Jessie was sitting on the couch, focused on her novel app, when Beauty walked into the house, her eyes swollen from crying.
She definitely cried all the way home, Jessie thought.
Then she sighed.
"I told you going to work wouldn't help. What happened?" Jessie asked gently, rising from the couch and walking over. "You look... devastated. Talk to me. Did you get to talk with Bruno?"
Beauty shook her head, her lips trembling as she tried to hold back the flood of tears. She couldn't even form the words.
Jessie took her hand and led her to the couch.
Beauty let her bag slip from her hand.
"Beauty, talk to me please... what happened?" Jessie asked again.
But instead of answering, Beauty broke down. Tears spilled from her eyes, and her body shook with sobs she could no longer contain.
She buried her face in her hands.
Jessie quickly sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her. "Shh, it's okay, honey, it's okay," she whispered, rubbing her friend's back in comfort.
It took a few minutes for Beauty to gather herself enough to speak, but even then, her words were broken between sobs.
"I... I judged him wrongly, Jessie," she finally whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"Bruno... he didn't cheat on me..."
Jessie's eyes widened at the statement, and she furrowed her brow.
"Wait what... what do you mean? What happened between Beyoncé and Bruno then?"
Beauty inhaled deeply, wiping her eyes as she tried to find the strength to explain.
"Beyoncé called me," she said softly, her voice still trembling. "She told me everything. About Bruno... about how much he cared. He did only because Beyoncé threatened him with blackmail."
"Blackmail? What blackmail?" Jessie asked, confused.
"I... I did a video... a sex video with Stephen in high school."
"Oh my goodness!" Jessie exclaimed, placing a palm on her forehead.
Then she stayed quiet, giving Beauty the space to continue.
Beauty sobbed.
"I thought he was just... like them. That he didn't really care... that he was manipulating my emotions with his actions. I was so afraid, so convinced that someone like him couldn't be genuine, that I pushed him away. I said things I shouldn't have."
Her tears started falling again.
"And now... I've ruined everything. He said it's... over!" She burst into tears. "I lost him, Jessie... I lost him. I'm so stupid."
Jessie sighed and pulled her into a hug.
"Oh, Beauty... I'm sure he doesn't hate you. Maybe he's just hurt right now. You two can still fix this. Give him some time."
But Beauty shook her head in regret.
"No, Jess, it's too late. I said awful things. I doubted him when he was just trying to be there for me. He's probably done with me now, and I can't blame him."
She cried into her friend's shoulder again.
"Did you try talking to him?" Jessie asked, trying to remain optimistic. "Maybe if you explain to him how you misunderstood everything, he'll understand. He might be upset, but the Bruno I know will give you a second chance."
Beauty wiped her eyes again, though the tears continued to fall.
"You don't understand, Jessie... I didn't give him the chance to explain. And when he did... I said terrible things. I... I'm afraid he's done for good." Her voice cracked.
Jessie sighed deeply, then knelt in front of Beauty, taking both her hands.
"Listen to me, honey. People make mistakes. If you really want to make things right with Bruno, you have to try. Don't let this one mistake stop you from fixing what you both had. You're human; you have a past. It's understandable why you doubted him. He should understand if he truly cares. I'll talk to him, too."
The doorbell rang, interrupting them. Jessie and Beauty exchanged a glance.
Beauty quickly wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks, trying to compose herself before the unknown visitor got to see her in such a state.
"Beauty! I'm home!" her mother called from the doorway.
"Mom?" Beauty gasped, rushing upstairs to wash her face and make sure there was no hint of her grief.
Jessie watched her disappear upstairs before heading to open the door.
As she pulled the door open, Beauty's mother stood there, wearing her usual teasing smile.
"Jessie... what are you up to?"
She raised a
"Mrs. Hills, welcome back!" Jessie smiled broadly.
Beauty's mom stepped inside, placing her bag by the door and glancing around the house as if to make sure everything was okay.
"Where's Beauty?" she asked.
"Hey, Mom," Beauty responded almost immediately as she stepped down the stairs. She managed a weak smile.
"How was your trip?"
Her mother sighed.
"Oh, it was fine. I'm just glad to be home. It's been a long day."
She paused and brought out a gift box.
"Your father sends you this. He had to stay back for a couple more days—something came up."
Beauty opened it. "Wow."
Jessie went to have a look and smiled, seeing it was something delicious.
"Oh... I miss him already," Beauty said, trying to sound casual. "When will he be home?"
"Two days, maybe less if he can wrap things up early," her mother explained. "He's just tied up with some business at the moment."
She walked to the kitchen to put some things in place.
As the two watched her walk into the kitchen, Jessie quickly turned to Beauty.
"Alright, let's go to your room," Jessie whispered.
Beauty didn't argue.
She simply nodded and followed Jessie. As they reached her bedroom, they slipped inside, closing the door gently behind them.
Jessie settled back on the bed, and Beauty sat beside her.
"So," Jessie said, cutting straight to the point. "Bruno. What are you going to do?"
Beauty sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers nervously in her lap.
"I don't know, Jessie. I really don't."
"You've got to call him and apologize right away," Jessie said. "You can't just leave things like this. Give him a call."