*Well, I guess I am not on the list, that's why he feels more comfortable talking to me than all the pretty girls at the company. Kathy was right. Here I am thinking I was special because I was able to engage in a conversation with him*
Beauty cried inwardly.
Her throat tightened, but she forced a smile at Bruno, nodding as if she understood, but inside, her heart was sinking, hurting, breaking!
She had hoped for more, maybe even some hidden affection from him, but instead, he friend-zoned her.
"Thanks," she said quietly, staring out the window to avoid looking at him. She couldn't let him see how much his words had crushed her.
*He is not sexually attracted to me.
Nothing new Beauty, nothing new. At Least he is being honest*
Bruno frowned slightly, sensing her mood didn't change at all in fact she seemed more upset now, he wasn't sure how to address it.
He knew so little about these kinds of situations, especially when it came to women.
He didn't intend to make her uncomfortable, but the silence in the car was now thick with tension.
He opened his mouth to say something more, but then hesitated, unsure of what else to add. Instead, he focused on driving, all the while wondering what he might have done wrong to deserve such treatment from her.
He is not as cool as everyone when it comes to women.
Who would believe a man like him is still a virgin?
Beauty, meanwhile, sat in quiet agony, convinced that Bruno could never see her as anything more than a safe space, and not as a woman worthy of desire.
*After all, who could ever fall for the company's whale? Certainly, not this incredible handsome, multi talented Billionaire. I am such an idiot*
She thought bitterly.
****
Bruno pulled up to Beauty's house, his car engine was humming softly in the silence.
Beauty's heart was still heavy, and her thoughts kept spiraling with confusion, frustration, and jealousy.
She was thankful her parents were on vacation at least she wouldn't have to endure their teasing about the same man driving her home again.
"Thanks again for help".
Bruno cuts into her thoughts softly.
Beauty nodded and without saying a goodbye, she quickly stepped out of the car and hurried into the house.
Her sudden exit left Bruno sitting in the driver's seat, staring after her in bewilderment.
"Did I say something wrong?" he wondered, his chest tightening.
He had wanted to tell her how he truly felt but, as always, had stumbled over his words.
Bruno sighed, blaming himself. If only I had the courage to confess. He raked a hand through his hair, frustrated with his hesitance.
He knew he needed to be honest with her, but it never seemed like the right moment.
Meanwhile, Beauty reached her room, her chest heaving as she shut the door behind her.
She leaned against the door and covered her face with her palms in exhaustion. Her heart racing uncomfortably, a mix of anger and embarrassment bubbling inside her.
She hadn't meant to walk out on him so rudely, but those of his words still stung. Comfortable, not sexually attracted.
That's all he felt around her... However, sir Bruno has been really kind. It's pretty shameful that she will treat him that way because he doesn't want a sexual relationship with her.
"Beauty, you are impossible, what am I going to do? Apologize? How?"
She paced the room, biting her lip, replaying the conversation over and over. But then, something came to mind.
Bruno's hoodie and sweatpants!
She had completely forgotten to return them. She will use it as an opportunity to apologize and thank him for the other day.
Beauty drew a deep breath and looked through the door hole. She could see Bruno still there, staring at the door.
"I am so disappointed in myself. How can he be this gentleman? I expected him to drive away angrily. Look at him looking like a cute puppy abandoned by his owner. Does he even know that he is Bruno!"
She muttered to herself.
Without wasting any more time Beauty ran to her room and grabbed the hoodie and rushed outside, her heart pounding even faster now.
Bruno was staring off into the distance, lost in thought. She walked up to the car window, tapping on the glass, trying to calm the storm inside her.
Bruno rolled down the window, his expression soft but mixed with worry.
"Did I say something wrong?"
He asked quietly.
*No, please don't make me feel any worse!*
Beauty yelled inside.
"No...no at all. It was all me...I was just angry".
She looked away.
"At me? What...what did I do?"
He panicked.
*Does it matter? Why panic so much!
I am merely your employee!*
She wanted to yell out at him.
"I should know right...but I have no clue what I did wrong. I am sorry that I'm not very knowledgeable about women".
He apologized.
*Can I disappear! Why is he apologizing!*
Beauty yelled inside.
"No, please you did nothing Sir Bruno!"
Beauty snapped her heart racing.
"Just Bruno outside the office".
He replied.
"Here, please," she said, holding out his hoodie.
Bruno glanced at the hoodie looking unimpressed that she wanted to give it back.
"You can keep it," he said, his voice gentle. "I've got a better one."
Beauty blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
*Is he disgusted by me? He can't have it because I wore it ?*
"It's washed and neat, you don't have to feel disgusted...the size didn't expand too".
Bruno's eyes snapped wide realizing how she took his words.
"No...please you misunderstood me. I am never disgusted by your looks. I meant... I have yours, I did like to keep it too".
He replied softly.
Beauty's mind went blank for a second.
"W-what?" she stammered, confused.
"A purple one," he added, this time with a smile, "with the scent of..." He paused, his eyes locked on hers. "Fancy Me perfume."
Beauty's eyes widened, and her face flushed immediately, her thoughts racing.
How did he have her hoodie? She had completely forgotten about the purple one she had left behind in his car the rainy day.
She stood frozen, her mouth slightly parted in shock, while Bruno leaned back in his seat, clearly amused by her reaction.
"It suits me, by the way," he said, his tone smooth yet playful.
*He wore it!*
Beauty yelled in her mind, still utterly flustered, her cheeks burning as she stood there, clutching his hoodie.
She wanted to say something, anything, but the words were stuck in her throat.
"The phone call was my sister".
Beauty's heart stopped; she thought she misheard him for a second.
He figured it out! He said he knew little about women. That beautiful liar!
Bruno chuckled softly, and without another word, he shifted the car into gear, leaving her standing like a statue at the driveway, watching him drive off.
As his car disappeared down the street, Beauty could only stand there, her mind reeling.
How did he know she was angry about the phone call?
Why did he seem so comfortable with the idea of her keeping his hoodie and sweatpants?
Could it be a sign, I still have a chance to win Mr. Bruno's heart?
She hugged his hoodie closer, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne still clinging to the fabric.