A Painted Smile

A young woman with a perfect professional life finds herself hiding behind a painted smile as she yearns for a personal life to match her professional.

            The shrill cry of the alarm clock signaled the start of a new morning. Her deep sapphire eyes slowly opened, taking in the warm morning sun as it reflected off her smooth tan skin. She gently sat up in bed and stretched, her outstretched arms offering an embrace to the beginning of a new week. Her chestnut brown hair fell over her shoulders as she glanced around her apartment, taking in the familiar sights as she slowly stirred awake. She turned and slowly stood up out of bed, shivering slightly as her bare feet met the cold wooden floor. She stretched one final time before moving into the kitchen and starting her daily routine, putting a pot of coffee on she moved to the bathroom as she waited for her coffee. Splashing a handful of cold water on her smooth face, washing away the fatigue of morning after a long night, she shivered again before drying her face and glancing in the mirror. Jenna Fisher was a very attractive young woman, at only twenty six years old she was just coming into her own as an adult in the world. Her smooth, silky hair fell just past her shoulders, its warm chestnut color giving off a sense of confidence, yet a kind invitation to the would be friend. Her skin was smooth as a piece of silk cloth, lightly tanned and highlighted perfectly by her deep blue eyes, glowing like two sapphires in a dark night they shimmered with compassion and hope. Jenna gazed into the mirror for another moment before her soft, full lips slowly formed into a smile, Jenna nodded her head in approval, and she now had her mask to wear for the day. Jenna dressed slowly, her black business suit forming tightly around her well curved figure as she carefully buttoned up her jacket. She took careful time in doing her makeup; there is no room for even a tiny flaw in the business world. Finishing the job with a soft pink lipstick to highlight her soft, delicate lips she returned to the kitchen to fetch her coffee. Filling her cup she added just a dash of milk and was out the door, sighing to herself as her key locked the bolt in place; perhaps one day she would have someone to say goodbye to. Jenna should be happy, she worked for one of the largest law firms in the country and she was one of the most revered attorneys in the firm. She drove a top of the line car, lived in an apartment that made most starter homes look like a hole in the wall, and her wardrobe was nearly endless. All of this however, meant nothing to her for Jenna had no one to share this life with. She had never experienced passion or love and that tore at her; sure men were always approaching her, but all of them were there for her physical appearance or her money, never just for her. Jenna longed to have someone interested in her for her, not just who she was in the business world, what she drove, or her bank account, but someone to love her for just who she was. Jenna drove to work in silence; her radio was rarely on for she had no desire to hear songs about love or family that frequently flowed through the airwaves. As she parked in her space at work she looked into her rear view mirror for a final inspection, hiding away all of the feelings of loneliness and emptiness she battled day in and day out, she forced that painted smile across her lips again. Now she was ready to begin this new day at the office, she knew she must wear her smile and present herself with confidence. She strode into the office the smile spread across her lips dancing with mystery and energy and she concealed the pain that tore at her soul, at first appearance one would never know that the beautiful Jenna Fisher was just a shell of the torment, pain, and empty depression that lie deep beneath. She could never allow herself to be seen as just another face in an endless ocean with no meaning, no hope, and no path. The doors of Brown Law Firm seemed to burst open as Jenna entered the building, her black leather heels echoing through the building as she walked with confidence and authority. Jenna wore her smile with an energy that surrounded others and drew them into her; she spoke with cheerfulness in her voice as she greeted her co-workers by name, not showing a single crack in her character as she moved to her office. Closing her office door behind her the hidden emotion poured out as her smile melted away like snow on a warm summer day and the energetic glow that radiated from her faded away. She moved to her desk unsure if she wanted to scream or just to cry, she hated putting on this act, this charade; why couldn't she find love or at least find something to give her life true meaning? Jenna sat at her desk; her slender shoulders slumped as she felt a great weight upon them. She reached into her inbox and began slowly scanning her new case log. As Jenna opened the file her eyes fell to the first few lines and suddenly widened in surprise, a bit of energy returned to her eyes as they danced across the lines. She carefully read the file again to assure she hadn't misread something, no; there it was again, a murder defense. Jenna felt her heart pounding against her chest, threatening to burst through at any moment. She had done big cases before; grand theft auto, fraud, kidnapping, but never had she been involved in a murder case. It both excited and frightened her as she gathered the file together and headed down the hall to speak to Mr. Brown.

