Jessi stood just outside the door, hesitating. She had already knocked twice; no reply from Bruno. She wasn't sure if he even wanted to see her. Not after what happened last night. She knew it would be tough for him this time.
However, Beauty's sadness had broken her heart. She knew she had to do something—anything—to bring them back together.
She told Beauty she can take care of him.
Of course, she would have given it a chance, but not when she knew for sure that Beauty loved Bruno, and he also loved her.
They had to make it work; they should!
Arching her brow at the thought, she summoned a deep breath and gave one more quick knock.
Without waiting for an answer anymore, she turned the knob and stepped into the room.
Bruno was standing by the window, his gaze out over the garden. He didn't turn when she entered or even act like he noticed her presence.
Jessi sighed.
"Bruno," she called softly, as she closed the door behind her. He didn't answer, and she didn't expect him to.
"I know you're hurting. But please... just hear me out."
He said nothing still and didn't turn around, but she continued anyway, stepping forward slowly.
"I know last night was... rough. But you need to know that Beauty didn't mean to hurt you."
"Yeah, she didn't want to kiss me but decided to kiss someone else... But, I am sure she didn't mean to hurt me. Am I a joke?" he finally replied.
"It was a game, Bruno."
Bruno turned slightly, just enough for Jessi to catch the coldness in his eyes.
"A game where she had two options: drink or kiss. Why didn't she take the drink? Jessi, if you're here to defend her, don't waste your breath," he said, his voice low and dry. "I've already made up my mind. I'm done with the whole mess. It's the best for both of us."
"She's trying, believe me, Bruno. Really trying. And it's not easy for her."
"Trying?" he scoffed, bitterness filling his voice. "I've been waiting for her to stop 'trying' and start actually improving. But every time I let my guard down, she pulls back. She's scared; I get that. But I'm tired, Jessi. I'm tired of being the one who is always pushing... I don't mind giving someone else a chance. She may be my first love, but... we gotta end it once and for all."
"You are not so perfect yourself."
"Yeah, I know, I said some things I shouldn't have said and I apologized... the thing is that, we are done... we broke up peacefully, she can kiss any guy she wants and I can date someone who actually cares about my feelings... without accusing me of what others did."
Jessie looked down, her heart racing.
He can date someone else?
---
Beauty sat at the edge of her chair in the brightly lit mini-conference room inside Lola Cruz's visitor lounge.
As Ferdinand addressed the F&F fashion team—models, stylists, and makeup artists—all eyes were on Ferdinand as he spoke about the upcoming tropical photoshoot deep in the woods.
Mrs. Lola Cruz was sitting with him, smiling as usual.
Beauty's eyes went back to her sketch pad in her hands, but her heart, however, was still tight and heavy from the breakup. The memory of his words, the coldness in his eyes as he'd turned away from her, still clung to her like a shadow.
As she blinked back tears, she straightened, reminding herself she couldn't let anyone see her break down here and risk tongues wagging about it. She had to focus on her work and let it go.
Ferdinand's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Alright, everyone. This shoot is going to be challenging, but I know we are the best team for the job." He paused, letting his eyes scan the faces of his audience.
"We'll be working deep in the woods. Picture towering trees, thick foliage, sunlight filtering down in rays... I want you all to immerse yourselves in this atmosphere. This woodland shoot is unlike anything we've done before. Think lush greenery, towering trees, natural light streaming through the branches. I want this to be capturing the very essence of nature. Our theme is green nature, earth beauty, and connection to the elements."
Beauty's fingers fiddled nervously with a pencil, her mind racing as he spoke.
She'd been looking forward to this shoot, especially since it was her first outdoor and big collaboration by Lola Cruz, herself. She can't wait to see the models wearing her designs.
She raised her head slightly. Opposite her, she could see the models were already chattering quietly, sharing their excitement and some anxiety.
Then noticed Kathy's suspicious gaze at her, but she didn't give her a chance to figure her out. She wondered what Jessi was doing with Bruno.
Maybe kissing him. Making out with him. Confessing to him and claiming him, after all... he is Bruno, right?
A tear dropped on her sketch paper, wetting a spot in her designed art.