Chapter 94 YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BEAUTY
The sun was hot in the afternoon when Jessie arrived at Beauty's home, her face brimming with excitement.
It's the reunion day, and she seemed more eager than Beauty, herself.
Jessie bounded up to the door, pressing the doorbell repeatedly and impatiently.
Behind her, Kai, the male makeup artist, stepped out of the car.
He wore a fitted pastel pink crop top that hugged his slender frame, paired with high-waisted black trousers that accentuated his long legs.
His platinum blonde hair fell in soft waves, framing his delicate features, and his bold, glittery eyeliner made his blue eyes pop. A few playful piercings adorned his ears, perfectly matching his vibrant, flamboyant style.
Jessie sighed as she jabbed the doorbell once more.
"Don't tell me she's developed cold feet. This is not the time to be nervous, Beauty," she muttered under her breath.
She pressed the doorbell again, repeatedly.
Her phone buzzed in her purse, and she glanced at Kai apologetically.
"Sorry about this, Kai. My friend is really something, probably just freaking out. I need to take this call."
Kai waved her off with a giggle.
"No problem at all. She's so cute."
Jessie forced a smile and walked toward the garage, pulling her phone from her bag. The phone rang again and she answered.
"Beauty, I swear if you-"
"I'm sorry, Jessie. I can't do it anymore. I have thought about it and--"
"Shut up and open the door! If you don't want to make me mad this afternoon."
Jessie cut her off, trying to keep her frustration in check.
"Jessie, I sincerely appreciate-"
"Girl! I am not giving ear to your insecurities. Open the door. I need to talk to you. Can you at least let me in?"
Jessie replied impatiently.
"Jessie..."
"Let. Me. In."
Beauty sighed heavily on the other end.
"I'll be there in a minute."
"Great! Thank you!"
Jessie snapped, her eyes widening in exasperation as she ended the call.
Returning to the front door, she tried to mask her annoyance with a forced smile.
"She's coming."
Kai smiled back and continued scrolling through his phone.
Moments later, the lock clicked, and the door creaked open to reveal Beauty, her face haggard with dark circles and noticeable eye bags like she didn't get enough sleep last night.
Kai's cheerful voice broke the silence.
"Hello, Hun! You must be Jessie's friend!"
Beauty blinked, momentarily speechless by Kai's vibrant and feminine energy. Noticing the makeup, she quickly connected the dots.
He must be a makeup artist.
"Uh... hello."
Her voice was hesitant.
Jessie, standing behind Kai with her arms folded, with a frown.
"Well. Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," she said with sarcasm and walked past them, storming into the house.
Beauty stepped aside, holding the door wider for the male visitor.
"Please come in."
"Thanks love."
Kai flashed her a friendly smile and stepped into the room, glancing around.
Jessie was already pacing.
"Kai, this is Beauty. Beauty, the makeup artist," she introduced curtly, her irritation barely hidden.
"Nice to meet you," Beauty said awkwardly, managing a small wave.
Kai nodded with a friendly grin.
"Likewise."
Before the conversation could grow any more uncomfortable, Jessie cut in.
"Kai, please have a seat. Beauty, let's talk upstairs. Now."
They walked upstairs in silence. Jessie's heels clicked against the wooden steps, while Beauty shuffled behind her, her shoulders slumped.
As they entered Beauty's bedroom, Jessie spun around, arms crossed.
"Okay, spill it. What's really going on?" Jessie demanded, her tone sharp.
Beauty sat down on her bed, avoiding her eye contact.
She took a deep breath, clearly gathering the courage to speak.
"I... I had a video call with Beyoncé last night."
Jessie's eyes widened.
"Wait, what? Beyoncé? As in the Beyoncé?"
Beauty nodded.
"So that's why you are suddenly not interested in the reunion anymore? How pathetic can you be?"
Jessie raised an eyebrow.
"It's not about Beyoncé but every one of them. I can't go anymore I am sorry".
"What do you mean you can't go?
We've been planning for this! You got a new haircut, style and everything. Bruno had to skip his schedules for you too! This is a chance for you guys to finally get your shits together and get along better."
Beauty tried not to break down.
