I'm Guilty, My Beauty[COMPLETED]

When the elevator door closed, Beauty had a premonition for that unsolicited photo. However, she didn't notice the worry on Clarence's face.

"Don't mind it. Maybe that girl was just in awe of you. Don't think too much. I suggest you take off your shoes. If you don't mind, use my slippers. The floors here are well-carpeted so it's fine if you walk barefoot as well."

"Hmm, I'll try walking barefoot. Thanks." Beauty slightly smiled while picking her shoes. She was grateful of Clarence, but she was uncertain of the consequences of that girl's actions.

'Will this be another painful experience for me? Can I trust his words?'

Her heart was anxious, but suddenly, she heard a soothing voice telling her, "No problem, I'm always here for you."

She smiled sweetly to this man beside her after hearing those reassuring words. Unconsciously, Clarence slowly became an important person in her life, and Your Romeo was placed at the corner or her heart.

. . . . .

Back in the lobby, Ronald saw what happened. As a former newspaper reporter, he had this instinct that such photo would probably be used as a news piece.

"Security, capture that girl. This is a prestigious hotel. Why did you allow her to get that picture?" He shouted at the guard at the entrance and at the front desk personnel.

He waited for five minutes before he got an answer.

"Sir, sorry, but that girl was one of the hotel guests, and her family had already checked out," said the receptionist.

"How about an email address or phone numbers ... or even the camera footage?"

"Sir, we have a code of confidentiality for our guests. We can't divulge any of those unless a court order is issued."

"This is not good. I really have a bad feeling about this." Ronald went up to their rooms, being worked up. He was really concerned about Beauty. Most of all, Clarence's family was one of those who was listed with a high popularity rate.

"Boss, are you in there?" He knocked on Clarence's room. No answer.

"Hmm, maybe he is with Beauty now? She had a hard time walking with those high heels. I better go and check." He knocked on her room. Still, no answer.

"Where might they be?" He went to his room and tried to analyze what happened and on where the two went. "Oh, I forgot, I have their numbers. Why didn't I think of calling them first? I must have gone nuts for not doing this a while ago."

"Hello?" Clarence's voice was heard on the other side of the phone.

"Oh, that's all? We're on a date."

"What? Huh? I never thought you'll be this clumsy. Someone took a sneak photo of both of you, and you're not even bothered about it." Ronald was irritated all the more.

"What? Man, can you calm down? I was only joking. We're now in my parent's suite. Come up, 15th floor, Suite Cattleya. Bye." Clarence ended the call, leaving Ronald appalled.

"Oh, probably, his parents are already aware of what happened. Better go and check." He was really not at ease, but he felt a little calm knowing Clyde was capable of handling this matter.

Ronald went in the elevator; and of all people he would encounter, he met the gossipy businessman that Clarence warned him about, Mr. Moya.

He was hesitant to go in, but he stepped in regardless if he wanted to avoid this guy.

"Oh, hi, I think we've met at the lunch buffet. You were together with Clarence Peres who was with a beauty. What was her name again? I really forgot."

"Sorry, Sir, but I don't know you, and my mother said I should not talk to strangers." His words bashed the middle-aged man right away. Fortunately, he already reached his destination, so he went out without delay.

"You, you, you don't know who I am?!" The red-faced Mr. Moya shouted as the elevator closed.

. . . . .

"Come in, Mr. Ronald. They are waiting for you inside." Paul opened the door and guided Ronald.

"Hi, Ronald, I thought you followed us," said Beauty. She was no longer wearing the red retro dress but a simple red blouse and a black split skirt [1].

"No, I didn't. I asked the front desk for that girl who took your photo. But she was no longer checked in here."

"You don't need to worry about that. We'll handle it," said Clyde.

'As expected from Clyde, he's swift to know and fast to respond,' thought Ronald.

"Do you know that girl?" Beauty asked Clarence.

All eyes were on him, waiting for him to answer.

"Yeah, I partly know that girl. She was one of the daughters of the culinary organization members. As much as I can remember, we only met twice. Those were during the meetings of the members' kids. That was a long time ago."

"So is that girl after you or in collusion with another girl who likes you?" Ronald directly asked to prove his conjecture.

"Wow, as expected from a former news reporter. You should be in the entertainment gossip section. Your guesses are mostly right, but the point is that she hates me."

"Hates you?" This time, it was Beauty asking; this alarmed Clarence. The mother saw the anxiety in her son's eyes so she went to the young girl's side.

"Beauty, talking about that girl isn't worth it. Don't be bothered anymore. Okay, all of you, go now to your rooms. I want to have my time with my dear husband."

The three of them left. As Clarence was on his way, Claire whispered to him, "You have to explain."

"I know," Clarence replied.

. . . . .

Inside the elevator, Ronald was the one who couldn't wait. "Please explain to us why that girl hates you? I really have a bad feeling about this."

"Both of you come to my room. Let's talk there, not here."

Both subordinates followed their boss obediently. As they went in, Clarence breathed deeply. "Asking me in the elevator was risky. Do you know that girl is the only daughter of one of the owners of this hotel?"

The two were astounded with what they heard—most of all, Ronald. It showed that the front desk lied to him.

[1] A spilt skirt is a garment best described as short pants that hang like a skirt. For Beauty's bottom, it should be one that reaches around the knees.