A big banner was flying atop the Cebu Convention Center.

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Culinary Regional Trials,

July 19, 20XX

Sponsored by Culinary Organization of the Philippines

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Three days more and the competition will begin. She had been traveling with Clarence while learning from different cooks in the places they went. It was a worthwhile experience. However, the chefs were polite to her as the boss' girlfriend of which was frustrating for her. She wished they would be honest with her in every way. Good thing, the lover boy was always there guiding and teaching her what he saw needed improvement.

She knew she was still far from what even Clarence was capable. Her plus was being a good and fast learner. Her quick thinking was also an instinct built out of self-learning. Somehow, things we call the basics she was not sure if she got them right; like how to skin and cut fish while keeping it from being mushy and lose its freshness, what's the proper way to hold a knife to get perfect equal slices, and etc.

Without a personal mentor to guide, her teachers were the stuff she found online. With three days left, she tried to practice and studied these basics in case she would be asked.

The opening day came. In the convention hall, three big halls were occupied with complete kitchen equipment installed. There were three kitchen fittings in every hall. As she went into the hall, she saw the participants who were people from all walks of life.

There were a lot of culinary students participating. Some were just simple cooks in a cafeteria or pizza parlor. There were even married men and women with their partners accompanying them. Factory workers who were still wearing their uniforms were also present who gave this competition a shot. Who knows? They might be the next Master Chef Gordon Ramsey.

There were more than 500 registrants. She was one of the early birds who registered, so she would have her turn on the first week. There was a short program, which was totally like an announcement before the trials started. By 1:00 in the afternoon, contestants were allocated base on their corresponding numbers. Three contestants take turns in every hall. No one knew outside the hall what happened inside while the judging went on.

Thirty minutes to an hour lapsed and participants started to come out. Some cried, some jumped for joy, and some remained silent then left. Only two persons came out holding an apron. They were warned not to tell what transpired inside. All those who saw these reactions were nervous.

While waiting, Beauty saw Cathy who was approaching her. She was with other culinary students from a prestigious school. Without hesitation, Beauty deliberately faced the other head-on.

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"Oh, who's here? The shameful bumpkin who bewitched Clarence," said Cathy.

"Oh you mean, this girl was the one who shamelessly pursued the famous Clarence Peres, who won twice the junior master chef awards of Broad Ridge School of Arts and from the Culinary Organization of the Philippines?" a girl chimed in with excitement.

Beauty was a little bit upset as she heard what was said. She was the girlfriend but she hadn't known any of it. She thought this boyfriend of hers was really famous. Who would've thought he won such prestigious awards.

"Who is the shameful bumpkin you're talking about?" Beauty said with a quizzical face.

"You, of course," crisply replied Cathy.

"I didn't know that...in this case, you're also a shameless bumpkin since we're typically born on the same island." Beauty said calmly as she checked her trial schedule date written on her registration paper.

"What? You?" Cathy was greatly infuriated being called a shameless bumpkin.

"What about me? I was born here as well. So definitely we're both seriously island bumpkins. Nice meeting you provincial cousin. Bye." After settling her case, Beauty left them with their smug faces.

"I will win and take him away from you," hollered Cathy making the rest in the lobby turned their heads on them.

Destiny somehow made things worst for Beauty. Sheila, who was there as well, saw the whole incident. She absolutely knew who was the girl shouting. This girl had been running after Clarence for who knows when. Conceited and complacent as always, that was the Cathy she knew.

"Hi, Cathy," Sheila stood beside the girl and group. She took the initiative to go near them to get any info about the other girl. If the 'him' Cathy was referring was Clarence then this girl could be his girlfriend.

"Sheila, you're here. When did you come back?"

"Just days ago. Why are you shouting here? Be careful, the organizers and judges might disqualify you from being a nuisance."

"I'm not. That witch girl is the nuisance. She bewitched Clarence." Cathy was caught in Sheila's trap.

"Oh? What's her name?"

"She is called Beauty, but I couldn't see anything beautiful with her. She's not as sexy as me. Her chests were not as nice looking as mine." The girls with her laughed with what she said.

Sheila just remained silent while listening to her conceitedness.

"How about you, Sheila? Where's your man?"

"What man? No idea what you mean. Just be careful not to cause any ruckus here. By the way, I'm already part of the Philippine Culinary Dream Team. Try your best and bye." Sheila left in a hurry leaving Cathy unsatisfied with what she heard.

"So her name is Beauty. Interesting." Sheila smiled knowingly. "Let's see how good you are for Clarence to look his way on you and chose you without waiting for me."

Beauty was unaware of the meeting of the two girls. She left the place and head straight home. Her mind was planning on what to cook and present to the judges to win this regional trials and be one of the representatives for the nationals.

"Clarence wait for me. I'll be seeing you in the nationals as co-competitor." She decided with all her heart to stand on the same stage as him. Her desire was to declare to the world that she was not a lowly country bumpkin with no abilities who was just trying to climb on Clarence's fame and fortune, but she was of same worth.