THE LOOK BEHIND THE SMILE

CHAPTER ONE — THE DOOR I SHOULD NOT HAVE ENTERED Surviving in a home where money was scarce was never easy. For some people, poverty was simply a word they heard in conversations. For me, it was a reality I lived every day. My name is Stanley. I grew up with my grandmother, the woman I lovingly called Mama. She was not wealthy. In fact, there were many nights when I could hear her quietly calculating how she would make the little food we had last until the next day. But somehow, Mama always found a way. She loved me with everything she had. She could not give me expensive clothes or the luxuries other young people enjoyed, but she gave me something far more valuable—faith. “Stanley,” she would often say, sitting beside me in the small room we shared, “you may not have everything today, but never allow poverty to make you forget God.” I would smile. “Yes, Mama.” “Study the Word of God.” “Yes, Mama.” “Respect God's instructions.” “Yes, Mama.” “And be careful with the people you meet.” At that one, I would sometimes laugh. “Mama, you worry too much.” She would shake her head. “You will understand one day.” I didn't know it then, but those words would later become the voice that saved me from decisions I could never have undone. After finishing primary and secondary school, I knew I couldn't afford to sit around waiting for an opportunity to magically appear. I needed a skill. I needed something that could put food on our table. Something that could help Mama. So I decided to become an automobile mechanic. I found a mechanic workshop and began my apprenticeship. The work was difficult. Some days, my hands were covered in grease from morning until evening. My clothes became permanently stained with oil, and there were days when my body ached so badly that I wondered whether I had made the right decision. But I kept going. My boss noticed my determination. He began trusting me with more responsibilities, and surprisingly, he became fond of me. Sometimes, when I had done particularly well, he would quietly put some money into my hand. “Take this,” he would say. “Thank you, sir.” “Use it wisely.” I always did. Whenever I returned home, Mama would look at me proudly. “God will bless you, my son.” “Amen.” “You will make me proud.” I would smile. “I promise, Mama. I will.” I was also blessed with something that attracted attention wherever I went—my appearance. People often complimented me. “Guy, you sharp oo!” Sometimes ladies would smile at me as I passed. Even some guys would jokingly compliment me. At first, I found it amusing. But Mama had taught me something important. “Stanley, don't allow people's compliments to enter your head. Handsomeness is not character.” I remembered those words whenever people praised me. Then came Edwin. It happened on a hot Tuesday afternoon. My boss had left the workshop to purchase some motor parts, leaving me alone. I was working when I heard the sound of a car approaching. A flashy Mercedes-Benz slowly entered the workshop. I looked up. The car was expensive—far more expensive than anything I had ever owned. A young man stepped out. He looked to be only a few years older than me. He stood beside the car and stared at me. There was something strange about the way he looked at me. I couldn't explain it. I quickly greeted him. “Good afternoon, sir.” “Good afternoon.” “My name is Edwin,” he said. “Okay, sir.” “Is your boss around?” “No, sir. He went to get some motor parts. He should be back soon.” He nodded. “There is something wrong with my car.” I walked toward the Mercedes and examined it. The fault seemed mild at first, but I knew better than to touch anything without my boss's permission. “Please, sir, just have a little patience. My boss will soon return.” He looked at me again. “Alright.” He waited. When my boss eventually returned, they examined the vehicle together. Unfortunately, the problem was more complicated than it initially appeared. Edwin eventually handed my boss a business card. “Come to my house tomorrow. You can fix it there.” My boss agreed. I watched Edwin drive away. Something about him bothered me. But I dismissed the feeling. Maybe I'm just imagining things. I said nothing. That evening, when I returned home, Mama noticed my silence. “What happened?” “Nothing, Mama.” She looked at me carefully. “Stanley.” “Yes?” “Never ignore the warning in your spirit just because you cannot explain it.” I froze. For a moment, I wondered whether she somehow knew what had happened. But I simply smiled. “Okay, Mama.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “Pray before you make important decisions.” “I will.” And I meant it. The following day, something unexpected happened. On my way to the workshop, I met a young lady. Her name was Steph. She came from a wealthy and influential family, but you would never have guessed it from the way she behaved. She spoke to me with respect. She didn't look down on my mechanic clothes. She didn't care that my hands were sometimes covered in grease. She didn't treat me like someone beneath her. She simply treated me like Stanley. And somehow, that meant everything. Our friendship grew. We talked often. She made me laugh. She listened to my dreams. She asked about Mama. She encouraged me. Before I knew it, I had begun developing feelings for her. But I was afraid. One evening, I asked myself a question. Is this real, or is she only getting close to me because she wants something? I had seen how the world treated poor people. Sometimes kindness came with hidden conditions. But