„The devil has compelled me"

Caroline was in Tyler's club again. But this time there was no people there, no music ... Only her and him ... She was in her night gown but he was in his tux. Now, this is unappropriate, she thought. But he didn't seem to mind, on the contrary ... He was looking at her like she was a very delicious breakfast snack. Like he would like nothing more than to nibble on her just a little bit, or maybe a little more. And she wanted to let him do it … He was approaching her across the club and she just stood still and waited for him.

"I believe you very expecting me, Miss?"

She lost the ability to speak; all she could do is nod her head a little. But this was enough for him. He took her hand and started applying kisses to it. He moved her body closer to his. It felt like they were dancing, but they were still standing in place. But the sheer nearness of him made her dance. Made her heart dance the quickest Charleston. He looked into her eyes and said: "Mmmm, delicious. What part of the body should we try next?"

And before she could say anything he kissed her neck and she screamed: "Niiik!"

And then it hit her. She was in her night gown, but she wasn't in Tyler's club, she was in her house, in her bed and it was all just a dream. Or a nightmare, to be precise. Why was she dreaming about that man? He must have put some kind of a spell on her, he was the devil himself. Yes, it was black magic not her that couldn't keep him off her mind. Damn devil and his angelic face …

" Caroline honey? Are you up? I thought I heard someone screaming?"

" I'm up mother. It was just a nightmare, I'm all right."

"Ok dear, then get dressed and please come down. Your father is home and wants us to have breakfast together."

Her father was never home for breakfast. This had meant just one thing. He wanted to know if everything went according to plan last night. His plan of course, her being just a piece of meat on a marriage market. And did it? Go according to plan, she asked herself? I mean, I guess it did … She met her future husband and he was fine. Handsome, educated, had fine gentleman manners and treated her nicely. What more could she ask for?

"It could have been much worse." she was trying to console herself. She was trying to be realistic and let go of her romantic girly dreams. So what if Tyler was a little egocentric and liked talking about himself? All men are like that … So what if he resembled her father? Noo, she shouldn't think like that, she had just met him. She should give him a chance. At least he wasn't rude and pompous as that British guy, Nik … Oh; even thinking about his voice got her angry, it was too sexy for human ears. And she couldn't get it out of her head.

„ A true gentlemen could never show you the things that I could …" she remembered him whispering in her ear. The scoundrel he was ...

She had to stop thinking about him. He was just being rude and teasing her, it's not like he was really interested in her. I mean, he could have had any girl in that club, Elena said so herself when she pulled her aside yesterday, while Damon and Tyler where getting them drinks.

„Oh my golly Caroline, that man you were talking to before Damon and I came ... Was that? You know?"

„Nik Mikaelson? You can pronunce his name Elena, his not God you know."

„I know, but he is a legend." Elena said with dreamy eyes.

„Elena!" Caroline shouted at her. „What is wrong with you? Don't let Damon here you, or there'll be hell the pay."

„Oh Caroline ... You know I love Damon to death but ... I have heard so many stories about Nik Mikaelson. I wonder if any of them are true."

„Well, I haven't heard any and I can already tell you they're probably all true. He's a rude, pompous asshole and he things he's God's gift to women."

„Caroline ... I don't think you should express yourself like that. It's not lady like."

„I know Elena, but when it comes to him I think it proper. He's no gentleman himself." Caroline exlaimed and aroused Elena's curiosity.

„ Care? Did something happen between the two of you?"

„Whaat?" Caroline said a bit too quickly and a bit too loudly. It sounded exactly as she was defending herself, and that would be preposterous, since she had no reason to feel guilty, no reason whatsoever.

„ Don't be silly Elena, I talked to him for a minute maybe, but a minute enough for me to realize the sort of guy he is. Not the one you'd like around."

„ So you don't think he has gorgeous eyes? Angelic features? And a voice that screams sex."

„Elena! I didn't know you married women get so shameless. I swear ... You never talked like that before ... Or is it the fine champagne talking?"

"Just common sense. Everybody in this room knows he's a dish. Even us married women." Elena giggled but luckily at the moment Damon and Tyler were back with their drinks and the topic of the dashing Mr. Mikaelson was dropped. Once and for all Caroline hoped. It was obvious Damon has completely corrupted her friend, Caroline wondered if marriage would do the same to her. The sex and the … My God that man and the dream she had came to her mind again … Yes, the devil had compelled her … She had to finish dressing up and go downstairs for breakfast before she lost it all together … Her father most certainly wouldn't appreciate it …

"Morning father." Caroline said formally while sitting at the breakfast table. Her father was as usual reading the paper and not minding her or her mother.

