Chapter 16
The afternoon was warm and quiet when Tom arrived at Kim's house, carrying some groceries and flowers he had decided to buy at the last minute. It was a simple surprise, but he knew she loved these little displays of affection. However, as he approached the entrance, he noticed something strange. Kim was on the couch in the living room, visibly dejected, staring into space with an expression that mixed sadness and frustration.
He entered silently, put the bags in the kitchen and went to her.
"Kim? Is everything okay?" he asked, sitting down next to her and placing his hand gently on hers.
Kim looked at him with slightly red eyes and tried to smile, but she couldn't hide the hurt in her expression.
"Oh, Tom... I had a horrible argument with Kanye. It was... exhausting."
Tom sighed, nodding slightly, already imagining the situation. He knew her relationship with Kanye was complex, especially when it came to their children.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" — he asked, his tone calm and welcoming, giving her the space she needed to open up.
She took a deep breath and began to vent.
"He showed up out of nowhere, wanting to talk about the kids. And of course I understand, he's their father. But he started questioning the decisions I've been making with them… the way I raise them, even the activities they participate in. He was so… critical, you know? Like I wasn't being a good mother."
Tom held her hand firmly, conveying support without saying a word. He knew how dedicated she was to her children and how she did her best to provide the best education and care for them. It hurt to see her being questioned for that.
"I understand," he said softly. "And I know you try hard, Kim. You're an incredible mother, and anyone who spends time with you and the kids can see that."
Kim shook her head, looking relieved but still resentful.
"He knows I'm trying my best. But sometimes it feels like all he wants to do is argue. He's so obsessed with proving me wrong, like the choices I make are against him, when all I want is what's best for the kids."
Tom pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her and allowing her to rest against his shoulder. She sighed, feeling the comfort of his closeness.
"Look, Kim… I'm not a father, so I can't say I understand exactly what you're going through. But I can say that you deserve respect and recognition for what you do. You balance your public life with the privacy and well-being of your children. It's a complicated task, and you do it with such grace."
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a grateful gleam in her eyes.
"Thank you, Tom. Sometimes I feel like I need to hear that. You know… it's been hard, and you've been my rock through so many situations. I… I really appreciate you being here."
Tom gently stroked her cheek and smiled.
— I'll always be here for you. On good days and bad. You don't have to face this alone.
They remained silent for a moment, just enjoying each other's company. The tension in Kim seemed to slowly dissipate as Tom continued to stand there, simply present.
"Kanye mentioned something about us," she said after a few minutes, looking down at her hands. "He implied that I'm distracted, as if… as if my personal life was affecting my ability to be a mother. And that hurts, Tom. Because you know how dedicated I am to them. Do you think he's right?"
Tom looked at her tenderly, shaking his head.
"Kim, you are a complete person, a dedicated mother and a woman who deserves to be happy. Having someone by your side, someone who supports you, doesn't take your attention away from the kids. On the contrary, I think you become even stronger and more focused with someone by your side."
She looked at him, absorbing every word, and a shy smile appeared on her face.
— You're so good to me… I just wish things with Kanye were more… peaceful, you know? At least for the kids.
Tom nodded, understanding the depth of her desire.
— Maybe that will come with time. Kanye may be going through his own struggles, and unfortunately, sometimes that spills over into negative things. But you can only control your part, Kim. And from what I see, you're doing an exceptional job. And I'm here to support you in whatever way you need.
She smiled and settled back on the couch, pulling a pillow onto her lap and looking at him with a lighter look.
— And to think you deal with this with such patience… I have no idea how you do it.
He chuckled softly.
— Life has taught me a little about patience. And you're worth it.
They exchanged a loving look, and Kim felt the warmth and comfort that came from Tom's support. He was a steady, calm presence, someone she knew she could trust.
— And how are the kids? — Tom asked, changing the subject gently to ease the tension.
— Oh, they're doing great. Despite everything, I try to keep them away from these tensions. They don't deserve to be in the middle of conflicts. I've been trying to give them a calm, drama-free environment.
Tom nodded, acknowledging her strength. It was clear that the happiness and well-being of her children were Kim's top priority.
— And you're doing just that, Kim. Don't let these arguments make you question your dedication as a mother.
She smiled, this time a little more confidently.
— Thank you, Tom. Having you here makes all the difference.
