12. A double date
It has been a few days. And in those few days nothing has changed, and everything has changed. It wasn't just the fact she managed to remember bits and pieces from that notorious night when she managed to marry an even more notorious guy. No, she could have sworn it wasn't just that. It was that walk on the beach … It somehow changed the dynamics between them. And she wasn't even talking about that hot, steamy make-up session that was a show for the paparazzi but more of a let's see how far we can take this than anything else. It was the fact he opened up to her, even if was for just an inch. She started to see him as more human and it freaked her out more than anything else in the world. She didn't want to see him like that, she wanted to see him as an asshole that is an asshole for no apparent reason, just because he can be, and because he enjoys being it. Giving everything a reason always complicates things. But here was the funny part of it all … Somehow she believed she wasn't the only one feeling like this. One would think, one would bet all their money that Klaus would still be pushing her, teasing her, testing his limits, but no … He was, she would even dare to say, avoiding her. In the last few days he was barely home. And when he was home, he was always in his office, or on his phone, talking to someone, being all secretive. And that made Caroline more curious than ever to get to the bottom of it all. She had to have all the facts in order to protect herself. From what exactly? She didn't know yet. But she wasn't taking any risks and chances this time around.
So this particular morning she waited. She waited to see his car leave the driveway. The paparazzi finally settled down a bit, so it wasn't such a madhouse outside anymore. It was almost a normal life, except nothing was normal, nothing at all in this crazy situation. But if she was forced to be in it, at least she'll know what she's up against. And what is he up to. She carefully left the main house and went into the guesthouse. In her hand she held a key to his office. She found it accidently just laying around, on a coffee table in the living room, and she decided to borrow it. She had never before done such a thing and a rush of excitement ran through her. She was aware how wrong this was, and a part of her was ashamed, but a part of her just didn't care anymore. They were married now, and whatever he was up to, she had the right to now, and since he would apparently never tell her himself, she had to find another way. And so she did. She felt like one of the character in her movies when she was looking around, making sure no one was around when she put the key into the lock. And voila, it was the right key alright, and the door opened. And she was in. Looking around, taking in his little empire. She wanted to observe closely every little part, as if that would give her more insight into his soul. But she had seen and filmed too many movies not to know better. He could be home any second, so she had to hurry. So she went straight towards his desk and opened the first drawer. There was nothing there, just someone papers. The second one, empty … Damn, I guess this would turn out to be a waste of time and her breaking and entering skills. But she once again spoke too soon. The third drawer was a jack pot. She found a yellow envelope. "Scoot and Skip – a reunion." Her face went pail. What kind of a joke was this? This just couldn't be serious. She wanted to rip the envelope and open, it but how? He'd know she was in here, damn it, maybe her days as a burglar weren't going so well, and she should definitely stick to her day job. Think, think, think … And then she remembered a trick she saw in a movie. Opening an envelope by using steam, maybe it would work; she just had to do it before he came back. She turned around and a scream came out of her lungs.
"What are you doing here?" she heard a voice ask her.
" Omg, Rebekah. You scared the shit out of me." she replied to Klaus's sister while she was trying to calm down her heartbeat. And her trembling voice. Guilty as charged was written all over her.
"That doesn't really answer my question. Nik doesn't let anyone in here. Not even me …"
" Oh yeah, I know that. But he had to step outside and he forgot some papers, so he send me to find them." her heartbeat was still close to a heart attack.
Rebekah passed by her and sat in Klaus's chair, probably enjoying seeing her squirm again.
" You know, I don't want it to sound like I'm criticising your acting skills again, but … You're a really terrible liar."
" I know that." Caroline admitted knowing Rebekah was on to her, and nothing but honesty could save her now.
Now it was Rebekah that started snooping around, touching everything. They truly were a pair, even Klaus didn't deserve such noisy women in his life, Caroline thought.
" So dear sister in low, what exactly are we after?"
