“Oh look! Your boyfriend came with us anyway,” Stacy announced as Bruno approached their table.
“He is not my boyfriend,” Beauty replied.
Tim wasn’t impressed by Bruno’s presence as he took a seat beside Beauty.
“Sorry, since you joined us, may I know your name?” Stacy asked, her smiling eyes focused on Bruno.
“The famous Bruno Hathaway. Feel free to give him a shot,” Beauty sneered.
Beauty didn’t raise her face or make any move to acknowledge his presence. She was pissed at how desperate Bruno was to get her to take him back into her life.
However, she was just with her phone, when he dragged her to this place, so she do not have any other means of getting back to the office.
She was low-key relieved he came back, yet pissed that she felt she could forgive him for cheating, but was fighting so hard not to be that teenage, pathetic Beauty anymore.
Maybe teenage Beauty would forgive him, but not this one. He is Bruno Hathaway. He won’t change. He’s surrounded by beautiful women—no way his eyes will only be for her. This is a sign to back off and avoid future heartbreak, no matter how much she loved him.
Suddenly, Stacy broke into her thoughts.
“I knew you looked familiar! You’re Bruno Hathaway! The young billionaire and heartthrob! My favorite fashion icon! I follow you on all social media! I love you so much! I’m a huuuuge fan!” Stacy gushed.
“Can you lower your damn voice?” Tim snapped angrily, after she attracted a few heads in their direction.
Stacy nodded, still beaming.
“Sorry... babe... just excited.”
Tim glared at Bruno, hating that he was feeling himself having Stacy fangirling.
“Well, some rumors say he’s also gay,” Tim scoffed and shook his head.
“What’s wrong with being gay? My brother is gay,” Stacy fired back, clearly annoyed.
“The rumors are wrong,” Bruno replied, staring directly into Tim’s eyes. “I’m attracted to Beauty.”
Beauty rolled her eyes but said nothing.
“Aww, that’s sweet,” Stacy said with a wink.
She kept smiling sheepishly at him, completely disregarding Tim.
Tim was burning with fury, not because Stacy was fangirling hard over Bruno. He hated the fact that Bruno was trying to prove a point by staying with Beauty.
Just then, two waiters arrived with their orders and placed bowls of rich tomato bisque soup in front of them, each bowl garnished with a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Alongside it, a basket of freshly baked baguette slices, warm and golden, was passed around.
“This looks delicious and hot, what do you think, Beauty?” Stacy asked.
“They... they’re nice,” Beauty replied.
“Here’s the main course,” the first waiter announced, setting down plates of tender roast lamb, seasoned with rosemary and thyme, resting on a bed of mashed potatoes. Roasted vegetables were arranged artfully on the side.
The second waiter poured expensive wine into their glasses. After which, they bowed and left.
“I guess we can all dig in now,” Stacy announced, taking her spoon.
Bruno didn’t seem interested in the food as the rest went for a spoonful.
Beauty shifted nervously in her seat, her hands trembling slightly. She raised the spoon of soup to her lips, but just as she leaned in to take a sip, her hand slipped.
The spoon tumbled from her grasp, splashing the hot tomato bisque onto the front of her blouse and sending droplets onto the pristine tablecloth.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She knew they noticed.
“Oops, sorry, are you okay?” Stacy asked, concerned.
Before Beauty could reach for her napkin, Bruno had already taken his out and started cleaning the stain.
“Are you hurt?” he whispered softly.
Beauty ignored him, aware that Tim was probably watching.
Bruno insisted, “Let me see your palm.”
After hesitating, she showed him, and he gently rubbed her hand. Her eyes welled up as memories of how kind he had treated her came rushing back, then how he had cheated on her.
She had to keep him away from getting close to her heart. But he didn’t seem to be out of it, all the same. She was in denial, and she hated that weakness. It would do nothing but hurt her in the end.
She pulled the handkerchief from Bruno, and he let her have it. She started cleaning herself up.
Tim watched the interaction with a frown on his face, looked away, and sipped his wine.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Tim spoke up.
“Beauty...”
Beauty slowly looked up at him.
“I am truly sorry for what I said back there. I shouldn’t have...”
Bruno rolled his eyes, trying to keep his calm.
“I apologize for everything I said and did in the past that may still be hurting you. Please forgive me.”
Beauty’s wet eyes met his. She smiled and looked down, slowly trying to fight back her tears.
“If you truly mean that...”
“I do mean it. I was a jerk back then. When I saw you... I felt bad that you’re still hurting, and maybe I contributed to it. Being the first man in your life was a gift... trust me... when I said it was nothing to me, I was bluffing.”
Bruno scoffed loudly this time. Tim glanced at him.
“What? Big guy, do you have any problem with my apology?” Tim snapped at Bruno, glaring at him.