As soon as Beauty got to her room, she slammed the door shut and leaned back against it. Her mind was flooded with images of Bruno—how he looked at her, how his gaze had traced her body, and his little, dirty smirk.
"It was sexy the way his lips curled to one side, but still, what the hell just happened?!" She couldn't get over how embarrassing the whole situation was. Especially when she thought he had seen it before, and well, there's nothing new about that, but then he said it was done in the dark. How embarrassing!
She yelled inwardly.
"Why didn't I think before rushing downstairs half-naked?!"
Her fingers trembled as she wrapped her arms around herself, still feeling the heat of his stare. She had never felt so exposed, so raw, yet so... willing to fall into those arms. It had been a long time since a man gave her such a look of desire.
She quickly reminded herself that she may be desperate for true love and affection, but she shouldn't forget so soon how the past had treated her.
She can't give in easily. What if he turns out to be like the others? Since he is Bruno, whom many women want, that makes it a thousand times riskier, right?
She groaned tiredly.
He changed my clothes in the dark, but now... she thought, a shiver running down her spine. Now he's seen me in the daylight. I wonder what he thinks about my body and weight?
Beauty stood there, her pulse racing, cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. Her heart fluttered as she pressed her fingers to her lips, trying to steady her breathing.
She shook her head again, trying to clear her thoughts. She needed to get dressed for the beauty salon.
"This is all Jessie's fault. Why didn't she tell me she was leaving? Leaving me alone like that... it's awkward."
She murmured as she pulled on a fresh outfit. Her mind wandered back to Bruno, to that look in his eyes when he saw her.
She couldn't help but smile—a small, secretive smile that she didn't quite understand. She wasn't sure where this would lead, but one thing was clear: those eyes were of a man who wants a woman.
She had seen it in him many times, but now it was clearer. She had to take this chance, or else she would miss it.
She took a deep breath as she dressed, slipping into the fitted, cream-colored sundress that hugged her curves just right. The dress had delicate lace trim along the hem, flowing gracefully to her knees, and it accentuated her waist while allowing her natural shape to shine. She paired it with strappy nude heels that elongated her legs, adding a touch of sophistication to her look.
Her hair, still slightly damp from the shower, cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders. She had considered a bun, but since she wasn't going to work, she let it down.
She applied a light touch of makeup—a hint of blush on her cheeks, a swipe of mascara that made her eyes pop, and a soft nude lip gloss.
"I hope this works. Please, God, please let this work." She closed her eyes and prayed, then slowly opened them.
The scenes from her last date came back like a movie.
She had given herself a makeover after many years and finally decided to give a blind date a chance, only to be treated like a clown.
"It's okay, Beauty. This is for Bruno. At least he never called you fat."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She scoffed and carefully wiped it off, trying not to mess up her makeup, but unfortunately, she did. Seeing that made her break down, and she started crying. She angrily cleaned it all off, and after she felt like she had cried to her heart's content, she forced a smile and walked out of her room.
As she stepped into the living room, she found Bruno standing with his back turned.
Beauty smiled sadly.
It's not the big reveal he must be expecting.
"You can turn around now," she called out, a hint of sadness in her tone.
Bruno slowly turned. His eyes widened, and his breath caught for a second, taking in every detail of her outfit—the way the sundress hugged her waist and curves. However, the moment his eyes met hers, he noticed something.
"Let's go, sir... I mean, Bruno. We have a lot to plan," Beauty said, forcing a cheerful attitude, but Bruno was quick to notice.
"Beauty," he called.
Beauty felt her stomach flip at that moment. Her heart pounded, hoping he wouldn't notice. There's no way he could be paying attention to that—she made sure she washed her face and did everything to cover up the remnants of her tantrum.
"Are you okay?" Bruno asked softly, cutting into her thoughts.
Well, he did!
Beauty turned around and smiled at him forcefully. "Yeah... I'm just too lazy to do my makeup. That's why my face looks like this... why are you asking, though?" She laughed awkwardly.
Bruno was silent, unsure if asking her about it, when she was obviously lying, would make her feel more pathetic and hurt. If he ignored it and pretended not to see her hurting, would it make her see him as a monster?
Jessie's words echoed in his ears.
"Stop that quiet attitude, it's boring. Beauty likes a man to take charge, a man who leads and makes her feel loved as a woman."
For a brief moment, they stood in silence.
Bruno took a step closer, and without saying a single word, he quietly took her hand and walked toward the staircase. Beauty was speechless, but she let him lead.
His hands were large and warm, she thought. He didn't just take her hand; he locked his fingers with hers.
She tried to remember if any of the men she had been with did the same, but none! Her heart was beating so hard that he could probably feel it in her palms.
She was unsure of what he had in mind, going back to her bedroom, and curious to know.