I'm Guilty, My Beauty[COMPLETED]

"But I'm not here to joke around with you or talk about my charm. I'm here for a business proposition that you can't say no."

"Oh, really? Bring it on, I'm all ears," dared Ralph.

"I'm here for my company's advertisement purposes, but I have a condition before I proceed."

"If you want to advertise, then just go to the ads section offices, not mine. I'm for news articles only."

"Oh? But I want you to print an article with my 200K worth of ads."

"What? Are you playing with me? That's quite big, and we're just a local newspaper. Why here?" He was totally unprepared to hear that big amount of money that he became discomposed.

"Are you trying to send me to another newspaper? You don't want to get the commission with my collaboration? Are you interested or not?" Clyde said with a domineering voice.

Ralph got silent for a while. "Hmm, well, for you to come here personally when others can do that for you, there should be a catch, right?"

"Exactly, I want you to print this whole article."

Clyde's staff, who was with him, placed a folder on the table. Ralph opened it and saw a complete article with a stack of photos inside. Peering at the name of the writer, he was stupefied. The name was Ronald Kidlat.

"What does this got to do with this guy Ronald? Why do you want me to print his article when he's no longer working here?"

"I only like his article. Since we were one of the major sponsors of that event, I want our ads to surround this article. Print with the photos as well. Of course, that one-page article with ads won't be enough for a 200K pay, so continue my ads for the coming days until consumed."

"Hmm, you're so tricky. I don't know what happened, but you're pushing me away from getting my good headline on the spot."

"I don't know about your good headline, but you won't miss my 200K, right? How much commission will you get for that said headline compared to my offer?" Who can resist it when this man gave propositions?

"Fine, you're really covering up for the sabotage that happened there. Why?"

"What small issue is comparable to my proposal?"

"Okay, you got what you want. Hey, did you pay Ronald in exchange for his silence, too?"

"Mister Ronald Kidlat has nothing to do with anything. As I've said, I just like his article. Okay, to whom shall I give this check?" He placed the check on the table to put an end to this man's queries. He was really a seasoned newspaper reporter and writer that Clyde would be on guard.

"Jane, bring me an ads section personnel and the financial department man Luis," shouted Ralph to his secretary. "By the way, bring us some coffee here."

. . . . .

In the hotel lobby ...

The moon went up the dark night sky, and Clarence was pacing back and forth at the hotel lobby with a worried look on his face.

"Why are you worrying? Your Mom and Beauty will be fine," said Ronald.

"I'm not concerned about my mother. It's Beauty I'm only worried about." The couch sank in when he heavily sat on it.

"Why are you more worried about her than your Mom?"

"Mom always has the tendency to doll up her daughters. She might be doing the same thing with her."

"What's wrong with dolling up? ... I got it. Oh, I'm anticipating how she looks right now." Ronald was totally unfazed while curious and excited about the arrival of the two.

"If possible, my sisters avoided going out with her. They preferred Dad than Mom since she would most likely do the unthinkable. They would go to a lot of stores and made them try a lot of outfits until they complained. As if she was playing dress-up doll. That's what they said."

Suddenly, their BMW came to view at the entrance. Claire came down first before calling Beauty who seemed hesitant to move. Clarence ran straight to the entrance, troubled by why she would not come out, and then he saw her slowly walk out from the car.

She was wearing a red retro off-shoulder dress with a knee-length wide skirt. The upper part was tight that molded her upper body well. Her hair was arranged in a trendy ponytail. This ponytail was bound on the head with loosened curls. In the middle, a knot was formed using the hair itself. The hairstyle and dress showcased her beautiful eyes, high cheekbones, and her eye-catching collarbones. She was wearing a pair of high-heeled red shoes. In other words, she was transformed into a delicate woman.

Everyone in the lobby was in awe of this new Beauty. Somehow, the worst was Clarence. He just stared with wide eyes and mouth agape upon seeing this alluring woman, his Beauty, walking toward him. However, his daze was stunted when he saw her difficulty, and so he extended his hand to help her walk properly. The hand was accepted as a lifesaver. Evidently, she was not used to this kind of outfit, above all, the high heels.

Claire smilingly remained silent as she watched this beautiful scene in front of her. While her son gave his hand, his eyes looked tenderly at Beauty who dropped her head shyly as she avoided his eyes.

"Well, let's go in now. Boy, send all our bags to Suite Cattleya." Claire broke the spell and gave instructions to the bell boy. She walked ahead of the two and didn't even wait for them at the elevator. She left right away, giving them space for themselves.

"Thanks, I'm not used to this outfit, and these shoes are so high. I had no choice; Mommy Claire insisted for me to wear this." Beauty was trying to cover her embarrassment and awkwardness by explaining in a hushed tone near Clarence's ear.

"Don't worry, no one noticed. You're in fact so beautiful." His words were spoken softly with their hands intertwined that all onlookers would think they were lovers saying sweet nothings to each other as they walked toward the elevator.

As they stood in the elevator facing the door which was about to close, a camera flash caught their eyes. A teenage girl took a picture before abruptly running away.