This is really weird because I published this yesterday or was it two days ago and it didn't appear again. I think I should double-check how I publish. Thank you for those who remembered to review :)

For those who don't, please spare a bit of your time to review.. :)


Chapter 4 - The Right Man

London 2013

Out of haste, the very distinct sound of the clicking of the high-heel shoes of Davina rang the corridor going to the office of her boss. Quite out of breath when she entered, but still, the young assistant is still pure of poise in delivering her gathered information. She then began on reporting on what she had done.

"Sir, I ordered to have Mr. Saltzman's current residence to be cut off of connections as soon as I got these. I ordered from our men to have his electricity and even his internet connection to be cut off, so that he couldn't send any thing he had heard from the conversations he bugged. I also ordered for him to be detained by our men at the moment." Davina reported thoroughly, but she pauses for a little while for the little piece of information she thinks have a paramount of importance. "Sir, he is working for Mr. Damon Salvatore."

But the look that Niklaus have the moment he heard the last information confirmed the thoughts of the young assistant towards the information was indeed correct. But Niklaus Mikaelson quickly gathered his composure.

"Very good, Davina." Niklaus said, going through to the files of Alaric Saltzman. "It looks like he is Damon Salvatore's most priced man. But why is he bugging us?"

"Sir I haven't found out that yet. But we could question him right now and send him to the authorities after. He couldn't appeal much on the police for help because what he had done is illegal."

"Very well, where is he?" Niklaus said, looking at his best assistant and greatest weapon of intellect. The girl really does know what she is doing.

"Sir, he is currently residing on outskirts of London. Shall I call your driver now?" Davina asked, arranging the files and walking towards the company phone.

"Make the arrangements. I'll just call someone." Niklaus said. He called his younger brother. On the third ring Kol answered.

"Well, hello brother" Kol answered.

"Kol, don't tell this to Rebekah. But I just found out that the company is bugged and our home. But I already sorted out the bugs, everything is inspecte-" Niklaus was cut off by Kol, "What the bloody hell! Who would bug us? And what for?"

"Kol, listen" Niklaus cuts his brother's rumblings. "Everything is cleared of bugs. The bugs were traced to a man named Alaric Saltzman. And he is working under Damon Salvatore."

"Damon Salvatore, another Salvatore! They are really waiting to have something brother. What the hell do they want more from us? They already… Rebekah" Kol could not manage to finish his rumblings, but Niklaus understood well what he meant. And that just fuelled Niklaus' anger for the Salvatores even more.

The line went quiet for a bit. Niklaus sighed deeply and started again, "I am going to him right now. I am going to question him. Tell Rebekah I will not make it for dinner. But stay with her for the moment, even if she wants to be alone. I don't know what the Salvatores are up to. But I am going to the bottom of this."

Before they hung up, Kol managed to say, "Brother, I don't care what it takes. I want them to pay."

Kol managed to say those words of spite due to the current state of his sister that he is seeing. Rebekah is in the sitting room, expressionless but gently caressing her stomach.

With the words of Kol on his mind, Niklaus was really determined to know Alaric Saltzman's motives on bugging them. Niklaus did not talk at the ride to Alaric's current residence. But he was just lost on his thoughts about his sister. What would become of her and her child? The hurt his sister is dealing with now.

He snapped out his thoughts when Davina said, "Sir, I am thinking if we hand him to the police. He could still leak the information he had gathered, especially we don't know when he started to bug the company and what are the things he learned."

"I know, Davina. But I am thinking, he is Damon Salvatore's most priced man. It will be such as waste if he will just go to prison." Niklaus said, looking at the window.

Davina thought really hard of what his boss meant but did not try to ask him. She knew well enough that she'll understand later on.

When the cars came to halt, he got out of the car and was greeted by Marcel. "Klaus, his in here. Haven't touched him." And Marcel led the way.

"Good" Niklaus said.

Alaric Saltzman's current residence was a shabby little house but full with devices. It was quite dark because the electricity was out. When they came to a little sitting room, Niklaus saw a good built man tied to a sofa.

"Okay, I am going to make this easy and straight. What do you want from us?" Niklaus said. But, the man just looked at him and didn't answer.

"I know you are working for Damon Salvatore. But what you did under his orders is illegal. And it's a shame to have talent like yours to go to rot in prison. I am going to make you a deal, work for me and no prison." Niklaus said.

Marcel and Davina looked at him shocked. Why would Niklaus Mikaelson offer this man to work for him? They will never be sure of his allegiance if he agrees. The tied man thought but made no sound.

