Chapter one
"Clare, I must tell you: you've done a really good job" said Elena agape looking at their room. She didn't know how but her friend had been able to get the largest and most illuminated double of all the campus and in just three days she had cleaned and organized everything in such a strict order that you could have easily thought it had been just restructured by one of those house-Tv-programmes.
'We'll have the best' she had said to her when they were setting things for university, and she had succeeded. She always got what she wanted.
"Ehi, don't look so surprise!" the blonde joked poking her with her elbow "Have I ever disappointed your expectations?" she giggled satisfied. Because, yes, she was satisfied. A bit tired and with sore muscles, but satisfied. And she knew that feeling very well. Perfection. That was her aim and target, nothing less. Even when she was at high school, in Mystic Falls, and organized parties, she expected nothing but the best.
Despite all the ups and downs that town had made her grown up. The wish to be finally considered for more than her blonde hair; to finally get her mother's attention; to finally make her see that she was more than a material teenager. Mystic Falls had been her chance to remake herself. Well, not really to remake, just to improve.
Big fish in a little lake, someone says: but she was, she had become that fish.
She had arrived in Mystic Falls when she was 16. She had moved with her mother from another little godforsaken town in Virginia when her father had made coming out and had decided to move in with Stephen - that was his partner's name. At first she had hated her father. She had called him an "evil liar". Could he understand in what position he had put the family? What would the people have said ? Couldn't he just pretend to be happy for his daughter's sake? Wasn't she worthy a little pain? Now Caroline, reconsidering all what had been, had come to think that her mother already must have had some suspects about her father. Maybe it had been for that reason that even when the rumors spread through the little town, she had decided to remain. Maybe she would have still stayed there if it hadn't been for her…
At that young age Caroline had understood that people could be very mean. First it was just whispering, then blurting few words out while faking to cough , until the writings on her locker. It had been harsh to endure, but she had tried, she couldn't be put down. She was Caroline Forbes. Although, truth be told, there had been some really difficult moments, like when her supposed friends had kicked her out the cheerleaders first and the prom committee then, but "it was just for her own goodness" they had claimed. Bitches. Anyway, that had helped her think about her father. If she had to endure that, what him? Yeah, of course, from a certain point of view it was his fault if she was in that situation. But was it really his? No, it wasn't. If just people hadn't such closed minds, there wouldn't either have been a problem. She had got that actually her father had been very brave, even if not enough to struggle for that from the beginning. And she knew that she could be that courageous too. She couldn't let anyone determine her choices or judge her person or her family.
However, just as she had come to those conclusions, her mother, noting her daughter' social problems, decided to move.
Caroline had fought with her. they couldn't just run away as if they were the culprits. It wasn't fair. But her mother didn't listen and so she went to Mystic Falls.
As arrived, she struggled to take part at every party/prom committee. She entered the cheerleaders and she even signed to become Miss Mystic Falls. She gave all herself to be the first in every course at school. She wouldn't give to no one the possibility to laugh of her again.
Anyway, she had still more than a problem on the socializing aspect. Her old experience had taught her that trusting didn't always compensate. But, despite every purposes on being detached and alone, her inclination to socialize, to laugh and smile with people couldn't be suppressed. So she met Elena and they soon became besties. It was easy to be with her and her friends. They all seemed funny and safe. Sometimes, she and Elena had even thought to be destined to meet as they had a similar birthmark near the left ankle. In the end, she had built some really good memories there. Yeah, life had really changed….
" Ehi, sleepyhead. Earth calls Caroline!? " said Elena moving a hand forward the blonde's face.
" Sorry, was just thinking " started Caroline smiling to her friend.
" About what? " asked the brunette lying on the bed to finally get rested.
" That you should get up and help me carrying the last two boxes with our clothes" she sentenced laughing at the desperate expression on her friend's face.
