Chapter 2:
It has been one agonizing week since Niklaus Mikaelson came to Mystic Falls. But since he started taking over the Mystic Grille everything has changed. He threw out the entire menu in less than twelve hours saying no restaurant of his was going to serve this crap. Then he redid the entire inside of the restaurant rearranging the atmosphere and also buying new furniture as well. He fired like half of the staff and brought in his own employees. Surprisingly enough throughout all the changes that were happening never once did Klaus ever demote Caroline from manger. She wondered why that was since every single time they spoke to each other they either totally flat out argued or simply said one word replies. It was if they both knew how much they hated each other and yet Caroline also admired his work ethic. He knew what he wanted and he went after it without any doubt of what he was doing. Hayley mentioned that the built up tension was more of sexual tension than hatred but Caroline simply laughed it off and said how could she ever fall for man like Klaus. She barely knew the man except for the fact that he was single and he was almost twenty-eight years old. Other than that she didn't really care to know him. His incessant need to flirt with Caroline got old quick and soon they just bickered the rest of time while the other co-workers smiled at the pair.
Caroline woke up with a start as she looked over the clock and saw it was barely 5am. Sighing to herself Caroline got out of bed and decided to just get to work early and maybe avoid another encounter with Mr. Mikaelson. Caroline puts on the new required uniform that Mr. Mikaelson decided on as being more professional and less trashy. He didn't like how half of the staff found ways to get around the dress code Caroline put into effect a year ago when one of her employees came to work in a sexy nurse costume when it wasn't Halloween. Caroline grabbed a black pencil skirt and a white button down top leaving two buttons open but still covering everything. Caroline debated between high heels or flats before taking both just in case her feet kill her at the end of the night.
Caroline made her way to the local Café grabbing a cup of coffee before work when suddenly she bumps into a hard chest. Caroline looks up to see a smirking Klaus looking at Caroline.
"Hello Love. Nice surprise seeing you here" says Klaus chuckling at Caroline's annoyed face. Klaus thought flirting with Caroline was fun but constantly bickering with her was ten times more fun. Caroline crosses her arms across her chest and takes a step back from Klaus desperately trying to hide the blush on her face when she bumped into him. She could feel every hard muscle in his chest.
"I wouldn't say the same. Now if you excuse me I would like to get a head start on the paperwork" says Caroline trying to move past Klaus not wanting to get into another argument with him. Caroline didn't want to admit but she actually loved it when they fought it was like they had each other for years even though she barely knew the man. But before Caroline could side step him, Klaus grabbed a hold of Caroline's arm forcing her to look at him.
"Why don't you join me for coffee and a pleasant conversation?" says Klaus smiling at Caroline. Caroline quickly brushes off his hold on her arm before glaring at Klaus.
"Pleasantry and You in the same sentence don't exactly go hand in hand. Now if you will excuse me some of us actually have work to do" says Caroline once again trying to get away from this infuriating man. Caroline heard Klaus chuckle before she was dragged into a both with Klaus sitting on the other side.
"Come now Caroline I do love our little spats but we are not at work and I would actually like to get to know you love" says Klaus giving Caroline a sweet smile that would melt any woman's heart. But Caroline was too strong for that which Klaus loved about her. This woman was a mystery to Klaus and for the first time in a long time Klaus felt the need to know her.
"Alright what do you want to know?" says Caroline finally giving in. Klaus smirks at Caroline before deciding what he wanted to know.
"Tell me about your hopes, your dreams, your aspirations, your undying love for me" says Klaus smiling again. Caroline shakes her head at Klaus response. Of course he had to add in a flirtatious remark in there. And why does he always have to smile? He is undeniably gorgeous with that smile and the dimples. Oh My. Wait get your head together Caroline. He is waiting for a response. Caroline finally brings her attention back to Klaus to find him smirking at her.
"Well I don't really have any hopes and dreams anymore those were destroyed a long time ago. And I am most definitely and never will be in love with you." Says Caroline.
"We will see love" says Klaus giving Caroline one of Klaus's rare smiles one that wasn't forced but actually had meaning. Caroline and Klaus were suddenly interrupted by a ringing from Klaus cell-phone. In unison they both drew a breath of relief for the interruption. Klaus takes out his phone and takes it outside leaving Caroline alone in the booth wondering what in the world was she doing with him. Her boss of all people. The man who simply walked into Mystic Falls one day and took over everything. He has only been in this town for a week and already half of the people there either hate him or have completely fallen under his spell. And where does that leave them. Wait them. When did she and Klaus become a pair. Oh goodness. This is what she gets for spending time outside of work with her boss.
Klaus returns after ten minutes and by the look on his face he is most definitely not happy. It looked as though the phone call might have been a heated and intense one. Caroline looked up Klaus's face and saw pain underneath his anger.
