Love My Foe (Completed)

16 - Rival but Ally

For several days Celestine and AJ settles to communicate via viber and video chat only.  AJ continue to help her at work as much as he can.  For several years that he has been helping her at work, he sees her improvement when it comes to proposal review and decision making.  Often times now, he only has very minimal and minor comments on her review. All he has to do is build her confidence level on her decisions.

He is very happy that he is part of Celestine’s journey for FCC Presidency position.  If that dream of her happens he will be the happiest.  He has seen how dependent she was before.  Perhaps that was one of the reasons why she had a hard time coping up on her break-up with Jericho. 

While checking on the work his girlfriend has sent him, AJ recalls how he continued stalking at Celestine even when they graduated from college.  He makes sure to know even a single detail about her from time to time. And that was the reason why his interest in motocross soars high. He thought Celestine will lie-low in that sport once she begins working but to his surprise she became more active and often joins the competitions.  

She was still in a relationship with Jericho when he got the guts to formally introduce himself to her in one of the motocross competition.   Until now he believed that destiny was on his side that time because her coach was in the same group as his.  In one event they competed as on team and they had no other choice but to create rapport between each other.        

“Since when did you start this sport?” Celestine asked AJ to break the ice while they were waiting for their respective coaches.

“Just recently. How about you, when did you start motocross riding?” AJ asked as if he does not know that little detail of Celestine.

“Matagal na rin. My Mom was a motocross rider and I get the inspiration from her.  Bata pa lang ako exposed na ako sa ganitong sport kahit ayaw ng Daddy ko.” Celestine replied.  “Ikaw what made you decide to be a motocross rider?” She asked.

“Well, there’s this girl that I like so much who is into this sport.  I guess sya ang influence ko sa sport na ‘to.” AJ said.

“Wow ang sweet mo naman.” Celestine commented and AJ just smiled at her as a reply.  “AJ, right?” she then asked.

“Yes.” AJ replied.

“Pasensya ka na kung hindi ko natandaan ang name mo nung ipinakilala ka ni coach sa akin.” Celestine apologized.

“It’s alright, Celestine.” AJ replied.

“Nakakahiya lalo na natatandaan mo ang name ko while nakalimutan ko.” Celestine said.

“Hindi mo naman nakalimutan, tama ka naman na AJ ang name ko.  Hindi ka nga lang sigurado.” AJ said.

“Hayaan mo, next time hindi ko na makakalimutan.” Celestine said.  “Alam mo you look familiar, have we met before our coaches introduced us to each other?” she asked and AJ shook his head.

“That was our first encounter.” AJ briefly replied.

“I see.” Celestine said.  “Alam mo ba, halos kapareho mo ng pangalan ang daddy ko.  Sya kasi RJ ang name nya while ikaw naman AJ.  Don’t tell me junior ka din ng daddy mo, just like my dad.” She further uttered.

“Andrew M. Garcia, Jr.” AJ said and extended his hand for a hand shake.

“Celestine M. Faulkerson.” Celestine replied and accepted the hand shake.  “Wait a minute, that name rings a bell.  Are you related to Andrew Garcia of EGCC?” She asked.