Hello sweethearts! How is everyone doing? An update is finally here! I'm so sorry for the long delay by my university exams are starting and I have tons of studying! However, I wanted to get this chapter done for you guys! Once again an enormous thank you to all of you who sent me your amazing words or put my story to faves or alerts or you just read it! Truly guys I'm very honored! You are seriously amazing and I love you all! *hugs and kisses* So onto the reading! Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Something Beautiful

People are so vulnerable at night. They're willing to spill out their souls to anyone willing to listen. They have desires to do things that never cross their mind when the sun is in the sky.

"So, how do I look?" Elena sighed and made a quick twirl at the doorframe of the en suite bathroom of her and Damon's room. The look on her face showed that she clearly wasn't at all excited for the reason she was dressing up.

"Total bombshell! The dress is stunning, Lena!" Caroline exclaimed, scanning her from head to toe. She had her hair up in a tight, straight ponytail with her usual make up decorating her face. Her dress was strapless with sweetheart neckline and white bodice whereas the rest was gently flared and a midnight blue color.

"I guess that will do." she looked down at herself and run her hand over the fabric to smooth any wrinkles. Blue stiletto pumps echoed on the hardware floor and Elena took a seat in front of her vanity, as the girls fell into a confortable silence.

"Sooo…" the blonde trailed off as she jumped on the couple's king-sized bed, jean and ankle boots clad legs swaying girly in the air. "Why do I get lectured from you and Damon since you guys are practically going to welcome 2013 with the whole Mikaelson clan?"

It was five days ago when Damon opened the door of their household only to face an elegant blonde woman with a plastic smile on her face. Handing him an invitation, she informed him politely, but without any emotion at all, that "the Mikaelson family would be delighted if he and his wife would join them at their annual New Year's Party." The woman disappeared, leaving a flabbergasted Damon behind.

Chocolate orbs looked at her through the mirror. "I'm sorry Caroline, this was a jackass move. But we need to go."

"Well you didn't need to go before." Caroline raised an eyebrow.

"I know but this time it's important." She turned around to face her. "This year Damon's boss will be there and he considers, for some reason, Mikael and the rest Mikaelsons a level lower than God! You know that Damon is seeking that promotion for two years now but despite how much he works, he doesn't believe in him much. So I thought that if we socialized with the precious Mikaelsons, his boss might give him a chance." She explained.

Caroline nodded; it was indeed true. Damon was a stockbroker at a famous firm and, despite his hard work, he couldn't achieve the spot as head of his department. "And Damon actually agreed to this?"

"Not really. At first he was determined that we wouldn't go but I managed to persuade him to at least try." Elena placed a diamond necklace on her neck and looked at the mirror.

"Is everything gonna be ok, though? I mean with him and Stefan." The blonde frowned.

"I hope so…" her friend sighed as heavy footsteps cut them off.

"Aren't you ready, yet?" Damon appeared at the doorway, dressed in a black tuxedo, his left hand swaying a scotch filled glass. Regarding his expression, he didn't feel at all happy with the situation.

"I am Damon, I am!" his wife stood up with a small groan; she didn't like moody Damon. "Scotch, really? Again?" she sighed like she was exhausted.

"Well, if I have to endure the whole The Bold and The Beautiful parody, I need some alcohol in my system!" he spoke bitterly, drowning his drink with force.

"Yeah, that's what you said an hour ago…" she murmured under her breath, while putting on her white coat.

"You look really good Damon." Caroline smiled at him, trying to dissolve the tension between the couple.

"Thanks, Barbie." He offered her a tight smile. "Why don't you come with us? Aren't you and Klaus a thing or something?"

"What? No!" she waved a hand and grimaced. "We're just hanging out from time to time…"

Damon eyed her suspiciously and then turned to Elena. "Can we just get this over with?" he whined.

"Yes, alright!" she replied frustrated. "Gosh, you're such a baby sometimes!" she grabbed her white and silver clutch and followed him to the living room and then outside.

"Anyways, so I'll see you tomorrow. I'll call you though when the year changes." The two best friends kissed each other as Damon locked the door.

"Have fun you guys!" Caroline smiled.

"Yeah, we'll make sure to kiss your little Klausy for you!" Damon made an expression of disgust as the couple got inside their black VW Passat. Caroline just took her tongue out and gave them a small wave, as they drove off and she walked back to her house.

The Mikaelson mansion was alight, to say the least. The garden was beautiful decorated with millions of elegant twinkle lights, the window frames too, whereas more and more fancy and excessive cars were being directed through the admirable garden by three valets. However, the inside was even more spectacular. From the crystal clean marble floor to the white walls everything was screaming wealth. The luxurious curved staircases were decorated with yellow lights too and at the corner of the room there was a massive pine tree, the golden star on top nearly inches away from the selling, decorated perfectly to the detail with exorbitant ornaments. At the opposite direction an endless buffet was calling all the guests to savor the mouthwatering finger food, accompanied of course with a mini bar beside it. Waiters, looking like penguins, were passing around serving the finest of champagne, being the only exception in the sea of women with sparkly dresses and arrogant businessmen.

