Beauty stared at the floor, her eyes welling up with tears she had tried so hard to hold back. She bit her lip nervously, trying to suppress her emotions.
Unfortunately, her emotions are now like a tangled mess, and she felt like she was about to break.
"Talk to me," Jessie said, her tone softer now. "What's going on? What did I do?"
Beauty took a shaky breath, and finally, unable to contain it any longer, the dam broke.
"I... I am sorry Jessie, it's just ... . I am shamelessly jealous of you. That he liked you back, I am sorry. I shouldn't feel that way. He is never mine...not like it could ever be possible. You are beautiful and all that, and I am not a competition" she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jessie was speechless, her expression softened instantly. She had been expecting drama, of course but didn't expect her to be this hurt.
Beauty wiped her eyes, sniffling as she continued.
"When you called last night and excitedly told me that Bruno called you and you guys talked, and I just... I don't know, I got jealous. I know it's stupid, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I know it's stupid, but it just... it hurts. I thought maybe I was just deluding myself, thinking he might like me too. I am sorry, Jessie".
Jessie blinked like a doll with her long lashes, caught off guard. Then, she let out a small sigh and smiled.
"Oh Beauty... I was messing with you. Bruno did call, but it was strictly for business. I just said all that to make you a little jealous. I mean, come on, I know how much you like him."
Beauty's jaw dropped, her tears still fresh in her eyes.
"Wait, what?"
"Yep...look at you. My cute little lovebird. Please don't take Bruno away from me".
She mimicked Beauty's cry in exaggerated form.
"You... you were messing with me?" she stammered, feeling a mix of relief and irritation.
Jessie nodded, trying not to laugh.
"Exactly babe. I just wanted to see how you'd react. I didn't think you'd get this upset. I'm sorry, girl. I never meant to hurt you."
Beauty wiped her tears in disbelief.
"You lied to me?" she asked, her voice rising. "Jessie!"
Jessie held her hands up defensively, still grinning.
"I didn't think you'd take it so seriously! I thought you knew I was joking. I mean, come on, you know I would never hurt you like that!"
"Jessie! I was dying over here! You had me thinking you were going to steal Bruno or something!"
Jessie's eyes widened.
"Steal? Are you two dating already? My sweet delusional friend".
She laughed.
"Shut up!"
Beauty snapped at her, then the two burst into laughter.
"I would never. I mean, sure, Bruno's hot and I liked him too, but you're my girl. I know how hard you've fallen for him. I wouldn't do that to you."
Beauty let out a long breath, feeling like a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders in playful anger.
"You're such a brat, Jessie! I was going crazy thinking I lost my chance!"
Jessie grinned sheepishly.
"I know, I know. I didn't mean to push you that far. Forgive me?"
Beauty laughed, wiping her face again.
"I'll think about it," she teased, though her smile showed that all was forgiven.
"Good because I'd hate for us to fight over some guy,you know. Not like we are certain about his sexuality. I have a lot of trust issues these days" Jessie said, putting her arm around Beauty's shoulders.
"He is not gay...stop it, Jessie".
Beauty frowned.
"Alright, alright. I hope so, too. If he is into women, it's obvious Bruno's more into you. I mean, come on, girl, have you seen the way he looks at you? He interacts with you more. He saved you the other day from getting bullied," Jessie pointed out.
Beauty sighed.
"You think? It maybe a pity attraction, nothing else".
Jessie rolled her eyes.
"I know a pity attraction when I see one. Trust me, now let's get back... I have a photoshoot soon."
Beauty gave Jessie a playful shove.
"You're still in trouble, you know."
Jessie laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll make it up to you. Promise. Chocolates?"
"I am not easy to get, don't bother".
Beauty pouted.
"Come on!"
Jessie snapped in frustration.
As Beauty and Jessie exited the restroom, still laughing and teasing each other, they stopped abruptly at the shocking sight in front of them.
Bruno was sitting at Beauty's desk, his arms crossed, and his brows arched in a frown.
Well, that's new!
He looked downright mad, something no one in the office had ever seen before. His lips were slightly pursed, and his gaze was locked directly on Beauty.
The entire office was in shock. Colleagues glanced at one another, whispering behind their hands, trying to figure out what could have caused him to sit at an employee's desk with such a serious look.
Someone guessed that maybe their company is tired of the big whale.
Beauty felt her stomach drop instantly the moment her eyes met Bruno's. His piercing gaze seemed to burn into her, and she immediately felt a wave of panic over her.
Jessie leaned in and whispered.
"Girl, what did you do? He looks like he's ready to explode!"
"I-I don't know," Beauty stammered, her mind racing.
"Okay, I know you're freaked out right now, but girl... look at him. He's mad, but he's hot. I mean, when do we ever see him like this? It's kind of... sexy. His hairstyle and fit today is incredible... I wish he could get mad often ... .so hot."
Jessie whispered.
"Oh, please shut up, Jessie!"
Beauty screamed inwardly.
She had a lot going inside her head.
Could he have figured out that she was avoiding him? Or worse, was this about last night? Her heart pounded in her chest as her mind spiraled.
What if he found out that she had hugged his hoodie to sleep? What if there was some hidden camera and he saw everything? If that was the case, she was done for.
Fired, humiliated, everything.