" We?" Caroline asked in disbelief.
" Yes, we. A, I'm bored and have nothing better to do. And B, you'll owe me one." She winked at her, and Caroline couldn't describe how much she reminded her of Klaus in that moment.
" I don't like debts." Caroline said straightforwardly.
" Who does? But sometimes we don't have a choice. Besides, you don't have to worry; I won't ask you to give me your first born or anything like that. Just a little, tinny, tiny favour for my silence. I think that's more than fair."
"Just tell me what you want Rebekah. And I'll see what I can do." Caroline decided to go with it, more than anything curious what would Rebekah ask for.
"See? Who knew we'd get along? It's like a song. I want a date."
" With me?" Caroline was teasing her, although now she knew what the little blonde wanted.
" You're cute and all, but you are my brother's wife, so I think I'll pass this time. No, with Matt …"
" Don't tell me he turned you down?" Caroline was just poking but didn't know she actually hit a rough spot there.
" He did not turn me down. I mean look at me." Rebekah got up and started pacing around.
"He's just feeling uncomfortable since you're his boss, and he apparently doesn't like mixing business and pleasure. Which is usually a turn off for me, but he is so darn cute and sweet, I see it as a challenge."
" So, he's just a challenge for you? A boytoy to pass your time?" Caroline got a bit overprotective over him but she couldn't help it. Like she already said, he wasn't just an employee, he was a friend, and she took care of her friends.
" Not that's is any of your business…"
"Sorry, but actually it is. Matt is my friend, and you're right. He is a great guy, and doesn't deserve to get hurt. Or toyed with … I won't let it." She was sure Rebekah would bite her head off for this but she was wrong. She saw something in her eyes, something strange, almost a longing, for something.
" I really like how you care so much about your friends. I just … I don't know … Want a chance to get to know him? I don't think that's so bad."
" It's not. I'm sorry if I came out a bit harsh. I just don't like to see people hurt."
" Like your ex husband hurt you?" Rebekah asked her with sympathy in her voice. But Caroline was done with sympathy, so she changed the subject, or rather, returned the topic of the conversation to its right course.
"So, you want a date? Me to play a matchmaker for you crazy kids?"
" I can match and make on my own, thank you. I just want you to show him you're cool with us hanging out. Maybe he'll ease up a bit then."
" Ok, fine, I'll tell him I'm, as you put it, cool with that."
" Doubt that that would be enough. He's so serious when it comes to his work."
" Yes, I know, it's called dedication. So, what exactly do you want me to do Rebekah?"
" I was thinking a double date? You me, Nik and Matt."
" Whaat? Are you crazy?"
" Why not? It's the best way for you to show him you don't mind him being with me. Don't worry, we won't start anything nasty in front of you, Nik would kill me if I did anything like that, you wouldn't believe it, but he can get so ridiculously over protective sometimes."
" But there are cameras and paparazzi everywhere. Matt hates that, I don't think he'd be very happy to be part of all of that madness."
"Don't you worry about anything. Just leave it all to me. I know this town like the back of my hand. I'll find a perfect place where we can have our privacy. All you have to do is say yes."
" And talk your brother into this?"
"Well he's your husband, isn't he? Use your charms …" Rebekah innocent retort almost made Caroline blush. She remembered the way it felt being pressed against him on that beach. To feel his strong body, to feel his want for her, and almost giving in to it all. Wanting to give in to it all …
"Shit. I think I heard a car. Come on. We have to get out of here. Now." Rebekah interrupted her daydreaming. She quickly placed the envelope back into the drawer, for a few minutes completely forgetting about the reason why she broke into his office in the first place, and locked the office, putting the key into the pocket of her designer jeans.
" So are we on?" Rebekah asked impatiently.
" I'll see what I can do." Caroline answered and saw a smile spread all over Rebekah's face. She could keep up the façade but Caroline was really starting to feel her as a person that she truly was deep down, and she was starting to like her. Which couldn't be a good thing, she didn't want to have any connections with the Mikaelson's, none whatsoever, once this little play was over with.
