Chapter 41: Dinner with Gigi and Bella Hadid

It was a September evening, and Kendall was excited for a special dinner with her friends Gigi and Bella Hadid. They hadn't seen each other in a while due to their busy schedules, and this promised to be a chance to relax and have some fun. Thomas, as usual, accompanied Kendall to ensure her safety. He had met the Hadid sisters before at other events, but this would be the first time they would have a more casual interaction.

The restaurant they had chosen was elegant, with a cozy atmosphere, soft lighting, and a selection of fine dishes. It was the kind of place perfect for a relaxed get-together with friends. Kendall was impeccably dressed in casual chic, ready to enjoy the company of her friends.

As soon as they arrived, Kendall and Thomas were greeted by the restaurant staff, who led them to a reserved table. Gigi and Bella were already there, laughing and chatting, but when they saw Kendall, they both stood up excitedly.

— "Kenny! Finally!" Gigi exclaimed, hugging her warmly.

— "Took you long enough, huh?" Bella joked, following her sister's gesture.

Kendall smiled, feeling welcomed by her friends' affection. Soon after, Bella's eyes turned to Thomas, and a smile formed on her face.

— "Thomas!" Bella exclaimed. "Long time no see! Good to see you again!"

Thomas nodded, cracking a smile.

— "Good to see you too, Bella, Gigi," he replied casually. "Seems like life is busy for everyone, huh?"

— "Don't tell me," Gigi said, laughing. "But I'm glad we were able to meet today. We needed some time to relax and catch up."

The group settled down at the table, and the waiter soon came to take their orders. The conversation flowed naturally, with Gigi and Bella sharing stories about their recent travels and work. Kendall talked about her new projects and her recent visit to the 9/11 Museum, leaving her friends curious about the details.

— "That must have been a very intense experience," Gigi commented, as she took a sip from her glass of wine. "I remember when we went there years ago. It's impossible to leave without feeling touched."

Kendall nodded, still reflecting on the experience.

— "It was. And I learned a lot more than I imagined. Thomas told me a few things while we were there that made me see history in a whole new way."

Bella, who had been listening intently until then, looked at Thomas with interest.

— "You must have a lot of stories, don't you, Thomas?" she asked. "I always wonder what it's like for someone who's actually lived through all the things most of us have only seen on the news."

Thomas shrugged, keeping his tone light.

— "I have some stories, yes," he replied. "But I usually prefer to stay in the present. The past was intense, but right now I'm focused on keeping people safe and enjoying life the way I can."

As the evening wore on, the mood around the table became even more relaxed. Gigi remembered a time when Thomas was at a fashion event with Kendall and there was a little bit of a run-in with the paparazzi.

— "Remember that event in Paris?" Gigi asked, laughing. "When a guy barged into the backstage area and tried to pose as a photographer? I swear I've never seen someone get pulled out of a room so quickly."

Kendall laughed, nodding.

— "Thomas was the one who got him out of there in seconds. He didn't even have time to process what was happening."

— "I was just doing my job," Thomas said with a modest smile. "But it's true, sometimes these events can be more chaotic than a real operation."

— "Well, you made it sound easy," Bella added. "And we were glad you were there to make sure everything went smoothly."

As dinner progressed, the conversations turned from lighthearted to more personal. Gigi mentioned some recent challenges in her personal and professional life, and Bella talked about balancing work and family life. Kendall, always attentive to her friends' emotions, offered support and words of encouragement.

— "I know it seems like a lot sometimes," Kendall told Gigi. "But you always get through it. And whenever you need us, we're here."

Gigi smiled, grateful for the support. Bella agreed, adding that their friendship was something that always kept them centered, no matter what was going on in their busy lives.

Thomas, though quieter, watched the dynamic between the three friends with respect. He understood the value of having people you trust by your side, especially after years of missions where trust was a matter of life and death.

— "You're lucky to have each other," he said, breaking the silence. "It's hard to find that kind of connection, both in friendships and in relationships."

"We know," Bella said. "And we also know how lucky Kendall is to have you by her side, Thomas."

Kendall smiled, nodding.

"That's true. I don't know what I would do without him," Kendall confessed, casting a fond look at Thomas. "He's always around, looking out for me."

As the end of dinner approached, the group began to relax, satisfied with the food and the company. Thomas, ever the professional, began to mentally prepare himself to get Kendall back safely, but he also enjoyed the quiet, relaxing moment with her friends.

"Tonight was exactly what I needed," Gigi said, stretching out in her chair. "We should do this more often."

"I agree," Bella said. "And maybe next time we can do something more fun, like a road trip together."

Kendall nodded excitedly.

"That would be awesome! We'll definitely plan something like that."

When the group finally stood to leave, everyone said a warm goodbye. Gigi and Bella thanked Thomas again for always being there and for protecting Kendall so dedicatedly. He nodded with a smile, assuring her that it was part of the job, but clearly appreciating the recognition.

The dinner had been a success, not only as a moment of reconnection between friends, but also as a reminder of how much Thomas was part of Kendall's inner circle. As they walked to the car, Kendall grabbed Thomas's arm and smiled.

"Thank you for always being there for me, Thomas," she said, meaning it. "I really don't know what I'd do without you."

Thomas smiled back.

"I'll always be there, Kendall. You can count on me."

With that, they left, leaving behind a night of good laughs and renewed connections, ready to face whatever came next together.