Synopsis: Caroline goes ahead with her plan about getting her share in the company. Klaus and Hayley continue to try to figure out their place in each other's life. Ansel's personal possession are handled.
A/N: Thanks for wonderful reviews.
Kara smiled as she walked towards the small room behind the reception desk. Looking around carefully she closed the door and went inside. Ten minutes later she came out and walked towards the elevator.
Throughout the flight he kept cursing himself for kissing Camille, for breaking her heart like that for he couldn't stop thinking about her shattered face when he had confessed his darkest secret to her. Her effort to look brave were not lost on him and he was feeling more of a bastard that he was as remorse filled his heart. Unwelcome thoughts about Hayley Marshall crawled into his mind and he cursed himself for kissing her too. The reasoning he was giving himself for thinking about Eden while kissing Ms. Marshall and not with anyone else were not satisfactory. He didnt want to contemplate the idea that he might be falling in love with Hayley Marshall. No, he didnt want that. He thought in frustration. By the time he reached home he was exhausted, frustrated and angry with himself. He was tired and wanted to clear his mind and rest. Knowing everyone would be asleep by now, regretting that he had yet again missed another perfectly good day with Hope, he walked towards the main door. Suddenly that brilliant smile Hannah had shared with him a few hours ago flashed through his mind and he realized that this trip was worth it. Hope was with her family who love her but Hannah! She needed some change even if that change was him.
He stopped in his track as his gaze went to the light from the bulb at the entrance of the guesthouse illuminating the path. He stood rooted at the spot for a few minutes looking at the door wondering, not really knowing what he was thinking. Finally he turned his back towards the guesthouse, used his key to gain access to his home not wanting to face Caroline and her questions, punched in the security code after closing the door behind him. He sighed with relief, he headed towards the stairs. Climbing two steps at a time he reached the top. After placing the bag just outside his own room he headed to Hope's room. She as expected was fast asleep careless to what was happening in her life. He felt a twinge in his heart as he looked at his motherless daughter and an absentee father. How much life would have been different if Eden were alive? Only if he had listened to her. If he had confessed his feelings for her. Would she have once again relapsed into ignoring their daughter? Would she have continued to take out her bitterness on their daughter for being deprived of the money her father had promised her for delivering a boy? A bitter taste settled in his mouth. But she was spending more time with her during the last days before she died. He reasoned with himself. Are you spending time with your daughter? His conscious pricked at him again. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he will spend time with her. Promising himself, he fixed her blanket tucked her stuff toy with her he quietly retreated the room. He picked up his bag and entered his room. Deciding against taking the shower, he peeled off his shirt and jeans he fell on his bed in his boxers. The moment his head touched the pillow he was fast asleep.
In the mean time in New York:
Camille closed the door behind her softly. She had just come back after spending last couple of hours aimlessly driving and window shopping unable to come to terms with what had happened with Klaus.
"You look lost" Shawn's voice startled her and she almost screamed.
He grinned "I am sorry" looking anything but sorry for getting that reaction from her.
"What are you doing home this early? Isn't today Saturday?"
"Yes. Yes it is a bit early I supposed" He said after examining his wrist watch and then said "oh well. Anyway Amy has her exam day after tomorrow so …." spreading his hands, grinning as if that should be self-explanatory. "Where were you? You have been gone for couple of hours as per Stacy." He peered at her curiously taking in her sullen mode.
"I wanted to spend some time to myself. Have you guys decided on a date?"
"not yet." He hesitated for a moment and then asked cautiously "Stacy told me that Klaus was visiting today."
"Yeah.. So?"
When he didnt answer she looked towards him defiantly and asked instead "how was the flying lesson today?" wanting to change the topic of conversation.
"As usual. Didnt crash the plane." He resorted in his typical light manner style and then hesitated for a moment before continuing "if you don't want to work with him I can take over."
Hearing such a simple offer made her choke but she will be damned if she showed him how upset she was and she will be damned if she confessed that Klaus was still in love with his dead wife. She lost against a dead person. Camille thought sadly. Realizing that he was waiting for her reply she said "why? No. That project is good for my portfolio."
"I dont want you to break down like last time" he said softly.
"What do you mean?" She asked looking anywhere but him.
"I am your twin Camille. Did you really think that I didnt know what was happening with you three years ago. I wanted to murder the bastard for encouraging you and then getting married to that Eden." He resorted in vehemence shocking her.
