When Bruno came back into the salon where Beauty was, her transformation made his breath catch in his chest.
It was only a few minutes he spent outside with Eric but it felt like a whole day because of the transformation.
He stared, poleaxed.
Beauty was asked to open her eyes after the final touch-ups. She looked in the mirror and gasped at her reflection. Then she noticed Bruno staring at her through the mirror. Their eyes met and locked.
He smiled at her, and she gave him a nervous smile in return, though it was the broadest smile she had ever given him.
Bruno swallowed hard.
He couldn't fool around anymore—he had to seduce her, just like Jessie said. He had to step out of his character and do something.
"So, what do you think?"
Lisa asked. The other two beauticians were smiling at Beauty, anticipating her reply.
"I don't know what to say... It's really pretty."
Beauty replied slowly.
"No, you are pretty. We told you we'd help you see it. Now do you believe us?"
Vanessa added.
Beauty ran her tongue over her lips, then nodded, her cheeks flushed.
Bruno felt his body stiffen at the sight of that—the way her tongue moved and her lips.
How is he supposed to seduce her when she's seducing him without even knowing it?
"You're right. I do have a beautiful face."
"You're beautiful, not just your face,"
Lisa corrected.
That statement brought tears to Beauty's eyes. She tried not to look at Bruno.
"Thanks."
The women laughed, seeing her emotions were surfacing, trying to put her at ease.
"It was nothing. You were already pretty. It's just a haircut and new hair color."
She turned to Bruno, who had his jaw on the floor since he'd stepped into the room.
"So, what do you think? Does it suit her?"
Bruno blinked.
"Sorry, I need a minute to pick my jaw up off the floor."
The women giggled softly.
"Mr. Bruno, I'm a big fan, by the way,"
Tiffany, the youngest of the three beauticians, burst out as though she had been holding it in forever.
Bruno nodded and smiled at her like a gentleman.
"Tiffany, you're on duty—be professional! This is not the time."
Vanessa whispered, then turned to Bruno.
"So, her pedicure and manicure treatment—what do you think?"
She asked with a pleasant smile.
Bruno walked towards Beauty. Beauty's heart raced as he stopped in front of her and leaned down.
"May I?"
He asked huskily.
Beauty's face turned red, her breathing quickened. The three women gathered together in a corner like birds, smiling uncontrollably.
"Of... of course,"
Beauty stammered, extending her hand.
The instant he held it, chills ran down her spine. He had such a tender touch for such a large hand.
"What... what is he doing?!"
Beauty yelled in her head.
Bruno leaned lower until his lips were inches from Beauty's hand.
He met her gaze and kissed the back of her hand.
Beauty held her breath in, pressing her lips together to avoid screaming. He was watching her, gauging her reaction.
"They're amazing... and your palm is as soft as the rest of you,"
he breathed against her skin. Beauty jerked at that.
The rest of me? What are you talking about, Bruno? He's giving these women the wrong impression without realizing it. Or is he intentionally flirting with me?
Beauty thought, swallowing hard.
She felt herself tense even more, her insides tightening.
The women giggled loudly at the gesture.
Beauty closed her eyes, dying from shyness, nervousness, and anxiousness.
"Yeah, I knew you'd like it, look at that kiss, so romantic. I make the best nails".
Vanessa bragged.
"A ring on it would make it even better,"
Lisa added.
Beauty's eyes immediately fluttered open, meeting Bruno's gaze. They both looked nervous, reacting to that statement.
"Lisa, stop teasing them,"
Vanessa laughed.
Bruno straightened up, and Beauty could still feel the tension in her body—the kiss from Bruno lingering on her hand.
She wanted Bruno to say something about Lisa's ring comment. She wanted to know what he was thinking. Maybe she was going too fast, but still, she couldn't help but imagine a life where Bruno was hers.
Waking up together and having him kiss her hand, her lips, her neck, every part of her.
"Can you ladies do me a favor?"
Bruno cut into her thoughts.
She looked up to see him facing the three beauticians, his tall back turned to her.
"Sure,"
Lisa replied with a warm smile.
"I need your private accounts to show my appreciation for what you did,"
Bruno said softly.
The three women froze instantly, exchanging curious glances.
"Our bank details?"
Vanessa asked.
Bruno nodded.
"Yes."
"You're still going to pay for the services, right?"
Tiffany asked.
"Absolutely. I love your kind words and how nice you've been to her, so I'd like to return the favor... like a tip,"
Bruno replied.
The three women exchanged glances again.
Lisa started,
"You don't really have to. It's our job to make customers comfortable, you know, but if you insist..." She paused abruptly and smirked at the other two, as if sending a secret message.
Tiffany tried not to scream. Vanessa quickly went to lock the door to make sure they were secure.
"We would appreciate it, Mr. Bruno. And please, your lovely girlfriend should come again,"
Lisa said.
"I'm... not..."
Beauty tried to say, but Bruno cut her off.
"Of course. And her name is Beauty."
The three women paused, confused by the statement.
"My girlfriend's name is Beauty,"
Bruno repeated, his eyes now on Beauty, whose eyes had widened to twice their size.
"Oh!"
The women reacted, their expressions showing they finally understood.
The three women turned to Beauty as if they were looking at a puppy.
"Beauty! What a lovely name!"
"Suits you!"
"Your boyfriend is veeery hot!"
Beauty had to cover her face with her hands.
"Please, stop..."
Bruno tilted his head to one side and smiled at her.