CHAPTER 9
"What?" I felt my checks heating in embarrassment as Rebekah continued to stare at me. My hand nervously began to fidget with the tulle dress fabric. " Of course I don't."
"Say that again without blushing, Bella." Rebekah chuckled softly before steering me towards the front door. "If you do, just know I would love and be honored to be able to call you my sister."
Flustered, I found myself shaking my head rapidly. "Beks, I love you but I don't think of your brother…."
"Naked?" I heard a voice growl and I turned around to see Stefan glaring at me. His jaw was clenched and his right eyebrow was twitching slightly.
Sighing, I sent Rebekah a quick look acknowledging her to exit while I spoke with Stefan. I waited until Rebekah had shut the french glass doors.
"Hello, Stefan." I say before taking a sip of my champagne. "Are you enjoying tonight's festivities?"
"Yes, especially how heartwarming it is to see you dancing and flirting with Klaus." Stefan hissed angrily and took a step towards me.
I sigh heavily and run a hand over my curling hair. "Stefan, after everything you put me through, I didn't want to come back." I look up into his beautiful green eyes and cringe slightly at the hate emanating off him. "But when an Original summons you, you dare not say no. I have people I care for and would not like to see in pain. Just like you." I gaze over to where Elena has begun climbing the large staircase.
Stefan's eyes follow mine and he grunts angrily as he notices the doppelganger. "We will talk later." Stefan marches away and slams the doors. A few party guests stare after him in concern before shyly glancing at me.
I feel the tears spring to my eyes as I watch him grab Elena's arm and pull her from the staircase. I turn around swiftly before walking off the porch towards the forest. The night air felt cool on my skin and I swayed slightly to the music that quietly drifted from one of the opened windows.
My heart still ached for Stefan despite everything he had put me through. I thought a clean break would help heal the wounds but now I feel as if the wounds had been ripped open again. Watching him love and worry over Elena made my heart heavy. A soft sob escaped my lips and I placed a hand over my mouth. I stumble forward slightly but a pair of hands catch me before I fall.
"Bella?" Klaus' voice was calm and soft. Looking up, I find myself tragically torn between wanting to push him away and wanting to hug him close to my body.
"Klaus?" I manage to get on stable footing and begin wiping my eyes. "Why are you not inside enjoying the company of your family?" My hands shake with anxiety as I continue to try to dry my eyes without smudging the makeup.
"Ah, I must admit I saw your small argument with Mr. Salvatore. I wanted to make sure you were alright." Klaus' hand came up to my cheek and he gently thumbed away a few tears that I had not got.
"I'm fine.." I mumble before turning away from his kind menstrations. "I was just a little…"
"It's okay to not be okay, Bella." Klaus whispered softly.
"Is it? I feel like I'm on the back burner for so many people who claim to love me. I should be surrounded by great grandchildren, rocking on a porch, and crocheting sweaters for my family. But here I am. Still trying to win the love of a man who will never see me as anything but his brother's horrible mistake." I put my hand to my heart in an attempt to stop the pain in my chest.
"Bella," Klaus wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. "Just because you have a past with someone, doesn't mean you should have a future with them. And just because you miss someone, doesn't mean you need them back in your life. Sometimes missing them is just a healthy part of moving on. Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy."
For a moment, I'm stunned by Klaus' words. The simple idea of letting it all go and walking away had occurred to me but never had someone reinforced the idea.
I giggled slightly into his shoulder. "And here I thought you were going to suggest putting his head on a platter."
"Oh, if that would help you, I would. But one of the hardest things you will ever have to do, is to grieve the loss of a person who is still alive. You will find someone worthy of your time. He will, in time, be sorry he lost you. So stop worrying and stop crying. Forget the past, forget the pain and remember what an incredible woman you are."
I stepped away from him and instantly found myself wanting to be wrapped in his arms again. I shook the feeling away and instead smiled softly. "Oh, my makeup must be a mess!" I quickly turned away and began shifting through my small clutch for my hand mirror.
"No worries, love." Klaus laughed. "Even with makeup running down your face, you're still the most beautiful creature here."
"Why did you invite me here, Klaus?" My voice is a meer whisper as I move slightly away from him.
"I fancy you. Is that so hard to believe?" Klaus cocked his head slightly to the side as he examined me.
"Yes." I gasp out.
