Eve looked at the man who stepped out of the passage. She was surprised seeing him here. The meeting from the last year came to her mind and she felt a little embarrassed. The place is also the same as last time.
Tom looked at the young actress whom he met at last year's Golden globe awards. She won this time too, but unfortunately he wasn't present at the ceremony due to his busy filming schedule. The only difference is that, the last time they met accidentally, while this time he saw the person and then followed.
He greeted with a smile: "Young lady, may I sit?"
Eve nodded and moved aside to make space. They have met two times, but both time at unexpected places. The awkwardness she felt last time has increased instead of decreasing. Calling it awkward may be wrong, it's more like a kind of instinct she's unable to identify yet.
Tom took the seat and sat comfortably. The weather is cold but it feels pleasent here in open. He saw the thoughtful and confused look on the person beside him: "People call us stars and criticize us for having the most comfortable lives. But what they don't see is the hard work an artist puts in his work. To act while behaving its real while knowing its fake is not a small thing. And most importantly, keeping one's sanity and truthfulness, despite having to deal with the fake smiles and people everyday is one of the hardest thing a person can ever do."
He then thought of his own experience and laughed a little. The last year he spent in Britain filming Kubrick's film completely changed his life. The trust and faith was broken and his marriage was now in crumbles. Despite being together for almost ten years, Nicole and him have come to a point where a single pust might be enough to finish everything.
Eve who was lost in her own thoughts and problems, didn't notice anything and added: "One can't expect his life to be stable and normal, no matter how hard one might try."
The harsh but real words directly hit the weak point of Tom, and he looked up in surprise. But seeing that the girl was still lost in her own thoughts, he smiled: "You have changed a lot since the last time we met."
Eve turned turned her head, asking curiously: "How?"
Tom looked in the deep blue eyes: "You have become one years older, more mature when you were already enough, more tired, more burdened and.. " he paused and looked at the rest of the most beautiful face he has ever seen: "more beautiful than ever."
The atmosphere was pleasent and the influence of alcohol pushed the things further. The gap closed and the lips of two people melted into each other's.
Eve was still lost in her thoughts thinking about the recent conversation, the remaining sanity was suppressed by the alcohol. By the time she came back to senses, the kiss had already deepened with tongues intervened together. She was stunned and her mind went blank for a moment. But she immediately regained her sensess, pushed the man away and stood up.
Tom came back to his senses and looked at the angry girl who stood up. There was a angry and confused look on her face. In fact, he himself was surprised by what just happened. He opened his mouth to explain, but the perosn opposite spoke before him:
"Are you out of your mind." Eve felt angry and upset at her carelessness. She was about to scold more, but then stopped and took a deep breath, "I think I should leave."
Seeing Eve was leaving, Tom stood up and held her wrist to stop her: "Eve, wait a minute..."
Eve looked back at the man whom she just kissed, and her anger couldn't be suppressed anymore: "What, Mr Cruise? Don't tell me you want to talk about what just happened. We both know it was just a mistake. There's no need to pursue it any further, and don't forget you are married."
She immediately left after completing her sentence. She feels like she's really out of her mind. Otherwise, how could she have kissed a married man, even if he's the charming Tom Cruise.
Seeing the leaving back of the girl, Tom immediately said: "No, it wasn't a mistake."
Eve sneered hearing the words: "I think you are under the influence of alcohol Mr Cruise, otherwise you wouldn't have said such a ridiculous thing remembering your Marital status.."
She said the sentence without turning around and went back, leavinng the man who had sobered up and looked confused.
.....
Back at the party, Leonardo saw Eve coming back. She seemed more tired than before she left. He went close to her: "Are you okay? You look really worn out."
Eve said: "I am just feeling a little unwell. I will be better after resting for a while. I am leaving." She can't stay in this place for one more second. The moments from earlier keep haunting her and she doesn't have the strenght to deal with things here.
Leonardo said: "Let me take you back."
Eve denied: "No, I will go back with Ryan. He's just outside." She needs some time alone to sort out her thoughts. Without waiting for Leo to say anything more, she left the place.
Tom came back to the venue, but he couldn't find the silhouette of the Eve anywhere. On inquiring, Eve Thompson had already left.
He also left the place. He also needs some time to sort out his thoughts, feelings and problems.
No one in the venue noticed what happened in the back garden few moments ago, and the absence of two big stars didn't affect the ongoing celebratiion much. But it seems that the last straw keeping the things intact had been broken and a storm is coming.
_______
P. S. According to the records, Tom Cruise was just a simple ordinary member of Scientology before the filming "Eyes wide shut" till 1999. The organization helped him solve his psychological issues and that's how he became a core member.
>> No matter what, cheating cannot be whitewashed.