Hey Lovelies, I'm back with another update! Though it has taken me some time to post this up, I hope you enjoy it (:
There'll be a number of quotes from Suits here ;) Spot them if you can!
One more thing, I've also been receiving a number of guest comments commenting that being a senior partner at 26 years of age is unrealistic. I don't know much about the American law system but here in Australia, there have been several instances where one is able to be a senior partner at that age, since in Australia law school is not a graduate entry. Also, I'm using this age as I think it suits my story and I'm trying to follow the ages of the actual TVD characters, so I'll appreciate if all these guest reviewers would stop commenting on how it's unrealistic.
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Chapter 3: Unbreakable Tension
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Caroline woke up from the recurring nightmare she'd had for what seemed like a lifetime. It had actually only been four years. It felt so real, but when she woke up she knew it was not. The nightmare was a daunting reminder of what she had suffered. It was just a heart wrenching memory of what she had lost.
She breathed heavily feeling cold sweat forming on her forehead and her back. She looked around her bedroom trying to calm her racing heart. Pictures of her mother, her best friend Katherine and her colleagues Bonnie and Elena surrounded her and she tried focusing on the photographs to clear her mind.
The nightmares came less frequently now. When they had first begun they had been an almost nightly occurrence. Now she only had them when she was too stressed.
Unbidden, the nightmare seeped into her mind. It was always the same, the memory of the day she lost the tiny life she had been carrying.
It had been her fault.
She had been skipping meals and disregarding both her health and the baby after she witnessed Klaus had move on in his London apartment. The pain of seeing him with another woman less than a month of their divorce cut her deeply. It brought up her old insecurities and she couldn't help but wonder whether the woman was one of the reasons of their divorce.
She always doubted their love would last seeing as she had always been a second choice. Her high school infatuations were never returned, as she was never anyone's first choice. She had unconsciously resigned to her fate until she met Klaus. The Brit successfully managed to creep into her heart with all the compliments and sweet talk he threw at her and most importantly, he made her believe that she was his first choice. He provided her with the affection she craved and it wasn't long before she fell irrevocably in love with him. Hence, why it hurt so much when they separated. He was her first love and she had always believed that he would be her last.
She officially became a wreck, cutting ties off with everyone around her after returning from London. She had spent almost a month hiding in her room and crying her eyes out. Her life was falling apart. The love of her life didn't want her any longer and she was carrying his baby. It took persistent encouragement from both her mother and Katherine for weeks before she was finally able to leave the house.
She regretted listening to them. She should have never left her room, as that was when it happened.
Caroline had been so depressed that she hadn't realize that she couldn't fit into her jeans any more. She had been crossing the road after doing some maternity clothes shopping telling Katherine about her recent purchases when it occurred. She had been so engrossed in her phone conversation that she failed to see an incoming vehicle coming towards her. Before she could react, the car hit her.
Till today, she still couldn't piece her battered memory together. It was as if her mind was protecting herself from knowing the truth. All she remembered from the awful accident was that she was rushed to the emergency room in the local hospital. Her brain was so foggy then that her world blacked out before she could help it. When she had woken up two days later, she found out that she had lost the baby.
Caroline remembered crying for weeks not capable of accepting the truth. She had been in constant denial. Her mother had told her what happened that she had made a decision on behalf of her.
"How could you do this to me mummy? It was my baby? How could you take the baby away from me? It was the only thing I have of Klaus," she sobbed mourning the lost of the little being.
"Caroline honey, I didn't want to do it, but the doctor told me that the baby was already gone and if I didn't agree to the operation I was going to lose you too. I couldn't lose you."
The baby was lost even before she had gotten to the hospital. She was to be blamed for losing her child. If she had been more careful and looked at where she was heading, she could have avoided everything.
Caroline shook her head to clear her thoughts. She had tried burying these unwanted memories yet it always unconsciously resurfaced. Seeing Klaus in the flesh triggered everything she had tried to forget.
She tried falling back to sleep but the memory haunted her more so tonight than it normally did. Part of her was afraid he would find out the truth. Kat was right! Despite it being four years ago, Klaus Mikaelson still had a hold on her. The teenage girl in love was still unwilling to let him go.
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"You look awful," Katherine grimaced looking at her best friend.
"I feel awful," Caroline agreed gladly accepting the mug of coffee the brunette was offering to her. "I shouldn't have had so many vodka martinis last night. My head is killing me."
"I couldn't stop you even if I wanted too. You were on a roll last night."
"I know, I can already feel it," she scowled enjoying the hot coffee.
