She found Bruno and Kathy in an awkward, close position that looked somehow intimate.Kathy's hands rested on Bruno's shoulder, her lips near his ear while his hand lightly clasped her wrist. Beauty was unsure if he was putting them on her or about to put them away from her.For Bruno to let Kathy get that close to him, something must be going on between them. Kathy may be a desperate type, but still, Bruno had kept his distance until now.Is he trying to move on with Kathy? Why Kathy?Kathy's eyes met Beauty's wet ones, and she smirked."Well," Kathy drawled, "how may we help you?"Beauty swallowed, fighting to keep her composure. She turned to Bruno, ignoring Kathy completely."Sir Bruno, may I speak with you privately? Could she excuse us?"The fact that she referred to him as Sir Bruno triggered him. But he had to swallow it anyway; he was the one who said they were over with the relationship between them.However, it seemed like she was moving ahead very fast. Too fast for him to
Kathy turned to her, a bit surprised by the tone in her voice. She found Beauty smiling."Oh, I see, trying to seduce Mr. Bruno has given you some boldness.""You are just mad; I am better at it than you. You have been trying to seduce Mr. Bruno... well, you should stop forcing it. He just doesn't like you... he doesn't like skinny," Beauty replied boldly, giving her a look.Kathy scoffed, a bit triggered."I am not doubting it. You should walk the runway better too; I am sure people would love to see a hippopotamus on the runway."Beauty smirked."They can handle it; a walking skeleton is a lot scarier and weird."That triggered her even more."I am sure you are not referring to me as a skeleton, darling. You better not want to be my enemy.""I would never be your friend. I will take being your enemy as a compliment, and before you threaten me, you should eat more; I did crush you with my weight.""Oh, I see you've been taking therapy sessions. Someone must have told you that you are
A few of them coughed to cover their chuckles, while others glanced at each other, sharing silent gossip with raised eyebrows but tightly pressed lips to keep from laughing out loud.Kathy stormed toward Bruno's office to report, her broken heel causing her to limp slightly."It wasn't even a fair fight. She knew she was going to win with that stinking weight," she muttered to herself."She will pay for the damages. I'll make sure she pays for every damn scratch on my skin!"Without a second thought, she flung open Bruno's office door, limping inside and slamming it behind her.Bruno looked up, startled. He stared at her, from her disheveled hair to her missing shoe, with her toe pressing on the ground and the sole barely hanging on."Halloween costume?""Haha, funny!" she snapped back, tears glistening in her eyes."What... what happened to you? I am absolutely speechless," Bruno said, trying hard to keep from laughing."That monster you call an employee! That fat whale, Beauty, atta
"I can't do anything if you don't tell me the truth. What brought about this fight between you two?"Kathy rolled her eyes, avoiding his gaze. "Well, maybe she just couldn't handle the truth."Bruno looked up, now serious."The truth? What 'truth' did you tell her?"Kathy went silent, clearly realizing she'd said too much. She shifted uncomfortably, looking frustrated but unable to respond.Bruno felt a pang of concern, imagining Beauty being emotionally abused by Kathy."You abused her again, didn't you? And then you two fought?""It wasn't even a fight. She hit me before I could see clearly-I was on the floor. She may look innocent and like the victim, but she is a monster! She's just... jealous because we're together."Bruno's jaw dropped."Hold on-are you saying she hit you because she was jealous?""Yes!" Kathy snapped."Well, that's interesting. It made my day... much, much better..." He smirked."What are you talking about?" Kathy replied impatiently."I mean, knowing that Beau
As Beauty walked back to her desk, the only thing ringing in her mind was Bruno's words."Good luck."Just good luck!Well, what was I expecting?He will kneel down and ask me not to leave him?Suddenly, she noticed the whispers and glances from her colleagues. It was clear the whole department had heard about the confrontation with Kathy. She drew a deep breath and managed to walk to her office desk with her head held high, pretending not to notice, but inside, she felt both a bit embarrassed and oddly proud.She took her pieces of design and started working on her rough stitches."Beauty!"Jessie's voice distracted her focus, and she almost poked her skin with a needle.Jessie came rushing over to her, grinning from ear to ear."Beauty! I heard what happened," she whispered excitedly, barely able to contain herself. "Finally stood up to her. I am so proud. You should see how the pest was crying in the department. She will respect you from now on."Beauty sighed, opened her mouth, b
"Oh, really? Can you see? She's threatening to do more," Kathy snapped."Ms. Kathy! Listen," Ferdinand yelled in annoyance."This is not the time for your tantrums and IT girl special treatment. This meeting is for the upcoming tour. I will ask you to keep quiet and focus on the meeting.""You're embarrassing me in front of everyone! This is not how you handle things! This isn't fair! Y'all hate me because I am pretty. You think that I can't be the victim?" Kathy snapped back.Jessie scoffed and rolled her eyes.The meeting continued, with Ferdinand moving on to the next agenda item, and everyone's attention focused on their preparations, ignoring Kathy.She sat there, grumpy and muttering words to herself."I am sure she is crying inside right now, poor thing ... knowing that these two dated in the past made it so much more satisfying," Jessie whispered to Beauty and laughed quietly.Beauty looked toward Kathy's direction; seeing her cry silently made her feel a little guilty.She is
