Reality Bites - Chapter 1: Meet the Mikaelsons
"Previously on Meet the Mikaelsons," the familiar voice over wafted through the speakers, opening the latest installment of the most popular reality program on television. Caroline groaned, pressing the couch cushion to her face in the vain hope of blocking out the sound from the TV.
"Must we watch this?" She professed, albeit muffled by the cushion.
"So formal, but yes, we must. Why do we have to go through this every time, Care?" Katherine insisted, peeling the cushion from her face. "Especially when I'm trying to hear the recap about Kol's mystery celebrity hook-up at Henrik's star-studded sixteenth birthday bash."
"I'd be happy to help solve that mystery if you'll just switch it off," she pleaded, knowing just how far her best friend's eyes would pop out when she revealed Sophia Richie as the mystery hook-up.
She had to hand it to Kol, he was always so damn predictable. There wasn't a family occasion he was yet to ruin and the fact it was sweet little Henrik's turn was a bone of contention for Caroline. That boy was probably the purest of the siblings, although he was still young and somewhat naive. Of course, the network loved it given the ratings it would generate but for once she wished Kol would get a clue and grow the hell up. Being an annoyingly intelligent but spoiled, rich kid wasn't license to be an immature asshole, even if his fans told him otherwise.
"No spoilers," Bonnie hissed, wagging her finger in her roommates face accusingly. "And save your annoying whining for the commercial break, Forbes."
"I think Bonnie's just jealous she's not the hot hook-up," Kat joked, nudging her friend in the ribs teasingly.
"He may be a gorgeous, but somewhat misunderstood, genius but he's also an immature ass who needs to put on his big boy pants," she shot back, reading Caroline's mind. At least someone shared her sentiments.
"Maybe he just hasn't found the right woman yet," Katherine persisted, eyeing her friend knowingly. Caroline rolled her eyes thinking that if that were the case the whole Mikaelson clan could be cured of their heinous habits. Kol didn't just need a woman he needed a meaningful, intellectual career to sink his teeth into and expend all of that excess energy. But what did she know?
"Who's ruining the recap now?" She scowled childishly. They both chose not to respond, immersing themselves in the episode and large bowl of extra buttery popcorn."And you say you're my friends," she huffed, hugging the cushion and readying herself for the ensuing hour.
No, it wasn't just a television show she hated that her roommates insisted on watching every week. She also happened to be its producer and would rather poke out her eyes than watch a re-run of how she spent her working days wrangling a bunch of unapologetic heirs who had an amazing ability to make her life hell. Just that morning, Kol had purposely set off the fire alarm at the dress rehearsal for his sister Rebekah's upcoming fashion show. Needless to say, the camera guys had to act fast to save their expensive equipment whilst simultaneously capturing Rebekah trying to strangle her wayward brother. Pity she didn't succeed.
Not that Rebekah was a picnic. She was a completely different kind of beast. One you didn't want to mess with first thing in the morning, mid-shopping spree or when her brothers were teasing her, which usually ended in some kind of wild tantrum complete with a door slam for added effect. Caroline actually felt sorrier for the catering team who had to deal with her ridiculous, daily demands on set. She liked to entertain the fact that the vulnerable, self-conscious princess would find happiness with someone who could see past the false bravado.
Elijah was the one sibling who didn't bite, even when provoked. Caroline knew he resented being thrown into the spotlight because of his family name but it was something he seemed to carry with distinction, much like his appearance. Nobody wore a suit like him, and the current scene flashing across the television screen was proof of that fact. Elijah was principled and unbreakable and in the crazy world of Hollywood that was the best attribute you could possess.
"Does he always look that good, Care?" Kat asked, her gaze transfixed on the television while shoving popcorn into her mouth. It was a question she asked every episode and Caroline would always reassure her that was his default setting.
There was a strictly no friends policy on set but Caroline had still been worried early on after taking the job that Katherine would sneak in and try to have her way with the eldest Mikaelson. They were poles apart personality-wise but Caroline secretly wanted to see how they'd get along. Opposites attract and all that.
Most people would kill for her job, she'd been told that multiple times, so she should have felt grateful. But she was just working towards her dream. It was the one the network had dangled like a carrot if she promised to produce at least the first season of Meet the Mikaelsons. She was a political science major and the thought of producing her own series was too tempting and here she was running after a group of spoiled siblings in order to make that happen. Caroline knew she would finally be free in three months and two days, and yes she was counting. She was hoping she could hold out that long without having to kill anyone.
And just then he appeared on screen almost on cue.
Bastard.