"I know, and I'm going to apologize to him and let him know that I changed my mind.
I will also cover the cost for the outfits and everything. But please let me stay home. I'm just not up for it anymore. Jessie, I just don't feel like I belong there. I don't want to face them. It's like walking into a trap."
Jessie stared at her friend, stunned.
"Let me guess, she did the video call to bully you?"
Beauty pressed her lips, as tears started dropping down her eyes, her hands fidgeting in her lap.
When she said nothing, Jessie sighed and nodded.
"I see. Now hear me out, Sweetheart. I will flood Beyoncé Instagram page with hate comments and call her out for being a bitch and shameless bully..."
Beauty's eyes widened at that statement, Jess ignored and continued.
"And tell her that I am your friend, if she hurt you, I am going to get back at her.
Or ...you stop being a baby. Go to the reunion and show her that you are a grown beautiful woman now, with a man who values you. Choose your cup of tea, Beauty and let me know."
===
Chapter 95 ANXIOUS BRUNO
"I am still waiting for your reply," Jessie said, her voice strict.
"I-I choose to go," Beauty said slowly.
Jessie sighed and gave her a hug.
"I know you can do it," she whispered softly.
"Thanks, Jessie," Beauty murmured. Just then, Jessie's phone rang. They parted from the hug, and she took her phone from where she had left it on Beauty's bed.
She glanced at the screen and saw Bruno's name flashing.
"Bruno?" she muttered and looked up at Beauty, who immediately felt uncomfortable and opened her mouth to say something.
"Hold on a sec," Jessie said instead, holding up a finger as she answered the call.
"Hey, Mr. Bruno, what's up?"
Bruno hesitated, as if thinking about what to say.
"Jessie, I don't know what's going on. Beauty called me about an hour ago and said I shouldn't worry about the reunion. Did I do something wrong? Is she mad at me?"
Jessie's eyes widened, and she glanced at Beauty, who was now fidgeting nervously with the edge of her blouse.
"You already called him?" she yelled.
"I did... I... am sorry?" Beauty replied.
Jessie frowned.
"Sorry? He's panicking... and it's actually cute... I mean, you've got yourself a man, who-"
"Jessie?" Bruno's voice cut her off.
"Okay... Boss... Bruno, you need to calm down. I'm with her right now."
"Did she say anything about... someone else?" Bruno continued, his voice laced with anxiety. "I mean... did she find someone else to go with her? Because she told me not to worry, and I don't know what that means. Did I mess something up? Did I say the wrong thing?"
"No, Bruno, you didn't do anything wrong," Jessie said, rubbing her temple, trying to calm him down.
"Then why did she tell me not to worry about the reunion? I got everything set. Does she not want me to go with her anymore?"
Jessie looked over at Beauty, who was now avoiding eye contact.
She sighed and put Bruno on speaker.
"Bruno, you're on speaker. Beauty's here. She can explain."
There was silence for a moment before Bruno's voice came through again, more hesitant this time.
"Beauty... what's going on?"
Beauty finally looked up, guilt written all over her face.
"Sir Bruno-"
"Bruno-outside the office," Bruno corrected.
"Bruno, it's not you, I swear. I just... I don't feel like going anymore. It's got nothing to do with you or anyone else. I... I... um... I..."
Beauty looked at Jessie for help, but she ignored her.
"You found someone else. It's fine... it's completely fine. I don't own you... I'm okay with that."
Beauty shook her head, about to respond.
Jessie cut in.
"Bruno, she's just dealing with a lot right now. A girl from high school called her on a video chat with the rest of her classmates to mock and bully her, so she, like a baby... a fragile baby... decided not to go to the reunion because she's afraid of the girl."
"I am not afraid of her..." Beauty muttered shamefully.
"Yes, you are," Jessie snapped back and sighed.
"So, Bruno, it's not about you... Beauty wouldn't be happy to go without you either."
She heard him sigh loudly.
"I'm actually already at Beauty's place," Bruno said quickly. "I've been outside for a while now, but I didn't want to come in until I talked to you so I'd know how to approach her."
Jessie blinked in surprise.
"Wait, you're here?" she asked, exchanging glances with Beauty.