I'm Guilty, My Beauty[COMPLETED]

"Eh? Oh, my, I forgot to ask Clarence to let me go home first," Beauty exclaimed in realization.

"Hi, Beauty." The doctor decided to make his presence known.

"Oh, hi, Doctor John. How are you?" Beauty was a little shocked to see him there without her 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 a position; it's kind of awkward to call you informally." Beauty was now on guard with him, knowing his grandmother's aim was to ship them together.

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

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

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

"And who might these three be?"

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

"Can I be added as the fourth young man?" Unlike what he first planned, he did not try to sit next to her 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, I didn'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, 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 anymore, which was a plus for him.

"Beauty, aren't you feeling cold?" Clarence walked into the scene with an overcoat 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 give him their things, got embarrassed with the gentlemanly gesture 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's.

"Beauty, let's have dinner now; I prepared your favorite." The boss tried reeling her in, further from the doctor.

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

"When you're 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." The boss stopped him from advancing. "You said it to your grandma yourself: 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 she was 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?" He kept a smile, liking the valid separation.

"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." He urged some more. "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 tell them that you work for me."

"Why is that?" The girl was starting to catch up with something he thought she shouldn't.

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

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

The boss was struggling: should he tell her about the old woman's plan and 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.

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

"Yeah, partly. It's something I understand ... and don't understand."

"What do you understand and do not?"

Beauty was apprehensive to say what was in her mind, but she 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. Based on what I know, he's never been serious with any girl he dated. Do you want to be with that kind of man?"

"No, I don't. Are you using my excuse of 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!" Beauty made a gentle protest. "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 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." Clarence relaxed a little. "Let's pack up later. Let's go there now."