The next day, Beauty woke up early, though it felt like she hadn't slept at all. She had tossed and turned through the night, her mind a swirl of thoughts and frustrations.
Bruno had moved on so easily, and that thought alone left her feeling heartbroken.
To make things worse, her mother kept bringing up Eric, talking about how handsome he was and how they would make a nice couple.
Could Eric really be the one who has been sending those gifts and supportive notes? Beauty wondered.
She had tried asking Bruno once, and he had said the gifts were from him. But now, thinking back on it, maybe he said it just to take credit for something sweet.
Bruno isn't that type of person, she thought.
Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. It was Jessie calling.
She sighed and answered on the second ring.
"Hello..."
"How are you feeling?" Jessie asked softly.
"Better. Thanks for yesterday. I'll be on my way to the company soon," Beauty replied.
"All right. I'll see you soon. Take care," Jessie said.
After the call, Beauty went into the bathroom to take her bath.
---
When Jessie arrived at the company, she went to the designer's department, but Beauty wasn't there.
She checked the time and wondered if she should call to find out why Beauty wasn't at work yet. On second thought, she decided to give her some time.
She took the elevator to the modeling department, where she found Kathy laughing with Bruno's assistant, Monica.
Since when did these two become so close? Jessie thought, feeling suspicious.
She wished she could actually hear them from her spot.
"Well, hello, Jessie," Kathy called out first.
Jessie smiled boldly and approached her.
"Well, you seem to have grown a bit. Recognizing others is something you don't normally do," she said sarcastically.
Kathy smirked, walking closer and leaning in to whisper into Jessie's ear.
"Oh, I'm just happy because I have a date with Bruno tonight. He invited me. I just thought I should tell you... and maybe let the company's 'Whale' know."
Jessie's eyes widened at that statement. She arched her brows and, without a word, angrily turned toward the elevator.
What is wrong with Bruno? Is he trying to hurt Beauty even more? Why is he acting this way?!
She stepped into the elevator.
When she got to the designer's department, she saw that Beauty had arrived. She decided not to tell her about the date but just urge her to speak to Bruno.
Beauty, at that time, was sorting through her emails. She looked like she hadn't slept well last night, Jessie noticed.
Beauty was lost in thought going through her emails when she suddenly noticed movement out of the corner of her eye.
She looked up and found her friend Jessie approaching her desk.
"You need to talk to Bruno," Jessie said impatiently.
"What?"
Beauty gasped and looked around, a bit nervous and embarrassed that someone might overhear them.
"Jess, can we go and talk about this somewhere else?" she asked quietly.
"No... go and sort things out right now. You two are adults, Beauty. You can't keep hurting yourself like this. You love each other. I know you called him yesterday, but that was on the phone; you have to make him understand how much you really do want to make things right."
"I do love him, but I can't say the same for him, not anymore. He hates me now" Beauty replied, sadly.
"Well, it's understandable for him to feel that way. Go find out now, you can never be sure. He is an introvert.. keeping distance doesn't mean he hates you." Jessie stated with finality.
Just then, they saw Kathy walking toward Bruno's office.
Beauty and Jessie paused their discussion and watched her closely as she entered the office.
"Well, it seems like he already has his options around him, huh?" Jessie whispered.
A strange, sharp pang of jealousy rose inside Beauty. She tried to brush it off, forcing herself to concentrate on her work, but her gaze kept drifting back to Bruno's office.
She bit her lip, trying to keep calm.
"Beauty, if you don't fight for what is yours, someone else will take it. It's worth fighting for, if you ask me. Not every day do you get to see a man asking you to put yourself first and not him," Jessie said before leaving.
Beauty's hands trembled as her emotions took control of her. She knew Jessie was right. Bruno had every right to be angry at her, but she had apologized to him yesterday, and what did he do? He ignored her. What if he does that again?
Her gaze shifted to his door once more.
After a few minutes of restlessness, monitoring Bruno's office door, neither Bruno nor Kathy came out. That made her breathing quicken and her nerves itch.
What could they possibly be doing in there?
Concentrate, Beauty.
You don't have to beg any man to love you. You have to put yourself first.
She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. Scenes of their moments came flashing back; he had been supportive in many ways that she didn't expect anyone else to understand. He had never hurt her feelings, not once, even though he wasn't perfect.
She opened her eyes slowly as they grew wet.
Putting myself first is putting my happiness first. I love Bruno, and he makes me the happiest woman. I don't care if that makes me desperate, but it's worth fighting for.
She thought and cast another glance at the door.
Unable to resist any longer, she stood up slowly, her hands tightening around the edge of her desk.
She shut down her PC and walked slowly toward Bruno's office, her heart racing nervously. Kathy would probably say something mean, but she had to be bold enough to face her.
She hesitated for a second, her hand raised, before finally giving a firm knock.
Bruno's voice responded immediately, "Come in."
He probably assumed it was his assistant.
Beauty took a deep breath and opened the door, her heart pounding as she stepped inside. But as soon as she entered, she stopped dead in a spot, her eyes widening at what she saw.