Tom gave her a light kiss on the forehead, and they continued talking about other things, gradually leaving the episode with Kanye behind. They talked about simple things, about plans for the weekend and even ideas for quiet places to spend the day with the children.
As the afternoon wore on, Kim felt her heart lighten and her mind clearer. She was grateful to have someone like Tom by her side—someone who not only supported her, but who brought serenity into her life and helped her face difficulties with more calm and confidence.
Chapter 17
It was a quiet night in Los Angeles, and the city seemed enveloped in a rare silence, as if every light, every shadow, was there just to frame the moment. Kim and Tom had gone out to dinner, and the night had been filled with laughter, knowing glances, and small gestures of affection that had become natural between them. When they arrived at Kim's house, she invited him in.
"Would you like a glass of wine?" Kim asked, as she closed the door behind her, trying to remain natural but unable to hide the slight nervousness she felt.
Tom nodded, smiling at her with his always calm and confident gaze.
"I think that's a great idea."
Kim went to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine that she kept for special occasions. She opened the bottle carefully, trying to calm her heart that was beating faster than she expected.
Tom stood beside her, watching her every move, and when she handed him the glass, their fingers briefly touched, sending a jolt of electricity that they both felt.
They sat on the couch, and the conversation continued to flow naturally, but this time with a certain weight of anticipation in the air. Kim found herself watching Tom closely, noticing every detail from his slightly graying beard to the way he smiled, calm and confident.
After a while, he leaned a little closer to her, setting the glass aside. "Kim…" he whispered, his voice soft and almost husky. "I have no words to describe what I feel when I'm with you."
She felt a chill down her spine, a sense of anticipation that enveloped her completely. Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her softly, in a way that seemed both tender and full of desire. Kim closed her eyes, surrendering herself to that moment, feeling every second as if time had stopped.
The kiss deepened, becoming more intense. She slid her fingers through Tom's hair, feeling its soft, slightly messy texture. When they finally separated, he looked into her eyes with a glow of affection and admiration.
"Shall we go to the bedroom?" he asked, with a soft smile, and she nodded.
Kim led him to the bedroom, and as they walked, she felt a mixture of excitement and serenity, as if everything was finally in the right place. When they arrived, he pulled her close again, caressing her face and looking at her with an affection that made her heart melt.
Slowly, Tom kissed her once more, his hands gently sliding over her shoulders as the room was filled with the softness of the lights and the delicacy of the moment. Every touch, every gesture, seemed to have a special meaning, as if they were connecting on a deeper level.
Tom moved with a gentleness that surprised her. He made her feel loved, safe and desired all at the same time. Each touch was careful, and the intensity of the moment unfolded with a naturalness that only reinforced how much the feelings between them had strengthened.
They gave themselves over to the moment, letting all the worries of the outside world fade away. It was just them, wrapped in a connection that felt magical, deep and, above all, true. The love they shared seemed to transcend words, expressing itself in every caress, every sigh and every look they exchanged.
Afterward, as they both lay side by side, Tom wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer and leaving a soft kiss on the top of her head.
"That was incredible," he whispered. "You are incredible."
Kim smiled, feeling at peace, and snuggled into his chest, listening to the steady sound of his heart. They lay there, in comfortable silence, allowing the moment to envelop them.
"I've never felt so… complete," Kim admitted, almost in a whisper. "With you, everything seems simpler, more true."
Tom held her a little tighter, stroking her hair.
"And I've never found someone I could truly be myself with," he replied. "Thank you, Kim, for letting me be a part of your life."
They stood there, enjoying the tranquility of the night, the warmth of the embrace, and the certainty that they had found something special. In that moment, they knew they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
Chapter 18
It was a sunny morning in Los Angeles. The weather was perfect for an outdoor workout, and Tom and Kim had already planned to go for a run followed by a swim in the pool. When they arrived at the park, they both stretched and exchanged excited smiles. Running together had become one of their favorite pastimes, not only for the exercise, but for the company and light conversations they shared as they crossed the tree-lined paths.
"Ready for today's run?" Tom asked, giving Kim an amused look as he adjusted the timer on his watch.
"You have no idea!" Kim replied with a defiant smile, excited. She knew he was faster and that his training was intense, but she loved the challenge of trying to keep up with him.
They set off together, and the race was marked by laughter, teasing, and even a few "speed races" where Kim tried, in vain, to catch up with Tom. He deliberately slowed down so she could keep up, which always made her laugh.
