Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 13 "All I Ask of You"

"So?" Ron asked me again. His perfectly groomed eyebrow raised slightly.

"You have a secret boyfriend dont you?" His tone conspiratorial.

"No... He is not my boyfriend" I snapped. And then I figured if he knows crumbs he will leave the cake alone.

"Aaah so there is a he... Just sex then?"

I sighed deeply. I smiled at my assistant slash gay best friend. If only he knew how I want to confide in someone so bad. Someone who will get it. Someone who will help drum some sense into this whole fiasco.

And I give in. Im not crazy enough to tell him all the details. Especially not the name of said guy. Maybe just the essence of this whole debacle.

The waiter came by with lunch. We shared a salad and a chicken sandwich as always. Lisa sometimes would join us but today she had to run errands. Perfect time to have girl chat.

"It's not just the sex... Although the sex was amazing" I confided quietly. There was silence on the other end. Ron was apparently shocked at my sudden openess. I paused for dramatic effect.

"And? And? Oh c'mon Boss... I'm so happy for you..." He clapped his hands together and I swear I saw him jump a bit from his chair.

"But...it's wrong...it's all wrong..." I shook my head.

Ron frowned. It's as if an invisible fairy just told him that there is no such thing as Santa Claus.

"Have you ever been in a relationship where you know it won't work out?" I said.

Ron nodded sympathetically but looked baffled.

"Well this guy is perfect. He's smart and sexy and is so into me... But it's just feels too good to be true. You know?" I pointed my fork loaded with salad at him.

He nodded again. This time he smiled knowingly.

"Got it... He's hot and you want to be with him, but you are just not there yet... You are annoyed at his perfection" Ron formulated his own take on my scattered info.

"Exactly... something like that" I nodded.

"But then I look into his eyes and I feel like we belong together..." I sighed deeply.

"I need a drink for this... Two vodka orange please" I gave my order to the nearest waiter.

"Oh my..."Ron said.

"It's on me... And don't worry it will be our secret." I winked to calm him down. It's probably all shades of wrong to have a drink during lunch with someone who is technically your employee. But F it!

"No no... Boss... Erm thanks... But are you like, I don't know, in love with him?" Ron quizzed.

Our drinks came and we clink glasses silently.

"Thats the thing... I think I am... But I don't want to. I can't be with someone that perfect can I? I feel so... Inadequate" I confessed. I drank my vodka generously. Stopping myself as I realised that its not even 2 PM.

"Seriously Boss? He's a pretty lucky chum if you ask me. If I'm straight I'd date you" Ron giggled.

"Well thanks I'm flattered... But you're missing the point" I said to him, feeling the fuzzy and warm sensation of being slightly tipsy.

"He is so perfect its actually... Erm nauseating. And the way he calls me 'darling' is just so fucked up" I pointed out. Maybe sharing whilst drinking is not such a good idea.

"Darling is so antiquated..." Ron agreed. "I'm more of a babe person myself"

I laughed. Maybe a bit too hard. Somehow the word 'babe' makes me think of that movie with the pig. Tom would get this joke. He definitely will.