Alexa Smiled

Alexa swept her honey blonde hair from her face, a gentle sigh escaping her lips. It had taken a lot of planning to get this evening right. Even now, the stakes were high and the tolerance for error exceptionally low. It was just a drop. One little drop of clear liquid into a glass. The bright light from the low hanging bulbs hid the minute droplets from sight. Thank the heavens for interior design with a side of murder.

A distant crunch brought her back to the moment, the sound of a car on the long gravel path. Now was time to act as if she cared. The doorbell rang, coats and scarves were hung by the mantelpiece and Alexa was caught in a whirlwind of greetings and handshakes. Alexa smiled. Cheese platters littered the coffee table as people began to mingle and small talk filled the air. Still, Alexa smiled. Shoes of black leather and red velvet meandered to the dining room, chairs scraped the polished floor boards and the wine twinkled as it swirled into glasses, mingling with secrets. Still, Alexa smiled. A flurry of voices wished cheers to one another and dainty sips followed. Still, Alexa smiled. She knew a sip was all it would take.

“This gravy is just divine!”

“The vegetables are roasted to perfection!”

“Might you share the recipe for the steak, Dear?”

The compliments echoed around the table, almost making Alexa blush. Despite the foods exquisite nature, not a single guest that night finished their plate. Seven heads fell to the table within the next minute and a half. Seven less people in the world. Seven more tally marks to add to the back page of Alexa’s diary. Alexa couldn’t help but smile.