A/N: Ok my original idea was to update leap year but the chapter was feeling rushed and I didn't want to put it out like that. Thank you to those who followed and favorite, and to all those who gave a read. Oh I edited the first chap just a little (ok really a word no need to read over) and for Cassandra's mother picture Famke Janssen. I hope you all enjoy. Please review :)

Groaning I rub my head as I sit up. My head was pounding this morning from last night. Walking slowly I went to my bathroom to grab some aspirin.

Turning on the faucet, I splash my face with the cold water to wake up. Memories of the previous night are blurry, I remember vaguely changing my shirt and Madison ditching me at one point.

"Cassandra." My mother's stern voice wafts up from downstairs. Quickly hurrying down I notice some sort of invitation in her hands, probably one of her fancy parties she makes me go to.

"Go get ready Cassandra. We're going to a ball tonight."

"Ok." I reply while rubbing my eyes. "Whose party is it?"

"The Mikaelson family's."

"Who are the Mikaelson's?" I've never heard of them before.

"I was hoping you could tell me." My mother's voice takes on a cold tone that usually only happens when I've done something. She hands over the invitation for me to read. "This is addressed to you."

My face becomes confused and I read the invite. Dancing, cocktails and celebration. Pretty normal and nothing with my name on it. "I don't see anything with my name?" I question her hesitantly.

"Turn it over."

I do as told and in an elegant script there is a personal message to me.

Cassandra,

Save me a dance this evening darling.

From an admirer

"I don't know anyone I swear." My voice quivers.

My mother slaps me in a flash across the cheek causing my face to jerk to the side. "Don't lie to me again. Do you understand?" I shake my head that I do. "Good. Get ready and don't embarrass me like the last time."

I nod my head and run upstairs. Jumping into the shower I wash away the grime from the night before and my feelings on the matter of this party. Who the hell was this admirer? I was positive I had never met anyone from the family before. And why would he call me darling?

Hurrying I dry off and start to blow dry my long hair. Once I finish I start to give it a slight curl to add a little body to it and put it up in a simple up-do with the curls piled loosely in the back with a few framing my face. After that I sweep on some gold and brown eyeshadow and a swift swipe of eyeliner, giving myself a cat eye look.

Going back into my room I grab a hot pink ball gown with a small ruffle detail in the front from my closet and zip it up. Grabbing a pair of silver strappy heels I sit on bed to put them on. I put on a simple pair of diamond stud earrings. Standing up I give myself a once over to make sure I'm presentable for my mother.

My mother's harsh stare gives me a look and after a moment she nods deeming me acceptable. I let out a breath and go out to the car.

Driving up to the mansion was full of tension. My mother had a steel like grip on the wheel and made it a point to ignore me. I was used to her behavior by now, especially after the incident. We finally pulled up to the party with the other guests. Taking a deep breath I got out of the car and walked up the stairs to the extravagant mansion.

Walking in I was in awe of the beauty. The grand staircase was covered in small white lights and everyone was dressed to impress, my mother included with her white satin mermaid gown with the black lace flowers over her shoulders and breasts.

My mother is quickly pulled away by her friends and I'm left to fend for myself. A man I don't recognize walks up to me to introduce himself. He was tall and lean in a simple tux and tousled dark brown hair. He carried himself proudly, like the world and everyone was beneath him, and had an arrogant smirk on his handsome face. Grabbing my hand he brought it to his lips, "Kol Mikaelson", his accented voice sends a little spark of desire run through me - I'm a sucker for them - and he kisses the back of it and a shot of electricity seemed to travel over my body.

"Cassandra Shepherd." I reply politely and give a nod. He's still holding my hand in his and stares at me intensely, like you would a puzzle. His dark eyes are smoldering and filled with mischief, and this knowing look crosses his face.

As he stares this overwhelmingly feeling to flee races up my body. It startles me because the man in front of me hasn't said or done anything but the persistent feeling of something not being right engulfs me. I pull my hand out of his, "It's nice to meet you but I have to go." I leave as fast as possible and try not to draw attention.

I grab a champagne flute and take a small sip while going over to mingle with some of the people I know. As they gossiped about the town's happening's and the people who live there the feeling of being watched crashes over me. Turning my head slightly I see Kol staring at me from across the room and he gives a knowing look like he was expecting me to look at him. I shake my head and listen intently to the conversation I had been a part of earlier. I feel someone's hand at my waist leading me to turn and find who else but Kol. "Excuse us." He interrupted there talking and lead me away to a more secluded part of the home. "Hello again darling." He looked down and gave a charming smirk that I'm sure had most women on their knees.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed, "Do you call everyone darling?"

