That made Jessie curious, she looked up.
"A reunion? Are you going?"
She asked, looking a bit bothered because of Beauty's past trauma back in school.
Beauty sighed and replied.
"I shouldn't, right? But if I reject the invitation, they will all know I rejected it because I was afraid they would judge me".
Jessie rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed.
"Well, who cares what they think, let me tell you Beauty, you will attend the reunion and shock all of them".
Beauty shrugged.
"What's there to shock them with? And I can't believe they're making it a two-day event," Beauty replied sadly, twirling a piece of lettuce with her fork.
"A Dinner, a sleepover, and a masked party? All that just so she can shame me for showing up without a boyfriend or a husband. Beyoncé, the school proprietor's daughter is a bully and she's the sponsor... I know she's targeting me again."
"What a pest...she should get a life...and grow up...what is her business if you are single?"
Jessie replied, more triggered than before.
Beauty sighed, shaking her head.
"You don't get it, Jessie. She does this on purpose. She knows I'm single, and she's just waiting to rub it in my face. She's been like this since high school. It's a power play for her."
Jessie frowned, taking a bite of her sandwich.
"That's so petty. You shouldn't let her get to you. You have to show her that you are your own boss now, Beauty. Stop with the inferiority complex and stand with your head up, please".
"It's not that easy. The whole reunion will be one big show-off session. I'll still be the odd one out, anyway."
Jessie stared at Beauty with a concerned look, deep in thought, then suddenly she leaned back with a mischievous grin.
"Well, if it's such a big deal, I could always be your date. We can totally pass as a hot lesbian couple. That'll shut her up. What do you think?"
Beauty nearly choked on her water, glancing at Jessie with wide eyes.
That was totally unexpected.
"Jessie, be serious."
Jessie chuckled,"I'm just saying, it could work. We'd be the talk of the reunion, don't you want such attention?"
Beauty shook her head, still amused.
"You're not helping."
Jessie was glad to see her loosen up and also glad they were able to get past their little misunderstanding.
"Alright, alright. But seriously, what if you brought someone? Someone who could play the role of your boyfriend, just for two days. Then, when the event's over, no one needs to know."
Beauty stopped chewing and looked up like she just heard something illegal.
"You mean a fake boyfriend like in the movies..... That is a weird idea."
"Nothing weird about it at all and it's nothing new. It's called a hired boyfriend, I have done it before as a matter of fact".
Jessie replied.
Beauty sighed.
"Well, I don't know any guy who will ....(Pauses abruptly) Do you think Eric will go with me? He seems like a really nice guy and handsome too".
Jessie's face immediately scrunched up in disapproval.
"No, not Eric. He's a newbie. He might spill the beans to all the ladybirds flocking around him in the office. Then everyone in the company will surely know and you know what follows that."
"You are right".
Beauty agreed sadly.
"Then who? There's no one else. Don't tell me you want me to hire a total stranger..."
"Well, I have someone in mind".
Jessie said and leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Who?"
Beauty asked impatiently, unaware to get the hint.
"What about, Bruno?"
Beauty froze, her fork hovering midair. She turned to Jessie, her voice incredulous.
"Sir Bruno? Are you insane?"
Jessie grinned, completely unbothered by Beauty's reaction.
"Hear me out. Bruno's a good guy, right? He's got class, he's charming and very hot. Girl, just imagine pulling up with the hottest guy at the reunion, that sponsor, whatever her name is..."
"Beyoncé?"
"Yeah. She will be shocked and put to her place. He is a green flag that will treat you like a lady without making you feel inferior. Plus he wouldn't go around blabbing to anyone. I mean Bruno hardly talks to people anyway, so your secret is safe".
Beauty set her fork down, shaking her head.
"Jessie, it's impossible. Sir Bruno? Pretend to be my boyfriend? For two days? No way. That's ridiculous."
Jessie shrugged, leaning back in her chair.
"Why not? He's not seeing anyone, and it's not like you're asking him to marry you. Just a couple of days. Besides, didn't he just pull you into his office like some jealous boyfriend today?"
"Jessie!"
Beauty snapped.
"What? That's what it looked like".
Beauty's heart skipped a beat at the memory of Bruno dragging her into his office earlier, his intense gaze, that unspoken frustration in his eyes.
But that didn't mean anything.
He wasn't interested in her, not like that. He was just concerned because she'd been avoiding him, right?
She shook her head again.
"Jessie, It's still impossible. I mean, he's... Bruno. He's the boss. It would never work."
Jessie grinned.
"You never know until you ask, Beauty. And besides, you could always tell him the truth. If there's any man who would understand, it's Bruno".
"Sir Bruno is famous, I don't think he would like to be seen in a reunion party with me, what if it goes viral?"
Jessie was silent for a minute.
"I guess you are right, Bruno hates attention, but since it's a masked party...he will fit in, I guess".
"And what about the dinner and arrival date? Is he going to wear a mask? It's hopeless Jessie".
Beauty pointed out.
"A makeover can change his look, I have the perfect artist in mind....let me get him booked".
Jessie said and took her phone out of the bag.
Beauty's heart raced.
"Jessie, wait!"
Jessie looked up curiously.
"What?"
"Let's just forget about the fake boyfriend for now. I'll figure something out."
She said slowly picking at her vegetables again.
Jessie rolled her eyes.
"I'm telling you, Beauty, Bruno's your best shot. He's the perfect fake boyfriend. A tall, handsome and hot man. Trust me, it'll make that snobby sponsor eat her words."
Beauty sighed, leaning back in her chair, her mind still racing.
She glanced at Jessie deep in thought.
"Fine," Beauty muttered, "I'll think about it."
Jessie smirked.
"That's all I'm asking."
"So when are you going to ask him? So I can let the make-up artist know."
"I ... I....don't know. The Reunion is next week".
"Beauty, you've been crushing on this guy for ages. This could be your chance to spend some real time with him outside of work. Go shopping for the party together. Maybe something could actually happen. Hiring a boyfriend is totally normal, I have done it before, although I asked Bruno, and he turned me down, but I have a feeling he will say yes to you. He is very comfortable with you".
"Yeah...how surprising. He will agree of course, out of pity".
"There she goes again".
Jessie slapped her forehead.