"Are we going to talk about it?" Katherine peered at her.
"Talk about Klaus?" She knew there was no point in hiding anything from her roommate.
"Uh huh."
"What's there to say? I'll just have to learn to accept the incredulity of the whole arrangement," she said lightly trying to lighten the situation despite the dread she felt of the situation.
"Are you really okay with this? You guys left things off on a really bad note. You were a mess after London."
"I know how distraught I was. I've moved on since there. It's all in the past now."
"Was he surprise to see you?"
"I guess so. He wanted to know the reason why I went to London.."
"Did you.."
Caroline glared at her best friend. "Of course I didn't. He will never need to know."
"Are you sure you can do this? Working with your ex- husband in the same environment when he's your boss. You were really worked up yesterday," Katherine said remembering back to how upset her friend sounded over the phone call.
"I can't do much about it."
"Maybe you can try asking Enzo to mentor you instead? I'm positive it will be less uncomfortable than working with him," Katherine suggested.
"I don't think I'm in a position to put in such requests. I'm only just starting out."
"That's it then?" Katherine didn't want him anywhere near her best friend. Caroline deserved so much better than him. She had always disapproved of them before and her position on it had never wavered once.
"Kat, I know you're not his biggest fan but this is what's going to happen. You should learn to accept it like I did." Caroline said softly.
"You're putting it too lightly. That sorry excuse of a man destroyed my best friend. It's not a crime I take lightly."
"Always so protective of me," the blonde teased. Caroline checked her phone for the time, "I need to shower or else I'll be late."
"Good luck Care bear."
"Thanks Kitty Kat."
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Klaus Mikaelson was not a man who got nervous easily. He had won hard criminal cases without a single sweat and also successful signed on million dollars worth of contract without a second thought. However, the thought of seeing Caroline Forbes on a daily basis terrified him.
He had arrived early at the office after having a restless night. Sleep was interrupted by thoughts of her and all the memories they had once shared together. Images of kissing her, making love to her through the wee hours of the morning gripped him before he let the memory of seeing her with another man take over his mind. He had accused her of cheating of him without actually having any evidence that she did. But by then, their marriage had deteriorated to a point of no return. He had lashed out on her by refusing to see her and going away on his frat parties with his mates. He hadn't touched another woman but he made her believe that he did so she could feel how much it hurt.
They finally came to an unspoken agreement that what they'd shared was over. And that it was time to move on. She requested for a divorce and he agreed without a second thought. What was the point really? She didn't love him anymore. Relationships were based on trust and he couldn't trust her anymore.
She had pleaded to him in the beginning that they could try and work things out. She had explained to him that Matt Donovan was only a friend but he didn't believe her. And in the end, she did the only thing she could she filed for a divorce. Their paths were not to cross after that but the universe seemed to have other ideas.
He didn't regret letting her go though. If he hadn't left her, he would never be where he was today. He never did feel that he deserved her. Her mother and her friends made it adamantly clear that Caroline was too good for him.
He sighed feeling the dread of seeing her again in a bit.
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Caroline walked into the firm with apprehension. She had sounded fine to Katherine earlier to ease her best friend's worry. Now that Kat wasn't present, she had no reason to pretend that she was fine. Because she was not fine. Not fine at all.
Her heart had been beating wildly in her chest as she Katherine dropped her off at the building. It was apparent that there was no way to avoid the whole situation. She sat in her office trying to mentally calm herself and prepare herself for the inevitable.
She tried her best to appear cool and collected as she finally made her way across the hall to his office. She knocked his glass door gently waiting for him to call her in.
"Good morning. Urm, so..is there anything you need me to do?" she stuttered when she stood in front of him.
Klaus looked up at her noticing how tense she looked. "You don't have to act so awkward around me," he said flatly.
"I don't think that's possible," she mumbled to herself.
"I know this isn't the most ideal situation, but the past is the past," he said trying to keep his voice even. Klaus was just as uncomfortable as her but he was able to school his expression and stance to hide his nerves.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"As a matter of fact yes. I'll be taking lead on the Franklin acquisition and I need you to get me all the files on them so we can go through them together."
"Together?" She repeated cringing.
"I'm not pleased with it as well," he said roughly. Was she so appalled with him that she wanted nothing to do with him?
"Sorry, that was rude. You are my commanding officer," she apologized noting that she was putting too much personal emotion into it. She needed to look at things from a more professional perspective.
"If you can't stand me, I suggest you tell Alaric. It doesn't matter to me if I have another associate to help me," Klaus told her seriously. He couldn't risk not having her full attention on work when he had a reputation to uphold and his goal of name partner.