            Aaron Brown was the CEO of the firm, his great grandfather had founded it many years ago and it ad since evolved into one of the top ten firms in the country. Mr. Brown was responsible for assigning each case to the nearly two dozen attorneys working there and Jenna greatly desired to know why this case had been assigned to her. Jenna lightly knocked on the large oak door to Mr. Brown's office and waited until his deep voice warmly invited her in. Jenna pushed the heavy door open and stepped into his office; the cigar smoke immediately filled her nostrils as she closed the door behind her. She stood for just a moment to take in the scent, her father used to smoke cigars and the smell was both sweet and comforting to her. She stood in silence as her gaze caught Mr. Brown's, his smile was warm and inviting surrounded by his thick black beard. HIs raven black hair combed back as the gel holding it in place shined brilliantly under the bright lights. While his face and voice were peaceful and friendly, his steel grey eyes studied you and gave a sense of authority and no nonsense as they burned through you. He studied her for a moment before leaning back in his chair with a smile;

            "What can I do for you today Jenna?"

His welcoming yet stern voice breaking the silence suddenly snapped her back to reality as her posture returned, standing up straight and confident she spoke;

            "I was just wondering about the Tompkins case sir"

She spoke with question yet confidence;

            "Jim usually handles all the murder and rape cases, I was just wondering why you chose me."

Mr. Brown studied her in silence for some time, his silence causing a deep fear to slowly creep up her spine as she feared she had made a mistake and he would take her case away. They sat in the deadening silence for a few more tense moments before Mr. Brown's smile returned and he spoke;

            "Jenna I chose you simply because you've earned it. You've worked hard and won more cases in the last six months than anyone, it’s your time to shine and winning this case could be your first step toward becoming a partner."

Jenna felt her breath leave her body as her heart nearly leaped through her chest, partner, he had said partner. Becoming a partner at the firm had been a dream of hers ever since she first began working for the Mr. Brown but she never believed it would happen so soon, if ever. She tried to speak to thank him for the opportunity but found her throat to be dry and scratchy as though sand had suddenly been poured into her mouth. She instead offered him a nod of her head as she turned to leave, her trembling hands reaching for the door handle. Just as he felt the cold metal of the handle in her hand his voice rang out again;

            "Jenna."

She turned slowly to face him, her eyes watching him questioningly as he leaned forward and spoke, that warm smile spread across his face;

            "You can do this, I believe in you Jenna."

Hearing the door close behind her as she left the office Jenna leaned back, her slender shoulders pressed tightly against the door as she repeated Mr. Brown’s words to herself, I believe in you. It had been nearly three years since she had started working at the firm, she remembered her first day as Mr. Brown told her she would go as far in this firm as she allowed herself to, he said this with such mockery each word dripping off his lips like a venom coated with sarcasm as his hand had trailed slowly up her leg toward her skirt. This action disgusted Jenna and she had left the office that day, slamming the door forcefully behind her. She wanted to badly to quit, to never return but work was not easy to find and she could not afford to lose this opportunity, it was not every day one had the chance to work for such a prestigious firm. She returned the next day and since then, much to her surprise, Mr. Brown treated her with nothing but respect and courtesy. She was unsure if he felt guilty or had just given up but even to this day she felt such great frustration and embarrassment, in her mind she had only been hired here for her looks she was nothing to him as a lawyer, just another pretty body for him to admire and another demon that slowly tore away what remained of Jenna's soul. She had since been determined to prove she was more than that, she wanted to prove that she belonged here and in these three years she had amassed a 95% win ration in court. I believe in you, the words echoed over and over in her head, she had finally earned her place here. As she walked down the hall back to her office for the first time in years a smile appeared on her face.....a real smile.

