Beauty felt like she should disappear.
What will this lady think? Bruno's talking as if he's any different from Tim.
She glanced up at Stacy, expecting to see anger or offense, but to her surprise, Stacy looked more intrigued by Bruno than upset by his comments. It was as if she hadn't even noticed the insult, or maybe she was just that confident in her appearance and didn't need validation from anyone.
Tim, on the other hand, wasn't backing down.
"Yeah, yeah, defend her all you want," Tim sneered. "You'll regret it when you get there... I'm sure you're simping for a taste, just like I did. After that, you'll see—then my poor old friend here will be heartbroken again."
He shot Beauty a pathetic look, clearly mocking her.
Bruno stiffened, his jaw tightening.
"You don't sound like you've moved on. It's embarrassing—for you and for your girl."
"Embarrassing?" Tim scoffed, though his frustration was growing more evident. "No, what's embarrassing is you trying to pass off a hippo like her as worth something."
Beauty flinched at the insult.
"Trust me, you wouldn't know what to do with someone like her even if you had her all over again. That's why you lost her. You don't even know what you threw away," Bruno replied.
Tim let out a bitter laugh, clearly rattled but trying to play it cool.
"Well, I've seen all there is to see! I'm her first man—didn't she tell you?"
Bruno's heart skipped at that. Jealousy ran through his veins, but he stayed silent, unwilling to give Tim the satisfaction of seeing that it affected him.
Beauty, however, had heard enough. It was like an ice breaker for her. She had to walk away now or break down in front of an ex and his new trophy girlfriend.
"It was nice seeing you and your girlfriend, Tim," she said slowly, turning to leave. "But I really need to go now."
"Beauty..." Stacy called out, stopping her.
Beauty hesitated and turned back, half-expecting some mocking remark, but Stacy only smiled warmly, extending her hand.
"I'm Stacy, by the way."
Beauty awkwardly shook her hand, confused by Stacy's friendliness. This was getting weird.
"Sorry about this," Stacy continued, casting a sidelong glance at Tim. "He can be... insensitive sometimes. Why don't you and your boyfriend join us? Let's grab a table somewhere, talk things out?"
Beauty blinked in disbelief.
How could Stacy invite her ex-boyfriend's ex to sit down and talk like it was a casual meet-up? And why was she acting so unaffected by the whole thing?
But then Beauty noticed something—a flirting glance Stacy shot at Bruno when she thought no one was looking. That was it. She just wanted more time with Bruno.
"He's not my boyfriend," Beauty said flatly, her brows arched. Unsure if she was jealous or irritated altogether.
Bruno rolled his tongue, triggered by her reply to Stacy. He had been silent up to this point, struggling with something deeper.
His mind had flashed back to Stephen and Beauty's sex tape, and now Tim was here too.
"How many men had she been with?
How could she date guys like these who never really valued her? And what if they also had videos like the one with Stephen?"
He thought, yet to heal from the heart-wrecking feeling from that very video.
Before Beauty could say anything about Stacy's offer, Stacy turned to Tim, nudging him with her elbow.
"Babe, don't you have something to say to her? Didn't you tell me you regretted how things ended?"
Beauty's eyes widened.
Apology?
This would be the second apology she'd ever gotten—from her bullies. The first had been from Nia.
Is he really sorry?
If yes, then why the cruel remarks about her?
Was he just trying to get back at Bruno?
Tim let out a long sigh, clearly reluctant but pressured by Stacy.
"I guess you're right," he said, his voice softer now. "Maybe we can go somewhere and talk. Beauty?"
He looked up and met her gaze.
Beauty felt her stomach flip. She wasn't expecting that.
"He should say it here..."
Before she could respond, Bruno cut in, his voice tight with frustration.
"Sorry, but we have somewhere to be. Beauty, let's go."
Tim's eyes flashed with anger.
"Stay out of this, man. She ain't your toy."
Bruno stepped forward, his face darkening. "This is coming from you? The guy who treated her like garbage?"
The tension was thick enough to cut. It felt like Bruno was moments away from throwing a punch. Beauty quickly stepped between them.
"I accept the offer," she said suddenly.
Bruno stared at her, shocked.
"What?!"
"I'll go talk with them. It's my decision, my life!" Beauty replied with a frown, her eyes glistening wet. "You shouldn't even be here anyway. You can leave now."
His face blanked, disappointment and disbelief clouding his features.
"He just insulted you, and you want to hear whatever crap he has to say?"
Beauty said nothing to him and turned to Stacy.
Stacy clapped her hands lightly, breaking the short awkward silence.
"Great! Let's all go talk things out."
Bruno's hurt was visible in his eyes. He rolled his tongue and scoffed.
As Beauty walked with Tim and Stacy, a part of her felt guilty for leaving Bruno behind.
He was right; she shouldn't give Tim a chance...after those rude things he said minutes ago but another part of her told her she shouldn't be easily manipulated by Bruno's fake kindness.
She was so hurt by Bruno's actions she just want to be anywhere but with him in that car, listening to his cooked up lies to defend himself.
And if Tim was really sorry, she needs to hear it from him in order to heal.
As they walked towards the romantic garden, Bruno took a deep breath, trying to hold back the anger and jealousy building inside him. He clenched his fist, holding his car keys. He looked back at his car, then to Beauty.
He didn't want her to go, didn't want her anywhere near Tim, he knew she was still angry at him yet why she can't give him just some minutes to explain.
Instead she choose to give that bastard a chance? That didn't make it any easier for him.
"How annoying can love be!"
He cursed and followed them.