"The Devil You Know"
Chapter 6
Bella walked out to the car with the driver, who opened the door for her.
"Where is Mr. Mikelson?" Bella asked when she saw that the car was empty.
"He will be meeting you," the driver said stoically.
Bella got in the car and fiddled with her purse and phone until finally the car came to a stop. The driver opened her door and helped her out; they were definitely not in Mystic Falls anymore. She was standing in front of the Chateau which was the most expensive and fancy restaurant in the state.
"Ah Miss Swan," A man in a tux said, "Mr. Mikelson is waiting for you; this way please."
Bella followed him and once inside, he took her coat and led her back towards where the private rooms were. Curtains separated these rooms from the rest of the restaurant. The man in the tux pulled the curtain back to reveal Klaus standing, staring at a painting. He turned to look who had opened the curtain and smiled.
He made his way across the room quickly and took Bella's hand, kissing it.
"You came," He said, smiling before he looked to the host, "Thank you Fredrick that will be all."
Klaus led Bella to the table and pulled out her chair.
"You'll have to thank my friends for convincing me to come." Bella said trying not to fall for his charm which was almost impossible.
"Noted," Klaus said, "You look wonderful by the way."
"I see you still have a way of finding good clothes for me." Bella replied distantly.
"Did you like the lilies?" Klaus asked, ignoring her attempt to be distant.
A smile escaped Bella's lips along with a laugh, "My bar looked like a flower shop threw up in it."
Klaus smile widened, "Good, I wanted it to. I'm happy to know my orders were completed."
"Why?" Bella asked.
"I need to apologize," Klaus said knowing exactly what she was asking, "Bella I'm not used to people caring about me."
"So that's why you got defensive with me," Bella said, "You aren't very trusting are you?"
"Not truly," Klaus said.
"You know I was like that too," Bella said.
"What made you change?" Klaus asked.
Bella blushed and smiled, "A very charming man at a ballet."
"Can we start over?" Klaus asked.
"We already did that once," Bella said, "How about instead we catch up and see what's happened since we last saw each other in London?"
"I like that," Klaus said smiling, "Where have you been? According to the town, you didn't return until recently."
"I was actually visiting my home," Bella said. "I didn't always live in Mystic Falls; before my parents died I lived in Forks Washington with my dad. It's smaller than Mystic Falls. The day I left your place, I flew back there to make my amends."
"That's what you meant by going home," Klaus said.
"It was good to go back there; seeing my friends and the people I consider family." Bella said. "What about you? What have you been doing?"
"Business," Klaus said, "I moved to Mystic Falls for business."
"What kind of business are you in?" Bella asked.
"Acquisitions," Klaus said, smiling.
Klaus and Bella caught up on the last year; they laughed about stories of their past as kids although Klaus had to modernize his.
"Have you talked to your family?" Bella asked.
"No," Klaus said.
"You should," Bella said.
"Our bridges have been burned for a very long time." Klaus said, "My father died recently though."
"I'm sorry," Bella said, "You know it's never too late to rebuild those bridges that are burned."
"Some things can't be repaired Bella," Klaus said solemnly.
"You never know until you've tried." Bella said. "Besides what happened?"
"I betrayed them," Klaus said, "For very selfish reasons and I did it in anger, but they betrayed me first."
"Two wrongs don't make a right," Bella said and touched Klaus' hand, "Life is short and unpredictable. You're here one minute and gone the next. Life is this thin thread that is holding us here, it can break at any moment."
"For some it's long and lonely," Klaus said.
"Only if you believe it is," Bella countered.
"Maybe I just need someone to show me the path," Klaus replied, turning her hand over and drawing circles in her palm.
"You're already on it," Bella said, looking into his eyes.
"How can you tell?" Klaus asked.
"Because you have been making an effort with me." Bella said, "You told me yourself you don't have close relationships and yet you filled my work with flowers, sent over this entire outfit including the jewelry which I plan on giving back to you because it's too much."
"You don't like it," Klaus interrupted.
"No, no, no," Bella said quickly, "I love it, but I've never been one for ostentatious gifts. I'm a very simple girl Klaus."
"I think that's what draws me to you," Klaus said, "You're simple but so hard to read."
Bella laughed, "I've been told that before." Bella looked at the time, "Looks like we closed another restaurant."