"Oh, Mr. Robertson, you're flattering me but still, I'm married! And I love my husband very much! So, now, if you'll excuse me." Katherine formed a fake yet polite smile on her face and turned her back at the sixty year old guy. Lifting lightly the layered asymmetric skirt of her strapless beige maxi dress, Louboutin nude glitter peep toe pumps walked at the opposite direction.

"I hate Frederick Robertson!" she groaned frustrated and grabbing Klaus' glass brought it to her lips.

"He hit on you again, Katherine?" Stefan asked amused as he and Klaus laughed lightly.

"Don't laugh!" she scoffed. "He's really annoying! And of course Elijah disappears whenever you do need him!" the brunette pouted.

"Well, be a darling and give me my glass back. I was actually drinking that." Klaus spoke sarcastically.

Shaking her head at his cockiness, she forced the glass on his hands with an annoyed glare. More peopled passed by and greeted the brunette beauty and the two gorgeous men dressed in black designer tuxedos beside her, before Elijah joined them too.

"Right on time!" Klaus smirked amused. "Your wife is being harassed by Robertson again!"

Elijah frowned and moved next to Katherine, putting a hand around her waist possessively. "Well, he's just lucky that we are not alone…" he growled angrily, looking at his direction.

Stefan chuckled along with Klaus. "Well, Katherine is getting a little attention. I don't think this is that bad…" the first commended earning a cold glare from the oldest Mikaelson. Putting a hand on his chest to calm him, Katherine gave him a kiss on the cheek, but didn't forget to shoot a "behave yourself" glare at Stefan.

"And why is all the gang gathered at the corner? A new deadly scheme?" Kol appeared with his playful smirk attached on his lips and untangled Rebekah's hand from his elbow. The youngest sibling preferred a similar suit as his brothers, only wearing a tie instead of a bowtie, whereas the only girl in the family was dressed in a black bustier pencil dress, decorated with jewels around the hem and the sweetheart neckline. Her bare shoulders were covered by a black excessive fur shawl and she was holding a red clutch, matching her red stiletto pumps.

"Actually Elijah is planning on killing a certain elderly Wine Company owner." Klaus smirked while taking a sip from his champagne.

"Oh, yeah Robertson is flirting with you again Kat! In your shoes, I wouldn't reconsider!" Rebekah joked making her siblings laugh, except for Elijah that looked like he was going to explode.

"Oh enough with that!" the brunette complained with a grimace. "Let's change the subject."

"Has anyone seen mom and dad?" Rebekah leaned at Stefan's side.

"They certainly are too busy being praised about how wonderful their New Year's party is yet again." Klaus spoke sarcastically.

"Niklaus…" Elijah shook his head. "After all these years, aren't you used to this stuff?"

"Clearly not!" he grimaced.

"At least try and have fun." His brother suggested with a pleading look.

"Ugh, Elijah, don't bother with him! He's just brooding to seek attention!" Rebekah spoke in a tiring voice.

"I think you confuse me with you!" Klaus looked at her with a playful smile, earning an annoyed huff.

"Well, I'm gonna mingle…" Stefan announced, buttoning his suit jacket. "Want to join me, babe?"

"No, stay here with us… The guests can wait!" His fiancé purred and run a hand over his tie.

"Rebekah…" He encircled her waist and spoke like he was trying to make a stubborn five year old understand. "We need to be polite. Besides, it's a shame not to greet such important people."

"I don't believe they are more important than me…" she smiled seductively.

"No, but now they are a priority." Stefan replied matter-of-factly.

"Fine!" she snapped giving up. "Just go!" she moved away from him and folded her arms over her chest annoyed. Stefan thought about saying something but he knew that nothing could redeem him or make Rebekah's mood change now. So he just shrugged helplessly at the rest family members that were watching silently and walked away.

"Don't act like a baby, Rebekah." Elijah spoke in a fatherly tone.

"Not you too Elijah. I think I wasn't that wrong this time." She replied fiercely.

"You know Stefan, Bekah… He's ambitious and outgoing; he's always interested in meeting new people." Klaus added and his sister just flinched in an unladylike manner.

"Alright… Now the night is turning interesting." Kol smirked and all of them turned at the direction he was looking, only to spot Damon and Elena taking off their coats and making their way further inside the mansion.

"What are they doing here?" Katherine wondered following them with her gaze.

"Father invited them. Damon is actually starting to take on the high road; his firm is developing rapidly and he's amongst the best employees. He's seeking a promotion now." Elijah informed them.

