Chapter 12:

Just like yesterday, you seem to be very happy, Klaus. But why,", and now she takes his head into her hands,"why are you happy? Is there any reason to feel like that in times like these?"

She's aware of the fact that once again, all her anger and frustration about him just puffs away because of his bare existence.

By now, Klaus's even smiling more. With soft movements and hesitations, he does the same as Caroline and places his hands on her face, too.

Because you are the most important thing. Because you define my happiness. Because you, Caroline Forbes, are everything I need."

The expression in Klaus' eyes is suddenly changing; it's now really warm, lovely and full of…

Because I love you."

Because you love me?

Caroline's still leaning against the wall, Klaus' face centimeters away from hers, her breath stops for a moment.

„Because…because you lo-"

„ You don't have to say anything, love. Just come with me today. I will show you how it's like to be a part of the Original family", Klaus says with a glorious smile on his lips.

Without saying anything but a lot of staring at Klaus, Caroline lets the hybrid take her hand and walks after him. After walking for a few minutes in silence, they get to a little, very homely looking restaurant; „Betty's Inn". As Care reads the shield of the café, Klaus, who's been walking in front of Caroline all the time, finally turns around and says:

„I hope you're hungry. This is the place to be for everyone…like us." Again this irresistible smile.

„Well, how I know you, you don't really care about my decisions, so let's just go there."

Klaus seems to be shocked for a second because his whole face looks like „falling down". Just when Caroline wants to say something, he begins to smile again, takes the girl's hand and lead the bot hof them to one of the many small tables of the restaurant. After they've sat down Care takes a close look at this place: a dark, mostly empty room, red walls and old, messed up chairs. The waiters (all women) are young, beautiful girls with pale skin and big shadows under their eyes. Only now, Caroline notices that all of them have two red spots on their necks: This is the place to be for everyone…like us.

„Oh my God, Klaus, do you really-"

„Don't worry, sweetheart, we don't make them do that. Let's say that these people are kind of attracted to this way of life…that we live."

„Are you telling me that you more or less promised those girls to be turned into vampires? Klaus, you can't do that. We both know that at the end, they will be dead", Caroline whispers with accusation in her voice. She lifts up her perfectly formed eyebrows and crosses her arms.

Klaus, however, starts laughing again and longs for Caroline's hand again.

„What? What is it? Why're you laughing at me?"

„I'm sorry, love, but you should see your face." After these words, he's laughing even more and almost looks like hyperventilating.

Just when Care's about to start screaming again, she starts laughing, too. Just like that, they both laugh with each other, unable to control themselves.

After a few seconds, they find their breathes again and look in each others eyes.

„So…what party? Why did I have to go shopping with your unbearable sister?", Caroline finally manages to say.

„Well, I thought a little party to honour our dear friend Marcel would be very much appreciated from the lady of the house. And…also, I wanted to celebrate the extremely comfortable fact of you being in New Orleans."

„Oh, Klaus. Really? Why do you always have to exaggerate? You already served a wonderful meal to me yesterday." Thinking about the last evening, Caroline feels kind of weird and starts playing with the salt and pepper spreaders which stand on each table.

„Mh, I can't resist but make a fest of everything that has something to do with you, Caroline." Klaus lifts up Care's head by touching her chin and looks in her eyes again. When her eyes mett K.' aswell, he starts to smile at her.

„So, can I expect you to be my company?"

Caroline looks down on the table, has to grin a bit and then looks at him again.

„Maybe."

Dear readers,
thank you for your kind feedback, it's great to hear from people who don't have 100 stories mixed up in their heads.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to publish any new chapters until Tuesday since I'm going to Germany this weekend. I hope no one's mad at me but if so, that's life.

Have a beautiful weekend and have fun to maybe re-read the whole story?

Yours,

xoxo