On Monday morning, Beauty woke up early, dressed for work, and checked her notifications as she grabbed her phone."This week is our trip! To Puerto Rico!" flashed across the company's group chat.Panic set in as she scrolled further, realizing she'd missed yesterday's online meeting.Ferd is going to kill me.Quickly grabbing her bag, she hurried outside to catch a cab. A speeding one finally slowed down, and the driver rolled down his window.Leaning forward, she requested, "Hathaway F&F Company, please.""You know the price," he replied with a smirk, opening the door."Sure, thanks," she said, hopping in as he sped off.At the company entrance, she arrived just in time to see Bruno stepping out of his car. She immediately pretended not to notice him, casting her gaze anywhere but in his direction. She watched as his assistant took his suitcase, and his bodyguard followed him toward the entrance, a perfect picture of confidence.Ugh, why does he have to look so good?Beauty sighed,
Beauty mumbled, grabbing her handbag in a flustered rush."Gracias."Bruno replied smoothly as he took the seat beside her.The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words, each of them fighting every urge to break the total strangers vibe.Beauty crossed her arms, angling herself as far from him as possible.There's enough room for that... distance anyway. Bruno tried not to glance over too often, but the slight scent of her perfume kept tugging at his attention.This was certainly not as fun as he'd imagined."She's right here next to me, and yet I can't even look at her. Who made that rule? This woman is going to drive me insane."Hours later, with most of the coworkers dozing off as night fell, Bruno busied himself with his phone. Suddenly, he felt a hand fall on him.Beauty had drifted off to sleep and leaned against him by mistake."Sorry," she murmured, cheeks flushed."Don't touch me, distance please; you have enough room," he replied coldly, though he was only teasin
Beauty mumbled, grabbing her handbag in a flustered rush."Gracias."Bruno replied smoothly as he took the seat beside her.The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words, each of them fighting every urge to break the total strangers vibe.Beauty crossed her arms, angling herself as far from him as possible.There's enough room for that... distance anyway. Bruno tried not to glance over too often, but the slight scent of her perfume kept tugging at his attention.This was certainly not as fun as he'd imagined."She's right here next to me, and yet I can't even look at her. Who made that rule? This woman is going to drive me insane."Hours later, with most of the coworkers dozing off as night fell, Bruno busied himself with his phone. Suddenly, he felt a hand fall on him.Beauty had drifted off to sleep and leaned against him by mistake."Sorry," she murmured, cheeks flushed."Don't touch me, distance please; you have enough room," he replied coldly, though he was only teasin
On Monday morning, Beauty woke up early, dressed for work, and checked her notifications as she grabbed her phone."This week is our trip! To Puerto Rico!" flashed across the company's group chat.Panic set in as she scrolled further, realizing she'd missed yesterday's online meeting.Ferd is going to kill me.Quickly grabbing her bag, she hurried outside to catch a cab. A speeding one finally slowed down, and the driver rolled down his window.Leaning forward, she requested, "Hathaway F&F Company, please.""You know the price," he replied with a smirk, opening the door."Sure, thanks," she said, hopping in as he sped off.At the company entrance, she arrived just in time to see Bruno stepping out of his car. She immediately pretended not to notice him, casting her gaze anywhere but in his direction. She watched as his assistant took his suitcase, and his bodyguard followed him toward the entrance, a perfect picture of confidence.Ugh, why does he have to look so good?Beauty sighed,
"Oh, really? Can you see? She's threatening to do more," Kathy snapped."Ms. Kathy! Listen," Ferdinand yelled in annoyance."This is not the time for your tantrums and IT girl special treatment. This meeting is for the upcoming tour. I will ask you to keep quiet and focus on the meeting.""You're embarrassing me in front of everyone! This is not how you handle things! This isn't fair! Y'all hate me because I am pretty. You think that I can't be the victim?" Kathy snapped back.Jessie scoffed and rolled her eyes.The meeting continued, with Ferdinand moving on to the next agenda item, and everyone's attention focused on their preparations, ignoring Kathy.She sat there, grumpy and muttering words to herself."I am sure she is crying inside right now, poor thing ... knowing that these two dated in the past made it so much more satisfying," Jessie whispered to Beauty and laughed quietly.Beauty looked toward Kathy's direction; seeing her cry silently made her feel a little guilty.She is
