I'm Guilty, My Beauty[COMPLETED]

Life was full of unpredictable events.

Clarence and Beauty, in their new-found relationship, were happily on their way to his friend's resort north of Cebu, Vista Resort Hotel. Of course, the tag-along Ronald was also with them. This trip, which was hastily inserted to spoil John's attempts, became a celebration for the starting point of their love.

Along the highway, as the traffic light turned red, Clarence spotted Bernard who was driving a Fortuner. He drove nearer and stopped by it. He pushed a button, rolling the glass of the side window down; and he knocked on the other's window.

"Bernard, busy?" greeted Clarence.

"Oh, hi. Just fetched someone from the airport. Guess who?" Bernard spoke after opening his own window.

"Huh? Who is it?"

"Look at the back." He even jerked his head to direct the friend's gaze.

Clarence's head turned to look who was sitting behind Bernard, there he saw Sheila.

"Hi, Clarence. Long time no see?" Her smile was breathtaking. She became a pretty, matured lady in his eyes. This girl once throbbed his heart and thought she was the one, but it was only his own belief all along.

"Hi, heard you were away. Good to see you back." He casually greeted her. The dashing smile he had for her was now gone. Sheila felt distraught.

"Yeah, I'm back. Hope we can have some time together? Or how about dinner tonight to catch up with each other?" She offered, still trying to bring back the lost love.

"Sorry, not available. Well, glad to see you back. Bye!" Sheila was already part of history to him. Nothing more. Beauty was beside him. His eyes were only for her now. He wouldn't dare to make her insecure after capturing her heart.

Time favored Clarence; the light just turned green, and then he sped ahead, without looking back.

Tears started falling from her eyes. Sheila wanted to call him back. She came home to seek him, tell him she was sorry, and make him hers again. Somehow, no one could dictate fate… as she failed to even reopen an old wound.

"Why cry? Regretting it now?" The ice block of a brother raised his brow. "You already shunned him away, so why wish for him now? Did you see that girl beside her? That's his girl. Isn't she pretty?" mocked Bernard.

"Enough! Please just drive and don't speak anymore!" shouted Sheila. She was silently sobbing, full of regrets.

. . . .

"Was Sheila the one sitting at the back seat?" inquired Beauty.

"Yes, but don't be bothered with her. Please trust me," said Clarence. He sighed, remembering the last time they talked about the girl.

"I trust you," Beauty said with a very sweet smile. Clarence couldn't hold back but hooked his right hand to her waist to hug her. The reaction she just made was what he was hoping to see.

"Hoy! I'm here, lovebirds!" Ronald protested; he even thought of kicking the seat if only the driver wasn't his boss. "Save that lovey-dovey scene for later at the resort!"

"Hey, you… don't do that. Watch where you're driving." Beauty shyly pushed him away.

"It's your fault; your smile was so sweet that I wished to taste it." The lover boy winked at her and then stuck out his tongue, caressing his lips.

Beauty could not believe him acting like this. His image of a gentleman Clarence was shattered. She thought he might become a devil devourer now that she's his girlfriend. Beauty was thoroughly alarmed.

She needed to make a clear boundary concerning their relationship. If not, he might do more absurd things than this. Beauty was thinking of talking to him—in a manner he would understand—about what was allowed and not allowed in their relationship.

"By the way, I already called Mom and Dad. They will accompany us at the resort probably by tomorrow night. Be ready, Beauty; Mom might be bringing a lot of gifts for you."

"Oh my, what else can I do? I hope I won't be dressing up like a doll the whole time we'll be there." Beauty lamented at the supposed impending doom.

"Yeah, nice. I'll be looking forward to it." Clarence said while nodding his head.

"Me, too," agreed Ronald, with a hand on his chin. The last time wasn't bad at all.

"You two, always in collusion." She couldn't help but squint.

The two guys just laughed.

. . . . .

At the lobby of Cebu Prestige Hotel…

"Jesse, any news about Clarence or his parents?" Cathy smiled alluringly as she asked the man at the front desk.

The man took a small paper and then wrote: 'His parents booked a room for tonight.'

"Just one night? That's unusual." She frowned at the paper, hoping to hear more about it.

"They might be heading somewhere from here." He was hinting at her.

"Thanks," said Cathy while she blew a kiss to the guy. "I'll meet up with you later."

Walking out of earshot, she suddenly made a call, "Luis, I have a job for you."

"Why would I do that? Last time, you didn't pay me," answered the man.

"I paid you."

"I asked for more to cover the loan. I borrowed that money to bribe those workers to remain silent, but you didn't send any. I had a hard time paying it back. I called you, but it seemed you changed your number. I won't help you again if it's not paid soon."

"Fine, I'll send the money now." She couldn't help but hold her forehead, fearing the arrival of an incoming headache.

"What's the job?"

"I want you to follow a couple to where they're heading and stay there at the same time. I'll send you a photo. Make sure to do away with the girl in the picture." Her gaze grew sharp as if Luis could see her warning face. "The man is mine. His name is Clarence. He's with that girl most of the time so you can easily spot her. If you see my Clarence, do not harm him, only the girl. Got that?"

"Okay, no problem. Just make sure to keep your word—your payment."

"Yes, I'm sending it now. Make sure it's a success."

"Sure, the action you like, I'll deliver it personally."