HE SPOKE

“I am so sorry”.

Jessie apologized immediately.

She is always sorry after a childish act.

Furiously, I looked at her, then back again, this time fast to check out what I saw again.

“Jessie…you are braless”

I whispered, covering my flushed face.

“Yeah, it's no bra day, everyone is supporting except you”.

She replied with pride.

“It's indecent”.

I whispered back, feeling a bit insecure, how she has such a perfect pair even without a bra.

Mine will never look that good without a bra.

Her boobs were perfect, her nipples were visibly piercing through her transparent white crop top, down her tiny waist.

I noticed her pierced belly button and a tiny silver waist bead on her waist.

She's indeed beautiful.

I sighed in frustration.

“The truth is that everyone is perfect here except me”.

I can't believe I said it out, I covered my mouth with my hands and gazed up at Bruno.

I wondered if he heard me, but as soon as I saw the ear pods on his ears, I was relieved.

He seems busy texting with his phone and eating at the same time.

“Oh come on Beauty, you are also beautiful you know, you are just ......chubby”.

Jessie shrugged.

I sighed again.

“You can call me fat Jessie. It's okay, I won't get offended, it's my reality after all”.

I replied.

“For goodness sake you ain't fat, you are chubby, there's a huge difference okay?”

Jessie lectured, trying so hard to prove a baseless point.

I stole a glance at Bruno again, he never looked up at us, how can someone be so anti-social?

“Jessie, can we talk later? I want to eat now please”.

I hope she buys it.

“Why?”

Jessie replied with a tight frown.

I knew it won't be so easy, though.

“Like… I… I said. I wish to eat”.

I replied with my brows arched.

“You look uneasy. Why are you so uneasy? Your face is flushed, are you blushing? Why are you blushing for me?”

She raised a brow suspiciously.

“I am not!”

I snapped back.

“Yes you are, you are sweating, what's up babe?”

She replied.

“Jessie please, for goodness’s sake! Food time okay, we can continue this discussion later. Now I have to eat and get back to work”.

I sounded serious in a way that made her suddenly agree.

“Well, why not, that tone in your voice scares me girl” she replied.

I shook my head.

She leaned forward, pecked my cheek and left.

As soon as she was long gone. I stole a gaze again at the table where Bruno was sitting.

His phone still in his hand, he hardly touched his food, he looked so into his phone, with his hands working on it like he was being remotely controlled.

What an introvert!

I need to say something.

I can do this, just say something.

Thank him for standing up for you! Come on, you can do this Beauty.

This is the only time you can get to talk to him in person outside work, go and show your gratitude…oh no I can't do this.

I covered my face and sighed, my palms and ears turned red.

You are only going to embarrass yourself. You will look like a joke to him, desperate for attention.

You are fat and ugly, and everyone sees you as an idiot, even… Jessie sometimes

How on Earth do you think you will make friends with him, Mr. Bruno?”

A tear dropped from my eye.

Stupid! Why the hell are you crying at a moment like this!

I need to stop thinking, or I embarrass myself with those tears.

I dried my wet eyes with my fingers slowly. I looked up and then our eyes met.

My heart skipped a beat at the same time!

I quickly faced the food I was eating, pretending to be enjoying it.

Oh my God, that was unexpected!

How long has he been staring without my notice?

Wait.

How possible was that?

Mr. Bruno was staring at me!

Is he still staring at me?

Slowly I stole a glance.

His eyes were back to his phone for some reason. I was disappointed.

I should do it now, what's the worst that can happen.

I cleared my throat.

Finally, I am going to say something to him after three years working in the same company with him.

Having a secret crush on him.

What should I say, I need to say something first.

Sir, you haven't touched your food, are you worried.....you can talk to me…I will listen to you.

I shook my head.

No.. No way, sounds like what a pick me would say.

Sir, you are always busy with the phone while eating, bad table manners.

What the hell, I am not his mother either, what's the best word to start with!

I was dragging my mind.

“Nice phone pouch, sir”.

Wait! I said this one out.

So stupid, I slapped my forehead.

He gazed at me and then to his phone pouch with a confused expression on his face.

I understand him.

It's just plain black. My compliment sounded lame.

I smiled awkwardly at him realizing how stupid I must have sounded to him.

“Thanks”.

His voice was so calm like a deep ocean.

“He said thanks?”

I murmured shocked at that response.

“I…wanted to say… I am truly grateful for…what you did back there”.