"NO," she raised her voice. "I can handle this. I worked hard to get here, I can't and won't disappoint Alaric."
He looked at her pointedly trying to understand what was going through the pretty head of hers. "Alright then, come and find me once you get the files."
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Surprisingly, Klaus turned out to be a better mentor than Enzo. He had patiently explained to her what they needed to do and gave her some helpful advice along the way. She had always thought Enzo was the best mentor among all the senior partners in the firm but Klaus took the whole mentoring to a whole new level.
They had spent the past four hours looking through the files and coming up with clauses they were going to lay out in the contract. She was glad at how focused they were being but she was famished. It was past the lunch hour and yet they hadn't taken a break.
"Let's take a lunch break," Klaus told her when he accidentally heard her stomach growl.
Caroline looked down embarrassed. She could tell he had heard her stomach growling.
"Okay," she said standing up to stretch.
"So besides the Italian place, which other places would you recommend?" He asked grabbing his suit jacket.
"There's this steakhouse restaurant a street down from here that's famous for its quality of meat or there's also a fish and chips shop two doors down from that restaurant."
"Which one do you prefer?" He asked.
Caroline looked at him bewildered. Was he suggesting what she thought? Them lunch together? Why?
"Uh, it's your lunch you should decide."
"Don't be silly, we're having lunch together. I don't mind either, so lead the way."
"Klaus, I don't think this is a good idea," she said stopping him.
"It's just lunch." Truthfully, he wanted to use this personal free time to find out how she had been these past few years.
"I'm sorry but you might be okay with this but I can't do this," she said softly. She had to admit working with Klaus wasn't as bad as she had imagined but having lunch with him just wasn't right.
"Caroline, you need to accept this. We will be working with each other and it's best if we both try to be comfortable with one another. Unless you have a date?" He frowned remembering yesterday's events.
When he put it like that, he was making her sound petty. It infuriated in how easily he could still get under her skin. "Alright, let's go," she breathed heavily accepting her fate.
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Seating opposite Klaus in the quiet steakhouse house turned out to be awfully miserable. It was past the lunch hour hence why they were only a couple of people besides them. She could feel his gaze constantly on her trying to figure her out as she constantly fidgeted in her seat. When she couldn't take the uncomfortable silence for a second longer, she burst out. "Can you please stop staring at me like that?"
He raised his eyebrows at her surprised at her little outburst.
"This was a bad idea," she said getting ready to stand up. What the hell was she thinking? She and Klaus would never be able to act comfortably around one another. Not because of the past the shared. Lunch with him was just a nightmare/
He stood up and grabbed her wrist. "Don't."
She flinched at his touch and he immediately let go. "I can't do this. I can't act like nothing is wrong," she said in exasperation.
"That's not a good enough reason Caroline. Do you really think your personal emotions should be brought into the workplace?"
She glared at him heatedly. How dare he insinuate she wasn't good enough to be working for a law firm? To be working under him. "Stop looking at me like that! This is uncomfortable enough as it is, your constant eye sight on me isn't making things better!"
Caroline was about to further her rant when the waiter cut in to serve their food.
Klaus broke eye contact to look at his food. Which was no better.
"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to be a lawyer?" He asked quietly trying to change the topic of conversation to something she might feel more at ease with.
"You never asked."
After having a few bites of his medium rare rump steak, Klaus asked the question he had wanted to ask since yesterday. "When did you move to New York?"
"Four years ago," she finally offered, her voice wobbling.
Silence elapsed once more as the pair busied themselves with their respective meals. Caroline didn't see the point of making small talk, as it was obviously not going to reduce the thick tension surrounding them.
"I've given some thought on it and I think it's best if we keep our past to ourselves. Any of the others finding out would just complicate things," he announced trying to ease the tension.
"I agree," she said. It was better this way. "It's all in the past, there's no need to bring it up." Caroline knew from experience how nosy her work colleagues could be. If she didn't want to be the center of a scandal, it was better that they kept their past between themselves.
Caroline had lost her appetite after a few bites. She just couldn't seem to enjoy her meal due to the circumstances. She started to pick at her food while she waited for him to finish.
"Why aren't you eating? Do you want something else? You used to love this," Klaus commented realizing that her food was barely touched. He knew she was hungry judging by her stomach grumbling earlier.
Caroline lifted her head to look at him. She was taken aback that he still remembered her fondness for steaks. "I'm not hungry anymore."
"Do you want something else? You'll need the energy to continue with the amount of paper work we still have to go through."
She shook her head, "It's alright."