"It was not his fault. From what I understand it was a business merger sort of things between those two families and dont call him that."
"Whatever." Shawn said now getting angry "I didnt even want to start this new venture with him but dad thinks that it is a good idea and you know how much he respected Mr. Stantson."
"I know. It is sad that he died."
"Yeah."
"Listen I am tired. I am going to sleep. Will I see you tomorrow? I am leaving in the afternoon."
"Of course" he walked to her, kissed her head and headed towards his room while Camille went to the kitchen to get something to eat.
Mystic Falls:
Sunday morning Caroline's cell phone ringing woke her up. She picked it up sleepily, peered at the time with one eye still shut and groaned when she saw that it was just shy of seven. She muttered sleepily "hello."
"Ms. Stantson" hearing a hoarse voice she sat up.
"Nessa! You dont sound good."
"I am better but I was wondering if I can get the morning off." She replied
"Of course" She groaned but knew that a sick Nessa will not be able to take care of Hope. "Rest. Come when you feel better. Take plenty of fluids."
"Thanks." She replied before disconnecting.
Caroline stretched as well as groaned but threw the covers back to get up. Hope will be up in fifteen minutes or so, she thought as she brushed her teeth and put on her jeans and shirt. Twenty minutes later Caroline peeked into Hope's room and seeing her up, making faces at the goldfish in the small aquarium, she smiled. Her heart warmed up to the little girl she had come to love from the bottom of her heart. Pity she had Eden for a mother. Shaking her head she walked towards her saying "good morning munchkin. What are you doing?"
"Playing" she replied in a sing song voice as she tucked her stuffed elephant under her arm and knocked at the glass wall of the aquarium.
Caroline bend near her to gaze at the goldfish with Hope and said softly "lets feed them before we have our breakfast. Should we?"
She smiled as Hope nodded excitedly and opened the drawer to get the fish food. Caroline helped her take out a pinch of the fish food and put it in the aquarium. When they were done she said "now our turn. Lets change and go down to have breakfast. What do you want to have?" as she scoop her up and carried her to the bathroom to wash her face.
Hope said "waffles. Daddy?" as Caroline settled her down on the counter.
Caroline said while washing her face "I think he is back and is resting. So we have to be really really quiet. Can you be quiet?"
"Yes" Hope exclaimed excitedly as Caroline put the sweater dress on her. Caroline smiled and shook her head and said "softly. In door voice. Remember."
"like this?" she asked in a relatively low volume.
"Yes like that" Caroline replied softly as she led Hope toward the kitchen.
After settling her down in the kitchen with a plate of waffles she said "Joseph, I will be back in five minutes. Keep an eye on her."
Caroline hurried upstairs to her room to get her cell phone thinking about contacting Stefan to know what he had decided but then she realized that it was Sunday and too early in the morning so she changed into her running clothes, put on her running shoes and headed downstairs again.
"Hey munchkin you are done. Lets go for a walk to clear my head" Speaking the last part of the sentence for herself. She picked Hope up, put on her a jacket and hat and headed out.
Hayley yawned and stretched as she entered her kitchen. The chilly morning was promising a chilly day. Checking the clock on the microwave she realized that it was nine. She opened the coffee jar and then gaped at the empty coffee jar and groaned. Seeing it empty made her realize that her intake of coffee during the last week had increased. Oh well, living near Klaus demanded coffee. She reasoned herself. After wondering for a few moments she grabbed her jacket and headed towards the back entrance of the kitchen in the main house.
When he woke up he felt mentally drained. Checking at this wrist watch he realized that it was almost nine in the morning. He wanted to sleep a few more hours but remembering his intentions of spending the day with Hope he got out of the bed, went to the bathroom to take a warm shower to freshen up. While standing under the shower he realized that he still had to take care of his father's personal affects, his office mainly. He couldn't postpone that task any longer. Maybe he can spend a couple of hours doing that before spending time with Hope, he decided while drying himself. He put on a faded pair of jeans with a well worn shirt.
