"Hi, Beauty."

"Oh hi, Doctor John. How are you?" Beauty was a little shocked to see him there without noticing.

"Why so polite? I'm your friend, am I not? I'm still young as well, just turned 25 last month. Please, call me John."

"Well, you're a person with position, kind of awkward to call you informally." Beauty was now on guard with him knowing his grandmother's aim, s.h.i.+pping them both.

"Beauty, are you afraid of me? Or to be accurate, avoiding me?" He slowly moved nearer to her and about to sit beside her.

Beauty suddenly stood up but a hand pulled her back to the bench. "Beauty, you're really avoiding me. Why? Have I done wrong?"

"No, you didn't. It's just I really felt awkward being alone with you. I hardly had any young male friend. To be exact, only three."

"And who might these three be?"

"Clarence, Ronald, and my gym instructor Lionel. Only them."

"Can I be added and become the fourth young man?" He did not try to sit very close to her, of which was his first plan, after knowing Beauty was extremely conservative.

"Hmm, I'll try."

"Haha, only try? Am I really not that approachable?" He couldn't believe this girl didn't find him attractive at all.

"Sorry, don't mean it that way. Let's change the topic."

John was really entertained by her replies. She was the first lady who was not charmed by him. Yet, he really enjoyed her company. Most girls he approached usually blushed or asked his phone number or even flirt with him. Some even dared to ask him to go to a hotel. This was a totally new experience for this playboy doctor.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about his job in the hospital. From here, he understood Beauty was a curious little cat. She asked a lot of questions.

"Why do you like doing surgery?"

"Have you seen a parasite when you open a man's intestines?"

"Was it gross seeing the innards of a man?"

"What happened if you leave a pair of forceps inside and you already closed it?"

"Why a surgical doctor? How about a pediatrician instead?"

John laughed a lot with her weird questions. Nevertheless, she didn't avoid him any more of which was a plus for him.

"Beauty, aren't you feeling cold?" Clarence came on the scene with an overcoat of which he placed on her shoulder.

"Thanks for bringing one. I really feel slightly cold. Whose overcoat is this?"

"Mine, just return it later."

"Sorry, I didn't realize... I could have given you mine." The man who usually had girls gave him their things got embarra.s.sed with the gentleman-like manner Clarence showed.

"No problem. I really don't mind."

Deep inside, Clarence was in cloud nine getting a positive score against this possible rival. In contrast, his face just remained unperturbed as if bringing a coat to a lady was just normal like eating and drinking.

On the other side, John felt being challenged. Beyond the girl's knowledge, the two young men's eyes were sending sparks against each other.

"Beauty, let's have dinner now, I prepared your favorite."

"Really? So considerate of you. Next time, I'll cook."

"When your cooking, please invite me. I really like the dishes you made on Grandpa's birthday." John would not want to be set aside.

"Those are tiring to make. You said it yourself to your grandma that Beauty must rest. Let the kitchen staff do that for you." Clarence held the girl's hand beckoning her to go with him to the house.

John feeling deprived challenged the other man. "Clarence, I'll be the winner in the end. Don't worry, I'll make sure she's happy. I mean it seriously."

"Don't bother. I have always been serious. I won't give you a chance."

Beauty listened to their ambiguous talks. She tried to guess that the 'she' was her but ashamed to ask. Thus, she remained silent.

. . . . .

After dinner.

"Clarence, I forgot to tell you that I need to go home. I mean to be with my parents. I didn't inform them that I'll be going to work with you. Oh my, I should send them an email tonight."

This was the opportunity Clarence wanted. The best alibi to leave that place with Beauty for good.

"When do you want to go?"

"As soon as possible. I'm totally okay now. How about tomorrow?"

"I'm fine with it. Let's go to the villa tonight to say your goodbyes to everyone. Most of all, Leonard's grandparents. Also, make sure to tell them that you would be staying at your house from now on. Don't mention about your work with me."

"Why is that?"

"Beauty, do you still want to stay here?"

"It's not about want or not but they've been so kind and even offered to help me. As if I'm returning their kindness with rudeness. I don't want a fall out with Grandma Julianne."

Clarence was struggling if he would tell her about the old woman's plan and of what kind of man John was.

"Clarence, please be honest with me. Is there something I need to know?" She looked at him with curious eyes.

Clarence sighed then spoke, "Beauty, I think you understand what Grandma Julianne is doing and of what John meant earlier. Am I right?"

"Yeah, partly understand and don't understand."

"What you understand and don't?"

Beauty was apprehensive to say what was in her mind but decided to say it anyway. She was fiddling her fingers and avoiding his eyes as she spoke softly, "Is Doc John interested in me? And. . . you know that? And. . . you want me to be far away from him?"

"Yes, he is but I don't know if he's serious. Base on what I know he's never been serious with any girls he dated. Do you want to be with that kind of man?"

"No, I don't. Are you using my going home as a way to leave this place?"

"Yes, unless you want to stay and be with John."

"No, no, no. It's not that. It's just I don't want to make Grandma Julianne and Grandpa George feel bad. I feel like I let them down by not keeping my word."

"Exactly that's the reason why you must tell them you will be going home and be staying there from now on. They won't feel bad about that."

"Really?... Okay, if that's the only way."

"So it's settled. Let's pack up later. Let's go there now."