His Beauty and Her Beast

CHAPTER 6

Adam left Belle after her reassuring him she was alright. Retiring to bed, all he could think about was her. He was perceptive and had an idea that the humanoid girl he saw in the forest was her, but he wanted her to tell him rather than forcefully ask.

Even beneath the skin, he already found a heart of gold and an unexpected friendship—or maybe even love?
He shook the intrusive thoughts away. ‘She has to find acceptance in herself and heal.  She doesn’t have time for love.’

Closing his eyes, he wondered of their future as he drifted to sleep.

It was early dawn when he arose. Fixing his bedroom, he slipped out the door quietly, making way towards the kitchen for a glass of water before leaving. To his surprise, he found a basket filled with food, along with breakfast.
There was a note attached to the basket, along with a pressed rose. He couldn’t help but smile as he read it.

I had a feeling you would leave before I awoke. So, I made you breakfast and filled the basket with food as a parting gift. You’ll find essentials inside as well. Thank you for staying with me all this time. I'll miss you, my friend.
Yours truly,
Belle.

His face flushed at the last sentence, and he quickly tucked the message inside the basket. Eating every morsel, he cleared away the dishes before writing a thank you note.

Thank you for everything, Belle. I’ll miss you too. I promise I’ll be back.
Yours a̶l̶w̶a̶y̶s truly,
Adam.

After taking one final look at the mansion, he set off with a heavy heart.

—⁠☆—

Nothing felt the same with Adam gone.

The soft taps of noises his feet would make against the floor. The way he’d smile bashfully whenever she did something for him. The walks he would take in the gardens, admiring the roses. The conversations they would have even as she didn’t reveal herself to him. The way he would help even when she didn’t ask him to. He truly made a house into a home.

But know, she was left all alone.

As the days passed by, she soon returned to her depressive cycle of self-loathing and hatred for everyone. Her gardens filled with roses now resembled the barren lands; wilted and dead, just as her heart was.

She’d often think of him and found comfort in his words. She’d hope that he would come back, going to sleep with excitement only to wake up disappointed. She felt like a broken record, with no sense of purpose.

As she sat by herself in the kitchen, she decided she needed to be change, but where would she begin? As she reflected on her thoughts, a memory flashed by.

‘So, like the flower Belle, be your authentic self.’

Thus, Belle began her journey of transformation. It wasn’t an easy process, and there many times of regression. Nonetheless, she learned to forgive herself and to forgive others. She learned embrace her emotions and let go of unwanted burdens.  She realized she didn’t need validations from anyone to be happy. She understood that though she may look different, she was still human. She was herself and no one else. It was arduous, but she was on her way to be better than she ever was.

For the first time in a long while, she truly felt freedom. 

Just like that, a year had already passed.

She still stayed at the mansion in hopes of seeing him one day, but it was time for her to move to a better place; one where she could thrive and grow.

The mansion held both good and bad memories, but she was thankful for them. Because of it, she was able to grow as a person, and in the process overcame her limitations.

It was a normal day as any other when she heard a knock on her front door. As she was deeply absorbed in a book, she thought it was her imagination as she never had guests over.

The knock came once more, and she jolted. Hurrying to the door, she hyperventilated over her attire before deciding to leave it as it was; she wore a yellow dress that complimented her golden fur.

Opening the door, her smile slipped off her face.

“Mother. Father.” She breathed deeply.

“Belle.” They said as they stepped closer.

She instinctively huddled against herself. “What… are you doing here?”

“Belle...” her father began. “It's been so long.  Won’t you let us i—”

“It hasn’t been long actually,” She interrupted. “I wish it had been forever. I don’t want to see you.”

Mother chimed in. “Belle, we came here because we missed you.”

“Missed me?” She laughed bitterly. “What about the day you kicked me out? Did you miss me then?”

“Honey, please don’t be like that.”

“Be like what? The fact that you abandoned me? The fact that you took everything and ran?”

She clenched her teeth, disgusted by their presence. “Leave.”

“Belle, we came here for you—”

“I said leave. I never want to see your face again. Let my forgiveness be my final act of grace towards you.”

Slamming the door in their faces, she fell and wept.

I miss you, Adam.