Five minutes later he opened his father's study and stepped into it. It had been more than a week since he had passed away and he had managed to keep himself so busy to not thinking about him and away from his study. He looked around the elegant room with mahogany colored desk standing in front of the huge window facing the garden. The right side of the room was covered with the same colored pure wood shelves filled with his father's books- the passion he had shared with his father. On the opposite wall was a huge painting he had done immediately after his marriage to Eden. He stared at the family photos placed on the desk and walked towards them. Looking at Eden's picture he had seen countless time, he picked it up and his heart clutched in his fist. She was in her early teens in that picture and she was smiling at whoever had taken that picture. A frown appeared on his forehead as he realized that she never smiled like that during their marriage. Thinking about her brought the all too familiar guilt and regrets so he hastily put the picture upside down and walked behind the desk and sat down on his revolting chair. He stared at the white leather sofa chair placed behind the desk and the matching sofa set over an afghan carpet. He sighed and ideally opened the drawer. It was meticulously organized. His hand grazed his wallet. He picked it up opened it and stared at his ID card. Sense of loss was making his heart heavy. This was not fair. He only knew the man for four years but he got the love for the past twenty seven years. Pity Eden knew more about his father than he did, he thought in bitterness. Eden! Eden! Why was he thinking about her all the time these days? He wondered in frustration. Perhaps because you tried to erase her from your life after she died. A voice told him. No! He banged the drawer shut and agitatedly opened the next one. The first thing he saw was his father's cheque books. He picked it up, opened it and realized all the pages were used. He was flipping through the pages when his gaze captured the print of the last cheque written on it. The big amount mentioned on it captured his attention. Checking the date he realized that it was 15th March, 2015. Curiosity got the better of him and he tried to figure out the details about the cheque but the only thing that he could read was that it was marked private and written to some Dr. Mehta. Wondering who Dr. Mehta was and why was his father giving him such a big amount, he flipped the cheque book closed.
He got up from the chair and walked towards the bookshelf. Removing a couple of books from the middle shelf revealed the built-in safe deposit box. He punched the digits of the keypad to opened the safe. Expecting the safe to empty, he was shocked to see a handful of bundles of bills. He gaped at the money wondering why was this not mentioned in the bill. Picking up one of bundle he realized that it was note of hundred dollars and then his gaze fell on a file. He put the bundle back and took out the file. It had a few sheets of paper on it. On one glance he realized hat there were financial records of something. More confused at seeing the paper trail of financial record rather than electronic he started to examine them. As his gaze scanned through it he realized that his father was depositing some fixed amount every month to John Hopkins, the same amount he was extracting from his bank account and depositing in this very safety box. Puzzled at why his father was handling such huge transactions personally and not through his accountant he was about to close the safety box when he spotted a small box. He took it out and opened it to reveal a beautiful ruby ring- the family heirloom that he had given to Eden when they had gotten married on his father's insistence. Seeing the ring in the safe shocked him for he had never once thought about that ring and just now realized that he had assumed that she had taken the ring with her. So she left the ring before she left him or did she send it afterwards but when? She died a day after she left him….. not let you. You kicked her out. A voice reminded him. He gulped at the memory, still staring at the ring. So when? When did she send the ring to Ansel? He thought in frustration. Maybe Ansel got it in the hospital when he had gone to identify her. Even thinking about that made him sick. In the aftermath of what Elijah had found out he had never gotten the courage to ask Ansel about his visit to the hospital. Every time he had felt like asking him, the words that caller had said to him painted a broken picture of Eden. Identify her? Didnt that mean that her body was beyond recognition? He was not brave enough to stomach what really happened to her. He shut the safe still feeling sick as he thought of what must have happened to Eden in that accident which required her body to be identified, keyed in the code again and left the room.
"Where is Hope?" he asked Caroline as he saw her coming towards him.
"With Joseph downstairs. How was New York?"
"Good" he said dismissively and headed towards the kitchen but then stopped and asked "do you know any Dr. Mehta?"
Caroline looked at him in confusion but after a moment she replied "no. Why?"
"Oh. Nothing. I am taking Hope out for a while." He said as he headed towards the stairs.
Caroline nodded appreciatively that he was going to spend some time with Hope today. She, thinking that Klaus will be with Hope she dialed Stefan's number. She said "hello Stefan."
"Caroline. I was going to call you."
"Well" Suddenly feeling awkward on how to approach him but then she squared her shoulder and asked bravely "What have you thought?"
"Listen I cannot make such a big decision like that."
Frustration made her burst making her forget about her awkwardness "Come on Stefan. It will be just one year."
"One year of real marriage. Do you know what you are asking from me?"
"Yes I know" she rolled her eyes "it is just sex Stefan. We can be a couple for a year. Cant we?"