She walked back into the house, and mentally reminded herself she had to put the key back onto the table in the living room.
He emerged from the kitchen holding a drink in one hand, and of course a cell phone pressed into his ear. She wondered why didn't he just glue it to its ear, it would have been much easier. She didn't want to admit it was her jealousy talking, whoever he was devoting so much time, it seemed kind of unfair, I mean she was his wife.
Fake wife Caroline, fake wife. So get a grip girl. You wanted to see as less of him as possible, not the other way around, she tried to convince herself.
He finally got off the god damn phone and looked at her. The way he looked at her made her uneasy.
" I have something for you." he spoke first, breaking the silence between them.
" A time machine so I can go back in time and fix this?"
" Please, and then you wouldn't have the honour to enjoy my wonderful company."
" Oh yeah, I'd really be missing out on that one."
" Yes, yes you would indeed. And this is so you can brag to the world what kind of a gem your husband is." he pulled out a box from his pocket. He opened it, and there was this beautiful ring in it. Purely perfect. But unfortunately the husband that came with it just didn't match, because before Caroline could say anything, he showed his colours once more.
"I bought it for two hundred bucks on eBay. You have to admit it looks like the real thing."
" Wow, a fake ring to go with the fake husband. Works for me." She took the ring and put it on her finger. It really did look like a real three- carat cushion-cut diamond. She was admiring the fake ring when he as usual just couldn't let it go.
"It is even a bigger stone that cheap loser of yours bought you. I mean you dear ex husband. Pardon my French. "
"Except his was real." she thought of her engagement ring that was now lying somewhere in a box in her safe. She had to sell it and donate the money. It was time. High time.
"Like his wedding wows?" Klaus really did take a cheap shot there, but Caroline had to suppress the urge to leap into Tyler's defence. She had to kill that habit, especially in front of Klaus who obviously hated Tyler's guts, for reasons unknown to her.
"You know I'm not discussing that with you, so don't even bother going there. Just because you were never in love …"
"You think what Tyler and you had was love?"
" Like I said honey …" she said it as sarcastically as he possibly could.
" You're the last person I'd discuss the matters of the heart. Since you still need to grow one." She knew it was a cheap shot but she had to show him she wouldn't be sharing anything personal with him, not this time. The ring was fake, and the marriage was even faker, and it was the way they should keep it.
"Anyways, we have a date tonight. Don't ask me anything, it's not for me; it's for your sister.
She'll let you know the details, but I think the dress code is pretty casual." was the last thing she said to him before her and her fake ass ring left the room.
He watched her leave the room, upset, and like always he was the one that made her this way. And yes, there was a time when he'd enjoy it. But lately, playing this role of the hated guy was getting a bit tiring. But the funny thing is as much as he wanted to he didn't know how to stop. Seeing Caroline on every day basis stirred up million emotions inside of him. One the one side there was that feeling that he wanted to be a good guy, accepted, respected, leave his past behind, but on the other hand, seeing her and remembering their relationship from the past when she was the perfect Mary Sue with her daddy always be her side, made him act like his eighteen year old self again. He went into Harry Winston's this morning, and bought her a gorgeous wedding ring, he wasn't planning on telling her it was a fake knock off bought on eBay, but when he saw her walking into the room his bad self emerged again. There was something about her that always made him feel not good enough. Her always being on time, her always knowing all the lines, buying muffins for the whole set, having all the producers eating out of her pretty little hand, the public adoring her. It wasn't like he was jealous, because he wasn't, but he was a bit intimidated by all of it. So his sarcasm and mean remarks were the only way to deal with it. It was the wrong way, and somewhere deep inside he knew he should know better, and that all of those things were in no way her fault but old habits die hard, right? He just hoped these six months could pass without them mutually hurting each other. Because they were more than capable of that. The best way would of course be her way, keeping away from each other, having a strictly professional relationship/marriage, but the devil didn't let him rest. Because on top of all of it, he was really attracted to her, he was challenged by her like never before. Sure he was teasing her all time, touching her, trying to seduce her just to get a reaction out of her, just to see those pretty cheeks blush and her mouth twitch, the things he could do with those mouth … But he still wasn't sure what his next move would be. That walk on the beach was pretty intoxicating, and he was more than sure that he wanted more, he was even more than sure she wanted more. And not just because he was a cocky bastard, and he was, but because there are some things that can not stay hidden for long. Sure they fought like cats and dogs, and sure they were a step from being mortal enemies, but the chemistry between them was undeniable. He knew he was not the only one feeling this way. But the question was … What where they going to do about it?
