Beauty nodded with a smile.

"Good, that's wonderful news." She embraced and kissed her daughter's forehead, "Happy for you."

Clarence came in the scene. Beauty saw him and grabbed his hand as they walked into the restaurant's mini-clinic. There she checked his wound. "What happened? Why is this in bandaged?" Her eyes squinted while asking.

His mouth curved upward and looked straight into her eyes, "It's not what you think it is. It's only my knuckles that were heavily bruised. See?" He showed his swollen knuckles which had traces of blood on it. "Actually, it's your fault. You still don't wanna talk to me. I was angry to myself and punched the wall for release." He pushed a finger to her nose. She cringed a bit with his touch.

Clarence was silently waiting for her to say something but she started to cry again.

"Why are you a crybaby nowadays?"

"Sorry for being a crybaby. I can't bear to see you like this." She lowered her head avoiding his eyes.

He wiped her tears using his sleeves and said softly, "Then don't give me a silent war next time. Rant, get angry, but I really can't help it if you're silent the whole time."

"It's your fault," she pouted and snubbed.

"Aye, I know. Never mind let's prepare for the opening." He covered his bruises with a new set of bandages.

She helped him with what he's doing. "I hope she's okay now, never thought he was her father."

"Me too. I hope she would stop pestering me."

"I think she found what she was looking."

"What would that be? That she was looking for I mean." He leaned closer to her.

She moved away a little and replied, "Family, love, and attention."

"I hope so. How 'bout you? Oh, what was the thing you're about to say when we were in your office?" He cupped her face with his hands.

"Oh, that, never mind." She brushed his hands away and giggled as she tried to escape.

"Hey, that's unfair. Don't leave me hanging." He pulled her hand and brought her to his office this time.

He pinned her on the wall. "Now, you can't escape. Tell me now, I'm all ears."

"Fine, let me move first." She tried to push him, but he moved his body closer to her. The tips of their noses almost touched each other.

"No, unless you say it first."

"Okay, nothing special, just being sad that you're hurt." She tried to resist his hold.

"No, no, I feel it in my bones that you're lying." He held her tighter this time.

"Grrr, you're really persistent. Okay, I…" She was shy to continue. "I was about to say that I'm sad that your hand was hurt and that…" She averted his eyes and looked down.

"And that what? Say it. I won't budge unless you say it." He whispered and his breathing was tickling her ears. He was so near, almost kissing her. Her ears and neck started to get red. Both of their hearts were pounding fast. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.

She expressed in a soft voice, "and that… I forgive you. Thank you for loving me… I love you too…"

Before she could say more, Clarence moved her lips toward his and kissed her deeply. The room was silent as he pa.s.sionately kissed her.

At the dining hall, the people were waiting.

"Where are they, Clarence and Beauty?" asked Bella to Rodney.

"They were here 30 minutes ago. I don't know where they went."

"We better find them. It's almost time for the ribbon cutting."

Back inside the office. Clarence let her sit on a chair. He took two objects from his cabinet: a small felt box and a beautiful circular clear gla.s.s plaque, there inlaid:

______________

Clarence S. Peres

Champion

National Open Culinary Compet.i.tion 20XX.

______________

She sat there with her heart racing again with great expectations. She seemed to understand what he was about to do. She couldn't hold back her tears of joy that were beginning to fall.

He knelt with one knee, held the plaque and he opened the box, there a diamond ring stood in the middle. He offered the two objects to her, and said, "Beauty, will you marry me?"

Then the door opened, Rodney came in followed by Bella.

"They're here..." Rodney's eyes went round. Never expected to see Clarence kneeling and proposing to his only daughter that's happening at this very moment. Bella peered at his shoulder and was dumbfounded to see the unexpected scene inside. Both Clarence and Beauty were shocked by the unannounced entrance as they looked at her parents rooted at the door.

"Hey, what happened? Why are you not moving in?" Clyde asked as he and Claire tried to know what's happening inside.