Beauty's breath caught instantly.
"I... mean ..I want you to see yourself as a beautiful, gorgeous woman that you are".
Bruno added, clenching his fingers tightly inside his pockets.
"That's all? Please tell me that's not all," Beauty pleaded silently, her eyes focused on him. Her pulse thrummed in her ears, and she couldn't move her eyes away from his.
She waited, but nothing more came from his mouth. She had to say something.
"Thanks...for...everything,Sir...Bruno...Bruno".
She stammered.
"Also...the chocolates... I enjoyed them. Thanks... you're a really nice person," she smiled back at him.
"It's nothing. My pleasure".
Bruno replied and cursed to himself as he held the car door open for her, his heart pounding in his chest.
He had wanted to tell her not just how beautiful she looked but how much she meant to him. How much he wanted her. But, as always, the words stayed trapped in his head.
What the hell is wrong with him?!
"Thank you," Beauty said softly, stepping into the car.
Bruno gave her a small nod, trying to hide the frustration and disappointment he felt with himself.
He shut the door and moved around to the driver's side, glancing back at the salon one last time. The beauticians gathered by the window, waving and smiling at them. He waved back, giving them a polite smile, before sliding into the driver's seat.
As they pulled away from the salon, they drove in silence.
Bruno's hands tightened on the steering wheel as his mind wandered back to the thoughts he had while watching her in the salon.
Mission failed woefully. He wasn't able to confess his feelings.
Beauty, meanwhile, was staring at her freshly manicured nails, turning her hand this way and that, examining them as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world.
She hadn't said much since leaving the salon, and Bruno wasn't sure if she was just shy or if something else was on her mind.
"She must love it, I'm glad" Bruno thought, watching her from the corner of his eye.
Why can't I just tell her how I feel?
______
Bruno pulled the car to a stop in front of Beauty's house. As soon as he cut the engine, they both noticed someone standing by the front door.
It was Jessie, hands filled with two big shopping bags, tapping her foot impatiently on the floor with a pout on her lips.
"Oh my goodness," Beauty gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Has she been waiting for long?" Her voice was filled with worry.
Before she could open the door,Bruno already did.
She muttered thanks and stepped out of the car.
She walked towards the entrance door and Bruno followed.
As soon as Jessie got a good look at Beauty's new look, her jaw dropped in a dramatic way.
She dropped the bags.
"Oh.My. Gosh!" Jessie shrieked, her eyes wide, checking Beauty out.
"Who is this goddess?!"
Beauty rolled her eyes, she was ready for her friend's overreaction of course.
As soon as Beauty was close enough, Jessie clasped both sides of Beauty's face, turning it left and right as if inspecting a masterpiece.
"You look like you just stepped out of a movie! What have you done?!"
Jessie snapped.
Beauty laughed, a little embarrassed, stepping back shyly.
"It's just a haircut, Jess. I also had a little makeover, that's all. Stop with the flattering"she blushed.
"I am serious here girl. You look amazing!"
She turned to Bruno, who was standing behind Beauty, watching Beauty with a smile on his face.
"Bruno, did you see this? Did you actually see how gorgeous she is?!" Jessie teased.
"She's always been beautiful".
he said, giving Beauty a look that made her cheeks warm.
"Always been beautiful," Jessie said, imitating Bruno's calm tone.
"That's all?! I bet you were sitting there in the car, dying inside, trying to act all cool. Look at you.Mr. Cool Guy," Jessie said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.
Bruno licked his lips, his smile widening as he tucked his hands into his pants.
Hiding his awkwardness and nervousness with a smile.
"Jessie, stop, you are embarrassing him".
Beauty mumbled from behind her hands, but Jessie wasn't done.
"What did he say when he saw you after the new hairstyle and everything? I bet he was speechless. "
She nudged Beauty, who was covering her face with her hands in embarrassment
Before Beauty could say anything about that, Bruno cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"My jaw was on the floor".
Jessie grinned triumphantly.
"That's what I thought."
Beauty felt her heart pounding harder at Bruno's statement.
Bruno's phone rang interrupting them.
He glanced at the screen, seeing the name flash across it. The company from EAST ASIA.
"I have to take this," he said, sounding apologetic.
Beauty nodded and smiled softly at him.
As soon as he was gone, Beauty turned to Jessie with a frown.
"Jessie, stop with the teasing. Bruno doesn't seem to like that kind of thing, you know".
"Looking out for your man,huh?"
"He is not my man!"
Beauty almost snapped loudly in frustration.
There was pain in that tone that made Jessie curious.
"Okay...something happened".
Jessie replied.
Beauty sighed.
"I have seen signs okay..he has been nice...super nice to me in a way that no other man has been. He said sweet things to me too.
He even told the beauticians at the salon that I was his girlfriend. I don't know when he is serious or not. If he is practicing for the Reunion. I don't want to give myself false hope that he actually....".
"Beauty, he loves you. Trust me, he do".
Jessie interrupted.
"If he loved me.. he would say it already. What's holding him back? I don't think he loves me enough. He is Bruno you know...he is that man."
"Okay. You need to calm down".
She stole a glance at Bruno to make sure he wasn't close enough to hear their voices.
"Bruno....he maybe all that cool Billionaire hot CEO but to be frank I think that's his personality.I know he does love you...his actions says so. You need to just go along with it and give him time. Don't judge him based on his personality. When he is comfortable enough he will certainly open up. Trust me ,he is really going out of his shell for you."
Jessie replied.
Beauty shook her head.
"I will never judge him..and I don't mind waiting forever.....I am just scared of heartbreak,Jessie. I need to be sure... I really love him ...what if ..he..is .."
"Doing all these to get you laid? You and I know that's nonsense...Bruno doesn't have to do much, no offense, same applies to literally any lady out there. He values you and if you don't see it,stop with the insecurities and..trust him. I will give myself another try in pursuing him".
Jessie said this time more like she was scolding Beauty.
Beauty was silent, pressing her lips tightly.
Just then Bruno returned and the two women paused their chat immediately.