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The servants who worked in the great majestic mansion in the center of the city did a very hard work to understand their masters. Well, things weren't so bad with the blonde woman , she was quite bearable. And the man who always looked like a CEO ready for a conference in Wall Street was quite a gentlemen, a bit standoffish, but always gentle and polite. And then there was him. Beast. Satan. Devil. Demon. These were just few of the names used by the servants to indicate him; even if, most of the times, just him was enough to get the subject. No one could understand how his dirty perverse mind worked. A moment he was calm and few seconds after he could dry a servitor out to dying just to have talked a bit too loud. But despite his continuous changing of mood, every single person in that mansion could get one thing for certain from his behavior: when he was angry. And from the harsh noise of the shut door on the second floor, the servitors understood that that was one of those days.
"Bloody hell" cursed Klaus rushing into his studio and slumming the door behind him. Saying that he was furious was an understatement. After pouring himself a glass of scotch, he went sitting behind his desk. The day had begun awfully and was going to finish even worse. Since he had come to New Orleans things hadn't gone how expected. Time had passed since the last time he had been there, however he thought that people would have been more mindful of his person. He hadn't imagined to have to put any effort in regaining his status. Anyway, his problem was soon going to be solved, he thought smirking. Nothing made gain more respect and awe than threatening and murdering and, let's face it, he was a master in both sectors. Other few deaths and everything would be like before.
Now, solved a problem, another one had to be faced. He had been in England when had received a call from one of his compelled slave. They claimed to have found the new doppelgänger. After the unexpected trick that Katerina had played to him, his determination in the research for the new doppelgänger had become stronger and stronger…together with the one of revenge. She could be certain that he would never forget to gave her the punishment she deserved, even if other five centuries had to pass.
First he had been in Mystic Falls, that seemed to be the town where the doppelgänger lived. However, he found out that she had just moved to New Orléans. What a nuisance. By the way, finding her, now, would have been quite easy. That was his city after all, and he knew every corner of it.
While looking on the table for the file where there were the last moves of that living blood bag, his eyes came in contact with a pool of letters. He took it in his hands, touching the borders gently. His eyes softened for a moment. Just were all in order and tied with a blue ribbon. He had forgotten to hide them in his room. Having them here was quite a problem. Everyone could easily have read them. He could easily have read them, and now it wasn't the right time.
Nevertheless, while closing them in a drawer, he couldn't but think of those words. He had read those letters so many times that he knew every single word of them. Yet, sometimes, when he felt particularly depressed, he liked to touch the paper and read them, just to look at the peculiar calligraphy and smell the perfumes, those unique perfumes which belonged only to the writer and that now were beginning to disappear. They belonged to a time when even if just for few moments, ha had believed to be capable of love.
Ugh! He slammed his hands on the desk and shook his head closing his eyes. Now he had an aim to accomplished, an aim that had lasted several centuries and couldn't lose his mind behind an empty past. He had to go out from that house and recover his mind.
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Nothing said "good morning" like a hot coffee and a morning shower. And as she had looked forward to trying that Café in front of the university, she would first get a good use of a shower. Maybe it would have helped even with her sore muscles. Who thought that moving in could be so hard?
Controlled that water was hot enough, she entered the shower. God, the feeling of the water flowing on her face was a relief. She poured some shampoo in her hand. Lavender. It was a scent she was addicted to. It gave her a sensation of good past moments, like of a reminder of a happy memory. However it couldn't be possible , as her mother didn't exactly had the green thumb and, as she remembered, nearby her house there had been no sign of lavender. Perhaps when sometimes they went on holiday… Bah! Once finished, she got dressed. A pair of jeans and a green sweater with a pair of boots was perfect. While taking her white coat from the wardrobe, not wanting, she put too much strength in closing it, with so much displeasure of Elena.
"What the hell, Care? Why are you already up at this hour? Couldn't you enjoy your last day of freedom?" mumbled Elena, turning in the bed.
" How can you still be sleeping? Don't you feel the energy, the adrenaline, raising in your veins?" the blonde said excited " We're at college. New life. New start. New people… hoping hot guys" she winked throwing her pillow to the other.
"Ugh!" this latter grunted pushing that pillow on her own face.
"well, do you want me to grab something for you? Muffin and a latte" asked Caroline while opening the door.
"That's the least you could do to hope in my forgiveness".
