"What an improper question? It's only 6 in the morning, he won't be definitely in my room. What made you think he will be here? It's also very early, maybe he's still asleep?"

"Sorry, I don't mean it that way. It's just I'm sure he's not in his room so I thought he'll be with you. He is a person who wakes up easily even with a tiny bit of noise. My knocking should have awakened him if he is still inside. I tried to call him with his phone but he's not picking up. . . ah, never mind, I'll just wait for him to answer my text message."

"OK, just tell me when we'll head out."

. . . . .

As of this hour, Clarence was facing Clyde and Claire in the couple's suite.

"There's a big hubbub in the culinary org chat room. Read it for yourself." Clyde gave the laptop to his son.

"Hmm, this girl is really calling Beauty a social climber. Man, what a headache. This girl is really consuming my patience."

"Do you want me to intervene?" asked Clyde.

"Nope, let me handle this myself. But firstly, the three of us need to transfer to another place. I don't want that girl to try to harm her here or try to eavesdrop on our activities."

"Fine, in case you can't handle it anymore just tell me. We also don't want anyone to bully Beauty." Clyde gave his support and a.s.surance.

"Clarence, are you now both in a relations.h.i.+p? You know what I mean." The concerned mother really wanted to know since yesterday night but never had a chance to ask.

"Not yet, but getting better. We're almost there. Don't worry I'll get your future daughter in law to say Yes to me." He smiled at his mother confidently.

"You better do that. I like her a lot."

He stood up and talked as he slowly went to the door, "but Mom, please restrain yourself from dolling her up again and present her for the world to see. This problem surfaced because of that."

"Sorry, just got carried away. You know I also missed your sisters and they're still hesitant to go out shopping with me," said Claire.

"I better go back. Beauty might be awake now." He closed the door and left.

. . . . .

On the way to Beauty's room, Clarence was holding his anger inside him as he saw that same girl who sneakily took the photo at the hallway.

She was shorter in height compared to Beauty. She had short hair with a face full of makeup and dangling gold earrings. She dressed with a s.e.xy off shoulder white top that exposed her cleavage and a miniskirt that almost showed anything underneath. Her heels were so high as if she was tiptoeing.

"Hi, Clarence, good to see you here again."

"What's good seeing you early in the morning? You really planned this all along. Aren't you tired of hearing my scornful words?"

"Ooh, so hostile right away. This is my family's hotel, I can meet you anytime I like. I can even go to your room at night. I can do what I want here and you can't stop me. Heading your way to your girlfriend's room?"

"Yeah, you're right, so please move aside while I'm still polite."

"Go ahead."

As Clarence was already beside her, she whispered to him, "That girl won't stay by your side for long. I'll expose her true ident.i.ty and shame her."

Clarence stopped while clenching his fist in anger. Without turning his head he said, "since you dare to hurt her, I promise that I will shame you tenfold." His strides were fast and heavy while keeping his anger at bay. He knocked twice as he reached Beauty's room.

The girl almost wanted to run away and cry, but she kept herself firm. Her act was not yet done.

As the door opened, the girl ran at Clarence's side. He pulled his face toward her and was about to kiss his lips as she looked at Beauty. Clarence was not ready for that a.s.sault but his instinct made him pushed the girl away from him before their lips touched. The girl yelped as she hit the wall.

"You! You're really heartless. After taking my virginity you flung me away like a dirty old shoe. Now, you even dare to hurt me after having another girl. You're shameless. You girl, you'll be thrown away like me after he's done with you." After shouting her piece, she ran away as if crying. Her act was done.

He was totally unprepared for this kind of attack. He looked at Beauty anxiously.

Beauty was shocked after hearing those accusing words. Her eyes met Clarence.

"Beauty, don't believe what she said. None of it is true. I swear."

Ronald saw the whole episode. As luck would have it, he saw the girl running away with sobbing sounds but with a s.h.i.+t-eating grin plastered on her face.

"Hey, you! You are a malicious dirty girl. You act as if you can win the Oscars? Shame on you." Ronald shouted as she pa.s.sed his way. The girl didn't stop running as she turned her head at Ronald with a frightened face. She then ran faster knowing she was exposed.

"Beauty, are you okay? Don't believe what that girl said. I saw her smirk. What she did was all an act."

"What? Ah, I'm sorry, I'm confused." The whole incident came out fast. Her mind was fuzzy, still processing what had occurred.

"Let's go in first," said Clarence.

They went into Beauty's room and Ronald hand her a gla.s.s of water. She sat on the bed for a while until she asked. "What really happened?"

"It was all an act. That girl planned this all along. She wanted to make you think that I had s.e.x with her then left her without taking responsibility. I'm not that kind of man and we don't have any relations.h.i.+p at all. The truth is, I can't be careless with girls. A big responsibility has been laid on my shoulders as the only son bringing the name of the family. She thought she got away with it. Good thing Ronald saw everything and exposed her." Clarence explained with care. He was afraid to lose her because of this.

"Okay, got it now. Before I could figure out everything happened, so I was confused.."

Clarence's heart faltered. Her statement was not convincing to him. He knelt with one leg in front of her and held her hand, "Beauty, please look at me. I really didn't do it. Do you believe me?"

At first, she thought this had nothing to do with her. In some manner, his question made her uneasy. There was this unsettling feeling that's bugging her. After much thought, she realized, she wanted a total a.s.surance from this man. She looked back at him then resolutely asked, "you really didn't do it with her, right?"

"Yes, I didn't. I swear."

Her heart almost skipped with joy when he swore. That a.s.surance made her heart light. What bothered her earlier was now totally gone. She wondered why she felt that way. With what she felt inside, her demeanor showed. Beauty sweetly smiled, "I believe and trust you. Please stand up I don't want anyone kneeling in front of me."

Somehow, her curiosity also crept in. She wanted to know Clarence's past.

It seemed this guy had had a lot of girls running after him. Was he really that popular? Did he have a girlfriend before?' She concealed these questions inside. However, she was unwilling to accept that she was inferior to them.

While Beauty was in her thoughts, Clarence was in big smiles, as if a big load was taken off his shoulders.

"Now, Boss, are you letting that girl go easily?" Ronald interrupted feeling uncomfortable being the third wheel. He was also looking for retribution for Beauty's sake.

"Let's get out from this hotel first. I already asked a friend to allow us to stay in his villa. Let's pack up."

The two men worked efficiently. They left then came back with their bags. The clothes Claire bought for her were packed properly then Ronald carried her stuff.

"I'll carry them," insisted Beauty. No one complied. Clarence took her hand and brought her out. They left the hotel without saying a word.