His Beauty and Her Beast

CHAPTER 5

—☆—

From then on, she avoided him like the plague. He tried to find her but to no avail. It was almost as if she wasn’t real, only a phantom of his imagination. Only her notes were proof of her existence.

I left breakfast for you to eat. I hope you have a nice day.

He felt bad after what happened but had to say it. Even though he was immensely grateful for her hospitality, he was worried for his father who he hadn’t seen in days. He knew he must one day return, as reluctant as he was. He hated his brother’s bullying, but he hated being away from his father even more.

Knowing him, he would be out looking for Adam without rest. That was troubling, and he resolved to leave the coming dawn. After searching the mansion for her one last time, he came upon the room where she first found him.

Knocking, he called. “My lady. Are you inside?”

No response.

Sliding down, he sat on the cold ground.

“My lady.” He began speaking. “I have to depart soon. I know we have only conversed a few times in the past, but I am exceedingly grateful for everything you’ve done. You could’ve left me for dead, but you took me into your abode and nursed back to health. Thank you, Belle.”

He paused before continuing. “Unfortunately, I have to go. I wanted to see you before I depart. I wanted to see your face that I may remember the kind individual who rescued me.”

Silence was the only answer he got. Sighing, he got up to go, but heard rustling noises. He stopped dead in his tracks as he watched the knob slowly turn. His heart thumped in anticipation.

The door opened and his heart dropped as he saw who it was. Backing away was all he could do as he before he ran.
She stared in at his fading figure before closing the door silently. She knew he’d run away when he saw her hideousness. After all, beauty is subjective; people flock towards what is considered attractive.

He was no different.

As she crawled in bedsheets to cry, a knock came at her door.

“Hello?  Are you still there? It’s me, Adam.”

She became confused, opening the door once more. Their stood Adam holding a tray of food. “Um,” he said shyly. “May I come in?”

Obliging, she stepped aside to let him, her thumping nervously. She thought he’d leave her just as everyone would, but he didn’t.  He was here with her, and it made her ecstatic.

He sat on the floor as there was nowhere to sit except the bed, which he contemplated before deciding otherwise. Being in this room sent him in overdrive that he thought he might faint from the rushing adrenaline.

“May I call you Belle?” He asked as he looked into her eyes.
She stared back, only nodding in response. It was a peculiar situation and all she could ask was, “Aren't you afraid of me?”

“Why would I be?” He asked perplexed.

“I’m hideous. I don’t have smooth, sultry skin as humans do; rather I’m hairy all over. I don’t have nice teeth or a nice figure.  I don’t—”

He held her hand and she froze. Gazing into her eyes once more, he said something that broke her. “You’re not hideous at all. You’re beautiful in your own unique way.”

A tear trickled down her eye. “You’re wrong—”

Squeezing her hand, he held it gently. “I’m not afraid of you. Yes, you’re different from most. That’s okay. It’s a big world out there. What one finds attractive in one place may be different from what another finds attractive in another place. You don’t have to confine yourself to one notion brought about by others.  What they say doesn’t matter.”

His fingers ran through her fur, which felt strangely comforting. “To me, you are beautiful. And even more so, by your character. I’ve seen beautiful people that were shallow, and beautiful people who weren't.  I’ve seen people who others considered unsightly, but to others were considered attractive. In a sense, beauty is subjective.”

A tear trickled down her face as he went on.  “If I may be so forward, my lady; you are beautiful, both in body and soul. You don’t need me to tell you; you must believe that you are despite others telling you that you aren't.  And you can never satisfy anyone no matter how much you try to change. So, like the flower Belle, be your most authentic self.”

She couldn’t hold the tears any longer as she broke down. All those years of ridicule and abuse, her family and friends abandoning her, her loneliness and years spent in solitude and her surviving yet never thriving; everything came all at once and all she could do was cry.

He held her hand the entire time and never let go.

—☆—

It was nightfall before she was able to get herself together. She was mortified that he saw her at her worst, but she was also happy that he accepted her when she wasn’t her best.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffled.  “It just came and…”

He chuckled. “It’s okay. If you need me, I’m one forest away.”

She flinched. “Are you still leaving?”

He smiled sadly. “Yes. I am worried about father. I need to know if he’s okay.”

She bowed her head to hide the tears. “Okay.”

He paused, conflicted. “Belle?”

“Yes?”

“May I hug you?”

She blushed, which was thankfully hidden under her fur.  “Yes, Adam.”

Drawing closer, he drew his arms around her awkwardly. He read in a book once that hugs were used between close companions and helps cheer them up. All thoughts ceased however, when she wrapped her arms around him.

And so, for a few minutes, they stayed in each other's arms, finding a sense of comfort and companionship. It was their own special bond that would mould the future that awaits.

But that story is for another time.