"My relationship with her is none of your business."
Bruno's eyes were cold, his posture tense and intimidating as he stepped closer to Fred, making him shrink back against the wall.
Fred swallowed hard, realizing he had made a mistake by provoking Bruno. But his ego wouldn't let him back down.
"Did she bribe you to defend her? I don't want to imagine the gross moment when she had to pull off her clothes. I love women too, but I have standards... even if it's for one-night stands."
"Are you done?" Bruno asked almost immediately interrupting him.
Fred chuckled nervously, tucking his hands into his pockets, waiting for a reaction.
"Yes... yes, I am."
Bruno stepped closer and smiled. The smile drained all the courage from Fred and replaced it with fear.
It was a different Bruno. No one in the company had ever seen him smile like that.
His smile is so evil. Did he do that on purpose to scare me? Dang it, it's working, Fred thought, clenching his fists nervously.
Bruno towered over Fred like a rigid wall. Fred had never been intimidated by his height before, being 5'8" compared to Bruno's 6'8", probably because of Bruno's humility. But now, Fred couldn't stand it.
Bruno's hand shot out, slamming into the wall just inches from Fred's head. Fred flinched, fear flashing in his eyes as Bruno leaned in, his face dangerously close.
Bruno lowered his voice and whispered in Fred's ear.
"One more word about her, and I'll show you how much I've been holding back. Trust me, you don't want to find out."
Fred's eyes widened in panic, his heart racing, but he tried to maintain his composure.
Bruno's not like that... right?
"Is this a threat?" Fred stammered.
Bruno's lips curled into a cold smile.
"I've been polite, Fred. Civil. But if you keep running your mouth and humiliating her, you'll regret it. And trust me, you won't like what happens next."
Real fear settled into Fred's gut for the first time. He tried to laugh it off, but it came out weak and shaky.
"You... you're not serious..."
Bruno's expression didn't change.
"Try me."
*******
Jessi walked straight to Beauty's office, but she wasn't there. She shook her head and headed to the restroom, knowing that's where Beauty would likely be hiding after the embarrassment.
She knocked on the doors, opening each one to check where she might be.
Finally, she reached the locked stall.
"Beauty?"
"I'm fine, I just need to use the restroom."
"I didn't ask," Jessi replied, hearing the sound of water flushing.
Jessi shook her head, convinced Beauty was being overly dramatic, trying to deceive her into thinking she'd actually used the toilet.
A few seconds later, Beauty opened the stall door, her eyes swollen. Luckily, she was all-natural without makeup on-otherwise, it would have been a complete disaster.
"Girl, you should've seen how Bruno put Fred in his place! Bruno's your number one fan. He's so real, and you can see the spark in his eyes whenever he talks about you. You're a lucky girl, huh?"
Jessi teased and playfully nudged her.
Unfortunately, Beauty only washed her face and ignored her. Without a word, she left the restroom.
"Beauty?"
Jessi sighed and followed her.
Beauty sat down at her desk, and Jessi reached over to hold her hand.
"You're a strong woman, Beauty. That's one of the things I admire about you-the reason you're my friend."
Beauty looked up and saw Jessi smiling at her.
"Thanks," she murmured quietly, then pulled some files out of her cabinet.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to deliver these to Mrs. Helen," she said slowly.
Jessi knew Beauty wasn't fully cheered up yet.
"Alright," she replied, then returned to her own office.
Mrs. Helen was the oldest person in the company and the head designer.
Beauty carried the files and headed to Mrs. Helen's office. As a senior designer, she had her own unique space, separate from the department. Other fashion designers would go there to submit their work.
Beauty pressed the doorbell.
"Come in," Mrs. Helen answered.
"How are you, most beautiful?"
Beauty tried not to blush, but Mrs. Helen's compliment got to her. She set the folders on the desk, her face slightly flushed.
"I'm fine, thanks. I came to submit the designs. Here's the winter collection. The denim and bikinis, I'm still working on," Beauty said, handing her a flash drive.
She then started organizing the folders into Mrs. Helen's cabinet.
Mrs. Helen took the flash drive and began reviewing the designs.
"These are really amazing, Beauty. You're truly the brain of this company. Why not try designing for chubby ladies? Not all women are, you know, slim. We've got curvy beauties too. Make design for all sizes," she said with a wink.
Beauty smiled softly.
"I have to follow Management's instructions, ma'am. Besides, we don't have plus-size models to showcase them."
She sighed.
"That's true. Well, thanks for the designs. We'll make good use of them. Take care, okay?"
"Thanks for everything, Mrs. Helen. You're really nice. You're one of the few people-aside from Jessi-who makes me feel like I belong here," Beauty said, trying to hold back her tears.
"Don't be silly, sweetie. You're amazing. You just need a little more confidence. Love your body and flaunt those curves. You are the standard. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Beauty was really struggling inside.
She nodded quickly and left the office before her emotions could overwhelm her.
Outside, she leaned against the door and covered her mouth.
Tears streamed down her face.