After what seemed like an endless pause he said "I… I am not sure Caroline."
"Hmmm. Alright then. I can ask Damon." She started in anger. "He will be more than willing to…"
"No… Are you out of your mind?" he almost barked at her.
"Yes I am. I have to find a husband in six months. So yeah I am out of my mind." she almost screamed. "Listen if you are not interested then I have to go…."
She was about to disconnect when she heard him say "alright."
"Alright what?" Caroline asked hopefully.
"I will do it."
"You mean you will marry me?" She asked excitedly.
"yes."
"Okay wonderful. We should do it as soon as we can. We need permit to get marry and then we need prenuptial documents. It will take not more than a couple of days."
"Caroline are you sure?"
"Yes I am and if you ask one more time I can get someone else."
"No. I was just making sure that you know what you are getting into Caroline." Stefan said softly.
"I know. I will talk to my lawyer and you can talk to yours and get the necessary documents ready so that when we separate there is no issue."
In the meantime Klaus entered the kitchen. Seeing the empty kitchen he asked curiously "where is she? Caroline told me that she was with you."
"She is outside playing with Ms. Marshall, Sir."
"Ms. Marshall? Why?" An unexplained fury shot through him making him forget about Eden and the accident that he had been thinking since he had left his father's study. He dashed towards the backyard through the back door in the kitchen.
As he stepped out he saw Hope chattering and Hayley bending near her and listening to her intently. As he saw, Hayley handed her a cookie. Seeing her the image of him kissing her flashed though his mind, him losing his control over her. Fury rushed through his body. How could he kiss her?
"What are you doing here Ms. Marshall?" He asked aggressively as he marched towards Hope and took the cookie from her hand snapped at her too "you know that you are not allowed cookie so early in the morning" while Hayley was saying "I … I came to get some coffee ….."
He picked Hope up and said in the same tone "I told you to stay away from my daughter. Didn't you understand a word I said."
While Hayley was gaping at him in shock, he continued angrily as he eyed the cup of steaming coffee behind her on the ledge of the flower beds "I see you have gotten it" as his gaze went pointedly towards the guesthouse.
"You are scaring her Mr. Mikaelson" Ignoring her heartache she gritted her teeth as she noticed Hope's wobbly lips.
"I will deal with you later" He gritted too and took a now scared Hope, who had sensed something was wrong, to the house.
Hayley stood rooted at the place for a few seconds and then angrily followed him.
Klaus entered the kitchen and ignoring his old servant's reproachful glance stormed out of the kitchen.
Caroline looked up while talking to Stefan as she saw Klaus marching towards her angrily with Hope in his arms. As he approached near her she noticed that Hope was looking scared and was clutching at the front of his shirt. She said "Listen I will call you back in a minute" and disconnected before he could say anything else.
Before she could even ask what happened he asked "where is she?"
"Who?" Caroline asked frightfully for she could see Klaus was in a mood to kill. Her eyes fixed on Hope snuggled against his shoulder. "What happened to her?"
"Nessa"
"Nessa was sick so she had a day off. What is she doing here?" her eyes on Hayley aggressively.
Klaus turned to look towards Hayley shocked that she had followed him "What are you doing here Ms. Marshall?"
"Was she with her again?" Caroline asked angrily. "Didn't you understand when…."
"Mr. Mikaelson I understood perfectly clear. Hope came outside and wanted to play. Should I have left her alone?"
"She is just a little girl Ms. Marshall. How can she go out by herself?" Caroline said annoyingly.
Hayley couldn't take anymore of the condescending attitude but bigger things were at stake here. Hope was looking scared. Her only priority was keeping her daughter happy so she kept her cool and said to Klaus instead "she is a child Mr. Mikaelson. Kids can be very…"
"Do you think I am stupid?" He barked as he stormed into Hope's room with frightened Hope in his arms. He put her on the ground saying "stay right there" angrily and left again. Seeing her still standing there, he opened his mouth but before he could say anything else she demanded angrily "what is wrong with you?"
"How dare you talk to him …" Caroline started only to be interrupted by Hayley "I am not talking to you Ms. Stantson. Mr. Mikaelson I am not stealing you daughter."
"You try and I will kill you." He barked. Frustrated at his own volatile reaction to her. There was no reasoning with his anger.
