The Beauty's True Face

Mia felt the pit in her stomach drop to her feet. 

‘Why is Ms. Alice together with them? Isn’t she supposed to be headed to Wes now?’

She scurried behind a stall, almost tripping in her hurry not to get noticed. It would be bad if Gwen and Lucy saw her now. She never expected them to be acquainted with Alice, though the scene before her gave the impression that there was more to their relationship than that.

Alice chortled while she scrolled through her phone. “So, this is the girl you’re always telling me about? The one who looked like she crawled out of a laundry basket?”

Mia recoiled, already getting a hunch what the conversation was about. ‘Did they show her the picture?’

“Oh, yes, Mia Rosswood,” Gwen sneered. “She’s a walking donation bin. Poor thing can’t even afford to speak properly like a normal human being.”

“Don’t forget her clothes and shoes!” Lucy piped in. “I once saw her wear something that’s coming apart at the soles. I swear I almost choked watching her.”

"Ah, I remember. I threw those in the garbage so she would never wear them again. She still did, so I put trash in her locker instead."

"That's so funny! You should've also seen her reaction to the bugs. It's hilarious! She didn't use her locker for weeks after that."

Alice tilted her head thoughtfully. “Wait, isn’t she also the girl with that hot guy in a salon? The one whose photos spread the other day? You know, he reminds me of Mr. Ashthorne.”

‘Ashthorne? Who’s that?’ Mia furrowed a brow at the unfamiliar name. ‘And there were pictures of that time too?! Why?!’

“Right, that one. I don’t know how she roped him in. Maybe he’s into dumb women.”

“Didn't I tell you, Gwen? He hired her, and it made sense. She really needs the extra money. But what do you think, Alice? He does resemble him.”

“It can’t be him, of course. Impossible. You’ll never see an Ashthorne in a place for commoners.” Alice’s painted lips arched up into a coquettish smile. “And besides, that type of man would only ever want to be with someone like me. This Rosswood or whatever doesn't stand a single chance.”

Mia cringed despite herself, deciding she’d heard enough.

She spun around and ducked into a narrow alley, the sound of their laughter chasing her in hollow echoes. A pang of worry gripped her chest, but not because of what they said about her. She'd heard worse before, and it’s not like this was the first time she’d caught others badmouthing her.

Rather, it's because of Alice, the girl Wes loved and planned to confess to.

‘Has she always been like that?’ Mia thought, swallowing the lump that had risen in her throat. ‘She didn’t leave a good image when I first saw her, but I didn’t expect her to be really… I mean, Wes fell for her. That’s why I believed she’s actually someone great, or maybe has a redeemable trait or two.’

By the time she crossed the street and arrived at the café, a smile was set ready on her face to conceal her inner turmoil. Like the last time she visited, nobody was around. The cozy aroma of caffeine and sugar greeted her, but it did little to ease the heavy feeling in her chest.

When she saw him, her heart skipped a beat.

Wes sat by himself at the front, one arm draped over the back of the chair, a cup of black coffee idle on the table. He wore a navy blazer over a white shirt, his glossy blond hair tousled a bit but mostly styled the same way she remembered.

Laid-back and casual yet still effortlessly breathtaking—that he was.

Once their eyes met, a bright smile stretched across his lips. Mia mirrored it; unlike that night they parted ways, this one was real, even if it was smaller than usual and tinged with sadness. No matter what happened from here onward, he would still be her safe place.

“I-I’m rooting for you, Wes! You can do it!”

His grin faltered, and he seemed thrown off guard. “...What?”

“Uh, you're confessing today, right? Ms. Alice will be here in a short while… I-I happened to see her on the way.”

He stared at her, wide-eyed. For someone who’s about to confess his love, he’s a tad too composed, neither thrilled nor nervous. In fact, she found his reaction muted and somewhat underwhelming.

“Have a seat first. There's no rush,” he finally spoke after a moment, smirking. “She can get here anytime she pleases.”

Minutes later, Mia found herself stirring a glass of strawberry juice that Wes bought for her as a treat.

Her gaze flickered to the door, then back to the boy in front of her. She started to fidget in her seat, her thoughts refusing to settle down.

‘Should I tell Wes?’

What she overheard earlier, how Alice laughed along with Gwen and Lucy, when they mentioned the photos of him circulating online—the whole scene kept repeating in her mind.

She would admit their words hurt her deep within, but this was not about her. This was about Wes. This was about what he deserved, or at least, what she believed he deserved.

He deserved someone sincere who saw past what's outside and cared more for what he had inside.

‘If I told him about Ms. Alice, would he believe me?’ she pondered, peering at the tiny, pink swirls in her drink. ‘Doesn't he know her better than I do? And it hasn’t even been that long since we met, so he must trust her more than he trusts me.’

In the event she did say it to him, it could come out bitter, like jealousy or spite. That’s the last thing she wanted. After all he’d done for her, she couldn’t let him think she wanted to ruin something important to him.

‘He loves that person, and if he’s happy, that’s enough for me.’ She exhaled slowly and pursed her lips. ‘I decided I would support him, and I meant it.’

That’s why she would keep it to herself.

“You okay, Mia?” Wes's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Mia smiled and nodded. “Y-Yeah… So, are you ready, Wes?”

“More than ever.” His eyes gleamed with so much hope and adoration, and she tried all she could to keep the mask from slipping right then.

“G-Good luck!”

“No need for that. I already have this,” he chuckled, showing her the handmade, flower-shaped charm she'd gifted him, making her beam with pleasant surprise. “But thanks, anyway. I’ll get going. Wait for me here, alright?”

‘Ms. Alice isn’t here yet, though?’

Besides, Mia really couldn’t stay around.

He wouldn’t have time to talk with her once the confession was over. They would be an official couple, and his entire focus would be on Alice alone. She also couldn't let her see him with her now that she knew who she was.

‘What will she think if she learns her boyfriend has something to do with the person her friends dislike most? I can't embarrass him.’

Before Mia could voice out her concern, however, Wes had disappeared, and Alice had entered.