Chapter 24: Chapter 44-45
Chapter 44
The sun had barely risen when the world was already in an uproar. The photos of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters with Tom at a shooting range, posted the night before, had spread all over social media.
Tabloids and gossip sites reacted quickly, flooding the internet with headlines about the sisters' unexpected day of "action" and the unlikely instructor: the mysterious and now famous ex-SAS and alleged ex-intelligence agent, Tom.
Early in the morning, on the "Good Morning America" program, one of the presenters brought up the subject with enthusiasm:
— "And it seems that the Kardashian-Jenner sisters had a very... let's say, unusual day! Did you see the photos that Kendall, Kylie, Khloe and Kim posted at a shooting range? And guess who was with them? Yes, Kim's boyfriend, Tom! This man is increasingly mysterious and interesting," commented the presenter, as the photos appeared on the screen.
— "I saw this, and I have to say, I never imagined I would see the Kardashians with guns in their hands, especially with an instructor like Tom," the co-host commented, laughing. "I think we can all agree that this family always knows how to surprise!"
In no time, the news was already on the main celebrity portals. Sites like TMZ, E! News, and even the Daily Mail published articles about the subject, with headlines that drew attention to the unusual side of the activity and to Tom's intriguing figure.
On TMZ, the article stood out: "Kardashians at the shooting range: A day of training with Kim's 'ex-SAS' boyfriend!"
Excerpt from the TMZ article: "The world's most famous family ventured into an unusual activity, training with weapons alongside Kim Kardashian's mysterious boyfriend, former British soldier Tom. The Kardashian-Jenner sisters, known for their glamorous style, traded heels for weapons and showed a side never seen before. Could Kim and Tom be planning a more... dangerous future together? Fans are already speculating!"
On Twitter, the reactions from fans were quick to appear. Some people were fascinated by the idea of seeing the Kardashians in such a different setting, while others made jokes and memes. One of the photos of Kim holding a pistol with Tom by her side quickly became a meme with the caption: "Kim Kardashian with a license to kill", referring to the famous spy James Bond.
In the comments on social media, opinion was divided. Many followers found the idea funny and unusual, while others expressed concerns about the use of weapons:
— "I never imagined seeing the Kardashians training with weapons, and with Tom of all people! I loved it!" commented one follower.
— "I thought it was a bit exaggerated, but this family really can surprise people!", said another.
Among fans, funny and exaggerated theories began to emerge that Tom could be "training the Kardashians for a secret mission" or that he was "preparing the sisters for a new phase in the reality show".
In a special report, the website E! News invited a military tactics expert to comment on the Kardashians' training with Tom:
— "It's not every day that you see celebrities like the Kardashians holding weapons and learning techniques from a former SAS. I think that, in addition to the fun side, this also shows that Tom is really close to his family. It's not common for someone with this kind of training to open up about this side to outsiders."
Meanwhile, at home, Kim and Tom were following some of the news and laughing at the theories that were emerging.
— "Look at this, Tom", Kim said, showing him her cell phone. "Some people are saying that you're training us to become spies."
Tom laughed, shaking his head.
— "Well, after watching so much James Bond and Jason Bourne, who knows? I think they're letting their imaginations run wild."
Kendall and Kylie, who were nearby, were laughing at the reactions and comments they saw on Twitter.
— "I loved the meme they made about you, Kim. 'License to kill,' really," Kendall joked, as she took a sip of her coffee.
— "People really do believe anything," Kylie added. "But it's funny how curious they are about you, Tom."
Khloe chimed in, still laughing at some of the headlines she was reading.
— "Guys, I think you guys really shocked the world! And look at this... here they're saying that you, Tom, are influencing us to have a more adventurous side."
Kim looked at Tom and smiled.
— "Well, that's true. Ever since you came into my life, I've been more open to trying new things."
They exchanged a loving look, and Tom held her hand, smiling.
That same afternoon, the gossip shows continued to comment on the matter. The host of "The Talk" joked about the situation:
— "Maybe Tom is the real 'influence' behind the Kardashians now! The next season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians could very well be about espionage and secret missions."
In an interview with E! News, an anonymous source family close to the Kardashian family was asked about Tom's influence on the sisters' lives. The answer was simple, but it made clear how important he was to the family:
— "Tom has brought a more secure and protective side to the girls, especially Kim. They trust him a lot, and he's become a fundamental part of their lives. And, of course, he's fun and brings these different experiences, which they love."
As the day went on, Tom got used to the buzz, smiling and joking with Kim and the sisters about the theories. Even though it wasn't his intention to attract media attention, he was happy to see that his skills and the fun day he provided for the family were well received and even praised.
Later that night, when it was just him and Kim, Tom reflected on how much his life had changed since he met the family. He, a former agent accustomed to silence and the shadows, was now the topic of conversation for the media and even for fans of one of the most famous families in the world. He looked at Kim, who was lounging next to him on the couch, and smiled.
— "I knew you'd change my life, Kim. But I never thought it would be this radical," he joked, running his hand through her hair.
Kim laughed and looked at him fondly.
— "Well, you've changed mine too, Tom. And I love every minute of it."
They kissed, while the TV still showed some headlines about the "day at the shooting range with the Kardashians."
To the world, the Kardashian sisters' gun training was just an unusual and fun curiosity. But for Tom, that day was another step towards genuinely connecting with the family he now felt was his.
Chapter 45
The event in Los Angeles was luxurious, one of those nights when Hollywood's most renowned stars gathered, each bringing their own charm and elegance. Kim and Tom arrived on the red carpet in style, she in a long, shiny dress that highlighted her iconic presence, he in a perfectly tailored black suit.
