Chapter 10
Kim arrived at the restaurant almost an hour before the scheduled time. The place was elegant, intimate, with low lighting and a modern feel, one of the few corners of Los Angeles where she knew she could have a quiet evening, away from the cameras and constant attention. She chose a simple but sophisticated dress that, in fact, reflected more how she wanted to feel: comfortable, but special.
Sitting at the table, she looked around, trying to hide her anxiety. It was almost funny for her to feel this way; it had been a long time since she felt her heart racing with anticipation, like a teenager before a first date.
She was fixing her hair for the third time when, finally, she saw Tom coming through the door of the restaurant. He was wearing a well-cut black suit with a white shirt and no tie, exuding an easy confidence. Something about the way he walked, with his firm steps and focused gaze, immediately made Kim think he looked like he had stepped straight out of a spy movie. "He could definitely be a James Bond," she thought, smiling at the idea.
As soon as Tom spotted her, his face lit up with a smile. He crossed the room and approached the table, his eyes taking in every detail of Kim.
"Kim," he said, his expression genuinely impressed. "You look absolutely gorgeous."
Kim smiled, feeling her cheeks flush.
"Thank you, Tom. And you look... amazing too. You look like you stepped straight out of a spy movie." She laughed, trying to break the ice.
Tom let out a low chuckle, amused.
"Well, I can assure you that the real life of a spy is a little less glamorous than it is in the movies. But I'm glad you think so." He winked, and Kim couldn't help but laugh again.
They settled in, and the conversation flowed naturally, as if they were old friends instead of a couple on a first date. Soon they were discussing everything from culture to music to how much social media was influencing modern life, especially Kim's.
"How do you deal with it, Kim?" — Tom asked, genuinely curious. — The pressure of fame, the constant judgment... it seems exhausting.
Kim sighed, looking down at her wine glass.
— Sometimes it is. But it's been a part of my life for so long that I've learned to shield myself from it. What worries me most now is how it might affect my children. They're growing up surrounded by a reality I never imagined for them. I try to be honest, talk about everything, and set the best example. But, you know... it's not easy.
Tom nodded, understanding.
— I imagine it must be a difficult balance. I'm impressed by your strength to deal with all of this.
She smiled, appreciating his honesty.
— And you? — Kim turned the table. — What was it like for you? I mean, what you did... it sounds like something that requires a very special kind of mental strength.
Tom gave a small, enigmatic smile, as if recalling old memories.
— I would say that the life of a spy has many more moments of silence and waiting than action. There is a lot of observation, a lot of patience. But, at specific moments, you need to be ready to act and make quick decisions. It is a life of extremes, but I confess that I liked the adrenaline, the challenge of... making a difference, even if it was in the shadows.
Kim watched him closely, fascinated. There was something in Tom's calm, in the confident way he spoke, that conveyed a silent strength. She realized that, behind his charm, there was someone who had lived through experiences that most people would never understand.
