THE OTHER SIDE OF HER SMILE
921 Words
THE BILLIONAIRE’S CRAVING
CHAPTER 13: The Other Side of Her Smile
Adrian’s voice felt distant at first.
“Honey… we’re here.”
I stirred slightly, my eyes fluttering open as I tried to adjust to my surroundings.
“We’re home?” I asked softly, my voice still heavy with sleep.
He smiled. “Yeah.”
I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“It’s fine,” he said gently. “You needed it.”
I nodded and stepped out of the car.
Before closing the door, I turned to him. “Thank you… for today.”
His eyes softened. “Did you enjoy meeting her?”
I paused.
For a second… just a second.
Then I smiled.
“Yes.”
He studied my face like he was trying to read something deeper… but I quickly looked away.
“I’ll call you later,” I added.
“I’ll be waiting,” he said.
I blew him a small kiss before walking into the house.
---
The next day came faster than I expected.
3 p.m.
That was the time.
I stood in front of my mirror again, my heart beating faster than it should.
Why am I nervous again?
I had already met her.
She had smiled.
She had hugged me.
She had even invited me.
So why did something still feel… off?
I shook the thought away and focused on getting ready.
This time, I chose a simple but classy outfit—a soft nude blouse tucked into a high-waisted black skirt, paired with low heels. My hair fell neatly over my shoulders, and my makeup was light.
Natural.
Respectful.
Presentable.
Just enough.
A knock came on the door.
“Come in,” I said.
Marshall walked in, glancing at me.
“Hmm,” he said, nodding slowly. “You’re serious about this one.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please don’t start.”
He smirked. “Relax. You look good.”
“Thank you.”
“Is he here already?” he asked.
As if on cue, my phone buzzed.
Adrian: I’m outside.
I exhaled softly. “Yes.”
Marshall walked me downstairs.
“Don’t overthink anything,” he said. “Just be yourself.”
“I’ll try,” I replied.
At the entrance, I slipped on my shoes.
From the kitchen doorway, Mrs. Meena stood quietly, watching me.
“You look beautiful,” she said softly.
“Thank you,” I replied with a small smile.
“I always want you to be happy,” she added gently.
“I’m going,” I said.
“Be careful,” she replied.
I nodded and stepped outside.
---
Adrian was already waiting.
“There she is,” he said with a smile.
“Hi,” I replied.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
---
At the boutique, everything felt too expensive… too perfect.
“Try this,” his mother said.
I obeyed.
Again and again, I tried on different outfits.
Nothing was good enough.
“This looks cheap.”
“This doesn’t suit you.”
“This is too basic.”
Each word chipped away at me.
Then she handed me a beautiful, expensive dress.
“This is standard,” she said.
I wore it and stepped out.
“Do you even know how much that costs?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“Of course you don’t.”
My fingers tightened slightly.
“Buy it,” she said.
I blinked. “What?”
“Buy the same thing I would buy.”
I looked at the price.
My heart dropped.
“I… I can’t,” I whispered.
She smiled.
“I know.”
Her eyes hardened.
“That’s why you don’t belong in his world.”
My throat went dry.
“I am not nothing,” I said softly.
She leaned closer.
“You are less than nothing.”
---
By the time Adrian came to pick me up, I was already outside.
“What happened?” he asked immediately.
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
He frowned but didn’t push.
---
When we got to my gate, I turned to him.
“Do you want to come in?”
He smiled gently.
“I would have… but you look tired. Go rest.”
I nodded and went inside.
---
The moment I entered my room…
I froze.
It was a mess.
Clothes everywhere. Shoes scattered. Bed unmade.
I sighed.
Thank God Adrian didn’t come in.
I wanted to clean… but I was too tired.
I slowly sank to the floor…
And fell asleep.
---
When I woke up, everything was quiet.
I looked around—
And froze.
My room was clean.
Perfectly clean.
“Mrs. Meena…”
I rushed out and found her.
I hugged her tightly.
“Where have you been?”
“I wasn’t feeling too well,” she said.
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing.”
I didn’t believe her.
I took her to my room and rested my head on her lap.
Then I told her everything.
When I finished, she stroked my hair gently.
“That’s why your room was like that,” she said.
“So you cleaned it?”
She nodded.
“Thank you… mom.”
“I always want you to be happy,” she said softly. “Even if I’m not here one day.”
I sat up quickly.
“Stop saying that.”
She smiled.
“Nothing is wrong.”
But this time…
I didn’t believe her.
- Writer
