Mrs. Hills glanced at the living room. Beauty's expression said it all.
"I'm sorry... but I don't think Beauty will want to..."
"Pardon me, Mrs. Hills, but I'm well aware of her relationship with Bruno Hathaway. We're just friends."
Mrs. Hills' eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh, I see. Well, come on in, dear."
Eric stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Beauty.
"Beauty! It's good to see you," he said, then glanced at Bruno.
Seeing the jealous expression on Bruno's face, Eric smirked to himself.
Beauty stared at him, dumbfounded, her mouth slightly open.
"Eric? What... why are you here?" she muttered.
"Who is this?" Mr. Hills asked, but before Beauty could reply, Eric interjected.
"Hey, is that the new Barcelona jersey?" Eric said, referring to the polo Mr. Hills wore.
Mr. Hills perked up, his smile widening.
"Sure is. I'm a big fan of the team."
Eric grinned and gestured to himself.
"Same here! Been following them since I was a kid."
Mr. Hills chuckled, clearly impressed.
"Well, isn't that something? So, who are you again? You seem like an interesting guy."
Beauty and Bruno exchanged confused glances.
Eric walked up to Mr. Hills and extended a hand.
"I'm Eric, sir. A colleague and friend of Beauty's. Just friends," he added, his tone casual as he met Bruno's gaze intentionally.
Bruno rolled his tongue, triggered.
"A friend and colleague, I see!"
Mr Hills replied.
Mrs. Hills returned to her seat, smiling at the introduction.
Beauty's brows arched tightly.
Friends? They weren't even friends.
She barely spoke to Eric outside of work events.
What is he up to?
Bruno, unable to hold his frustration, forced a wide, almost plastic-looking smile and stood abruptly.
"Eric, right? Why don't we step outside for a moment? I'd love to chat."
Eric blinked, feigning surprise.
"Oh, pardon me, Mr. Bruno. Congratulations—I saw the blog headlines! And I can see your luxury rides outside. Showing off, huh?"
Bruno tried to compose himself and flashed his 32, sarcastically.
"They're gifts for my beloved parents-in-law."
"Did you hear that, honey?"
Mrs. Hills whispered to her husband in excitement, after a nudge to get his attention.
Mr Hills shook his head, smiling.
"Now, can we talk in private outside?" Bruno said again, this time impatiently.
Eric shrugged.
"Sure, why not?"
He then handed Beauty the bouquet of flowers.
"This is for you, Beauty."
"No, thanks. My mother can accept it, though," Beauty replied coldly.
Bruno smirked at her response, proud.
Eric lowered his gaze in disappointment.
"Very well. Mrs. Hills?" Eric replied and turned to Mrs Hills.
"For you, ma'am".
He handed her the flowers.
"Thanks, they're lovely," Mrs. Hills replied, accepting the bouquet.
As the two young men left the dining room, the tension followed them, leaving Beauty sitting in awkward silence with her parents.
"A friend of yours? You never mentioned him."
Beauty's father spoke to her.
"He is just a colleague".
Beauty groaned.
---
Outside
As soon as they were out of earshot, Bruno grabbed Eric roughly by the arm, pulling him a few steps away from the door. His jaw was set, and his eyes burned with barely contained anger.
"What's your deal, huh? What the hell are you doing here? Did you get paid to ruin my day with Beauty? Or is this just some pathetic attempt to get her attention? I warned you before ...she is mine...what games are you playing?"
Eric raised his hands in surrender.
"Relax, man. I'm not here to steal your girl. I just wanted to welcome her. Thought it'd be a nice gesture."
Bruno's eyes narrowed in irritation.
"A nice gesture? Showing up uninvited, with flowers, to my girlfriend's parents' house while I'm here? That's not a gesture, you are intentionally trying to get on my nerves, today is supposed to be an important day for us...you have no place here".
Eric smirked, crossing his arms.
"Look, I didn't know you'd be here. I came for Beauty, not you. What's your problem? Feeling a little overprotective? Or is it insecurity?"
Bruno stepped closer, his voice barely a whisper now.
"State what you want and leave. I have no time for this.."
He instructed coldly.
"Look, man, if Beauty didn't want me here, she'd say so. You don't need to be this insecure".
"You are not dumb, are you? Can't you see she didn't want you here too?"
"Her parents don't seem to see me as a threat. They actually like me, you know. Besides, I asked for your friendship, and you turned me down. I can't go to the Hathaway's mansion...without a permit so this is my chance to convince you. You need me man, who is going to be your Best man, if you want a wedding huh?"
Bruno scoffed in disbelief.
"Oh, is that it? You're here to sabotage and ruin my day because I didn't want your friendship. Can you even hear yourself? What are you, a teenager?"
"Like I said I am not here for you but Beauty".
Bruno grew more impatient.
"Listen to me, and listen carefully. If you value your job, get lost, leave this place immediately. I mean it, Eric."
"You're threatening me over this? I never expected this from you, Mr. Bruno. I meant no harm, really. I'm not trying to steal your girl. Beauty isn't interested in me, and we both know that."
Before Bruno could respond, the door creaked open.
Beauty stepped out, arms crossed with a tight frown.
"What's going on here? Why are you even here, Eric?"
Eric shrugged and smiled.
"I thought it'd be nice to see you after the tour. That's all."
Beauty sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Eric, this is... not the time or place. I think you should go. We have no business aside from work!"
"Really? Beauty. He doesn't trust you. That's why he's trying to get me to leave. He thinks I'm some kind of threat that you will cheat on him with me, make it make
sense. Will you avoid every male because you have a boyfriend, it's toxic."
"What are you even saying?"
Beauty asked confused.
She turned to Bruno, who looked like he was about to explode.
For a moment, it seemed like he might lash out, but then he swallowed hard, forcing himself to calm down.
"It's fine," Bruno said through gritted teeth, his tone measured.
"He can stay. I trust you."
Beauty stared at him, stunned.
"Are you sure?"
Bruno nodded stiffly, though his hand twitched at his side like it wanted to grab Eric and toss him off.
"Yeah. I trust you. If he's not leaving, then I'll deal with it. He is right, it's not healthy...if I prevent you from having friends."
Eric grinned smugly.
"See? No hard feelings."
He entered the house.
Beauty sighed, clearly uncomfortable, and rubbed her temples.
"This is ridiculous. He is not my friend and you know it, what is going on between you two?"
"I am going to kill him after this"
Bruno muttered beneath his breath.
Beauty sighed.
"I don't think he is here for me Bruno, I think he is here for you".
"I figured that out, I don't want to be his friend, annoying brat".
"Maybe you should consider trying to get along with him," Beauty said gently.