Chapter 83 EXCLUSIVE SPA
Bruno and Beauty arrived at the exclusive, lavish beauty salon and spa.
"This place is quite expensive," Beauty informed him, her eyes wandering around the environment.
"It's fine," he replied with a smile and got out of the car.
"He just says it's fine?" Beauty asked herself.
Bruno opened the door for her, cutting into her thoughts. "Ready?"
Beauty smiled nervously and stepped out of the car, while Bruno followed closely behind.
His hands tucked into his pockets.
A habit.
The moment they entered, beauticians greeted them with bright smiles. They seemed to recognize Bruno and started giggling, whispering to each other in high pitched voices.
Oh my goodness! What if they put us online and the F&F staff find out? What will happen? Why did he come to this place? He's a public figure-it's risky!
Beauty yelled inside.
The spa's soft music and warm lighting created a relaxing atmosphere, but the butterflies in Beauty's stomach persisted.
"Welcome, Mr. Bruno!" the younger staff members shouted excitedly and surrounds him abandoning their clients, while the older women smiled softly at him.
Beauty felt completely invisible.
The male section supervisor entered the room immediately he sighted Bruno.
"Get back to work and quit fan girling over every handsome man."
He snapped at the young women.
"He's Bruno! You don't know him? How disappointing," one of the older women snapped at him.
"Do you need a haircut, Sir Bruno?"
The young man asked.
"Just Bruno is fine please. Also, I'm here for her," he said softly, taking Beauty's hand and pulling her closer to him.
Beauty heart felt like it would burst out.
Every eyes in the room followed his body language and then landed on her.
Beauty waved and smiled awkwardly.
"Hello".
"She's... his girlfriend?" one of the young staff muttered in surprise.
"Not impressed...she's fat"
One whispered.
"I think she's beautiful.Aww, how lucky," another replied in a whisper.
They left disappointed and went back to their work.
"Welcome, darling!" an elderly staff member said, motioning to a plush chair. "You're just in time for a little pampering. Have a seat and make yourself comfortable!"
There was no time for Beauty to protest. She found herself in the chair.
Two others joined, making them three and the teasing began.
"Your boyfriend's so handsome. I can't believe I get to see him in person. I am Lisa, I will take care of your hair."
"He's just... my boss."
Beauty replied shyly.
The women laughed.
"Oh darling, I know how that story always ends."
Lisa said with an eye roll.
"Did he style your hair today?" one of the women asked with a playful glint in her eyes.
Beauty's cheeks flushed, and she nodded shyly.
"Yeah... sort of," she mumbled, not knowing what to say, her eyes darting over to Bruno through the giant wall mirror Infront of her.
"Ooh, we see you!" another woman laughed, giving Beauty a cheeky wink.
They all laughed out loud.
"He did a great job,"Lisa chimed in, examining Beauty's hair. "That's a man's work for sure!"
Bruno, catching their comments, turned even redder than Beauty and awkwardly cleared his throat.
"I'll... uh... be at the reception," he muttered, taking a few steps back and quickly excusing himself.
"You can wait just over there at the reception, sir," one of the women told him, gesturing toward a glass wall that separated the treatment area from the lobby.
"You'll be able to see everything from there."
"I will appreciate that".
Bruno replied.
Beauty blushed and stole a glance at him.
"Are you shy that he will watching?"
Lisa whispered making her even redder.
"Oh, um... it's not what it looks like-"
Beauty stammered.
"Sure, sure" one of the women grinned, cutting her off.
"We know how it is. He's a keeper,honey. Not many men would go all out to make sure their girl looks this stunning. He seems like a possessive type too, his eyes are always on you... I'm jealous".
Lisa whispered.
Meanwhile, through the glass, Bruno watched nervously, his heart racing as he saw Beauty chatting and laughing with the stylists.
He felt a mix of nervousness and admiration that they thought she was his girl.
"Is this your first time having this kind of treatment? You look really nervous."
Lisa asked as she applied a shampoo on Beauty's scalp.
Beauty nodded, embarrassed.
"Why, darling? I had my first experience at 12!"
"Well, I had my insecurities at a young age and didn't bother," Beauty replied slowly.
"You are absolutely beautiful, honey. We'll make you see it. Just relax, and we'll make you feel good."
Beauty bit her lip. "But what if I look silly?"
"Silly? Honey, you could never look silly! You are already beautiful and if you want him to notice how truly stunning you are, you need to embrace your feminine energy. Just let us do our magic, okay?"
Beauty glanced at Bruno through the mirror.
He was paying attention, so she immediately looked away shyly.
