I'm Guilty, My Beauty[COMPLETED]

"Who is Sheila?" asked Beauty.

A tinge of jealousy and bitterness swelled within her. She wished she'd met him earlier. She felt being left out.

Beauty was born with a face that cannot hide her emotions. Her face was like a book that anyone could read openly. Clarence was heartbroken upon watching her, and yet he was apparently satisfied with what he saw.

"She's Bernard's older sister. Her full name is Sheila Jane Hernandez. She is two years older than me. We've met in the same circle of friends in the Culinary Organization. Four years ago, I was a frequent customer here. I asked their father to teach me how to make fresh, handmade noodles, but I am still not good at it till now." He tried to explain in a manner Beauty could see that the other lady was just a friend and nothing more. Somehow, the details should have remained hidden as well.

"Where is she now?" Beauty asked another question, her sadness turning into curiosity.

"I definitely have no idea. We've all heard what Bernard said. She left a long time ago. No need to dwell on such topics. We have three targets to investigate. The first is Mother's Deli restaurant." He wanted to divert her attention and forget about it. She momentarily stopped asking, but her mind couldn't easily get over it.

Clarence described the overall situation of the said restaurant. It was one of the oldest they had. The income was not as good as it was in the past. It was only kept in memory of the founder of the company: his great-grandfather, Leroy Peres. This was his first restaurant. From here, he explored other places and expanded. The rest was history.

As they went in, the place was plainly old but neat and clean. Walls were made of redwood while floors made of white tiles. There were few rattan chairs and tables arranged with spaces enough for people to pass. The few restaurant attendants were wearing a white shirt, a pair of black pants, and a red apron. People from all walks of life were dining in the nostalgic hall.

"Where are we going to sit? There's no space for three," Beauty whimpered, looking around for tables that could sit them.

"Let's go back to the car. We'll come back after the peak hours passed."

Two hours after, Ronald went in alone. As he came in, a girl attendant guided him to a front table, but he refused and chose the one at a corner. She handed him the menu whilst being polite and accommodating. As Ronald read the menu, he asked her about Chicken Relleno. She called someone, instead, to help her describe the dish and explained that she was just newly hired. The next one was the same story, another new worker. Later, they called the oldest among them to help.

"Okay, they said you are the oldest here. Can you please describe what this Chicken Relleno is?" asked Ronald.

"Sir, that is a whole boneless chicken with fillings. But I suggest you order something else. That is a pre-order dish, and it needs time to prepare. I suggest these other dishes here." He explained as he pointed dish after dish on the menu.

"Why didn't all of you tell me earlier? It seems 15 minutes of my time was wasted with me trying to get someone to describe this dish," interjected Ronald with a harsh face.

"Sorry, Sir, they were just hired two days ago, and we are still training them. I'll take charge of your orders, Sir… all the rest of you, go find something to do." The old man explained while reminding the other attendants.

In the end, Ronald ordered three dishes which were served to him after 15 minutes. They were newly cooked and neatly served but nothing more.

He left after paying, soon going back to the car. The two were waiting inside, and they saw what took place on the laptop monitor.

"Why are there a lot of new servers? It seems like out of the five, three was new. Ronald, write a detailed report of your evaluation of the staff, food, and the whole place." Clarence was bothered with what he saw. "Beauty, what do you think?"

"I'm not sure, but these workers are very young. Are they part-time workers, like self-supporting students?"

"I think so. I'll leave that problem for Mom to handle. What about the food presented?"

"Hmm, the presentation was very simple; nothing special or to make it more appetizing to look at. A person can just go in, eat, and leave. Maybe, the people eating here are frequent customers from other surrounding offices." She gave her guesses based on her observations.

"If that so, then why is their revenue low? This street is one of the busiest and oldest. The patrons would have been numerous if that's the case." Clarence was baffled.

"Clarence, the place is small, only 10 tables with four to six chairs each. Food is freshly cooked but takes time. Others might prefer fast foods to accommodate the lunchtime given to them." Ronald voiced out a part of his evaluation.

"Probably, you're right. Write that in your report as well."

Suddenly, Beauty's message tone was heard, the featured song of the movie 'Beauty and the Beast'. She checked the message and saw that it was from John.

"Clarence, what were Leonard and Doc John's surname?"

"Is that his message?"

"Yup, what's his family name?"

"What did he say?"

"Clarence, why are you not answering my question?"

"Ask him yourself." Jealous Clarence was irritated, knowing it was from John.

"What did he say?" Pro-Clarence Ronald echoed back the question to Beauty.

"Pfft, are you curious, too?" Beauty giggled while asking.

"Beauty, if the message is too personal, then fine—save it for your privacy. Just asking." Ronald sighed for his Boss' sake.

"He only asked if I'm free tomorrow night. That's all."

"We're not free tomorrow the whole day and the rest of the weekend as well. We're going to a beach resort away from the city. We have one restaurant there to investigate, but since it's very far, then we'll take the opportunity to stay and enjoy until Sunday." Clarence instantaneously made a detour of their operations to thwart John's advancements.

Ronald was trying his best to hold his laughter after hearing the instant plan.

Beauty was really amused. They already had an itinerary for the coming days. Somehow, the schedule was changed in a flash. It gave her the urge to tease this guy.

"Why the change? What happened to our itinerary this time?" asked Beauty.

"Ha-ha-ha," Ronald burst out laughing. He couldn't hold it in anymore.

Beauty just shook her head with a smile.

Clarence maintained his poker face but pleased inside. 'John, sorry, I won't give you a chance at all.'

Beauty thought of teasing him some more. "I'll tell him I'll be free next week then." She acted as if writing a message.

"Tell him you're not available until the regional trial ends. I can't tell when more changes will present themselves."

Clarence almost burst out laughing while saying those alibis of his, but he did a good job holding it in by coughing. The other guy was already teary-eyed while holding his stomach in laughter. Beauty smiled, looking at the man driving. She replied to John to keep the man from waiting.

Beauty: My schedule's full. I will be away tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be back.

John: Okay, when you're back, we'll go out for dinner. I'll call later.

At the nurse's station in the hospital, John sighed exasperatedly while reading her reply. "Clarence, you're really challenging me. Don't think you've already won."