"You should eat more. You've lost a lot of weight," he couldn't help but add.
"That's really none of your business," Caroline snapped furiously. How dare he comment about her weight so easily? He had no clue what she had been through these past four years.
"You don't need to get so upset over it," he countered taking a sip of his glass of water.
"Let's just focus on work related topics."
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The pair continued diving into work once they were back at the firm. Caroline was so engrossed in analyzing the financial statements that she hadn't realize that it was nightfall until Enzo came in to check on them.
"You just started out yet my good friend has already buried you with paper work," Enzo commented leaning against the doorframe watching the two.
"Enzo," she smiled gazing up to look at him.
"Hey gorgeous," he winked before nodding his head to acknowledge his British friend.
"So how's the mentor thing going?" Enzo asked striding into the office.
"It's going well," Klaus replied turning his attention to his friend.
"First day here and you volunteered to take lead on the Franklin acquisition. I'm once again impressed by you, though I can't say the same for Damon," Enzo joked reminiscing of the events earlier in the morning.
"Damon sounded ready to kill me," he chuckled. The dark haired lawyer had raved on how Franklin was his client.
"You got to be kidding me! Franklin's my client!" Damon frowned displeased with the development. He was ten minutes late to the goddamn meeting only to receive this bullshit.
"They're still your client, Damon, but it's Klaus's transaction," Jenna frowned at Damon's childish antics.
"You can't be serious? I landed that company when they were a regional shithole, and I don't need some interloper to—"
"Klaus's a senior partner, Damon. Now can we please move on," Jenna urged her patience for Damon wearing thin.
"Oh, this is bullshit."
"Then I guess you're saying the bylaws are bullshit," Klaus couldn't help himself but add. He found the situation amusing. Damon Salvatore was just way too easy to piss off.
"My bylaws are a work of art," Damon sneered.
"Oh, I know. And the bylaws clearly state that if a senior partner is more than ten minutes late to a meeting, he or she has no standing," Klaus smirked knowingly.
"Well, that rule doesn't take into consideration a partner being late due to reasons beyond his control."
"Wait, I'm sorry," Klaus mocked flicking to the page he was after. "This rule shall not be abridged by any circumstances, including but not limited to family illness, criminal detention and travel delay. For without punctuality, we are animals right?" the Brit mocked.
"How dare you quote me to me? Damon glared at him and, if looks could kill, he would be skewered twice over. "This is not over Mikaelson."
"Yes it is Damon," Alaric lectured. "Moving on."
"He's still really pissed at you," Enzo chuckled remembering the look of Damon's face when the meeting ended.
"I didn't know he could be so petty."
"You shouldn't have done that though," Enzo said a moment after. "Damon's well known for holding grudges."
"I'm not afraid of him," Klaus laughed.
"It's not you I'm worried for. He takes his anger out on associates," he looked at Caroline sadly. "Damon oversees all associates, so Caroline has to also answer to him," he explained seeing confusion etched on his fellow lawyer's face.
"You've got to be kidding me," Klaus groaned. He had heard Damon Salvatore's reputation as a decent corporate lawyer and would never have imagined he could be this petty. "But I'm her commanding officer, why does she need to report to Damon?"
"It's always been like this around here. Even my associate Tyler still reports to him. It's not anything too serious, Damon would probably just make her do his bidding to piss you off."
"What if I let Caroline go? I work better alone anyway."
"It doesn't work that way mate. It's just a rule around here, all senior partners get an associate," Enzo told him. "Try not to piss him off next time," Enzo said lightly.
"I'll keep that in mind," Klaus grunted turning to look at his ex-wife. She had been awfully quiet throughout the whole exchange.
"So are you guys done for the night? I was thinking me and you could hit the bar for some drinks like the good old times," Enzo asked.
Klaus looked at the half completed contract they had typed up, "Why not." He had only two more files to go through, he could use a break.
"Great, I'll just grab my coat. I'll meet you at the elevators," Enzo said already striding his way back to where he came from.
The Brit focused his attention on her, unsure of what to say. Cautiously, he spoke, "I'm sorry, I didn't know that Damon oversees associates." In spite of his distain for their situation, he still wouldn't want Caroline to be punished for his own actions.
"It's fine. Damon isn't that bad, you'll grow to understand him," she whispered picking up her stuff.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," he said roughly, unsure of how he should act.
"Good night Klaus," she said in a formal tone.
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"That looks like a tasty little thing," Enzo grinned his eyes set on a lanky red head.
"Mmm."