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"Two lattes and two muffins, please" requested Caroline while shaking her hands one against the other. She didn't expect the weather to be so cold in that period. By the way, inside the local it was a bit warmer. And fortunately it wasn't so overcrowded, she totally could taste her muffin seated at a table. Once paid and taken all the stuff, she turned to reach a table but bumped in a manly hard chest.
"Oh, I'm sorry" apologized Caroline with a guilty smile.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. No damage done" said the man with an accented voice. If her attention till then had been kept by the number of necklaces that were glimpsed from his jacket, now her eyes soon moved up to give a face to that hot, sexy… particularly nice chest.
If anybody would have noticed the scene, couldn't say who was more amazed between the two of them.
Dirty blonde hair, blue eyes and some plump, full red lips which just asked to be kissed… if it wasn't that after a moment they were turned in a wicked smirk . That, for Caroline, couldn't promise anything good.
When he looked at her, he couldn't believe at the sight ahead of him. Golden blonde curls which reached the shoulders, smoothing lips and two blue eyes.. oh.. those eyes. They had such a vivid sparkle inside of them which could light joy even in the most sorrowful soul. They were so unique, he could have recognized those eyes between thousands. Anyway soon he recomposed himself and in an instant his sight switched from soft to wicked…
"Don't you know that is rude to stare, love?" he amusingly said, noting the effect he'd just had on her.
"Well, if you're so keen on the rules for a good behavior, why have you just done the same?" she questioned trying to get over the embarrassment that she actually felt.
"You know, I'm not really one for rules" he answered emphasizing even more his smirk.
" Well, your problem. Now, if you excuse me.." and with that Caroline moved to a table and tried not to look back at him.
She had just been sitting there, next to a window, looking the street and thinking of the things which were left to do to be ready for the courses, when she felt to be stared. She didn't know why, but she knew that it was him. She had been so taken by her thoughts that didn't have noticed that he had moved to the other side of the table, in front of her. 'Seriously, don't you take a hint' she thought.
Noting that he was still looking at her,
"Don't you know it is rude to stare?" she mocked him using his earlier words.
"Love, you should know that I've got the copyright on my sentences" he replied in a smile of appreciation of her quick tongue.
"Dear," she teased again " you should know that copyright is used for original stuff, actually. Seriously? Do you really think that someone could fall for those lines?"
"You did"
She rose her eyebrows as saying 'excuse me?'.
"You're right, you had fallen on me even before to hear those lines. I should quite toast to this new record" he said raising his coffee cup to her and having a sip of it.
Caroline tilted her head and replied "Look, I'm really happy today, so I feel generous enough to give you an advice: I'm too smart to be seduced by you. Don't waste your time"
"Well, granted that chasing you would never be a waste of time" seeing her raising her eyes he soon continued to not be interrupted " now, not that I don't like arguing with you, I have to admit that you're quite a piece of work" but noting a certain irritation on her face he restarted, "speaking of which, do you have the same fire in bed?" Caroline choked with her coffee "You know, just to be prepared".
Seeing her blushing with a speechless expression, he went on "by the way, as you can see, I'm a gentlemen, so I don't just get in the pants of the first girl I meet… I first ask he name" he said faking a serious expression.
He had to contain himself from laughing. He knew he was playing with fire but he couldn't resist the opportunity to play this game with her. It was amazing how he could identify all the different emotions which were passing through her face. Every frown or movement of her mouth just expressed a different shade of rage and embarrassment. And he could stay all day watching how adorable she was with her blushed cheeks.
Caroline was dying for the embarrassment but she soon realized that she wouldn't let him win. She wasn't one to step back. If he really wanted to play, he better knew that he wouldn't be the winner.
"As you can see, I'm a lady, so I don't slap the first obnoxious, egocentric, annoying man I meet, I first ask him the name" she said with a faking smile.
"You're right, love. I've not introduced my handsome and attractive person yet" she scoffed "I'm ...Nik" it wasn't the name people usually called him, but he didn't know how much the whispers of his presence were known by humans, better not risk "And you are.."
"Not you business" she giggled shaking slowly her head.
