The Former Spy

Kim woke up early that morning, a little more excited than usual. Curiosity had been consuming her since her conversation with Kendall and Kylie the day before. Who was her new neighbor, after all? The sisters' descriptions, a handsome, mature man with a mysterious touch and an impressive physique, intrigued Kim. Usually, she didn't pay much attention to her neighbors, but something about this man made her want to meet him, even if it was just to welcome him.

Decided, Kim got ready carefully. She chose an elegant but simple knee-length dress and left her hair loose. If he was indeed a former British soldier, he would probably appreciate a discreet introduction. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the street and reached the door of the neighboring house.

She hesitated for a moment, but soon gathered her courage and knocked on the door. A few seconds passed in silence, until the sound of firm footsteps approached. The door opened and there he was, Tom Blackwell, exactly as the sisters had described.

Tom seemed surprised to see Kim Kardashian in person, standing at his front door. He blinked once, as if he needed to process the scene. He was wearing a gray T-shirt, which accentuated his broad shoulders and sculpted physique, with gray hair and a lightly trimmed beard that gave him an air of maturity and charm. Kim, in turn, was also momentarily speechless upon seeing him so close. His clear eyes, a striking gray, exuded a rare intensity, as if they could read minds. He had a solid and calm presence, but the years of service seemed to still be present in his gaze, giving him a mysterious quality.

"Good morning, can I help you?" Tom broke the silence with a low, pleasant voice, his British accent evident.

"Oh, yes, of course!" Kim quickly recovered, smiling. "Sorry to show up unannounced. I'm Kim, Kim Kardashian. I live next door. I just wanted to welcome you and see how you're adapting to the neighborhood."

He smiled, his expression kind.

— Nice to meet you, Kim. Tom Blackwell — he replied, extending his hand. — Thank you for your kindness. I'm slowly getting used to it.

They shook hands, and Kim felt his firmness, as she expected from someone with the background she imagined.

— Would you like to come in? I was just about to make some coffee — he offered casually.

— Sure, I'd love to — Kim replied, feeling her heart race a little as she accepted the invitation. Entering a neighbor's house wasn't something she normally did, but there was something about Tom that made her curious. It was a mix of friendliness and mystery that she couldn't ignore.

The living room was impeccable, decorated simply, but with details that made Tom's sophisticated style clear. A large bookcase occupied one of the walls, filled with books and travel memorabilia. On the opposite side, a painting of medals and photographs caught her eye, a veritable gallery of significant moments. Kim instinctively approached, intrigued by the contents.

— I see you've traveled a lot — she commented, studying the painting.

The photos showed Tom in exotic and varied locations: deserts, forests, European cities. In some, he appeared wearing military uniforms. The medals were neatly arranged, and Kim noticed a few insignias that she recognized, albeit vaguely, as representing notable achievements.

Seeing her interest, Tom put the kettle on to boil and approached, crossing his arms slightly. His expression was calm, but she could tell he was paying attention to every detail.

"I worked for the British government for a few years," he said casually. There was no arrogance in his voice, just an honest simplicity.

Kim nodded, impressed.

"I see. And, um…" she hesitated, but curiosity got the better of her, "were you in the military? Or something like that?"

Tom smiled slightly.

"Something like that," he replied, without revealing much more. "Let's just say my role involved a lot of traveling and… some adventures."

Kim smiled, intrigued by the vague answer. Tom clearly didn't want to talk much about his past, but that only made her more curious.

"It must be fascinating," she said, looking back at him. "I imagine you have interesting stories to tell."

"Some, yes," he admitted with a slight tilt of his head. "But nothing as glamorous as it sounds. It's a job that requires a lot of discretion and… sacrifice."

Kim nodded, respecting his restrained tone. She knew enough about the world of fame and power to understand that some people really did carry stories that couldn't be shared. There was something noble and a little sad about Tom, as if he had seen things he'd rather leave in the past.

"I imagine life here in Los Angeles is quite different, then," she said, trying to smooth the conversation over.

"Absolutely. I'd say it's almost like living on another planet." He laughed, and Kim realized his smile had a quiet, almost contagious charm. — England has its elegance, but Los Angeles… everything is more intense here, isn't it?

Kim laughed, agreeing.

— Of course! It's a city that never stops. And sometimes, privacy is a rare luxury. But you know, when you get used to it, you even find a certain… normality.

He poured the coffee, handing her a cup.

— Normality is what I'm looking for. I feel like I'm a little tired of the hustle and bustle, but at the same time… — he shrugged, looking out the window. — Maybe this is the right place for a fresh start.

Kim nodded, touched by his sincerity. She herself knew what it meant to look for something simpler, despite the public life she led. She looked once more at the medals on the wall, fascinated by all the mystery that Tom represented.

After a few minutes of chatting about trivialities and exchanging impressions of Los Angeles, Kim felt it was time to go. She didn't want to force any confidences or invade his privacy, and she also preferred to keep the interaction light and natural.

"Well, I think I've taken up enough of your time, Tom. It was a pleasure to meet you," she said, getting up from the couch and returning the empty cup.

He stood up too, smiling.

"It was my pleasure, Kim. And please feel free to stop by whenever you want."

She nodded, satisfied, but feeling that there was much more to discover about this man. As she walked out the door and back to her own house, Kim's head was full of questions. Who was Tom Blackwell, really? What kind of "adventures" had he had? And how had someone with his past decided to move to Los Angeles?

As she walked up the front steps, she found herself smiling. She rarely met someone who intrigued her like that. But Tom seemed different from anyone she had ever met, and there was a quiet, almost silent attraction that made her want to get to know him better.

As she entered her home, Kim looked out the living room window, observing the facade of the house next door. It was strange, but she felt that there was a powerful story behind each medal and each photo in that painting. And for some reason she didn't fully understand, she wanted to be a part of it.

Deep down, Kim knew that life with Tom Blackwell would probably not be boring. And at that moment, that seemed like an enchanting possibility.

It has up to chapter 27

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