"Would you like to come back to my house?" Klaus asked.
"As much as I would like to…no," Bella said. "You say you want more with me right?" Bella asked and Klaus nodded, "Then maybe we should take things slow. You've been hurt and I've been hurt."
"I never want to hurt you," Klaus said honestly, "So you're willing to take a chance with me?"
"I've taken lots of chances, so far and I haven't regretted them." Bella replied smiling.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Klaus and Bella walked to the front of the restaurant where he paid and helped her with her coat.
The rode to her house in silence; Klaus had his arm around Bella's shoulders and her head was lying on his. The car stopped and they got out.
"So tomorrow is my friend Caroline's birthday," Bella said once they reached the door.
"I don't think I'm ready to meet your friends," Klaus said.
"No," Bella said quickly, "I wasn't saying that I was just going to say I won't be available tomorrow."
Klaus laughed, "Good to know we're on the same page."
"Yeah," Bella said smiling. "Thank you for tonight."
"The pleasure was all mine," Klaus said leaning down and giving her a chaste kiss on the lips, "Goodnight Bella."
"Goodnight Klaus," Bella said, walking into her house.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Klaus arrived back to his house where his hybrid, George, was waiting.
"Any word on my coffins?" Klaus asked throwing his coat on the couch.
"None," George replied, "Stefan is hiding them well."
"Well I suggest you look harder," Klaus growled.
"Sir," George says, "I don't mean to speak out of turn, but I believe this girl…Bella is distracting you."
Klaus blurred and pinned George to the wall, "She is not a distraction; I quite enjoy her company."
"She can't be human," George choked out, "She threw Henry out of her bar; it's impossible."
"Which is the reason she intrigues me." Klaus said slowly, "You are to stay away from her, do you understand. You will tell the others as well. She is not to be harmed."
"What about her connection to Elena?" George asked as Klaus released him, "You hurt her or any of their friends it will hurt her. You have already ordered Tyler to bite Caroline."
"That will go as planned." Klaus said, pouring him a bourbon, "Things will not change; now leave."
.*.*.*.*.*.
"I can't believe you have a workout room," Elena said as she stretched.
"Hey," Bella said wrapping up her knuckles, "I can't believe you are up this early to work out. Did Jeremy land safe?"
"Yeah," Elena said, "He said that Sam and Emily were there to meet him; he was a little intimidated meeting the pack."
"Yeah, they can be intimidating," Bella said, "You and Bonnie still decorating Caroline's locker before school?"
"Yep," Elena said.
"Then we better get going," Bella said and stood up.
.*.*.*.*.*.
An hour later and they were finishing up.
"Damn," Elena said breathing hard. "Where did you learn those moves? Last time I saw you, you weren't that balanced."
"Things change," Bella replied. "So what's the plan for tonight?"
"Well Caroline seems to be ditching," Elena said, "She's been really upset since she died."
"Died?" Bella asked confused.
Elena froze then quickly said, "She feels like she died."
"So she's really not in the mood to celebrate the old her." Bella said knowingly.
"Yea," Elena said, glad Bella bought it.
"I know the feeling," Bella said smiling, "Have a funeral for her."
"What?" Elena asked laughing.
"Have a funeral," Bella said shrugging, "The pack did it for me. They basically had all my candles and we went to the graveyard and each time a candle was put on they said something about the old me. It was really good; kind of the final nail in the coffin of closure for me."
"I like it," Elena said, "Makes since; you gonna come?"
"After I make an appearance at that party thing Carol is having." Bella replied and made a face.
Elena laughed, "Have fun with that."
"Hey," Bella said, "Just you wait, one day you're gonna have to be part of the counsel. It's a rite of passage," Bella said quoting Elena's dad.
"Why don't we talk about your date?" Elena said, smiling widely.
"You need to get to school," Bella said, walking into the kitchen.
"You know I'm going to find out one way or another so why don't you make it easy on yourself?" Elena pressed leaning against the bar.
"There's nothing to tell; we had dinner and then he dropped me off…end of story." Bella said rolling her eyes. "Now why don't we talk about you and Damon?"
"You know what, I do need to get to school," Elena said straightening up.
"That's what I thought," Bella said, smiling and laughing. "I'll give you a call when I am on my way to the graveyard."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella arrived at the Grill when school was letting out.