" Bekah, are you in here?" he knocked on his sister's door.
"Come in." she replied and he entered her little empire filled with clothes, make-up and all those other things that women apparently desperately needed to look their best.
" Wow, what happened here. Did a bomb fell in this room while I was away?" he simply took in the clothes hanging from every free space.
" Ha, ha, you're very funny. I'm looking for something to wear ..."
" And let me guess, you have nothing? Although you have enough clothes to fill at least two boutiques on Rodeo Drive."
She took a pillow and threw it at him. What was it with women and pillow throwing lately?
"Don't be an ass Nik. It's not about the quantity; it's about finding the perfect thing to wear."
" I guess this has something to do with a certain double date I'm being dragged to tonight?"
" Oh good, I see Caroline has spoken to you. Please dear brother do me a favour and don't act like a caveman tonight. Don't scare the poor guy off before I scare him off."
"If you're so worried about my behaviour why do Caroline and I have to be a part of it dear sister?"
" Because, well because … It's complicated, ok? Your task is to sit there, and to be polite and I don't know, speak only when asked something."
"Whoa, so many rules. Can I get that in writing? I could forget something and then what, you'll hate me for the rest of your life for commenting on the guys shoes or something banal as that. "
" Nik, be serious …"
" Why? Are you serious about this guy? Do you actually like him? Are you in looove?"
" Oh shut up Nik. You know I don't do love. "
" You know, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."
" What?" Rebekah asked confused.
" To fall in love. To have someone by your side."
" Oh please, keep your advice for someone who actually falls for that bullshit. No offence dear brother, but what do you know about love? "
" Well, I'm a married man, aren't I?"
" Please, and I mean please, don't get me started about your marriage to Caroline. I'm still trying to figure out what the hell is going on there. I mean, she's way too good for you."
Rebekah was waiting for a reaction out of him. But he said nothing … Although he knew she was absolutely right.
" Love is just not our thing Nik. Life gets easier when you deal with it."
Maybe she was right, but she was definitely too young to be this cynical. And he wanted for her sake, and maybe even for his, to prove that she was wrong. He came up to her and kissed her forehead.
"Life is not always supposed to be easy Bekah. Neither is love. Which doesn't mean all of it is not worthwhile."
She pushed him away quickly, but he could see she loved his little show of affections.
" Yeah, yeah, keep that gooey crap for you bride. Now, get out so I can find my perfect outfit for tonight. Something casual, and yet sexy as hell, so when I guy sees me …"
" Ok, ok, enough details for someone who's your older brother. My ears are going to start to bleed. Just tell me when I'm supposed to get ready. I'll be in my office. And tell Caroline …"
" Why don't you tell her?"
" I'm busy. " he said and left the room. Not wanting to admit that he was not in fact that busy just confused, about a lot of things. All those advices he was giving Rebekah, could he ever take them himself? Will there come a time when he'll finally feel ready enough to love someone? And a time when he'll feel worthy of someone's love? Unfortunately he didn't have answers to those questions, and he wasn't sure if he ever would. He would never admit that to her, for obvious reasons not wanting her to turn out like him, but Bekah was right. Love was definitely not his thing. And it was all for the best.