Hayley tried once again "Mr. Mikaelson I just love your daughter…" but he cut her off by saying angrily
"Ms. Marshall you cannot replace your dead daughter with mine."
Hayley blanched. Seeing her getting so pale he flinched and felt like a bastard that he was. He started "damn it! Ms. Marshall that was… " but she had already started to turn to leave. He stepped towards her saying "Ms. Marshall I should…." but she was not listening. He didnt know how and why he doubled his steps and grabbed her arm saying "Hayley…" but before he could continue, could utter the apology that was looming on the tip of his tongue she turned towards him and slapped him hard on his cheek, freed her arm and walked away from him.
Feeling satisfied at reacting the way she had she stormed through the kitchen muttering shakily "I am sorry Joseph for what happened" closing the kitchen door behind her.
Anger made him blind and he started towards the steps when Caroline grabbed his arm and hastily said "let her go Klaus. She was upset. You were wrong here."
He took deep breath to calm himself down but couldn't control his emotions so he freed his arm angrily and stormed to his room.
Even after half an hour he was still angry, the sting of that slap was still on his cheek, her blanched face haunting her, the shame he was feeling for losing his temper like that, making an issue on such a small issue. So what she if wants to spend time with Hope. She probably misses her child. He shouldn't have said that to her. When did he become so crass? He wondered regretfully.
He looked up when the door opened and Caroline entered the room and said "you made the tabloid. About time but with her?" the incredulity was apparent in her voice.
"What do you mean?" Still annoyed and frustrated at his behavior he asked
"Well you took her to the charity gala. Did you think that you will not be photographed and speculative about? But tell me one thing why did you even take her when you hate her so much? You flipped out today. Why?"
Ignoring her last question since he himself was unable to figure out what had gotten into him. Why was he so angry around Hayley Marshall all the time? He replied "It is not the first time I have taken my assistant to a function like that."
"Yesss but this is the first time you are looking at someone like that" as she threw the tabloid article in front of him. Klaus picked it up and his eyes widened as his gaze flashed though the article.
"Where is Hope?" He demanded dumping the article on the table.
"In her room. Playing. And yes I checked, she is in her room. How did she sneak out in the first place? She was sitting in the kitchen. I am sure Ms. Marshall came and got her."
Klaus didnt feel like talking about her so he said "she didnt sneak out. Joseph let her out. If he was informed that she was not allowed to go near Ms. Marshall he wouldnt have let her." Remembering Joseph's reproachful glance and Hayley's blanched expressions, suddenly he burst out "you should have told Joseph. She is your responsibility when Nessa is not here. If you cannot even do that then you better go back…"
"You are being rude Klaus." Caroline snapped. "I am not your servant."
Serves you right. A voice told him. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. Why was he taking out his own lack of control of situation on Caroline? It was a genuine mistake. The apology was looming on his lips but he will be damned if he gave it. He stubbornly told himself. It was her fault that he was so crass with Ms. Marshall. Only if she could do one simple thing- keep Hope away from Ms. Marshall. Told Joseph about his orders.
"Anyway I wanted to talk to you about Stefan."
"What about him?" he asked moodily.
Perhaps the disinterest on his face was visible and that is why Caroline snapped "nothing. You dwell on your own misery" and stalked out of the room.
He angrily picked up the article and stared at his and Hayley Marshall's picture clinging to his arm. And Caroline was right, he was looking at her weirdly. Vaguely he remembered James Emerson talking to him while Hayley clutching his arm tightly. He was looking at her because he was pitying her. He reasoned with himself to explain that look. What the hell is this writer talking about. 'Mikaelson fling? Is the grieving husband ready to move on?' She was not his fling! And hell no, he was not falling in love with Ms. Marshall. He crumbled the article and threw it in the bin.
Hayley was furious with Klaus as she paced her room. Sure that she wouldnt be able to spend any time with Hope as long as Klaus was home, she changed her clothes and left the house. She drove aimlessly for a long time ending in front of her old apartment building. She continued to stare at it sitting in the park opposite it remembering the lonely time she had spend there in hopes that some day she wouldnt be lonely. She sighed as she remembered the events of this morning and the last few days and realized that she was still lonely just like her daughter. Hannah! Her heart ached thinking about the little girl. An hour later with a sigh, she got up and drove towards the toy store with Hannah's and Hope's innocent faces plaguing her mind. Walking through the aisles of toys and toys, with aching heart and the deprivation she was feeling for not being able to provide the most precious people in her life with anything, let alone her love, she picked up a doll, a coloring set and a drawing pad. After paying for the items she left the shop. Not wanting to go back to the place to face another day not being able to spend time with her daughter despite her being a couple of feet away from her she headed towards the grocery store to do her grocery and to kill some time.
