He could see through the glass wall. Eric was standing too close to Beauty, his fingers playing with her hair.
Bruno's grip tightened on the bag of snacks he was carrying, his entire body stiff with anger.
How did he know she was here? he thought to himself, hating the rising fury inside him.
The moment Eric saw him, his heart skipped a beat, and his face turned pale.
Bruno's intense gaze was fixed on him, making him feel uncomfortable. Eric's hand immediately fell away from Beauty's hair as if it had burned him.
Bruno, the young boss—what is he doing here? It's an exclusive place, and he has a private one. I have to compose myself. Besides, I'm a man, and I can take anyone on a date. Even though being on a date with the company's 'Whale,' who no man wants, makes me feel lame, it's still useful to use her as an escape route. He'll pity her and let it go, Eric thought.
"The boss is here. I'll distract him," he whispered to Beauty.
"What?" Beauty gasped and froze instantly.
Her fear was about to come true. She had no time to explain that Bruno had actually come with her. However, it was better to keep it a secret. What if Bruno never wanted anyone from the company to know?
"Mr. Bruno..." Eric called, putting on a brave face as he approached Bruno. "I didn't expect to see you in a place like this... I mean... this place, you know..."
He couldn't finish his sentence as Bruno's piercing eyes locked onto his, a storm brewing in them. Bruno wasn't one to raise his voice unnecessarily, but the level of his authority was clear through his body language.
Eric could swear he had never seen that look in Bruno's eyes before—the look of hatred and contempt.
He had always been the good guy, a nice boss who was approachable to everyone.
"I can explain. Okay, I know this is about why I wasn't at work. I lied about having a business appointment outside the company, but I really needed to go on a date with Beauty."
He waved at Beauty, who was watching the scene from the other room, her heart racing heavily.
"I mean, look at her. She's been bullied enough... I'm just trying to help the poor lady. See this as me doing her a favor, huh? I understand it's unprofessional, but someone had to make her feel loved and..."
"You came here with her?" Bruno's voice cut in, sharp like a blade.
His face had an expression of authority and anger that was hard for Eric to ignore. Was he really this upset about him not being at work?
"Yes... I came with her," Eric replied, swallowing hard, his palms beginning to sweat. He quickly tried to regain his composure, offering a smile that felt weak on his lips.
Bruno's brows furrowed, his gaze hardening.
"Are you sure about that?"
Eric felt his heart pound in his chest. He glanced toward Beauty, who seemed unaware of the escalating confrontation, her head now leaning back in the salon chair as her hair was styled.
Eric could feel Bruno's eyes boring into him, waiting for his next words like a trap.
"What? I mean, you can ask her," he stammered, trying to buy time, his voice shaking slightly as he gestured awkwardly toward Beauty.
Bruno stepped forward, close enough to intimidate Eric with his height. Eric's stomach twisted nervously. He had no idea what was on Bruno's mind or why he was so angry. He could see Bruno's fists clenched at his sides, as if he was holding himself back from doing more than just speaking.
"I expected you to be different from the rest, Eric. 'Do her a favor'? That's how you see her? Really?"
Eric opened his mouth to respond, but the words stuck in his throat. He lowered his face in shame.
"It's not what you think, I..." Eric began, his voice barely above a whisper.
Bruno cut him off with a sharp look.
"I came here with her," Bruno said, his voice cold. "And she's doing me a favor."
Eric met his gaze, surprised and shocked at the same time, his lips agap.
He came here with her? Why didn't Beauty say so?
Every ounce of confidence drained from his body, leaving him pale and weak. He had been caught, not just in a lie, but in something worse.
Bruno talking about his disappointment in him—he had just been trying not to look foolish.
He didn't mean to body-shame Beauty like that. He had to protect his pride.
Eric's mind scrambled for a way out, for something to say that could salvage the situation but found none.
"I mean... I'm a jerk, aren't I?" Eric said, attempting a joke, but the words came out even worse and more pathetic.
Bruno's face remained cold.
"Even bigger jerk than you think. If you believe you deserve a woman like Beauty and that you're doing her a favor, then you're far more deluded than you realize. That's assuming you could ever have a woman like her in your life."
Eric scoffed and rolled his tongue triggered by the statement.