Another shoutout to my very own real life angel - Nicole - who designed this STUNNING cover! Also, Kings of Leon are my Originals muse, so any lyrics, song titles performed by them in this story are completely them : )
Beauty and the Beat
Part 3: Closer
Miami, Florida - Present Day - December 2017
"Just breath, Caroline," the blonde told herself in the mirror. She could hear the buzz from the crowd and knew it was almost time to take the stage with her ex-boyfriend. She'd heard them warming up earlier and they sounded better than ever. He sounded better than ever, his growling vocals causing places to tingle that hadn't done so in a very long time.
She couldn't listen to his music without all the memories flooding back. They'd lie in bed together, their naked limbs entwined and he'd serenade her softly, his voice sending her to sleep while she cuddled into his chest trying to get as close to him as possible. The media thought he was such a bad boy but with Caroline he was extremely gentle and loving. He'd jokingly told her not to tell the press about it because he wanted to keep his wild reputation in tact.
"Still talking to yourself, I see," a familiar voice uttered. She looked in the mirror's reflection and into his warm, brown eyes.
"Elijah," she grinned, standing up so she could give him a hug. Even after everything had fallen apart with Klaus, Caroline still kept in contact with his eldest and not to mention brooding brother. Klaus used to joke that he'd be jealous if they didn't act so much like ready made siblings. "If it isn't my favourite Mikaelson! What are you doing here?"
"Well..."
"Sorry," she interrupted. "Of course I know why you're here. You know, I heard them in rehearsals and I have a feeling the Originals are going to reach legend status tonight. From what I've seen in previous years with bands this is the place to do it and..."
"Caroline, breathe," he said, repeating her earlier comments to herself. He had such a calming nature and Caroline figured it was the corporate lawyer in him. "You don't need to talk up the band on my behalf. I know how difficult this must be for you having to see Niklaus again after everything that happened."
"It's okay, really," she insisted, saying it more for her benefit than his.
"No, it's not," he replied. "My brother is an absolute imbecile."
"Well, if you say so," she agreed, sending him a slight smile, only Elijah Mikaelson would use the word imbecile. "I suppose you have known the guy for a long time now."
"Yes, and he's been frustrating me ever since birth," he growled, knowingly.
"And he's still your brother, so it's probably best we end this particular conversation," she said, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. As much as she appreciated Elijah's protective nature, Caroline knew that she didn't want to get in between the brothers no matter how Klaus had treated her. Given their humble beginnings and their reliance on each other through hard times, Caroline would never want to break that brotherly bond between them.
"Anyway, if you must know I'm not here with the band. Although, I do plan on surprising them after the show."
"Well, now you've piqued my interest. How exactly did you manage to penetrate Victoria Secret territory?"
"I have contacts."
"Really?" Caroline joked. She always did love to tease the eldest Mikaelson, call it the unofficial younger sibling in her.
"No, he doesn't," Katherine drawled from the doorway, her satin robe pulled tight around her lithe body, those long chestnut tresses falling over her shoulders in effortless waves. "Turns out he just let himself in and uninvited I might add. I have a mind to speak with security about this particular breach." Caroline looked at the two, their intense glances unwavering, brown eyes on brown. It was just like old times apparently.
"Am I supposed to be scared?" Elijah baulked, his brown eyes locking stubbornly with hers.
"Is that a threat?"
"Maybe it is," he threatened, moving lazily towards the brunette and flashing a backstage pass that Caroline hadn't noticed until now which was hidden beneath the confines of his fitted, black suit jacket.
Katherine and Elijah were complete opposites for sure but her best friend since childhood and Klaus' eldest brother had kept them all continually entertained with their incessant banter and supposed blind hatred. Maybe if she and Klaus had stayed together, Elijah and Katherine might have finally given into their simmering sexual tension. But she figured that no one would ever really know the truth given their breakup.
"Vogue?" Katherine scoffed looking at the pass carefully, her hands on satin covered hips. "What exactly do you know about fashion?" Caroline had to stifle a chuckle given his designer suits were immaculate.
