Chapter 4
I got my voice back after couple of seconds.
„It's nice to see you again." I said insincerely.
He nodded. His eyes twinkled with mirth, as if he exactly knew what I really think about him.
„You too. How's your shirt?"
If I had saliva in my mouth, I would have choked. He had a nerve to ask me about my shirt?
„Great." I hissed. I sighed quietly when I noticed how carefully he was watching me. My every move, every breath, every awkwardness.
„What are you doing here?" I asked.
Corners of his mouth twitched upwards. He must have been more sexy with a geniune smile.
„Are you suggesting something?"
Yes, you bastard. You're following me. God, I was losing my mind with him. Why would he follow me?
I raised my chin up.
„Does every sentence has to have a subtext?"
He nodded, but his look said that he didn't agree with me.
„My mother is organizing this ball," He said laconically. He paused for a moment and added with a bitter smile. „I'm a guest of honor. Have you come with a partner today?"
I clenched my jaw. He smiled at me mockingly and I could feel his deadly glare. Okay, there was a subtext in this phrase, for sure.
„No." I answered quickly.
His smile widened, this time I saw satisfaction in his eyes. I noticed that when he smiles, his lips are perfect. Perfect for kissing.
I blinked and looked around. Couple of women were staring at us. Most of them were just looking at me jelous. I felt a relief. So I didn't go crazy, because I wasn't the only one reacting to him like that.
„Fantastic," He muttered. „We can dance then."
„Dance?" I repeated like an echo. He wanted to dance? I couldn't… imagine him dancing.
He laughed softly and I watched in shock how his face completely changed. Blue eyes were light now, his lips twitched in that sexy way and he was looking almost human. I could get used to this true and sincere laugh.
„Yes, Caroline," He said, saying my name longer than he should. This bastard knew exactly how it works on me. „Dance. That's what you do on the dance floor, right?"
I knew that. It just that he wanted to dance. To dance with me. He narrowed his eyes, which strangely reminded me of a vulture on the hunt.
I glanced to the side, trying to break eye contact with him. Tyler, from the other end of the room was staring at us with a frown.
And what was going on with him, now? That swine technically broke up with me! I turned to Mikaelson, smiling sweetly.
„And what if I have a partner?"
He smiled nonchalantly, as if he wanted to share a secret with me.
„I wouldn't have a problem with that," He leaned over to me, so we were closer to eachother. He was giving me a look from under his lashes that meant Oh-Look-At-Me-The-Big-Alpha-Male, and I was just standing there, still, with too much open eyes and pursed lips. „Trust me."
See, that's the problem. I could never trust those eyes, where you can see so many emotions. Emotions, that change every second. Emotions, that I didn't necessarily want to know.
For God's sake, I still was the same girl, the one that rambles whatever she has on her mind. So why his presence made me think of every word that I say?
I straightened up.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mikaelson, I can't."
He was still close to me, but there was consternation in his eyes and his smile instantly disappeared.
He understood me perfectly. I wasn't refusing a dance here, but something completely different. Something, that he didn't even ask about, but both of us knew what's at stake.
I ignored grimace on his face and I turned on my heel.
I walked straight ahead, feeling his gaze on me for all the time.
Where the hell was Elena? Never again. I won't go with her anywhere, now.
I took another sip of Martini and I started to relax. Sitting next to the bar I had excellent view.
It's been twenty minutes, and Mikaelson disappeared somewhere, which I noticed with a relief. Who was he? I could have sworn I heard his surname somewhere before. Either way, he had to be someone important. His own mother organized this ball.
And I just made him feel stupid. Oliver will be angry. I guess they're doing some business and when Mikaelson complains about me to Ollie, then I'll be screwed. Mikaelson isn't that type of guy, which you can refuse with impunity. He is that kind of a person, that has everything what he wants. And when he doesn't then he strives for.
„You like to run, don't you?"
Speak of the devil.
I rolled my eyes, not even looking at him. He wasn't sitting on a stool beside, he was just standing close to me. Too close, because I could feel his perfumes and fresh, soothing scent.
But what does he want from me? Well, he doesn't want to seduce me, for sure. I wasn't the ugliest, but the most beautiful either. With what I impressed a man like him?
With my lack of culture and sharp tongue?
„And you like to stalk." I said.
He snorted.
„Well, I wouldn't put it like that."
I looked at him sharply.
„Oh, really?"
He nodded slowly, I felt his eyes devour me.
„I don't like when someone rejects me."
I laughed ironically.
„Then you need to get used to it. You can't have it all, Mr. Mikaelson. Everyone has the right to choose."
His teeth gleamed in a mischievous smile. Suddenly he seemed free, happy and eager to do something crazy.
„Of course, Caroline," He muttered, laying his left elbow on the table and propping his jaw upon his wrist. He looked so good, that for a moment I considered it to be unreal." But I still have the opportunity to negotiate. Negotiate until the other side starts to understand that a refusal doesn't make any sense."
Weirdo.
Handsome and sexy weirdo.
„It's good, that I'm consistent in my decisions."
He narrowed his eyes, giving me a look as if he wanted to say We'll-See. I glanced to the side, trying not to look in Mikaelson's direction.
Tyler Lockwood. I winced. He was accompined by some blond baby doll. And it seemed that they are having fun together. Well, he was fast, wasn't he?
„Did you feel something towards him?"
Suprised, I look at my unwanted companion. He looked… serious. His eyes were blank again and it seemed that as fast as he opened up a little, he quickly shut again.
„Excuse me, Mr. Mikaelson, I'm not used to talk about my private life to strangers."
He looked at me harshly.
„Did you?" He repeated, this time more bluntly.
I bit my lip, my gaze automitaclly turning to Tyler.
