บท 18: House Warming
Tom never had a home of his own. His growing up years were spent living as an orphan in the house of a priest. He was reminded on numerous occasions that were not his home. With the passage of years as the concept of home and family were elucidated to him Tom had grown to accept that he was not meant to be in a home. He avoided hanging out with his friends in their homes because he believed that his presence would corrupt the environment. Daisy was the first friend in whose home he had decided to stay the night and now he was to spend a lot more nights in a home that they would make together.
When a newlywed couple moves into their home their house is supposed to reflect their personalities. The drapes, upholstery and furniture all pertain to a certain taste and a certain vision. There was no such taste and vision in the house Tom and Daisy planned to make a home. The wood burning fireplace, the evenly thick carpets, the leather comforters, all were cliched and sold by a very enthusiastic salesman to an employee of his who had no idea what the Chairman would prefer. There was a lot of luxury in every corner of the house. However, Thomas Monroe was never the man to live in luxury. He wore crisp suits, that was a luxury. He learnt early on in his life that appearances made a lot of difference to people's opinion of who he was and where he came from. A younger version of Thomas had been affronted by the notion of pretending to be someone he is not. But that got him nowhere in life until he learnt to blend in. He learnt it so well that he managed to disappear altogether in the background. That is what he did behind the persona of the Chairman. But that also meant that there was nothing there to distinguish who he was as a person. He saw himself as a laboured existence.
The quiet afternoon witnessed the quiet squeals of the newly married couple that discovered together the intimacy of a home. Unbeknownst to them that privacy would soon be squashed by a horde of over-enthusiastic friends who were perhaps more delighted at the prospect of Thomas having a home than perhaps he was himself. These were the authentic friends who had no need of secluding Thomas for themselves. Each had a life of their own that was not made to revolve in either seclusion of or centring that of Tom. Rupert had his own business to run. Frederick owned a legal and financial advising company apart from being the CEO of the company that he had co-founded with Tom. Bartoli Legal and Investment Corporation (BLIC) served several major business groups including Phoenix international. Andrew and Julia had their own practices to mind. Henry was perhaps the most unstable of the group, jumping from one addiction to the next. He was, however, a few years younger than the rest, being the younger brother to Rupert. That did not make him a dependent though. Henry was a musical sensation in his own right. Each of Tom's friend had a satisfying life, despite all the ups and downs of daily living. What they did not do however was hold themselves behind by a conviction that was forced upon them. Frederick was the lawyer from a mafia family. Rupert was the illegitimate son of a business magnate. Andrew was the son disowned for falling in love with someone from a different race. But not one of them could claim to have a less than fulfilling life while Tom held himself back because of his.
The couple were lounging on their freshly christened bed when the guests came knocking at the door.
"I hope you didn't fathom that you would be doing without a housewarming party, now" chimed Julia.
Tom gave her a heartwarming smile. "I was just musing to Daisy that how long you would leave us alone to ourselves, especially knowing how much you love to bug me all the time."
"Oh, we bug you yeah? What about the time you wrecked your penthouse suite when you realized that Daisy bought a wedding gown with her Carte Blanche at Madam M? I thought you said something on the lines of 'I am glad to have friends like you who can put up with my depressed mood.'" It was Bartoli this time.
"You did what?" the voice came from behind Tom. It was a voice that he knew well by now.
"He wrecked a penthouse apartment in Paris because he thought that you were dumping him for someone else." Rupert summarized.
"But we weren't even together in any sense of the term. We were barely friends." Daisy argued. Tom stood tongue-tied beside her. She need not know the things that went on his head.
"Those who are barely friends don't cry themselves to sleep on getting blocked. It was more like bff or boyfriend-girlfriend behaviour." Stella's voice shone through from behind everyone. In her hand was a massive cake that was shaped like a house. It was Daisy's turn to hold her tongue as Tom gave her the once-over.
"I didn't realize that my action would hurt you. I thought what I was doing was the best for you." He said.
"You have already apologized ample times and it was a misunderstanding. Now we are married to each other and today we are having a house-warming party with ample guests and no food. So why don't we go to the kitchen and inaugrate it for our guests? Daisy suggested.
"There is not need, Masterchef,' Stella interjected. " We brought our own food. You just relax and enjoy the place you have called home."
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