"You know, I don't know whether to be impressed or frustrated by your physical condition," Kim joked, trying to catch her breath when they finally stopped to drink water.
"I'd say you have your own way of impressing people too," Tom replied, giving her an admiring look. "Who said speed is all that counts?"
She laughed and elbowed him lightly before they both headed toward the club's pool.
As they swam side by side, Kim noticed how Tom's body moved with elegance and precision in the water. He made swimming look easy, and there was a calmness to his movements that left her enchanted. Kim, on the other hand, did her best to keep up with him, but at one point she stopped and watched him swim, amazed by his skill.
When they got out of the water, they grabbed towels and sat by the pool, enjoying the sun and the moment together. They were engaged in a light and fun conversation about their favorite series when Tom noticed something strange.
"I think we have company," he murmured, discreetly glancing at the corner of the club where some men with cameras were focused on them.
Kim sighed, shaking her head.
"Ah, the paparazzi..." she said, looking at the photographers with a slight smile, but without surprise. "I should have known this would happen sooner or later."
"I know how to deal with intense situations, but this is new to me," Tom replied, with an amused smile. He seemed more curious than bothered by the attention.
Kim laughed, amazed at his calmness.
— Welcome to my world — she joked, shrugging. — Just relax and pretend they're not there.
And so they did. They continued talking and enjoying the moment, without paying much attention to the paparazzi. After a while, they decided to walk back home, with the cameras still following their every step.
The next day, Kim woke up and picked up her cell phone to check her messages. Right away, she saw several notifications from her friends and family commenting on a flood of news and photos that had taken over the internet. She quickly opened one of the links they had sent her, and, to her surprise, Tom's face was on the front page of practically every entertainment website.
The photos showed the two of them laughing together while running, swimming side by side in the pool and, of course, Tom shirtless, showing off his athletic and well-defined physique.
The headlines were all in the same style: "Is Kim Kardashian dating a Greek god?"
Social media was equally excited. Tom's name was already trending, and people were speculating about his identity. Comments were flooding Kim's Instagram, and fans were completely fascinated by his appearance.
"Wow, look who's become an internet sensation," Kim commented, showing Tom her phone screen when he appeared in the kitchen.
He laughed in surprise.
"So, this is how it works? I run and swim, and suddenly I'm a 'Greek god'?"
Kim laughed along, finding his reaction genuinely amusing.
"Yeah, welcome to my world again!" he replied, opening a news page that read: "Kim Kardashian's new love is a mysterious British guy with a breathtaking physique."
"'Mysterious British guy'…" he read aloud, shaking his head with a smile. "I'm not sure if I like it or not."
"Oh, this is just the beginning," Kim replied, patting him affectionately on the shoulder. — Other things will come up, some crazy ones, and you just have to laugh at them.
In the days that followed, the attention on their relationship only increased. Tom handled the situation surprisingly calmly, but Kim could see that there was something in his eyes when he saw how much his life was being exposed. For her, this had been his reality for years, but he was coming into it for the first time.
"Are you okay with all this?" she asked one night, while they were sitting on the couch, enjoying a moment of peace.
Tom looked at her with a calm smile and pulled her closer.
"Kim, being with you is what matters. We'll deal with whatever comes, together."
The comment made Kim smile and relax. Knowing that he was committed to her and willing to face everything by her side was comforting.
The next morning, however, she received a call from Kris, who wanted to talk about the "Tom phenomenon" that was taking over the networks.
"Kim, have you seen how many people are asking about him?" Kris asked excitedly. "The media is going crazy, and everyone is curious to know more!"
Kim sighed.
"I know, Mom. But we're trying to keep things as private as possible. I don't want him to feel pressured to enter that world."
"Well, honey, you know this is hard. Especially now that he's been seen and talked about by everyone."
When she hung up, Kim told Tom about her conversation with Kris. He listened attentively, but maintained the calm that always seemed to be his trademark.
"I just hope this doesn't become difficult for you," Kim said, looking at him sincerely. "I want you to be happy, without feeling pressured."
Tom hugged her, stroking her hair.
"Kim, I'm happy with you. And that's all that matters."
Tom's answer made her feel more at ease. She knew that what they had was special and she was willing to face the challenges that came together, one step at a time.
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