"I just hope that the evening will go smoothly." Katherine sighed shaking her head.

"It will. I'm gonna go find Stefan." Rebekah rushed through the guests.

"Well, I wouldn't be that certain…" Klaus murmured to himself as Damon shot him a cold glare.

Caroline zipped her dress and adjusted it on her slim body just on time before her phone blipped. Grabbing it from her vanity, she saw the message and smiled; it was Klaus again. Since Christmas Eve their communication by small texts was daily. They weren't anything personal or too forward, just some genuine interest about each other's day or a simple fact or funny thing they wanted to share.

Ok, whatever Hollywood myth you had about New Year's parties being exciting, just scratch it off your mind… Believe me, they are not. –K

Caroline laughed and shook her head at his childlike behavior.

Is it really that boring? –C

Let's just say that I feel like tearing my own liver from boredom… -K

It was his instant response, which made Caroline laugh even more.

Oh God! I feel so sorry for you! :P At least you don't have to work for six hours balancing on 10 inch heels! –C

She typed while slipping her feet into the said black pumps. Not even a minute later, her phone screen brightened again. Caroline smiled at how eager he was to talk at her.

Why? You work today? –K

Yeap! You see people tend to go out on New Year's Eve so I have to entertain them. Too bad I won't be at home… -C

Caroline sighed. It was the first year she spend any holiday alone, away from the people she loved. And she hated that.

Well, I'm home and look how much fun I have… -K

Oh, stop being broody! Just drink one more glass of I'm sure the finest champagne and go talk to some people! Don't be a grouchy old man! –C

Yes, ma'am! I told you before I like bossy women… -K

She smirked at his mocking reply and it wasn't at all hard to envision his playful yet challenging smirk and his icy eyes sparkling with delight. However she didn't have the chance to answer, as a small knock interrupted the silence of her room.

"Hey..." Tyler stood there in the doorway, hands buried into his black jacket's pockets.

"Hi, Ty!" Caroline smiled warmly. "What brings you here?"

"My folks are spending the night at some boring reveillon at my uncles' but I didn't feel like going… Thought I could crash here." He explained with a hopeful smile.

"Well, I'm not staying either; I'm working at the bar." She informed him while placing her phone into her black clutch. "Wanna tag along?" she asked sweetly.

"Yeah, sure." He replied immediately.

"Great!" Caroline squealed. "Let's go then!" she took her jacket and was about to walk out the door when Tyler grabbed her hand.

"Care… There're some things I wanna tell you…" he spoke in a hesitant manner, his hand lingering upon hers a little more than usual.

"Alright…" she raised a perfectly shaped brow. "Can we talk afterwards though? Cause I'm terribly late and we should get going… I'm sorry." Caroline bit her lip and frowned. She felt such a bad friend.

Tyler's disappointment was obvious but he nodded. "Okay… But then we will talk." He insisted.

"Pinky swear!" Caroline batted her eyelashes adorably at him making him laugh. "Now, let's go goofball!" she placed a hand around his neck and dragged him with her out the door.

"Damon Salvatore!" Damon noticed the person that called his name with so much fake eager and flinched lightly, as he and Elena stopped at their tracks.

"Mr. Mikaelson…" he breathed and gave him and the others around him a small nod.

"Glad that you and your lovely lady make it." Mikael offered him one of his usual smirks, full of arrogance and so called superiority. "It's been years since the last time I saw you."

Elena sensed Damon tense besides her and rested a soothing hand on his arm. "Yeah, but we are here now." She replied with a polite smile which Mikael offered back.

"Of course, of course!" he nodded. "However it would be nice to stay in contact now that you're trying to become an Upper East sider too." everyone besides them joined him in a laugh. "I believe you're very close in getting a promotion soon."

Damon tightened the grip on his glass. "Yes, I do. But I don't plan on changing my lifestyle because of that." He spoke in a fierce tone.

"Oh, we have an idealist here!" the eldest Mikaelson announced in a triumphal manner. "Believe me, son, you will. Just like your brother did."

That statement seemed to trigger Damon's temper as his eyes fell cold upon him and he clenched his teeth.

"I think the business talk it's enough, Mikael…" Esther pointed out beside him, giving a smile to the people around. "It's a party after all."

"Yes, darling, it is." Mikael agreed raising his glass. "Shall we drink then?" he smiled widely and everyone did the same. However, Damon didn't feel like sitting and enduring more of his cockiness, which successful had passed on to his offspring.

"I'm gonna take some fresh air." The older Salvatore whispered in his wife's ear and walked away quickly.

