To Clarence delight, Beauty opened the door for him and made him relaxed and satisfied. The little boy said, "Sorry, I forgot," as he pa.s.sed by.

Clarence was somewhat taken aback, he was being absurd. It was not purposely done. Why was he overthinking against a child?

Giorgio ran to Beauty's side and held her hand same way Clarence held her yesterday and ran toward his father's side. Clarence was about to react but Beauty raised her hand, "let him be, he's just a child." Then she sent a flying kiss to him of which he acted catching and expressively smooched the imaginary kiss to his lips.

The boy saw their loving gestures and felt dejected. He pouted and let go of her hand. He ran to a room and shut the door. The mother was distressed. She tried to go in to comfort him but the door was locked.

"What happened?" asked Chef Dino.

Rosa answered, "I think he was upset to see Clarence being affectionate with Beauty." The mother saw all from the start.

"Hahahaha, poor boy. I think you are his first crush, Beauty." The father laughed heartily.

"Sorry, he was infatuated with you after you saved him yesterday. He was talking non-stop about you after you left. I don't know what to do to see him like this," said Rosa.

"Hahaha, don't worry, dear, he will outgrow it." Dino was really amused with his son's display of tantrum.

Beauty looked apologetic while Clarence remained silent. He couldn't blame the boy for liking her after saving him.

"Come, let's start. Look at my movements properly when I make the dough. Make sure to observe well.

He gathered some flour on the table and flicked a pinch of salt. He made a well in the middle, cracked two eggs in it, and pour a little oil. He started mixing until it became stiff. He dusted an empty part of the table and kneaded the dough on it until it became smooth and s.h.i.+ny. He let it rest on the table while covered it with a cloth. He filled a soup pot with water, placed the pot on a stove top and started the fire.

He went back to the dough and flattened it using a rolling pin until the thickness desired. He used a half inch wide ruler as a guide to cut evenly each noodle.

"I didn't use the noodle machine for your lesson."

He dusted the noodles with flour and hanged it dry on a rack before the water boiled.

"Why hang them? Why not boil it directly?" asked Beauty.

"This will give a bite to each noodle making it chewy and not soggy."

"Oh, so that's why I had a hard time with my pasta noodles during the contest." She retold what she did and about the bloated fried noodles too. Hearing her mistake the two men and Rosa went into frenzied laughing until they were teary-eyed.

"Hahaha hahaha, you're really amazing. I can imagine how those noodles looked like," said Dino.

She couldn't help it, remembering those funny weird noodles staring at her blew her mind away and laughed with them as well.

"At least, you were successful. What you did was not an easy feat. To experiment during the compet.i.tion is not wise at all, but you did. You're really gutsy." He was slowly wiping his moist eyes and a little chortle was still heard as he spoke.

"Yup, I have a gutsy girlfriend," said Clarence as he kissed her cheek. The little boy who just came out from his room saw the kiss and made him upset again. He went back to the room and locked the door again. Everyone saw this.

"Hohoho, Clarence you're making Giorgio jealous." He never imagined seeing his son like this.

"Stop that. Think of the boy's feelings." Beauty was bothered more.

"I didn't do it on purpose," complained Clarence.

Rosa smiled, "let Clarence be, this will hamper the child's interest on you. The sooner It's stopped the better, so he can go back to being my little Giorgio."

"See?" said Clarence with a big grin on his face. She pitied the kid.

"Okay, it's your turn now. Show me what you've learned."

She followed as much as she could but not with the speed. Nevertheless, Dino continued to guide and encouraged her.

Next, the sauce. Dino showed the simple meatless sauce with fresh tomatoes. He demonstrated how to prepare seedless and skinless tomatoes to puree. He sauteed the onions, garlic, and the tomatoes with olive oil then added meat stock, basil, and others. He let the sauce simmer until its thick enough ready to be served. She tasted it and it was delicious. No meat but superb in flavor.

He taught her some techniques how to serve them. She followed slowly every procedure and Dino was delighted for her diligence and eagerness to learn.

At this moment, Giorgio was silent sitting in a corner of the room. His mind went when Beauty saved him. He saw a small bird flying and wished to catch it. He followed it up to the tree but it flew away. As he was about to disembark, his suspender was tangled on a small branch. He was really scared. He started to cry then suddenly heard a girl's voice softly said, "don't cry, I'll help you."

His hand clutched her arms tightly. The voice and arms made him feel secure and he stopped crying. He just stared at her lovely face as she tried to help him. This girl was her lifeline. From there, he wished to stay with this pretty and kind la.s.s.

While for Beauty, she was busy with the pasta, yet her mind drifted toward Giorgio. She hoped she could comfort or make him understand, and probably gain a younger brother.

After making her own sauce, she asked, "Can I bring some pasta to Giorgio?"

To her delight, the couple allowed her.

She knocked. "Giorgio, this is Beauty, can I come in? I have something for you." She heard a click and the door opened. As she went in, she saw poor Giorgio sitting at the corner while his hands were embracing his legs. It broke her heart.

"Giorgio, will you give me the honor to be the first to taste my first handmade pasta and sauce?" She slowly sat beside him and placed the plate at his feet.

The boy looked at her and to the pasta. "Am really the first to taste this? And not that scary guy with you?"

Laughter started to bubble inside her after hearing 'scary guy' but subdued it down her chest.

"Yes, you're the first who'll taste it. Please eat it now or else it will get cold."

He smiled, "Okay." He bit a little and his eyes lit up. He slurped the pasta with gusto and finished all in one go. "It tastes good. Almost like Papa's but a little bit sweet."

"Don't you like it to be a little sweet?"

"I like it, our helper does this at home."

"I'm happy you like it."

The boy didn't say more, so it was silent for a minute then she remembered the 'scary guy'.

"Giorgio, why do you call Clarence 'scary guy'?"

"Hmm… because after you opened the door, his face was so scary. I think he was angry." He bowed his head and rocked himself back and forth. She almost hugged him seeing him like this, but it could mislead the child's way of thinking, so she held herself in check.

"He's not scary. Actually, he is fun to play and talk. Why not try to talk to him?"

"Will he got mad at me?"

"I don't think so."

"Will he kiss you again?"

"Hmm, why are you asking that?"

"If he can kiss you, can I kiss you, too?" Beauty was uncertain about where this subject would lead, so she was careful.

"Well, can I be your big sister and you'll be my little brother?"

He was contemplating. "If I'll be your little brother can I see you often."

"When I'm not busy, why not?" She gave him an a.s.suring smile. The boy smiled gently without any signs of his earlier agitation.

"Okay, Big Sis." His brilliant smile came back.

She patted her cheek, telling him he can kiss her there.

The boy kissed her cheek and embraced her arm. Both of them sat there peacefully.

Clarence was standing outside, listening silently the whole time, and grateful that she came into his life.

The couple watched and thankful that their son acquired a good big sister. Beauty was now considered part of their family.