Disclaimer: I own nothing but a much loved DVD of You've Got Mail and too many feelings about Caroline and Klaus on TVD.
Shuffling his portfolio and iPad to one hand, Marcel tentatively raised the other to knock.
"Come in." Elijah sounded tired and resigned, not a good sign for the meeting Marcel hoped to have. Once he entered the CEO's office, though, he realized the resignation wasn't directed toward him.
Hayley Marshall-Mikaelson was standing behind her husband's desk, arms crossed in apparent irritation. "We haven't been to the beach in ages, and this house is gorgeous," she said, ignoring Marcel's approach. "I'm not asking you to drop everything and go this minute, just to give me a good week so I can book the reservation."
"Not now," Elijah answered in a hard voice, not even facing his wife. "Marcel, where's Niklaus? I was under the impression you had a report for me on the South Street project."
Coughing, Marcel straightened his posture. "I actually wanted to discuss the opening with you, before Klaus arrived."
"Elijah," Hayley interrupted with a huff.
Turning an imperious gaze on her, Elijah raised his eyebrow archly. "I'll be home for dinner, dear." While it may have once been a loving endearment, the dismissal rang clear. Hayley turned on her heel to stalk out of the office, nearly bowling over Klaus who had just arrived.
"Excuse you," he snapped, no love lost for his sister-in-law. When he received no response, Klaus furrowed his brow at the men waiting for him. "What's with her?"
"You were saying, Marcel?" Elijah asked, pointedly avoiding his brother's question. "What about the grand opening?"
Klaus raised his eyebrows in surprise; Marcel never mentioned anything about the opening to him. "Yes, partner," he said dangerously. "What about the opening?"
Giving that charming smile of his, Marcel refused to show any weakness in the face of his best friend's ire. Klaus might have excessive pride and ego, but Marcel was the one to truly care about Mikaelson Brews and growing the business. He might not be family, but he was as close as they come. "I want to involve the surrounding neighborhood, turn it into a celebration for the whole area and not just us," he explained. "It might be more costly than budgeted, but I believe it would signify our investment in the local businesses, encouraging them to invest in us, too."
"Business is competition," Elijah noted. "Shouldn't the celebration be about our renewed presence in the city, attracting others from outside the area?"
"That's exactly my point," Marcel exclaimed, barely resisting the urge to nudge Klaus out of his eye roll. "We are a good thing for the neighborhood, and inviting them to join in our success can prove that better than just showing up one day."
Klaus just chuckled, making himself comfortable in the leather chair settled across the desk from his older brother. "They don't want to join in our success," he said. "Bekah and Kol, as flighty as they can be, recognized the malice that seemed to accompany the Mikaelson name during our adventures last night. They're going to hate us in the beginning, no matter what we might do to assuage them."
Clenching his fists around his portfolio, Marcel shook his head. "And that's just okay with you? Writing them all off before we've even introduced ourselves?"
"We're going to get them eventually," Klaus shrugged. "It's happened a dozen times before, yet they always grow used to us. Soon, they'll forget we were the new kids on the block and buy our product all the same."
"That's so cynical—"
"Marcel," Elijah cut off without humor. "Niklaus, please elaborate on your experience. I had hoped you would include at least Kol on this discussion."
Snorting, Klaus reclined in his seat. "He's probably sleeping off the Hurricanes we had at dinner," he admitted. "Add that to the lethal brownies we had for dessert, and our lightweight brother didn't stand a chance."
"Odd, considering we don't serve alcohol, therefore these establishments aren't exactly the competition you were supposed to be evaluating."
Marcel and Klaus shared a commiserating look at the stern observation; even when they disagree, they couldn't find a better teammate against Elijah. "You asked us to learn about the climate of the area, and I'm telling you these are some fun-loving neighbors," Klaus explained tiredly. "Rumors have gotten out, though. I received a lovely rant about the Mikaelson Brews coming to steal all their business."
Both Elijah and Marcel's expressions turned curious at the rare delight Klaus showed in the company dealings. "So you did investigate the competition," Elijah sighed, somewhat relieved. It meant his brother was taking the business seriously.
"Mystic Bakery," he answered. "I haven't done a proper visit, but their baked goods are the issue more than any coffee or tea offerings. They certainly are creative in their recipes, though, and in their practices. A late-night window for visitors to walk up and order a signature treat."
"Interesting," Elijah mused, writing something down on a notepad.
Realizing he was losing any participation of the discussion, Marcel sought to bring up his argument again. "But partnering with Mystic Bakery and other local shops can help us transition as something inevitable and useful to the neighborhood," he insisted. "At least let me approach a select few. If they are as reticent as Klaus assumes, then I back off. No harm, no foul, and we open as usual."
Elijah looked to Klaus, who suddenly seemed distracted with his phone and unconcerned with the conversation at hand. "Niklaus?"
"Sure," he replied distantly, standing abruptly.
Watching his younger brother leave as easily as he came, Elijah rubbed a hand over his face. "Be delicate in your inquiries," he ordered Marcel with a sigh. "I suppose it is time we give you some more responsibility around here, and I'm glad to see you're stepping up. If only Kol could be so inclined, or Niklaus so dedicated."
"Happy to help," Marcel said, holding back a smug smirk at the permission to execute his plan. "I'll keep you and Klaus updated on the progress."
The two shook on their deal, to which Klaus was completely oblivious. His phone had buzzed with a new message from BarbieBlonde, talking about a new theory she'd uncovered about Madame LaLaurie's house of horrors. Engrossed with her rapid fire texts, he easily left his friend and brother behind to do as they wished.
He had a bookstore to check out.
