Beauty stood in her room, her heart racing with excitement as she applied a light coat of lip gloss. She reached for the body spray, misting it over her shoulders and collarbone before slipping into her wine-colored lingerie. The silk fabric hugged her curves, accentuating her figure. She pulled a satin robe over it, the soft material brushing against her skin as she tied it loosely at her waist.
Taking a deep breath, she moved toward the door, her footsteps light and quiet. But as she reached for the doorknob, pulled the door open only to see her mother in front of her door... about to knock.
Her stomach dropped.
"Mo... Mom!" she gasped, her voice trembling.
Mrs. Hills stood in the dimly lit hallway, her eyes puffy with sleep yet sharp with curiosity.
"What... are you doing here, you scared me!"
Mrs. Hills crossed her arms, her gaze traveling from Beauty's flushed face to her barely tied robe.
"Where are you going? It's 1 a.m."
"To... to the guest room. I was going to... check on Bruno." Beauty's voice faltered as she fumbled for an excuse. "What are you doing here?"
Mrs. Hills sighed deeply, a look on her face.
"I came to talk to you. I had a feeling you'd be sneaking around tonight."
Beauty swallowed hard, her throat dry.
"How did you know?"
"I'm your mother. I've been where you are," she said simply, stepping into the room.
Beauty's head dipped in a mix of guilt and embarrassment as she closed the door behind them. Her mother seated herself on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside her. Beauty hesitated before sitting down, her hands fidgeting with the sash of her robe.
"You don't have to sneak around, honey," Mrs. Hills began, her tone gentle yet firm. "You're an adult, and so is Bruno. You two are old enough to take responsibility for your actions."
Beauty nodded silently, her chest tightening as her mother continued.
"He seems like a good man," Mrs. Hills admitted. "But do you trust him? Do you believe he's serious about you? You've been hurt before, and I don't want to see it happen again. You know I'd love to see you happy, to have grandkids someday. But it has to be with someone who truly deserves you."
Her mother's words struck a chord, stirring up insecurities Beauty thought she had buried.
"I... I think I trust him," she whispered, her voice wavering.
"Think about it carefully, Beauty. Your heart is precious, and you deserve someone who will cherish it."
Mrs. Hills leaned over and kissed her daughter's cheek before standing.
"Goodnight, sweetheart," she said softly, leaving the room.
Beauty sat motionless, her mother's words echoing in her mind.
"What's this feeling? I made up my mind to do this, and now that Mom mentioned it, there was this feeling of insecurity and fear rising in me."
Her chest felt heavy with doubt.
"Do I really trust him?" she wondered.
"Am I going to regret going skin-to-skin with him all the time? I loved and wanted him too, but what if he gets tired of me? What if he changes?"
She fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling as tears pricked her eyes.
"Calm down, Beauty. You can do this, it's not our first time so why does it matter now?" she told herself, but the unease refused to subside.
---
The next morning
Bruno woke up in the guest room, glancing at the neatly made bed beside him. Beauty hadn't come as she had promised, and the sting of disappointment settled in his chest. On his birthday of all days. A great way to wake up.
He sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He found his small luggage inside the room and freshened up, getting ready to return to the Hathaway mansion.
After the bath and dressing up, he walked to the living room. It was quiet, and no one was there except Eric, who was still sleeping, snoring peacefully.
Bruno decided to let out his anger on him and smirked, satisfied with his idea. He put down his luggage quietly and walked over to where Eric was lying and kicked him off the couch.
"It's morning."
"Dude! What the hell do you think you are doing?"
Eric jumped up, ready to attack.
Bruno shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips.
"You don't seem to take your job too seriously."
Eric groaned, sitting up.
"Man, I forgive you only because I want to be your friend so badly. Who cares about my job?"
Bruno rolled his eyes.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. You're invited to my birthday party tonight, though."
Eric's face lit up.
"Really? So we're friends now?"
"Not quite," Bruno replied, his tone deadpan.
"I still don't trust you."
"You are really as difficult as a rock, yet you are a mushroom to Beauty."
"I love her."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I had a girlfriend too, so I understand."
Before Bruno could say another word, a voice interrupted them.
"Bruno!" Beauty called and rushed down the stairs.
"I am... sorry, baby. I slept off... and..."
Bruno cuts in.
"It's okay. Could you please see me off?" he asked her with a smile.
She looked relieved to see that he wasn't mad.
"I was hoping you would ask. Give me a few minutes to freshen up," she smiled.
"Thanks," he replied gratefully.
"What happened last night?" Eric asked Bruno, with a suspicious brow raise.
Bruno hit him again, but this time playfully.
Beauty was about at the top of the staircase when the doorbell rang.
"My package," she gasped, her eyes widened, and then she dashed to the door.
Bruno and Eric watched, dumbfounded.
Beauty returned to the living room with a fashion bag. Then, without saying a word to anyone, she walked straight to her room.
"She's adorable," Eric smiled at her as she ran upstairs.
Only to get kicked by Bruno again.
"Come on, man!"
---
The ride to the Hathaway mansion was steeped in silence. Beauty avoided Bruno's gaze, clutching a fashion bag that she got that morning tightly against her chest. Bruno wondered if it was his birthday gift.
After what felt like an eternity, Beauty broke the silence.
"Happy birthday, baby. I'm truly sorry about last night," she said softly.
"Don't worry about it," Bruno said tartly.
She sighed and decided not to bother him, or she might end up making him even angrier.
"I want to meet your parents today," Beauty said, unsure of how he would receive it.
Bruno glanced at her and simply smiled.
That wasn't enough for Beauty. He seemed mad, and it was worrisome. His attitude wasn't convincing at all.
---
Two hours later
The Hathaway mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur and elegance intimidating. Beauty's breath hitched as they drove through the gated compound, security personnel and staff bustling about.
Her palms grew clammy.
She wants to meet his parents?
His parents!
She didn't mean it! She was not prepared to meet the Hathaways! The security in the compound and the maids all over the place gave her anxiety.
This is a popular billionaire family... and she was dressed like this?
What will Mr. Hathaway say?
Bruno is in a relationship company's whale.