Damon opened the heavy door of the Mikaelson mansion, feeling grateful at the cold air that pierced his body like needles. Walking down the wide marble steps, he loosened up his tie and started breathing heavily like he had been running for hours. He hated this place, he hated that he had to be with all these people. Memories of his entire life passed by his eyes from the second he set foot in this place and faced his brother. He hasn't noticed him of course; he was too preoccupied chatting shamelessly with obnoxious people, flattering them and joking around like he knew them for ages.

Damon closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. Clearly his insecurities didn't do anything with his temper. All the years he was trying to fight it but he couldn't… The damage in his heart was even more than he let people know of.

The sound of the door opening and closing and a pair of footsteps approaching made him snap his eyes open, yet he maintained his frown while turning around.

"Hello, Damon." Stefan gave him a tight smile, hands buried in the pockets of his black dress pants.

"Brother." He scanned him from head to toe in a dismissive manner. "Please, don't let me keep you away from your lovely guests."

"See, I hoped we could talk for a little but I guess you're not in the mood…" Stefan shook his head in annoyance and turned to leave.

"What do you think, Stefan? That we can stand here and chat like old friends, like nothing happened?" Damon snapped at his back.

"It's been years Damon…" the blond closed his eyes tiredly, still not facing him.

"Yeah, I know… Well, I'm sorry I cannot move passed that and welcome you back with open arms."

"I never said I wanted to go back to what I used to be…" he turned around only to see him shallow hard.

"Me neither. Cause all my life I was just a burden to all of you. Damon replied with a pained behavior.

"That's not true…" Stefan looked away, not daring meeting his eyes.

"It's not?" he asked softly. "All my life I'm being shadowed by your epicness! You were born and everyone turned at you; no one gave a shit about me anymore." He laughed sarcastically. "We went to high school and everything was involved around you again! Who's the team's quarterback? Stefan! Who gets all the ladies? Stefan! Who is dad's pride and joy? Stefan!" Damon spoke angrily. "But it didn't bother me. You know why? Because that Stefan was my brother! The one always sticking up for me, always defending me in front of dad, vowing that he would be by my side forever." Stefan looked at the ground at a loss of words.

"Do you remember that we had made a deal? When I ran away and went to work at that bar, cause that was the only way to pay my college fees you said to me that someday you and me would be partners and we would make history! What happened to that promise, Stefan?" Damon snapped.

"Isn't it a little too late to scratch old wounds?" his younger brother eyed him.

"I'll tell you what happened…" Damon continued nonetheless. "You went to college and Klaus Mikaelson came along. And he filled your head with all this great promises about gaining money and taking on the high life in Manhattan! You were always ambitious; it didn't take much from him to persuade you. He poisoned you and then you betrayed me!"

"You don't know what you're talking about. Klaus didn't do anything wrong." Stefan defended his friend.

"I see that…" Damon looked at him with such disappointment in his eyes. "You abandoned your brother and followed him blindly. You didn't even ask twice." He ran a hand through his hair. "We were standing there Stefan! Over our mother's grave when you broke your promise to me!" he yelled. "That day I've lost the only person actually caring about me and then you came and gave me another push towards the edge of the cliff. Well, thank you very much brother."

"Just get over it, Damon… It's life; we suppose to make different choices than the ones we did when we were younger if we think they are not gonna lead us to where we want to." Stefan frowned.

"So you didn't think I could do it… You didn't think I could stand beside you and help you create the name you have today…" he replied surprised at the realization.

"Yes." The other Salvatore answered simply, turning off every emotion towards him.

Damon laughed sarcastically, shaking his head. He couldn't believe the words coming out of his brother's mouth. And he most certainly couldn't process the thing he did then; gaining all of his strength he punched him, forcing his face to turn to the side. Stefan's antics were quick, pushing him back lightly. However, Damon misconstrued it as a sign of aggression which made his temper rise and move forward once again.

"Hey! Both of you stop!" all of a sudden they heard a female voice as two men run between them.

"Are you insane? This is a party!" Rebekah stormed towards Stefan, who freed himself from Klaus and straightened his suit.

Damon freed himself too from Elijah and looked around at all the Mikaelson siblings that had rushed outside. With an apologizing look towards his wife, he dropped his head and turned around, walking away.

"Damon!" Elena shouted jogging a little to his direction, not succeeding in making him look back.

"This is all your fault!" she shouted turning towards Klaus with an accusing look. "You made this to them! So I don't know what you're trying to do now, but you'd better stay away from Caroline!" the female pointed a finger, clenching her teeth. "She had enough in her life; she doesn't need your pathetic little schemes." Klaus raised his eyes at her but didn't say a word. He knew it would be a waste of time to try to explain things to people that wouldn't understand.

"Alright, that's enough." Katherine stepped in at Klaus' side. "I believe both Klaus and your friend are old enough to make their own decisions. I'm sure she can also take perfectly care of herself."

"And who are you exactly that you became such an expert in the matter?" Elena narrowed her eyes at the doe eyed woman.

