"Jessie, you are annoying!"
Jessie spun around, fixing Beauty with a look of mock seriousness.
"Listen to me, girl. We are in crisis mode here. If you're going to rock this reunion, you need a look that screams confidence and class. And no offense, but your mom's home-style haircut isn't going to cut it."
Beauty let out a frustrated groan, rubbing her forehead.
"Why do you always have to make such a big deal out of everything? I already agreed to get a haircut."
Jessie flashed a sly grin, clearly enjoying her victory.
"Of course, you agreed, but you didn't seem serious about it. I'm making it a big deal because I care about you, darling. Now go freshen up, and I'll keep Bruno busy."
Beauty gave her the look.
"Trust me, I won't get naughty with him," Jessie chuckled.
Reluctantly, Beauty gave in and trudged toward her room.
Jessie turned to Bruno, who had been watching the entire scene with quiet amusement.
"Thank you for accepting our invitation, Bruno. By the time I'm done with her, you won't even recognize her. She's going to blow everyone's mind. Especially yours," she winked.
"She looks perfect the way she is, Jessie," Bruno said politely.
Jessie waved him off.
"That's so sweet and adorable, but trust me, after this, you'll wonder why you didn't fall for her sooner."
Bruno swallowed hard at the last statement.
Did she know about his feelings? How did she know, but Beauty can't see the signs?
Jessie leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, studying Bruno with a smile. She broke into his thoughts.
"You can't deny it, can you?" she teased. "But I can tell, Bruno. I've known you long enough to see when you're falling for someone. Beauty is a sweetheart... I'm not surprised you chose her. She's different from the rest of us. She loves hard too. I just hope you love her for real. She likes you so much."
Bruno shifted uncomfortably.
"Really?"
Jessie laughed.
"Yes! I mean, isn't it obvious? All women are dying to have you. Beauty is no exception."
Bruno swallowed tightly.
Jessie continued, "Listen to me, young boss. I've seen the way you look at Beauty. If you're serious about making her yours, use this whole reunion charade as an opportunity to seduce her."
Bruno blinked.
"Seduce her?" He sounded almost scandalized.
"Yes," Jessie insisted, stepping closer to him. "Beauty just wants to feel like a beautiful woman, Bruno. She's been playing it safe, but if you lead her on like a man, she'll fall for you easily. Trust me. You need to be confident. Take charge. You're Bruno! You have to act like your name! And ditch your gentleman personality-it's boring!"
Bruno rubbed the back of his neck.
"Jessie, I don't think manipulating her like that is a good idea..."
Jessie laughed again, a bit more wickedly this time.
"Who said anything about manipulation? It's not like you're not into her. You'd just be giving her a little nudge in the right direction." She winked and added, "Besides, it's not like she doesn't already find you attractive. You have the power to make her melt like ice..."
Bruno opened his mouth to respond but couldn't find the words.
Jessie glanced around the room, her gaze landing on something across the table. She walked over, picked up a well-worn sketchbook, and flipped through it, her lips curling into a smile.
"Here," she said, handing the sketchbook to Bruno. "Draw her something. An outfit for the reunion. Be her designer."
Bruno frowned, confused.
"Her designer? Jessie, I'm not..."
"Just do it," she insisted, pushing the paper into his hand. "Give her a style you'd like to see her wear for the reunion. Trust me, it's going to be romantic."
Bruno took the sketchbook reluctantly. He opened it, his eyes skimming over Beauty's sketches-impressive rough outlines of dresses, casual outfits, and even some abstract pieces. Her talent was genius-level. It made him admire her even more.
Jessie tapped him on the shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"You stay here and get to work. I'll distract her and keep her busy upstairs."
Without waiting for his reply, Jessie turned on her heel and made her way up the stairs, leaving Bruno alone with Beauty's art.
"Beauty! Don't forget you have waxing to do, so don't shave!"
"Shut up, Jessie!" Beauty yelled from inside her bathroom.
Bruno smiled at their argument, then stared down at the sketchbook for a moment longer before setting it down on the table and grabbing a pencil.
He wasn't an artist, not in the way Beauty was, but he had a clear idea of what would suit her-something that would make her shine at the reunion. Something he had imagined on her, but for a different occasion. Their first date. Still, this might be a fake one, but it was a chance to create it.
As his pencil started moving across the page, Bruno was more focused than ever on designing the outfit for Beauty.
Upstairs, Jessie knocked on Beauty's door, her usual playful smirk in place as she pushed the door open. Beauty poked her head out through the bathroom curtain, her body covered with foam.
"What are you up to?" Beauty asked, eyeing Jessie with suspicion.
"Oh, nothing much," Jessie shrugged nonchalantly, plopping down on her bed. "Just wanted to check on you and maybe help you freshen up a little."
Beauty raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about that?"
Jessie laughed. "Since always. Look, we've got the reunion coming up. You've gotta look your best."
Beauty sighed. "I'm fine, Jessie. I'm an adult, and I can clean myself up."
Jessie rolled her eyes, waving her hand dismissively.
"Yeah, whatever. Just take your time in there," she replied and walked out of the room.
Beauty heard the door shut and sighed.
"Thanks, Jessie. You may be annoying, but you're the best," she murmured.
Jessie stepped down the stairs and found Bruno done with the sketch and taking pictures of it.
"Wow, that was fast. Are you done? Let me see!" she said in excitement.
Bruno handed the paper back to her, his face flushed with mild embarrassment.
Jessie's eyes widened as she looked at the drawing.
It was an elegant dress that hugged Beauty's curves perfectly.
"Well, well, well," she said, raising an eyebrow and smirking at Bruno. "You got her boob size and curves just right, huh? Have you been checking her out?"
Bruno scratched his neck, chuckling awkwardly.
"It's just... part of the design process," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.
Jessie burst out laughing.
"Uh-huh, sure. You've got a good eye for details, Bruno. Don't pretend you haven't noticed all the right places."
Bruno shifted again uncomfortable with the teasing.
"Jessie, come on. I just did what you asked."
"Don't deny it. However, I don't blame you, Beauty does indeed have a huge bright future ahead of her..."
She looked down at her chest. "Unlike me."