Dinner. Bonnie once again looked dismally at her plate before glancing at Elijah. The steak was perfectly fine, it was medium well just as she liked but every time Klaus casually threw another glance at her, she had a big lump stuck in her throat. With every passing second, he irritated her more and more, especially at those moments when he was sharing some naughty stories from his long existence on this planet. He wasn't telling anything improper but literally every phrase tossed in the open by the cocky vampire could be interpreted ambiguously. Every time the owner of the apartment raised his look full of innocence, she had to squeeze her teeth in anger. The witch already started to think everybody in the huge dining room could hear the gnashing of her jaws.
Another maddening thing was the way they were seated at a long, narrow table. Klaus was sitting across from her, luckily far enough, even though it didn't stop the vampire from openly staring at her. Elijah was sitting close to his brother and Greta right next to Bonnie. Being next to Klaus' mistress wasn't the nicest feeling. Before now she could still at least try to be hypocritically friendly with Greta but after the recent incident, Bonnie didn't have any desire to maintain any contact with her. And the brunette felt it and out of spite began to ask questions, as if they were coming along greatly. For the first time in the life of the hereditary Salem witch she wanted to get drunk, but it was impossible because she was simply afraid of the consequences. She could do something like that with Elena or Caroline, but not in the company of two Original vampires.
"Bonnie, did you get to see the rest of the house?" Greta asked in lusciously sweet tone, pointedly looking at Bonnie and smiling mischievously.
The girl immediately took the hint in this seemingly simple question. Bonnie wanted to remain silent, leaving it without an answer, but this haughty woman was playing with fire. She gave her the prettiest smile she was capable of and answered in a singsong voice:
"Of course, Greta," she held the glass to her lips, taking a small sip of red wine. "Unfortunately, not only the house, but also some parts of your body. I am afraid, I won't have a restful sleep this night..."
Klaus' lover made such a face that Bonnie barely resisted the urge to giggle mischievously. Her skin became ashen with anger and her eyes were blazing with fury. The girl was prepared internally for the brunette to jump out of her seat and scratch her claws into over her face. And judging by the curled fists of Klaus' mistress, it would have probably happened if Klaus' loud laughter didn't break the silence hanging in the dining room.
Greta looked puzzled at her lover, as if trying to appeal to him by telepathy, but it seemed of little concern to hurt his passion's feelings to Klaus. He raised his glass filled with bourbon at eye level and gently waved it.
"One – one, Greta," he said slowly, taking a sip and looking directly at Bonnie. "Elijah, it's too bad I haven't heard about your new... ahem... entrainment before... Greta was ready to scratch your witch's eyes out, and she's a very low-key creature!"
"Why, living with such a maniac, and not be restrained!" Bonnie thought with malice, taking another small sip from her glass. She looked at Elijah: the vampire was calmly sipping wine from his glass, also staring at her. The girl was a little uncomfortable under his gaze, it showed a slight interest and something else that Bonnie couldn't determine for herself.
"And what is it so special that Greta demonstrated to you?" He asked suddenly, causing the girl to wince in surprise.
Bonnie suddenly realized that she drove herself into a trap: if she hadn't yielded to the impulse, she wouldn't have to answer that question in the presence of Klaus and his mistress. The girl was confused, but Greta's triumphant look swept aside all her shyness and doubts.
"Well, basically, everything." Bonnie said, raising her eyebrow and taking another sip of wine. "If there's anything remained not seen, it must be somewhere in a very well hidden place..."
To Greta this sip certainly seemed as a mockery, but actually the girl needed it to regain confidence. Bonnie was as much shocked by the fact that she had just uttered the last sentence. Thankfully, the colour of her skin and soft lighting in the room couldn't give out just how embarrassed she was. "Terrific, Bonnie, what would have grandma said, if she ever saw you in this situation? You're already talking like those two! " The witch thought with indignation at herself.
"Two – one, Greta." Purred meanwhile Klaus.
Bonnie turned to the man, pursing her lips with righteous anger. She was more uncomfortable not from his altercation with Greta, but due to the fact that this smug man amused himself at their expense, as if they were in the arena.
"I didn't know that we were set against one another like hounds on the run." The words slipped from Bonnie's tongue by themselves, and then she was seized by fear when she saw a frozen smile on Elijah's lips.