"Suits maybe but everything else..." Freya drawled, appearing from what seemed like nowhere. "But luckily I'm here to vouch for his ignorance. Elijah is actually my guest but obviously decided to take an unauthorised tour while my back was turned," she muttered, sending him a dirty look.
"Freya," Caroline smiled, enveloping the blonde into a warm hug, excited to see her. She knew Freya had been writing freelance for a while now but didn't realise she'd scored a gig at Vogue, deciding to blame that on their break-up. Anyone who knew fashion knew that was a pretty big deal. "Congratulations on the promotion."
"You need to keep a leash on that one, trust me," Katherine muttered, her brown eyes fixed on his. "Who knows what he's capable of doing unsupervised."
"What? Like having a conversation," he baulked, his chest extremely close to hers at this point but true to his gentlemanly reputation, his gaze didn't linger further south than her neck. Caroline had to give him points for willpower because most males couldn't help themselves when it came to models, especially like Katherine.
"Nice to see you again too, Katherine," Freya joked, taking in their adversarial body language. "I have a feeling this is going to be one of your best shows, not that I'm biased about the entertainment portion at all."
Even if it was, Caroline couldn't help the nauseating feeling gathering in her stomach yet again. She thought she could handle his presence and this show but suddenly she didn't feel so confident.
Indio, California - 3 years ago - April
"Remind me why we're here again?" Caroline asked, looking at their surroundings. Sure, Coachella was one of the most sought after festivals to attend but she'd never been a huge music fan if she was really being honest.
"Because this is the place to be seen," Katherine whistled taking in the large crowds heaving around the multiple stages in the bright sunlight. "And given our newly minted contract with Victoria Secret that means our attendance is compulsory." The girls had been equally surprised and elated to both score contracts with one of the most profitable and iconic brands in America.
"I'm surprised they didn't expect us to wear lingerie if that's the case," Caroline joked. Although looking down on her ensemble of mini denim shorts, fringed top and flip flops in the same tan colour she figured it was still minimal. Her blonde hair was splayed out over her shoulders in loose waves, her only accessorises were large, turquoise feathered earrings.
Katherine was equally minimally attired, wearing a fitted, red mini dress with navy flip flops and a matching head scarf, tied underneath her brown tresses. Given the looks coming their way, Caroline figured their novice status wouldn't last too long.
"So, where exactly do we go first?" Caroline asked, peering through her oversized, Gucci sunglasses. I'm sure our publicity team have it all mapped out for us."
"Well, Gigi and Kendall are at Jet, Candice and Miranda are at Calvin Harris and Taylor offered a temporary spot on the Girl Squad today."
"How considerate," Caroline scoffed.
It was one thing being considered an up and coming celebrity but it was another to embrace the life. Caroline had always liked to do her own thing, not hang out with other celebrities like some pathetic parasite desperate for media attention. She was a small town girl with solid beginnings and the most grounded role model possible. Her mother Liz, the Sheriff. She'd never wanted for anything but at the same time Caroline had developed an outspoken but down to earth streak in the meantime. "Why don't we just check out that band over there?"
"Which one?" She asked, shielding her eyes from the sunlight.
"I'm surprised you can miss it given the horde of people gathered around the stage."
"Who is that anyway?"
"You're asking me?" Caroline baulked, thinking maybe she should have done her research before arriving. "You were the one who said we need to be seen, so let's go do that without a celebrity entourage."
They made their way to the stage, the growling voice carrying towards them in the slight breeze. Caroline felt her skin tingle listening to the throaty vocals, thinking they seemed familiar. She looked to the stage and large screens, noticing four guys performing dressed in ripped jeans and fitted t-shirts. The lead singer looked toward the audience at that very moment and Caroline immediately recognised those dirty, blonde curls, penetrating blue eyes and sinful crimson lips.
It was him. Dubrovnik, London and now here in California. She started to think he was following her or it was possibly fate playing a mean trick. Yes, he was undoubtedly gorgeous and extremely charismatic but from what she'd witnessed both times they'd crossed paths, Klaus was your typical, arrogant playboy. Caroline knew that type well given her recent, cheating ass of an ex-boyfriend and fellow model Tyler and decided it was best to steer clear.