While Hayley was trying to keep herself busy and not dwell on the miseries of her life, Rebekah dialed Camille's phone number while heading towards the kitchen. As soon as the call connected and she heard Camille's sleepy greeting, she said incredulously "it is almost noon and you are still sleeping!" and then added dismissively with a touch of excitement in her tone "Never mind that. Tell me what happened?"
Camille's sleepy voice came "about what?"
"Well did you go meet him or not?" Rebekah asked with annoyance. "Honestly if you go any slower you will never get him."
"I did." Came a soft but dejected response causing Rebekah to groan even before going into the detail of what really happened but she asked "what happened?"
"I invited him to lunch. We kissed but then he left."
"You kissed?" Rebekah exclaimed excitedly "why are you sounding so dull if you kissed?"
"Because he left Rebekah." Camille said morosely. After a short pause she continued "can we talk about something else?"
"Sure." Rebekah said even though she wants to find out more.
But after this revelation how could she concentrate on anything else even when Camille said "I am coming back tonight. We will catch up then. Daddy is calling me now. I should go."
"Alright but dont worry about Nik. He will come around. Dont give up on him" Rebekah replied as she nodded greetings with Elijah and took out a cup for coffee and disconnected the call.
Elijah picked up his cup of coffee and was checking on his emails when he heard Rebekah saying "dont worry about Nik. He will come around. Dont give up on him."
"Who is worried about Niklaus?"
"Tell me what is wrong with our brother? Does he want to die of loneliness and misery?"
Elijah smiled and asked "what did he do?"
"I don't know why he is not making a move at Camille. She is so smart, pretty and intelligent."
"Because he is still not over Eden." Elijah said absentmindedly.
"What do you mean?" Rebekah spun towards him sloshing some of the coffee on the ground. Muttering an oath she took some paper towel and bend to clean it while asking "what do you mean he is not over Eden? Nik was not in love with Eden."
"Who told you that?" Elijah asked closing his laptop slowly and leaning back in his seat while continuing sipping his coffee.
"What? What are you telling me? He loved Eden?" Rebekah asked throwing the dirty paper towels in the bin shaking head to Maria, the help, that she can do it herself.
"Well Niklaus really cared about Eden. Perhaps even loved her and knowing Niklaus it is really hard for him to open up his heart for someone else like he did for Eden." Elijah said looking into void thinking about Klaus breaking down when he had found out the truth about the pictures but it was too late to do anything. Eden was gone and Niklaus had gone into depression. If that was not love than what was it? "He will not put himself in a situation where is vulnerable to another loss like he suffered with Eden."
"He was in love with Eden?!" Rebekah asked in daze "but he never showed it. They were so aloof."
"Well not every one is that expressive in public. Niklaus we knew already but I guess Eden was like him too. Too private about their personal feelings."
"Oh my. This is all coming from nowhere."
"Hmm. I don't feel comfortable talking about them anymore. And I suggest you dont try to fix him up with anyone right now. If he wants to he will get to it." Elijah said taking another sip of his coffee.
In the tense silence that followed Rebekah and Elijah both drank their coffees. After some minutes Elijah said "what do you think of Ms. Marshall?"
"Hayley Marshall. Ansel's…." she stopped talking as she noticed Elijah's raised eyebrows.
"Tell me you don't believe in those rumors."
"I don't know. But since I have only met her once even though heard a lot about her from Caroline I don't suggest you to go after her. That girl comes with a huge baggage from what I am gathering." Rebekah said evasively.
"Thank you for your concern sister. I think I should go now." Elijah said after putting his cup on the table and left leaving Rebekah reveling in what she had found out.
Klaus sat Hope on his knee as she threw some pieces of bread crumbs for the ducks. He said softly in her hair "I am sorry about the morning. Daddy was just upset."
But Hope didnt say anything and continued to snuggle with him and look at the ducks now eating those bread crumbs.
"Daddy misses mommy very much." He didn't know how and why he was confessing that to his two years old daughter.
"Mommy dead" Hope muttered.