" That's unfair, sweetheart. You're not following the rules"
"I'm not really one for rules" she replied with a poor British accent.
This time he couldn't stop himself from soundly laugh.
"Touché" he responded with a bright smile.
Caroline bit her lower lip. Her hormones couldn't be indifferent to those dimples. 'It's just a name after all', she thought.
"I'm Caroline" she said breaking the little moment of silence.
"So, Caroline" God, how could he make sound her name so sexy "what are you doing in New Orleans?" he questioned with a really interested expression.
"First of all, not flirting with strangers". He chuckled.
"And attending university" she concluded.
"What courses?"
"I'd like to take a major in journalism", noting his weird expression, she added with a bitter tone "What? Too much for a blonde head?"
"I haven't said or thought so. Just, I can't get why" he said curious to hear the explanation. He really wanted to know how her mind had come to that conclusions.
"Well" she startled, not expecting that question "I suppose 'cause I'm nosey" she laughed "and 'cause… I want to know the truth, you know, what's hidden under the surface. Have you ever got the impression that behind what you see there's a wide world made of mysterious people and events?"
He was astonished. He couldn't say what had impressed him more: her words or the sparkle in her eyes that enlightened every time she thought of her future. However, he was a bit worried. What would her reaction be, if she knew of all the things that the world actually hide? Greedy politicians, fake humanitarian associations… Could she handle the fact that most of the things that were written on her books or in the journals were just the results of obscure and secrets projects? And then there was him, him and his world. His supernatural world. He already knew that she would hate it. She would certainly despise and be disgusted by this other mystic world.
"If you want to laugh, feel free to do it. I'm not touchy" she joked.
"You shouldn't underestimate your thoughts, sweetheart. They're your beliefs, your dreams, your opinions. " she sighed- why was he telling her those things? "But, I wonder, wouldn't you be disappointed to discover to be just a pawn of someone else's scheme?"
"I will NEVER be someone's pawn. I'm not a pawn. I'm the player, I move the pawns. And if someone would ever think the contrary, bad for him, 'cause when he doesn't expect it, I would checkmate his queen." She finishes with a satisfied grin.
"You play chess" he stated with a soft smile.
" Yep, even if saying just "play" is an understatement" he rose an eyebrows "I'm the Stephen Hawking of chess, the best, the only winner ever, no one could beat me"
"I didn't think you were so humble" he played, then, assuming an oddly serious and thoughtful tine, he asked "Did your father teach you?"
"Well, I don't actually remember how I first learnt to play, I think it was just something that I got. Truth be told, my father quite sucks playing chess. I've always beaten him."
"I'm certain of that" he commented with a soft tone, then recovering his I'm-sexy-and-I-know-it spirit continued "Although, I wouldn't destroy your dreams of glory, but parents tend to let their children win. Sorry"
"What are you implying?" she questioned faking outraged by crossing her arms on her chest "I've always won because I deserved it".
"Oh, I can just see your father while letting his sweet princess win" he joked seeing her frustrated face "and what a cute princes, may I add" he continued with a flirtatious grin "Actually, I've never seen myself as a prince, but.."
"I'm not a princess, I'm a khaleesi" she interrupted.
"And I'm looking forward to becoming you Khal Drogo"
"Me too, as you will die in a such painful death"
"Then sweetheart, I think you'll better suit the clothes of a queen"
"Robert Baratheon hasn't ended up in a better way"
"In this case I propose to change the settings"
"Or the characters, by starting with you"
He was going to reply when he heard his phone buzzing. It was text from Elijah. Duty was calling.
"Love, I'm sorry but I gotta go"
"Oh, what a displeasure" she said with a fake hurt face and an hand on her heart.
"Don't be so sad. I promise that next time I'll stay longer" and he already couldn't wait for another encounter. "There won't be a next time" she stated with a determined voice.
"But I'm already counting the minutes!" he joked.
"Then, I hope you've got a lot of time on your side" she concluded standing up.
"I've got all the eternity" he whispered while he looked at her leaving the local.
Hope you like it! Please, leave reviews and tell me what you think (even critics are accepted).