"Hey boss," Tori said smiling, "Thanks again for covering for me while I go take care of my landlord stuff."
"No problems Tori," Bella said smiling.
"Don't worry I'll be back in time for you to hit the mayor's party." Tori assured her.
"Yes," Bella said sarcastically, "I wouldn't want to miss that."
Tori left and Bella had just put her jacket down when Damon's voice invaded her ears.
"Well it's about time you got here," Damon said smiling.
"Hello Damon," Bella said, turning around, "What do I owe the pleasure?"
"Well I figured I should give you a chance to explain why you just had to blow me off last night." Damon said dramatically.
"You really are as egotistical as you look," Bella said laughing.
"Well," Damon said giving her his signature smirk, "I am a great person."
"I think that's just your opinion of yourself; if we ask around I'm sure the general public's opinion is the opposite," Bella said.
"Are you going to Carol's party tonight?" Damon asked.
"Yes," Bella said, "I have to make an appearance."
"What are you doing later?" Damon asked leaning on the bar.
"I have prior engagements." Bella said.
"The guy you ditched me for last night?" Damon guessed.
"No," Bella said, "It's Caroline's birthday."
"Oh of course so you are ditching me, the egotistical male, to hang out with the egotistical female." Damon said.
"Caroline is much better company than you." Bella replied.
"How so?" Damon asked.
"Well she's not trying to get into my pants every time she sees me." Bella replied and handed Damon his bourbon.
"Ouch," Damon said grabbing his chest, "I thought you would be thrilled I was trying to get with you."
"Reality check Damon; not every girl wants you," Bella said and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Now I know that's a tough truth to recognize, but Damon for your own well-being you have to admit that to yourself."
Damon laughed, "You have a retort for everything it seems."
"No," Bella said, "It's not retort if it's the truth,"
Bella left Damon to take some orders and an hour later, Damon was paying for his drink.
"Well Bella I will see you tonight and we can continue our banter." Damon said standing up.
"Can't wait," Bella said and took his empty glass.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Tori arrived back in time for Bella to run home and change into jeans, a shirt and sweater. She arrived at the Lockwoods' and immediately ran into Carol.
"Bella," Carol Said hugging her, "I'm glad you could make it,"
"Sorry I'm late," Bella said hugging her back, "Tori had some things she needed to handle."
"Oh don't worry," Carol said, "Have you met our newest resident?"
Bella smiled, "I don't think I have."
Carol led her over to Klaus, "Klaus this is Bella; she owns the Grill."
"Miss Swan," Klaus said taking Bella's hand and kissing it, "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well." Bella said, holding back a laugh.
"Carol," Liz said coming over, "Can I talk to you? Oh hey Bella."
"Hi Liz," Bella said.
Carol excused herself leaving Bella and Klaus alone.
"I see you received my message," Klaus said and grabbed a glass of wine for each of them.
"I was actually going to suggest the same thing you did," Bella said taking the glass, "I think you'll find life here easier if you aren't attached to me just yet."
"Yes," Klaus said, "I think you're a bigger story than I am," he chuckled.
"Believe me if you want the limelight you can have it." Bella said.
Bella talked to Klaus for a few more minutes until Carol returned, along with Damon in tow.
"Bella," Damon said, looking between her and Klaus, "You finally made it."
"Damon," Bella said, shaking his hand. "Have you met our new resident?"
"Damon and I have encountered one another a few times," Klaus said smiling.
"Will you excuse me?" Bella asked and walked away.
"She is quite a beauty Carol," Klaus mused watching Bella walk away.
"Klaus please leave her out of all this," Carol pleaded.
"Don't worry I have no plans to harm her," Klaus said, "She seems absolutely delectable."
"I wouldn't mess with her if I were you Klaus," Damon sneered, "She took all of ten seconds to kick your hybrids' ass."
"Yes," Klaus said smiling, "Which makes her all the more intriguing."
"She's human," Carol said, "She knows nothing of any of this,"
"Calm down Carol and Damon, I have no intentions of ill will towards her." Klaus said, "Now how about you find your brother and give me back my coffins."
"Sorry," Damon said, "Stefan's really not in a bargaining mood or was him taking off one of your hybrids' heads not enough of a clue."
