The Man Who Smiled Too Much
CHAPTER 5: “Closer”
*The air between them had changed.*
*Aurora felt it in the way Mikhael looked at her—longer, softer.*
*Like he wasn’t just trying to flirt anymore. Like he was seeing her.*
*And Mikhael… he didn’t understand it either. He was used to people liking the mask. Not what was underneath. But Aurora? She saw through everything, and she stayed.*
*Their session that day was quieter. More still.*
*Aurora noticed he was fidgeting with a bracelet on his wrist.*
Aurora Sinclair
“I’ve never seen you wear that before.”
*He looked at it like he’d forgotten it was there.*
Mikhael Hayes
“It was my sister’s.”
*Aurora’s eyes lifted gently.*
Aurora Sinclair
“You have a sister?”
*Mikhael corrected. Then paused.*
Mikhael Hayes
“I mean—yeah. Had. She died.”
*A heavy silence settled between them.*
Mikhael Hayes
“She was older. Took care of me when... when things were bad at home. She used to say I smiled too much when I was sad. Thought it was cute. Said I was built for sunlight.”
*He laughed a little, bitter.*
Mikhael Hayes
“Guess she was wrong.”
*Aurora leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper.*
Aurora Sinclair
“She wasn’t.”
*His eyes locked on hers.*
Mikhael Hayes
“You always say the right thing.”
Aurora Sinclair
“I don’t try to.”
Aurora Sinclair
“I just mean it.”
*And at that moment, something passed between them. Unspoken but undeniable.*
*Aurora sat with Stella and Scarlett in a quiet café. She pushed her coffee around with her spoon, clearly distracted.*
Scarlett Lewis
“You’re thinking about him again.”
Stella Taylor
“Is it getting complicated?”
Aurora Sinclair
“He’s opening up more. He told me about his sister. And the way he talks now… it’s not just therapy anymore. There’s something real between us.”
Stella Taylor
“Aurora… you know the boundary.”
Aurora Sinclair
“But it’s not as simple as that. He’s broken in ways that make me want to hold every piece.”
Scarlett Lewis
“And who’s holding you when you start to break?”
*Gabrielle, Cody, and Jasmine were hanging out at Mikhael’s apartment. Music was playing, but he wasn’t paying attention. He kept looking out the window, distant.*
Cody Miller
“You haven’t cracked a joke in thirty minutes.”
Cody Miller
“That’s illegal.”
*Mikhael managed a weak smile.*
Mikhael Hayes
“I guess I’m off duty.”
Jasmine Harris
“Something’s going on. You’re quiet, and not in your usual fake-peaceful way.”
Mikhael Hayes
“I’ve just been thinking”
Mikhael Hayes
“About… stuff. My sister. My therapist. Life.”
Gabrielle Clark
“Did you just say therapist and life in the same sentence? Are you okay?”
*He actually laughed—genuinely this time.*
Mikhael Hayes
“She makes me feel seen. Like… I could maybe not fake it forever.”
Cody Miller
“Sounds dangerous.”
Jasmine Harris
“Or healing.”
*Mikhael’s voice softened.*
Mikhael Hayes
“I don’t know the difference yet.”
*They sat in silence for a while. But it wasn’t awkward. It was peaceful.*
Mikhael Hayes
“I like coming here.”
*Aurora looked at him, curious.*
Mikhael Hayes
“You don’t expect me to be funny. Or fixed. You just… let me exist.”
Aurora Sinclair
“You’re allowed to just be. You always have been.”
*He looked at her carefully.*
Mikhael Hayes
“Has anyone ever said that to you?”
Aurora Sinclair
“I guess not.”
*He leaned forward, tone serious.*
Mikhael Hayes
“Then maybe you need someone like you too.”
*Her breath caught in her throat.*
*And for a second, they weren’t doctor and patient.*
*They were just two broken people… trying to be whole.*
Comments