"Earth to Klaus, what's up with you? You used to be the eager one out of the both of us," Enzo chided taking a gulp of his scotch.
"Just not in the mood," Klaus shrugged chucking down his bourbon. Alcohol seemed to be the only way to numb his feelings. If he passed out drunk, he wouldn't have to fight off the string of memories of his ex- wife invading his unconscious mind.
"You know, you should at least have the decency to tell me you were scouted to the firm. I thought we were friends."
"We're drinking buddies," he deadpanned.
"Come on, mate. We're friends," Enzo countered. Besides Damon, Klaus Mikaelson would be the only other person Enzo considered as a friend.
"I never knew you were this desperate for my friendship," Klaus teased.
Enzo shook his head smiling, "So are you going to tell me what's your deal with Caroline?" Enzo had tried asking the woman in question yet Caroline was resolute in keeping this quiet. It hurt his ego a little that Caroline didn't see him as a friend that she could confide her feelings with. Hence why he had decided to question Klaus instead.
"What do you mean?" Klaus tried keeping a neutral tone.
"Perhaps you two have a history together?"
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Even a blind man could see how thick the tension is between the two of you."
"It's nothing," Klaus said firmly hoping his friend would drop the subject. Why was Enzo interested anyway?
"Ok then. I just don't want things to be weird between the both of us as I'm interested in her. But since you said that there's nothing between the two, I shouldn't have anything to worry about then," Enzo smiled happy with the outcome.
Klaus had known through yesterday's little display that Enzo and Caroline was sort of an item but hearing him say it out loud made him recoiled from disgust. It just didn't feel right. Caroline had successfully moved on whereas he still couldn't handle starting a new relationship. He thought back to how happy she sounded last night.
"You're overanalyzing things, there's nothing going on between my associate and I," he let out.
"Good. Now stop sulking and let's find you a hot woman for the night," Enzo said already weaving himself through the crowd.
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The next day, Klaus Mikaelson awoke from his night of binge drinking with a tremendous headache. His head pounded and even the slightest noise of the birds chirping in the early morning sun seemed to be incredibly loud.
He opened his eyes surveying his surroundings trying to piece back last night's memories. The feeling of disorientation lasted only a moment; another not so momentary then followed it.
This was a first.
He was twenty- six and though there had been some moments in his life he would prefer to forget, none up to this point had involved waking up with a total stranger in his bed.
And she was a stranger. He knew that just by looking at her hair. Blonde curls spread out on the pillow beside him. After his disastrous relationship with Caroline and some rebound sex with Camille, Klaus had steered himself away from blondes. He had never wooed or slept with another blonde as the hair color unnerved him.
The slight movement of him raising himself on one elbow woke the sleeping woman. He heard her groan and could tell as she shifted that she was naked.
Klaus eyes narrowed in effort as he kick- started his brain into sluggish life. Think, Niklaus..focus..what happened last night.
He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep as his bed partner woke up. He heard her quietly sit up followed by the sound of her swiftly pulling on her clothes while he continued to remain asleep. It was better this way. He couldn't for the life of him remember the events of last night and most importantly her name.
This was a typical one-night stand. They were both better off not being on a first name basis as it would remain a one time thing.
He waited until he heard the door of his apartment suit close before he dared to flick his eyes open. He frowned as he tried recollecting the memories from the night before.
Had he been so affected by Caroline that he unconsciously bedded a blonde?
The ringing of his iphone distracted him from his deep thoughts. "Hello," he answered groggily.
"Good, you're up."
"What could you possibly want at this ungodly hour mate?"
"I was worried something happened to you. You left without a word last night. Did you get lucky?"
"I'm not going to discuss it with you over the phone."
"You did get laid," Enzo chuckled on the other end. "Though it's not much of a surprise seeing as I'm the best wingman out there."
"Are you done mate?" Klaus asked in a clipped tone. His head was pounding and there had been enough hangovers in his life to assure him that nothing but a hot shower and a pot of coffee would lessen the effects.
"For someone who just got laid, you sure sound grumpy."
"My head is killing me, do you really think I want to hear your voice right now," Klaus said lowly.
"Okay, I get the hint," Enzo replied. "Just had to check that you're alive that's all."
"Goodbye Enzo."
Klaus ended the call before he heard a reply. He stood up trying to shake the remnants of his hangover. His memory of last night remained foggy in spite of how hard he tried to rack his brain. After five minutes of resting his head between both hands to try and shake the throbbing feeling in his head, he finally got up and stumbled in the general direction of his bathroom.