"Someone that knows a lot more about Klaus than meets the eye. You should remember that." Katherine titled her head to the side. Elena just huffed with disgust and looking one more time at Klaus, she followed Damon's trail.

"What going on here?" Esther and Mikael appeared at the doorway too. "I thought I pointed out I didn't want any kind of violence tonight!" she said annoyed.

"I'm sorry Esther." Stefan apologized. "Things got a little out of control."

"Well, well… Something related to Niklaus yet again. What did you expect?" Mikael looked coldly at Klaus, judging him with his eyes. Klaus just shook his head disappointed. Of course his father would blame him.

"Father, that wasn't Niklaus' fault." Elijah defended his brother.

"Let me disagree with you on that, son." Mikael didn't take his full of hatred eyes from Klaus. "Aren't you tired of causing some much trouble? You know nothing than messing things up." He accused him and laughed in a disgusting manner at the way his son was eyeing him in anger. Shaking his head he turned to walk back inside as a throaty growl left Klaus' clenched teeth. Determined he was about to attack him when a smaller body blocked his way.

"Nik, don't do that." Katherine whispered, looking at him in the eyes. "Both of us know that you're gonna regret it tomorrow. You're so much better than this." She placed her palms over his chest and saw his anger slowly washing away. "Go. Leave this place. Do something that makes you happy." She gave him a small meaningful smile and he nodded his head once before he disappeared into the night.

There were exactly fifteen minutes before the clock would strike twelve and the city would welcome the dawn of the New Year. If you had asked Klaus earlier that night, he would say that he would spend those fifteen minutes probably chatting with his siblings and finishing yet another glass of champagne. However, there he was in his car driving through the alight New York and hurrying to get away from the madness that was embracing his family name.

Klaus was never one to brag about his fame or his wealth. Whatever he did he did it secretly without feeling the need to show off his achievements to the world. Something totally opposite to what his parents and especially his father was doing. And after the incident between the Salvatore brothers things just got a little heavy for him. He was so sick of everyone blaming him about everything; he simply was done being the punching bag for everyone to throw their fists on. And especially his father or that smart mouth woman, Elena. He was just so sick of everything.

His father was always his father… He had many years to change but that never happened. Despite how much his behavior aggravated him, Klaus just chose to ignore him and all the damage he had done in his life. But what Elena said to him was indeed bothering him. Did she honestly believe that his moves were according to a plan? Or worse, that he would use Caroline as bait for their unsolved differences? No, Klaus never ever thought of that. He might have thought about her in the beginning as an easy target but it never crossed his mind to manipulate her like that. After getting to know Caroline and spending time with her, he had started feeling like that kind of person was missing from his life. Someone caring and funny and optimistic and kind hearted… Someone that didn't treat him with respect or fear because he was Klaus Mikaelson but somebody that treated him as equal. Someone beautiful… Maybe that was the reason why he was driving to meet her. He just didn't feel like staying away from such light and, truth be told, that scared the life out of him.

The spokesman of the radio started the countdown as the New Year was finally approaching. By the time he reached zero he had already parked his car and was walking towards the bar as the loud noise of fireworks was filling the air. The people inside the bar were making their way outside to watch the magical sight while laughing and hugging each other, wishing the best for the year that now began. Icy blue orbs scanned the crowd and spotted the most beautiful thing they ever saw.

The blond beauty haunting his artistic fantasies was standing alone further away from the crowd, peacefully admiring the lights in the sky. Perfectly shaped curls were floating lightly by the light breeze, mimicking the way her dress was dancing down her fine legs. It was a rouche front effect dress in a deep crimson red color, hugging her perfectly like a glove. Her legs were complimented even more with a pair of black stiletto pumps and a black jacket was covering her bare shoulders. Klaus just stood there and stared, unable for coherent thoughts or actions.

"Mesmerizing..." he approached her like he was compelled, like he didn't have other choice than to come closer to her.

Caroline turned around, recognizing that this thick old fashioned British accent only belong to a certain famous publisher, who now get to call her friend. However, her surprised smile didn't help but curl her lips.

"Yeah, the fireworks are always spectacular." she answered oblivious to his thoughts and turned her gaze to the sky again.

Klaus' eyes never left her face as he stood beside her. There was something even more beautiful about her tonight. "I wasn't talking about the fireworks..." he pointed out with a genuine dimple smile and saw her drop her eyes to the ground shyly and shaking her head.

"How are you even here? Shouldn't you be welcoming the New Year at your talk of the town party?" she faced him again with a small smile and eyebrow rising. She was curious about his sudden arrival but a teeny-tiny part of her was a little happy to see him again.

"Well, technically it's not my party; it's my parents'." Klaus felt the need to correct her gaining an eye roll. "Anyways, things got a little ugly..."

