I walked into the company's cafeteria downstairs-it was lunch break.
After what happened back in the conference room, I wasn't sure how to feel... other than completely useless, of course.
"I'll have two jumbo burgers, please," I said to the waitress.
She looked up at me and, as usual, ignored me entirely.
Not the first time. It's like everyone here hates me-everyone except Jessie.
What did I ever do to them?
"Just one will be okay," I added again.
Then, suddenly, her eyes lit up.
"What can I get for you?" she asked, biting her lower lip.
Wait-definitely not me.
I turned to see who she was talking to, and the moment I saw him, my heart skipped a beat. I had to tilt my head back to take in his full height.
He stood there like a tall, powerful wall-if that wall just so happened to be sexier than 99% of the male population.
I froze. My fingers clenched nervously, and my heart started racing.
It was him-Bruno.
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and a rush of heat flooded my cheeks. He was standing so close I could feel his body heat radiating toward me, melting me from the inside out.
"You're looking as handsome as always, young boss. Your girlfriend must be so lucky," the waitress said, leaning over the counter, one hand supporting her chin.
A blessed woman with heavy breasts.
I knew exactly what she was doing-who wouldn't?
Although she's just a waitress, she's got a body that fits right into most men's fantasies.
Healthy blonde hair, nice face, blue eyes, small waist, and a heavy front.
Lucky girl!
However, when I looked back at him, his eyes were on me.
It was so unexpected that it almost made me jump.
He was completely ignoring the waitress?
This has to be my hallucination.
I mean-she got my attention with that move, and I'm also a woman!
"You... you were here first," he said, staring down at me.
I blinked as I pointed to my chest.
"Are you talking to me?"
He nodded.
"Please, tell her what you want..."
His calm voice always sends chills through my body-how can someone be so gentle, kind, and handsome all at once? I've never been this close to him before, let alone held his gaze for this long.
Bruno is perfect. A man like him would never notice someone like me. I wish I had a body like Jessie's.
Maybe then I'd have a chance.
"Miss?"
His voice cut through my thoughts.
"Eh?"
I snapped out of it, my eyes widening.
"Tell her what you want."
His ocean-blue eyes were sparkling.
How can a human's eyes be so dreamy? I think I'm drooling.
"I want you... I mean... I mean, I wanted vegetables... salad."
I chuckled awkwardly, turned away from him, then slapped myself hard on the cheek.
Get it together, bitch.
The waitress was glaring at me, pissed.
"Didn't you say you wanted two jumbo burgers, fatty?"
She looked even more pissed than before-definitely because he ignored her.
I turned back to Bruno and smiled awkwardly.
Jumbo burgers!
Does she have to say it?!
Bruno stood there wearing a blank expression. He must be thinking-
What a fat weirdo.
God, I'm so stupid. Embarrassing myself like this in front of him?
The waitress cleared her throat dramatically, slicing through my awkward silence.
I turned and looked at her, meeting her red eyes. She looked like she wanted to slap me, but Bruno must have been a huge obstacle in her way.
"Oh-yeah, yeah. A jumbo burger. Just one, please. And an iced chocolate."
I brushed my hair back nervously with my fingers and lowered my head, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
She got my order out, shooting me a hateful look.
I picked up the tray, thanked her quietly, and slowly walked to my favorite table to eat.
I had the temptation to look back at Bruno again. After his order was served, he turned-and started walking toward me!
"Oh no..."
I quickly buried my face and pretended to be completely focused, sipping my iced chocolate.
I heard the chair opposite mine slide out. Slowly, I looked up-and found him sitting right in front of me.
I couldn't take my eyes off him. Yet, he didn't even look up at me. He was acting like I was completely invisible.
Could it be that he came here intentionally to sit with me?
I waved the thought off.
Of course not. I'm the one into him-not the other way around, silly. He just chose a seat and is obviously minding his own business.
I fought with myself, trying to focus on my lunch, but my hands were shaking nervously.
I can't eat in peace sitting in front of him. I need to be the ideal girl type. He's my crush-I have to impress him, take a chance.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. Smiling gently, I picked up a spoon and took a bite as elegantly as I could.
"Beauty!"
Jessie appeared out of nowhere and snapped into my ear, startling me intentionally.
I choked on my drink.
"Jes...ssi," I coughed out.
