I got into the shower and let the water spray down on top of me. It felt good and refreshing to get under the cold water after the few days I had had. The water cooled me down back to room temperature as the sun was beaming outside and I was boiling hot before. I hopped out and dried myself with the towel before walking out to the dress that Klaus had left me. He was good at leaving gifts and usually I didn't want him to buy his way into my life, but right now the dress was perfect. I had no time to shop.
I looked at the details on the cards that Klaus had left and he wanted me to be in town for 1pm. I had to be ready and in the restaurant at one and half hours. I carefully applied my makeup and added a little bit of 'sexy pink' lip gloss for effect. I fancied a change with my hair so I straightened it and then crimped it. It was a slight change from the usual loose curls that I usually had. After spending some time perfecting my look, I grabbed the best jacket I had and set out.
I closed the door and when I turned around to walk to the end of the driveway, I saw a limo turn the corner towards the house. I looked around confused to see which neighbour was waiting for it, but no one was out. So I continued to walk on. Suddenly, the limo came to a halt beside me, just as the back door was right beside me. The window slid down slowly, to which revealed the charming Klaus! He got out of the limo and stood behind the door pointing his hand toward the inside indicating me to enter while saying:
"Madam, your carriage awaits you." He said this in the most charming, posh British accent, which just melting my heart. I responded by giving him a huge grin and saying:
"Oh yes, of course kind Sir." I beamed and then got inside the limo. I wasn't used to being treated as if I was royalty, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying it. I did enjoy it, but that was mainly down to the fact that Klaus was my host for the evening.
During the limo ride, we cuddled close together and we had some general chit chat. He poured me a glass of bubbly and we began to relax more in each other's company. When we reached the restaurant, the driver got out of his seat and opened our door for us. I exited the vehicle and thanked the driver for the ride and complimented him for being a gentleman. I turned and waited for Klaus to come up beside me, and when he did I hooked my arm around his and we enter the restaurant.
"So, Caroline… How did you like my little surprise I left for you?" He quizzed and he gestured towards the dress.
"It is perfect, Klaus. Thank you. This whole weekend has been perfect." I smiled then I turned and looked at the menu because I knew what his next question would be.
"You know I leave for New Orleans tomorrow night, right… I was hoping maybe you've made your decision by now…" He trailed off.
"Not now, Klaus… lets enjoy the evening first… it will help me in deciding" I reassured.
We continued the evening and it flowed by perfectly. He changed the subject to the prom and graduation, which he knew I would brag on about. I was thankful though, as I needed something interesting to talk about. Nothing could've been worse than an awkward evening with no conversation, I thought.
As we were finishing dessert, a song that I was familiar with came through the speakers.
"Ah, I love this song!" I beamed with excitement, smiling toward Klaus.
"Care to dance, Ms Forbes?" He acted posh once again, whilst holding out his hand for me to grab on to. There was an area in the corner for couples to slow dance, and it seemed like the perfect place to end the evening.
"It would be a pleasure, my man!" I replied, and I took hold of his hand and we began walking to the dancing area. After dancing for quite some time through a number of songs, and knew that him and I felt right. This was who I was meant to be. He made me into the confident person I am now.
"I will." I said out of the blue, and I planted my head of his shoulder for the slow dance. I could feel him slowing down trying to think of what I meant by this.
"You will what?" He questioned confused.
"I will go to New Orleans with you. I've made my decision." I beamed, but he couldn't see my smile because my head rested on him during the slow dance.
He pulled my head back slightly and looked me in the eyes. I couldn't help but stare back, not only at his handsomeness, but for the first time, I had seen a vulnerable side to Klaus. I could see a tear forming in his right eye and his face was full of love, and happiness. He leaned in to give me a kiss, and I responded instantly… his lips where so gentle and I could still taste the bubbly from earlier on them. We got so wrapped up in the moment, I remembered that we were in the restaurant and I had an embarrassed expression on my face, because our moment nearly turned into a heated embrace. Klaus began to laugh at my expression and I couldn't help but let out a faint giggle as well. Suddenly, we realised that the song was finished and we were the only couple left in the dancing area. When we turned to go back to my seat, I turned tomato-red because I realised that the majority of people there were staring at us.
I looked to the ground on the way back to the table and I thought that only I was embarrassed, but then Klaus said:
"Well, that could've gone bad in so many ways, love. Good thing you were there to control my inner instincts!" He smirked.
"You think?" I said sarcastically, but I couldn't help burst out in laughter. There was just something about him that knew how to get me going.
Later that night, on our way home, we had good fun and we acted child fully pushing each other from side to side on the pavement after one of us came up with a smart joke. When we got to my driveway, we said our goodbyes in the form of a steamy kiss before I said "Would you like a tour of my bedroom" and I winked at him, biting my lips to try and make myself look sexy.
"Sorry, Caroline. You know I would love to… and believe me when I say I want to, but I'm meeting Rebekah at 8pm." He answered honestly. Just as he began to walk away, I got a huge shooting pain across my stomach. I doubled over in pain, and before I knew it, I was on the ground in agony.
"Klaus…" I yelled but trailed off. He turned around and his eyes turned alert as he ran toward me.
"What's happening Caroline…?" He pleaded, waiting for the answer.
"I, i don't know... Phone Meredith… she'll figure this out" I reassured while ordering him to do so.
The pain was almost unbearable when Klaus lifted me into the living room, I could feel his hand on my forehand and he was trying to keep me alert.
Suddenly, everything went black… I fell unconscious.