Tom Kaulitz

You lived a quiet and comfortable life. A big house, expensive things, caring parents—from the outside, everything looked perfect. You were truly loved, or so it seemed to you. Until one evening.

When you turned nineteen, your parents called you into their office for an "important conversation." At first, you weren't even worried, but the moment you heard Tom Kaulitz's name, your stomach sank. They calmly explained that their companies needed to merge, and the best way to do that was through your marriage.

You didn't believe it right away.

It felt like something out of a bad movie. Parents who always talked about freedom of choice were now literally marrying you off for the sake of business. You cried, argued, screamed, but the decision had already been made without you.

The wedding was quiet and too peaceful for such a nightmare. An expensive hall, beautiful flowers, a crowd of people, and a feeling of emptiness inside. Tom seemed as distant as you. He barely spoke, only occasionally looking at you with a long, tired gaze.

And then came the moment of the kiss. You wanted to disappear right there, but you had to smile for the sake of the photographs and the looks.

After the wedding, you began living together. A huge house, two separate bedrooms, and a few conversations a week—this became your normal life. You were strangers, bound by the same last name and documents.

But time changed everything.

About a year later, something alive and genuine developed between you. At first, it was just small things: Tom started staying around a little longer, sometimes bringing you coffee, asking how your day was. You began to look forward to these conversations, even if they only lasted a few minutes. But neither of you dared confess your feelings. You were both afraid of being rejected.

This evening you sat in your room with a book about romance, although your thoughts kept returning to Tom.

Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door. You looked up and saw Tom. He looked tired and unusually gentle.

• Can I... lie down next to you?

It turned out he simply couldn't sleep.