Did I? I smiled with nostalgia. He was a nice change from everyday chores and it was fun with him, but could it be something serious? I don't think so.
„No. I just regret that I lost my time with him."
His eyes softened and he was relaxed again.
„That's good."
Wait. What? That's good? Why is it good?
And then it hit me.
He asked me if I felt something towards Tyler. Past tense. Firstly, how in the world would he know that I hooked up with Tyler, and even so, how could he know, that whatever there was between us, now is over?
I remembered the day when I met Mikaelson in front of my office. The next day, Tyler practically broke up with me. Today, I see Mikaelson again on this stupid ball, that is starting to get on my nerves and he, suprisignly, knows my name. And now it looks like he's perfectly informed about my private life. And Tyler's glares. This furtive glances in Mikaelson's direction. I could almost see fear in his eyes.
Seriously? That's what's it all about? But…
There could be only one explanation. Mikaelson advised Tyler not to get into a relationship with me.
But why would he do that? He doesn't know me.
I winced and held my index finger in front of me.
„You…" I stabbed his chest with my finger.
He seemed enjoying it. He watched me, waiting for my further reaction.
„ I." He whispered.
„You've sent him off!"
He smiled with satisfaction and looked at the bardender with superiority and muttered:
„Bourbon."
He looked at me again, grinning.
„It's good to know that there's something more to your beauty."
If I wouldn't be furious right now, then maybe I'd blush, but… I was mad at him.
„You, sick psychopathic stalker. Yes, Mikaelson. You are. A psycho. You're barging into my life? Jeez, you don't even know me!" I hissed, starting to gesticulate.
„Caroline, he wasn't a man for you."
I gasped, looking at his bored expression and I was feeling anger.
„Is that so?"
For the first time I saw him rolling his eyes.
„You know that type. Intimidating, handsome, rich, inteligent and waiting for a gold fish to throw a cast net. And if you're willing to fulfill his three wishes then he throws you back to the sea."
God, what a comparison.
„You don't say. It's the exact description of you." I muttered sarcastically.
He smiled charmigly, as if I said a compliment.
„You think that I'm intimidating and handsome? I'll have to remember that."
I sighed heavily. Why couldn't I just yell at him? His damn face. He looked so young and happy now and awareness that I was the one that made him smile, made me lost my breath for a second.
And then I though that I could do that more often. Make him look calm and at ease.
I quickly got that stupid idea out of my head.
„A million for your thoughts." He whispered, stepping closer.
„Em… I'm sorry, Mr. Mikaelson."
Suprised, I looked at Oliver. He was standing behind us with Elena at his side. He was looking at us hesitantly.
And Elena was thrilled. She was smiling from ear to ear and sending me conspirational looks.
Oliver and Mikaelson started to talk about business and with my death stare I tried to calm down Elena, the so-called my friend. This brat left me all alone!
„There's no need, Oliver," Mikaelson's voice reminded me about their conversation. Mikaelson looked at me, sending me a fake smile. Suprisingly, he gently touched my back. „I've already asked Caroline."
My throat went dry, I could feel how Elena was trying not to jump out of joy.
What? He asked me what?
„Right, Caroline?"
I sent him my nastiest look and then with angelic smile I looked at Oliver.
„Of course, Ollie."
I didn't have idea, what he just said to Oliver and I was nervous.
Oliver nodded, Elena pulled him away, he just moved his head in our direction, smiled to us and once again, they were gone.
I waited couple seconds, observating how they're stopping next to some woman.
I took a step forward and not looking back I made my way to Elena. Oliver, thank god, was standing a little further.
I looked at her, annoyed. She seemed to be happy like a little kid and probably she hasn't noticed my frustration.
„Oh god, Care, listen. The guy's name is Niklaus Mikaelson. He hates when someone calls him Nik. He's Barbara Ward's son. THE Barbara. It's not her real name, though. Anyway, he's got a lot of companies, but he made millions on the real estate. He's on the Forbes list on…"
„I'm leaving." I hissed. She stopped rambling and looked at me shocked.
I didn't even want to ask how come she knows all of that. I gave her the look and headed for the exit.
God, there was a waiter standing in front of me. And glasses of champagne. Alcohol would do me good. It just couldn't be any worser.
I took two glasses, I drank one fastly and put it away on another waiter's tray.
I felt someone walking right behind me.
It was him again.
Seriously? What the hell?
I opened the door and not waiting for him I went down the stairs and waited for a taxi.
He was still right behind me. I turned around, furiously.
„Are you following me?" He didn't answer. He was looking at me for the first time this evening with suprise. „I'm not a toy, Mikaelson. I won't let someone push me around. The truth is, that you're a crazy man who wants to have everything around him."
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
„You wouldn't say that, if you knew who I am."
I closed my eyes.
„I'm sorry for you, Mikaelson. Really. You assume that you can buy everything and everyone with money. There are things in the world that are priceless."
He was watching me carefully. I glanced at my champagne with the intention of drinking it, when I heard my taxi stopping right behind me.
I smiled teasingly to my perfect idea.
„And I give a shit about who you are."
I threw champagne in his face. Oh god, I can't believe I've done it. Making use of his suprise I put a glass on the sidewalk and I quickly opened a taxi door. Not that I was scared or something, but…
Okay, I could expect everything from him.
I already had one foot in the car when I noticed that he wiped his eyes with disbelief and looked at me threateningly.
I smiled naughtily.
„Now we're even, Nik!"
I qucikly got into the car, because he was starting to look really dangerously and excited I snapped to the driver:
„Man, if you want to live, then we should probably get going."
Here it is! I hope you like it :) Don't worry, she won't fall for him soon, I prefer on going love-hate relationships :)
