“You are not joking. He called you,”
Beauty asked, her voice softer now, masking her disappointment.
“Yes! I still can't believe it.”
Jessie exclaimed.
“Yeah... Why exactly?”
“I'm not sure,”.
Jessie replied with a laugh.
“He said he was just checking in, making sure I was doing okay after that stressful week at work. It's so thoughtful of him, right? I didn't even know he cared about me like that. You know, in that sort of way.”
Beauty forced a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
“Yeah... Very thoughtful,” she replied slowly, her mind racing with conflicting emotions.
Suddenly, everything she'd felt earlier, the connection, the unspoken tension between them felt like a just cruel illusion.
The moment they'd shared in the car, the way he'd held her, the way he looked at her... had it all been in her head?
Was she living in a delusion, seeing something that wasn't really there?
*I guess I was just being delusional. Bruno was just that kind of person. Someone who can't see someone in need and ignores them. I had thought maybe there was something else, but Bruno was just being Bruno as always.
Gentle, kind, considerate, and caring to everyone. I am not anything special to him... quit with your delusions Beauty*
She said to herself and felt her eyes clouded.
“Hello? Beauty, are you still there? You are silent.”
Jessie cuts into her thoughts.
Beauty cleaned off the drop of tear on her cheek immediately and tried to compose herself. She couldn't let Jessie hear the crack in her voice.
“That's... great, Jess. I'm glad you two had a nice talk.”
But inside, Beauty couldn't help but feel like she was slowly slipping out of a dream and back into cold reality.
As she listened to Jessie gush about Bruno, the weight of her disappointment grew heavier.
It wasn't just the fact that Bruno had called Jessie, but what it meant.
Bruno hardly communicates with anyone in the company.
Jessie, on the other hand, is head over heels just like the rest of them. She will not think twice to throw herself at Bruno and give him all of her.
She had a good body, a pretty face, the world standard.
What man could turn that down?
Beauty scoffed inwardly, suddenly hating her emotions.
Why do I feel so angry, envious and jealous, like Bruno is mine and belongs to me?
If he loves my friend, ain't I supposed to be happy for them?
Jessie knew Bruno before I came to the company.
Yet, she supported me, why can't I do the same?
And then, Jessie's next words interrupted her thoughts and hit her like a punch to the gut.
“You know, Beauty, I've always kind of liked Bruno too. Not like a major crush or anything, like yours you know” Jessie added quickly, as if that would soften the blow, “but he's just so nice, you know? I mean, he's successful, charming, and always considerate. I don't know... maybe this is my chance to get closer to him. I really don't want to upset you or anything. I know how much you admire him....”
Beauty's heart clenched. She didn't know what to say. Of course, Jessie loves Bruno too. So if he is trying to get closer, she would love to give him a chance.
Who wouldn't?
It's not a betrayal, there is nothing between this whale and Bruno, right?
“Beauty, if you are not comfortable with it, I will keep a distance, you know?”
“No...no...no...please Jessie, don't say that. Sir Bruno is just my boss ... I mean, he doesn't see me as the rest of you... I .... I ...to cut it short. I am happy for you”.
“For real?”
“Yes!”
Beauty shouted, faking excitement.
“Are you sure? You want me to make a move?”
Jessie asked.
“I am sure Jessie, come on... I know I felt a little bad, but you win, I am happy for you, I truly am”.
Jessie sighed.
****
Bruno turned off the car's engine, letting out a loud sigh.
He sat there for a moment, thinking back to the evening he'd spent with Beauty.
There had been something he felt between them, a tension that left him feeling both excited and confused. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but one thing was clear: he couldn't stop thinking about her.
He reached for the back seat, intending to grab his hoodie and pants, but his fingers brushed against something soft.
Pulling it out, he realized it was Beauty's hoodie.
She had forgotten it in the back seat. A quiet chuckle escaped his lips, imagining her in a rush and forgetting her clothes.
*Good thing she didn't forget her underwear, * he thought with an amused grin. *That would've been awkward.*