Once they reached her bedroom door, Bruno gently opened it, leading her inside. He still didn't say anything and closed the door softly behind them. Then he guided her towards the bed.
Beauty's heart raced, and her thoughts went wild at that moment.
What are they doing in the bedroom?
Walking towards the bed.
Would he make love to her so she could feel better?
That would disappoint her in a way, but still, who is she to decide?
It takes grace for a man like Bruno to even find her attractive and make love to her. She should be grateful for any outcome of this move.
Beauty pressed her lips tightly as her insecurities roared inside her head.
However, quite different from her predictions and the whispers of her insecurities, Bruno gently led her to the bed, signaling her to sit down.
She complied, still nervous and curious. She had to say something.
Unexpectedly, Bruno knelt with one knee in front of her, his broad hands reaching for her heels.
"Bruno?"
Her voice trembled.
"I... I just want to make sure you look your best before we leave for the beauty treatment," he said quietly.
Beauty blinked, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn't even noticed she'd left her heels undone, too distracted by her emotional breakdown and the rush of getting ready.
Just like a fairytale, Bruno took care of it, buckling them one by one with such care that it almost felt intimate.
Beauty sat there, her heart racing, trying to keep herself together, but every brush of his fingers sent a wave of warmth through her, making it harder to hold back the tears.
"Beauty," he whispered again, his voice low and deep, vibrating through her body.
"You don't have to pretend around me.
I will never judge you. I respect you, Beauty," he said softly.
Beauty's heart fluttered, and she looked away, embarrassed that he could see through her so easily.
"I know you're trying to put on a brave face, but I can see the hurt. I wondered if I did something wrong, if I am the reason behind your tears," he murmured.
Beauty shook her head. She tried to say something, but her voice was lost, replaced with sobs.
"I hate to see you this broken, it hurts."
He whispered this time as his thumb traced her ankle to finish the high knot of her heel.
His touch felt so tender, his hands surprisingly delicate for a man so strong and composed. Beauty's lower lip trembled. She had expected that he might be different, but she hadn't expected this much from him.
She was used to being dismissed, overlooked, or judged for her appearance. But here he was, looking at her as though she was the most precious thing in the world.
Her fingers, trembling and unsteady, reached out as if by instinct, grazing his hair almost unintentionally.
Bruno's breath caught for a moment, his chest tightening at the touch. He paused abruptly when he noticed her legs shaking and the sudden wet droplets of tears on his hands and the floor beneath them.
He looked up and found Beauty staring down at him, swimming in tears, letting them flow freely as their eyes locked. Bruno's heart ached more at her tear-streaked face.
Seeing her break down like this tore at him in a way he didn't fully understand, but he didn't console her or mention her face full of tears.
He allowed her to cry.
She needed it.
He simply stood up, and his hands moved to her hair. He took the comb from her dresser and gently combed through the rough waves, smoothing them into place.
Another thing Beauty had carelessly overlooked after her emotional breakdown.
At this rate, Beauty knew she couldn't hold it anymore. She wanted to be comforted.
"Bruno..."
Her voice was a whisper, barely audible, choked with emotion.
Bruno paused and listened.
She noticed and continued.
"Can I... Can I hug you?"
For a moment, she thought he might say no, but Bruno didn't answer with words. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
Reacting to the unexpected move, Beauty buried her face against his chest, and she could feel his heartbeat racing. She melted into his arms. It was something different, being consoled not by her parents, not by her friend, but by a man she loved.
Something none of her past loves had given her the chance to feel.
Meanwhile, Bruno's heart ached, feeling her tremble in his arms. He tightened his grip just a little, wanting to shield her from whatever had hurt her so deeply, but also knowing that some wounds weren't his to fix.
Especially when she was not his... he couldn't just completely claim her.
Beauty continued to cry quietly into his shirt, her shoulders trembling. Bruno didn't let go just yet. He held her in silence until her cries fell into broken sobs, and then nothing was heard.
He suddenly felt his body stiffen, and his senses warned him to pull away, or else he might appear as a creep.
However, it was too late.
Beauty suddenly shifted slightly and murmured, "Something's... poking me."