The music slowly faded, and the priest cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses.“Shall we begin now?” he said with a small smile.Everyone quieted.Bruno turned to Beauty, his hands gently holding hers. Their fingers locked, trembling slightly.They stared into each other’s eyes intensely, unblinking.Bruno exhaled softly; he was the first.“I’ve written these words a hundred times. Rehearsing them in my head, dreaming about this moment—yet standing here with you, none of them was enough to express how I feel.”He paused.“I don’t promise perfection. I promise presence. In laughter, in silence, in chaos… I’ll be there. I promise to be soft when you need comfort and strong when you need shelter. I promise to love you through every version of you, even the ones you haven’t met yet. My first and only love.”Tears slid down Beauty’s cheeks.He reached up, brushed them away gently with his thumb, and smiled through the heat in his own eyes.“I vow to protect your heart, to cherish your b
Years ago, she’d cried in his lap after being bullied that no boy would ever take her to prom. And he had said, “One day, I will walk you down the aisle myself. Prom is nothing compared to that.”Now, here they were.Mr. Hills felt his throat tighten, remembering that little girl.She felt his arm shake slightly under hers.But she didn’t cry. Not yet.They reached Bruno.She stopped just behind him.The music sounded louder.She reached forward with her trembling hand and tapped his shoulder.Bruno exhaled, tilted his head back with a smile, then turned.When he saw her, he froze, and everything was still.Only the artist's voice was heard.“Time stands still…Beauty is all she is…I will be brave…I will not let anything take away…What's standing in front of me...Every breath, every hour has come to this…One step closer.”He swallowed, holding his tears, then stepped forward and lifted the veil gently.As soon as their wet eyes met—“Hi, husband,”Beauty sobbed.Bruno leaned in a
A soft note rang out from the giant white piano that stood elegantly under the candle-lit pergola.It played a familiar song that the guests weren’t so sure about until Christina Perri’s voice joined in.They all cheered loudly, immediately recognizing the female artist.“It’s an honor to be here today to be part of this love, a love that will last a thousand years and more,”Christina said with a smile.Whispers spread like wildfire.“That’s Christina Perri.”“I saw Bruno Mars too… is he going to perform?”The instrumental sound grew louder and louder.And then—Beauty appeared.The audience stood up.Heads turned and phones raised.She took her first step forward, and Christina started singing.“Heartbeat fast.Colors and promises.How to be brave.How can I love when I’m afraid to fall?”Beauty followed the lyrics with her footsteps.Her gown trailed behind her like a large river of starlight.The aisle was large enough to contain her long, endless gown.Over her face, the veil floa
Location: SANTORINI, GREECEThe late evening breeze blew gloriously over the sea.Perched on a cliffside on a private island in Greece, the wedding venue glittered like a scene from a fairytale.Crystal chandeliers dangled from floral arches of ivory roses and peonies, their light refracting over gold-trimmed marble tiles.The aisle shimmered with crushed diamond dust and blush rose petals, forming a path fit only for royalty.Models, both voluptuous and slender, all dazzling in pretty custom swan princess gowns, glided in a syncing choreography across the venue like performers.Each one handed the guests sparkling drinks and attended to their needs with courtesy.Bruno stood at the front, hands clasped behind him, facing the other direction, waiting for his bride's tap on the back.He was perfectly dressed in a white suit, and his hair styled like a charming prince.His face was calm, but his posture said otherwise.Eric, standing beside him, leaned closer and whispered,“Hey, be hon
“Maybe. But I want you so bad it hurts. Just once, Jessie. Just once…please..”She whispered.Jessie backed away quickly with force this time breaking out of Kathy's arms.“I need to leave. Now. I am the older one here, I shouldn't be encouraging this nonsense.”Kathy stepped back slowly, eyes never leaving hers.“I’ll be leaving F&F this summer.”Jessie froze. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first. The silence between them thickened.“You’re leaving?” she asked in disbelief. “Is this your way of emotionally blackmailing me?”“No,” Kathy replied sadly.“You just don’t know how hard it is to be around you. Every day. Pretending I don’t feel this. That I don’t want you.”“You gotta be kidding me. That's a silly reason to leave”.Jessie said and inhaled deeply. “Kathy, you’re allowed to love whoever your heart wants. But choosing me?” She scoffed. “Bad choice. I mean, I get that I may enjoy the men-with-men thing. But women with women? That’s just… boring to me. I can't deal
“Sorry about that, Kathy,”Beauty said gently.Kathy gave a sad smile and nodded.“I guess I should go talk to her,”she murmured.Beauty sighed, not sure if it's a good idea.“I don't think she would—”“Beauty, let her go. They need to talk it out,”Shelley interjected.“Alright… good luck,”Beauty replied with a soft, supportive smile.---Kathy stepped into the bathroom. Jessie was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair. The moment their eyes met, Jessie cursed inwardly and turned sharply, intending to leave.“Just a minute, please,”Kathy’s voice was low and pleading.Jessie froze, then turned back slowly, forcing a tight, awkward smile.“Hey, Kathy… good to see you too.”“I hate that I made you uncomfortable… because of my own selfish needs.”Kathy dropped her eyes, voice trembling.Oh God, don’t do this, Jessie thought, her chest tightening. Why is Kathy suddenly soft? Since when does the arrogant queen turn into a dove?“I’m sorry, Jessie. I’m so sorry.”Kathy’s vo