He fumbled for the shower faucets and let out a breathy groan when the hot water from the showerhead flowed over his face. The water felt amazing and it was already starting to put the effects of the headache behind him. Klaus leaned underneath the stream of water, bracing himself against the wall of the glass shower pane, just letting the hot water run down his neck, over his shoulder blades and down his back.
He was starting to finally feel normal again. He ended up taking a longer shower than usual due to calming effects of the hot water. When he was finally content that the shower wasn't doing much anymore, he wrapped a towel around himself and exited the stall.
He stood in front of his full-length mirror, toweling himself down then he moved to wipe the thin layer of condensation from the mirror with his damp towel. A face stared back at him through the streaked haze, and it wasn't one he was proud to admit belonged to him.
His eyes appeared tired, the dark circles giving them a drooping appearance. His blue orbs were washed out, barely faint outlined by streaks of red. He hated how he looked. It had been too long since he last suffered from a hangover. He had never gotten so wasted since graduating from law school.
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It was an hour later, before Klaus felt steady enough on his feet to head to the firm. The sickening waves of nausea had finally passed, but left him physically drained. He stopped by the Starbucks two blocks down his work place for the much needed caffeine.
He chucked down the black coffee hastily, feeling thankful as the caffeine made its way through his system, pushing him toward consciousness. Never again was he going to have this much alcohol. He was past the age of having such a dreadful hangover. He wasn't in high school or college anymore.
Klaus was beyond relieved that they were not having a goddamn meeting this morning. It was evident that he wasn't in his best state to be in one. As he made his way to his personal sanctum, he was surprised to find her already working on their case.
"You're here early," he commented placing his brief case down.
"Good morning," Caroline greeted lifting her head to greet him. Her brow furrowed into a scowl as she took in his appearance.
She was absolutely certain he was having a hangover. He looked like hell.
"Hmm," Klaus replied simply.
"Do you need an aspirin?"
He shook his head, "I'm fine. Where are you up to?"
"I finished looking at the remaining files last night and I think our client would benefit more if we add in these two more clauses," she said showing him her work.
Klaus swiftly read through the sections Caroline had added. He was quite impressed with her. Who knew, she had such a keen eye for detail. "It looks good, we'll add those in."
"Really?"
"Yes," Klaus confirmed.
"Good," she beamed, near giddy with relief that he thought she'd done well. It felt wonderful to have his approval, to have him acknowledge that she was capable at being an associate.
"We should be able to draw up a final document by noon. I have a meeting with Mr. Franklin at three so it has to be completed by then."
"Okay," she responded already starting to type her contributions into the document.
"I second thought, I can finish this up. You can go and do something else," Klaus told her, his attention already fixed on his iMac screen.
"Oh, alright then," Caroline replied a tad disappointed. She had hoped she could be the one to finish writing up the contract. It was her first case after all. She had the intention to try and persuade him to let her do it but seeing him all serious and focus on his work had her second guessing if her request would be appropriate.
Klaus was her commanding officer. Her boss. A newbie in her position should not be in the position of asking or requesting for something so important. If it were another person in his position, she would have never thought to ask. It daunt on her how she wasn't treating Klaus with the respect he deserved or how unprofessional she had been.
"Okay, I'll just go. Let me know if you need anything," she said softly. She needed some space from him to compartmentalize her feelings. She was unconsciously treating him like a friend, which wasn't acceptable.
Klaus detected a slight waver in her voice and looked up from his work. "Did you want to finish it together?"
He knew that it was close to impossible but it was the only thought that crossed his mind.
"No, it's not a big deal," she declined and swiftly walked out of the office.
The Brit frowned at her retreating figure for a moment trying to comprehend what had just happened. Caroline had always been a difficult person to understand. Even when they were together, he rarely knew what was going through her mind.
Resigning to the fact that he still didn't understand her, he brought his attention back to the paperwork. There wasn't much of a point to continue trying to figure the woman out.
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"Caroline!"
"Hey Elena," Caroline looked up from her desk hearing a small knock followed by a familiar voice.
"How's it going? Wow, I can't believe you're an associate now," the brunette mused picking up her contact card.
"I know it's still surreal."
"I get what you mean. I was just like you when I was promoted," Elena sighed reminiscing about her first day as an associate two summers ago.
"Time sure does fly."
"It sure does. Who would have thought the three of us would be promoted to associates so soon."
"The three musketeers," Caroline chuckled thinking of their inside joke. "Where's Bonnie?"
"She's just finishing up some paperwork. She should be here soon. It's lunch hour."
"Okay, I'm almost done too."
"I'm starving so hurry up," Elena joked.