"Please, I want to impress him," she whispered to the women.
"I know, honey, I know," Lisa whispered into her ears and chuckled.
“Now, sweetie, let’s get started. How about a fresh coat on those nails and a nice pedicure to make your feet feel as good as they look?” Vanessa asked.
Beauty sighed, feeling helpless to resist their enthusiastic persuasion.
“Okay, I guess a manicure and pedicure wouldn’t hurt,” she conceded, her cheeks flushing at the attention.
“Perfect! And we can give you a facial too, just to give your skin that extra glow,” Lisa added with a wink. “We want you to shine, girl.”
“Mr. Bruno,” the receptionist called, loudly.
He had been watching Beauty’s interaction with the women and was completely unaware until she called his name for the third time, finally getting his attention.
Bruno blinked and finally looked at her.
“While they do their magic, how about we get you a drink? It’ll help pass the time while they transform your girl.”
Bruno hesitated, then smiled.
“Sure, why not? What do you have?”
“Wine, soda, or something a little stronger?”
The receptionist winked, clearly enjoying the interaction. “You’ll need a drink to prepare for the stunning vision we’re about to create, you know.”
“Just soda is fine,” he replied, trying to keep his composure as he glanced back at Beauty, who was now surrounded by beauticians chatting animatedly, making her laugh.
An hour later, Bruno, feeling a bit restless as the salon attendants took their time with Beauty, decided to leave the reception area.
He thought it would be a nice gesture to buy her some chocolate snacks to keep her entertained once she was done with the pampering. His nerves settled slightly as he stepped outside, hoping to impress her, even though this was all just a “fake” date. But he would take his chances.
As soon as Bruno was out of sight, Beauty, who had also been monitoring him, felt a bit sad that he left.
He must be bored. I’m doing all this to look good for him.
Coincidentally, Eric, the newbie at the company and one of Beauty’s new colleagues, strolled into the men’s section of the salon for a quick haircut.
The male section supervisor was attending to him when his attention immediately shifted upon catching sight of Beauty seated across the salon, looking a bit nervous.
“Beauty?”
He muttered.
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Chapter 84 BULLIED ENOUGH
“I need to say hello to a friend; I’ll be back,” he informed the supervisor and walked out of the men’s section.
He had secretly admired her from the moment they started working together. To him she seems very easy to be with, though he had never found the right moment to make his move.
Today seemed like the perfect opportunity.
When he walked into the room, the beautician giving Beauty a pedicure was the first to notice and whispered to her colleague about the incoming handsome man.
“Why is he in the women’s section, though?” her colleague asked in a whisper.
“I think he’s here for her,” Vanessa whispered back, pointing at Beauty, who had her eyes closed, enjoying the treatment, with her face covered in a facemask.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the most beautiful woman in the salon today.”
Eric announced.
Beauty opened her eyes, startled by the voice. She was surprised to see Eric but felt a bit flustered at his humor and teasing.
“Eric?” Beauty exclaimed. She didn’t expect him here at all. It’s an expensive place, though Eric could afford it.
What if he gets to see Bruno?
What will happen then!
Eric waved, standing in front of her with his bright smile. “Sorry for interrupting your beauty sleep.”
“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work,” she replied, trying to remain casual but feeling a bit awkward with the surprise encounter.
He smiled behind her so she could see his face since she was lying down.
“I could say the same for you. Do you come here often?”
Beauty chuckled nervously. “I-uh, I don’t come here often. Just a special occasion.”
Eric raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A special occasion, huh?”
He tilted his head and flashed a playful smile. “Lucky guy, who is he?”
Beauty felt her cheeks warm, unsure of how to handle the situation. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not wanting to explain the whole “fake date” situation to him, so she just shrugged, trying to brush it off.
“It’s ….it’s not a date actually… just an occasion.”
Not a surprise at all, Eric thought.
“I see I still have a chance then.”
Eric replied with a wink.
Beauty’s heart raced faster at the thought of Eric being attracted to her. However she waved it off. She is in love with Bruno. That’s all that matters. She may be dreaming too big but she’s gonna try.
Eric leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice. “Well, I can wait after my haircut. Let me take you somewhere much more fun. What do you say?”
“Thanks, Eric,” she replied, trying to keep things light, “but…”
“No buts… I’ll give you all the time you need to think about it,” he said, running his fingers through her hair. “You have such healthy hair. I’d kill to have a daughter with hair like this. Not a good way to propose huh?”
Beauty’s ears turned pink.
Just then the entrance door to the salon swung open, and Bruno walked in.