I'm Guilty, My Beauty Chapter 74 Okay, Friends

"You have to sit at the front. All the previous champions of the Junior Master Chef are there, including those who have been enlisted as part of the training camp. We will all be called and awards will be given. Actually, you're one of the awardees."

"What for? I can go up the podium from here. Why need to sit there?" His face was calmed but he was starting to get irritated.

"Clarence, don't be unreasonable. Please, for the organization's sake. I do believe, Beauty won't mind." She looked at Beauty waiting for her assent. The latter remained silent waiting for Clarence to speak his mind. She knew when he said no then it meant no. She wouldn't dare to push him if it's against his will.

Sheila was now uneasy. Everyone's eyes were on her but Clarence didn't budge.

"You really don't need to join this competition. Why trouble yourself more?" Her voice was now a little bit louder.

"Please, go back now, for your sake. Why force me? I want to sit here."

Sheila surrendered but she gave them a meaningful look before she went back to her seat. The people surrounding saw a love triangle drama unfolding. After witnessing, they grasped the truth to whom Clarence chose.

The ceremony started and ended after the distribution of awards for the pre-chosen individuals for the International Culinary team training camp.

. . . . .

On their way out, Sheila was waiting for them near Clarence's car.

She looked at Beauty silently eye to eye. "Can I talk to Clarence just for a moment."

Beauty nodded but Clarence was looking at the other girl intensely.

"Clarence, just for a moment but not in front of her. Don't worry, I just want to talk."

"Beauty, wait for me inside the car. Let's talk here," said Clarence.

Beauty silently obeyed. He trusted him without a bit of a doubt.

"What do you want to talk?"

"I've wanted to talk to you personally for a long time. But you won't give me a chance. I… I… I just want you to know… to know… that I'm really sorry for what I did. I want to ask another chance for the two of us but I know there's none. Even though that's the case I can't bear you treating me like a pile of shit that you need to stay away every time you see me… can we remain friends? I want to move on, too. Please… I just want a clear closure now between the two of us." She hugged herself and pursed her lips together. Tears shimmered in her eyes.

Clarence saw her sincerity and pitied her. He sighed.

"Okay, friends." He extended his right hand and slightly smiled.

Her hands partly trembled as she reached for his hand and softly said, "Thank you." From there, tears welled up and fell like water. Beauty went out the car and gave her a hanky. The other girl received it politely and wiped her tears.

"Thank you, please take good care of Clarence. Please treasure him. He's the best guy you could ever find. That's my loss." She forced a smile but tears fell again.

"Uhum, I'll take good care of him. I also hope you'll find your happiness soon. Maybe a better man than him." She teasingly stuck her tongue out to him.

"Aye, Is there anyone better than me? Hmm, Miss Beauty Ferol." He looked at her playfully.

"Hey! Are you making me jealous? Be kind to a lonesome girl who just admitted her loss." Sheila pouted while wiping her tears. She felt a little bit at ease talking with them now even though she's still sad. "I gotta go back now. Goodbye." She left with a light heart as if a heavy load was taken from her shoulders.

. . . . .

There were 17 regions in the Philippines but only nine were able to hold their own regional culinary trials due to financial constraints. Eight representatives were sent from every region, that sums up to 72 participants for the Annual Open Culinary Competition. The main purpose of this competition was to search for the right people to join the training camp and to represent the Philippines to the International competition.

These 72 individuals would receive an intensive training until there were only 12 left. Cathy gave up her position and no news was heard from her. So, 71 individuals were separated into six groups, with twelve participants in every group. One only had 11 people.

They would undergo three types of training: pastries, meat dishes, and presentation. Their mentors would teach and observe their progress. Only two would be chosen from each group to go to the next round.

Clarence and Beauty were separated into different groups.

"Hi, I'm Chef Dolby Paredes and she is Chef Rowena Paredes, my wife. We've been teaching in the classes provided by the Org for four years now. I welcome you all to our first day of class. We will be together for three days in a row. Give your best to learn. Even if you won't pass this round but the knowledge you'll gain would be useful to your growth and improve yourselves as cooks."

"Let's start with your knife skills. I want you to follow my hand closely. Before that, there are different knives and each has a purpose…" He continued to explain and started his demonstration.

"This is the way to hold a knife and the vegetable you'll be cutting… watch closely. Be careful, these knives are very sharp. It can cut through paper with ease." He held a paper and let it fall on the knife's sharp side. It was cut into to two instantly as it touched the knife's edge.

"Beauty, you're too slow, make it faster."

"Sorry, I had a hard time cutting evenly if I'll go fast. I also feel like I'll get cut with this sharp knife." She was tensed but excited as well.

"Watch my hand again. Observe my wrist movement and the rhythm," said Chef Rowena.

"Cut that properly, Ernie."

"Mix that well, Lino."

"If you don't want me to scold you then just quit." Chef Dolby said sternly to a man named James. The room was greatly intense and edgy with all the guidance and scoldings for three days.

Beauty practiced hard. Even when they returned to the condo, she continued just to make sure she could pass and get to the next round. After practice, she went to sleep directly. She hardly talked to Clarence. He missed their banters and sweet talks. However, he knew passing through this round was important to her. He had to endure.

Chapter end