"Why? What happened?" Caroline asked concerned.

"Salvatore drama..."

"Is everything alright though?" she frowned.

"I guess… Damon is blaming me so this is back to normal." He chuckled sadly. "Actually he doesn't realize that the two of us have a lot in common…" he looked down.

Caroline's frown didn't disappear as she examined him. However she decided to just drop the subject. "So why our bar and not somewhere more fancy?" she teased him.

Klaus laughed. "Well, I happen to like the people here. They endure the brooding from grumpy old men!" he quoted her text and she joined him in a laugh too.

"So aren't you done here yet?" he asked.

"Nah… I'm working for another two hours…" Caroline explained.

"That's alright! My night is free! What do you say if we grab a bite later?" Klaus suggested with a hopeful smile.

"Um… I don't know… I mean it would be late…" she shuttered.

"I don't really see your point…" he cut her off with a raised brow and came closer to her. "Come on Caroline…"

"Fine!" she finally admitted with a smile, catching a glimpse of his baby blue eyes shining under the moonlight.

"Care, I brought you your drink…" Tyler appeared holding two glasses and trailed off when he spotted Klaus.

"Oh, um…" she stiffed on her spot in an awkward manner. "Well, Klaus this is Tyler, a friend from high school. Tyler, this is Klaus…" she waved a hand between the two men.

"Yeah, I know Klaus Mikaelson…" Tyler replied not very excited to meet him.

"Nice to meet you, Tyler." Klaus was always polite; however his cocky smirk didn't fail to appear on his lips, noticing how Tyler's face fell when he noticed them standing too close.

"Sooo… I know this is awkward but I have to leave you two alone…" Caroline bit her down lip, switching his gaze between them. "I have to go up on stage again."

"Don't worry Caroline." Klaus waved a hand. "I was gonna have a drink anyways." He offered Tyler one last glance and then leaned to Caroline's ear. "I'll see you later. And tell him not to stare; it's rude." He whispered with a smirk and then made his way back to the bar.

"This is by far the most tiring dinner search ever! Why is every decent restaurant closed?" Klaus exclaimed in frustration.

"Cause it's like four a.m. on New Year's! People are not wandering around!" Caroline took a seat on the bench. "Now can you just sit down and stop being a baby?" she looked up at him and groaned.

"Fine!" he groaned too and took a seat beside her. "But this doesn't count as a dinner. We have to raincheck."

"Oh, grabbing the opportunity to hang out with me again?" she smirked while opening the paper bag on her lap and taking out two colas, two burgers and fries.

"Always!" he smirked back and laid a hand across the bench. Caroline just shook her head.

"Unbelievable!" she exclaimed taking the last piece out of the bag and waved it in the air. "Seriously? Plastic forks and knifes?"

"What?" Klaus replied perplexed. "I thought you didn't want to get all messy!"

"This is junk food!" she pointed at the burgers between them and spoke like talking to a five year old. "It's bad for you and you're supposed to get messy!"

"Well, let's just say that I don't usually eat these stuff!" Klaus defended himself and took a fork and a knife, trying to cut the damn thing but failing.

"Oh, you're all about the fun!" Caroline huffed. "Observe!" she gave him a fake smile and grabbing the burger with both hands, she took a rather large bite. "See? Fun!" she smiled widely.

The publisher couldn't help but laugh. She was just plain adorable. Everything she did was beautiful and she made him so carefree and relaxed around her. He needed those moments in his perfectly mapped out life.

He mimicked her actions with an eye roll and raised a brow. "Tastes the same both ways but happy now?"

"Yeap!" she bounced a little on her seat, delighted with what she achieved. "God, those heels are killing me! Do you mind?" she asked while moving her hand to the ankle strap.

Klaus followed the action of her hand. "Of course not." He simply stated.

Caroline smiled and one after the other she took off the tiring excuses of shoes, placing them on the bench beside her. Raising her feet, she sat cross legged and readjusted her dress so that she didn't reveal anything she wouldn't to.

"I know, not very ladylike, but couldn't handle it anymore." Caroline felt a little embarrassed by her actions.

"Whatever you're comfortable with, sweetheart." Klaus smirked and titled his head totally delighted by the sight. Her dress had risen a little up her thighs, giving him a perfect glimpse of her fine legs, the small revelation of further bare skin making all kinds of things to him. However, he of course couldn't help but notice that something was bothering her.

"A penny for your thoughts…" he focused on her face now.

"Hmm, they aren't that important…" she shook her head but the look in his eyes didn't give her other choice but to answer. "I just feel bad for blowing off Tyler again…"

"Well, never before did it happen a girl to be with me and simultaneously thinking of somebody else." He joked.

"It's not funny!" she replied although she chuckled a little. "I feel such a bad friend."

