Just then, a knock sounded on the door.
"Mmmm...Bruno... someone's knocking..."
Beauty moaned.
Bruno responded by mumbling something inaudible while feasting on her breasts.
"Bruno... Bruno!"
Beauty called, louder this time.
Bruno's eyes snapped open, his breathing still heavy, his hands clutching the pillow as if it were her.
He was lying on the bed, fully dressed, he looked over the beds; he was alone.
He was lying on his bed, fully dressed.
Turning towards the door, he saw Beauty and her friend talking, then both paused and gazed at him.
Beauty looked like she had a lot of questions; she was also dressed in pajamas.
"Was it a dream?" he wondered, closing his eyes slowly as he realized and cursed.
"Yeah... I took my bath before her last night. I should've known...
Damn... I almost lost my virginity to Beauty in the dream."
He cursed.
Suddenly he felt a tightness in his groin and rushed to the bathroom.
"What's with him?" Jessie asked Beauty, surprised at Bruno's actions.
Beauty glanced towards the bathroom, then sighed but said nothing.
"And what's with you? Why the face?" Jessie asked her again.
Before Beauty could say a word, Jessie's eyes lit up in excitement.
"No, don't tell me—I know it."
She gave her friend a naughty smirk.
"What are you talking about?" Beauty replied dryly.
"Don't act dumb... tell me everything! Last night was finally the night, right? You and Bruno, alone in a room..."
She winked.
"Let's not talk about it here," Beauty said slowly as she stepped out of the room.
Jessie was surprised by her reaction.
What's with the attitude?
Then she covered her mouth and gasped lowly.
"Is his performance that bad?"
She asked herself then followed her friend and found herself at the gym section in the guest house.
The hall was empty, filled with gym equipment and very quiet. They could talk without anyone interrupting them.
"How did you know they had a gym here?" Jessie asked, impressed, glancing around the room.
"I heard Bruno and Mrs. Lola talking about it yesterday. In case he wants to exercise, she must've thought he was a gym freak or something."
Beauty said dismissively.
"He's got a great body without excessive training, that's one beautiful gene. Now tell me, how did it go with Bruno?" she said with a grin, excited.
"Jessie, nothing happened," she murmured dryly and went to sit on a bench.
Jessie's smile vanished, replaced with a look of shock.
"Nothing?"
She asked, following her.
Beauty pressed her tightly as Jessie sat beside her.
"Wait, seriously? Nothing at all? I thought you two were finally going to... you know fix things up," she said, her voice trailing off with a look of disappointment.
Beauty shook her head slowly, her gaze downcast.
"I thought so too," she whispered and let out a long sigh.
"But it's not just that. "
Jessie looked more curious than ever.
"What else?"
"Never mind. It's just... It's....it's silly."
Beauty's eyes became soaked with tears, which made Jessie worry.
"Beauty, I hate when you go off like that. I'm your friend; I will never shame you for anything. What happened? Tell me, did Bruno do anything to you?"
"Yes...I mean no!..(sighs) it's complicated," Beauty replied, feeling a bit embarrassed by her emotions.
"Then make me understand," Jessie said softly.
Beauty hesitated, her eyes clouding.
"I had this... dream. It felt so real. And in it, Bruno was so different. He was cold and rude. He called me fat and ugly. He looked at me like I was nothing to him; he told everyone about my sex tape. And then, right there, he-" Beauty's voice cracked, and she had to pause, gathering herself.
"He cheated on me with Kathy... I know it's silly, but it hurts a lot... I felt my heart about to explode in the dream. Bruno... I never knew how much I loved him... until last night. I thought it was so real... I can't survive his heartbreak... It was so real and painful. I wasn't hurt because I was shamed and cheated on... it hurt because it was from Bruno."
Beauty cried this time.
Jessie didn't find it amusing; she looked concerned for her friend.
"Oh, Beauty..."
Beauty nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek, though she quickly wiped it away, as if embarrassed by the display.
"I know it's silly to get worked up by a dream but it was so hurtful...that I woke up crying, and my heart was as heavy as a rock, Jessie. Really crying. It was like I was mourning something that had actually happened. The pain was so much, like it had carved a hollow space right here."
She pressed a hand to her chest, right over her heart.
"And now, I can't stop thinking about it. Every time I look at him, I keep wondering if it could ever be true. If he could ever hurt me like that. I don't want him to be like the others, Jessie... I can't... I can't..." She cried again.
"Shhh... come here."
Jessie pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly, her eyes filled with sympathy as Beauty sobbed in her chest.
"Beauty, it was just a nightmare. Bruno isn't like that. You know how much he cares about you. It's probably because you're thinking about the possibility... trust me, Bruno will not turn out to be like them."
'I know it was just a dream..but it felt like more. It felt like... a warning. Like maybe I've been holding onto this fantasy of him being so perfect for so long that I've lost touch with reality. He is a man like the others. I tell myself I'm strong, that I could survive anything.
But if that dream ever became real...".
Beauty insisted.
Then she took a shaky breath, "I don't think I'd survive it, Jessie."
"But he's not like that, Beauty. Bruno would never do something so heartless. I mean, he might be oblivious sometimes, sure, but he's not cruel. You should trust him... I don't think Bruno would love to see you think of him like that. Remember the sex tape misunderstanding... he is innocent... he is yet to get over it, and you want to doubt him again?"
Beauty shook her head, looking away.
"You have to trust him. I know that your trust has been broken many times, but Bruno is worth giving a chance."
Beauty nodded and straightened up from the hug.
"Thanks for your advice, Jessie, you're a sweetheart," Beauty said, drying her wet face.
"Hey, call me mother."
"You're a bitch," Beauty replied, and they both laughed.
Just then, they heard footsteps approaching.