His heart squeezed in his chest. He faced Hope towards her and asked "who told you that?"
"aunt Care" Hope said innocently as she placed her hands on her cheek.
"Oh" Klaus exclaimed. For a briefest moment he wanted to strangle Caroline for being crass with Hope but then he calmed down as he realized that he was working himself up without any evidence. Caroline must have explained it to her properly.
"Where is mommy daddy?" her question shook him.
"Mommy…." Klaus started but didn't know how to continue so he said "mommy is sleeping Hope."
"Wake her up then" Hope said innocently.
"I wish I could" he murmured in her wavy hair but before he could continue Hope had already lost interest in the conversation. She slipped down his lap as she noticed a swan heading towards them. She giggled and ran after it which spooked the bird and it flew a couple of feet away from her which dint discourage Hope as she continued to run towards it. Klaus leaned back on the bench observing his daughter laughing and running around wondering how will he make up for the loss of mother in Hope's life.
"Come on Hope. Lets go have some lunch."
By the time they reached home Hope was exhausted. He took a deep breath of sigh seeing Nessa back. After inquiring about her health he handed Hope to her and said "I will come to tuck her in today after you get her ready for the night."
"Yes Mr. Mikaelson" She replied.
Thirty minutes later he was reading a book to Hope while she sat in his lap and drooped to sleep. He tucked her in and softly closed Hope's bedroom door and turned towards his room when he heard Caroline say "Klaus I want to talk to you about something."
He looked towards her feeling exhausting after spending the day with Hope "If it is about the marriage thing then the answer is still no. I told you to find someone whom you l…"
"I have" she cut him off in the middle.
"Oh?" He intersted.
"Stefan."
"What?" Shocked at her suggestion he turned towards her.
"I have discussed with him."
"When?" Klaus asked still in shock.
"Yesterday. At first he was shocked too but after I explained everything he wants some time to consider it. We talked this morning and he has agreed to it. We will get married for a year and then get an annulment."
Klaus sighed, walked to her and said "don't do it Care. Marry if you love him. Marry someone you love."
"Did you love Eden?" She asked curiously.
He stiffened thinking about what he had recently confessed to Camille, something he had never confessed to anyone out loud not even to Eden herself. After a moment he replied "ours was a different situation."
"It was a business deal. Ours can be too."
"I married her because her father was blackmailing father. It was self preservation." He reasoned.
"I am marrying Stefan because of my share in the property. This is also self preservation."
"Do you love him?" he asked curiously.
"I don't love anyone. Why do you think I dont have a steady boyfriend? Stefan… I do like him. Very much in fact. Does that count?" She asked sarcastically.
"No that does not count" He snapped angrily but Caroline cut him off by saying "what do you want Klaus? Do you want me to lose my share in the company. Is this all this about?"
Klaus gaped at her as if she had lost her mind "do you think I would stoop this low?"
"Who knows? Dad only knew you what, for four years and he gave you everything without any condition but me! I have been his daughter since I was one month old but he put such a harsh decision on me. That is not fair and you know it. But you didnt say anything. I guess you thought that I will never go through with it. Well you were wrong." she said defiantly.
He looked at her in shock for they had their share of arguments in the past four years but not like this. He wanted to shake her and remind her that he had to keep Ms. Marshall in the office but her words were digging holes in his heart. He knew defeat, he could see it staring back at him with defiance. He sighed and said "don't make any rash decision. Think over it."
"I have. I just wanted to let you know. We are getting married as soon as he get the marriage license and I will get my ten percent by the end of one year."
Without listening to anything else from him she turned and left him standing there dumbfounded. Standing there endlessly he slowly turned and went to his room.
When Hayley reached Haven it was late. Without looking towards the big house she entered the guesthouse, put the groceries in the kitchen, went to her room, changed her clothes, took out the big blue bag from the back of her closet and settled down on the walking closet carpeted floor. She opened it with heavy heart and stared at the gifts she had gathered for Hope and Hannah during the last two years - gifts for their birthdays, gifts she bought whenever she missed them. She touched each and everything with longing and then placed the newly purchased doll, the drawing set and the pad in it too. She closed the bag with a snap as she cursed Klaus, put it back behind her clothes so that she does not have to see it every day. She walked to her bed, curled up in her bed and went to bed without eating anything.
