CAROLINES POV:

I sat at my desk having called Stefan's Mom to cancel their lunch – I was so nervous making the call but in all honesty, she didn't seem surprised or disappointed that he'd cancelled and whilst I'd been in the meeting, the IT team had set up an account for me so I now had a fully functioning computer system. As I was in the middle of sending the new contract and agreed brief to Vision magazine, the phone on my desk began to ring, seeing the caller ID was an internal call, the name on the phone screen reading S. Salvatore…

"Hello?" I spoke, frowning as I turned and saw Stefan on the phone through the glass wall separating our offices

"Caroline, could you come through to my office please?" he asked

I hung up the phone and walked into his office, pausing in the doorway with my hands on my hips… "Did you seriously just call me to ask me to come in here? You could've shouted and I would've heard you…"

"See these walls?" he questioned "Sound proof."

I bit my lip, unable to contain the smile as he smirked at me… "What did you want?"

"You can come in y'know," he informed me " I don't bite."

"Well I just thought that after this morning it was best to keep my distance in case I was yelled at again." I admitted

"About that," he began, tapping his pen on his desk "I want to apologise. I'm really sorry for snapping at you like I did. It wasn't on. You only did what you thought was right, which I hate to admit was a really good idea. The CEO of Vision magazine called me about twenty minutes ago…"

"I didn't direct a call through to you." I replied "Did I miss it? I'm sorry if so…"

"He called me on my private number," Stefan explained "Geoff, that's his name, was very impressed with you. His words were "The blonde who couldn't contain herself is a keeper. No one's stood up to me like that in years." You did good, Caroline."

"Thank you. I should get back…" I admitted "I've got some riveting files to file."

"I know this probably isn't what you had in mind when you took this job," he informed me "I bet you thought you'd be doing all these great things."

"Actually, I had no idea what to expect." I replied "I needed a job and you were, well your brother was advertising. He said you had asked him to find an assistant. I guess that was a lie but anyway, I got the job, obviously or I wouldn't be here. I can touch type, I'm organised to the point of being neurotic. Once, I organised a spring fling in 24 hours, it was themed and everything…"

"Caroline…" he interjected as I continued to speak "You're babbling again."

"Sorry." I sighed "I'm gonna get back…"

"It's okay," he assured me "it's quite cute, actually. Right, I have to get this finished before 5pm so you can take a break; go for a long lunch or something."

"Would you like anything bringing back?" I questioned

"Sorry?" he asked

"Any food bringing back? I'm your assistant, it's what I'm supposed to do." I informed him

"No, it's okay, but thank you." he replied

STEFAN'S POV:

I watched as Caroline grabbed her coat and pulled it on, flicking her hair out of the collar. I looked at the computer screen and then back through to Caroline as she grabbed her bag and left. I took a few minutes and then made a decision. Saving what I'd been doing, I pulled my suit jacket on and left the office in search of Caroline, arriving in reception, looking around to see if I could see her…

"Rebekah…" I called

"Hi, Stefan." she greeted me "What can I do for you?"

"Have you seen Caroline?" I asked "The new girl? My assistant?"

"Why? Has she left already?" she questioned "I didn't think she'd make it past 11am…"

"Actually, she's done a great job. I was just going to join her for lunch." I informed her "So, have you seen her?"

"Nope." she replied

"Great, thanks for your help." I sighed

"Are you looking for the new girl? Blonde, bit flustered, carrying a pile of folders?" the other receptionist asked

I nodded my head… "Sounds about right."

"She just asked for directions to the cafeteria, so I'm guessing that's where she's headed if she hasn't got lost." she informed me

Making my way back to the elevator, I headed to the second floor where the cafeteria was located and found Caroline. She was at the cash desk struggling with her folders, bag and food. Moving over to the cashier, I swiped my card across the reader, Caroline's head turning to me…

"Stefan, what are you…?" she asked

"It's on me." I informed her

"I can pay for my own lunch." she replied

"It's $4, Caroline. It most certainly won't break the bank. Call it my way of an apology for earlier on…" I admitted

"You already apologised." she informed me

"Well I'm apologising again. Why don't we get a table?" I suggested "I think there's something you could help me with, and it's not filing…"

Intrigued? What could Stefan use Caroline's help with?