Kol thought for a moment while shaking his head slightly, "Yes. Would you prefer I call you something different. Sweetheart perhaps?" His voice is rather cheeky but his eyes held a note of danger to them.

"No." I turn and walk away from him for the second time tonight.

After awhile my curiosity gets the better of me and I decide to take a tour of the mansion. It's grand in every conceivable way. The walls are a light creamy color with long velvety drapes hanging from the windows. The furniture is made of rich dark woods that have intricate details depicting everything from simple flowers to battle scenes. And breathtaking, most likely priceless, art litters the walls.

At some point in my tour I spot a beautiful painting in one of the hallways. It's beauty catches my attention and I lean back against an antique buffet style piece. Someone's throat clearing catches me off guard. I turn and notice a man with dirty blonde hair and striking blue eyes staring at me before he gives a charming smile that shows his dimples.

"Admiring the art I see." He accented voice reaches my ears, he must be part of the new family.

Rubbing the back of my neck I send a nervous smile his way. "Yes. This one in particular is stunning."

"It is exquisite isn't it there..." He let's his sentence trail off making me realize I hadn't introduced myself, thank god my mother wasn't around.

"Oh, uh, Cassandra." I give a weak smile.

"Klaus. What exactly is it about this particular piece that has your interest so intently." Klaus inquires.

"Well it has this Impressionistic look with the simple and fast brush strokes. The colors pop and bounce off one another in complete harmony. That and you can tell that whoever painted it was in…a happy place." My voice trails off at the end.

"You're very astute there Cassandra. It's clear you have a fondness for art." He sounds like he enjoys having someone who knows something about it to talk too.

"Yes I do. Well I like to look at it, I can't draw to save my life." I look him in the eye and the same feeling to flee as before with Kol crawls up. "I should probably get back. You have an absolutely marvelous collection by the way." He gives a charming but almost shy smile at me which I found more endearing on him.

I walk back out to the main part of the house where the masses are situated. Exchanging my empty glass for a new one I see my mother give a pointed stare at me and wordlessly I set the flute down.

"Well there you are. I was wondering where you had run off to." Kol's smooth and cheery voice hits my ears. He picks up the flute I had set down and hands back to me while finishing off his own. The urge to flee is still strong but that electric feeling I had when he kissed my hand makes me want to stay or at the very least talk with him a little more.

"Took a tour of your house. It's nice a bit too decadent for me but for you it seems just fine." I give a smirk and his eyes narrow playfully.

"I like the finer things. You missed the first dance so you owe me one now." He responds arrogantly and puts his hand out for me to take.

"Oh I do now. Why because you live here? Or is it because you think you God's gift to women?" I retorted snidely and see his eyes take on an angry glint.

"Well it's nice of you to notice darling." He continued to hold out his hand but I shook my head and stalked off. The look of pure and utter confusion painted his features. His strides are quick and determined as he comes up to me. "Come now darling one dance won't kill you." He complained in a way that reminded me of a small child not getting what they want.

"If I do will you leave me alone?"

He nods and reluctantly I take his hand. His smirk brightens a fraction as he leads us to the dance floor and makes a show of spinning me in a circle before quickly pulling me to him. His one arm gently holds me to him by the waist and the other grasps my hand gently as if I was made of a piece of glass. We sway to the music all the while his gaze never leaving mine.

His eyes were hard to see from the shadows created on his face from our height difference, but they were a dark chocolate brown that swam in the darkness deep inside him that I can't look away from until he spins me around elegantly and tugs me back to him. He towers over me and that look of puzzlement washes his features once again. "Are you not used to a woman saying no to you or something?"

His eyes blink out of there revere and lazy smile takes it place instead. "The only ones who ever have, have fancied the ladies but we both know you don't." He purrs while gently moving his thumb over the back of my hand that he is holding.

Rolling my eyes, "So this is a first for you?" An incredulous smile graces my lips as we spin in a slow circles.

"Appears that way. But to be clear you are out here dancing with me." He teases playfully and winks flirtatiously and gives me a final spin before the music stops. We step away from one another leaving about a good two feet between us. "Thank you for saving me a dance this evening darling." His smirks charmingly and a flutter erupts in my chest.

"Thank you." I turn to leave before spinning back around, "Don't call me darling." I give a sweet smile while my tone is laced with frustration and his smirk turns rather boyish as I leave. Walking away the invitation from early comes to mind, it said the same thing. Was he the one? I turn to confront him but he's already gone.