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look-at-the-soul · 2 years ago

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Lee thank you for your beautiful words!!! I was inspired by your unusual twists 😉 that little element that takes you by surprise…

The man is a box full of surprises, we never know what he’s thinking right? 🤷🏻‍♀️ but he’s always one step ahead of us all. He knew she had a talent, she just needed the resources to achieve her goals 🤗 I’m so excited that you liked this little piece Lee, thank you from the bottom of my heart for encouraging this modern Tommy ♥️ I think I need to ask you beforehand what celebration you’re planning next so I can start writing it ahead ☺️🤣 🙈 thank you for the amazing (and unexpected) stories you create ✨🌷

Have it all- Modern AU Tommy Shelby x Reader

Summary: Professor Jeremiah invites a friend during his ethics class to talk to his students since they are starting their last year in college. Turns out you weren’t a stranger to Mr. Shelby.

Congratulations on 600 @zablife !!!! 🎉🥳🙌🏻 cheers to many more, thank you for your incredible creations. You’re probably over 900 now (and I’m terribly sorry I couldn’t post this earlier) I’m glad you liked the idea of a modern Tommy and I included the college theme with Professor Jeremiah so it wouldn’t be too far from your chosen theme.

Also thanks to @thesoldiersminute for helping me choose what car would modern Tommy use :)

⚠️ No warnings necessary, smut it’s only implied in the end. I was so nervous about posting this one, so here it goes.

“Welcome everybody to the first day of class of your last year.” Professor Jeremiah greeted his students. “Especially to those who arrive on time.” He looked towards you on the front row and the other three students. “And those who arrive late like usual, that is going to get you in so many troubles.” He added as a group of students entered the room making noise.

You felt bad for him, his assignments were some of your favorites, especially the way he conducted his class, he was an expert and put so much of himself to explain the topics and he really tried to make his students engage.

“You already know me from your philosophy class so this time, I would like to start differently.” He paced around the room with his hands behind his back. “Since you’re about to go out to the real world, I thought it would be good for you to hear firsthand of different business from a man who managed to build an empire from scratch, he’s a good friend and let me tell you, he’s got an incredible eye for opportunities, he will talk to you about his businesses, how he manages to be an entrepreneur and a lot of things, just like me, he values punctuality so I won’t make him wait any longer… give it up for Mr. Shelby.”

You’ve heard Professor Jeremiah talk about his friend Mr. Shelby before, but you imagined he would be over sixty-four, not the walking image of Adonis you found as he entered the classroom in his immaculate suit, leather briefcase.

“Thank you for the touching introduction Jeremiah.” Mr. Shelby shook hands with your professor and the room went deadly quiet. “Good morning everybody, I hope you’re giving this man a hard time.” He winked and the classroom erupted in laughs. “This is the first time we do something like this and I hope a word or two of what you’ll hear today will help you in your future.”

His voice was soft, firm and denoted security, it also attracted everyone’s attention.

Another group of irresponsible students walked in, Mr. Shelby looked at them by the corner of his eye and remained quiet while they took their seats.

“I would like to start by telling you how lucky you are, to be able to study in a place like this, with this quality of professionals, it’s a great shot, but out there it doesn’t matter your grades, title, the university where you come from… no, what really matters is the passion you have for the things you do and that you’re the one willing to do anything to get things done.”

You thought you would be taking notes of his words, but instead you found yourself in some kind of trance, your mind registering every single word he said.

“I wasn’t born with the same privileges like you, I wasn’t able to go to college, started working probably at twelve, you know what my destiny was meant to be? A drunk man homeless begging for some cash under a bridge, a lot of people told me I was a dreamer, that everything was out of my league… but I was hungry and not only of food, I was hungry for success, I wanted to be at the top, to prove everybody was wrong… but mostly to prove myself they were wrong about me.”

Mr. Shelby paced quietly around, looking at the students in the eye.

“How many times have you heard ‘that’s not for you’?” He pointed at no one in particular. “How many people laughed at your dreams?” He stopped right in front of you and locked his eyes in yours. The air escaping your lungs. “You, broccoli head” he pointed at Ben, the whole classroom had their eyes on him, “what’s so funny?”

“Nothin’.” Ben answered, but as his ice eyes kept on the boy, he explained: “It’s just a tweet.”

“Take your tweet outside and if anyone else wants to join, feel free to go.”

Gasps and surprised looks were shared by your classmates. Once Mr. Shelby closed the door his eyes found yours again.

“That’s an example of what you shouldn’t do. I can guarantee you, that young man won’t get too far.” His eyes looked intensely around the room. “There’s a quote that motivates me whenever things seem to be like too much.” He made a small pause and taking a deep breath, he shared it with the group; “when you’re tired, you learn how to rest… you don’t quit. Of course I don’t rest, but it still does the trick.”

Mr. Shelby then went on sharing some of his experiences with his businesses and how he started some of the projects and also some failure stories to show that not everything goes out as planned.

You felt fascinated by his life experience, the difficulties he went through and he was able to overcome everything. He talked with such passion that made you think this was the best conference you’ve been to in your entire college time.

And speaking of time, it flew and, in a blink, Mr. Shelby looked down at his watch, clasped his hands together and asked if anyone had a question.

Of course, you were the first to raise your hand.

“Mr. Shelby, you mentioned businesses, how do you manage time to take care of more than one business?”

“First of all, call me Tommy… and may I have your name Miss…?”

“Y/N Y/L/N.”

Looking at you, he repeated your name with a smile. “This will sound like a cliché, but it’s true, when you want to do something you find a way, if not, you find an excuse, besides I’ve a great group of people who manages every aspect of the businesses that allows me take a step back but being present at the same time.” You thanked him for answering your question and he went on to the group to see if anyone else had another one.

As the room was quiet, another question was burning in your tongue.

“Go ahead Miss Y/L/N, shoot.” Tommy encouraged you.

Shyly you smiled at him. “If you could do something differently on your way to success, would you change anything?”

Tommy looked from you to Professor Jeremiah, who was chuckling silently finally your endless questions were directed to someone else.

“No, nothing because every single thing that I faced brought me to the place where I am today, but I’d have liked to have had the opportunity to study.”

Tommy scanned the group to see if anyone else had a question but the students were usually quiet at this point, embarrassed to ask anything.

“This is a big chance for all of you to clear any doubt you might have about a job, a company…” Jeremiah tried to encourage the group to ask questions and he was a bit disappointed by the lack of interest his students showed.

But you wanted to know more.

“Alright, brave Y/N has another one.” Tommy waved his hand at you, he was leaning against the desk, but soon he undid the button of his jacket and sat on the desk, completely relaxed.

“If you had to choose only one of your companies, which one would you choose and why?”

You saw him running his thumb over his forehead. “Why can’t I have it all?” He chuckled and you looked away from him for a few seconds. “That’s a very good question, Y/N I’d keep my horses I have a couple of them as a hobby, but they’re so pure, so honest, I could live the rest of my life raising them.” His eyes were fixed on you, the rest of the room vanished. “But from a profitable business I’d keep my construction company; I build houses for the wealthy people and with the earnings from it I build houses for the people with a lower income so they can pay the house off monthly at a low interest rate.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

You had to learn so much from this man.

He thanked the group for their time and went to pat Professor Jeremiah on the back as your classmates rushed out of the classroom.

“Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your conference, your story is so inspirational Mr. S-”

But he interrupted you at the way you were addressing him by raising his hand. “Sorry, Tommy.”

“Much better Y/N. I was asking Professor Jem to give you extra credits for your enthusiasm.”

Your teacher flashed a big smile. “She’s not only my best student, she got a scholarship, has a small job at the library to pay off part of her grant, her notes are the best and she’s working with the technology department to develop a watch for the elders so if they get lost or they fall, their family gets an alert.”

Tommy looked at you with interest.

Jeremiah excused himself as another colleague called him.

“I’m interested in your project, come to my office next week and I’ll help your team with the right connections to make this happen.” He offered you his card. You’ve never had a business card before. Shelby Company Ltd. it read.

Thanking him for his time and attention, you picked your backpack, but he stopped you.

“Jeremiah says this is a good time for students to get a part time job to get experience before graduating.” You nodded. “Why don’t you come with me for lunch and we can discuss that project of yours?”

“I have to help professor Evans with his weekly program…”

Tommy looked at you with a million questions in his eyes, so you explained him how to pay back part of your scholarship, every semester you helped a professor with their activities; grading homework, preparing questionnaires, checking exams… before you were able to finish your explanation, he was calling Professor Jeremiah.

“Jimmy, yeah need a favor…” he looked at you with the hint of a smile on his lips. “could you let Professor Evans know Miss Y/N’s going to be helping you this semester? Of course she’s not though, you’re just her cover up. Thanks man.”

“You can’t do that.” You were in shock.

“‘Course I can, now you’re free to have lunch.”

His phone announced a new message from Kenya. Waiting for you. Fuck, he forgot they had plans to well, fuck over lunch.

Can’t go, I’m in the middle of a meeting.

He never skipped a chance to have a feminine body, but when he looked at you, he knew he made the right choice.

You didn’t know this man, but there was something about him that made you want to know more, maybe it was the way his eyes sparkled, or his contagious smile, the mysterious aura surrounding him, or the fact that he was friends with Professor Jeremiah.

Surprised of the elegant and ultra-expensive place he chose, you learned that he not only owned the place, but also another three restaurants of different categories that were part of the Shelby Group. He grew up in a very poor neighborhood in Birmingham and shared one small bed with his three brothers. In exchange you told him a little about your background, unlike him you were the only child, raised by your father after your mother passed away during birth. Always short of money, when you realized college was out of the budget, you applied to all the universities that offered a scholarship program.

“Would you like to work for me, Y/N?” He asked out of nowhere.

Was this your second or third glass of wine?

“But I don’t have any experience, Tommy and your companies are already established how can a student like me help you?”

“According to your professor Jeremiah, you proposed the no waste program to reduce the waste of notebooks, backpacks and other school supplies to help students who can’t afford to buy a backpack.” Tommy showed you the message and Instagram photo of your initiative.

You did it in your first semester, encouraging students to donate the things they didn’t use anymore that could help new students, others could also join by swapping their items. “I could use a pair of fresh eyes in my company.”

His velvety voice made you consider his proposal.

“Let’s do this…” his fingers playing with the border of his glass of whiskey, “come to the office tomorrow, let me show you around and you get to choose where do you want to work.”

“I will choose?”

Tommy nodded. “My company is at your disposal, you can pick the group that’s in charge of the restaurants, the pubs, the vineyard or the construction. Well the pubs and casinos are under the same management but separately if you know what I mean.”

“You’ve a vineyard?” If you were shocked before, now you were even more. He nodded and talked to you about his own whiskey brand.

“Well, I recently purchased a complex that has everything in the same area; shopping mall, apartments, offices but I don’t think you’d be interested in that.” Tommy lighted a cigarette, blowing the smoke away. He decided to leave the boxing matches and illegal car races out of the conversation, he didn’t want to bore you.

“How do you do that?”

“I only have the best people around me, that’s why I need you.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes, I promise you this job won’t interfere in your studies, it’s only for your free time.”

This was all too much, him, his companies, how could he possibly need help from you, you were only a student. He showed you some photos, sliding through them, but then you found one that changed everything.

“That’s very kind of you, but I can’t accept.”

“Why not? Is there something wrong?”

“I’m really sorry, thank you for lunch, it was incredible to meet you and hear your story,” getting up, you took your bag from the rack, “I’ve to go, thank you one more time, your life is inspiring.”

And you walked away feeling guilty for lying to him.

Tommy was startled and didn’t have time to react to go after you.

So defeated, he went to the Garrison instead for the daily drink after work where the Blinders gathered.

Taking the Bullard cue, Michael was complaining that Polly walked in when he had some girl on his desk, Arthur laughing uncontrollably.

“Where have you been Tom?” Arthur poured him a drink.

“Busy.” He answered quietly after hitting the ball.

“Kenya was looking for you at the office.”

“Why did you let her in?!” He snapped in an irritated tone while Michael took his shot.

Arthur raised his hands in a sign that he had nothing to do.

He was about to continue the argument, when Jeremiah joined them in the back of the room.

“What do you know about Y/N?” He asked his friend while lighting a cigarette.

Jeremiah studied him while Tommy moved around the table to take his shot.

“The best of her class, International business student, reserved, she’s a good kid.”

“So she worked with that professor doing his job? Then she goes to the library and still has time to take care of a child?”

“Children, they are three. And the library needs to remain open for the medicine students of the campus, she also uses it as her time to do her homework because she can use the computer for free.”

“She could do that at home.”

“She rents the couch to one of her classmates and doesn’t have her own equipment.”

“When does she sleeps?”

“When do you?”

“Touché.” Tommy answered letting his brother use his turn to play.

“Why the sudden interest in Y/N?”

After a long pause, Tommy admitted out loud: “She reminds me so much of myself at her age.”

But there was something else he wouldn’t admit to Jeremiah; he was fascinated by you.

***

Holding the book against your chest, you entered the campus area, avoiding bumping into some of the students. Reaching your building, that’s when your eyes found him; leaning against the brick wall, flicking at his cigarette, he probably wasn’t aware of the eye sided looks of the other students, not that he seemed to care though. He wasn’t wearing a tie today, first button undone, Ray bans adding an unreal effect to the mystic around this man.

But his deadly accessory?

His smile.

“Good morning, Y/N.”

“Mr. Shelby what are you doing here?” You could hear the girls in your class whispering and staring at you.

“Again with the Mr?” He arched one of his eyebrows. “You suddenly left yesterday, so I’m here to see if you’d reconsider my job offer.”

Behind his sunglasses he was eyeing up and down.

His voice had a spell on you, not realizing how or when he walked you to the parking lot and now he was opening the door to his silver Aston Martin and you were freaking out to ruin anything around.

Sliding behind the wheel after he closed the door for you, he smiled again and you had to remind yourself how to properly breathe when he started the engine and drove away.

“Where are we going? I’ve classes to attend.”

“Professor Jeremiah will make sure you don’t go into any trouble if you skip a few courses today.”

“He can’t do that.”

A cocky look decorated his face. “But I do.”

He was having an internal battle trying to decide if he should tell you that apart for covering the rest of your scholarship and other tuition fees, he made a generous donation to the institute, therefore he could ask your professors to look the other way if you skipped some classes.

“I want to show you around the company.” Parking his car, you saw a sign announcing it was a reserved spot for the CEO, hurrying to open the door for you, he was telling you how he recently moved all of his businesses to this headquarters, each in a different floor. You noticed how everyone was able to see through the crystal private elevator, people quickly looking away.

“I tried to convince my aunt of choosing a traditional elevator, but she insisted on a clear one.” He explained as his hand brushed yours accidentally, sending electricity waves through your veins. “The first floor is used for the administration of the restaurants.” He showed you proudly and explained the different concept each place had, people walking past him, greeted Tommy as making a small bow to him, you were surprised to see him shaking hands with the guards, and the people cleaning, calling them by their names, taking a moment to have a chat.

And when he wasn’t greeting someone, he gave you long and deep glances.

The clubs were next, they had the best PR manager working on getting celebrities and special guest to celebrate their birthdays at their clubs. You remembered dancers in cages hanging from the ceiling when you went to one of them with your friends. He then suggested the two of you should go some day.

It was a surprise to see him talking so freely about what he did and how he was in charge of everything. He seemed to be in his element. He assured you again that could choose any business and area to work.

“In this floor we have a special team to monitor our casinos, we have the CCTV registering everyone; who walks in, who goes to the bathroom, their spending records…”

You started to breathe shakily, a strange pressure squeezing your brain, the walls around starting to close.

“Hmm I…”

“Sorry, am I explaining you too fast?”

“Tommy I can’t accept this job.” Every minute passing only made you feel worse.

“You haven’t seen the floor reserved for the booze, that’s my favorite place.” He deliberately ignored your words.

“I stole money from your company… I can’t work for you Tommy.” You suddenly snapped as he was in the middle of the stairs.