"Caroline … I presume all went well last night. I presume Tyler is pleased with you."

Caroline started blushing. This was so embarrassing. And even after nineteen years she wasn't used to her father being this cold with her. She was just another business transaction to him, nothing more or less. And it hurt so much it made her want to cry. But what would be the point? This would irritate him even more. So she bit her lip and took a deep breath to calm herself, she didn't want her voice to shake because it would make him suspicious right away.

"Yes father, I think it all went quite well."

"You think? Quite?" he finally raised his gaze from the morning newspaper and just stared at his daughter. She felt like a little child again, she felt like she had done something wrong even though she knew she didn't. She just never had the strength to stand up to him. She could only hope this would change one day …

"Calm down Bill. You know our Caroline is a perfect girl for every man, I'm sure Tyler was delighted."

"Nobody asked you anything woman." Bill was harsh to her mother as always.

"It all went great. Tyler is very pleased with the marriage." she spat out trying not to choke on her bagel.

"Now, that's what I wanted to her. This is a very important marriage daughter. Be very careful how you act …" Caroline had shivers down her spine; it felt like her own father was threatening her. She truly was just a business transaction to him.

"The marriage will be in a month. So get all your preparations ready."

He threw the newspaper and left the table without even looking at them. Like they were nothing … And that is what they were to him … A tear dropped from her eye …

"Caroline dear …" her mother started talking.

"Don't … Just don't …" she said and ran to her room before she showed another sign of her perpetual weakness.

She needed to get out of the house. And she needed to be alone for a while. So she didn't ask her mother or Elena to accompany her for a walk. She knew her father would be mad at her for roaming the streets of Chicago on her own, but for a split of a second she took the luxury not to care. It felt so liberated. For a second she actually thought her life was an open road, and that she could do whatever she wanted. But her bubble soon bursted when she approached Madam Levier's shop. Madam Levier was know for making the most beautiful wedding gowns in Chicago, only for "royalty" of course, the richest and the finest, the crème de la crème. And Caroline was just that, but she closed her eyes and thought how her life would look like if she was born poor. Would it be worse? Would she have anything to eat, anywhere to sleep? Would she have to work from 5 do 5 in some horrible factory? But would she … be free? A voice behind her interrupted her daydreaming.

" So desperate to marry Mrs. Forbes, soon to be Lockwood?"

No, it couldn't be, Caroline thought. It couldn't be that from all the people in Chicago she would bump into him. This wasn't happening. She was so not in the mood for his snotty little comments.

" Mr. Mikaelson, wish I could say it's a pleasure, but I pride myself for being an honest person. As for your assumptions about my marriage … Don't presume about something you know nothing about …" she spat at him in one quick breath and started walking away without looking at him twice. But her heart was in her throat. A part of her just really wanted him to leave her alone, never to see him again or hear his enchanting voice but the other part … You know, the part that was compelled by the devil, that part wanted him to run after her … Luckily or unfortunately, depends which part you ask, he did the very same.

"Oh come on Caroline. Why so hostile? Can't we be friends?"

She turned around and bumped straight into his chest. His firm, masculine chest that made her head dizzy. She right away took a step back, and looked him straight in the eyes, trying to be strong, trying to resist the devil: "No, I don't like you."

And then she saw something strange on his face. It almost look like hurt. But nooo, this just wasn't possible. She, little Miss Caroline Forbes couldn't heart he big bad wolf of Chicago. Could she?

"But you don't even know me. Come on Caroline, take a chance. Get to know me. For starters, let me drive you home."

She couldn't believe what he was saying. What kind of a game was he playing with her? She, she just had to put a stop to this.

" I appreciate your kind gesture Mr. Mikaelson. But I don't think that would be appropriate."

"I promise I don't bite, although you have surely heard otherwise. And I promise my intentions are very much appropriate. I just want to give a lift to the lady."

She just stared at him not knowing what to say. A part of her was screaming: "Don't fall for it, don't fall for this silly act Caroline" but the other part just really wanted to … get to know the devil … She was compelled … His smile was so intoxicating it was melting her bones away.

He extended his hands and said: "Come on Caroline. I dare you."

First of all, thank you for all of your reviews and comments, KEEP ON REVIEWING ;)) ... I hope you like this chapter, I wanted to show Caroline's backround a bit and how being a golden child isn't always great ... Hopefully Nik will heal all of her wounds ;) ... Will see :p ... He's plenty damaged himself, so they're actually perfect for each other ... They just don't know it yet ...