            Jenna returned to her office beaming with a new confidence and energy she had not felt since graduating law school. Jenna sat at her desk and began anxiously flipping through the case file. Jenna read carefully as she absolved all the information, her client Jace Tompkins was being tried for the murder of his brother and wife. Jace was found in the house covered in blood, no murder weapon had yet been recovered. Jenna's eyes widened as she read on, Jace had stated he arrived to visit and found them stabbed to death in the bedroom the clothing scattered on the floor indicating that they had been having an affair and been violently interrupted as shown by the crimson blood spattered on the walls and staining the floor. Jace claimed he had checked for a pulse and that is how the blood had gotten on him, it was everywhere he had told the police. Even more curious was Jace claimed innocence but was not interested in bail; he was willingly remaining in custody. Jenna closed the file, her mind racing with excitement and curiosity she knew she had to meet him. She slowly gathered up her things and headed off to the prison, her heart racing as she felt a nervous excitement; a meeting with a potential killer, she shivered as a chill coursed down her spine. Jenna moved slowly behind the guard, keeping her eyes forward as she moved past cell after cell ignoring the cat calls and crude comments hurled at her from the inmates. She was lead to a private room where she could meet with her client. Jenna shuddered as the large steel door swung open, a blinding white light bursting out from within the room forcing her to squint. She entered the room quickly, her heels clacking loudly against the concrete floor as she walked. She calmly took her seat as she opened her eyes, gazing cautiously at Jace for the first time. Jace sat before her still as stone; he did not speak to her as his cold, black eyes locked on her, not blinking. Jenna suddenly found it difficult to swallow as she looked him over, his grey-black hair falling around his face, a testament to his dark nature and difficult life experience. His still mouth surrounded by a thick, unkempt beard covering his tight jaw muscles. Jenna shook her head, shaking out the shock of facing this cold man, she must remain strong and ready she reminded herself a she snapped open her briefcase and began pulling out her files. Jenna arranged her papers on the table glancing over them quickly to assure everything was there and in order before she spoke;

            "Mr. Tompkins"

Her small voice echoing in the large room, shattering the eerie silence that had fallen over them:

            "My name is Jenna Fisher, I work for Brown Law Firm, and I will be serving as your legal counsel for your defense trial."

Jace's cold eyes remained locked on hers sending chills down her spine as she felt his gaze piercing through her, yet he still did not speak. Jenna cleared her throat and shuffled her papers around on the table, glancing up occasionally only to be met by the cold, unblinking eyes of Jace. Jenna leaned back in her chair and glanced at Jace again before finally speaking;

            "This will go much quicker with your cooperation Mr. Tompkins, how about you tell me exactly what happened from the beginning in your own words."

