Beauty’s POV

I looked up and found her assistant brushing off her designer outfit like I was a bag of dirt, but Kathy shoved the poor girl aside, fuming.

“I—I’m so sorry,” I stammered, ashamed. Everyone was watching now—and worse, Mr. Bruno had just walked into the department.

He stopped right there. He was watching the scene too.

I cursed in my mind and squeezed my hands nervously. Please, let the earth open and swallow me.

“Do you know how much this designer outfit cost me, you fat imbecile?!” Kathy thundered again.

“Enough with the name-calling, Kathy! She said she’s sorry. And her name is Beauty, not ‘fatty.’ If her body type is what you call fat, then I’d say you’re just jealous.” Jessie jumped in, standing right beside me.

Kathy turned to Jessie with a look of disdain.

“Easy for you to say. She’s too fat to fit into this building—bumping into people like that. Who does that? Very irritating. And don’t even start about jealousy—please, don’t make me puke. Who envies a bag of fat?” She sneered.

I tried to walk away to my post, holding back tears, but Kathy clearly wasn’t done.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me, you big bag of pudding!”

My fingers curled into a fist.

I was so angry and annoyed, unable to hold it in anymore—I snapped out loud.

“I’m fat! Yeah, I know. And ugly too. That I am very aware of! Find something else to hurt me with, Kathy, because I’m not hurt by those words anymore. Go on, try something else! Kathy, you are so perfect, and I am not. That’s outdated—torture me with something else!” I said that boldly, but my emotional expressions told a different story.

My legs were visibly trembling, and my face was flooded with tears, my hands shaking nervously.

Kathy noticed. She sighed deeply, with a soft chuckle.

“You’re crying like a baby again? Thought you would grow up. Well, I’m satisfied with the result. Fatty, next time look before stepping on my toes!” she snapped with a warning finger.

“You’re irritating, Kathy. You think bullying is so fun? What a childish bitch you are! She is healthy, not fat. Maybe you should eat more, bitch!” Jessie snapped angrily.

Kathy didn’t give a damn—she chuckled out loud.

“Well, I am the beauty standard, honey. It’s a hard pill to swallow.” She turned to her crew.

“Let’s go, everyone. Next time, avoid me, Fatty,” she warned and left with an elegant walk, as though she were on a runway.

The press crew and journalists who had been waiting for her interview followed her like puppies.

I stood there not knowing what else to do. I couldn’t even raise my face to look anyone in the eyes—

Not even Bruno. He heard everything, quite clearly.

“I am such a… mess,” I murmured and walked slowly toward the restroom. Jessie followed me immediately.

As soon as I got to the restroom, I slammed the door, crying my heart out.

“Open the door, Beauty,” Jessie said, knocking on the door.

“You should stop calling me that!” I snapped through tears.

“But it’s your name…” Jessie said softly.

“I hate it… It’s just the opposite of who I am!” I yelled back.

Jessie felt that hard.

“Stop being such a baby. Do you know how you sound? You sound like a heartbroken toddler! You are beautiful, and your name suits you. Now, can you at least let me in, please?” Jessie replied.

I hesitated, but she was right.

What am I crying for? I’m used to this. Crying isn’t the answer. It won’t make the bullying stop either.

I eventually opened the door slowly.

“Don’t start with your sermons. I’m not crying because of what she said. I was just… crying because…”

Jessie hugged me before I could finish.

“I am proud of you, Beauty. If I were in your shoes, I’d definitely be in police custody right now, charged with murder,” Jessie snapped.

I believed her. She’s a crazy wild cat, so she will definitely do it.

“Kathy is an asshole. Don’t let her words get to you. A freaky bitch—that’s what she is. All she does is try to look good, and she’s not even that good-looking…” Jessie added.

I raised a brow and squinted at her. What a lie!

“Alright… yeah, you got me. She may be good-looking, but… she has issues. You’re more beautiful than her. She’s just jealous, and honestly, I feel like hitting her right in the face sometimes.” Jessie clenched her fists as she said it.

I sighed.

“Well, with that body and the visuals she’s got, she’s perfect. Her character doesn’t count.”

“Nobody’s perfect,” Jessie said, shaking her head. “Tell her something like, ‘Your tummy is so flat,’ or, ‘Your nose is so… ugh.’” She groaned and sighed.

“I guess you’re right, Beauty. She’s definitely perfect by the world’s beauty standards. A perfect figure. But I still won’t tolerate her rudeness toward you. You didn’t create yourself, Beauty. I want you to believe in yourself. You’re really a Beauty. It’s not just a name—it’s who you are. Please see yourself the way I see you.” She smiled and hugged me.

We both pulled back from the hug, but our hands stayed locked.

“You’re beginning to sound like my mother, Jessie,” I teased, chuckling.

“Well, little one, you can call me Mother, as a matter of fact,” she replied.

I spanked her hard on the bum.

“Ouch!” She laughed out loud.

We both burst out laughing and hugged again.

“Thanks for being my best friend, Jessie,” I whispered.

“Come on, let’s go back to the office. I’m sure you’ve got work to do before that human worm decides to get on our nerves again.” I chuckled and nodded.

We walked back to our departments.

Even though Jessie was always trying hard for me—being the good friend she was—sometimes she acts like I don’t exist. And those times were my hardest.

I thought about it quietly as I got to my desk. I sat down, and sighed deeply.

After a minute of silent meditation, I pulled out the cabinet drawer, took out some folders, and placed them on the table.

As I flipped through them, I found the particular document I’d been searching for. I returned the rest of the folders and picked up the document, heading to the capture room.

I needed to submit the hard copy feedback reports from customers about the company’s fashion magazines.

I stopped in the photograph department.

Mr. Bruno was there—with his assistant and some models.

I took a deep breath and walked toward Jessie.

She was standing right beside Mr. Bruno! How lucky! I am so jealous. How could she stand that close to him without freaking out?

I shook off the wild thoughts in my mind and walked toward them.

“What’s the theme?” Mr. Bruno asked Kathy.

“Seduction,” Kathy answered, her tone dripping with it.

Se… what? I snapped inside my head.

Kathy was the model for this theme’s photoshoot. Her body goals hit differently. She was picture-perfect, and the cameras seemed to love her—like they were kissing her with every flash.

Mr. Bruno stepped back from her and turned.

Then I saw him approaching, and I clenched my fists tightly. My heart was racing.

Wait a minute!

Why is he coming over to my side?!