Oh, really? Can you see? She's threatening to do more," Kathy snapped.
"Ms. Kathy! Listen," Ferdinand yelled in annoyance.
"This is not the time for your tantrums and IT girl special treatment. This meeting is for the upcoming tour. I will ask you to keep quiet and focus on the meeting."
"You're embarrassing me in front of everyone! This is not how you handle things! This isn't fair! Y'all hate me because I am pretty. You think that I can't be the victim?" Kathy snapped back.
Jessie scoffed and rolled her eyes.
The meeting continued, with Ferdinand moving on to the next agenda item, and everyone's attention focused on their preparations, ignoring Kathy.
She sat there, grumpy and muttering words to herself.
"I am sure she is crying inside right now, poor thing ... knowing that these two dated in the past made it so much more satisfying," Jessie whispered to Beauty and laughed quietly.
Beauty looked toward Kathy's direction; seeing her cry silently made her feel a little guilty.
She is very pretty and confident, but no one around her truly cares about her. In this case, she is in a lot better position than Kathy.
At least she had Jessie by her side; Kathy's admirers are only there for her public image, not to share her pains or comfort her.
---
Beauty returned home that day, exhausted and tired. A lot happened in a day—too much for her to handle. She told Bruno she would be leaving the company in two months. She had stood her ground against Kathy and had finally defended herself.
She even warned her in front of the top employees at the company!
What was up with her?
She sighed and pulled the door open.
"Mom! I am home!"
As she stepped inside the house, she was greeted by an unexpected sight: her mother was in the living room, surrounded by gift bags and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
"Look at this!" Mrs. Hills exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"These gifts were delivered at the door. The delivery man said it's from your admirer. He must be such a romantic fellow. Do you have anyone in mind?"
Beauty raised an eyebrow.
"Eric?"
She muttered inwardly then looked up at her mother.
"Mom, I really just need to rest right now."
Her mother ignored her and picked up the bouquet, inhaling the floral aroma.
"And look! There's a note too! I didn't read it; it's for you," she said, holding it out eagerly.
With a sigh, Beauty took the note.
She opened it and read aloud, "I am proud of you. Not from Eric," she muttered.
Not from Eric?
Then who could it...
She paused abruptly.
Really? This is how he wants to play the game?
Her mother, still gushing over the gifts, leaned closer and whispered, "It must be from that charming young man who came over the other evening. He seemed really nice! What an old-school way of romance. I remembered how your father sent me letters and flowers just like this..."
Beauty rubbed her temples tiredly.
"Can't we just talk about this later, Mom? I just want to relax for a bit."
"Oh, honey, but look at these!" her mom insisted, holding up a small box wrapped in shiny paper. "This could be something really special. Don't you want to find out?"
Her mother pouted playfully.
"Just a quick peek? Please?"
Reluctantly, Beauty relented.
"Fine. Just a quick look, and then I'm heading to my room."
Her mom beamed, opening the box to reveal a delicate silver charm bracelet with a BB design.
"See? Isn't this lovely? You should put it on, right away."
Before Beauty could say a word or disagree, her mother put it around her wrist.
"It's got your name, Beauty, customized as the B. Don't you think? There, it looks good on your hand."
"It's double B, Mom," Beauty replied and smiled at her mother.
"Well, it could be Beauty and Beauty," Mrs. Hills shrugged.
Beauty touched the charm bracelet, a smile appearing on her lips. All she could think of was Bruno. There's no doubt who the person behind this really is.
"What? Why are you smiling?" Her mother snapped, cutting into her thoughts.
"We will talk later, Mom,"
Beauty replied tiredly.
"Alright, I'll give you some space," her mother replied, but her voice was still filled with excitement.
"Oh my goodness! I can't wait to tell your daddy everything!"
Beauty smiled faintly.
"I will take the chocolate boxes," she said and grabbed the snacks.
"Here, this too. You should keep it in your room."
Her mother gave her the bouquet.
Beauty took it without arguing, admiring the flowers briefly before heading to her room.
As she entered her room, she gently placed the bouquet on her bedside table and fell onto her bed.
She took a deep breath with her eyes closed.
"Until next week," she muttered.