"Beauty, are you OK?" asked Clarence after she saw her melancholy face.

"I'm fine, I'll just gonna miss that place. Most of all, Grand Daddy and Grand Mommy."

"I understand. They're such wonderful couple. I'll miss them too. Don't worry you can visit again in the future."

"Yeah, don't be sad. The two of us are here with you. You'll miss us too when we separate ways in the future," added Ronald with a sardonic tone.

"Are you consoling her or making her worst?" glared Clarence.

"Just stating the facts." Ronald was disgruntled and annoyed during the previous days until the present, Clarence was taking all of Beauty's time. The fact was he had not realized his true feelings for her, but apparently revealing externally. He left the two by themselves uncertain on what made him acted this way.

"Hey, I've been thinking for quite some time now. I knew someone online but haven't seen him personally. I've always wanted to ask you if you know him."

"Beauty, why won't you call me by my name? Why do you keep on calling me as 'hey'? You already called me with my given name once, now you won't again. Please, just call me Clarence."

"Ha? Am I really doing that? Just only once? Didn't notice at all. Okay, Clarence."

"That's better. So who are you referring earlier?" The young man was now elated with Beauty calling his name while also felt conflicted. If Your Romeo was the person, then would he say yes or find an excuse?

Somehow, Beauty felt unsure if she would ask about Your Romeo. It was only an a.s.sumed name. There was a big possibility that Clarence had not known a person who was using that alias.

"Hmm, never mind." She decided to save the question for later when there was the certainty.

"There was also another thing on my mind." She looked at him straight eye to eye. "Do you like me?" She asked frankly.

Clarence was taken aback. He never expected Beauty's straightforwardness.

He took the challenge head-on. "Yes"

"Whoa, never expected that answer." Beauty started to get shy. She was speculating base on his actions, at the same time, testing him. Never thought the other would not let her off easily.

"What did you expect to hear? Beauty, I really like you. You're such an amazing woman and live up to your name... I don't expect your answer for now. I'm willing to wait."

Sadly, silence and avoidance became his companion. Uncertainty crept into his heart.

"Beauty, please don't avoid me now you know my feelings. Please don't hide or run away from me. Just talk to me like you usually do. Also, even though we've newly known each other doesn't mean what I'm feeling now is wrong. You are what your name says, a beauty in and out. A man would be a fool not to like you."

Hearing his begging tone and knowing her foolishness for asking, she sighed deeply. "Okay, at least you're honest with me, but I can't give you a reply for now..."

His face suddenly turned ghastly. He felt pain as if he's been hit straight to his heart. Directly hit by the word 'honest.' He couldn't hear the rest of her words anymore.

"Did I say something wrong? Are you not feeling well?" inquired Beauty while looking at his pained face.

"No, I'm fine, just a headache."

"Was my answer the cause?" Beauty asked with a troubled face.

"No, no, I have a headache for not having enough sleep. I have to plan our destination and course of action in the coming days. You didn't do anything wrong."

"That's good then. Here, a medicine for a headache then rest."

"Thanks." He had no headache, but he still drank the medicine out of guilt.

After drinking, he looked at her again and saw her concerned face. Though he felt bad, he was partly glad to feel her care for him.

How was he going to tell her the truth now? He might hurt her more, thought Clarence.

One mistake plus another mistake equals regret. He just realized his blunder. He should have told her he's Your Romeo from the start. He wouldn't be in this disgraceful predicament if he said the truth. He must stop these lies.

. . . . . .

While the two were talking, Ronald went to an empty long bench near the boat's railings. He tried to sleep using his backpack as a pillow. Later, he sat back.

His mind was a mess. Why was he irritated? Instead of consoling her, he acted stupidly. It was so frustrating. He already knew he came for her. His parents might have approved of this. But why was he angry every time she was beside him? He admired her but that's that. He's really confused.

He decided to better stop this nonsense. There's still work waiting for him. He set his mind to focus on what he should be doing. He positioned himself in a lotus form. He closed his eyes and tried to imitate a person meditating.

"I already got the pay, I must work hard. There will be higher pay in the future. Clarence is my boss and Beauty is our partner. Ronald, focus on work." His mind spoke these words multiple times like a mantra.

"I must work hard. Save money to buy a new house for Mama and Papa. Build a house for my future wife..." Instantly, Beauty's face came to his mind. He opened his eyes wide.

What happened? Why her of all the girls he knew? Had he been angry for he was jealous? Did he have any special feelings for her? In other words, he liked her. His power of deduction was really slow. It took him time to be aware of his feelings.

His inner thoughts were in turmoil. No, no, no, totally NO. He must stop this. She has Clarence. He couldn't measure to that guy. He thought his face might be better than him... probably... but he had money, prestige, and family background. He was his boss, too. He must stop this feeling now or he might lose his job because of this.

Another set of mantra came to his mind. "I'm poor now but I'll get rich. I will work hard and find a good wi..."

He now saw his longing. His inner desire. It seemed he was thinking too much about getting a wife. Probably he was desperate to get married. He's 26 now and no girlfriend yet. Maybe, that's the reason then he must find a girlfriend . . . Beauty's face surfaced in his head again . . . No, not her again. He thought of asking Boss Clarence to introduce him to other girls. That guy knew a lot of nice and beautiful girls.

Suddenly, Clarence sat beside him. "Ronald, why are you sitting that way? Are you meditating?"

"Boss, can you introduce me to girls you know? I need a girlfriend."