"So I am taking your silence as you don't want it." Niklaus started, "well then, Davina contact the authorities appeal for him to have solitary confinement and monitored visits. Tell them he'll leak company information and secrets. Then, after showing these devices, destroy all the recordings."

Niklaus then led Marcel and Davina outside for more private instructions. "Don't let this get out to the media. Damon might know of it. He must not have anyone looking for him or else they will learn what he got from the bugging devices. Also, it says in the information that he doesn't have a family. Her wife Isabel is marked as deceased and no relatives to contact for. So, press for a lawyer that we know so that he couldn't reach for Damon, Davina. As for you Marcel, play his part for Damon. Operate his devices; send Damon unimportant but believable recordings. Also, try to get information from Damon. And, let's have Alaric think we destroyed his devices so that he'll think Damon might wonder where the hell he is. Also, have him monitored in prison. No matter what happens, Alaric cannot communicate Damon. And Damon must never wonder where he is."

Both of them understood what they must do. And they started on working their tasks. Niklaus then called Kol and told him everything that happened. After that, Niklaus finally said, "Kol, I think it is time to call Elijah." Niklaus would never want to ask for help from his brother Elijah. But he really need to conceal the whereabouts of Alaric and the only way to make that sure is for Elijah's other means. He'll do everything to make sure Rebekah will never get hurt again by the Salvatores. Whatever Damon is trying to do, he'll make sure they will put an end to it.

"I know brother. We will get even to the Salvatore brothers." Kol said finally.


New York 2006

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Caroline started to read Pride and Prejudice. She specifically picked this book for she knows that it's her Mom favourite. She also believes that her Mom knows it by heart.

"I love this book, Care. Continue sweetie." Agatha looks at her only daughter with delight.

"Sure Mom." The sixteen year old Caroline continued to read but stops when she really couldn't bear her sadness. Her mother is going to leave her. The girl was really closed to her mother. Both his oldest brother and father for some unknown reason treat Caroline as like a porcelain doll, while his other brother was like a really good friend to her. But growing up, Caroline was really close to her mother. She treated her like a true princess. She pampered her with love.

Agatha then sat up and gestured for Caroline to sit near her, "What's wrong, sweetie?"

Caroline didn't answer her and just hugged her. Caroline couldn't do anything about it. Cancer is going to take her Mother really soon. She could see her beautiful blonde hair of mother was almost gone and she lost a lost a lot of weight.

Agatha then said, "Why don't I tell you a story instead? You always told me, you don't remember me, ever telling you a bed time story, right?" Agatha chuckles lightly and said, "There was once a beautiful princess named Caroline. She had two older brothers, the oldest brother was named Damon and the other is named Stefan. The princess and the princes were children of Giuseppe and Agatha, who loved them dearly. But the King and Queen had a problem."

Caroline then looked at her mother. Her eyes instantly show confusion and fear. But Agatha continues, "The problem of the King and Queen is that, they never want to get their children to get hurt by anyone. They were very much terrified that the hearts of the two princes and the princess will get hurt. Lots of people really wanted their hearts for their benefits, because through their hearts they can get the favour of the King and Queen. Well, everyone can say that the weakness of the King and Queen are their children." With that Caroline hugged her mother tightly and cried silently. She could not look at her mother's eyes with those words.

Agatha made Caroline look at her by directing her chin. She then soothed her gently and continued, "But when they grew up, they saw that the oldest prince was really brave and witty. The King and Queen thought that he'll not be fooled by those people. While the second prince was really kind and intelligent too. People easily liked him, but he is not easily fooled by people who are not true. As for the princess, well she was regarded by those bad people as the weakest link of the royal family because she is just pure kind and innocent."

Caroline then sobbed again and said, "I was a real fool, Mom."

But Agatha just soothed her again and said, "Oh! no, the princess was no fool, she is just a really trusting person. Like her oldest brother she is witty too, and like her second brother she is really kind and very intelligent too. Well, to the King and Queen's heartbreak, their biggest worry happened; one of their children's hearts was used as their weakness. The princess gentle heart was fooled by a greedy man so that they can be closed to the King and Queen.

Caroline continued to sob really hard with those words. But Agatha still continued on telling the story. "Well, of course they were really sad about it. But the King and Queen knew that it will never happen again because the young princess is very intelligent and she will quickly learn from her mistakes. They also know that her two brothers will always protect her, even if sometimes she will be annoyed by their over protectiveness. Her mother's comment about the over protectiveness of her brothers earned a soft giggle from Caroline.

"Well, there it is, I've wanted to hear you laugh. I really miss your light, Care sweetie." Agatha said as she stroke Caroline's hair.

