Beauty watched Bruno leave the place, and slammed his office door after him.*He must be pissed by all of that*"Your love is angry, won't you do something?"Jessie whispered, cutting into Beauty's thoughts, and hit her on the arm playfully."Ouch!"Beauty cried out sharply flexing her arm."Oh my gosh did it hurt so much, I am sorry".Jessie gasped, looking worried.Before Beauty could respond, they were interrupted by a high-pitched voice."Fatty, cancel my schedule for next week? I am traveling to Paris with my boyfriend".Kathy was standing right in front of Beauty's desk with her pet cat in her arms.Jessie was flabbergasted.First, Beauty is not even her assistant to cancel her next week's appointments and also why telling her the details and purpose of all that, Vacation with her boyfriend."Kathy, my name is Bea...".Beauty paused, unable to complete it, because of her insecurities, especially when dealing with one of them, her bullies."Bea ... what? Oh! You are smart, I was
"They said, Kathy dumped him, he is not too good in bed and also not her type that's why".Jessie continued."Please don't tell me about their relationship".Beauty pleaded with Jessie as the two ex lover birds continued arguing."It's either you choose to work here or your vacation, whatever".Fred's voice thundered."You're not even the boss of this company, Bruno is, yet you don't see him boss people around, Jerk".Kathy snapped back in annoyance."Maybe the Manager sounds like a joke to you, I dare you to leave this company without a permit".Fred threatened, and that triggered her.They continued arguing.His assistant cuts in"Sir""What!"Fred snapped back like a wounded lion.Kathy flipped her hair, elegantly, petting her cat unbothered."The meeting time".She replied respectfully.Fred walked out of the department angrily, followed by his assistant."Well, that was a good fight".Jessie whispered, climbing down her hair with her fingers.Just then an announcement over the in
Bruno walked in at that exact moment."Excuse us for a few minutes. Seeing your body size discourages these girls from keeping fit. They won't take the training seriously. When it's time to talk about designs, I'll call you. No offense," Fred said to her.Not even a pin drop could be heard after that. Everyone was shocked.What a statement!Not even Jessie dared challenge him after that remark, though she wanted to. He had the power to end her career right then and there.Beauty glanced at each of her colleagues around the table. A few of them felt bad for her; others were amused.The ladies had smooth skin, beautiful chins, nice figures, and gorgeous hair, all dressed in fashionable crop tops, well.... except her.She looked like a nursing mother with her double chin. She was too ashamed to glance at Bruno, afraid of seeing his reaction. What if he felt the same as the others?Better to keep her fragile heart safe."Yes, sir," Beauty nodded slowly.Jessie's face turned pale. She clea
"My relationship with her is none of your business."Bruno's eyes were cold, his posture tense and intimidating as he stepped closer to Fred, making him shrink back against the wall.Fred swallowed hard, realizing he had made a mistake by provoking Bruno. But his ego wouldn't let him back down."Did she bribe you to defend her? I don't want to imagine the gross moment when she had to pull off her clothes. I love women too, but I have standards... even if it's for one-night stands.""Are you done?" Bruno asked almost immediately interrupting him.Fred chuckled nervously, tucking his hands into his pockets, waiting for a reaction."Yes... yes, I am."Bruno stepped closer and smiled. The smile drained all the courage from Fred and replaced it with fear.It was a different Bruno. No one in the company had ever seen him smile like that.His smile is so evil. Did he do that on purpose to scare me? Dang it, it's working, Fred thought, clenching his fists nervously.Bruno towered over Fred li
"Try me."Fred swallowed hard, his entire body trembling under Bruno's gaze."Okay, okay! I... I didn't mean anything by it! Just... calm down, alright? I won't say anything about her again. I swear."Bruno finally stepped back, his cold aura melting away, though his eyes still held a dangerous edge."See that you don't," he said quietly, starting to walk towards the exit. "Because next time, there won't be any warnings. You can insult me, but not her."Fred scoffed in disbelief."Really, dude!" he muttered, still terrified, but he had to protect his pride.The next sound he heard, apart from his pounding heart, was the loud bang of the door.Bruno had left the room.Fred swallowed and slowly raised his hand to his face."What the hell was that? My whole body was shaking like a leaf. That fool, if only he weren't the son of Hathaway..." He clenched his pink palm tightly."What a simp!"---Beauty went home that day, enduring yet another round of humiliation. She had a dull, throbbing
"Jess, I'm so sick. I have fever,my body is so hot, I feel like I could die. My parents aren't home, and I need you. Please come, urgently, if you can. Please if you can get some drug from a pharmacy, however if you can't I will understand."She hit send, hoping Jessie would come quickly.Curling back into her blankets, she closed her burning eyes, hoping the fever would break soon.Then, she remembered the door was locked. Her body was weak, her muscles heavy as if weighed down by bricks, but she knew she had to keep the door open in case Jessie arrived.She pressed her lips together and forced herself out of bed, her legs trembling. Each step felt like she was dragging herself through thick mud, her legs wobbly and unsteady.Her breath came in shallow gasps as she moved slowly across the room, clutching the wall for support. She nearly stumbled but caught herself, her fingers gripping the doorframe tightly.She reached the front door, using the last bit of her strength to unlock it.