It was his facial expression that told her that she was half a step from the abyss, not Klaus, whose eyes flashed somewhat demonic. Bonnie felt a cold drop of sweat roll down under her dress between her shoulder blades. The silence seemed ominous, and the ticking of the vintage wall clock deafening. In an instant Klaus was near her, and no matter how she tried to gain her courage, she automatically shrank into her chair, staring at the man from the lower level. She couldn't see Elijah behind his brother, but she was hoping for his help. Suddenly Klaus took her palm in his hand, making the witch flinch. The vampire bent and slowly touched Bonnie's hand with his lips, looking in her wide-open eyes.
"To tell you the truth, brother, I'm a little jealous," he said admiringly, however not even for a moment convincing Bonnie in his sincerity. "I still think that we can still..."
He was unable to finish, as Elijah appeared next to him. With a light smile he took back, to Bonnie's great relieve, her hand and shook his head.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Niklaus," he said quietly, pulling on the girl's hand, forcing her to get up from her seat. "You scared Bonnie half to death with your compliments. Look how she's trembling."
Only now she realized that the vampire was right. She felt feverish, but despite this the witch was mad at Elijah for having voiced her condition. She looked at him, regretting that she can't incapacitate him with a mere stare, but he remained as emotionally impenetrable as ever.
"Scared?" Klaus asked with hypocritical repentance, looking into her eyes with a look proving to Bonnie that she was right about real feelings of the ancient vampire. "I really didn't mean to. Can you forgive me Bonnie, for such mistreatment on my part?"
However, he theatrically put his big hand to the place where people have their heart and his lips broke into a broad, good-natured smile, not matching his tough gaze. Bonnie tried hard to shake off the ice shackles of fear to adequately answer the man, but could not say a word. She just stood there and looked him straight in the eyes, as if spellbound.
Elijah seemed to understand her condition and interrupted the protracted pause that arose after his brother's question.
"I think she already has, Niklaus," he said confidently, gently hugging the girl's waist.
Feeling the man running his thumb along her ribs, Bonnie felt surprisingly relieved. The girl became much calmer, feeling Elijah's strong body behind her. She even made a subtle step back to be closer to the vampire who just a few minutes ago she was ready to strangle with her own bra.
"Besides, I promised Bonnie to show her Chicago tonight," the man said, tucking a stray lock of the witch's dark hair behind her ear. "So, pardon us, but we probably will leave your warm company."
Klaus smiled indulgently, slightly bowing his head to the side and looking at the couple in front of him like a parent, deciding whether to let his daughter to the prom with a college student.
"Show her Chicago?" He seemed to ponder over the thought for a moment. "Well, that's a great idea, brother! It really is something to see. Right, Greta?"
His mistress nodded stiffly. The brunette continued to sit in her chair, clearly not pleased with the lack of attention to her person. Bonnie would gladly trade places with her. But to her great joy, Elijah took her by the hand and went straight to their bedroom. There he put his finger to her lips, ordering her to be silent, and helped her put the coat on. Then, putting on his own, he took her hand and led her to the elevator. Silently, she walked beside him. It was so weird to go with Elijah hand in hand, as if they were really a couple.
Like this, not saying a word and without moving their hands, they entered it and came out of the building. Once outside, she breathed in the sharp cold autumn air and looked up at the starry sky above them. Bonnie saw Elijah's driver, though the car was different. She looked at her companion who returned her questioning stare, as if saying "don't even ask" and opened the door for her.
She just shrugged and in a moment had already settled on a scarlet leather seats, inspecting the car's interior. This vehicle clearly belonged to Klaus, the owner's extravagance and exuberance showing in every detail. Bonnie even thought that she could smell Klaus in the salon. Distracted from her investigation, the girl looked at Elijah. He went around the car and sat down next to her. The driver was already given orders to get a move on, when suddenly the car door opened from Bonnie's side, and she was surprised to see Klaus on the street. Judging by the sudden stifling silence, Elijah also didn't expect to see his brother so soon.
While the couple was silent, the vampire wholly undismayed moved Bonnie, sitting in the seat next to her. She just stared dumbfounded at the man who, squirming his hips took a seat all the more friendly.
"Niklaus?" Finally said Elijah.
His brother, as if nothing had happened, said cheerfully:
"I'm going with you! Why would I sit at home like a pensioner, when it's such a beautiful night? Greta is not in the mood... Separated me, unfortunately, from her body... And all because of you, Bonnie. I don't even dare to seek full compensation, given the vastness of Elijah's plans for you... though do not let me die of boredom!" he said cheekily.
With that, he freely threw his hand on the back of the seat, and the witch was thus almost in the arms of the vampire.
"To the Orchid!"Klaus told the driver, and then winked at Bonnie, dumbfounded with his arrogance. "I'll show you the city lights!"