"This song is good, what's it called?" Katherine interrupted her thoughts.
"It's called Closer," another voice offered nearby. Caroline turned to see a pretty blonde with warm, brown eyes standing nearby. No doubt she was just another groupie.
"I like it," Katherine mused, swaying to the rhythm and no doubt causing a few nearby males to have heart attacks or something equally as intense. "It's dark but at the same time so..."
"Meaningful," she smiled, knowingly. "She took my heart, I think she took my soul. With the moon I run, far from the carnage of the fiery sun." The words struck Caroline all at once, not knowing who they were meant for but feeling the depth and feeling of them nevertheless.
"Big fan, I take it?" Caroline offered, hoping she wasn't some crazy weirdo.
"I like a lot of music," she murmured by way of response.
"To be honest, I might have met the lead singer a couple of times," she conceded. "He's just a little too arrogant for my liking." Katherine gave her a puzzled look but Caroline wasn't about to have a discussion about their interrupted night in Dubrovnik in front of this stranger.
"Well, I suppose that's fair enough."
"Exactly! Right? Glad it's not just me." Caroline said in relief, glad someone could see what she'd detected, even when he flashed those unexpected dimples her way in that dingy bar in Brixton.
"I know this isn't really professional but I was wondering if you'd be interested in a short interview? I'm Freya," she introduced herself, making them both immediately suspicious. "It's not every day you meet the two newest Victoria Secret Angels in the crowds at Coachella."
"Of course you are," Caroline inhaled sharply, thinking it was something she needed to get used to given her newfound status. "Let me guess, TMZ or Just Jared?"
"I'm freelance actually," she admitted. "To be honest, I hate all that contrived bullshit. Just interested in your band picks for the day and what you're wearing of course."
"I would definitely pick them," Katherine said pointing to the stage. "Whatever they're called."
"The Originals," Freya shouted above the loud guitar. "Actually, I should probably tell you both that..." Before she could finish, Katherine had decided she would be a fun addition to their posse. Caroline was in complete agreement thinking just how natural it felt to hang out with Freya.
A few hours had passed and Caroline found herself actually having fun in such foreign surrounds. Freya was exactly who she needed to relax into the music festival feel. They decided to take a rest from all the dancing and have a seat at one of the makeshift bars peppered around the venue.
"How about we go check out Sia?"
"I thought we were going to see her together?" A familiar voice enquired.
Caroline knew it was him immediately clinging to her bar stool, her heart beat picking up considerable pace in the meantime. He'd obviously changed since their set, his grey t-shirt replaced by a white Beatles one in the meantime. His curls were slightly damp to the nape of his neck, sticking to his head with that familiar stubble within kissing distance. Caroline shook her head, deciding to blame it on the tequila shots.
She noticed his bandmates flanking him, almost like a protective shield. Suddenly she felt like she was in Junior High again or something. The cheeky looking brunette was familiar given his avid interest in Bonnie a few year's back so too the others. She couldn't miss the longing look the blonde gave Freya.
"Excuse me? Don't you know it's rude to interrupt somebody's conversation?"
"And we pick up right from where we left things, sweetheart," he smirked, his eyes flickering over her body slowly and causing a few foreign feelings to take over. She didn't even know the guy but he had this annoying habit of messing with her perfect sense of control. "Nice to see you met my sister." Caroline wanted to be mad at Freya's dishonestly but her face dropped sheepishly and for some reason she couldn't blame her for her brother's arrogance.
"I was surprised," Caroline shared, deciding not to blow her cover. "She seems to have a lot more manners than her brother." Caroline couldn't miss the snort from Bonnie's admirer.
"I just think you haven't given me a chance," he grinned. "In fact, I'd be willing to make you a wager."
"A bet? Should I be amazed by your maturity or something?" Caroline scoffed sarcastically, trying to ignore just how good he looked and smelled from this close proximity.
"You won't know until you take up the challenge. So, are you game, love?"
Katherine glanced at her pointedly, reading her best friend's mind. Caroline never gave up a challenge and this arrogant blonde seemed to know that. Every fibre in her body was demanding she decline but she never really liked to lose.