He put on a gray t-shirt and a pair of jeans, just like Bekah asked him to. She was wearing a red summer dress; red pumps with a small black bow on them and a matching necklace.
"Wow, you look stunning. Matt is going to lose it when he sees you. Poor guy probably won't be able to utter a normal sentence."
Caroline came down the stairs wearing jeans and a cute yellow top with ruffles. She put her hair into a ponytail and had the sweetest flowery earrings matching her top.
"Yeah, isn't that dress a little too short?" it was hard for Klaus not to comment when it came to his sister.
" Oh please Klaus …" Caroline came into her defence before Rebekah could even say anything.
"Didn't you date women who wore bikinis to movie premiers?"
" Hey, Lola was from Hawaii. It's practically their national symbol."
" Whatever …" Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Now, don't be angry love. You know I have my eyes only on you now."
" Let's just get this over with." she whispered to him before she heard the doorbell. Matt came to pick them up.
Rebakah begged her brother to be nice and not intimidating towards Matt, but luckily Klaus didn't even have to put a lot of effort into it. It happened rarely, but this time it actually happened, he liked Matt from the start. Klaus even secretly hoped he could be a good influence on Bekah, if Bekah managed to stay with him more then two or three nights. It's not that he didn't understand her, committing yourself to someone was very hard, and he was aware that he wasn't the best influence, but hoped his little sister would know better than him and not make the same mistakes.
" So this is it you guys, what do you think?" Rebekah asked with enthusiasm.
" It's a dump." Klaus said it like he saw it.
" I like it, it has a certain charm to it." Matt came into Bekah's defence.
" I agree. It's a nice place Rebekah." Caroline turned against him as well.
" And you …" she pointed a finger at him.
"You've seen your fair share of dumps, probably licked the floor in a more than just a few of them. So this place should be like a palace to you. And plus, it's far from LA and we won't be bothered here. And that is my kind of place."
Klaus actually agreed with all of it, but he just liked being an ass sometimes.
"Please, Mystic Grill? What does that even stand for? A grill that is mystic? As in, cooks mystic hot-dogs that will make your hair grow quicker or something? Or make you turn green? Well that could actually be true if you eat anything in this place."
" Niiik … Stop being such a pompous ass."
"Takes one to know one." he ruffled Bekah's hair a bit, and she reciprocated by darting his tongue at him. He could only hope Matt understood they were just messing around. From the look on his face one would say he blended into their strange little entourage quite nicely.
" Matt, want to play some pool?" Rebekah turned to her date with googly eyes.
" Be careful Matt, she's a real piranha at the pool table. She has no mercy whatsoever."
" Well, I have been taught from the best." Rebekah finally gave him some acknowledgment.
" Not that I would ever brag …"
" No of course not, mister I'm a walking and talking perfection." Caroline was having no mercy also.
" This is how a marriage life looks like?" Matt asked in disbelief.
" I know, right? I so don't want to ever get married. Come, let's play pool, I promise I'll be gentle." Bekah said in a seductive voice and an entranced Matt followed her.
"Lovebirds get us some drinks, will you? Laters." Bekah shouted to Klaus and Caroline across the room.
" I guess that's our cue that they want some alone time." Caroline said and went towards the bar, Klaus followed.
She sat at the bar and ordered a margarita, sipping it slowly. Klaus was observing her.
" What are you looking at?" she asked irritated. He kind of figured she hated to be observed so carefully, like she was afraid someone would see something she was so desperately trying to hide. "We are not so different, you and me." he thought, but didn't utter it out loud.
" You, enjoying that margarita. First tequilas, now margaritas. I'm making a notorious woman out of you."
"Well, I think being married to you would turn any woman into an alcoholic."
" Harsh … But technically I don't know how valid our little marriage is."
" You mean because I'm paying you to do this? Because you're a step from being a man whore?"