“My father couldn’t afford to pay college, I told him I got a full scholarship but that’s not true, I have to pay half of the tuition, it was so demanding and I couldn’t find a regular job because some classes are in the morning, midday and noon… if I wanted to study, I needed to find a way to make money.” While you were looking at your hands, embarrassed, Tommy walked down a couple of steps. “One of the few options I had without turning myself into a whore, was outplaying gambling games.” You explained, feeling his eyes staring at you. He remained in silence. “You’ve lots of failures at the poker tables, your dealers have the same signals since forever and the roulette always ends in the same four numbers, one time red, then black, again black and finally red, it’s a terrible pattern, they don’t change the sequence… I’m sorry, I promise I’ll pay you back every single cent.” Finally feeling free from telling Tommy the secret that had been eating you alive as you found out he was the owner of the casino you visited regularly to make money for college, you had to tell him and that’s why you couldn’t accept his offer.

And again, you tried to leave, feeling too embarrassed to look at him.

The only difference is that now he was prepared and stopped you taking you by the arm and walked you out of the building, to his car.

Silence was killing you, feeling sorry for lying to him and even worse, stealing from him, you kept your head down. He’d probably take you to the police station.

“Now follow me.” He motioned you out of his car, you didn’t notice he had drove back to the campus, if he wanted to talk to your professors you’d understand, you’d probably be denied to graduate.

Crossing your arms against your chest, you saw the wind moving the hair at the top of his head. The campus was in the opposite direction you wanted to tell him as he marched inside of one of the units made for the students living there.

After a quick trip in the elevator in silence, you didn’t know what to say.

His jaw clenched didn’t go unnoticed as he opened the door for you, why did he walk as if he owned the place?

“I heard you rent an uncomfortable couch to your roommates and use the library’s computer at night.” You nodded. “I know you’ve been stealing me for a while, Y/N. My security team detected you a little too late, I’ve to admit the redhead wig confused me a little bit, but then I followed your moves and tracked down the money you sent to your father after paying your tuition.”

In a shocked state, you frowned. “You knew I was stealing from you and did nothing?”

“You paid college, and showed me the flaws my casino had. Plus, I really enjoyed watching you in those wigs and outfits.”

Flashing a smile at you, Tommy started walking seductively, taking each step slowly. “Why?”

“Because… you wouldn’t have accepted the money if I offered it to you out of nowhere.”

“You’ve been studying me… you did your homework.”

“And since you told me the truth, I’m offering you this apartment for yourself.” Spinning you around, he pointed at a new desk, chair and the newest computer. “That too.”

“My economics professor says there’s no free lunch*.”

Tommy laughed. “Your professor is a wise person.” He sat at the arm of the couch, it looked more comfortable than the one where you usually slept on. “Not gonna lie, there are a couple of things I’m interested in.” Standing now in front of him, you saw his eyes sparkling, hooking his finger in the pocket of your skirt, he pulled you in for a kiss.

His mouth crashed on yours hard, his expert lips dancing with yours, his hands roaming your back up and down, the kisses exchange was intense. Pulling apart for some air, you saw his mouth water at the sight of your breasts so close to him.

“We can do great things together, Y/N. you can help me boost the security of the casino.” Tommy got up, but didn’t let go of your body, instead he started kissing down your jaw and neck. “And I can help you finish your career.”

“And in the meantime, we get to have fun?” You asked as he walked you backwards to one of the bedrooms.

“Oh, I can assure you, we’re going to have lots of fun.” He admitted playfully while scanning your face to read your reaction.

You liked how it sounded, and you also liked the adoration in his eyes as he finally helped you out of your top and skirt, standing in front of him in just your matching black lace underwear and stockings. Throwing his jacket away, you couldn’t resist the urge to start kissing the bit of skin exposed with each button you were opening. Holding you against the closed door of your bedroom, Tommy took your hands in his and raised them above your head, bending down to kiss you over the fabric covering your breasts, making you suppress a moan.

“Someone once told me, that I had to choose between the success of my career or my personal one. I’d like to see that person today to rub it in his face, that in fact… I can have it all.”

***

A/N: Free lunch= A free lunch describes a situation where an individual receives goods or services at no cost. A free lunch's cost is opportunity cost.

* If you want to be tagged in other stories, just let me know. ♥️ your comments and feedback have a huge impact ✨

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