The Former Spy

The morning was calm in the condominium, with clear skies and a cool breeze that made the weather pleasant for a run. Kim decided to take a walk before starting her day, taking advantage of the time to reflect and clear her head. As she warmed up on the sidewalk, she saw a familiar figure running in the distance: Tom .

He kept a steady pace and seemed totally focused, with the muscles in his shoulders and arms contracting with each step. Kim couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, feeling a twinge of curiosity and wanting to take the opportunity to talk to him more.

"Hey, Tom!" she called, waving.

Tom stopped when he heard her voice and smiled when he saw her. He took a deep breath, catching his breath.

"Kim! Good morning! Are you coming to join the run?"

Kim laughed excitedly.

"If I may. Or would you rather run alone?"

Tom made a welcoming gesture with his hand.

"Of course you can. I think you'll be great company."

The two began running side by side, adjusting their pace until they found a comfortable pace for both of them. Kim was surprised by how natural the conversation was. Tom was relaxed and charismatic, and they soon found themselves exchanging laughs about their workout routine, life in the condo, and even some observations about the difference between Los Angeles and London.

After a few minutes of running, Tom suggested they take a break to walk a little and catch their breath. Kim nodded, happy for the break, and they slowed down, taking advantage of the walk to continue their conversation.

"So, Kim," Tom began, looking at her with a curious smile. "What's it like dealing with all this media and fame? Especially now that you're a mother. It must be challenging, I imagine."

The question took her by surprise. People rarely asked about it so sincerely, and Tom's genuine interest put her at ease.

"Oh, yeah... It's complicated, yes." Kim sighed, looking at the horizon as she thought about the words. — You know, when I was younger, I reveled in the fame, the attention, the glamour. But now, with kids, it's a little different. Trying to shield them from that world sometimes feels impossible. Especially with the internet. I have no control over everything they see and hear."

Tom nodded, attentive, his eyes fixed on her.

"It must be hard for them too, dealing with all this. And I imagine it must be a fine line for you… wanting to protect them, but also letting them be themselves."

Kim smiled, surprised and touched by Tom's insight.

"Exactly. It's scary sometimes. We do the best we can, try to talk and be there, but… well, being a mother is always a challenge." She laughed, relaxing. "What about you? You don't have kids, do you?"

"No, I don't." Tom shook his head, laughing lightly. "And to be honest, my life has never been very conducive to that. I spent years running around the world and dealing with things that... well, definitely didn't fit with a family life."

They kept walking, and the silence that followed seemed full of curiosity. Kim was still intrigued by Tom's past, especially after everything she and her sisters had discovered. That medal of extraordinary value, the mysterious missions... she felt like she still didn't know even half of the story.

Kim took a deep breath and, with a curious smile, asked:

"And you... can you tell me a little more about what you did in the British government?"

Tom looked at her sideways, a smile playing on his lips.

"If I tell you, Kim... I'll have to kill you."

She laughed, loving the light tone he gave the conversation.

"Oh, typical!" she joked. "You just say that to make everything more mysterious."

Tom laughed too and shook his head.

"Okay, okay... I won't go into details, but I can give you a general overview."

Kim straightened up, eager.

— I want to hear it.

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts before speaking.

"Well… I started my career in the SAS, the UK's Special Forces. I spent a few years there, on operations that took me to some of the most difficult regions of the world. After that, I was invited to work for MI5, the British domestic intelligence agency, dealing with internal threats. And later, I joined MI6, which is foreign intelligence."

Kim stared at him, fascinated.

"Wow… this all sounds like something out of a movie."

Tom shrugged, with a modest smile.

"It's funny you say that. Sometimes it did. But most of the time, it's just hard work, a lot of planning and a bit of luck." He paused, watching Kim's expression. "Of course, I had some intense experiences, especially in Afghanistan. I think that's where… well, everything changed for me."

Kim remembered the article she had read with her sisters about the secret mission in Afghanistan, but she didn't want to press him to tell her more. Still, she wanted to know more about him, who the man was behind those dangerous missions and the discreet life he now led in Los Angeles.

"It must have been a intense life, Tom. What now? What brought you to Los Angeles, away from all this?

Tom smiled, looking up at the sky for a moment, thoughtful.

— I needed a change, I guess. Years of traveling, in a constant state of alert, and... over time, it wears you out. The idea of ​​living somewhere sunny and quiet seemed appealing to me. And it's a chance to, maybe, have a little more normal life, if that even exists.

Kim laughed, understanding.

— I understand that part of wanting a "normal" life. Sometimes, just going out for a walk with your kids or doing something simple already seems like a luxury.

— Exactly. Sometimes the little things are the ones we value the most. — He looked at her with a soft look, as if he shared a silent understanding.

They continued walking side by side, the conversation flowing lightly and casually. Kim couldn't remember the last time she had had such a simple and pleasant conversation with someone who wasn't constantly worried about cameras or headlines. Tom, with his genuine and understated manner, was a refreshing change of pace for her.

When they reached the point where the street curved, Tom stopped and looked at Kim, a soft smile on his lips.

"Well, I guess this is where I usually turn around."

"Oh, so this is where the tour ends," Kim joked with a smile.

"Today, yes, but maybe we can do it again some other day?" Tom suggested, his tone inviting and casual.

Kim smiled, feeling a pleasant warmth from the invitation.

"I would love to, Tom. Seriously."

They stood there for a moment, in comfortable silence, until Kim finally nodded, saying goodbye.

"Thanks for the company, Tom. It was... different. And very nice."

"Same thing, Kim. See you around."

He started to walk away, and Kim watched until he disappeared around the corner. She felt that with each new interaction, she got to know a little more about this intriguing and mysterious neighbor. And as she walked back home, with a smile on her lips, she felt lighter, as if that conversation had been a refreshing break in her busy and complex life.

Back home, she couldn't get Tom out of her head. Something about him, the way he spoke and the look in his eyes filled with stories he might never tell, attracted her in a subtle and profound way.