It was some time before Jace finally spoke, his voice low and calculating as he told her how he had gone to visit his brother and invite him to play pool with some friends only to find both his wife and brother in the bedroom repeatedly stabbed to death. Jace continued his story explaining to Jenna how he had then discovered the true nature of his wife's relationship to his brother. Jenna felt her own heart sink as she saw the hurt in Jace's eyes as he spoke of his love for his wife despite her adulterous ways. Jenna reread her file again, noting that the suggested motive for the murder was revenge; the prosecutor was using the angle that Jace had found his wife and brother together and in a fit of rage, killed them both. Jenna studied his expression and listened intently to every word he spoke, she was left with no doubt this man was not a killer. Jenna gathered her things up and thanked Jace for his time, she urged him with no success, to make bail and she offered him a small smile as she left. Jenna walked to her car with a renewed vigor and desire, this case was not going to be easy but she knew he was innocent, a true loving and caring man loyal to his family, she must not fail him. Jenna entered her apartment, closing and locking the door behind her, she moved to the kitchen and put on a fresh pot of coffee, it was going to be another long night. Jenna spread all the case information across her living room table, each picture and document highlighted under the pale yellow light of her lamp. Jenna skewered the files studying all the information as she sipped her coffee; Jace had no alibi as his wife had been gone for some time to meet his brother, leaving Jace alone at home. The window of the murder between six and seven in the evening. Jace was seen leaving his home at 5:45pm and the police found him at the house standing over the bodies at 7:32pm. Jace stated he had stopped at the store for a drink and then went to his brother's house to see if he wanted to go out. When there was no answer at the door Jace tried the handle and found it unlocked. Thinking his brother may have been in the shower he let himself in and upon entering the bedroom, discovered the bodies. Jace's statement continued that he checked both bodies for a pulse before searching the house to assure the killer was not still looming. Jace finished by stating he did not have a chance to call the police as they burst into the house moments later. Jenna sipped her coffee again as she thought to herself; her eyes suddenly burst open as she nearly spilt her coffee all over the table. She grabbed the police report and quickly read it over again, her eyes blazing with question and new energy. How did the police know of the murder if no call had been made? No emergency call was made by the brother or wife, and Jace never got the chance. Jenna stared in disbelief; this case had taken a violent turn Jace Tomkins had been framed!

            Jenna was unable to sleep that night, her mind racing as she ran the scenario over and over in her head a thousand times. She tried desperately to figure out who might have framed Jace and why, they had played a near perfect game; knowing his wife was having an affair, leaving Jace with no alibi for the night, getting him caught in the house with the bodies, and leaving no trace of a murder weapon. Jenna could not answer the questions and more importantly she could not figure out how the real killer knew Jace would go to the house that night, how could he be sure Jace would turn up in time for the police to find him? It ate at her mind as she frantically tried to find an answer. Jenna tossed and turned in bed trying to piece this puzzle together when she suddenly burst up out of bed, her breath leaving her body again as she gasped loudly in the night; was Jace refusing to accept bail because he had no desire to live without his wife, or was he staying in prison because he knew something more about this, was Jace protecting himself? The alarm clock cried out a few hours later, its shrill cry filling the apartment until Jenna moved from the living room to silence it. She had not slept last night, too many questions played on her mind as she struggled to find the missing pieces. Jenna returned to the prison that morning and presented this new evidence to Jace, she smiled as his black eyes opened up and showed a glimmer of hope that seemed to soften their cold nature. He looked up at her, though he did not speak she felt his gratefulness sweeping over her and embracing her tightly. For the first time he appeared human to Jenna and she felt a great sense of compassion for him, and a desire to see justice served and Jace freed. Jace confided in her before she left that he remained in prison because he feared for his own safety walking the streets when many firmly believed he had murdered his own family. He had no desire to face the world when he was believed to be a killer for vigilante justice may fall upon him before he had a chance to see the truth revealed. Jenna nodded in understanding as she reached out and took his hand in hers, gently squeezing it;

            "This will be over soon Jace, and you can start trying to get your life back together I promise you that."

