The loud sound of Nia's alarm echoed through the quiet of the morning.
Nia groaned tiredly, rubbing her eyes as she reached over to silence the blaring noise.
"Ugh, five more minutes," she muttered sleepily.
Jessie stirred beside her, blinking sleepily. With her blurry gaze, she glanced around the room and suddenly realized that Beauty wasn't in the room with them.
"Wait, where is Beauty?" she snapped in panic as sleep vanished from her system.
"What time is it?" Nia asked, her voice muffled by the pillow.
Jessie checked her phone. "6:13 a.m."
"Time to get up, my husband will be waiting," Nia replied, sitting up and stretching.
"Did you notice when Beauty left the room?" Jessie asked, detangling her hair with her fingers.
Nia swung her legs over the side of the bed and tossed the covers off.
"No idea, maybe you should check downstairs," she suggested.
"Why would she be up at this time?" Jessie muttered and picked up her phone to dial Beauty's number.
Beauty's phone was still on her home desk.
Jessie sighed, concern creeping into her voice. "I'll check downstairs."
"Okay... I'll take a bath," Nia said, yawning tiredly.
She got up and padded across the room, heading towards the bathroom, while Jessie left the room after putting her hair into a messy bun.
"Beauty!" Jessie called as she moved down the staircase.
As Jessie reached the bottom of the stairs, she called out again, "Beauty? Are you here?"
"I'm in the kitchen!" Beauty shouted back.
"Thank goodness, you scared me. What are you doing up at this time?" Jessie replied.
She walked toward the kitchen, feeling a bit relieved but still concerned. She could hear the faint clinking of pans and the sound of eggs sizzling.
Entering the kitchen, she was surprised to find Beauty fully dressed, moving around as if nothing had happened. She was making scrambled eggs and toast.
"Beauty?" Jessie's voice was soft but filled with surprise. "You're all dressed for work?"
Beauty didn't look up. "Yeah, I need to be out of here soon," she replied, focused on her meal. "I've had many days off. I need to catch up at work... A colleague saw us back there at the beauty salon... I don't want any rumors, you know?"
Jessie frowned, stepping closer, unsure how to respond. She had expected to find her friend still curled up in bed, maybe crying or at least taking the day off after the emotional breakdown she'd had. But instead, she was ready to head out for work?!
"Beauty, I think you should take the day off," Jessie suggested gently, leaning against the counter. "You don't need to rush back to work. After everything... for your sanity's sake, honey... give yourself a break."
Beauty chuckled lightly, but the sound didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Jessie," she said, focusing on the eggs sizzling in the pan.
"No, you're not." Jessie took over the cooking.
Beauty finally turned to face Jessie, her eyes tired and swollen from crying all night.
"I appreciate what you're trying to do, Jess," she said, "but I can't stay at home grieving over a man. I'm an adult now. Life doesn't stop because someone broke my heart. After all, I expected this."
"Don't say that."
Beauty laughed. "Be sincere, Jessie, this is no surprise... Bruno is a man after all. Gladly, he didn't have his 'plus-size experience' before backing down. Maybe he was too irritated to even try."
"Beauty!" Jessie snapped angrily.
Beauty smiled back at her, tears glistening in her eyes. "I'm fine, Jess. I really am."
Jessie shook her head. "You went through a lot last night. You don't have to pretend everything is fine. It's okay to take a break, to heal. And stop with the insecurities; even beautiful models and actresses get cheated on."
"It's Beyoncé... it hasn't even been a day since we agreed on a relationship... It's all in the past anyway. I'm not pretending everything is fine, Jess. I'm just choosing not to let it consume me. Bruno made his choice, and that's his problem. I still have responsibilities-my job, my life. I can't just fall apart because of Bruno Hathaway. In fact, I'll remain hidden."
Jessie sighed, set down the spatula, and turned off the stove. Since the food was ready, she dried her hands with a towel.
"I'll set the table," Beauty said before Jessie could start another lecture.
Just then, Nia hurried down the stairs, seeming to be in a rush, carrying a large designer handbag.
She had changed out of her event wear from yesterday and was now dressed in a crisp white blouse and ash trousers. She must have packed her heavy-looking handbag the day before.
The smell of oatmeal and warm toast filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen.
As she entered the living room, she found Beauty standing at the counter, dishing out oatmeal into bowls.
"Good morning, Nia!" Beauty greeted, trying to muster a smile despite the heaviness still lingering in her heart.
"Oh, Beauty, thank goodness you're alright. What are you wearing? Don't tell me you're ready for work!" Nia paused abruptly, scanning Beauty's attire.
"I have a job, Nia. I can't just take a day off because of a heartbreak."
"She's stubborn," Jessie added.
"Breakfast is ready. Please eat before you head out," Beauty cut in.
Nia glanced at the spread on the counter and felt a pang of guilt.
"The food looks delicious, honey, but I really can't stay. I have to get back-Matt's waiting for me. He'll need the car."
She then stepped closer, looking at Beauty with concern. "How are you holding up?"
Beauty's gaze dropped to the oatmeal on the table. "I'm fine, just had to keep myself busy, you know?"
Jessie, who had been seated at the table with her own bowl of oatmeal, cut in, "Don't worry, Nia. I'll take care of her."
Nia smiled back at Jessie. "First of all, Jess, I'm the older one, Nia excluded. Secondly, Nia, you should at least eat something before you go."
Nia shook her head gently, offering a soft smile.
"I appreciate it, but I really can't. Besides, I'll make sure to come back and visit you soon. I promise."
"Make sure you do," Beauty said, her voice slightly stronger now. "I could use the company. It's lonely sometimes."
"Hey!" Jessie snapped.
"Don't be jealous, Jess," Beauty teased.
The three women laughed.
Nia headed toward the door. "And if you need anything, just call, okay? Don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always just a text away."
"Thanks, Nia. I will. Take care," Beauty waved.
Nia smiled back, opened the door, and shut it behind her. She took out her phone and saw that she had missed several calls from her husband.
"Oh, Matt..." she muttered, ready to step down the house entrance staircase.
She looked up and was startled to see Bruno leaning on his car, his arms folded and head bowed.
"Is he sleeping?" she wondered.
The kitchen window was on the other side, so Beauty wouldn't have seen him standing outside.
"What are you doing here? When did you get here?" Nia whispered.
Bruno opened his tired eyes and looked up.
Wow, he looks terrible... Did you spend the night here? Nia thought.