"How can't you hate me? Because of me, we lost a lot of money. Daddy is facing a lot of trouble at work because of what I've done." Caroline cried, clutching her chest painfully. "Its all my fault. I let Tyler used me to get to the company. I let him manipulate me. He didn't love me. I didn't listen to you. How can't you hate me?"

"No, no, no, sweetheart I don't hate you. I love you. You're strong. You're beautiful. You're good." Agatha assured her daughter, but pauses a bit because of Caroline's sobs. "And even after everything that's happened, you are exactly who your father and I hoped you grow up to be."

"Then, please don't leave me Mommy. Please don't leave me." Caroline said weakly. "Just don't leave me."

"Care, I will never leave you. But when I am not around always remember that you have your brothers and your father to protect you. They will always give you my love."

"Love you, Mom." Caroline said hugging her tightly. "I promise I will never make you worry for my heart again."

"Care, just promise me something." Agatha said, lifting her daughter's chin to look at her eye to eye. Caroline then just nodded.

"Sweethweart, just promise me that you will only give your heart to the right man." Agatha said, kissing her daughter's forehead.

"I promise Mom."

That very same night, the whole Salvatore household was field of sound of mourning for the death of the matriarch.


London 2013

Surprise was an understatement to what Caroline felt. She is just asked out for a dinner by her new neighbour and now she answered the best way she could think of, "Bonnie and I will love to have dinner with you."

Niklaus tried really hard to suppress the surprise he got from his answer. But he did not try to press for only Caroline's company for dinner, he couldn't scare Caroline or else, everything will fail. But a stroke of luck hit Niklaus when Bonnie spoke up, "Oh! Sorry Klaus I couldn't join you for dinner. I have a graveyard shift."

Before Caroline protests that she usually has early dinner with her. Bonnie cut her off with a look and smirks at her. Bonnie then quickly tries to head for their flat and said, "So have fun you two. And you can just have me a take out for breakfast." Klaus then gave her a grateful smile because he understands what she is doing.

"So, love, dinner? Where do you want to go?" Klaus then started but was cut off when he saw Caroline being uncomfortable. So, Klaus thought of something fast. "Why don't we just order pizza? And If you want I could show you my paintings?"

Caroline then brightens up from the idea that she is not really going out with a complete stranger. She then smiled at him and "Sure. I'll just head back first and try to get this paint out of my hair."

"Sure thing, love." Niklaus said, still rubbing his foot with ice.

When Caroline entered, she instantly saw Bonnie with a peace sign on her hand. Before Caroline could even talk, Bonnie made the stop sign by her hand and talked, "Care there is something going on there."

"Bonnie Bennett, I knew it. Just stop, there is nothing. You almost set me up with a total stranger." Caroline said, continuing her cleaning.

"Almost? What?" Bonnie asks her with disbelief and surprise. "You blew him off?"

Caroline then looked at her and said, "I didn't, we are just going to order pizza in his flat. I couldn't really make up an excuse, like, I can't have dinner I have a graveyard shift. And since when did you and I not have dinner when you have graveyard?"

"What? You are just going to order! Great I have to go early." Bonnie replied. "Seriously, he is hot, Care. And you just blew off a proper dinner for pizza order in a move-in day flat?"

"Bennett, I know he is hot." Caroline was cut off by the smirk Bonnie gave her with that statement, but still continued, "But that doesn't change the fact that I don't know a thing about him. For all I know he is some hot serial killer."

"Okay! You are over thinking this. If he is a hot serial killer, then you should have let him take you out so that there could be lots of witness, instead of a cozy flat." Bonnie said smirking.

"Ah! Just please stop, Bon. I am still going to have dinner in the end. But it's just a way of replacing his paints." Caroline said. "Bon, I am going to take a shower. I have to take the paint out my hair."

"Sure, Care. Prepare for your date." Bonnie said winking at her. Caroline just rolled her eyes at her friend's antics.

Caroline took a quick shower. After that, she decided on what to wear. But she decided that she will not over think on what to wear, for in the end it's not a date it's a payment for the paints she ruined. She decided to just wear a simple blouse and pants. She also just freshens up with a bit of powder and lip gloss. And she was set. She was done and ready to get to the next door. But she stops to read a text from Bonnie.

Care, have fun tonight. Live a little! I have already gone out. This is my punishment for giving you this opportunity. So don't waste it. :P – Bon

Caroline then just chuckled and headed to the door.


Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book :) I don't own Pride and Prejudice :)

Still, many questions are not answered. Well, that's for the following chapters, so stay tuned...Please post your thoughts..BTW, I hate putting Tyler as the bad guy :(

Should I continue or not? Am seriously doubting the story..

Have a lovely day... xoxoxo