"Hey is everything alright" asks Caroline timidly not sure of what response she should give him.
"Oh I am just peachy. Are we done here cuz we have work to do" says Klaus not looking Caroline in the eye. Caroline cautiously grabs Klaus hand and forces him to look at her.
"Klaus what's wrong?" says Caroline. Klaus looks down at Caroline's hand on his and can feel the electric current from the contact but then he looks at Caroline and finds worry written all over her eyes. Something he is not used to seeing in a person. Klaus yanks his hand away from Caroline not wanting to be comforted. He just wants burry his emotions like he always does and go back to the way things were before.
"I can see that you are pain. Please talk to me. It always helps when you talk about the pain to someone even if they may or may not like what they hear. But it will get better in time" says Caroline softly still trying desperately for Klaus to hear her. But suddenly Klaus is right in her face with a fire burning in his eyes as he looks at her.
"How dare you? You know nothing about me. You are just a stupid insignificant girl who I could care less about. You know nothing about pain or my life" yells Klaus. Caroline a little taken aback at the sudden change forces the tears that were about to surface back when suddenly she becomes furious at this man.
"Stop assuming that I was talking about your life. You know nothing about me or what I have been through. I was trying to help but you know what. You can go straight to hell for all I care" says Caroline quickly shoving a shocked Klaus aside before running out of the Café with tears streaming down her face. Caroline ran straight to Hayley's apartment hoping she would be home.
(Break)
Klaus was left standing in the Café with dozens of eyes glaring at him for making Caroline cry. To say Klaus felt guilty was an understatement he had long forgotten what it felt like to have someone worry about him. He had to apologize to her but he didn't know how. Klaus went to the restaurant seeking out a tall brunette who may provide him with some answers.
Klaus walked over to Hayley to find that she actually decided to work today. Upon seeing Klaus approaching Hayley pulled a stray hair out of her face and made sure that she a piece of gum in her mouth for fresh breath. Hayley had a huge crush on her boss ever since he first spoke with that sexy British accent of his. Hayley could feel her stomach turn in anticipation when Klaus stopped in front her with a sad and guilty face. Hayley gulped wondering what he could want from her.
"Hayley I was wondering if we could talk in private in my office. It's about Caroline" whispers Klaus not wanting the other employees to over hear their conversation. Hayley's face drops at the mention of Caroline. Hayley loved Caroline but so did everyone else in this town. How can she compete with a friend who has a heart of gold.
"Um…sure" says Hayley as she and Klaus walk over to the office and closing the door behind them.
"So what is this about? Is Caroline in some kind of trouble?" says Hayley as she takes a seat.
"Actually no. This is more about a private matter that I thought maybe you could clear up for me" says Klaus hesitantly. Hayley looks confused but edges Klaus to continue with what he wanted to ask her.
"Well earlier this morning Caroline and I had gotten into another fight but this time was a bit different. It got kind of heated and I think I might have really hurt Caroline. I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about her past maybe. I know I am putting you in a really horrible situation but I don't know what else to-
Klaus was interrupted when suddenly Caroline opened the door announcing her presence. Caroline looked from Hayley to Klaus before quickly turning around. Hayley jumps up from her seat racing after her friend.
"Caroline wait. Please" says Hayley grabbing Caroline's arm making her stop. Caroline turns around to face her so called friend.
"Caroline please I have never seen Klaus this way before. He is truly sorry. Go talk to him. Please for me." Says Hayley desperately trying to get Caroline to understand why she was talking to Klaus in the first place.
"Fine" is all Caroline says before slamming the office door behind her.
"Caroline love. I uh….I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. There is no excuse for me to take out my frustration and pain out on you and I am sorry for the things I had said" says Klaus looking at Caroline's fuming face as it slowly dulls down to annoyance. Sighing to herself Caroline controls her emotions before she replies.
"I know how much effort that must have taken to apologize and I accept you apology. But you can't always make assumptions about people especially when you nothing about them" says Caroline.
"I know and I am sorry. Can we start over" says Klaus. Caroline smiles at Klaus before shaking his hand.
"I would like that. I am Caroline Forbes manger of this fine establishment and a bit of a shopaholic" says Caroline making Klaus smile.
"I am Niklaus Mikealson owner of said fine establishment who has difficulty with opening up to people" says Klaus seriously.
"Well Niklaus Mikealson I believe this is a start of a beautiful friendship" says Caroline smiling at Klaus making her shine brighter than Klaus ever thought possible. Klaus can't help but smile around Caroline. She is the light to his darkness. An ever burning light in a dark void.
"Please call me Nik"
Author's Note: So end of chapter two. I hope you really liked this chapter and please review. Let me know What you think so far.