" No, I have no problem with that part. Because we haven't consummated it again."
" So you're finally ready to admit nothing happened in Vegas?"
"Well, I wouldn't say nothing happened. But I think I quite remember what didn't happen."
"Wow, I'm so honoured you actually remember something like that. I thought you usually didn't remember your one night stands." Caroline said before she had time to think, but it was out there and maybe it was high time to address it.
" I do remember Caroline."
" Remember what? I don't have a clue what you're talking about." she gulped her margarita in one elegant swift.
" I'm talking about that night on the boat." Klaus said quietly, since believe it or not it did make him sick thinking about that night. But he was a stupid kid that thought he was higher than God himself, hurting somebody just wasn't his concern. And she was so boring, so sickly in love with him, always following him around like a lost puppy, trying to get his attention so desperately, he couldn't think of ways for her to forget him anymore, so he chose the stupidest there was. By killing every illusion she ever had of him, in the harshest way possible. By making her really see what kind of undeserving asshole not worthy of love he was.
"Nope, still no clue … I guess it just wasn't that important to me."
" I know you were a virgin, and I …" she gave him a look he had never before seen on her, her beautiful eyes were on fire. He thought she would jump from her chair any second and give him a good slap, not that he didn't deserve it. But Caroline Forbes was too classy for public scenes, or for any scenes for that matter.
" Don't … Just don't … Whatever you say can't make it better, only worse. Nothing you say can chance the fact you ended my childhood and I was the one that let you."
They sat in silence for a few moments, neither knowing what to say.
" Why did you do it? I know it wasn't because you liked me or actually wanting to be with me. I know we can't change it, and maybe it's better for me not to know, but I want to know. So help me God but I do. Why?" she asked him and he could see the vulnerability in her eyes. The same he saw that night when his mind was to blurry from drinks and drugs to care. But this time he cared at least as much to tell her the truth. She deserved it.
"Because I could. It's stupid I know, but that is the truth. You were there, you came to the party disobeying you daddy, and you were willing to the anything to be with me. I was sick of you not taking a hint and leaving me alone. Sick of you always being around, trying so desperately to get my attention. You already had everything else, everybody were eating out of your hand, loving the sweet little Caroline Forbes. You could do no wrong … I just didn't want to be around Mrs. Perfect. And this was the only way I knew to get you to leave me alone. I didn't plan it Caroline, but I did take advantage of the situation. And of you. And there is absolutely nothing I can do to change it, or to make it up to you. And why would I? I wasn't a good guy back then, and I'm not a good guy now. I'm a selfish screw up that thinks of no one but himself. "
"Thank you. For you honesty. You're right, it won't change anything, but I needed to hear that, for some reason."
She took two margaritas into her hands: "I'm going to take these to our little lovebirds."
She stood up and started walking away when he couldn't help but say, although he knew it wouldn't change anything.
" Caroline?"
" Yes?"
" I am sorry. For what it's worth." he was sure she'd say it wasn't worth nothing, and he could shove his sorry where even the Sun don't shine, but she just looked at him and nodded her head. He didn't know why he cared but that little nod meant the world to him. It didn't mean much to her, but maybe … just maybe … it meant there was hope for him yet …
Hey you guys, I have internet again :). And it feels so nice after a rough couple of days. The job turned out much harder than I thought and I feel like making a huge mistake when accepting it and moving to a different town, but too late now :/. Luckily I started writing this chapter while I was at home and I managed to finish it. I'm sorry about the mistakes I don't have time to go through it one more time and I really wanted to share it with you guys, the ones still following and liking this story ;).
So, did you like the chapter? What do you think about Klaus now? Do you think he's apology was genuine? PLEASE REVIEW AND LEAVE ME SOME FEEDBACK, when I see people actually taking an interest in the story it makes me write faster and with more enthusiasm ;)
P. S. you can check Rebekah's and Caroline's outfits for this date on my tumblr:
