CAROLINE'S POV:
"Caroline!" Natalie, another one of the receptionists proclaimed as I made my way to the elevator on Saturday morning to prep for the meeting with Taylor and Co, now having being working at Salvatore Enterprises for nearly three weeks "I was hoping I'd catch you…"
"Hey," I greeted her "what's up?"
"Some of the girls and I are having drinks tonight and we were wondering if you wanted to come?" she inquired "We'd love to hear all the goss on Stefan Salvatore!"
"I'd love to come, but unfortunately I can't tell you anything about him," I informed her "it's part of the confidentiality agreement within my contract."
"Nothing you can share?" she questioned "Really?"
"Really." I replied "Sorry. Let me know where and when the drinks are and I'll be there, but I really have to run to set up this morning's meeting for Stefan."
She nodded her and smiled at me as I said goodbye and made my way to the elevator…
STEFAN'S POV:
"You're here already?" Caroline asked as she made her way into my office
"Yep." I replied "Or I could just be a hologram. Who knows?"
She smiled at me warmly as I spoke… "Can I get you anything, or should I just get started setting up the meeting room?"
"If you could just get started with the meeting room, that'd be great." I informed her
CAROLINE'S POV:
"Hi, welcome to Salvatore Enterprises," I greeted the members of Taylor and Co as they stepped off the elevator "I'm Caroline Forbes, Mr. Salvatore's assistant. If you'd like to make your way through to the meeting room just down the corridor, he'll be with you shortly."
I made my way down the corridor after taking their coats and to Stefan's office, seeing him stood preparing his notes for the meeting. Looking up as I entered the room, I smiled at him warmly…
"You're nervous. There's no need for you to be; you'll be great." I informed him
"You think?" he questioned
"I know." I replied, moving over to him to straighten his tie "Good luck, and I'll be through with teas and coffees shortly."
"You should be in there with me…" he sighed
I smiled at him warmly as he spoke… "Break a leg. Not literally. You know what I mean."
STEFAN'S POV:
Caroline walked into the room, pushing the tray of teas and coffees, my eyes trailing to her as she moved around the room, setting cups in front of everyone and then began to move around each person I was presenting to, pouring them either a cup of tea or coffee…
"Mr. Salvatore…" Mr. Taylor, the CEO of Taylor and Co spoke, snapping me from my trance
"Right, sorry." I replied "Anyway, as you can see, working with my company would be the best thing for your business. Our advertisement and media deals offer the best rates in the state. You'd be crazy not to go with us."
CAROLINE'S POV:
I was stood in Stefan's office, setting his lunch on his desk when he walked through, loosening his tie as he went, flopping down onto the sofa as he did so…
"What happened?" I asked worriedly
"I fucked it up, that's what happened." he replied "I got distracted and dropped the ball."
"I'm sure that's not the case," I admitted "think positive, Stefan. They'll come through. I mean, how could they not?"
STEFAN'S POV:
"Mr. Taylor…" I proclaimed as I answered his Skype call later that afternoon "What a pleasant surprise it is to hear from you."
"Mr. Salvatore, my colleagues and I are were very impressed with what you put on the table for us today, and we've come to a decision that we'd like you and your company, from now on, to handle all our advertisement and media deals. Congratulations!" he informed me
CAROLINE'S POV:
"I've just printed off Monday's schedule for you." I informed Stefan as I walked into his office, setting it down on his desk "It's a pretty jam-packed start to the…"
I was cut off mid-sentence by his lips on mine, his hands cupping my cheeks. Pulling away a minute later, I stepped away from him and began to walk out of the room…
"Caroline, I…" he began
"I need to go and file something. Anything." I admitted, hurrying out of the room
I shut the door to my office and leant against it, moving over to my desk where my phone was sat and dialled Bonnie's, my best friend's number…
"Hey." she greeted me "How long till you're done? I'm in desperate need of a drink!"
"He kissed me, Bonnie. He kissed me and now I don't know what to think. I should quit…" I sighed
"Wait a minute, who kissed you?" she inquired
"Stefan, my boss." I informed her "I don't know why or what possessed him but he did."
"Did you give him a chance to explain why he did what he did?" she asked
"No…" I replied "I was too shocked so I just hurried out, telling him I had filing to do."
"Let him explain why he did what he did before you do anything rash." she informed me "You'll regret if you quit, I know you will. You're finally in a job you love."
STEFAN'S POV:
I knocked on Caroline's office door, her head lifting from her computer…
"Hi." she greeted me
"Hi." I mirrored "Can I come in?"
"It's your office, you can do what you like." she informed me
"I did it again," I sighed "I acted without thinking and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you."
"Let's just forget about it and call it water under the bridge." she replied "I've forgotten it happened, and I'm sure you can do the same."
I nodded my head in agreement… "Okay, but can I ask you something?"
She nodded her head… "Can we make it quick though? I'm heading out with a friend for drinks, seeing as though Natalie never let me know where or what time they were heading for drinks…"
"Natalie from reception, Natalie?" I inquired
She nodded her head… "She invited me out, but I have a feeling it was only to get the gossip on you."
"Why do you guess that?" I questioned
"Because she pretty much said so before I told her I couldn't say anything given my contract." she informed me as she rose from her chair "So what did you want to ask me?"
"Right, that…it doesn't matter, nothing that can't wait. Go out and have some fun, you deserve it." I replied
What was Stefan going to ask Caroline, do you think?