Calming the storm {Kaylor}

Chapter 5

Karlie was pleased that it was almost time to pick up her date, -well, her friend-  for the evening. 

She'd put on a simple, black dress and minimalistic make-up, accentuating her natural beauty. She wanted to look good for her first paparazzi shot with Taylor in ages. Taking back power from those ratty photographers, who used to haunt them all the time and put all kinds of unnecessary pressure on relationships, felt really good. It was just a bonus to the pleasures of going out to eat with the magical blonde.

Before she left, she remembered one important detail: The paps still needed to be notified that there would be a wonderful opportunity for them to take pictures later. So, she looked up the number for the magazine that used to be the least predatory, and called them up with an anonymous tip:

"Hi there, I'm just calling you to let you know that Karlie Kloss made reservations for two at our restaurant this evening. Yes, she'll be here at 8. I'm just saying, this is a wonderful chance for you to get here first. I'm only calling you. Be there!"

The photographer sounded very enthusiastic, and assured the anonymous caller that he'd be there, no matter what. Step one of the plan, completed.

When that was all taken care of, Karlie set out to pick up Taylor. Her message to the singer: "Hi Tay, I'm on my way now! I'll be there soon, hope you're ready ;)"

[a little while later]

The door opened. There stood a tall blonde, ready for an evening out. "Oh my, you look beautiful Taylor!", Karlie squealed. Taylor found a blush forming on her face, and accepted the compliment from the even taller blonde with a smile.

"Here, our car is waiting for us. I already called up the paps with a so-called anonymous tip. He sounded absolutely delighted with this opportunity. I only called up one by the way, just to ease into things. We don't want all the attention on us just yet. Let's do this!" And with that, the pair got in the car.

When they arrived, they saw one man with a big camera waiting. He looked like he'd been there for a while, which was true, because Karlie had informed him that they'd be arriving at 8, whilst the reservation was at 8.30. She had a little too much fun messing with the paps, this only seemed like an innocent joke. And with an opportunity this good, there was no way that the pap would leave early, without getting the photo he had so desperately wanted.

Taylor looked a little nervous, and Karlie comforted her with confidence: "Hey, it's going to be fine. There's just one. We'll walk in quickly, give him an opportunity to take one or two pics, and we'll enjoy dinner. You look great, no need to worry. Good?"

Taylor nodded, and with that, they opened the door of the car. The pap looked up, content with the women he had just spotted. He shouted: "Karlie, ms. Swift, good to see you! Look here, look here!" The two walked into the restaurant, with a faint smile on their faces. They needed to look quite happy, but not too forced. With that, their plan was set into motion. Now, they just had a wonderful dinner waiting for them. Karlie had picked out one of her favourite restaurants in the city, and she knew the chef well.

As it was a fancy place, there were no real menus. The chef changed what he would make for the few guests there frequently, so Karlie just went over to him and asked what kind of wonderful food he would be preparing for them tonight. When he'd informed her of that, she walked back over to Taylor, who was quiet and fiddling with a bracelet. Karlie asked her what was up.

"Hey, are you okay? That went quite well, don't you think? Oh and by the way, Mario is keeping it relatively simple today with the food. He is going to make us some antipasti as entrees, and is preparing grilled tuna with caramelised onion as the main. Sounds good to me."

Taylor looked up to the tall woman on the other side of the table, and sighed: "You know, I'm fine. Sorry if I'm being quiet. It's just, before you picked me up I had a fight with Joe. He's changed up on me lately, and I don't know why."

Karlie suddenly remembered that Taylor had been dating a guy earlier that year, she'd heard about it briefly months ago. Since then, no news about them had come out, so she hadn't given it much thought. She shamed herself for not thinking of that earlier, but this dating news confused her feelings for Taylor a little.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. I must say I hadn't realised you were still with Joe. How have you guys been?"

"Well Karls, it's been difficult. I always thought he was a normal, wonderful guy who still understood the public life I have to live sometimes. But lately, he's been acting so weirdly, almost like he's switched-off. He doesn't respond to texts if I'm out as quickly, he is away late at night a lot. And when I asked him where he was going tonight, he declined to give an answer and turned it around on me, as if I'm the one acting strangely. He yelled at me that "I was going out on a date too", which was just a weird statement as is.

Karlie felt furious. Taylor didn't deserve to be treated like this. "This is shocking to hear. From what I knew about him, he seemed like an upstanding, honest and sweet guy. But this, you don't deserve this!" She raised her voice a little at the end, not mad with Taylor, but mad at her boyfriend.

Taylor told Karlie: "I know, you're right. But I'm not ready to end it with him. I really thought he was different from the other guys I've dated. And now this. I just hoped he wouldn't disappoint me, like the other ones. All these guys, and I'm still yet to find a good one."

Karlie comforted Taylor with her presence, not with words. She smiled at Taylor, and touched her hand briefly. She was trying to exude calmness, and signal that everything was going to be okay.

The silence that followed was filled when their waiter came over and brought their dinner. They ate in a comfortable silence, occasionally glancing at each other and smiling, or commenting on the delicious food.

At the end of the night, they were laughing again, and Taylor was a little more happy. When they walked out of the restaurant, after Karlie had insisted on paying, she looked the green-eyed model into her eyes and said:

"Kar, thanks for tonight. I know it's part of your plan and all, but it's not just that. Thanks for being there for me."

Karlie knew that Tay meant every word she'd just said. Without breaking the intense eye-contact, Karlie glanced back, touched Taylor's arm and smiled: "Always." They had a moment where neither wanted to move, not wanting the contact to end.

After what seemed like ages, Karlie continued: "Now let's get you back to your apartment."

And with that, the beautiful night they had shared came to an end. So far, so good.