The Smile

Smiling. Most people act upon it on instinct. Most people rely on that one action to be imprinted on their loved one's face. Most people return back the smile that's addressed to them. Smiling comes out naturally on most people. And with just one friendly smile from anybody, it would truly help someone fix any personal problems.

But I am not one of the 'most people'.

The act of smiling - even an imperceptible smile - sounds effortless and painless? I can guarantee you that it's not.

Once upon a time, there was a smile engraved on my face - just like everybody else's. There was a jubilant and blissful girl that everybody loved. She had blonde highlighted hair, small pinned nose, fair skin and charcoal-coloured eyes. Nothing could take away that happiness from her. But she was mistaken. I was mistaken.

As my entire life swirled into oblivion, I've always wondered if bad things happen for a reason. Yes, my happiness was taken away from me for quite a long time. And I haven't cracked a smile ever since.

But recently, the planets, the moon and the entire universe suddenly aligned to give me what I deserve in a very long time. What shouldn't have been taken away from me before. And until that day he appeared - the day he took my heart and replaced it with a smile - I will never let him go again. Because if I let it happen again, I wouldn't be able to smile day and night, or even force a smile just to feel like I've aged twenty years older from moving miniscule muscles to form a smile.

I opened my eyes and tried to focus what's in front of me. And in the process, my hands instinctively reached out on either side of me - my left hand came in contact with something solid whilst my right hand dropped freely on the side of the bed. As my sense of touch triggered, I could now tell that that "something solid" feels good - or rather, someone.

Slowly, an unconscious smile formed my lips.

I twisted around so I can take in the sight of the source of my happiness. Short, brown, disheveled curls sat atop his high cheek bones, and strong and sharp jawline - a good combination together with his perfectly arched brows, thin kissable lips, and ski-slopped nose. Behind his sleepy eyelids - that were framed by long and thick lashes - are the cobalt blue eyes that were speckled with emerald here and there; that made me fall in love with him...again?

I reached up to caress his chin - a habit of mine that I couldn't control from the moment he became mine. A smile formed his lips before he opened his deep, ocean-like eyes. He blinked once. Then twice, and looked down to me. His pearly-white teeth almost blinded me as his grin grew wider and wider.

My heart rate increased. And those butterflies in my stomach erupted into what felt like the whole zoo stampeding to get out. Nausea was familiarly affecting my body. He always had that effect on me. Is that even a good thing?

"Good morning, sunshine!" His deep voice broke through the silence as something shifted inside of me.

This time though, stronger. I released an ear-piercing scream. I looked deep into his eyes and wondered aloud, "Who are you?"

His eyes blazed with something I couldn't quite put a finger on. As he tried smiling again, I noticed something queer on his posture. He's holding my waist but the grip isn't affectionate. His body language tells me that he's anticipating something and readying himself - but for what? The veins in his arms are protruding in a way that I had to narrow my eyes and look at him directly in the eyes.

This time though, the confidence of his smile didn't waver as he stated, "Jake. Your husband!"

HUSBAND? I have a husband? Last time I checked, I was on vacation - escaping from the many months of managing the burden that my parents left me. It's what most high class people call business. BUT this was not what I intended. It's not that he's not attractive, it's just that I never - I mean never - have attractive guys like him want me. Usually, I am a nobody to anybody. Hmm, this is interesting.

"Oh, right," I lied smoothly and added a short, embarrassed laugh to cover up my lie.

His smile seemed forced but his voice like silk, "I'm gonna cook our breakfast, honey. Okay?"

I just shrugged and his eyes lingered at me for a moment before he closed the door quietly. When he was gone, I slumped down on top of the bed as I tried to make sense of what just happened.

Was he telling the truth? Would he lie to me? Why do I have a husband when I'm supposed to be on 'vacation'? Well, he does look familiar...suspiciously familiar. Sighing, I carried myself to where I thought the kitchen is located. When I entered the room, Jake's back was facing me and I easily noticed how he immediately stiffened. He was holding something in front of him when he slowly turned around to face me with a smile etched on his face.

I gasped audibly because this time though, his smile isn't sweet and forced. But it's malicious and evil like he knows something that I don't. And he's mocking me for not knowing what it is. I didn't know what happened next because I was literally thrown off guard by Jake's evil smirk. I think it's what he's holding or that his smile is venomous or if it's because his smile affected something inside of me - a nagging feeling.

Being on this position sprung back the hidden memories last night with Jake. No, this can't be right. Even though I have the evidence right in front of me, I still cannot fathom this. Jake and his desirous behaviour is unacceptable! His insatiable appetite for money is atrocious as me loving him.

"Oh, babe, you're such an easy target." He started saying his last words to me as he slithered his way like a snake. "For eight months I got to toy you, your mental illness and your precious family. And now that we've officially signed our marriage certificates, I don't need you anymore."

If looks could kill someone, I most definitely am dead right now. But then again, I was manipulated by my own stupidity and gullibility by this monster.

Do you know how he deceived me in his own games? How he tricked me by thinking he loves me back as well? How my heart keeps telling me to come back to him? And what I thought is the beginning, is actually my end?

His smile is the answer.