The girls had become instant friends when Caroline first joined the firm. Elena and Bonnie had already been working as paralegals then and both had personally taken Caroline under their wing. They taught her everything she knew, from the basics to all the ins and outs of Saltzman and Sommers. They became fast friends and soon the three of them became inseparable, hence why Enzo and Damon used to tease them as 'the three musketeers'.
Caroline has always been extremely grateful to them. She had joined the firm with the hope of starting over, but she also managed to make two life- long friends. It was great to have such close friends as colleagues though sometimes it did have its downsides like today.
Bonnie had demanded that she kept her lunch free as they were going to celebrate her promotion. She had told them that she didn't want to make a huge deal out of it, but no force could stop the pair once they set their mind on something. It was one personally trait that strongly resemble hers.
"This is really unnecessary," Caroline pointed out once again.
"Nonsense," Elena cut her off. "Besides, you threw us celebratory parties when we got promoted. This is nothing compared to what you have done for us."
"It's different though. The both of you have already graduated from law school and besides you both deserved the promotion. I on the other hand…" she faltered.
"Caroline Forbes, don't you dare doubt yourself," Elena reprimanded. "You deserve this as much as we do. If anyone makes you feel otherwise, they'll have to deal with me!"
"Thanks Lena, that means a lot."
"Why the sudden doubt? Is the new senior partner giving you hell?"
"What have you heard?" Caroline asked surprised at the venom in her friend's voice. Elena had always been the sweetest one out of the three. Always the forgiving one.
"I haven't personally talked to him but I get the picture. Damon's been complaining about him non-stop since yesterday. He's given me an earful of Klaus Mikaelson's wonderfully personality," she grimaced.
"Really?" Caroline couldn't help but smile. Elena was Damon's personal associate and these were the times that she was thankful Damon wasn't her commanding officer.
"I'm not joking. You would think a man in his position would stop being so petty."
"That's Damon for you. You should know, you've been working alongside him for two years."
"I honestly cannot wair to see the day he would stop making such a huge deal out of trivial things," Elena replied.
"What are you girls gossiping about?" Bonnie grinned joining the pair.
"Hey Bonnie!" Both girls smiled greeting their friend.
"Elena's complaining about Damon again," Caroline told her smirking.
"Why am I not surprised," Bonnie teased. It had turned into a standard routine the amount of times Elena complained to them about Damon.
"He just gets on my nerves! Why can't Enzo be my commanding officer," she pouted.
"It's been two years, Lena. It's time to get over it. Enzo's got his hands pretty full," Bonnie chimed.
"Easy for you to say. You don't know how difficult it is to work for him."
"Come on Lena, I thought you were hungry," Caroline cajoled hoping both women would stop their bickering.
"You're right. We shouldn't waste our lunch break talking about Damon when we have Care's celebratory lunch!"
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"So, what's it like working under the infamous Klaus Mikaelson?" Bonnie asked after taking a bite of her sashimi.
"It's okay."
"Just okay?" Bonnie quirked one disbelieving eyebrow.
"Why, what have you heard?"
"Is he as ruthless as they say?" Elena asked joining in.
"I…"
"Scratch that," Elena added bluntly. "Is he hot? Hayley couldn't stop fawning all over him. She's been telling all the girls that she has dips on him."
Bonnie rolled her eyes, "Typical slutty behavior. I have a theory she spreads her legs for anyone with a dick," Bonnie mocked in distain.
"I'm with you Bon," Elena agreed.
"She does have a tendency to hit on the guys but calling her a slut sounds a bit harsh," Caroline said after a thought. She had always tried to look at the good in people and calling Hayley a whore straight out didn't seem fair.
"You're being too nice," Bonnie stated. "She has most probably slept with almost every guy in our firm."
"Hence her infamous title as an office slut," Elena added. "It'll be interesting to see her try and work her thing on Klaus Mikaelson though."
"Let's make a bet," Bonnie grinned. She honestly couldn't stand Hayley Marshall. Bonnie hated women who used their body to get what they want and couldn't stand the fact that Hayley had slept with almost all of her colleagues.
"I'm in. How long do you think she'll need to seduce him into bed? Hmm…I'd say a month max," Elena responded after some thought.
"I would say fortnight tops," Bonnie countered.
"You're on. What about you Care?" Elena looked at her quiet friend excitedly.
"I'm not taking part in this," she said evenly trying to remain impassive about this new turn of their conversation.
"Where's the fun in that? " Bonnie chided.
"Come on Care, it's not like he'll know," Elena cooed trying to persuade the blonde.