"Are you sure you're just friends?" Klaus hesitated but said. He sifted a little in his seat waiting for the answer. He had seen the way Tyler was looking at Caroline and truth be told that bugged him to death. He didn't know why but still; it did…

"Yeah…" her face formed a confused expression. "I mean we dated in high school but for years now we're just friends!"

"Would I be too indiscreet if I asked why you broke up?" he asked cautiously.

Caroline sighed. "I met Tyler when I went to high school. We started off as friends but soon in enough I fell in love with him. And he did too. We started dating and having plans for the future. However, when Tyler went to college I stayed back. He was starting to move forward, I was keeping him behind. We had decided to try the long distance relationship but it seemed that it didn't work. We slowly started to drift apart. So one day I found a text in my mobile saying that we couldn't do this anymore… Some months later I learnt that Tyler had already found someone else, Haley…" she finished her story looking at the ground. Her insecurities were starting to rise once again and she of course didn't want him to notice.

"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have asked…" Klaus said in genuine concern.

"No it's ok! I'm over it!" she laughed it off. "I mean yeah it hurt back then but now it's just a memory! We're friends!"

"Well, he doesn't look at you in a very friendly way…" he pointed out.

"Ugh, please! Tyler is with Haley!" she huffed.

"So?"

"So, he would be dumb if he let her go! Haley is very beautiful." She replied truthfully.

"I doubt she's more beautiful than you…" he gave her a sweet dimple smile and she just smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, we're friends and nothing more! End of discussion!" Caroline commanded and he raised his hands in surrender. "Sooo, since we're in confessions mood, care to make any?" she asked twirling nervously the straw of her cola.

"On the relationships department?" Caroline nodded. "Well, I can't cause I never had one. I think that's the main reason you were opposed to the idea to hang out with me in the first place…" Klaus smirked.

"Who hurt you then?" she asked, serious now.

"Excuse me?" Klaus scoffed surprised.

"I mean it's obvious you're afraid of commitment, that's why you're sleeping around with everything in female form" she trailed of and he chuckled "so I wanna understand how you became what you became…"

Klaus turned serious too. "Alright… If you insist… Well, there wasn't a specific one… There were so many that I have lost count of. Some were addicted to me, some were unfaithful, some overly jealous and some totally fake… Because you see every woman wants somebody to take care of them and the security money can bring them. And what's better than New York's most eligible bachelor?" he spoke sarcastically. "However, deep down none of them liked me for what I am… They were just charmed by the fame and the money…" his tone was bitter. "So I've decided that it was better to sleep around that stick to some fake relationship."

Caroline looked at him with sadness in her eyes. It was true that this man was hurt after all. There were so many deeper layers to him, surprising her every time one by one were coming to the surface, that made her reconsider if he was a bad guy after all. She wanted to say something but a loud thunder echoed in the distance, followed by the start of a heavy rainstorm, cutting her off.

"Oh my God!" Caroline shouted trying somehow to cover her head.

"Shit!" Klaus swore standing up quickly. "Let's get under that rooftop." He shouted to her and grabbed her arm.

"Wait, wait my shoes!" she grabbed them and they run to their shelter.

"Wow!" he ran a hand over his already wet blond locks to shake away the water. "That was unexpected."

"Yeah!" she laughed. "Maybe we should get home."

"We will but the rain has to stop first." He examined the dark heavy sky.

"Why? The car is at that corner you know." She pointed out, not understanding his denial.

"It's raining cats and dogs Caroline!" a thunder underlined his statement. "We will get soaked!"

"So?" she frowned and he opened his mouth to speak but didn't find a suitable agreement. "It's just pure water! Don't tell me that you've never played in the rain when you were younger." She smiled.

"Well, not really…" he shook his head. His childhood memories consisted of nothing reckless or carefree.

"Shut up!" Caroline exclaimed. "You don't know what you're missing!" she said and walked backwards with the smirk off the shelter of the rooftop, letting the water fall down on her.

She opened her arms wide and dropped her head back as she started twirling, a sea of red surrounding her as the water was falling upon her. Klaus watched mesmerized at the sight. The way she smiled, the way she moved, the way her dress was clinging upon her wet body. This was surely his new artistic fantasy. God, what he would give to have a sketchbook right now.

"Are you insane?" he finally snapped out of his haze and run to her. "You're gonna catch pneumonia!" he took off his jacket and cover her with it.

"It's fun, Klaus!" she laughed. "Isn't it?"

"Caroline…" he raised his eyebrows at her.

Caroline sighed. "I'm being silly, aren't I?" God…" she flinched and turned away from his face. Yeah, she was always inappropriate, always saying or doing the wrong thing. She was a kiddie pool.

