Just then Bruno's phone buzzed on his desk, breaking the silence.
He glanced at it, then looked back at Beauty.
"Excuse me for a moment," he murmured softly, stepping aside to take the call, tissue still on his nose.
Beauty, still feeling the lingering warmth of their closeness, tried to refocus herself. Then, she couldn't help but notice the way Bruno's voice softened as he answered the phone.
"Hey," he greeted, his tone gentle and affectionate in a way Beauty had never heard from him before.
The tenderness in his voice made her heart drop with jealousy.
"Yeah, I've been working late... but I'm almost done. Don't worry, I'll be home soon. Love you too"
*Did he just say love you too? Who was he talking to? He sounded so sweet, so caring, like he was speaking to someone special. He had someone in his life!
Could it be his girlfriend? All my hopes are lost!*
Beauty was dead curious to know the caller's identity. She can't help but wonder who had Bruno talking so tenderly, and why it hurt so much to imagine him with someone else.
She bit her lip, her stomach knotting with disappointment and anger. She'd never heard him talk to anyone like that at the office before.
She tried to convince herself it didn't matter...it wasn't like they were anything more than a boss and employee, after all.
Yet, why is she feeling her heart being crushed at the thought of him having a lover?
Bruno ended the call quietly, returning to his desk only to find Beauty was staring into space blankly.
The sweet softness in Bruno's tone while answering the phone call, was still echoing in her ears.
"Sorry about that,"Bruno said, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He didn't offer any explanation, and Beauty didn't dare ask. It's not her place to ask about his private life.
She sighed deeply and said to herself.
"It's time I stop with the stupid crush, Mr. Bruno will never find someone like me attractive".
Bruno let out a loud sigh.
"Finally".
He murmured after the nose bleeding stopped. He was grateful to Beauty, but before he could actually say anything to her.
Beauty snapped out in shock.
"It's morning already!"
*I better get out of here before my colleagues arrives
She yelled in her head!*
"I will take you home, thanks for your assistance again, and for the first aid you can take the day off work".
Bruno broke into her thoughts.
"You are welcome".
Beauty said without meeting his eyes and quickly picked up her things and walked to the parking lot.
After a few minutes, Bruno joined and opened the door for her.
"Th...thanks".
Beauty muttered and got into the car, trying to calm herself.
****
It was indeed an awkward silent drive. Thanks to Beauty's body language, Bruno felt like she was making her uncomfortable for some reason.
He stepped on the break an hour later.
That was when Beauty realized they were at the mall closest to her place.
All these while she had gotten her neck stiff by looking at the window side all along just to avoid his eye contact.
"What kind of gifts do your family like? I can't go to your place without buying a gift for them at least to appreciate your help."
Bruno said politely.
However, Beauty didn't respond, she was sad and mad at him for no good reason.
Nothing like mood swings at all, for some reason, she is still jealous because of the unknown caller. Besides, her parents traveled again, so he should keep his gifts.
Bruno was quite observative, and noticed that she was not in the mood for that conversation.
He simply stepped down and went into the mall. After few minutes he came with shopping bags, and he stuffed them into the back seat.
The journey continued silently again and was even more awkward than before.
Beauty felt stiff and uncomfortable. She didn't want to show her emotions, but it was impossible to keep the bitterness from rushing into her thoughts. And she is also acting rude towards Bruno unintentionally.
She noticed the occasional glances Bruno shot her way, sensing something was off.
He wasn't good with emotions or reading people...she knew that much...but it seemed even he could tell something was wrong.
*You literally ignored his question! And snubbed him, Beauty!*
She screamed in her head.
As the car rumbled down the quiet streets, Bruno finally broke the silence.
"Beauty, is everything okay? Did I make you uncomfortable?"
Beauty's heart raced, she didn't expect him to ask her that question.
How could she explain what was wrong without sounding ridiculous?
She barely knew anything about his personal life, yet here she was, angry over a phone call like a jealous girlfriend.
"I'm fine".
She snapped without looking his way, her tone sharper than she intended.
She saw his hands tense on the steering wheel, and guilt gnawed at her.
*What is happening to her?
Acting that way to Sir Bruno?
She must have forgotten her place*
Bruno stared at her worried but remained quiet for a few moments.
Then he spoke to her again, slower this time, like he was choosing his words carefully.
"I don't know much about... emotions or these kinds of things, but..."
He paused abruptly.
Beauty was curious to hear him out though acted like she didn't care.
"I just wanted to say... I feel comfortable around you. I don't feel the need to put up walls like I do with others. You're easy to talk to, Beauty. I...uh...appreciate that."
Beauty's heart stopped for a beat, her eyes widening slightly.
She stole a glance at him, shocked at his confession and paid full attention this time.
Bruno noticed from his side eye, and swallowed tightly before he continued.
"I hardly talk to people or express myself ... . I am...a slow talker.so I hate talking. I think people judge me as a proud spoiled brat. I also find it hard to engage in a conversation, especially with someone.(Paused) someone I am sexually attracted to, but I feel like I can talk to you.
I have my insecurities too, everyone does because no one is perfect so don't let what they say get to you...you are perfect just the way you are".
Bruno said softly...hoping she could hear his feelings out at least.
Unfortunately, Beauty's insecurities won again despite Bruno's speech of encouragement and indirect confessions.
*Comfortable? That was all? Not attracted, not mesmerized... He is just comfortable with me? Like a buddy, a pal?
He hardly talks to someone he is sexually attracted to?