every time I tried to convince myself that Steph was pretending, something inside me told me otherwise. She was different. At least, that's what I believed. A year passed. During that period, Steph became an important part of my life. But I never forgot Mama's teachings. One evening, Mama sat beside me. “My son.” “Yes, Mama?” “Whatever happens in your life, don't exchange your destiny for temporary comfort.” I looked at her. “What do you mean?” She sighed. “Not every open door is from God.” Those words stayed with me. I didn't know why. Then, one morning, my boss called me. “Stanley.” “Yes, sir?” “I want you to go and repair a vehicle at Mr. Edwin's house.” My heart dropped. Edwin. Immediately, that strange feeling returned. “Sir, can't someone else go?” My boss looked at me. “Why?” I hesitated. “I just…” “You know the work. Take your tools and go.” I couldn't disobey my boss. So I collected Edwin's card, packed my tools and left. When I arrived at the address, I stopped outside the compound. It was enormous. The gate opened slowly. I entered. Everything was strangely quiet. Too quiet. I looked around. No workers. No family members. No sound of television. Nothing. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I held my toolbox tightly. Then I heard footsteps behind me. Before I could turn completely, someone tapped my shoulder. I spun around. It was Edwin. “So you came.” I forced a smile. “Yes, sir.” He stared at me for a few seconds. His expression was difficult to understand. My heart began beating faster. I thought about Mama. If sinners entice you, do not consent. I silently prayed. God, please protect me. Then I asked, “Where is the vehicle, sir?” His expression changed. It was almost as if my question had broken whatever strange moment existed between us. “Come.” I followed him. The vehicle was parked in another section of the compound. I immediately got to work. As I worked, Edwin stood nearby. “You are very intelligent,” he said. I looked up. “Thank you, sir.” “You're also very smart.” I smiled carefully. “Yes, sir. By God's grace.” He raised an eyebrow. “God's grace?” “Yes.” “Interesting.” I continued working. Mama's voice echoed in my mind. Never take God's glory for yourself. After some time, Edwin said, “I would like us to be friends.” My hands stopped for a moment. There was something about the way he said it that made me uncomfortable. But I didn't want to be disrespectful. “Yes, sir. It will be nice.” He smiled. I returned my attention to the vehicle. Eventually, I fixed the problem. I wiped my hands and prepared to leave. “Thank you for coming,” Edwin said. “You're welcome, sir.” I picked up my toolbox. Then he said, “Wait.” I turned. “Come inside.” I hesitated. “Sir?” “Come inside. I want to give you something.” I looked toward the gate. Something inside me screamed Don't go. But another voice reasoned with me. He only wants to appreciate your work. I remembered Mama's words. Pray before you make important decisions. So I whispered, “God, guide me.” Then I followed him inside. The house was beautifully furnished. Everything looked expensive. Edwin treated me kindly. He offered me refreshments and thanked me repeatedly for my work. For the first time, the fear I had felt began disappearing. Maybe I had judged him wrongly. Maybe he was simply a misunderstood person. Then he brought out money. “This is more than we agreed on,” I said. “Take it.” “Sir, I can't take this much.” “You deserve it.” I stared at the money. It was more than I usually made in several days. My heart battled with itself. I needed money. Mama needed money. There were bills waiting at home. For a moment, temptation whispered softly. Take it. But another voice spoke louder. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? I finally accepted the money, but thanked him cautiously. “Thank you, sir.” He smiled. “You're welcome, Stanley.” I turned toward the door. I was almost outside. Then I heard my name. “Stanley.” I stopped. “Yes, sir?” “There's something I want to tell you.” I turned slowly. Edwin was no longer smiling. His face had changed. The warmth was gone. He walked closer. My heart began racing again. “I have been watching you for a long time,” he said quietly. I swallowed. “What do you mean, sir?” He smiled. But this time, the smile frightened me. “You really don't know why I asked you to come here?” My grip tightened around my toolbox. “No, sir.” He stepped closer. “Then perhaps you should sit down.” I didn't move. Something was wrong. Very wrong. My mind suddenly returned to the first day we met. That stare. That strange look. The feeling I had ignored. Mama's warning. Not every open door is from God. I looked toward the door. It was still open. But somehow, it suddenly felt impossibly far away. Edwin reached for the door. My heart stopped. And just before his hand touched the handle, my phone began to ring. It was Mama. I looked at the screen. Then I looked at Edwin. For the first time that afternoon, I realized something terrifying. Maybe Mama had not been warning me about temptation in general. Maybe she had been preparing me for this exact moment. I answered the call. “Hello, Mama?” There was silence on the other end. Then I heard her trembling voice. “Stanley…” “Yes, Mama?” “Where are you?” I glanced at Edwin. He was staring directly at me. “Mama, I'm—” Suddenly, the call disconnected. I looked at my phone. No network. Edwin smiled. And that was the moment I realized— I was no longer sure I was going to leave that house the same way I entered it. TO BE CONTINUED…