Author's note: Thanks for sticking with my story — I appreciate all of the messages and it's lovely to hear that you guys are excited to see where this is heading next! Shorter chapter this time, but I wanted to get something out to you guys before I get back to writing for Klaroline AU Week — it's next week and I can't wait for you to read what I'm putting together!
Also, I started two new Klaroline stories because I apparently have commitment issues and can't focus on just one story. :) One is called Building a Facade and the other is Lightning Never Strikes Twice (Except When It Does). If you're interested, I'd be so grateful to you guys if you let me know what you think about my latest works!
The debate over what color zombies were most attracted to had been raging for a while now at the town hall, but Caroline was too exhausted to be fully invested in the outcome. Enzo had called her over to discuss the final details for Mystic Port's upcoming Scary Scurry, a charity zombie run, and they finally were wrapping things up with a discussion regarding the color of the breakaway flags the runners would wear that the zombies would try to snatch during the event. As though sensing her indifference, Enzo seized the moment and announced, "So, it's settled then — bright pink to represent juicy brains. Red is just a silly notion — they're zombies, not bulls."
She nodded distractedly as she made a few notes. She'd felt unsettled the last few days and finally had realized it was because Klaus had been unusually distant. He'd claimed his restaurant had been keeping him busy, but she couldn't help but notice the way his familiar smile didn't quite reach his eyes. She refused to give into the mild panic she felt at the prospect of problems this early in her relationship, and instead she'd focused on selecting her best crops for energy smoothies to donate to the charity run.
"Everything ok, Gorgeous," Enzo asked her quietly, his caring tone nearly causing her eyes to water.
She shrugged her shoulders, studying the runners' trail Enzo had mapped out through Wickery Bridges Park to give herself time to rein in her ridiculous tears. "It's no big deal. Just Klaus being kind of preoccupied lately is all." She hoped that sounded as nonchalant as it did in her head.
However, her friend seemed to see right through her and nodded sympathetically. "Rebekah and Kol have been out of touch as well. In fact, when Kol first heard about the run, he immediately started prattling on about finding a Night King of the White Walkers thong, but he hasn't said a peep in days." He crossed his arms in aggravation, adding, "And Rebekah didn't even bat an eye when I suggested we could be his army."
She felt slightly relieved to hear that it wasn't just Klaus behaving oddly. Clearly there was some sort of family drama going on that had nothing to do with her. Patting Enzo's arm lightly, she offered him a small smile as she finished gathering her things to leave. "Want to throw off this Mikaelson slump we're in and go grab a soy smoothie at Aurora's?"
"Another time, Gorgeous. I've got a meeting with the council to discuss this nonsense about the condo development at the preserve," he answered grimly.
Caroline felt her blood boil when she thought of that awful sign announcing that Original Hunter Industries was building luxury condos in the Moonstone Nature Preserve. She couldn't understand how something like this could happen on protected land. "So what's the latest? Has the council reached 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' anger levels or are we at 'It's 5 o'clock Somewhere' status," she asked, recalling the mob scene at Donovan's Tavern last night where everyone was shouting all at once, but no clear course of action was decided.
"Neither. I'm afraid we're facing 'Margaritaville' anger," he said with a shudder.
She couldn't hold back her surprise. "Woah — that's turbo-Buffett anger levels."
Enzo let out a snort at her remark, but his tone was serious when he told her, "So far, we've managed to figure out that this real estate developer, Original Hunter Industries, somehow tricked poor Alaric into selling his land to them and managed to get him to forget to include the standard terms of the protective conservation easement, which means that now the land can be developed however the new owner chooses."
Caroline was shocked. "That's terrible! Poor old Alaric was probably so confused by the contracts and I'm sure that sleazy developer went out of their way to make it as complicated as possible. Whatever you guys are planning, just let me know how I can help." As she opened the door, she declared, "Let's send this asshole developer back to hell."
He laughed and told her, "The developer is actually out of New York, but I suppose that's close enough."
Shaking her head and chuckling, Caroline left City Hall and was heading toward Aurora's when her phone rang. She couldn't deny the way her heart fluttered when she saw that it was Klaus. He hadn't contacted her in days — she had been the one to initiate their interactions lately. She happily answered and was immediately taken aback by all of the background noise she heard. "Hey, Klaus! Where are you? You sound like you're in the middle of a parade."
Klaus' voice sounded strained as he answered, "I'm actually at the airport, love. I uh...had to take an unexpected business trip."
There was a shuffling noise as though he was trying to rearrange luggage and Caroline could hear a loudspeaker announcing departing flights. She felt a pang as she realized that he hadn't even bothered to tell her good-bye in person. She had thought they had the kind of relationship that warranted an in-person good-bye. If she'd been wrong about that, what else was she wrong about? The unwelcome thought floated to the forefront of her mind, and she impatiently batted it away. Fighting to keep her tone even, she said, "Is everything alright? Where are you going?"
