110 Offer You A Smile

When Raelle and Shui Xian went back home, both continued with their bedtime routine. While Shui Xian leaned against the headboard, his eyes were stuck on Raelle who was rubbing something on her body. And according to Shui Xian's observation, she had the same routine every day.

First, she would apply a night cream then she would take a tour of the closet and take out the outfit for the next day. After that, she would sit down on the bed and take her iPad to look through her schedule for the next day. And there was always a book at her side table that she would pick up to read for about 15 minutes. However, those 15 minutes were very productive for her because, in just the last four days, this was the second book on her side.

She even followed this schedule after they were done fooling around. No matter if she'd be tired or not, this whole routine had to happen.

Usually, he would check his email or just browse on his iPad while she read but today, his eyes just couldn't move from her face. He didn't know whether she couldn't tell he was looking at her or was she ignoring him on purpose but not even once did she turn her eyes towards him. He was seriously being treated like wind and oddly, he didn't mind it at all.

Instead, a smile hung at the corner of his lips as he observed the way her eyes skimmed over the words. A few loose strands fell over the side of her face obstructing his view and he frowned slightly before his hand extended on its own to tuck her hair behind her ear. Even then, Raelle hadn't paid him any attention. She was really lost in the world of the book in her hands.

He should have felt annoyed at being ignored but didn't. He found her attention to be quite fascinating. Maybe that's why the hand that had gone to her side just to tuck her hair behind her ear had lingered right there. His fingertips slowly caressed the tip of her ear.

Raelle paused for a second as she finally noticed his movements but didn't stop him. Instead, she closed the book in her hands and placed it back on her side table.

As she turned her head slightly to gaze at him, he said, "It's only been 5 minutes, aren't you gonna read more?" Raelle shook her head in reply. "Why?"

"I'm taking your advice very seriously," she replied. He raised his brow in question and she elaborated, "Less time with books and more time with people."

Shui Xian pursed his lips before he opened his arms and gestured her to come closer. Raelle eyed his opened arms for a while before asking, "You're asking me to go over to your side?"

"Yes," he replied.

"But that's your side of the bed," she said.

Raelle slowly scooted over but stopped as she said, "Wait! Just because you're giving me the permission to go over to your side of the bed, don't just assume I'll let you come over to my side of the bed as well. That's my personal space."

Shui Xian didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her words. "Husband and wife share everything. Even their beds."

"We are sharing a bed," she replied.

"Forget it! Just come over."

Raelle opened in an 'O' shape as she went over to his side. Shui Xian held her waist from behind as he pulled her towards himself. Only when her back laid against his front did he leaned back comfortably and asked, "Who is Yenay?"

Raelle, who was playing with Shui Xian's hand that was on her stomach, paused again as she replied, "I'll tell you honestly since I can't lie, that's my birth name." Shui Xian's eyes widen in surprise as he stared at the side of her head. "However, I don't like that name and that's why I officially changed my name to Raelle long ago. But we can't run from certain things. Opa still likes to call me 'Yenay' whenever he wants me to agree to something."

"So, can I call you..."

"No!" Even before he could finish his question, she had already given her clear cut reply. "I just said I don't like that name."

"But I seem to like it," he mumbled softly. And even though Raelle had heard his voice, she didn't comment on it.

One of his hands twirled the strands of her hair as he asked, "Did you really never took a trip of the house you lived in for six months?"

"I neither had the time nor any interest," replied Raelle.

"Wife," he called out.

"Hm..."

Xian pressed his lips together and ended up shaking his head, "Nothing."

Actually, after reading her thoughts on emotions, his heart and mind had been in turmoil. Every single word in that notebook of hers seemed to have pierced his heart and made him question certain things in his life.

A few words still flashed in his mind...

'Sadness is the most common emotion between humans. In sadness, they often find a connection with each other, and in sadness, they often find solace as well. And that sadness is one they have become most familiar with. However, this sadness has become such a deep part of their lives that most have even forgotten to express their sadness by shedding tears. In fact, the most painful sadness is often hidden behind the most beautiful smile.'

Her words had entranced him in a way that, he couldn't bring himself to look away from her now. He lifted her hair off her neck and planted a soft kiss behind her neck.

"I really want to show you the world," he said in a soft voice.

"Huh?" Raelle tilted her head to stare at him blankly and he offered a smile in return.

In his mind, he thought, 'I want to offer you my smile right now. Something tells me, it will look dazzling on you.'

She said she was willing to wait for him patiently. Those were seemingly very simple words, but to him, they had struck the deepest part of his heart. And if she was willing to give him time, he really felt like he wanted to give her everything in return.