Beauty arrived at the company earlier than usual, hoping that she wouldn’t run into Bruno—not after what happened that night!
Her heart was pounding like crazy, with a mix of anxiety and nervousness.
It’s like everyone already knew about her failed date and past.
Not like Bruno is the type that engages, yet she can’t seem to get over it.
She was dressed in a simple navy blue A-line dress, twice her size.
Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, and she wore a little makeup, hoping that Bruno might notice.
“Yeah, right, Beauty, you wished not to face him, yet applied makeup hoping to attract his attention?”
She thought to herself.
Nevertheless, the thought of her co-workers finding out about the surprise gift and joking about it made her skin prickle with unease.
She quickly made her way to her desk, keeping her head down to avoid any unwanted glances.
She sighed and settled down at her desk. The same moment the entrance door opened again, her breath was immediately caught in her throat.
A tall figure entered the room, and with just a glimpse, she knew it was Bruno.
Panic surged through her, and she quickly ducked behind her laptop, her fingers moving all over the keyboard as she typed out random, meaningless words in a desperate attempt to appear busy.
Bruno stepped into the room, his assistant following like a disciple.
He glanced in Beauty’s direction and wondered what she thought of the gift.
Unfortunately, he noticed her sudden discomfort. Sensing the surrounding tension, he chose not to disturb her, walking straight to his office without a word.
The moment he was out of sight, Beauty let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, her heart still racing from the brief encounter.
“Thank goodness, I thought he would approach me.”
Bruno got into his office and pulled off his suit.
He folded his length on the office chair and tilted his head backward, showing an attractive view of his Adam’s apple.
He gulped hard and closed his eyes.
“Why is she in my head every damn time?”
He opened his eyes.
“Tim is the worst. It was my first time. He didn’t even care. He said I should clean up and leave, like I was just a whore he met. This same man confessed his love for me months before I finally said yes to his sexual needs.”
Beauty’s crying voice came back to his head.
“So much for being in a relationship. How do people claim to love another and hurt them like that? Being in love is not worth it. She looked so broken and depressed telling me that story.”
He murmured to himself.
Meanwhile, as Beauty tried to calm her racing heart after Bruno’s entrance, her friend Jessie arrived at the office with her usual wild energy.
“Jessie’s in the building!”
The attention-seeking golden retriever announced and walked directly to Beauty’s desk.
Dressed to kill as always, being one of the top models, and her eyes twinkling with excitement.
“Girl, you won’t believe the dream I had last night!” Jessie exclaimed, leaning in closer. “I dreamt I got the same romantic gift from a secret admirer as you! It was so dreamy!”
Beauty’s eyes widened in panic, and she quickly scanned the room, worried that someone might’ve overheard that.
The last thing she wanted was for anyone to make fun of her, assuming she was pretending to have a secret admirer.
“Jessie, please,” Beauty whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
“Don’t talk about that here. I don’t want people thinking I’m making it up or something. Please, let’s keep it between us, okay? I really don’t need any attention right now.”
Jessie frowned, her excitement fading as she looked at Beauty in disappointment.
“Always ruining the mood, huh?” she said, her voice a bit sharper than before. “Why are you so worried about what people think? You’re beautiful enough to have a secret admirer, and you should own that!”
Beauty shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers nervously fiddling with the edge of her dress.
“It’s not that easy, Jessie. You know how our co-workers can be. They’ll think I’m just making it up, trying to get attention. Besides, having a secret admirer is no big deal… they will laugh that I am just having my first experience of such.”
Jessie rolled her eyes.
“No, they won’t dare. And even if they think you are making it up, who cares? You’re worth so much more than you give yourself credit for. You should be bold enough to stand tall and proud. If someone admires you, let them. You deserve to be admired. You are very beautiful, talented, and you have an outstanding personality, and you don’t have to be accepted by everyone. Be proud of who you are.”
Beauty nodded slowly.
“Thanks, Jessie, but please don’t say anything about it to anyone.”
“Fine. My lips are sealed. Happy now?”
Beauty murmured, “Thanks.”
Jessie shook her head.
“Let’s talk about it later, okay?”
She said and gave Beauty a quick wink before heading to her desk, leaving Beauty to exhale in relief, glad she was able to convince her not to say anything about it.
Beauty returned to her work, focusing on her fashion designs database.
Hours later, when lunchtime arrived, Beauty reluctantly made her way down to the company’s cafeteria, where the employees usually gathered to eat.
The cafeteria was filled with the aroma of various dishes and the chatter of her colleagues catching up on their day.
She picked a quiet table near the corner, hoping to enjoy a moment of peace.
As she settled in with her meal, the sight of it made her tummy rumble in disappointment.
Beauty closed her eyes, trying to push down the hunger for something else and accept her strict diet.
She opened her eyes and suddenly noticed Bruno walking towards her table.
Her heart skipped a beat, and the nervousness she thought she had managed to suppress came rushing back.
What! Is he really coming over here? Maybe I am just overreacting. He might be going for another table. I should better stop staring at him.
She quickly looked down at her plate and fidgeted with her utensils, trying to appear calm, but her hands betrayed her by trembling slightly.
As Bruno reached her table, to her surprise, he didn’t just pass by; instead, he pulled out a chair and sat down right in front of her!
Beauty’s heart started pounding like it would burst out of her rib cage.