Squeezing his hand tightly one last time she let go and headed out the door driving home in silence. Jenna sat at home preparing her case when she gazed down at her hand, she could still feel his hand in hers. She felt his rough skin and firm grip as he had squeezed her hand back. She sat looking at her hand for a few moments before returning to reality, what was she doing? This man was a client and she had a job to do, there was no place for her to get emotionally involved. Though Jenna knew getting emotionally involved was a mistake, she ignored it. She met with Jace several times leading up to the trial, often going over the trial for a brief time before talking amongst themselves laughing at small things and genuinely enjoying one another's company. The day before the trial Jenna left him with a hug, she nestled into him feeling his strong secure arms around her. For the first time in years Jenna felt safe and she felt as though she was cared for. The day of the trial Jenna arrived at the courthouse ready for battle. Her hair was perfectly tied back; her black suit flawless with no sign of wrinkles, her makeup had been done with great care and showed no signs of error as her black heels clacked on the wooden floors. Her face was one of great determination as her eyes remained forward and her expression strong. She set her files out on the table with precision and glanced quickly at Jace, she smiled to herself seeing him in a suit but she did not allow her expression to change. When the trial began Jenna was fierce, arguing every flaw in the prosecutor's case leaving the district attorney stunned and out of his game. Jenna's passion and determination were bursting throughout the court room as she never stood down and argued to validate every point she made with a tenacious energy. Three days later she stood next to Jace as she took his hand in hers under the table as they awaited the verdict. Tense moments passed an eerie and chilling silence before the words rang out in the room, not guilty. Jenna's heart fluttered in her chest as she turned to Jace his arms wrapping around her and pulling her in tight to him, tears trickling down both their cheeks. They stood outside the courthouse talking after the trial, there was a cheerful ring in Jace's voice as he spoke to her, he was now a free man and it was time to start rebuilding his life. Jenna stood staring at him as he studied her face smiling like a young boy on the playground. Not a word was spoken as he brushed her hair back, slowly leaning in he pressed his lips up against hers. Jenna felt her body tense and her stomach fill with butterflies as she returned his kiss, her lips quivering in excitement and fear. They stood in silence again until Jenna worked up her courage and invited Jace over for dinner that evening, an invitation he happily accepted grinning like an innocent child. Jenna spent careful time preparing dinner, she prepared tri tip with fresh vegetables and a baked potatoes, this would do perfectly. She dressed carefully, a nice pair of slacks and a white blouse, a final inspection in the mirror as she finalized her makeup smiling shyly. New emotions filled Jenna as she gazed in the mirror she finally felt as though she belonged here, everything she desired was falling in place. She knew she had earned what could be a partnership in the firm, and more importantly she felt as though someone had finally seen her for her and accepted her, her heart raced with excitement and anticipation. Jenna paced nervously until the knock on the door startled her, she moved over to the door and opened it, what her eyes fell left her unable to speak or even breathe. There was Jace, he stood before her his long stringy hair gone as it had been cut short and spiked up in a fashionable style, his smooth face now visible as he smiled at her his thick beard gone. Jace leaned in and kissed her on the cheek as he entered the apartment commenting on how great dinner smelled.

            They enjoyed a great meal together sharing small conversation as they both found themselves giggling with excitement throughout the meal. After dinner they shared some more casual conversation before Jace told her that he had to retire for the evening. Though she desired him to stay with her through the night she knew it was too soon, she smiled and thanked him for joining her hoping to see him again soon. He smiled warmly at her as he wrapped his arm around her pulling her in close again as he whispered softly in her ear;

            "You've done so much for me; more then I could have ever expected or asked for. I was so afraid of walking the streets an accused murderer, fearful for what someone might do to me. I was forced to stay in that prison for my own protection and like a true angel you came in and saved me. Thank to you I can now walk the streets in confidence and smile at people passing by, I am a free man and this hell is finally over, thank you Jenna. Thank you for giving me the chance to build my life anew."

Jenna was unable to speak, her eyes wide as tears filled them, streaming down her cheeks. Jace stepped back as he pulled his jacket over his shoulders and left, closing the door behind him. A wicked smile spread across his face as he walked down the hall, his life was his again and he was free to start new. Jenna stood there, tears continuing to fall down her cheeks as she struggled for breath, her hands trembling as they inched down her body, finally resting on the handle of the knife he had buried deep in her stomach. Jenna's hands grasped at the handle but her strength was gone, she fell to the floor as the life slowly left her eyes. The tears streaming down her face were not of pain, not of agony of the physical pain coursing through her body, but rather she cried because she had found a loophole for a man who would surely kill again and even worse, her eyes closing for the final time as she whimpered softly, she had yet again found herself of no value to anyone, just a commodity to be used at their convenience.

 

 

 

Reviews

[NCalebD]

WOW! Great story and character development, loved Jenna. The surprise ending was a great touch, caught me by unaware. Loved it, great read.