The next day, Bruno walked into the company, he was the most punctual as always, but this time he had something on his mind.
He glanced towards Beauty's desk.
*I guess she will be at work today. I asked her to take a day off after all*
He sighed.
"Good morning, Mr. Handsome!"
Someone cuts into his thoughts.
Bruno looked up, and his gaze followed the voice.
He found Jessie dressed to kill as always.
He knew her as a close friend of Beauty, actually her only friend. Also for her similarities with his sister Abigail.
*Should I ask her about Beauty? Not a good idea*
He nodded at her and she winked back.
As wild as always.
"Good morning, Mr. Bruno!"
Another greeting smiling like a fish.
That's Miss Charlotte. The main custom designer's assistant, she is always fangirling over Bruno. So he knows better to ignore her and avoid any drama.
Bruno simply smiled back and walked into his office.
Trying to focus, he went through the typed works yesterday and found some errors from Beauty's works.
"I guess I have to make some corrections".
He murmured tiredly, rubbing his eyes.
After going through it one more time, he decided to get a cup of coffee before starting with the editing. Staying up all night was beginning to affect his work for the day.
He could just ask his assistant for it, but he just wanted to be certain, Beauty won't be in the office that day.
As soon as he stopped out of the office, he heard Jessie's shout.
"Beauty!"
Bruno's heart paused at that instant. He looked towards Jessie and found Beauty smiling at her friend.
She walked in glowing and looking flustered but also tired.
Bruno found himself smiling, glad she came to work but also worried that she was stressed.
Her friend Jessie went to tease her as always.
Beauty's eyes met with his and his heart skipped instantly then she looked away.
Bruno did the same but still, his eyes seem to keep going back to her.
*I don't understand why anyone in their right senses would call her ugly
She's really attractive, maybe I am lucky to be the only one seeing that*
Eric came to mind.
*He was certainly up to something back then*
Bruno waved off the thoughts and went for the coffee.
After getting the coffee, he stole a glance at her again.
He was about to return to his office when someone called him out.
"Sir Bruno!"
Bruno was startled for a second, he turned and found one of the newly recruited models, Maya.
He sighed with an eye roll, knowing her reason for being here.
The striking young model who had just been hired for one of the company's campaigns had a huge crush on Bruno.
It's now like the Company's tradition.
However, the poor lady didn't ask others for the heartbreak handouts.
Maya's a stunning gorgeous young woman. Of Course to be chosen by the company you have to meet certain standards. From her appearance Maya will have a bright future at the company.
She has long, silky black hair that cascaded down her back, flawless pale glassy skin, siren green eyes and attractive legs that seemed to go on forever.
The 19 years old seems to be aware of her beauty which motivated her to do an open confession.
She was the type of woman who could make heads turn just by walking into a room, and today, the whole company seemed to be watching.
Including Beauty!
She was at her desk discussing with Jessie when she heard Maya's soft, melodic voice calling Bruno's name.
"Well look at that, Bruno is openly getting a love confession, such a brave little spoiled girl. I heard she is from a famous family. Now it's like a tradition of heartbreaks... No one warned her that Bruno hates public display".
Jessie whispered to Beauty trying to make a joke of the situation, but Beauty was too disturbed to take it lightly.
Her heart was pounding harder and harder.
*Look at that tiny waist and hips, Maya is a god's work of art!*
“Mr. Bruno,” Maya said, her tone sweet yet confident, “I know this might be unexpected, but I can’t keep these feelings to myself any longer.”
She took a deep breath, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.
“I admire you so much. You’re kind, intelligent, and everything I’ve been looking for. I just... I wanted you to know how I feel. I think ... I know I have fallen for you. I want you to give me a chance.”
Bruno was a bit embarrassed by the whole situation. Everyone watching worsens it. He hates such attention.
Worst Beauty is also watching!
“I’m sorry, Maya. I appreciate your love for me, but I can’t return those feelings, I don’t want a relationship with you, let’s not talk about it here”.
He said softly, unsure how to reject her and not make her sad.
“Please sir Bruno, please I can’t keep it a secret anymore...what type of women do you like, so I can become one”.
Maya pleaded.
“Oh goodness, she is so shameless...head over heels in love”.
Jessie whispered to Beauty again.
Bruno, ever the gentleman, maintained his calm and composed attitude, though his discomfort was evident in the way he shifted slightly on his feet.
“Maya, please listen” he began gently in almost a whisper trying not to be heard by others. Rejecting her in front of everyone can be traumatizing and she’s young.
“I appreciate your honesty, and I’m truly flattered by your words. But...you are beautiful the way you are” He paused, carefully choosing his next words, “Also I would rather not lead you on. I have to be honest... I don’t feel the same way.”
Maya’s face fell slightly, tears clouded her eyes.
Bruno got even more embarrassed.
“You’re an incredible person, Maya and you deserve someone who can reciprocate your feelings fully. I’m not that person.”
The entire office seemed to hold its breath, watching the exchange with quiet anticipation.
Maya swallowed hard, clearly heartbroken
“Why? I really do love you Sir Bruno! I love everything about you.
I took all that is in me to confess my feelings for you, and they are real and true.
I love the way you talk gently, I love your handsomeness, I love the way you walk.
I want to be the reason for your smile, please accept my love”.
Many that witnessed the scene were whispering to each other.
“I’m sorry if this hurts, but I believe it’s better to be straightforward. You’ll find someone who can give you the love and attention you deserve, Maya. You are creating a scene please.”
Bruno said politely.
However, Maya was really shameless, and desperate too, the least of things she would care about is what people think of her.
She wasn’t concerned about the publicity or anything else, so she continued her confession.
“I couldn’t sleep last night... I was thinking about you...what’s wrong with me? Why can’t you give me a chance?”
Bruno got pissed, really pissed.
“This is an office Maya! Can you stop this childish display!”
That startled her and her eyes snapped out in shock that he was able to raise his voice so was everyone in that room.
Bruno noticed Beauty’s reaction too and cursed inside.
*She must think I am a monster*
“I am sorry for shouting at you Maya, I...really can’t return your feelings”.
Maya nodded quietly, trying to keep her tears at bay as she turned to leave.
But before she did, Bruno’s eyes drifted over her shoulder...and there, standing near the door, was Beauty.
Their eyes met.
Beauty looked away in anger and frustration.
Maya was everything she wasn’t: elegant, thin, effortlessly beautiful.
How could she ever compete with that?
Well, that’s like everyone else at the company.
“I can’t believe he apologized for shouting at her”.
Beauty murmured overthinking the whole situation.
Jessie sighed.
“Yeah, that man is driving me crazy. How can a man like that be a total green flag? Bruno is just too handsome, you can’t help but fall in love with him, and his awesome personality, he is really a heartbreaker.
I wonder if God will create a woman specially for him, he even turned countless female celebrities down, even Juliana Gomez. Everyone’s really crushing hard, but I am rooting for my bestie, though... Double B”.