Chapter 17: Chapter 17

**BEAUTY'S POV**

I waited impatiently for Bruno to come and see me off,my heart raced,I have to tell him,I can't keep this to myself, but how will this make him feel,what am I going to do.

"I will call you back".

His voice woke me up from my deep thoughts ,I look up and found him approaching quickly,I stood up and walked to him,grabbed on his hand.

"What's wrong?your hand is shaking"he asked curiously.

I avoided his eye contact,I was so helpless ,he could see it through my eyes and that feelings like I just cheated on him,his father's hands on my bossom was a shock,I was yet to recover from.

"Can you please see me off to my place..."I pleaded,he stared at me for a while and opened his mouth to say something but got interrupted by Mr Hathaway's assistant.

"Sir Bruno ,you're needed here please".

My face turned pale after I heard that. Bruno sighed and turned to me,holding my hands and squeezing them softly.

"Hey....don't be sad,I will video call you when I get a chance to,I promise this will be over soon,don't be sad please,let me what's bothering you,I'd my dad said some rude stuffs to you,tell me all about it,am your man"

At least I was able to look him direct in the eye this time,though I was disappointed but his words were softening enough.I forced a smile and nodded.

He pecked me and left. I walked sadly out of their compound had to take a second look before waving at a cab.

I got in the cab and bent my head on my knee,crying ,twisting the engagement ring on my finger

"Ma'am!...Ma'am"the cab driver was calling to ask for my direction,after several attempts to get me talking ,he just decided to drive.

After some minutes later, I told him my address, luckily he was heading that way.

I got home and walked straight into my room...my parents were seated at the dining having lunch.

"Honey you are back...how was it?"mom asked excitedly.

"Whats with that face?"Dad contributed.

I ignored then and locked the door behind me.

My parents were suprised since I didn't say a word to them,it was unusual even if I had a bad day,I never ignored them,they knew something must be wrong.

I threw myself on my bed and buried my face in a pillow, crying out my heart into it.

"Beauty is everything alright?Mom asked.

She has knocked severally on my door but I didn't answer.

"Atleast come eat the food, I prepared for you,I have no other child to eat them"she lamented.

After she went back to the dining,am pretty sure she is going to tell Dad.

If I don't convince them ,that I am fine,that everything's fine then Daddy might have a wrong impression on Bruno and his family.

I heard them mumbling words then sudden their footsteps approaching my door.

"Beauty"Dad calledbout,and knocked.

I opened the door immediately and chuckled,faking it with zeal.

"Got you!!"I snapped out.

"Oh my gosh! you scared us"Mom said in relief, holding her chest with a pissed eye roll.

"What is your problem young girl,your mom came to me sobbing,we thought maybe you got heartbroken again".

My dad said with arched brows.

I laughed out,trying not to sound nervous,I pecked his cheeks smiling at him

"Am totally fine daddy y'all worry too much about me".

I walked straight to the dining and took a plate of food.

They were sti standing by my door ,looking at me in a weird manner,I hope I was able to puppy my fake happiness.

I walked back to them and pecked my mom too.

"Thanks for your care,am really fine ,you should see your faces!"I chuckled but they seem to have observed.

"Your eyes is swollen"Mom replied not convinced anymore,she drew close trying to inspect.

"Really ? ...maybe that's..because am stressed out from typing works,you know those stuff "I managed to get back to my room.

I closed the door and listened breathing heavily.

I eavesdrop through the door.

"Well I guess I was wrong ,she kinda look okay".

I heard her say to Daddy.

"I almost swore to my self to teach that young man a lesson but she is good,no call for alarm"Dad replied.

I dropped the plate of food on the floor,and walked to the bed.

I pulled a pillow into my arms and cried my throat dry silently ,cuddling the pillow.

Midnight I couldn't sleep,I was waiting patiently for Bruno's call,but nothing happened.

Flashbacks of the incident with mr Hathaway came into mind,I felt so irritated by myself.

I held on the breast ,he grabbed me on,I felt so used and disgusted at myself

I broke down and cried more,I decode to try Bruno's number instead but it was on voice mail.

I kept trying Bruno's number every 30 minutes but same voice mail happened.

"Why he didn't be call as he promised,I am going crazy, what am I supposed to do"

I thought aloud.

