NOTE: This story is gonna be divided into two POVs, yours and Tom's. I only ever read 2 or 3 imagines before. This is my take. I hope it's ok.
Your POV
"Love you too Mum. Say hi to Dad for me, alright?"
I will. Take care love and good luck tonight. I know you'll be great.."
Call end: 6:18pm
I threw my phone on the plush bed behind me and stood over the whole body mirror. My head swam with the conversation I had with my mother. Me and my parents moved to St. James London where which I spent more than two decades of my life. Although, the States is where I was born and where most opportunities present itself, I love London. I love how devoted people can get during sport matches. Love the persistent rainy weather. Love the sophistication and elegance of tradition."
I adjusted the thread that were the spaghetti straps on my satin dress as I stare at my reflected image. Cara and Angie –my makeup artist and stylist- approved of my barely there makeup and choice of dress for tonight. They were surprised at how I was able to pick a proper event attire that deviated from my usual preference of long sleeved gowns or corporate wear. Buying extravagant formal attires that I only got to wear once sure were not my cup of tea. Although, a number of fashion boutiques occasionally lend me dresses for whatever event I feel like attending, most of the dresses were too flashy and far from my demure and "grandma" taste.
The provocative allure of the cream-coloured fabric which proudly hugged my physique on the right places was, in my opinion, complaisant enough for the hungry and condemning eyes of Hollywood. Not that I trouble myself with what they assume of me.
The cowl neckline bared the upper part of chest modestly. My inner grandma approves- - as my stylist liked to call it. If I ever felt that this dress was becoming too overwhelming for me tonight, I could coverup with a coat or with the lazy waves of curls cascading down my exposed mid-back. The dress maybe floor length but Angie made sure that the strappy heels matched and finished the vintage look I'm opting for tonight. I remembered her this morning, exuberantly pushing me towards the shower in order to get me into that dress I bought Saturday of last. You See, I lack the creativity to put two outfits together. Most days I just threw on the usual mid-length corporate dress I could find in my or my roommate's closets. Angie told me once that it is her sole job to make me look like my worth and so I should just let her dress me up. The times I let her do so could only be counted in two hands. But I love having her around, it makes me feel like being at home with an assertive aunt.
"What do you think buddy? How do I look?" I glanced over to the body of thick fur by my bed.
My dog's head perked up upon hearing my voice. He gave me a small huff before resuming his head in between his fat paws. I gave him a small smile and squatted down beside his large head.
"You still feeling dicky darling?" I purred while scratching his head. My dog has been recovering from a bad cold three weeks ago. I managed my time to personally bring him to the veterinarian clinic. They released him after four days along with a few supplements to treat and maintain him in good shape. Most days he's a ball of energy, other days he likes to spread out and sleep on the available space next to me.
"I'm surprised he hasn't jumped up on you yet. We're supposed to clean his saliva off of you by now. " Cara- my makeup artist whose translucent Asian complexion I envy the most- interrupted. She walked over to the vanity table beside my closet.
"Do we need to bring him to the vet?" She added sensing my concern for my beloved pet.
"I could bring him on Monday." I replied, sighing while I stood up.
"I'm sure he'll be fine love. " She offered me a small smile before grabbing the hairspray on my dresser.
"Anyway, your friends are here... Close your eyes... they arrived while you were... one more... on the phone with your mom. " she sprayed the mist on either side of my eyebrows. "What do you sometimes call him again? Beefcake?" She set down the spray and grabbed two makeup brushes on each hand.
The muffled voices from the soccer channel and intermittent gibes confirming my guess that the two men have arrived and sprawled out on the sofa while the other may have commanded the other to rummage my fridge for food.
"Jaffa cake." I corrected her behind my giggles. "Yeah, I heard the ruckus downstairs. Is Gabby with them? I didn't hear her voice."
"Yup. Your roommate arrived with them.. let's see your cheekbones.. she buzzed them in while Anj and I were busy drooling over cute dogs on the net." She dabbed my cheeks one last time and stepped away to clean the mayhem on my vanity table.
"Hey, how long do we have to keep waiting for Her Majesty?" Thomas Holland's disembodied voice echoed from down the staircase before I heard his footsteps continuing his ascend up my loft.
"Done!" Cara and I yelled from my room. It's not like they've been waiting for an hour down there.
Surprising me and Cara, my dog suddenly leapt up and headed over to nudge the ajar glass door to greet the intruder. The curtains of my glass walled bedroom were drawn in, allowing me a moment of privacy from whoever will arrive at the door downstairs. But I could make out their silhouttes, my dog on his hind legs as he welcomed Tom.
He stopped on the landing and I heard him say, "Hey! No love, don't go down. Tessa's not there, sorry. " He called out to the bouncing dog descending down the stairs, wanting to check for himself if Tom did or didn't bring his playmate around.
I put my hands behind my hips and prepped myself a jocular glare. His toothy grin widened as he contemplated the change.
"You've outgrown your geriatric taste then? Anj must have been bawling for joy. "
"Get lost." I popped my shin behind my leg to adjust the straps digging on my right heel. He didn't took another step into my bedroom. The teasing smirk on his features could tear his face in half and I found myself mirroring it.
"Im gonna head downstairs for a quick drink. " Cara cut in. Her phone in her hand. "The car's gonna be here in 20 minutes. We're gonna meet your people on the venue." She took long once-over perhaps to check any misalignment that may have escaped her notice then she walked out, makeup box in tow, muttering a Hi to the smiling twit who stood on the wall beside the doorway.
He cleaned up good, he always does, although I won't admit him that. The dark blue suit which I know for a fact was specifically modified to fit his frame made him look more dashing than he already is. His boyish charm and charisma oozed over and through the walls of my bedroom. His presence almost suffocating me. In the best ways possible.
"As much as WE all love your... professional taste, you don't look too bad, Pizza. " he mused while tucking his hands inside his dark blue suit.
There was this one year when I had to lay off eating the junk that will trigger my infection and I couldn't be more upset. For 8 months, I narrowly yet successfully avoided the food but Tom and Harrison wanting to bloody taunt the heck out of me, will bring a box of my favorite flavor once a month to try and goad me. I cried once out of pure annoyance, that they ended up giving me the last five slices -which I quickly devoured- out of guilt and pity. On that same night, we had to rush over to Morrisons to buy myself 4 gallons of Cranberry juice to try to lessen the mild pain I was having. We were hysterically laughing on the parking lot while they load it in Harrison's car. Despite the twinges on my hip and having to go to the hospital two days later, that was one of the happiest nights on my life. Kind of regretting it afterwards when we finally saw how furious Gabby could get. Tom stuck with the nickname "Pizza" to commemorate that event. And as a comeuppance, we would all eat Jaffa cakes in his presence whenever his trainer puts him in a strict diet for an upcoming role. He didn't cry but would always walk out cursing us.
He trotted over the carpet floor, his black socks peeking out at the hem of his fitted dress pants. He engulfed me in a long, warm hug. His arms were around my shoulders as he pressed his cheek to the side of my head. He smelt of rain and home. I allowed myself to melt in his embrace and kissed his cheek tenderly. I felt more than heard his exhaled sigh which made me wound my arms even tighter around his body.
"Welcome back Tommy. I missed your stupid face."
NOTE: This is the very first time I'm posting my work and your comments and criticisms are more than welcome. I actually have a pinterest board for this story, tell me of you want to see it or something.
