Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 9 "It was the lark, the herald of the morn, no nightingale."

I'm in my bed... Is the first thought that enters my head as I blinked slowly to consciousness. And I'm not alone... Is the second thing I realised. I can hear her snore softly beside me. She had her back towards me. Her body rythmically heaving up and down.

I stretched languidly and felt yesterday's night clothes uncomfortably on my skin. Wrinkled and rumpled. I decided to change out of them before she wakes. The clock on my phone reads 7.30 AM. I don't have any early appointments today. The prospect of spending a lazy morning with her made me smile.

As I head to the en suite bathroom and closet I tried to remember when did sleep came last night. And how did we end up in my bed. Fully clothed and sleeping innocently.

I remember enjoying her company. We were sharing more personal things. Her family, my family, her dreams of becoming a director, and my fear of being a passing mediocre performer. Among other things. We talked for what seemed like forever. It was just the most easy and natural thing to be with her.

The last thing I remembered was putting on Netflix. For a Sound of Music fan, she never properly watched Mary Poppins (blasphemous!) she said. I suggested to watch it in the biggest screen which happens to be in my room. She hesitated. Calling me a 'smooth hiddles' at one point but then agreed.

I remember having her in my arms on the bed. Her head propped on my chest. Feeling like the luckiest bloke alive. And like the gentleman that I am, I dared only to kiss her head. And then that was that.

We must have been so tired but did not want the night to end. There was a hazy memory of her mumbling "I need to go", but she never did.

I brushed my teeth and slap some cold water to my face. I changed out of the shirt and khakis to a pair of track pants and t-shirt. Just as I was ready to join her back in bed, I smelled coffee.

Oh shit!

I watched her closely for any sign of consciousness. But her beautiful face still so serene in sleep. I let myself out the door as quietly as possible. Closing the door behind me carefully. I made a dash to the kitchen.

"Morning Tom... Going for a run? Muffin?" Harry greeted me cheerfully like the morning person that he is.

"Hey just a heads up but the Gucci people wants you clean shaven for the shoot this afternoon..." He went on as he made himself comfortable on one of the chairs of the kitchen counter. He offered me a plate filled with warm banana muffins.

I grabbed him by the shoulders before he got too comfortable.

"You need to go" I said urgently.

"What?"

"Go to the cafe across the street, have a nice long breakfast and stay there until I call" I ordered.

"Why?" Harry asked bewildered.

"Tom?" Kate's voice traveled to the kitchen from the living room.

Harry's eyes grew as big as a ping pong ball. A naughty smile started to show on his face.

"No it's not like that... Please just go. And call Sam and Lucas not to bother me until I let you know. Okay? Please... Thank you"

"Tom can I borrow your phone? I need to call my friend. She must be worried sick"

"House phone in the living room" I gave a shout.

"Okay you have to go now..." I pleaded to Harry.

Harry grinned widely and nodded.

"Say no more..." He said as he made his way out the back door.