TALES BY ADENIKE

~Inspired by a true life story Remi was wrong. My smile looked great. I took several crazy poses in front of the mirror and laughed. My body stilled and my laughter died as several of her words flashed through my mind. I moved towards the mirror and bared my teeth. My critical assessment of them showed one thing, they've not changed. So, what did she mean when she said I shouldn't widen my lips when I smile?  "Miss Akinrinde." Someone knocked. "Are you in there?" "Yes."  I widened my lips and frowned. I should have asked her what she meant. "Your interview is starting in fifteen minutes." I hurriedly grabbed my bag and took one last look at the mirror.  "Miss Akinrinde?" I opened the door and smiled at the lady who I'm sure Remi would be glad to meet. I widened my smile. I would do all I could to prove her wrong. The lady blinked, then smiled. "Have we met? You're smiling like we've been introduced." "...

  I hated Mum. Everyone around me cried their eyes out as her body was laid in the grave, but, not me. I kept my face passive because I couldn't explain the excitement I felt at her passing. Being the last of five children, no one seemed to notice my lack of tear. I looked up to see George's eyes trained on me. I was wrong. My eldest brother noticed. *** Weeks turned into months and months into years. I flashed a brief smile at the man sitting on table seven. He looked rich and—single. If I wasn't a waitress, I would have done more than smile. I chuckled silently. Working at Chops 'n' Bites had exposed me to far more than was expected of a seventeen-year-old. But, who cares? Dad was busy enough with my crazy elder sis and her train of boyfriends. And Mum, I scoffed, she had been useless while she was alive. There was no use thinking about her now. "Excuse me?" My heartbeat increased as his rich baritone voice sent thrills over me. He was talking to me. ...