him with a tight hug. The crowd applauded again, this time to cheer them on.

During that two days that Hayri was away and Allie was with Adrian, it was the day that the ceremonial launching of the ship took place. He had it constructed in one of their shipyards in the USA, close to one of their shipping line's offices. He already planned to give it as a surprise as soon as he and Allie finalized the specific details of the concept of her first design.

He was supposed to let Allie witness it but then he changed his mind. After the launching, there would still be sea trials , registration and validation processes from the classification society and some other permits before the ship could make her maiden voyage towards her home port in Cebu, Philippines. He had already estimated it that by the time Amor Omnia Vincit would be cleared to sail off towards home, it would be shortly before their graduation. And he could present it as his surprise gift to Allie.

Instead of making their shipyard in Tuzla as the home of Rina DK Builders, he decided to develop one of their neglected shipyards in Cebu for that new name. He knew that Zheena's heart would always belong to her homeplace and that one of these days, she would be going home. Besides, the main office of Gretel's Shipping Lines, Inc. was also in Cebu, so they would literally be going home after their graduation.

Six years had already been long enough to bury his painful past and it was already time to start anew in his own home. And if Zheena would finally accept him, he could propose her a marriage and they would live together in the house he prepared for her.

He, himself, was overwhelmed that all the necessary preparations were carried out smoothly and that he and Zheena could be together in their dream vessel's maiden voyage.

The moment they would arrive in their home port, a great celebration awaited. He would hold a blessing an inauguration which would be attended by his father. True to his words, he decided to become a state witness, not only to be acquitted, but in order to end off the long battle of court hearings with misleading evidences and misrepresentations.

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Allie took one last look with a heavy heart around her comfortable office home for almost six years. The walls had been the witnesses of her sorrows and moments of despair.It had also been the sanctuary of her deepest pleadings for God to guide her along the way, most especially, in her efforts to help Hayri. It had been the home to her dreams of achieving higher education and become one of the world"s most outstanding woman. It had also her school to become her best in culinary arts with Hayri as her great supporter.

Hayri, then, came up to fetch her after he arranged all their luggages in the car. Seeing that she was crying, he understood that it must be because of the many memories they both held together. He bent down to kiss her forehead before placing an arm around her shoulders as they went down to the waiting car which would take them towards the airport.

Few hours afterwards, she found herself gazing at the beautiful masterpiece before her, swaying gracefully in her grandeur. As the world's second largest cruise ship, it excelled in luxury and technological innovations.

Her tears fell down again as she climbed up with Hayri, headed by half of the rows of crew in their uniforms while the rest followed, escorting them towards their cabins.

Her tears, were not only tears of happiness , but also of grief. She finally made up her mind. The moment they would reach home, she would finally reveal herself to Hayri. She would now face her greatest fear and end up her agony.

It was more than enough that for a short time, she had shared beautiful moments with Ajie. It was more than enough that her desires were granted, Hayri had become what she wanted him to be. And it was more than enough that she had seen the fruits of her labor and had seen the rewards of her success.

She may be terribly hated but was also greatly loved.. She was now ready to accept her fate and was already ready to die.