Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 16 "But the tigers come at night..."

"Hi there beautiful..." He smiled warmly from the screen of my iPad. Judging by the backdrop of pillows and headboard, he is in bed. A warm glow of yellow bedside lamp filled one end of the screen. He adjusted his specs which slides down his nose.

"Are you about to sleep?" I raised my eyebrows. The clock on the screen said 9 AM.

"Just how old do you think I am?" Tom chuckled.

"My Mum and my sister are downstairs. When you texted am I free to take a call, I went up to my room... I just thought it would be umm too noisy with them around" he explained.

"Oh right... How is everyone? Good I hope?" I ask nervously.

"They are all good thanks... We had a gathering today for lunch. Emma, my younger sister is still here. We were just talking..." He answered and then stopped abruptly. I paused for him to continue. But he never did.

"I'm sorry if I'm taking you away from your Mum and Sis... I can call you back or we can text." I offered.

"No no... It's alright. They can spare me for a while. Hey... I'm not keeping score here but this is the first time you called me first" he smiled widely.

"Miss me that much eh?" He added.

I feel myself blush.

"It is not the first time I called..." I respond childishly.

"And this is the first time you are in my room. At my mother's house I mean... Well sort of" he glanced around the room slightly.

"Erm about that... Tom I'm sorry. About not wanting to go... I really..."

"Kate... I get it. Its fine..." He cut me off. I see that look of acceptance and dissapointment in his beautiful face again.

I nodded. I bit my lip nervously. I took a deep breath and concentrated on what Sean said. It's time to make a grand gesture. Albeit a comfortable one.

"Tom... When will you be going back to the city?" I asked nervously.

"Oh... Umm... Well let's see... I have to go for pre production meeting on Tuesday, so I might go then. Unless..." He stopped and smiled teasingly.

"Unless?" I urged.

"God Kate... Is it that difficult for you to say you miss me? Because the only thing stopping me from saying I miss you a hundred times now is the thought of saying it alone" he sighed heavily.

"I miss you... You know I do..." I smiled at him.

"Well sometimes I don't know..." He trailed off again.

Something was off. He was still his charming and wonderful self. But something changed since that day in the car. I feel my heart sank.

"Kate?" My name on his lips brought my attention back to the screen.

I can hear a woman calling his name from a distance. I hear him reply to the voice that he will be right down.

"Kate darl... umm Kate, I need to go back down, is there something you wanted?" He said apologetically.

"Tom I told my best friends about us and they want to meet you... If you want?" I hurriedly ask.

"What?" He sat up straighter. His face beaming.

"Well yes... Sure... You told them about me?"

"I did..." I smiled sweetly. "You don't mind do you?"

"Of course not. I mean I'm surprised that's all" he scratched his chin like he always do when he's really perpelxed.

"Why?" I asked.