Next morning when her eyes opened she didnt want to go to the office. She stayed under the cozy covers staring outside the window counting from backwards, not wanting to think about anything. She was failing. She was failing miserably. She stared at her cell as it started ringing and chose not to pick it up. When the ringing didnt stop she put the pillow over her head to block the voice but the caller was persistent. When it continued again, she sighed and picked it up. She knew it was going to be him but still seeing his name on the caller Id made her depressed.
"Hello."
"Where are you? It is eight thirty" came his bark.
"I quit." She replied. "Get your precious Kara back" and placed the cell back on the table.
Klaus stared at the phone wondering what the hell was wrong with her. You wanted her to quit and she has quit. What's the big deal? Should be a matter of victory. Before he knew what he was doing he was punching the number again and barked before even listening to her
"Ms. Marshall be in the office in half an hour" and then without waiting for her reply he disconnected.
He stared at his cell in dismay unable to believe what he had just done. He couldn't believe what was happening. His temper was haywire these days. One second he was calm and the next he was blowing off the roof. One moment he wanted one thing and the next another. He wanted her to quit and when she tried to, he didn't let her quit. What the hell? She was messing him up? Who does she think she is? So he was a bit crass yesterday but that does not mean that she become a drama queen. No, you were not a bit crass, you were mean and hurtful. A tiny voice said. He huffed in frustration, got up and starting pacing the office. Alright so what he did yesterday was not right. He was mean to her. He deserved that slap. He should apologize to her. First thing she comes back he will apologize. Maybe he should change his behavior with her. Maybe he should have her once and get over with this suppressed sexual attraction towards her. He looked at his wrist watch. One hour had passed since he had called her and she had not come to the office. How dare she defy her? He thought angrily. Okay he had made a mistake but that does not mean…. He stopped his thinking process. Didn't mean what? You deserve what you got. He pulled the door open and started towards the elevator when he saw a moment out of the corner of his eyes. He turned towards her desk and saw her sitting on it.
He stalked to it asking "when did you come?"
"Fifteen minutes" she replied adamantly looking straight into his eyes.
He could see anger and something else in her eyes. Something he couldn't figure out but it made him uncomfortable.
He shifted on his feet uncomfortably and then said hesitantly "Ms. Marshall I am sorry for what I said early. I know that you lost you daughter and what I said to you was really crass."
Suddenly she was shouting "who the hell do you think you are? …." taking him by surprise for he had never seen her act like that, lose her temper like that well except for yesterday when she had slapped him which he was realizing more and more that he deserved.
"I…" he started but then stopped as her gaze went to the elevator. He turned towards it and sighed as he saw someone walking towards them.
"we will talk about it later."
"No we will not. I am not going to be working for you. I am giving my notice today. You are not worth working with."
Klaus felt she had squashed him.
"Send Mr. Domaikus in" He hissed as he went back in his office.
After Mr. Domaikus meeting Klaus picked up the intercom and said "come in."
A minute later she entered the room with the notepad in her hand. He said curtly pushing his father's laptop towards her "unlock it."
She glared at him and then towards the laptop and asked "is that Ansel's?"
The softness in her voice made him look at her curiously as she walked towards the laptop. Her fingers lovingly caressed the laptop as she flipped it open and she entered Ansel's password to unlock the password and then pushed the laptop towards him not knowing that he was observing her throughout.
She opened her mouth to say something but he was already dragging the laptop towards him and without looking towards her he said "that will be all. And unless there is a meeting dont disturb me."
Gritting her teeth, she started "I want to talk to you about my notice."
"Later" he said as he scanned the content being displayed before him.
Hayley groaned and uttered a foul word for him under his breath and left the room.
A moment later he heard the door close softly. He looked up for a moment and then looked down. With a sigh he opened his father's account and started going through the emails. He had been postponing taking care of this for a while now. He wanted to take care of any important emails.
It was mid afternoon and she was debating whether she should take his coffee to him or not when the elevator door opened and a middle age woman walked out. She groaned but she stood up and smiled "hello Mrs. Mikaelson."
"Hello" she replied smilingly "do we know each other?"
Hayley suddenly realized her mistake. Yes we knew each other but not anymore. You knew me as Eden. She said to herself. "No we dont but as Mr. Mikaeslon PA, it is my job to know his family members. I will inform Mr. Mikaelson of your arrival."
"If you don't mind I want to surprise him."
"Oh no problem. Go ahead." She smiled.
A/N: Thoughts about this chapter?