His blue, Armani suit fitted him like a second skin, his white shit unbuttoned at the collar while walking into the ballroom exuding an entitled arrogance Caroline knew all too well. Crimson lips, a sprinkle of stubble, a pair of disarming dimples and dark, blonde curls finished the look.
"He did not," Bonnie gasped, unable to stop watching if she tried. "Esther's going to kill him." Caroline had learned to ignore their commentary knowing just how much they hated spoilers and just how much she hated reliving her working days. Caroline remembered the scenario like it was yesterday.
Esther had been planning her annual black-tie Valentine's Day Ball and insisted the whole family attend. The Armani wearing scene-stealer, who shall not be named, had refused given he considered it to be a pathetic Hallmark Holiday not worth celebrating. Esther was unrelenting and her second son had begrudgingly shown up and flouted the dress code, something he knew his mother hated. Caroline knew this would up the ratings but he didn't do it for that reason, he just hated being told what to do.
Stubborn ass. She could sympathize with Esther, which was saying a lot with her painful demands and given their many run-ins.
The first time they met months earlier was on a golf course in Palm Springs. Caroline wasn't expecting such an icy reception in such high temperatures, even though she knew all Mikaelson siblings came with a special kind of warning. Klaus Mikaelson was the one sibling she was yet to really understand.
The others were easy to read from their biographies and mannerisms but the second sibling made it his aim to remain mysterious and frustratingly aloof. From what she could tell he was extremely argumentative and impatient. But the most interesting part was what she called his unusual hybrid tendencies. Klaus was a contradiction compared to his siblings who followed the usual career paths at Ivy League schools. He not only finished top of his class at Harvard Law School but went on to complete an art degree at the Sorbonne even though law firms were banging down his door.
Unlike his siblings, Klaus didn't date celebrities or high profile, people. In fact, he barely dated from what Caroline had noticed. That, of course, didn't mean Klaus didn't have any fun. On the contrary, it wasn't uncommon to find him with one of his many conquests. At first, she figured he rebelled against his family because he liked to get a reaction but at the same time Caroline wasn't too sure that was his true meaning. Being unable to read him had left Caroline completely confused and as much as she wanted to pretend she didn't care, she actually did. Why she needed to know how he ticked, she'd probably never completely understand.
It was 102 degrees and they were filming in Palm Springs during a celebrity golf tournament Elijah was organizing for charity. Whoever decided July was a great idea needed a clue.
"Who are you?" He'd asked rudely, his eyes regarding her over the top of a rather worn copy of Shakespeare's Macbeth. As much as she wanted to compliment his reading choices, his less than friendly tone wasn't lending itself to any extra-curricular conversation.
"Oh, you know, just the producer of this project," she uttered, trying to disguise the venom undertone while counting down the days she had to work in this place. "We need you in make-up."
"Really, for this face?" He balked, his left eyebrow raised curiously as his book now languished next to him in the golf cart. She was trying to work out whether he was slow or completely vain and attempting to flirt, she figured it was the latter. He obviously wasn't used to people ignoring him.
"What's done cannot be undone," she replied mischievously, quoting the very play he'd just been reading from. It was obvious by his shocked expression that she'd made an impression.
"Shakespeare fan, huh?"
"I took an English Literature class or two while I was studying at Brown," she offered slyly. "But it's not looking good for thee."
"Excuse me?"
"Someone needs to get their butt to make-up." She turned, finding herself walking away as he finally responded.
"And where will you be, love?" She couldn't help herself, turning around briefly to send him her best smirk.
"With all the naturally beautiful people, don't be too jealous, Mikaelson. Oh and, while we're at it, don't call me love." Although she'd continued walking, Caroline couldn't miss the chuckle he'd emitted and she was finding it difficult to hate him. She decided to file that brief twinge of emotion as temporary insanity and move on.
Caroline felt a shiver run through her body as their first meeting filled her mind, feeling like it was just yesterday. She came to, just as Esther's eyes clapped on her son's rebellious move on screen -and before the ensuing death ray- they cut to a commercial break as all good reality shows should do at such a pivotal moment in programming.
Her friends turned to look at her expectantly. It was the same look they gave her each episode, a mixture of wanting to know what happened next but hating any spoilers.
"I'm going to bed," she offered by way of response, without a backward glance to her roommates.
"Just like clockwork," Kat yelled to her retreating back from the lounge room. "If you think we're not going to notice your impromptu exits when Klaus Mikaelson fills the screen then forget it, Forbes."
She slammed her bedroom door shut, too worked up to answer.