The flashes went off immediately, each photographer trying to capture the couple who, for months, had been one of the most talked about in the media.
Shortly after the moment on the red carpet, they entered the main hall, where the exuberant decoration and sophisticated atmosphere reflected the glamour of the night. Kim, accustomed to these events, was already at ease.
Tom, on the other hand, was a somewhat unusual presence. He usually went unnoticed at events, maintaining a reserved posture. But tonight promised a surprise he never imagined.
As they mingled with the guests, Tom noticed a familiar figure up ahead. He exchanged a quick glance with Kim, who noticed the slight smile on his face and followed his gaze to find out the reason. Standing and talking to a few people was Daniel Craig, the famous actor who had played James Bond in the last films of the franchise.
— "I can't believe it!" Kim said, smiling excitedly. "That's James Bond himself!"
Tom laughed and shook his head.
— "Yes, I think he is."
She noticed Tom's curiosity and pulled him by the hand.
— "Come on, you have to meet him! It's a rare opportunity."
Tom hesitated for a second, but when he saw Kim's excitement, he accepted the idea and walked over to Daniel. As they approached, Daniel turned and smiled when he saw Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend.
— "Kim! It's so nice to meet you," Daniel said with a friendly smile, extending his hand.
— "It's my pleasure, Daniel," Kim replied. "And this is my boyfriend, Tom."
Daniel shook Tom's hand firmly, noticing his confident posture and striking presence. A slight, curious smile appeared on the actor's face.
— "Ah, the famous Tom," Daniel commented. "I've heard about you."
Tom smiled in surprise. "I hope good things," he replied, keeping his tone light.
"Absolutely," Daniel said. "Although I have to admit I was surprised to learn that you... let's say, know more about the world of espionage than the public usually gives you credit for."
Tom laughed, surprised by the observation, while Kim smiled proudly beside him. "Well, I can't say I'm a spy, but let's just say I've been in some interesting situations," Tom commented, maintaining an air of mystery.
Daniel seemed genuinely interested. The actor, who played one of the most iconic spies in pop culture, enjoyed meeting people who had actually lived adventures off screen.
"So, Tom, tell me, what do you think of the Bond movies? Honestly," Daniel asked, smiling in a relaxed manner.
Tom laughed and looked at Kim, who encouraged him with an amused look.
— "The truth? I really admire what you guys do. Obviously, there's a lot of poetic license, but you capture the essence of mystery and danger. Just... let's just say that not everything is so glamorous in real life," he replied, joking.
Daniel laughed, clearly enjoying himself.
— "Believe me, I know," Daniel said. "After so many years of playing Bond, I've become quite realistic. In the last film, for example, they wanted a scene with a helicopter jump off a building. I looked at the director and said, 'James Bond or not, that's for a stuntman!'"
The three laughed, while Kim discreetly took out her cell phone, recording the moment between the "two spies". She couldn't resist and took a photo of the two side by side, capturing the scene of two figures from different worlds but with a mutual fascination for action and mystery. She then posted the photo to her Instagram, humorously captioning it:
"Two spies met tonight. #BondMeetRealLife."
The post, of course, started getting comments within seconds. Fans loved the idea of a "spy meetup," and Kim's followers seemed particularly excited about the unexpected encounter.
As the night wore on, Daniel and Tom continued to chat, swapping stories with surprising ease. Daniel was especially curious about Tom's experiences and what it really meant to be on missions like the ones he'd been on.
"So tell me," Daniel said, taking a sip of his drink, "have you ever been in a situation where you had to improvise like we do in the movies?"
Tom thought for a second, laughing. "Oh, a few times. There was one situation where I had to pretend to be a lost tourist to get out of a building in the middle of a mission. My American accent was terrible, but it was good enough to get me through."
Daniel laughed, imagining the scene. — "I'd love to see that! The tough guy disguised as a lost tourist," he said, still laughing.
The conversation flowed naturally, and little by little, Kim and Tom began to realize how down-to-earth and down-to-earth Daniel was. He even confessed that, from time to time, he trained at shooting ranges to keep in shape and tried to get some tips from Tom to improve his accuracy.
— "I know you're the real expert, so if you have any tips for a 'movie Bond' like me...", Daniel joked.
Tom accepted the request with a smile and shared some basic tricks, without going into technical details, but giving him some advice on posture and breathing control.
— "At the end of the day, it's all about staying calm. The more you focus and breathe, the more accurate you'll be," Tom explained.
Daniel listened attentively, grateful for the attention and the tips. The night went on, and, before they said goodbye, Daniel asked to take a photo with Tom and Kim, saying:
— "Well, I really can't miss this opportunity. After all, it's not every day you meet a real James Bond, right?"
They posed for a photo, and the sparkle in Kim's eyes showed how much she loved that moment.
As they left the event, Tom and Kim were still talking about the night. Kim looked radiant.
— "This night was incredible. You and Daniel have a lot more in common than I imagined!"
Tom smiled, reflecting on how his life had changed since he met Kim and was introduced to this glamorous universe that was completely different from his previous reality.
— "I confess that I never imagined that I would be here, being introduced to one of the most famous 'spies' in the world, even if he is from the movies. But it was fun. Daniel is a fantastic guy."
Kim squeezed his hand as they walked to the car.
— "And you know what? I think he was also very impressed with you, Tom. It's not every day that James Bond himself asks for tips from an 'ex-spy'."
They laughed together, and Tom felt a new wave of comfort and joy in their relationship. Every day with Kim was a new adventure, and somehow he began to see that the brightness of her life added a special emotion to his own story.
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