Prologue:

„Oh my god! I can't believe we're even talking about this!" she shouted, rubbing her temples.

"I can't believe you wouldn't tell me that he's your ex!" he answered just as loudly, anger flaring in his voice.

"Because, the fact that I dated him like a hundred years ago shouldn't weigh into your decision to hire him as an assistant!" she shot back, gesturing wildly with her hands. He shot her an annoyed look.

"Clearly, because I want my personal assistant to ogle my girlfriend every time she comes to the office!"

"Well, I just love Hayley making heart eyes in your direction every time she sees you, let alone you talk to her," she hissed, "and, yes, I told you so, and, yes, you hired her for the front desk anyway!"

That stopped him for a moment. "Caroline," he started, but she just waved him off.

"I just can't believe you and your double standards. I mean, I stayed, for you!" she told him, angry again, turning away.

"Don't turn your back on me!" he hollered, making her swirl around, glaring at him.

"I should have turned my back on you ages ago!" she screamed.

For a moment, both of them stared at each other silently, the only sound in the room their heavy breathing.

"Well, if you really wanted to leave, you would have done so," he told her calmly.

"I already had the ticket," she said angrily, "and a future career."
His voice became as icy as she had ever heard it.

"Sure, love," he whispered, her normally loving pet name sounding like an insult, "but all I had to do was call you and you came crawling back. Maybe you knew your great future was just a dream."

She knew he would regret what he said as soon as his anger faded. But this time he had gone too far. This wasn't like their usual fights.

"We'll never know, will we? But maybe even now a better future lies ahead without you, Klaus," she murmured, turning around and leaving their flat.

He didn't stop her. She didn't look back.

When she woke up the next morning, sunlight filtered through the windows. Stretching, she turned around again in the unfamiliar bed. She remembered checking into a hotel last night, remembered their fight, remembered how angry she had been. Still, it felt far away, like a dream.

She didn't know what she was going to do now. She wouldn't go back to him; of that she was sure. She was Caroline Forbes, and as her mother had always told her: Forbes women do not back down. Still, she had changed her whole life for him, had given up a career in acting to stay with him. And now, six years later, she wasn't sure what to do. Maybe she should have taken that plane when she was nineteen.

Sighing, she opened her eyes, looking around again. The room hadn't seemed so big last night. And the bed sure was comfortable for a hotel. Sitting up, Caroline took in her surroundings. Where was that hideous sofa she had flung her clothes over last night? The room looked much classier than she remembered. Not to mention that the way the room was decorated looked just like she would have done it – maybe with less expensive furniture. Dear god, how much was she paying for this room? How drunk had she been when checking in?

She rubbed her eyes, suddenly realising she wasn't just in her underwear, like she had been when arriving, since she didn't pack anything after their fight. She was wearing a silky rose coloured negligee, something she definitely didn't buy herself.

"What is happening here?" she whispered, slowly swinging her legs over the side of the bed, stepping onto the most heavenly soft rug.

She flinched when she heard a shower start in a room next door. Slowly, she moved towards what seemed to be the bathroom door, trying to open it as quietly as possible.

Peeking inside, she saw a definitely male silhouette standing inside a generous glass shower, his back to her.

"Klaus?" she whispered, but as the man turned around she squealed.

"Hey sweetie, did I wake you?" the guy asked, grinning at her and she stumbled backwards, out of the room, closing the door behind herself.

"Oh god, what have I done?" she whispered to herself, sitting back down on the bed and burying her face in her hands.

"Caroline?" A male voice shook her out of her misery, and as she looked up Naked Guy was standing before her, a towel around his waist, his hair still wet. "Is everything alright?"

He knew her name. She swallowed, shaking her head.

"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have done this!" she told him, tears fighting their way into her eyes.

He laughed, a warm and gentle laugh, before walking over to a closet opposite the bed.

"Done what? Drink that much at the party last night? You're right, but still I love to say: I told you so!"

For a moment she looked at him, confused. "What party?"

He didn't turn around.

"Bonnie's birthday party? Really, Care, how much champagne did you drink?"

"Bonnie who?"

Naked Guy turned around, his face worried. With two long strides he came over, sitting down next to her.

"Caroline, what's the matter with you? Did someone spike your drink?" Softly, he cupped her cheek, staring into her eyes. Her heart began to beat faster. This wasn't right. He was not Klaus. Who was he? And who was Bonnie?

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, "can you jog my memory?"

He grinned. "Alright, you are Caroline Forbes," he started jokingly, and she just nodded, "and I am your boyfriend, Stefan Salvatore. And yesterday we went to your best friend Bonnie's party that was a charity for rescuing animals or something." Caroline's eyes went wide. This wasn't right.

"And you obviously drank too much and now you are a little hung-over. So, what you're going to do is, you get up, move your little butt into the shower and get ready for work!"

With that, Naked Guy, uh, Stefan, got up, pulling her with him and proceeded rummaging through the closet. Before he turned around again, Caroline hurried into the bathroom, locking the door behind herself, taking a breath. This was strange.

Author's Notes:

Just a short Prologue. I hope you like it.
Ria