When I woke up the next morning, I rolled over and saw that Klaus was already awake. He was reading a book, but I wasn't quite sure what it was. His hair was disheveled and a smirk appeared on his lips.
"Good morning, love. I didn't want to wake you, so I've just been reading."
I kissed his cheek. "Thank you, but you don't need to worry about waking me up. I'm sure you're quiet."
"I'm sure I am, too," he chuckled. "But you looked so peaceful, I didn't want to risk it. Besides, I enjoy the company sometimes."
I rolled my eyes at him jokingly and got up from under the blankets. His eyes followed me across the room as I collected my toiletries.
"Leaving so soon? I haven't even made you breakfast or called you a cab, love."
"Very funny," I said. "I'm just taking a shower. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"I'll have breakfast ready when you return."
I left the room with a towel and my shampoo and a change of clothes. When I got into the living room, Elijah was also just coming out of his room.
"Morning, Elijah," I greeted him.
He averted his eyes from me and replied. "Good morning. I hope you slept well." I realized after a moment that he was looking away due to my lack of clothing. I was only in underwear and a bra. I blushed a little, but I didn't see the harm.
"Sorry, Elijah. I kind of forgot I wasn't dressed. We are all adults, though, aren't we?"
"Indeed we are, Jessa. But my brother would probably prefer I didn't look."
"Well, I'll get out of your hair then," I walked towards the bathroom, but before I shut the door I added, "And by the way... thanks for letting me come with you guys. And for letting me stay here."
"Don't even mention it. I'm actually kind of glad you're here after all. Perhaps you'll be able to keep Niklaus at bay when the real storm comes."
"I hope so," I smirked.
After I got out of the shower, Klaus had breakfast on the table just like he promised. French toast, bacon and mimosas. He grinned proudly as he pulled my chair out for me at the table.
"Brunch fit for a queen," he said.
"Hopefully your culinary skills are as tasty as they are visually appealing. Do you serve this to every guest you have?"
"Truthfully, only sometimes. But nevertheless, this was prepared specially for you. And to answer your question, yes my culinary skills are in fact as appealing to taste as they are to the eyes. I've been around for a thousand years, Jess. I've picked up a thing or two."
I picked up my fork and knife and took a bite of the french toast. It practically melted in my mouth. I had never tasted anything like it. I've had French toast before, but not this well made. It may even surpass Liz's pancakes. "You're absolutely right," I said in between bites. "This is incredible. I want this every morning."
"That can be arranged," Klaus smiled at me as he sat down in the chair across from me. Elijah followed suit, sitting in the chair to my right. The sun shone in through the window behind me, allowing Klaus' eyes to sparkle. It was mesmerizing, almost too much for me to take in, especially while I was eating food that gave me almost the exact same feeling. There must be something about being a vampire that instantly made you beautiful to everyone who dared look at you.
"Well, it's a beautiful day out, Niklaus. Since we don't have a course of action yet, might I suggest you take Jessa on a small tour, maybe take her shopping. And I can try and figure out a bit more to this spell Marcellus is plotting. Tonight we can start planning out what we'll do about the situation.
"What do you think, Jess? Would you like to take a look at the city you'll soon be calling home?"
I took a sip from my drink and nodded. "I'd love to."
Once I finished my breakfast I put on a little bit of makeup; some maroon lipstick and blush pink eyeshadow with a simple black eyeliner. When I came back out of the bathroom, not only did Klaus drop his jaw, but Elijah had a smirk on his face as well.
"You look ravishing, darling. But not quite complete yet," Klaus said.
"W-what do you mean?" I gave him a puzzled look, and then he pulled out a necklace and handed it to me. It was a bronze-gold colour with a matching pendant, but also with a bit of silver for contrast. "It's beautiful, Klaus. What did you get me this for?"
"Just a gift. I was going to give it to you tonight, but I couldn't resist. I thought you'd like it to go with your outfit."
"I love it, thank you." I gestured for him to put it on me.
"Now, I'll just be one moment. I need to change as well." Klaus retired to the bedroom and I waited on the couch with Elijah in the living room.
"You know, I haven't seen Niklaus act that way with a woman in a very long time. I mean, yes he's given gifts and been romantic, but he's so mild-mannered with you. I shouldn't tell you this, but normally he lashes out over the smallest of things. Some find it frightening, others finding it amusing. I, myself, just find it a little sad. But for some reason he's different with you in his life. Even at home yesterday we didn't get into but a single quarrel. He spent most of his afternoon painting," Elijah explained to me.
"Klaus paints?" I asked, as if I were surprised.
"Yes, believe it or not, my brother has an artistic side. Well, I guess it wouldn't be too hard for you to notice. You haven't had the pleasure of seeing his more sinister side."
As big and bad Elijah made his brother out to be, and even with all they told me about their lives and knowing what they are, I still found it hard to comprehend that Klaus had a bad side. Sure, everyone had bad days, but the Klaus I've known for the past few days is gentle, kind, noble, and protective when necessary. But sinister? That I couldn't possibly fathom in my mind.
Klaus emerged from the bedroom, a green and grey henley, with blue jeans and brown leather shoes. He looked absolutely dashing.
"You look great in colours, you know. You should wear them more often."
"But then it would ruin my 'mysterious, brooding, and deadly' look." He smirked at me.
"Har har. But seriously, it's a good change. And besides, maybe you'd catch your enemies by surprise if you had them underestimate you."
"I'll take it under consideration. Now, let's get out of here before Elijah kicks us out," he insisted.
Elijah laughed. "I would never kick Jessa out."
"But you would kick out your own brother... how insulting."
"He just likes me more, that's all," I teased Klaus, followed by a quick peck on the cheek. "Now we should really go."
We exited the doorway, leaving Elijah behind to figure out what we were going to do about Marcel. In the meantime, Klaus and I were going to have an afternoon of fun.
Jessa's outfit for this chapter: http*:* / / *w w w* . * polyvore *.* com / misc/set?id=201663098#fans (remove spaces and *)
Klaus' outfit for this chapter: http*:* / / *w w w* . * polyvore *.* com / misc/set?id=201681872 (remove spaces and *)