3 MONTHS LATER
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for a beauty and a fashion-designing genius herself, Beauty Hills! And might I add, the soon-to-be Mrs. Bruno—the man who has every rom-com writer throwing their scripts in the trash."
Beauty Hills entered the stage with confidence, wearing a liquid-like luxury red gown that hugged her curves. The applause grew louder as soon as she came into sight.
She blushed slightly and waved, taking a seat beside the host.
"Lemme start by saying you look so gorgeous tonight! I love your outfit, make up, everything! Congrats on your engagement too...you are so sweet and amazing."
"Thank you, Helen! You're making me sound way cooler than I actually am."
Beauty said with a smile.
"Oh, stop! You're out here designing for plus-size women, making waves in the fashion industry. In just three months, F&F's popularity has skyrocketed because of your designs, and you landed Bruno. If that's not cool, I don't know what is."
Beauty smiled back.
"Thanks a lot, Helen, but I'd like to point out that the growth of F&F wasn't done singlehandedly by me. Actually, the team worked hard for it. I may be the initiator, but each and every one of them was outstanding."
"Oh, I see. Shout-out to the F&F team!" the host announced with a smile to the camera.
The audience cheered and clapped again. Beauty smiled.
"And also, with the help of our new CEO, Bruno Hathaway—a very handsome and sweet CEO."
"OOoooh handsome and sweet,"
Helen said dramatically.
The audience cheered even more loudly, and those who shipped the couple whistled, interrupting her.
"With his help, we were able to launch the fashion unboxing of our new clothing line, True Beauty. This line includes all body types and shapes. True beauty is in every body type," Beauty concluded.
"That's so unique, you know. It's nothing like the old F&F, and I am all for it," Helen replied.
"Thanks," Beauty said with a smile as the audience applauded again.
"So tell me, how do you feel being on this show—the most popular talk show?"
"Honestly, I am very happy... My twin sister and friends are here with me too."
"Here?" Helen asked, turning to the audience and scanning for her twin sister.
The camera showed Shelley, who was seated in the front row.
The audience applauded, recognizing her.
"Oh my goodness, it's top model Shelley—and Jessie!"
Shelley and Jessie waved to the camera but the camera initially ignored Nia, who wasn't as popular.
"Also, my high school friend Nia," Beauty added.
The cameraman panned back to show Nia, who waved with a smile.
The audience applauded again.
"Aww, that's sweet. They're here to support you," Helen replied, then turned back to Beauty.
"I'm happy for you, but I know your journey hasn't been an easy one as a plus-size woman in the fashion industry."
Beauty nodded, smiling softly.
"Yeah, it's true. Growing up, I was always the big girl among my peers, and kids can be ruthless. In middle school, I'd get called names like Butterball or Whale. I remember one time in high school, a group of girls sprayed me with pepper spray, saying it was a body spray to stop me from stinking. It crushed me—I was sick and had burns. I was bullied so many times, even by those I trusted as a child. It became so bad that I felt suicidal... I wanted to end it all. But my parents were there to keep me alive."
The audience fell silent, saddened.
"Aww..."
Beauty nodded, trying to keep her smile.
"Even in college and at my first jobs, it didn't stop. There were subtle comments, side-eyes, and people doubting my qualifications at the beauty company because of how I looked. It made me question everything—my worth, my talent. I started wondering if I'd ever fit in—not just physically, but socially and professionally too."
Helen shook her head.
"Kids can be brutal, but adults? That's a whole other level of messed up. And yet, here you are. What changed for you?"
Beauty sighed.
"Honestly, it was difficult to change and stop being insecure. I had wonderful parents and a great friend."
She paused to smile at Jessie, who the camera quickly focused on.
Beauty continued, "And then, meeting my fiancé, Bruno—that was a game changer. I realized their opinions didn't have to define me. I was able to love myself, and I don't give a fuck what others think. I am beautiful—and I'm so beautiful."
"That's on period!" Helen added, fired up.
Beauty elegantly flipped her hair like a diva as the audience roared with cheers.
As the cheers died down, Helen turned back to Beauty.
"Can you share with us how you met the man every magazine calls the dreamiest man alive? Mr Bruno Hathaway."
Beauty laughed.
"It was my first day at the company. I was interviewing for a junior designer position, and I was nervous out of my mind. Then I saw him. I knew of him as a celebrity at the time, and I thought, 'Wow, that's the most handsome man I've ever seen.' He looked even more handsome in person."
"You had a crush on him before you even got the job?"
Beauty laughed again.
"Absolutely! Who wouldn't? He's Bruno Hathaway! But here's the kicker—I didn't find out until much later that he had the exact same crush on me that day."
The audience cheered, laughing with her.
"Soulmates! Straight out of a movie!" Helen exclaimed.
"It feels that way, honestly," Beauty chuckled.
Helen leaned in. "I gotta ask—do you ever feel like you don't deserve him? I mean, this man is someone most women call their husband."
Beauty kept smiling, thinking quickly of the perfect reply. Fans and haters were watching.
She licked her lips thoughtfully.