"Things are fine, sweetheart," he answered hurriedly. "There's just some things I need to tidy up in New York. I'll try to be back soon."
She frowned at the abruptness in his tone, the one that indicated a wall was going up and no further questions would be welcome. "Okay then," she said in an overly chirpy voice, "Well, safe travels and I'll see you when you get back!" Cringing at her awkwardness, she hung up after his mumbled good-bye.
Groaning, she rubbed her forehead, readjusting her purple headscarf when it shifted slightly. What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she feel so unsettled right now just because Klaus was going on an unexpected business trip? She crossed the street, and nearly tripped over her wedges when a thought struck her. Klaus was going to New York for business just days after the land developer announcement. The land developer who was based in New York.
She shook her head. No — just no. New York was huge and it was clearly just a coincidence. Except she suddenly recalled the conversation she had with Klaus the day Kol arrived:
"Alaric Saltzman wanted me to tell you that he's sorry he hasn't returned your office's call yet." She'd been confused when she told Klaus, "I didn't know you still had an office."
Klaus had told her easily, "I don't anymore, sweetheart. I left all that corporate nonsense behind when I cut ties with my family's business."
And then he'd asked her, "Did Alaric say anything else?"
Heart pounding in her chest, Caroline felt sick as she played out their conversation in her mind over and over again. Knowing she wouldn't be satisfied until she got some answers, she squared her shoulders and marched straight to the Hybrid's Dilemma. She hesitated when she saw the familiar stand of palm trees next to Klaus' restaurant. She was about to invade Klaus' privacy. It was wrong. She chewed on her lip, wishing there was someone she could talk to about this, but all of her friends cared as deeply about Mystic Port as she did and if she even hinted at her suspicions about Klaus, he'd instantly be a pariah. But what if she was right?
She crossed the wide front porch, waving to the locals she saw dining by the Gulf, the gray and white seagulls chirping overhead. Jenna greeted her with a smile and said, "Hey Caroline! You just missed Klaus. He hurried out of here to take care of some business up north."
Feeling her unnatural smile stretch across her face, Caroline answered brightly, "He told me he'd be gone for a bit on business. I lost my bracelet and wanted to see if it fell off when I was in his office the other day."
With a knowing wink, Jenna said, "Well, from the noises we heard, the shenanigans you got up to would be more than enough to knock off a bracelet. Apparently, the boss man really likes your fruit baskets."
She could feel a blush creep up her neck and she swallowed back the bile that threatened to rise in her throat when she recalled how one evening she'd brought Klaus a fruit basket because it had become an inside joke for them, and he had proceeded to enthusiastically show her his appreciation in his office.
His seductive smirk as he trailed a finger along her collarbone before untying the top of her daisy-print sundress. The smooth slide of the fabric as it fluttered past her hips. The way his gray eyes darkened before he kissed her soundly. His satisfied groan as she outlined his prominent bulge with her palm.
She'd gone home wearing a silly grin that stretched for miles with bruises on her hips and a new appreciation for the solid craftsmanship of his office furniture. She let out a choked noise that she did her best to turn into a small laugh as she replied, "We thought you guys already had closed up for the night or else we would have held off on our shenanigans."
Jenna waved her off as she headed back toward the kitchen. "No worries. Just glad to see you so happy these days, Caroline. We're taking some key lime pie fritters out of the oven soon — do you want a couple to take home?"
Caroline shook her head no. Her appetite was gone until she could put this mess behind her. She headed into Klaus' office in the back, doing her best to push aside the steamy memories of their time spent in there. When she shut the door behind her, another wave of guilt washed over her. What was she doing? Was she really willing to break his trust like this? Letting out a helpless sigh as she stared at his messy desk, she realized she didn't even know what to look for.
A large, crumpled ball of paper caught her eye. Curious, she opened it and immediately felt her heart sink at what she read. It appeared to be a lengthy contract signed by both Alaric and Klaus. She felt hot, angry tears appear as she noticed that Klaus' former assistant, Lucien, had notarized the document. Well, he obviously was not as former as Klaus had led her to believe. Why did she believe Klaus when he said that he'd fired Lucien? The contract appeared to be finalizing the terms of the sale of Moonstone Nature Preserve and her eyes widened when she saw that Enzo was right — the typical protective easements weren't included in the terms, so the buyer was free to exploit the land however they wanted. Moonstone Nature Preserve was about to be overrun with condos.
Caroline angrily threw the contract back on the desk, the signature line mocking her as she unwillingly read, "Klaus Mikaelson, CFO of Original Hunter Industries."
