99. Secret behind the Smile.

Elena.

I woke up to the sound of Mrs. Cali bustling around in the kitchen, her cheerful energy filling the air. The enticing smell of something delicious reached my nostrils, tempting me out of bed. I stretched my limbs and relished in the warmth of the cozy blankets that cocooned me. After getting dressed in a comfy sweater and jeans, I made my way to the kitchen, where Mrs. Cali greeted me with a warm smile and handed me an apron.

We joined forces to tackle the task of packing the kids' lunches. I skillfully sliced the vegetables and fruits, while Mrs. Cali assembled sandwiches and snacks. Our hands worked in harmony as we chatted and giggled, a true bond forming between us. I couldn't help but feel grateful for this newfound friendship.

As we put the finishing touches on the lunches, a mischievous glimmer danced in Mrs. Cali's eyes. "Let's play a little prank on Mia," she suggested, her voice laced with playful excitement. Intrigued, I raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you have in mind?" She retrieved a black marker and boldly wrote Mia's name in elaborate cursive letters on her lunch box. We both burst into laughter, imagining Mia's reaction when she discovered the prank. With the lunches packed and our mischief complete, I felt a deep sense of happiness and contentment. These simple and joyful moments made life feel truly meaningful.

Our laughter was interrupted as Camilla, my best friend, entered the kitchen. She greeted me with a warm kiss on the cheek, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Hey, Mom. Hey, bestie," she chimed in, her mischievous grin hinting that she had caught onto our amusement. "What's so funny?" My heart raced as I struggled to maintain my composure. Camilla was perceptive and sharp, and I didn't want to give away our secret.

Mrs. Cali swiftly intervened, saving me from having to answer. "Oh, just a silly prank we played on Mia," she smoothly replied, diverting the attention away from me.

Attempting to mask my smile, I failed to fool Camilla, who noticed and continued her line of questioning. "Why do you have that radiant glow?" she playfully interrogated, her eyes shimmering with mischief. "Is there someone special in your life?" I attempted to play it cool, denying any romantic involvement, but Camilla saw right through my facade. "Come on, Elena," she urged, her voice filled with reassurance, "you can tell me anything. You know I won't judge you." My heart ached with the desire to spill my secrets, to trust in our friendship, but doubts and uncertainties still clouded my mind. What if everything unraveled and Deangelo decided he didn't want me after all? I wasn't sure if I was ready to face such potential heartbreak.

“It’s nothing, Camila. Stop it.” I responded playfully.

But Camilla wasn't easily deterred. "Hmm, I see," she said, turning her attention back to me. "You won’t tell me the secret behind the smile?"

My mind raced as I tried to come up with a plausible answer. "Oh, just feeling better, I guess," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Work has been busy, but things are starting to settle down."

Camilla wasn't convinced. "Uh-huh," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Well, if you ever need to talk about anything, you know I'm here for you."

I felt a pang of guilt for not confiding in Camilla, my true friend. But I wasn't sure if it was the right time yet. "Thanks, Camilla," I said with a smile. "I appreciate it."

Soon, Sofia came in and tried to insert herself into the conversation. She was wearing a skin-tight dress in a bold shade of red that clung to her every curve. The dress had a plunging neckline that showed off her ample cleavage and was accessorized with a chunky gold necklace that drew attention to her neck. Generally, Sofia looked like a sultry and seductive vixen, and I could not help but feel a pang of jealousy and intimidation at her overt sexuality.

She chimed in, "What are you all talking about?"

Camilla rolled her eyes and replied, "None of your business, Sofia."

I tried to diffuse the tension by changing the subject, "So, Sofia, did you have a good time at your friend's birthday party yesterday?"

Sofia seemed pleased to have been included in the conversation and started chattering away, oblivious to the underlying tension in the room. Camilla and I exchanged knowing glances and I just nodded at her to calm down.

By night, Deangelo took me for a walk by the beach. This was by far my favorite date. We took off our shoes and simply walked on the sand and let the waves of the tide slap gently against our feet. The sound of the ocean was calming as Deangelo took my hand and led me towards the beach. We walked together in silence, the sand warm beneath our feet, and the salty breeze blowing through our hair. I could see the moon reflecting on the water, creating a beautiful, ethereal glow. It was peaceful here, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Deangelo stopped suddenly, turning to me with a grin. "Ready to get your feet wet?" he asked.

I nodded, laughing as we both kick off our shoes and let the water wash over our toes. The coldness of the water made me shiver but the sensation was exhilarating. We walked further out into the ocean, the water rising higher and higher until it was up to our ankles.

Deangelo took my hand again, and we continued walking, the waves gently lapping against our skin. We did not need to say anything to each other; the silence was comfortable, and we were content just being in each other's company.