Trials Of Love

CHAPTER THREE: Smiles Hide Wounds

Phyna stopped moving for a second when she heard his voice.

It was deep and calm the kind of voice that can make you feel nervous.

The streetlights shone against the car and the cool night wind blew through her hair.

For a moment she just looked at him through the window.

Close Smith Laurent looked even more perfect.

He had a jaw and dark eyes that seemed to be looking right at her.

He was wearing a suit that fit him just right.

He seemed like the kind of person who had never had any problems in his life.

Men like him are usually on the cover of magazines or at events.

They do not talk to women like Phyna.

Phyna quickly got herself together.

"I will be fine " she said.

Smith looked at her carefully.

"You do not sound like you mean it " he said.

"I am used to it " she replied.

"That does not make it safe " he said.

Phyna held her purse a little tighter.

"I appreciate your concern but I can take care of myself " she said.

Something about what she said made him smile a little.

Most women get very excited when they are around him.

Some try hard to impress him and others just throw themselves at him.

Phyna was different.

She looked like she wanted the conversation to be over soon as possible.

Smith put one arm on the steering wheel.

"Let my driver take you home at least " he said.

"That is not necessary " she replied.

"You do not trust strangers?" he asked.

Phyna almost laughed at how funny that was.

If only he knew how little she trusted people.

"Life did not teach me to trust people " she said.

For the time Smith saw the sadness in her eyes.

It was not regular sadness.

It was the kind of sadness that comes from being disappointed losing something and just trying to survive.

Before he could say anything another car honked loudly behind him.

Smith looked in the mirror. Then back at Phyna.

"What is your name?" he asked.

There was a pause.

"Phyna " she said.

"Phyna " he repeated slowly like he was trying to remember it.

"I am Smith " he said.

She almost smiled.

Everyone in America already knew who Smith Laurent was.

He was a billionaire and the son of the Prime Minister.

He was always surrounded by cameras and people.

"I know " she said quietly.

Smiths lips curved up a little.

For some reason he did not want the conversation to end yet.

"Was today your day at work?" he asked.

"Yes " she replied.

"How was it?" he asked.

"It was tiring " she said.

"That bad?" he asked.

"I worked for twelve hours " she said.

"That explains why you look so tired " he said.

Phyna raised an eyebrow.

"You analyze people a lot " she said.

"It is part of my job " he replied.

"Well you are right " she said.

For a moment they just sat there in silence.

Then Smith noticed something.

Her shoes were old. Worn out a little.

It bothered him for some reason.

Someone beautiful as Phyna should not look so tired and worn out.

Phyna saw him looking at her shoes. Felt uncomfortable.

She had seen how wealthy people looked at people before.

Sometimes it was with pity. Sometimes it was with judgment.

Both made her angry.

"I should go " she said softly.

Smith looked back at her face.

"Right " he said.

Neither of them moved for a couple of seconds.

Then Smith reached into his pocket. Handed her a business card through the window.

"If you ever need help with anything " he said.

Phyna looked at the card without taking it.

Smith saw that she was hesitant.

"It is not charity " he said.

Her eyes met his again.

"You do not even know me " she said.

"Maybe I would like to " he said.

The sentence caught her off guard.

Phyna slowly took the card from his hand. Put it in her purse.

"Goodnight, Mr. Laurent " she said.

"Smith " he said.

She hesitated for a moment.

"Goodnight Smith " she said.

Then she. Walked away into the night.

Smith watched her until she was out of sight.

Holans voice came from the seat.

"So the ice prince finally noticed a woman " he said.

Smith sighed.

"How long have you been there?" he asked.

" enough " Holan said with a grin.

"You were staring at her like a man who just discovered something " he said.

Smith started the car calmly.

"You are dramatic " he said.

Holan poured himself a drink. Sat down.

"No, my friend you are interested " he said.

Smith drove away without saying anything.

Deep down Holan was right.

Something about Phyna would not leave his mind.

Meanwhile Phyna finally got to her apartment an hour later.

When she walked in Sima jumped up from the couch with a bowl of popcorn.

"There you are " she said.

Phyna looked confused.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

"Because your first day at work deserved a celebration " Sima said.

Elizabeth laughed from the kitchen.

"She has been waiting for an hour " she said.

Sima looked at Phyna with eyes.

"Why do you look nervous?" she asked.

"I am tired " Phyna said.

"You are glowing " Sima said.

"I am literally sweating " Phyna replied.

Sima stood up suspiciously.

"Something happened " she said.

"Nothing happened " Phyna said.

Sima stared at her.

"Phyna " she said.

Phyna took off her shoes slowly.

"I met Smith Laurent " she said.

There was silence for a moment.

Then Sima screamed.

"YOU WHAT?" she said.

Phyna winced.

"Can you lower your voice?" she asked.

"The Smith Laurent?" Sima whispered aggressively.

"The billionaire?"

Phyna said yes.

Sima grabbed a pillow dramatically.

"Tell me everything " she said.

"There is nothing to tell " Phyna said.

Sima stared at her like she had done something

"You refused a ride from Smith Laurent?" she asked.

Phyna tried to hide her smile.

"He is a stranger " she said.

Sima collapsed back onto the couch.

"This is painful to watch " she said.

Elizabeth chuckled softly.

"Did he seem respectful at least?" she asked.

Phyna thought for a moment.

"Yes " she said.

Smith did not seem arrogant like powerful men.

He was calm and gentle.

Phyna did not want to think about it too much.

Men like Smith Laurent do not stay interested in women from neighborhoods for long.

People from worlds are not meant to be together for long.

That night after Sima left Phyna lay in bed staring at the ceiling.

Her apartment was quiet except for the sound of traffic

She slowly reached into her purse. Pulled out Smiths business card.

It was simple and elegant like him.

His name alone could change peoples lives.

Phyna thought about the card for a moment.

Then she started remembering things from her past.

A former boss touching her inappropriately a rich customer giving her his hotel key, promises, manipulation, disappointment.

Her expression hardened a little.

Powerful men always want something eventually.

They always do.

She threw the card on the bedside table. Turned away angrily.

She could not sleep easily.

Because no matter how hard she tried to pretend she could still remember the way Smith looked at her.

Not with lust not with pity but with curiosity.

That scared her more than anything else.

Across the city Smith stood alone near his bedroom window looking at the Las Vegas skyline.

His tie was loose around his neck and a glass of whiskey was untouched beside him.

For the time in weeks his mind was not on business meetings and political events.

All he could think about was Phyna, a girl with eyes and a quiet voice.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in " he said.

Holan entered with a bottle of wine.

"Still thinking about her?" he asked.

Smith sighed quietly.

"You enjoy being annoying " he said.

Holan poured himself a drink. Sat down.

"So what is different about this one?" he asked.

"There is no this one " Smith said.

Holan smiled knowingly.

"Smith you barely notice women " he said.

Smith shook his head.

"That is not true " he said.

Holan laughed.

"You ignored a supermodel at your birthday party month " he said.

Smith leaned against the window silently.

Maybe Holan was right.

His life had become predictable. Everything felt temporary and fake.

Phyna seemed real like someone who had been touched by life.

That honesty drew him to her without explanation.

Holan watched him carefully before smiling.

"You like her " he said.

Smith remained quiet.

Because for the time, in years maybe he actually did.