"Bruno?"
Beauty murmured again, her voice thick with sleep, barely audible.
Pushing herself up on one elbow, she squinted toward the lounge area visible through the half-open bedroom door. The faint hope that he might be sipping coffee or enjoying the view came to mind, but unfortunately, she was wrong.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, grabbing the duvet and wrapping it around her naked body.
"Bruno?" she called again, louder this time, her voice trembling slightly.
No sign of him.
Beauty's chest tightened. A creeping unease spread through her as she checked the bathroom.
Empty.
The closet? Empty too.
Flashes of Tim leaving her after her first night came to mind. Could it be that Bruno had his "plus-size experience" and left too?
Was it all a lie?
Is this the end of her love story with Bruno?
There's no way!
She convinced herself, tears filling her eyes.
"Bruno!" she shouted now, her voice cracking with emotion.
Her bare feet moved quickly as she searched every corner of the suite, his name a continuous chant falling from her lips.
Unfortunately, it was clear to her now—she was alone. His clothes were gone too!
Panic clawed at her chest as she grabbed her phone from the nightstand and dialed his number.
She held her breath, the ringing in her ear feeling like a lifeline. But after a few rings, the call disconnected, and the mechanical voice that followed stabbed at her like a knife.
"The number you have dialed is not available."
Beauty stared at the phone, her fingers trembling. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Don't panic... don't panic. I trust him!"
She yelled in her mind.
She turned back toward the bed, her knees weak as she sat down slowly at the edge. It was then that her eyes caught something—a small, folded piece of paper on the pillow beside hers.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, almost unwillingly, she took the note. Her hands shook as she unfolded it, and her eyes impatiently read the written words:
"Thanks for a great time. A first-time experience."
What does this mean?
She hoped it was positive and about his virginity, and not the thing she feared most.
Was he really a virgin?
Could this be his goodbye?
She had been left. Again.
Her lips trembled as a sob broke free, her hands clenching the note so tightly that it crumpled in her grasp. She bent forward, her face buried in her hands, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.
How could he?
The ache in her chest grew unbearable, and she clawed at her phone, scrolling to Jessie's number.
------
The phone ringing woke Jessie from her deep sleep.
She lay sprawled across her bed, tangled in sheets, her head pounding like a drum. Her body felt heavy, every muscle sore, as if she'd been through a mini workout of her own. She groaned, trying to open her eyes, but the light was too bright, stabbing into her skull.
The phone kept ringing.
With a slow, painful stretch, Jessie dragged her arm over her eyes, shielding them from the sun.
"Why did I drink so much last night?" she thought groggily, then reached out, fumbling for the phone on the nightstand.
Seeing the caller, she frowned with concern.
"Beauty?"
She pushed herself into a sitting position and rubbed her eyes, massaging her temples to clear the fog that had settled in her brain.
The phone rang again. She swiped to answer and placed it against her ear with a groan.
"Hello?"
"Jessie," Beauty choked out as soon as she heard her friend's voice.
"He's gone. Bruno left me a note. He said he had his first-time experience... you know, with a plus-size."
The words came out in a rush, her voice shaking.
Jessie's voice froze instantly with a mix of shock and concern. Then she slapped her forehead.
Not again. Why do they always have these silly misunderstandings? She thought.
"Beauty, breathe. Tell me what happened. Where are you?"
Beauty pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady the storm inside her.
"The Grand Hotel... the presidential suite. He-he left a note. He's gone, Jessie. I don't know what I did wrong. I trusted him... was he lying all this time? I am so confused, Jessie."
Jessie sighed.
"You did nothing wrong, honey. I'm still doubting that Bruno dumped you. You have to trust him. Don't let your fear take over again."
"But what if... what if he left me. Just like everyone else," she whispered, her voice cracking.
"Well, he won't dare. Now have you called him?"
"Yes not reachable. I am scared, Jessie... what if... last night wasn't enough? I don't want us to separate ever... I..."
Just then, Beauty heard the suite door unlocking. She froze, her breath hitching as she turned toward the sound.
The door swung open, and Bruno walked in, his hair tousled in a way that made him look like some fantasy prince. He was struggling to balance an enormous bouquet of red roses and a stack of gift bags.
Beauty was speechless, staring at him with her tear-streaked face.
Bruno looked up with a smile, but it disappeared instantly when he saw her face wet with tears.
"Beauty?"
He murmured in shock and rushed toward her, not minding the gifts that fell, with the flowers nearly slipping from his grip.
"Bruno"
She sobbed quietly.
"Beauty, are you still there?"
Jessie's voice squawked through the phone, but Beauty was too stunned to respond.
Bruno was in front of her and he cupped her face.
"What's going on? Why are you crying?"
Bruno asked, his face filled with panic and worry.