"Should I send him a message, no I have to tell him in person".

I fell back on my bed staring at my phone screen,dailing his number repeatedly.

"Hello

"Hey baa......ba

My voice went low whei realised it was the voice mail again,I decided to listen.

"This is bruno,very busy at the moment leave a message,to Beauty,I love you"

"I love you too".

I smiled sadly and lay back on the bed,waiting for tomorrow.

*********

The next morning,mom came into my room unknownly to me.

I woke up and found her sitting beside my bed,I was a bit starled by her.

I got up and yawned tiredly, she smiled and pecked my forehead,her lips slightly agape.

"Goodmoring mom"i said feebly,rubbing my half closed eyes.

"Dad's gone to work,is there anything you will love to tell me?"She asked me,staring at me,in a way that fastens my heartbeat,I suddenly became nervous.

"So what is it,is it about Bruno?"

"Its nothing mom"I snapped

She sighed

"Am your mother,i can tell you are bothered, worried about something ,so please tell me what the problem is,you can't keep it to yourself, I promise I won't tell your daddy".

I glanced at her

"It's ....Mr..

I paused and haze at her,my lips trembling, my fingers itching.

"Yes.go on.."mom replied curiously looking more serious.

"Its Mr Hathaway, bruno's dad,he wanted to have..... sex with me or he will never support our marriage".

I tried not to cry out,i covered my mouth with my hand.

Mom was shocked at first then smiled softly at me and brushed my hair down with her fingers.

"Just that,you killing yourself for that?,he is an old fool don't listen to him".

She said and hugged me tightly.

"But mom,Bruno will be heartbroken if I tell him,I just can't get it off my head,I don't know what to do"i cried out loudly.

She rested my beds on her bossom and consoled me.

"Don't tell bruno just yet, the old fool will never take advantage of you,not under my watch"

"What am going to do now mom?"

"You are going to look for another job since he is your Boss,avoid him at all costs,and wait for Bruno to deal with his present problem after then tell him about it,and why you decide to quit".

"I feel like a cheat already mom,he grabbed on my b**bs and it was so scary to see him erected, I never thought this will ever happen between me and Bruno's father,of all men ,my fiance's father,why am I always unfortunate!!"I cried out more.

She pulled me closer and hugged me tighter.

"Hey,its not your fault honey, some men cant really control their third leg,and sadly Mr Hathaway is that kind of man,keep it low,and look for another job codely,when you get one ,quit and go for the new one okay,if you two are really meant to be ,you will overcome this,what will be will be".

I nodded slowly ,she kissed my forehead and patted my back.

"That's my baby".

******AT WORK********

I got to my post ,it was like everyone in the company was aware of my encounter with Mr Hathaway, i could see each of them mumbling pointing and i could hear their mocking laughters.

Maybe I was just overthinking all that and creating the scene in my head.

I stared at Bruno,he didn't even notice when I walked in,he was with one of the designers,discussing stuffs with him.

I felt bad about it,also he promised to call last night ,maybe I am expecting much from him,I should be a support not adding to his stress. I forced my eyes off him and decided to focus on my work. I sat down on my office chair and went through the new files that were on top of my table.

I couldn't do it,I couldn't focus properly on my work,not without him standing feets away and not even even noticing my presence.I glance at him and stared closely,he looked like he didn't have a nice sleep yesterday,his eyes were dull and dark circles visible on his eye bags.

"Hy babe".

Jessi called hitting my desk ,i did a tiny jump startled.

"Are you...okay?"she asked looking at me suspiciously.

"Jessi am fine"I avoided eye contact nervously

"You know I can tell right,you didn't even glam yourself up like usual and...Bruno...

She looked over to bruno,I did same.

She sighed. "He is working tirelessly since morning,and didn't even ask after you when we met, what's going on between you too?".

"Nothing!"

I snapped almost annoyed about her ceaseless questions.

"Nothing,we.. are good,sorry I snapped at you "i said again but in a low tone.

She looked at me speechless at my outburst,then she sat down on the chair opposite mine,snapping her fingers.

"Okay something is definitely wrong "she pointed out.

"You don't want to talk about it?"she asked ,but I ignored her.

