Life Is What You Make It (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfic)

Part 30: Insights and Revelations

Wrapping Things Up

A few weeks later, we prepare to wrap filming. It's been a long journey, both professionally and personally. I'm glad for both experiences, even if I still just have half a heart.

As I'm at my apartment, doing a mixture of packing and getting ready for the wrap party, my phone buzzes. It's a number I don't recognize. "Hello?" "Mia? It's... It's Simone."

I hold my breath for a moment. "Hi, Simone. I didn't expect to hear from you," I say. "Yeah, well I'm kind of surprised I'm calling, too," she says. "Listen, can we meet somewhere to talk?" she asks. "Of course. You name the place and time, and I'll be there."

Wouldn't you know it? Simone picks the pub where Tom and I had our first lunch. I really don't know what I did to piss off Karma, but I'm ready to cry 'Uncle!' for it to be over and done with!

I meet her two hours before the wrap party, and I'm surprised when I see her boyfriend, Mike, with her. "Hi, Simone. Thank you for meeting me," I say, trying to get a read on what this meeting means.

"Yeah, well again, I'm almost as surprised as you. I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for Mike," she says, turning to him. I see Mike squeeze her hand in encouragement and smile softly at her. His actions remind me so much of Tom that I think I may disintegrate right on the spot.  Instead, I smile at Mike as a way of saying thank you for his involvement in making this meeting happen.

"So, what's changed since the last time we talked?"

"Well, first off, Mike knows...about Chris and all," Simone says sheepishly. As she says this, Mike casts his eyes down at the floor. I know now that there's been a lot of pain and soul searching that's gone on between these two. That's probably why it's taken a few weeks for Simone to arrange this meeting.

"Is that how you got my number? From Chris?" I ask. Simone just nods.

"I want to help," she says suddenly. When she looks at me, I see regret in her eyes. "When the stories first came out, I was scared. Really scared. I didn't want to lose what I have. It's selfish, I know, but I just figured a star such as yourself would make it through okay.

"Then, you came to my apartment, and I realized you weren't okay. After you left, I broke down. I knew what I'd done to you, it wasn't right. Mike and I talked about it...a lot...and we decided that we want to help."

I reach across the table to grab Simone's hand. "Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,' I say, holding back tears.

Simone smiles hesitantly at me, and I smile back.

"Well, I don't know about the two of you, but I could use a drink!" Mike says. He flags down a waitress and orders a pint, and Simone and I do the same as we start making plans.

The Monkey Named Rachel

I'm cutting it close, but I need this monkey off my back before the wrap party. I call Anna to tell her I may be a little late, and she says she'll cover for me. I also talk to Ben, and he gets me in contact with the entertainment site that first broke the story about Evans and me (née Simone). I'm in luck in that they also have a weekly live entertainment report that airs this evening. I make the call, and Rachel Something answers the phone. "Hi, Rachel. This is Mia MacKenzie. Are you still interested in the story of Chris Evans and me?" I ask.

"Of course, Miss MacKenzie!" she gushes. We make arrangements for us to meet at her studio in 30 minutes.

I arrive at the studio with Simone and Mike in tow. When we are ushered to the green room, Rachel comes by to see if I'm prepped for the the interview. She stops in her tracks when she sees Simone and me together. "What is this?" she demands. "It's the truth," I say, stepping forward to meet her stare. "Though, from your previous reporting, I question whether you're interested in it."