"Why didn't you visit me when I was sick?" She was grappling his arm like a wrestler.

"Slowly, slowly, please be careful with my arm. I still need this…" He was about to say 'to hold you' but restrained himself.

She let go. "I never thought our date will end us sick. Let's go out now." She was pouting like a child as he pulled him to sit beside her on the cemented ground.

"We need to ask Clarence first. He might let us go today. I would like to continue our date as well." He spoke as he slowly held her hand hoping she wouldn't let go.

She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled then said, "Let's try to ask him now."

He was so happy to see her so opened to him that he clasped her hand tight without thinking twice and said, "Okay."

… But the two sweetly sat there in that manner like lovers enjoying the morning sun and peacefulness of the day.

. . . . .

"I never thought you would be here. You didn't show up the whole time." John the judge went straight to Clarence and shook hands.

He pointed Beauty as he said, "I didn't go there because of her."

"For her? You…" He looked at Clarence's hand holding her intimately. "Oh, we didn't know. I think you're right."

Beauty felt uncomfortable sensing the judge's eyes observing them both, most of all to whose hand he was holding.

The other judges came and greeted Clarence but felt awkward as they saw he wouldn't let go of her hand while talking to them. Beauty was embarra.s.sed as well. She wanted to pull it away but he was firmly clasping it.

"Rest well, Beauty. Remember tomorrow is the finals," said Liza as the three judges left not for long.

"Beauty, how are you?" Dr. John asked her again as he felt he was invincible ever since he arrived.

"Hi, Doc." As she extended her hand, Clarence pulled it back.

Sheila also felt neglected the whole time and irritated for his overprotectiveness on the other girl, "Clarence, can you introduce us to your friend?"

Clarence looked at the two in silence for a while. "This is Beauty, my girlfriend."

"Hi there, I'm Sheila Hernandez. I'm now one of one of the members of the Philippine Culinary team. Glad to meet you." She specified clearly that her high status against the other.

"Glad to meet you, too," answered Beauty but felt unease for within the polite greetings there was hidden tension that's choked the atmosphere.

"Why are you here?" Clarence asked the doctor as he pulled Beauty to his side.

"Well, I'm the event's doctor on call today so I'm here." The truth, he surely volunteered to be sent for he knew Beauty would be there.

"How was Cathy?" asked Beauty.

"She is fine, just need rest."

"Will you excuse us both? She needs to rest early for the finals. Bye." Clarence had no heart to spend time exchanging false pleasantries with them.

He pulled her right away and left.

When they were nowhere in sight, "You're still into him. Why not date me instead? You're so womanly now compared before," said John while his eyes followed Beauty's back.

"Who wanna date you? Enough, I thought you could help me clean my path but your charm clearly won't work on her." Her disgust was deep to see where he was looking.

"She's so special, that's what draws me to her more." He looked away and sighed. He's now sure he's in love and regretted not pursuing relentlessly.

"Are you going to pursue her?" She looked at the doctor's face and saw his regretful face.

"I want to, but... If I do, still this is not the right time. Excuse me, I better go now. Why won't you accompany Cathy? She is having a depression. Hoping she won't have a nervous breakdown."

At that very moment, Cathy had left the site with Paul Palangka.

. . . . .

Next day, the finals everyone was waiting had finally come.

Clarence went to Beauty's room to personally escort her to the compet.i.tion hall. This time he chose to show up to support her. Before they walked out from her room, he asked, "Please allow me to kiss you this time."

Beauty looked at him seemed pondering.

"Do you need to think about it?" He said softly while holding both of her hands.

She looked up to him again and sweetly smiled then she closed her eyes, waiting for him to move. Seeing her response, his heart was throbbing fast. He wanted to grab her right away and kiss her hard but… he wanted them both to experience this kiss in a memorable way.

He considered this their true first kiss. This was the first time she accepted his kiss without hesitation. This was also the first time he would pa.s.sionately kiss the girl he loved.

He slowly embraced her as he held her head and gently kissed her lips. He moved his lips and caressed hers. He wanted to go deep but didn't do so. He kissed her in such a manner she would feel loved and cherished and not of l.u.s.t.

She stood there opening herself to him. His care and love resonated with her heart. She felt secure in this man's arms. Her hands voluntarily slid to his waist. She was kissed until she felt breathless and her head getting light. As he let her go they both gasped for air. He embraced her closely and said, "I love you."

And for the first time, she replied, "I love you, too."

. . . . .

Sheila pa.s.sed by Clarence's room and knocked at his door, but he was no longer there, so no one answered. She knocked again still hoping he's there but maybe in the bathroom or asleep. Still, no one opened. She left thinking she would come back later.

She headed out to the compet.i.tion hall as a guest judge this time.