She sighed and stare at me for a while, I pretended to be busy, typing on my keyboard.

"Everyone in this company seem to be keeping a secret from me,the executives had some meeting like that this morning and am very sure it wasn't goodnews for Bruno".

All this while I wasn't listening, I was creating a conversation in my head with Bruno,about what happened between his father and me ,how to put the words right.

Mom said i should not tell him yet but I just can't hold back,I feel like a bad person if i don't let him know about it,then when I heard her say that about Bruno and the company ,my attention was drawn to her,I listened carefully to what she was saying.

"What do you mean by bad news to Bruno".

I asked worried if it was another problem for him.

"I know!,the hell you think am doing here, playing?am trying here! get those copies from the editor".

Bruno's voice echoed in the room.

Everyone was as shocked as well as Jessi and me,I never heard him shout that loud before.

"Wow,dude about to blow up,go talk to him babe"Jessi told me.

Tears clouded my eyes,I decided to seal them in tightly.Why is everything happening all of a sudden.

"I can't "I replied Jessi slowly.

"You're his fiancee, come on babe....he will listen to you,if he continues like this he might get really depressed and believe me it won't be good ,he needs you at times like this "

I took a deep breathe ,my heart raced,I guess she's right,I need to support him this time.

"Sorry sir".

We heard his secretary reply finally and walked out of his office embarrassed .

"Now go go"jessi instructed.

I quickly stood up and walked towards his office my fist tightened and my heart pounding again.

I knocked once and went in.

"Baby.."I mumbled feebly,trying not to break down.He couldn't look up at me,I noticed he was drying his face.

I looked over the table and found a bottle of hot wine almost dried up and a pack of cigar,then sticks of used cigars.

He turned his back at me embarrassed, shoving them all into the trash can.

I hugged him from the back tightly.

"I really miss you so much"i whispered almost sobby in his ears.

He turned with his eyes red and swollen and hugged me tightly

"Am sorry about yesterday I ..i..just

"Its okay,I understands, am just scared you are pushing yourself so hard, if there's anyway I can help please tell me"i replied and took his hands and kissed them,held them close to my heart.

"No... baby there isn't, I can do this ,don't stress yourself, I promise everything will be fine soon"

he said and pulled his hand from me,my face dropped pale ,I stared at him for a while then I sighed loudly.

"Okay promise you won't need those drinks and cigars again,am here for you...

His phone beeped,he read the message,I noticed his fight tightened making the network of veins in his arms visible.

"What is it honey?"I asked scared of more bad news.

"Can you go leave now,please I need to attend to something"he said without looking up at me.

"I...can help out,tell me what to do".

I tried to calm him with a kiss but he pulled his face off.

"Beauty please I don't need any distractions now"he said slowly.

"Honey I can help ,share with me ,what is it?"

"For goodness sake Beauty,go back to your post ,this is work,can you for once pretend am Bruno and not your fiance that's what I need now!,stop gettingon my way please!"he yelled out angrily.

The scream terrified ,my feet freezed, my heart shattered, it felt even worse when he left me and walked out of his office.

I stood at the same spot,swimming in tears with my hand on my chest ,a minute or so ,Jessi knocked and opened the door.

"I shouldn't have asked you to go talk to him,this is way out of hand,am so sorry Bea"she said sadly.

I guess they heard him out there,I forced a smile and clean my face.

Slowly I walked out of the room,Jessi followed ,I was so ashamed to go back to my post

That afternoon ,I skipped my lunch break,each minute I will glance towards Bruno's office.

**BRUNO'S POV**

All this time I felt really bad for Beauty,aware that she was trying her best to cheer me up,but yet i don't want her to worry about me but she kept doing it,I had to make her see that I was serious about it.It was just us in the office ,others went for their lunch breaks.

I sighed deeply and bowed my head regretfully,as our precious discussion cane to mind.I wondered if she's about to hate me for being an asshole and screamed at her back then in the office.

She was only trying to support but I don't want her to ,I am just protecting her,my years of hard work is about to drown at the bottom of ocean and if care is not taken I don't know how it will end up for me.I don't want her to worry about me either.

She emailed me

"Am I a distraction to you Bruno?don't you love me anymore, am I really on your way".

