Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 1 'Take pains, be perfect'

London

She's tall. And with that pixie cut, she looks even taller. She could easily tower me if she traded those Adidas with some heels.

Blonde and pale with the tiniest hint of pink in her slightly round cheeks. Her all black outfit of jeans and tee made her paler if that's even possible. A vampire in the middle of a rare sunny London afternoon.

Her mouth would curl when she focuses. Her eyes would squint as she tugged and pulled on the garment in front of her. A hint of masculine parfume whiffed past my nose as she fixes collars and buttons on the many many costumes I'm trying on.

"I still don't like this" she would retort now and again. Commenting on either the fit or colour of a particular item.

"C'mon guys... Take notes... Moving on" she constantly commanded her army of three assistants. All looking solemn and dare I say scared of their stylish Vampire-Amazonian looking boss.

"What do you think Guillermo?" She sometime addressed the director sitting in the middle of the room. She would offer her rare smiles to him as he agreed with her on most things.

And I waited. For her to command me also.

Her "Please turn around Mr. Hiddleston" and "How does that feel? Please let me know if it is at all too tight of loose" are somehow music to my ears.

On the what seemed like the hundredth costume change, my voice box decided to make its presence known.

"Tom... Call me Tom" I cringed at my thin and feminine sounding voice compared to her confident vocals.

One perfect eyebrow raised. Another rare smile appeared. This time the smile found her emerald green eyes. I was lost for a second in them.

"Tom" she called my name softly.

And then she turned around. A glimpse of a tribal looking tattoo peeked beneath the collar of her tee. A snake?

"Okay what else? Accessories! Now!"

And with that the room came back to me. The sun shining through the blinds, the people around me, her minions, the director, my manager, my assistant, my security... Those who for that millisecond of her smile was no longer in the room.

"Are you sure you can do the revisions in time Kate darling?" The director asked. His thick Spanish accent couldn't hide the anxiousness and worry in his voice.

"Yep... No worries. Did it on the last movie didn't I?"

There goes that perfume again as she stood alarmingly close to fashion a top hat on me.

The director was not convinced. He made his way to the board filled with sketches propped on the wall.

"Yes darling but those are minor revisions... And you have Jessica's and Mia 's revisions as well... I think we can let some slide on Tom's wardrobe... You made everything so perfect... Your sketches are literally brought to life" Guillermo said encourangingly.

"Don't worry... It's not like I'm starting from scratch... Well maybe this coat" she said nonchalantly as she brushed her hand on the velvet material on my chest. Her touch sent an electric current seemingly penetrating through the layers of clothes I have on.

"All the others are just fit issues. That's why I don't like fitting with stand ins G... He just can't keep up. Real Tom here obviously have been working out"

If there are moments I wished to be naturally tanned, it's moments like these. I can feel myself blushing out. A warm icky sensation flushing through, indicating that my face will turn beet red in 5 4 3 2....

"Oh shit sorry... I mean erm you look good" She said sheepishly.

Suddenly realising that her words might offend me.

"It's okay..." My meek voice replied, barely audible.

She bit her small pink lips and then thankfully walked across the room to the boards to convince the agitated Guillermo. They continued to huddle and converse in front of the boards.

Saved!

I decided to camouflage my red face by checking on my phone. It was on silent mode as usual when I'm working.

"Water Tom?" Harry, my long suffering assistant offered me a much needed bottle of water.

"You okay? You look hot..."

"I'm always hot aren't I?" I replied in jest.

Harry gave me his trademark cringe at my lameness.

Water trickled down my throat and yet I still feel so dry. Hot and bothered for lack of a better word.

"Erm guys can we wrap this up? We need to be somewhere" Lucas, my manager, whom I always thought was on my side, backstabs me then and there.

No... I don't have to be anywhere but here. I waited nearly 4 months for this moment. The moment I get to see her again.

It was on a cold winter's day when I first laid eyes on Kate Hallway. It was the first wardrobe meeting with costumes. Something which usually, won't leave a whole lot to be remembered. I usually just stay for measurements and then leave. Of course the costume department and the director will take me through the concept and ideas for the look of my character, but usually I would be most concern with the inner workings of my character and leave the outer look for the pros. Besides, most fittings will be done by my stand in.

But that day was different. Yes her sketches, mood boards and ideas were spectacular. Her research was tight and her interpretations spot on. But it was her presence that I could not move on from.

Yes she is a beauty. And did I mention tall? But I'm used to the Natalie's and Scarlett's of the world. It was how she carried herself that stuck to me. Her command of her craft and her passion... Her passion was like fireworks lighting up the meeting room.

Maybe I'm a romantic and I wear my heart on my sleeve, but since that day glimpses of her filled my head incessantly.

Sadly being in my position, I couldn't possibly ask her number. Awkward. Why would the actor ask the head costume designer her number. That's just unheard of.

"Guys... Please..." Lucas tapped on his wristwatch like the party pooper that he is.

"It's okay Lucas... We have come to an agreement" Guillermo said. From the tone of his voice its obvious who caved in.

"Relax darling... Leave it all up to me. When have I ever disappointed you?" And with that Kate kissed the Spanish genius on the cheeks.

"15 minutes Ms. Hallway" Lucas snorted.

"Twenty..." She muttered as she rummaged through her bag of goodies filled with gloves, bows and God knows what else.

"It's okay Luke... Let her get it right" I stated. Surprised at my own confidence suddenly returning.

"Take pains, be perfect..." I continued, using my favorite quote to silence my Hitler manager.

"A Midsummer's Night Dream" Kate said, her smile once again made my chest warm. Her perfume enveloping me as she took off the velvet coat that I forgot I was still wearing. Her hand grazed my neck in the process.

And to my delight the girl with the snake tattoo continued,

"We will meet, and there we may rehearse most obscenely and courageously. Take pains. Be perfect. Adieu." She recited. Her voice clear as a summer day.

Well my friends, I can safely say that was the moment I knew...

I'm in deep shit!

Wobbly first chapter done. Anyone reading? Comments will make my day...