As Beauty walked back to her desk, the only thing ringing in her mind was Bruno's words."Good luck."Just good luck!Well, what was I expecting?He will kneel down and ask me not to leave him?Suddenly, she noticed the whispers and glances from her colleagues. It was clear the whole department had heard about the confrontation with Kathy. She drew a deep breath and managed to walk to her office desk with her head held high, pretending not to notice, but inside, she felt both a bit embarrassed and oddly proud.She took her pieces of design and started working on her rough stitches."Beauty!"Jessie's voice distracted her focus, and she almost poked her skin with a needle.Jessie came rushing over to her, grinning from ear to ear."Beauty! I heard what happened," she whispered excitedly, barely able to contain herself. "Finally stood up to her. I am so proud. You should see how the pest was crying in the department. She will respect you from now on."Beauty sighed, opened her mouth, b
"I can't do anything if you don't tell me the truth. What brought about this fight between you two?"Kathy rolled her eyes, avoiding his gaze. "Well, maybe she just couldn't handle the truth."Bruno looked up, now serious."The truth? What 'truth' did you tell her?"Kathy went silent, clearly realizing she'd said too much. She shifted uncomfortably, looking frustrated but unable to respond.Bruno felt a pang of concern, imagining Beauty being emotionally abused by Kathy."You abused her again, didn't you? And then you two fought?""It wasn't even a fight. She hit me before I could see clearly-I was on the floor. She may look innocent and like the victim, but she is a monster! She's just... jealous because we're together."Bruno's jaw dropped."Hold on-are you saying she hit you because she was jealous?""Yes!" Kathy snapped."Well, that's interesting. It made my day... much, much better..." He smirked."What are you talking about?" Kathy replied impatiently."I mean, knowing that Beau
A few of them coughed to cover their chuckles, while others glanced at each other, sharing silent gossip with raised eyebrows but tightly pressed lips to keep from laughing out loud.Kathy stormed toward Bruno's office to report, her broken heel causing her to limp slightly."It wasn't even a fair fight. She knew she was going to win with that stinking weight," she muttered to herself."She will pay for the damages. I'll make sure she pays for every damn scratch on my skin!"Without a second thought, she flung open Bruno's office door, limping inside and slamming it behind her.Bruno looked up, startled. He stared at her, from her disheveled hair to her missing shoe, with her toe pressing on the ground and the sole barely hanging on."Halloween costume?""Haha, funny!" she snapped back, tears glistening in her eyes."What... what happened to you? I am absolutely speechless," Bruno said, trying hard to keep from laughing."That monster you call an employee! That fat whale, Beauty, atta
Kathy turned to her, a bit surprised by the tone in her voice. She found Beauty smiling."Oh, I see, trying to seduce Mr. Bruno has given you some boldness.""You are just mad; I am better at it than you. You have been trying to seduce Mr. Bruno... well, you should stop forcing it. He just doesn't like you... he doesn't like skinny," Beauty replied boldly, giving her a look.Kathy scoffed, a bit triggered."I am not doubting it. You should walk the runway better too; I am sure people would love to see a hippopotamus on the runway."Beauty smirked."They can handle it; a walking skeleton is a lot scarier and weird."That triggered her even more."I am sure you are not referring to me as a skeleton, darling. You better not want to be my enemy.""I would never be your friend. I will take being your enemy as a compliment, and before you threaten me, you should eat more; I did crush you with my weight.""Oh, I see you've been taking therapy sessions. Someone must have told you that you are
She found Bruno and Kathy in an awkward, close position that looked somehow intimate.Kathy's hands rested on Bruno's shoulder, her lips near his ear while his hand lightly clasped her wrist. Beauty was unsure if he was putting them on her or about to put them away from her.For Bruno to let Kathy get that close to him, something must be going on between them. Kathy may be a desperate type, but still, Bruno had kept his distance until now.Is he trying to move on with Kathy? Why Kathy?Kathy's eyes met Beauty's wet ones, and she smirked."Well," Kathy drawled, "how may we help you?"Beauty swallowed, fighting to keep her composure. She turned to Bruno, ignoring Kathy completely."Sir Bruno, may I speak with you privately? Could she excuse us?"The fact that she referred to him as Sir Bruno triggered him. But he had to swallow it anyway; he was the one who said they were over with the relationship between them.However, it seemed like she was moving ahead very fast. Too fast for him to
The next day, Beauty woke up early, though it felt like she hadn't slept at all. She had tossed and turned through the night, her mind a swirl of thoughts and frustrations.Bruno had moved on so easily, and that thought alone left her feeling heartbroken.To make things worse, her mother kept bringing up Eric, talking about how handsome he was and how they would make a nice couple.Could Eric really be the one who has been sending those gifts and supportive notes? Beauty wondered.She had tried asking Bruno once, and he had said the gifts were from him. But now, thinking back on it, maybe he said it just to take credit for something sweet.Bruno isn't that type of person, she thought.Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. It was Jessie calling.She sighed and answered on the second ring."Hello...""How are you feeling?" Jessie asked softly."Better. Thanks for yesterday. I'll be on my way to the company soon," Beauty replied."All right. I'll see you soon. Take care," Jessie sai