The message sent chills to my body ,I could actually feel the emotions poured out in those texts.I glanced towards her but she didn't look up from her computer.

"I love you Beauty,am an asshole, you don't deserve me,I poured my anger at you for no reason".

I texted back then I glanced back at her again.

she covered her mouth with her palm ,I guess she broke down crying

This is why I wanted her to see me as just Bruno,so It will affect her if we continue like this.

**BEAUTY'S POV**

After work, everyone of us started tidying up to go home but not Bruno,he doesn't seem ready to go home either.

He was the last man standing ,I guess he isn't going home today.

After getting my place tidied up. I picked up my bag, set to go home ,i walked slowly to the enterance door.

Then I stopped , hot tears clouded my eyes,i felt so sad if we continue like this,pretend he is just bruno?,I can't do that,I love him ,I won't pretend not to.

I don't care if he's going to hate me but i won't let him go through this alone.

I walked towards him,he looked up at me nervously and then back to his system ,avoiding my eye contact .

As soon as I got to his desk,he started apologizing.

"Am sorry about

I kissed him unaware,he pulled me closely and responded smoothly too then after,we both stared into eachother eyes.

I dried my wet cheeks and started walking out of the company without saying anything to him.,he stood there speechless at first, then he mumbled my name.

I got home,it was just me at home,my parents probably went for their yoga classes,,i quickly freshen up and prepared something for him to eat.Some dumplings and soy sauce,he loved them.

I regretted texting him those words ,he must have snapped out those words out of frustration and anger.

After preparing the foods,I took it in with a summer food flask and dressed to go back to the office.It was 8:00pm dot,the time I got back to the office,he was still busy with his work,a cup of coffee in his hand.

I sighed and went in.

He was surprised to see me,he stood up speechless,I walked to him.

It was freezing outside so I got him a winter jacket from a store on the way.

"Beauty what are you doing here?"he asked but I didn't say a thing,he ran and hugged me.

"Am happy to see you ,thought it was over for us"he said in a whisper.

I smiled back then I walked to his back and put the jacket on him.

"It will keep you warm"i said fixing his hands through the giant sleeves.

"Thanks"Bruno mumbled and went back to his work.

I sat opposite his desk ,staring at him with my hand supporting my jaw,i watched him sadly.

Each minute he will take a sip from his coffee mug and continued.

I brought out my design book and tried to create something,maybe it can help

but my brain completely proved me wrong,my brain was so messed up ,I got no new ideas,many things crowded in my head,i can't even think properly".

An hour later,he yawned and kept yawning and yawning,I got really possed of not saying anything or doing anything, i stood up from where I was sitting and went to him.

"it won't take 5 minutes ,please eat something, i really wanted you to eat,I preferred this for you,so you can have enough strength to work please"i said softly to him.

He hesitated then nodded,happily i brought out the food flasks and opened them for him.

"It's too much I can't finish it all"he whined adorably.

I smiled back

"I will eat the remaining"i said,he smiled back and thanked me

Then he sighed loudly and started eating,I watched him admirably, he looked up and caught my stare then he decide to fed me,I hesisted at first then i let him.

"Is there anything, I can help you with,baby,i could see some typing works please let me help while you eat"i pleaded.

"No..I can do it later"he insisted.

"Bruno this isn't making me feel better,I understand what you are doing but it is really hurting me that I can't help out in any way"i said sadly.

"But I don't want that,I don't want you to worry about me,I can do it,please understandme,making you worry will make me more sad"he replied.

"I love you Bruno,please let me help"i insisted and gave him a sad puppy look.

"I love you more Beauty ...fine ,help me type the one on that table"he said and pointed at the mountain of documents.

"Thanks baby,I will show you two is better than one,just wait and see,will be done in few minutes".

First time,after these past horrible days,he finally smiled broadly at me

I hugged and kissed him happily,I rushed to the table and got the documents then I started typing while he eat.

Half way,almost done,I yawned tirelessly, very hungry too,I looked over towards him , he's fallen asleep after eating,i smiled back at him,he looked so adorable holding a dumpling in his hand.

"I hope we both pull through these challenges Bruno".

Then I got up and went to him , pecked his forehead, glad he is finally resting

i helped him lay on the couch very well,I took the flask and covered it,very hungry but I have to finish this work first.