Hide Behind A Smile Novels & Stories

“Do snakes scare you, Mama?” I closed my eyes briefly. “No,” I said. “But some smiles do.” He frowned. “Smiles? Why?” I opened my eyes and met Kade’s gaze over his head. Kade looked away, his jaw set, understanding more than he let on. “Because,” I said carefully, “some people smile when they are hiding things.” “Oh,” Aurelian said, satisfied. “Like when I hide cookies.” Despite myself, a breath of laughter escaped me. “Exactly like that.”

I coul‌d‍n’t hide my s⁠mile. Len​a laughed harde​r. “But w​ait​ it​ seems‍ you’re falling for Alpha. I mea​n look at​ your red cheeks​! You can​not hi‍de it from me. I know you too wel‌l. Th​e‌ way you t​alk about him. The⁠ way your face​ changes.‌ It is‌ cute. And a li⁠ttle s‌cary. But m‌ostly cute.”

How she locks up herself in her room for a whole day, how she zones off while having breakfast and how she forces a smile whenever she is asked a question. I've studied her this much, but she confessed she noticed my pain too. How? I've trained myself from a young age. My smile has been my mask, a perfect way to hide my pain from the public. Even Chris wouldn't notice unless I opened up towards him. Then how was Felza able to notice my pain? I was rendered speechless by her words, and she laughed even harder, “It's not hard to notice. I feel like your smile is a mask you put on to hide your pain.”

Hiding behind Miguel, Vanessa shot me a smug, taunting smile. "Sure," I said, curling my lips slightly. "Let's hope Vanessa can actually handle a multimillion-dollar project."

Another message came, which made me suppress my smile and go back to hiding under the blanket. ‘I miss you so much.’ Damn it. Why am I smiling like a teenager?

I pulled out the black blindfold from behind my back. “Is that necessary?” He frowned. “Absolutely.” I smiled as I motioned with my index finger for him to come closer.

At last, they were pushed out of the hall. Someone smiled at me in approval and raised their glass. I took a champagne flute from a server's tray and returned the toast. The heavy ballroom doors slowly closed, shutting out the commotion outside and my troubled past. The minor commotion served as entertainment between business negotiations. My future would glitter as brilliantly as the color of the champagne in my glass.

She backed up, gave me space. “What’s with the smile?” I asked, voice low. She blinked. “Nothing. I'm Just in a good mood.” “You don’t get to be in a good mood.” That smile wobbled. She turned her back, walked toward the little window, arms crossed tight over her chest. “Is that a rule now?” she asked. “No smiles?” I stared at her back. The way her shoulders curved in, like she was hiding something under that calm surface. “You’re being too fucking quiet lately,” I said. “Too sweet. Too easy.”

I ducked, blocked another, tried to guard against my ribs, but it hit me. White pain flared in and stole my breath. I stumbled, and laughter of the crowd rumbled like thunder in my ears. The concealment spell pulsed and flickered from the force. My heart was swelling, threatening to flicker. Not now. Hold. I countered, knuckles cracking against his jaw. He barely flinched. His grin widened, amused. "Fast," he said, circling me like prey. "But gonna be enough"

she muttered under her breath. That was enough to make me “wake up.” I yawned deliberately, stretching just enough to let my hand “accidentally” knock the glossy magazine from her grip. “Ah,my bad,” I said with an innocent smile. Diana gave me a cool, assessing look. “Seems I’m meeting ill-mannered people today.”