Just seeing her name felt urgent, leaving him worried. Something tugged at him, and without thinking twice, he tapped on the message.His eyes widened as he read her text."Jess, I'm so sick. I think it's fever. It's so bad I feel like I could die. My parents aren't home, and I need you. Please come, urgently, if you can. I can't even see the alphabets clearly to type. Can you save me? If you can't, I will understand."Bruno froze when his gaze landed on the time the message was received.Then he jumped to his feet."An hour ago?!" he screamed internally, panicking as he rushed to his wardrobe to change.An hour had passed since she sent the message. Beauty must have been waiting, thinking Jessie was ignoring her. Not knowing she had accidentally sent it to him instead. Worse, she was home alone.Without wasting another second,Bruno grabbed his jacket and keys and rushed out the door.He dialed her number, hoping she would pick up, so he could reassure her that he was on his way.Unf
Finally, Bruno's car screeched to a halt in front of Beauty's house, his heart pounding in his chest.He jumped out carrying the medical materials he bought, rushing to the front door. He knocked hard, the sound echoing through the quiet night."Beauty?" he called, his voice filled with panic.No answer.Bruno pressed the doorbell repeatedly.Still nothing.Without thinking, he tried the handle, and to his surprise, it wasn't locked.He felt a bit of relief, but then a terrifying thought came to his mind."Had she been too weak to lock it? Or had she collapsed before she could? What if someone dangerous got here before you?!"The thought made his heart race even faster.He shoved the door open and rushed inside. The house was silent-eerily so-except for the faint sound of his hurried footsteps echoing across the corridor."Beauty!" he called out.The living room was empty. He was about to rush up the stairs when he heard a groan from the kitchen.He glanced in that direction and found
"How did this even happen?" Jessie asked curiously."It's a long story, Jess," Beauty replied, shivering-not so much from the cold but from the aftershock of what had just happened."You're still shaking," Jessie commented."I'm okay, Jess," Beauty murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Thanks to Bruno... I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't been there.""I'm glad. He followed you without a second thought."Beauty pressed her lips together"The way he shouted my name, his voice... it was the reason I kept pushing to survive, even when I was sinking into the water. I've never been so scared in my life," she sobbed.Jessie hugged her again. "It's okay, honey. It's okay," she whispered.Just then, Ferdinand's voice interrupted them. "You two want to go back swimming? It's time to leave the woods!""This is probably a sign to leave the woods you know," someone on the team whispered.Jessie pulled back and used her palms to dry her friend's tears. "Come on, let's get you
Her voice was a whisper, her gaze downcast, her cheeks flushed but still wet with tears. She suddenly shifted, her foot slipping as she tried to balance herself, pressing her knee against his crotch, directly into arousal he'd been fighting to hide."It's... hard... rock," she murmured to herself, her cheeks flushing as realization dawned on her.Bruno froze, knowing she'd found him out, feeling the blush of embarrassment creep up his neck.How could he get an erection at a time like this? What a creep he is!Awkwardly, he stepped back, gently letting her go, his hands falling to his sides.Beauty stood there at the shore, her body soaked, watching him leave.Just then, Jessie and the others appeared, rushing toward them.Mrs. Lola Cruz covered her mouth emotionally, seeing they were both safe."Lo siento, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have asked you to look for Bobby.""Please don't apologize. It's not your fault," Bruno replied calmly.One of the staff threw him a towel.Jessie
"Hold on, I'm coming for you!" Bruno yelled out.The river's current was strong, making it difficult even for him, but his strokes were powerful, so he pushed through, his eyes never leaving her.He could feel his heart pounding harder and harder with fear. He had never felt so much fear, never had someone so dear to him that he panicked at the thought of losing them-let alone watching them die right in front of him.Beauty started coughing and sank into the river."Beauty!" Bruno yelled so loudly that his veins created a visible network across his forehead and neck, his eyes red with shock and despair.The river's flow had dragged Beauty under, only for her to resurface, coughing and choking, her eyes red from the struggle. Her breaths came in frantic gasps, her arms flailing.She burst into tears.Bruno, who had frozen after she went under, snapped out of it and pushed himself to swim faster this time.His heart skipped a beat when he saw her disappear beneath the surface again, w