Klaus looked at the woman in front of him and for some reason words were caught down his throat. Hair dump around her beautiful face and eyes sparkling under heavy, filled with raindrops eyelids, she was just stunning. Why didn't he have the chance to meet her sooner?

"You're not…" he spoke softly, raising a hand to her chin and turning her face to look at him again. "Don't say that ever again. You're anything but silly Caroline…" he spoke fiercely and with honesty as the blue of their eyes meet. And she believed him, as the water was running down their faces and their breaths became intertwined in a heated dance between them. A strange feeling, a tension so unknown to both of them, ignited at that moment.

"It's getting late… I should get home." Caroline finally said pulling back from his intoxicated smell.

"Yeah, sure… Let me drive you." He blinked rapidly to regain his senses and she nodded before starting walking to the car.

"I'm so sorry about the mess I made in your car!" Caroline sifted on her seat, as Klaus pulled up at her house.

"Don't even worry about that! They're leather seats; they can be dried off!" he smiled and stopped the engine.

"Well, thanks for tonight. I had a nice night." Caroline gave him a sweet smile which seemed to make his even wider. Her eyes moved further down on him, noticing the way his dump dress shirt was so complimenting his strong, well built chest. Caroline felt a wave of hotness reach her face.

"Me too." He nodded. "And for the record, red does suit you." He pointed at her now ruined dress.

She looked down at her and pushed a lock shyly behind her ear. "It's New Year's Eve!" she shrugged. "You have to wear something red."

"I thought that rule applied on underwear…" Klaus smirked naughtily.

"Well, you'll never know…" Caroline threw her dump locks over her shoulder playfully and Klaus smiled surprised. "Happy New Year, Klaus."

"You too, Caroline." He wished her genuinely and watched her climb out of the car.

Clutching her jacket closer to her body, Caroline run to the door and quickly pushed her keys on the lock, trying to get into her warm home as soon as possible.

"Caroline." A male voice surprised her, making a hand fly over her chest.

"Tyler!" she said a little louder. "What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you to get back. I really need to talk to you." He walked a little closer with a serious look.

"Well, can't it wait? Because now it's not really the right time…" she blurted.

"No, Caroline! I'm done being patient!" he exclaimed. "You should know!" Caroline just nodded and closed her hands over her chest. "I didn't just came here to see you." He continued with a serious face. "I came here because I want to be with you again, Caroline…"

Dadun! I hope you won't hate me about that! So that's chapter 11! I think it ended up being a little long but there were so many things I wanted to write in this chapter... Anyway, I hope I didn't bore you! Pretty please, share your thoughts with me by reviewing! Your words are a great inspiration to continue writing! Thank you for reading, my lovelies!

P.S. I recently got on tumblr so if you want you can follow me! I'm verajomoholic! I'll be delighted to see you there too and I'll definately follow you back! :) And a HUGE thank you from here to a-little-blonde-distraction for making that awesome review poster for my story! Thank you, sweetie!

Answering some guest reviews:

AgathaN: Oh, I have greetings from the office! I'm excited! haha! Thank you for sticking with my story honey and writing me your great reviews! I hope you liked this chapter too! :)

Guest (1/5/13): Hey sweetheart! You can be sure that Klaus will never ever lose his wolfish ways! However as you so correctly pointed, he has to hold back his horses a little cause Caroline isn't ready for this yet! Yeah, Klaus will gain her attention by opening up to her more, showing all the facts that he's hiding from the world and of course Katherine may push things a little too. I hope the first small Katherine-Elena interaction was good enough for your liking! I thing texting is a very easy way to communicate too. I just didn't feel like they would be confortable to actually talk on the phone yet. By texting they can joke or even flirt a little without feeling guilty or bad about it. It's faster, easier, safer. Then I pictured Caroline as a fairy godmother making wishes come true and helping people understand of meaning of Christmas. I know a cliche Christmas story but what can I say? I was feeling rather Christamasy when writing it! hehe! :P I'm glad you liked it! Yeap, the last scene was all about Caroline's warmth and how with her arrival everything in the longrun will be alright. It's a little taste of what's yet to come, all the changes in his life that this girl is going to bring. Aww I'm so happy that you liked Daniel! I was very excited when I "made him up" and I'm really happy that he actually appeared as adorable as I wanted him to be! And he's definately will appear again in the future, probably as a little extra help to bring Klaus and Caroline together! ;) And don't worry for Tyler... I can't say much but everything will work just fine... And I'm so happy that you like my responces as much as I like reading your reviews! Seriously they are such an inspiration to write! Thank you so much and I hope this chapter didn't fail your expectations! Looking forward to hear from you soon! :)

Guests (1/7/13): I just did! :P I hope you liked the update! :)

ilovetvd: Aww, I'm so happy that you liked the chapter, darling! Thank you so much for your words! Did I make it up to you with klaroline meeting on New Year's? I hope so! Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)