"Is it right to have a relationship now? We're still young. I'm afraid if we have a misunderstanding, you'll leave me. I don't know what to do if that happens…

"I also want to focus on having a career for myself. My mom said that my studies might be affected if I have a boyfriend…

"You are the famous Clarence Peres. A lot of girls wanted to become your girlfriend. When the time comes that you'll find me boring, you might look for another girlfriend and leave me."

Once started, all her doubts just flowed out from her mouth and were now laid open to him.

"Hush, I already said I'm serious with you. I mean it." His hands held hers tighter as if it would make her see his sincerity. "I'm a man who is not after a girl for just a momentary relationship. In fact, I always believe that if a man would say 'I love you,' then he should marry that girl. For me, a relationship is not a game. I'm not the same as other men.

"I will also support you in every endeavor you engage in. I won't be a hindrance to you. Did you get it? I'm a person who will commit myself to the woman I love." If he could swear to the heaven and earth for her to be assured, then he would.

"I understand, but is it really good to have a relationship now? Also, you live in Manila while I live here. Is it alright to have a long-distance relationship?" She kept on spilling more doubts from inside her heart.

"Beauty, I intentionally went to Camotes just to court you. So if I can do that now, then I can also do the same in the future. Do you understand what I mean? Distance isn't a hindrance for us. Why are you still hesitant?"

Her eyelashes fluttered, not fully convinced that she could place herself in his hands. "Do you really love me, Clarence? Can I trust your words?"

"I seriously love you, Beauty. What else must I do to make you believe me?"

"Oh my, I don't know. It's just… I really don't know how to respond to you. I've never had a boyfriend before so you'll be the first." She suddenly realized what her last words meant. The saying 'out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks'[1] was proven true.

"Is that a yes?" Clarence excitedly asked her. If there's a hole that she could fit, Beauty wanted to hide in it. She felt awkward facing him after saying that.

"Don't take it back. You already said it. I'm now your boyfriend. You're not allowed to take it back." His excitement made him repeat his words. He was so happy that he wanted to hug her tightly. "Can I hug you?"

"Ha?" Beauty was left dumbfounded by that question. Those words reminded her of hugging him out of joy at Leonard's place.

"Just this once."

Without delay, he hugged her tightly. He heard her gasped a little and felt her body stiffened. He loosened his hold, but he didn't let go. He whispered in her ear, "I'll make sure I'm the first and last man in your life."

She loosened up and then rested her head on his chest. She softly hummed. "They said a conservative man is a novelty nowadays; are you one of them?"

"Yeah, I'm a novelty born just for you."

They silently sat like this for an indefinite amount of time—or maybe until Clarence would let go. However, there was someone outside the door, who heard all of their affectionate conversations from the start, that couldn't wait to go in to respond to the call of nature.

Finding it harder to resist, he decided to ruin the moment. Ronald ran in without shame and said, "Just continue being lovey-dovey there while I'll go to the bathroom! Just make sure you're done before I finish." He spotted the wrapper in the bin he passed by. "And Boss, did you eat my burger?!"

Clarence could only shake his head while Beauty hid from the view.

Time would be the witness to Clarence's promises as it withstood the trials and pain they're going to face in the future. Hopefully, it wouldn't be wearing the same incontinent face Ronald had as he stood witness to these words leaving his boss' lips.

. . . . .

At the airport, a beautiful girl arrived, wearing a fashionable hat and dress. She was like a model doing a catwalk. After her was a coolie walking with a trolley full of luggage. A car stopped in front of her when she walked along at the car bay.

"Bernard, you're supposed to be working in the restaurant; why are you here now?" asked the girl. She didn't count on seeing his brother and his car to pick her up.

"Mother said this is part of my work. Do you think I'll be glad to come here? You left on your own so you should come back on your own."

"You're still irritable. Let's go." She paid the coolie and sat in the car.

"By the way, I met Clarence at our restaurant days ago," Bernard spoke as he started the car and drove away.

"Really? Did he look for me?"

"Sorry to disappoint you, he didn't; he was with a pretty lady at that time."

The girl was flustered, hearing what Bernard said. She expected for a development that would never happen anymore. "So he was really angry at me at that time."

"Who wouldn't be angry with what you did? You went with another man when you knew he would visit to confess to you." The brother rebuked his sister; he would roll his eyes if only he wasn't driving. "I was also angry at you. Clarence is a good man, but you played with his heart."

"Let's stop talking about past." She turned away and sunk into the seat.

. . . . .

At the hospital, Dr. John Rivera just came out from the operating room when he received a call from Grandma Julianne.

"John, any progress with Beauty?" The woman waited for some good news.

"Grandma, I'm still tired from doing an important operation. Can we talk about this later?"

"Was there any problem? Haven't you met yet? You said you'll invite her for dinner."

With a huff, he unintentionally brushed off the old woman. "Grandma, Clarence is her Boss for now. Do you think he would allow me when he knew my intention to court Beauty? I would have done so if I could. Please let me rest for now."

He was in a daze after putting down his phone.

He was confused. He didn't understand why he was irritated whenever he thought of Clarence keeping him from seeing her. He's not supposed to get serious with her. This was only to appease his grandma, but why did he want to see her badly?

A thought came to his mind: he was falling in love with her. He couldn't believe this. Girls were not important to him—only his career mattered. This was crazy. He shoved such thoughts away from his mind. He believed he should focus on more essential matters… like his career.

"Doctor Rivera, are you okay? You're blanking out here. Please move aside; I need to bring this patient to the operating room." An attendant woke him from his stupor.

[1] Matthew 12:34 simply meant whatever is hidden inside, it will surely come out.