"Elena's right. You used to be quite eager to bet. Why the sudden change of heart?" Bonnie asked her gaze focusing on Caroline.
"I just…"
"You hate Hayley just as much as we do," Elena pointed out. "Are you forgetting how she was throwing herself at Enzo during the party last week?"
"Hey, you know Enzo and I are not together," Caroline said defensively.
"Friends with benefits then," the brunette corrected herself.
"It's not a big deal. Enzo can do anything he wants. He can hook up with Hayley if he wants, it's his decision."
"You're not even a bit jealous?" Bonnie asked curiously.
Caroline shook her head. "Honestly, I'm not. We made it clear no feelings should be attached with it."
"And you know how much I don't believe your little arrangement could be exchanged without emotions attached," Elena pointed out crudely.
Caroline sighed hating the turn the conversation was taking. She had told both of them about her secret flings with Enzo after their second time together. Elena had been judgmental and insistent that she should stop the fling, claiming that she would be the only one hurt in the end. Bonnie had disapproved it as well though not as expressively as Elena.
"Not this again Elena."
"I'm just looking out for you, Care."
"Elena drop it please," Bonnie stepped in not wanting an argument to start during Caroline's celebratory lunch.
"Fine," Elene huffed taking a sip of her ice tea.
"Thank you," Caroline muttered to her friend.
"So Hayley and Klaus," Bonnie repeated trying to turn the conversation back to where they left off.
"I change my mind, I'm going with a week instead," Elena smiled slyly remembering something.
"Really?" Bonnie asked with slight disbelief.
"Yup!"
"Why?" Bonnie deadpanned.
"Well, I heard that Klaus sleeps around very often," Elena told her friends in a soft whisper.
"No way," Bonnie gasped. "How do you know?"
"Damon ran a background check on him."
Caroline almost spit out her drink after hearing Elena's response.
"Oh God, are you alright?" Bonnie looked at the blonde worriedly passing her a few napkins.
"Sorry," Caroline coughed.
"Here," Elena handed her some more napkins. "What happened to you? Was it something I said?"
"Did you just say Damon ran a background check on Kl..Klaus?" Caroline stuttered hoping she had heard wrong.
"Yes," she nodded.
"Shit, when was this?" Caroline asked frantically.
"What's the matter?" Elena looked at her confusedly. She couldn't understand why a background check was getting Caroline all worked up.
"When Lena?"
"Yesterday, we're still waiting on a more detailed result but Damon already has some brief basic information on him."
"Is there anyway to stop the search?"
"What's wrong Care? It's not the first time we have a private investigator doing a background search," Elena asked perplexed.
"Elena you need to ask the PI to stop this," she said in a pleading tone. Caroline knew their past would be out in the open once Damon gets hold of the results.
"Do you know something we don't?" Bonnie asked sensing how distress her friend sounded.
"Please Elena, you need to get Damon to abandon this. Klaus and I have..a..history together," she said quietly. There really wasn't much of a point to hide from her friends. Elena would have tried to force her for the truth anywayx.
"Care, don't worry that will not be on the background check. PIs won't be able to access that sort of personally information," Elena said softly in hopes of soothing her friend. The brunette still couldn't comprehend what the big fuss was. Klaus wasn't the only senior partner that Damon had decided to investigate.
"I know that, but we didn't just date," she looked down indecisive if she should tell them the whole truth.
"Okay," Elena mumbled still not understanding where Caroline was going with this.
"Whatever it is, you can tell us," Bonnie added wanting to make it easier for the blonde.
"I…" Caroline said hesitantly. She wanted to just tell them, to talk out the conflicting emotions surging inside her, but she was too used to keeping it all in and really, in this instance, that was probably for the best. Dropping the news would be a bomb to both of them.
"Care?" Elena whispered placing her hand in hers for comfort. "You can tell us."
She took a deep breath deciding that the truth was the best. "I've been keeping a secret from both of you," she said slowly averting her gaze from either of them.
"You don't have to tell us if you're not comfortable with it. We will never pressure you to tell us," Bonnie insisted placing her hand on her other palm.
"Thanks, but I think it's time you know," she said with slight apprehension. "Four years ago, before I made the move to New York…I was m..married."
Caroline watched their changing expressions. They were truly stunned seeing as their mouths hung open and their eyes widen in shock.
"Klaus and I were married. He's my ex- husband."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
T.B.C
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Sorry for the wait!
My studies got in the way, but hopefully I'll get to update more regularly once I'm done with my final exams!
Let me know what you think ;)
Until then ~
XOXO
Suzypyong
