Jessie leaned back on the couch, her arms crossed, watching Beauty fidget nervously.
"Come on, Beauty, just call him already. You just said you were ready to make a move, and now this?" she groaned tiredly.
Beauty sighed, holding her phone tightly.
"I don't know, Jessie... What if he thinks it's weird? I already embarrassed myself this morning."
Jessie rolled her eyes, leaning in closer.
"Look, if you don't call him now, I'll do it for you. It's just a reunion invitation. He won't think much about it. Besides, this is your chance to confess to him after that whole... almost-kissing thing. Beauty, if you don't do it, I swear I will do it myself. Now make a choice!"
After a few moments of hesitation, Beauty sighed.
"Fine. I'll call him."
She picked up her phone with shaky fingers, dialing Bruno's number. The ringing felt like it lasted an eternity, and she almost hoped it would go to voicemail.
But then the call connected, and Bruno's voice came through the speaker.
"Beauty?" he answered, his voice soft but slightly surprised.
"Hey, Bruno," Beauty said, her voice softer than usual, nerves evident in her tone. "Um... I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No, not at all," Bruno responded.
His phone was connected to his car's Bluetooth, and the call rang out on loudspeaker as he drove.
His attention was still on the road, but her voice made him momentarily relax as if he'd been waiting for her to call.
"I, um..." Beauty hesitated, glancing nervously at Jessie, who was mouthing "go on!" with a frown on her face, like a supervisor watching her student present a project.
"I was wondering if... if you'd like to come with me to my high school reunion this weekend. I have no date, so... I hope you will consider my request."
For a moment, the car was silent as Bruno processed her words. Then, suddenly, there was a loud screech as Bruno abruptly slammed on the brakes.
The car jolted to a stop in the middle of the road.
Beauty heard the sound of the tires squealing through the speaker, and her heart leaped in panic.
"Sir Bruno? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
On the other end, Bruno's heart was racing. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his mind reeling from Beauty's invitation. He hadn't expected her to say something like this, especially not after what had happened that morning.
Why didn't she say it back then?
"I... uh, yeah," Bruno replied, his voice slightly breathless. "I'm fine. Just... just wasn't expecting that. I had to stop suddenly."
Beauty let out a breath of relief, though her nervousness was still there.
Jessie, meanwhile, was sitting beside her, covering her mouth in shock, trying not to laugh at the unexpected turn of events.
"I'm sorry!" Beauty blurted out. "I didn't mean to make you stop so suddenly. You don't have to come if you don't want to. I mean, I just thought-"
"No, Beauty, it's fine," Bruno interrupted, regaining his composure.
He sat up straighter, running a hand through his hair, still processing her invitation.
"I wasn't expecting the invitation, that's all. But I accept your offer."
"Really?" Beauty's voice softened, relief washing over her as she glanced back at Jessie with a smile.
"Yeah," Bruno said, his voice more assured now. "I'd be happy to go with you."
Jessie could barely contain her excitement, nudging Beauty as she mouthed, "I told you so!"
"Okay... okay...," Beauty said, her heart pounding. "Great!"
She didn't know what else to say.
"Thanks, bye." She hung up, her heart leaping; she had to hold it like it would burst if she didn't.
"I can't believe he said yes," she whispered, sinking back into the couch.
Jessie squealed in delight, throwing her arms around Beauty.
"I told you he would say yes! Who would say no to this pretty face!" Jessie teased her, squeezing her chubby cheeks.
"Stop!" Beauty snapped in embarrassment but couldn't help but smile.
However, deep inside, her thoughts were racing. Was this reunion the moment where things between her and Bruno would finally shift?
Just as Beauty and Jessie were celebrating their little victory, giggling and high-fiving each other, they heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling up outside.
Beauty paused immediately, her laughter fading as she recognized the familiar hum of Bruno's engine.
"Wait... no way," Beauty muttered, her heart suddenly racing again.
Jessie, who had been mid-celebration, froze as well, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Is that... Bruno?" she asked, glancing toward the window. Sure enough, there was Bruno, standing outside his car, panting slightly as if he had rushed back in a hurry.
"He must have driven back immediately after the call. Why did he come back?" Beauty whispered, barely able to believe it.
"I guess he can't wait to be your date," Jessie winked.
"Jessie!"
"What!"
Beauty blushed and pouted.
The doorbell rang. Bruno was at the door.
Jessie quickly shot up from her seat, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
She opened the door.
"Well, well, well," she purred, brushing her hands over her outfit and adopting her flirty mode.
"Look at that big chest dancing."
Beauty's eyes widened, and she stood up quickly, giving Jessie a pinch on her back.
"Right. I won't flirt with your boyfriend."
That made Beauty wish she could disappear.
Bruno was standing there, and she made such a statement!
"So, Bruno!" Jessie called out with a sultry tone, her smile playful as she leaned against the doorframe.
"I didn't know you'd miss us this much. Couldn't even wait for the reunion, huh?"
Bruno, still slightly out of breath from rushing back, looked between Jessie and Beauty.
"I... I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," Bruno explained, his gaze focused on Beauty now.
"After the call, I ....I....realized I might have startled you by stopping so suddenly, so I thought I'd come back and make sure you were alright."
What an excuse, Sir Bruno! Beauty yelled inside.
You were the one who was at risk of an accident, not me!