A collective sigh of relief swept through the group. Beauty felt a strange mix of embarrassment and awkwardness. She wanted to laugh but had to hold it in.They had all been so caught up in the drama, so ready to offer help, only to find out it was just... a chicken?"Oh, sorry," they all murmured in unison, their faces flushing with embarrassment.Jessie was fighting every urge not to laugh at the poor lady. In fact, she had to avoid eye contact with Beauty, because that would definitely cause her laughter to explode."We'll help you find your baby, Mrs. Lola," Bruno said gently, reassuring her."Muchas gracias."Beauty stared at Bruno as he consoled the elderly woman, hoping they could make eye contact, longing to be consoled by him too. But he was very serious about keeping his distance this time... forever.Kathy wasn't happy with the idea of looking for a chicken. She had been glad to finish her shoots so they could leave this dreadful place, only to be asked to find a missing ch
However before any of them could actually say anything, Mrs. Lola approached them.Beauty nervously wondered what could be her reason for coming to speak with her."Ms. Beauty, I am impressed by your designs, really. I would love to work with you again... after this tour. What do you say?""Thank you so much," Beauty managed, feeling a mix of pride and nerves. "I appreciate the offer and will do my best.""I'm sure you will," Lola said with a smile, then she nodded at Jessie inform of acknowledgement, Jessie smiled back awkwardly.As the two watched her walk away, Beauty drew a deep breath."She does like you... a lot of pressure, huh?" Jessie whispered, starting a conversation.Beauty's breath caught in her throat as she looked at her friend and nodded slowly.Jessie chuckled and gave her a thumbs-up."Good job. Looks like you've got a fan in Mrs. Cruz. You shouldn't be distracted at this time, okay? We all make mistakes...you have to be strong and focused more this time. Don't let t
Mrs. Lola Cruz stepped forward with a broad smile."First, I want to thank the F&F team for this collaboration. I am yet to see Mr. Bruno, but I am sure he has something important that may be the reason he can't be here with us. About this collection. It is meant to embrace our culture with a combination of nature. I must confess, Mr. Ferdinard, your company has some real talent; I can testify to that. It was nice working with them.. especially Beauty Hills.I can't believe we were able to round up the designs within hours after she joined us... please give her an applause, please."She said and gestured at Beauty.The models and stylists, the whole crew, clapped loudly, cheering for Beauty.Well,Kathy was an exception,other designers had a tough t"Thank you... for the opportunity, Mrs. Lola." Beauty managed to reply and tried to force a smile but her thoughts kept drifting back to her break-up.She stole a glance at her phone lying beside her Sketchpad, half-hoping for a message fr
Jessi frowned at his stubbornness. She didn't blame him, but the fact that he was in denial seemed childish to her.He still loves her, he can't even look her in the eyes and say those words!He longs for Beauty..he just need to push a little bit. He must be feeling like a fool but just another chance."I know you're frustrated, Bruno. But she's been through so much. Her past... it's made her afraid to trust anyone, even herself. Can't you give her one more chance? She's terrified you're going to leave, just like everyone else. And here you are, making it come to pass. Don't pretend this doesn't matter to you. You can't just shut your feelings for her off like that; you know you love her."Bruno shook his head, an exasperated chuckle escaping his lips."You don't get it, Jessi," he muttered. "Beauty's... she's too complicated. She's hurt me in ways I didn't even know were possible. Do my feelings not matter because I am a man?"Jessi crossed her arms as she took another step toward hi
Jessi stood just outside the door, hesitating. She had already knocked twice; no reply from Bruno. She wasn't sure if he even wanted to see her. Not after what happened last night. She knew it would be tough for him this time.However, Beauty's sadness had broken her heart. She knew she had to do something-anything-to bring them back together.She told Beauty she can take care of him.Ofcourse,she would have given it a chance, but not when she knew for sure that Beauty loved Bruno, and he also loved her. They had to make it work; they should!Arching her brow at the thought, she summoned a deep breath and gave one more quick knock.Without waiting for an answer anymore, she turned the knob and stepped into the room.Bruno was standing by the window, his gaze out over the garden. He didn't turn when she entered or even act like he noticed her presence.Jessi sighed."Bruno," she called softly, as she closed the door behind her. He didn't answer, and she didn't expect him to."I know y
The next morning, Beauty was the first to wake, her heart heavy as she sat up on her bed, staring at Bruno. He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his breath.Everything that happened last night kept flooding into her head.From the truth-and-dare game, the harassment from Ferdinard, to Bruno's drunk act and cuddling her to sleep.She wasn't sure how he would have reacted, so she had to wake up with him close to her, but she had to pull away. Her gaze went back to Bruno.She didn't know what to expect from him or the next step she should take. Jessie isn't here to give her a piece of advice. Her words last night were clear; she had to choose.As if on cue, the duvet she had carefully draped over Bruno's body after sneaking out of his arms the night before shifted and fell off, leaving him exposed.Beauty's breath hitched, her hands trembling slightly as she stood up and moved toward his bed to cover him again.She reached for the blanket, but before she