Cupcake decorating was infinitely more fun when Caroline got to eat the product of her hard work, but she did enjoy the gaggle of spectators that tended to gather outside the window when she was carefully petaling frosting flowers. Her favorites were the little kids that pulled at the supervising adult's arm, begging to go inside for pretty cupcakes. Forget the walkup window being a million-dollar idea, it was worth its cost in free advertising for the bakery.
Bridal showers certainly helped with her profit margin, too, the delicate chrysanthemums she was emulating costing Miss Elena Gilbert a small fortune for her society pre-wedding events. Keeping that in mind, Caroline was excruciatingly focused on the perfect details.
"Gorgeous!"
Frosting burst out of the piping bag, completely ruining the design. "Enzo! What the hell?" Her friend was unapologetically waiting in the doorway to the kitchen, which just made her angrier. "Seriously, what?"
"You've got a visitor," he answered, jerking his head back to the front counter. "I had no idea you were looking for a new boyfriend, but he certainly seems an improvement over that yuppie you keep around."
Caroline rolled her eyes, well used to Enzo's jokes about Tyler. Still, she picked up her ruined cupcake and followed him out to the shop, where a very attractive man was apparently waiting for her. "Hi, I'm Caroline. How can I help you today?"
The man gave a bright, charming smile. "It's nice to meet you, Caroline. My name is Marcel Gerard, and I'm actually here on behalf of Mikaelson Brews."
Immediately, Caroline snorted and turned to head back to the kitchen.
"No, wait!" Marcel called, drawing the attention of some curious customers. When Caroline paused in her retreat, he lowered his voice to a more mellow tone. "I'm sure you've heard of the new store we're opening on this block, and there's going to be a grand opening celebration that I wanted to personally invite other local businesses to participate in."
"How would that even work, mate?" Enzo asked, ignoring Caroline's arched eyebrow. He usually left the business side of things to her and Bonnie, but he did have a vested interest. "We provide free desserts outside so you can sell your own inside?"
Nodding, Caroline's eyes went wide. "Is it the hair? You think because I'm blonde, I must also be stupid?"
Marcel held his hands up defensively, his smile turning sheepish. "I think we got off on the wrong foot," he countered. "We wouldn't officially open for business during the celebration, free samples all around to promote becoming part of the neighborhood. To do that, we wanted to help promote the neighborhood itself. Is that really so bad?"
Caroline's scowl turned contemplative. "It's definitely optimistic."
"And that's pure sunshine saying that," Enzo muttered unhelpfully, for which he received a sharp elbow to the side. "Ouch, Gorgeous."
"I guess I can appreciate the offer," Caroline told Marcel, "but I don't think I want to be involved at this point in time. All I see is a national franchise trying to make money off us, and we deserve better than that."
Bowing slightly, Marcel's charm really went all out. "I understand, and please let me know if you change your mind." He passed her a business card. "I've heard great things about your place, and I think we'll be missing out."
She sighed, feeling bad that she was basically throwing this guy out. "Here," she said, handing over the ruined cupcake from earlier. "For wasting your time."
"Thanks," Marcel said, accepting the treat with a wink. "It was nice to meet you, Caroline."
Watching him go, Caroline frowned. "I'm not crazy, right?" she asked Enzo. "Like, it's the principle of the thing."
"I've learned better than to fight Caroline Forbes' principles," he replied. "I should get back on the register."
"Yeah!" Caroline called righteously, but he just smirked at her frustration. Muttering to herself, she fled to the kitchen, pulling the phone from her apron. It would be another few hours before Elena's aunt came to collect her cupcake order, and she felt more than deserving of a vent session.
BB: Why can't people just agree to disagree? I think I'm more than entitled to have my own opinion without worrying about other people judging me.
OH: Of course, sweetheart. Do you want to talk about it?
Caroline's lips pulled into a reluctant smile at the way her pen-pal could read her better than those closest to her, and so quickly. OriginalHybrid didn't assume she wanted to share the details, he respected that sometimes she just needed to air her feelings. It was so thoughtful, she barely noticed the pet name.
While the intimacy should have made her uncomfortable, every "sweetheart" just reminded her that she already had a sweetheart of her own. Like she had told Bonnie, Caroline felt guilty that she might technically be cheating on Tyler; emotionally, sure, but cheating nonetheless. It was often why she immediately ended any conversation that felt too personal, especially when OriginalHybrid was liberal with the endearments.
Still, she needed the sounding board without getting bogged down in the details.
BB: My business might be threatened, and I seem to be the only one considering it a threat.
It was a risk, sharing something of her actual daily life with an otherwise perfect stranger. She bit her lip as she waited for his response.
OH: As an integral part to a successful business, I would say that you would be wise to trust your instincts.
Eyebrows raising, Caroline processed the new information: OriginalHybrid worked in the business world, too. Before she could craft an appropriately blasé reply, another message came through.
OH: Is this where I finally discover what business you're in?
BB: I don't think so, sneaky. For our own protection, remember?
OH: Living dangerous can be fun, love. However, I concede your point.
BB: Well thank you, oh kind one. Since you're so successful in business, what can I do to protect mine?
It took longer for him to respond, putting Caroline on edge. Maybe her confidence they could withstand Mikaelson Brews was naive and misplaced; worse, maybe she had made a huge mistake in turning down Marcel's offer of joining in the community's welcome. Her thoughts flew wildly until the familiar ding sounded.
OH: Fight. You fight me often enough, I can't help but believe that you're stubborn enough to accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Caroline smiled, tucking her phone back in her apron. She had cupcakes to decorate and a rediscovered strength she possessed. OriginalHybrid was completely right, and she would do anything to prove others wrong when it came to misjudging her.
Mystic Bakery was just getting started, and Mikaelson Brews wouldn't know what hit it.
A/N: A bit of a filler chapter, but I'd love to hear what you think!