"Just deliver the message," Klaus said.
Bella returned, "Well Carol I need to head out; it's Caroline's birthday."
"Oh," Carol pouted, "I was hoping you would stay longer."
"Next time," Bella said and looked at Damon, "I'm sure I'll be seeing you sooner than I want to."
"You know you will give into my charm," Damon said smiling.
"And you know you're going to be disappointed." Bella said then looked at Klaus, "It was nice to meet you and welcome to Mystic Falls."
"Believe me, the pleasure was all mine," Klaus said and kissed her hand.
Bella walked out of the house and started driving and dialed Elena, but there was no answer. About ten minutes later she came up on the bridge and saw Elena and Stefan arguing. She stopped the car and got out.
"What's going on?" Bella asked walking over.
Elena turned around and Bella saw the tears streaming down her face and the fear on it as well.
"Let me rephrase that," Bella said and glared at Stefan, "What the hell is going on?"
"Bella it's nothing," Elena said, wiping her face.
"Sure as hell doesn't look like nothing," Bella seethed and got in Stefan's face, "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"Bella don't," Elena said and tried to pull her away, but it didn't' work.
"What did you do to her?" Bella asked and pushed Stefan causing him to stumble back, which shocked him. "Answer me."
"Bella, can we please just go?" Elena asked.
Bella reared back her fist and clocked Stefan, causing him to fall to the ground.
"You listen to me," Bella said standing over him, "You stay the hell away from her until you get your shit straight and even then stay away because you don't deserve Elena. She's the best friend someone could have and you lost that the moment you left her asshole."
Bella grabbed Elena and pulled her to her car and drove away.
.*.*.*.*.*.
The rode in silence back to Bella's house and once they were there, Bella got out a bottle of wine.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Bella asked, pouring the wine.
"It's nothing," Elena said quietly.
"Sure as hell didn't look like nothing," Bella replied and sat down next to her.
"Please can we just not talk about it," Elena said, "I just want to go home."
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Bella answered.
"Your brother is a real asshole," Bella said looking at Damon.
"I'm sorry," Damon said, "He said he fought with Elena."
"More like he seemed to break her heart all over again." Bella sneered. "You better tell him the next time I see him I'm going to do more than just hit him once."
"Damon," Elena said walking to the door.
"Elena I'm so sorry," Damon said and tried to put his foot in the door, but of course he couldn't.
Elena noticed and looked at Bella, "Damon can take me home."
"Elena," Bella said in a warning tone.
"I promise I'll call you tomorrow okay; I just really want my own bed." Elena said.
"Alright," Bella said, caving and hugged her, "Let me know as soon as you get home though okay."
"I will," Elena said, "Thank you."
Bella watched as Elena headed for Damon's car, but held him back.
"Listen up Salvatore, tell your brother he better watch it. I'm not someone you want to mess with and as far as you go, don't try anything with her." Bella said seriously.
Damon nodded and walked to his car as Bella watched.
Bella had just shut the door when her phone rang.
"Hello," She said annoyed.
"Did I catch you at a bad time?" Klaus' soothing voice asked.
"Sort of," Bella said, her tone immediately softening.
"Anything I can help with?" Klaus asked.
"No," Bella said, "Hey can I call you tomorrow; I'm just really drained right now."
"Of course," Klaus said and hung up.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Klaus couldn't help, but wonder what had Bella so tense; he could hear it in her voice. He shook his head and pushed the thought out of his head as he approached the Forbes home and knocked on the door.
A/N: Hey guys! First off I apologize for the confusion about Klaus' last name, but rest assure I have corrected it in both Chapter 2 and Chapter 5 so now everyone is still in the dark. Again I'm sorry about that sometimes I start writing and my head gets jumbled a little bit.
Well I hop eyou all enjoyed the chapter some of you make think Bella forgave Klaus easily, but Bella sees something in him that most wouldn't see. I hope to have chapter 7 up by Monday, but no promises due to school.
Bad news though I can't guarantee any consistent updates until the middle of April. I have 3 major psych papers coming up in my courses that are due at the end of April so for the next few weeks I will be working hard and focusing on them.
As always you guys I need to send a huge thank you to Dark~Supernatural~Angel and AllyDLV for their amazingness!
Review you guys!