"Why?" He strode forward and lifted a curl from in front of my face. "You're beautiful, strong, sassy, you're full of light, Bella. I enjoy you."
"I'm not ready for this, Klaus." I look into his blue eyes as new tears spring to my own.
"I know, love. No matter how long it takes." Klaus leaned in close to kiss my cheek. The warmth of his skin near mine made my heart flutter slightly. "I'll wait for you."
"Won't you get bored, waiting." I chuckle softly.
"Some people are worth waiting for, Bella." Klaus gave me one last smile before turning around. "I'll be here whenever you are ready."
I watched him walk away and once he was out of sight, I sighed softly and placed my hand on my heart. Klaus. Thinking his name made my cheeks feel hot and I placed my cold hands on them softly. This can't be happening. Klaus? The big baddie? The half leech half pup tart made my heart skip a beat? As my thoughts raced, I walked back into the mansion. Strangely, as I took stock of the people in the ballroom, neither of the Salvatores or Elena could be seen. What were those 3 up to now?
Moving from the ballroom to the foyer, I stumble upon Rebekah speaking to the younger brother I saw earlier, Kol.
"Mother would kill you if you ruined her party." Beks wagged a finger at her brother.
"Are we in a ruining party kind of mood because if so, I'm to join in on the fun!" I gleefully giggle as I take Rebekah by surprise making her squeal softly.
"Oh my gosh Bells! Make a noise when you enter a room would you? Do I need to get a bell for you?" She sneered in jest.
"Oh hello, gorgeous." Kol swaggered over before smiling mischievously, "I would love to cause mayhem with you." His eyes twinkled with amusement and curiosity.
"So what kind of mayhem are we causing then?" I smirk and cast a gaze at Rebekah.
"We are going to go make Elena pay for stabbing me in the back." Rebekah said with a proud huff.
"Oh, so this isn't mayhem. It's revenge?" I sigh and shake my head. "Yeah, nevermind. I'm out. Y'all do what you want but I don't want to be involved with them anymore, especially Elena and Stefan." I spit their names out harshly.
Kol's eyes widened and he cocked an eye towards Rebekah. Rebekah on the other hand simply nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Understandable Bells. I'm sorry by the way, about putting you on the spot regarding Klaus. I was toying with you and that's not very nice of me."
"Oh, you're fine honey. Now go, start your revenge and have fun. I'm going to go get a drink." I smile as I pat her hand gently. Turning my attention towards Kol, "Sorry to have interrupted without even introducing myself and now scurrying away so quickly. I'm Isabella Swan. You'll see me around every so often so let's catch up next time." Kol nods gently but I can see the curiosity growing. Giving Rebekah a hug, I walked away from the scheming siblings back into the ballroom.
Making my way to the bar, I am stopped by the sound of a ringing noise. All the other guests are turned towards the staircase and I turn to look as well. A middle aged woman is staring down at the guests with a pleasant smile and a glass of red-tinged champagne in her hand. "Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen." The woman begins. Her voice is smooth and calming, almost motherly. "Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass. It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family" She gestures to her family standing on the stairs, "back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening." She smiles and raises her glass just as a waitress brings me one. I take it gingerly and raise it with the crowd. "Cheers!" She bellows out and the crowd echoes her before everyone takes a sip of the bubbly drink. I noticed Elena was speaking quietly to Elijah but Elena's face looked guilty and the others looked concerned. None of my business, I say to myself before making my way back to the bar.
Just as the bartender brings me the glass of scotch I asked for, a familiar voice is calling out to me. "Bella." I turn around to see Klaus smiling at me. "You came back?" He asked while signaling to the bartender for a drink.
"Darling, I never left." I smiled coyly.
"Oh, you're calling me darling now?" He teased and I chuckled.
"Klaus?" The woman from the staircase's voice asked from beside me. She sounded, alarmed strangely. I turned to look at her. Her eyes were squinted slightly as if she had never seen her son joking with a woman before.
"Ah, hello mother." Klaus smiled and gestured towards her. "Bella, this is my mother: Ester Mickaelson and Mother, this is Isabella Swan."
I smiled softly towards her. Was I supposed to curtsey or something?
"Ah, Isabella." Ester's eyes glazed over for a split second. "My son mentioned you have been bitten by a cold one?"
"Oh, I.." I awkwardly glanced at Klaus. "Yes, I have."
"Child, do you mind me looking at the bite mark?" She asked as she moved closer to me. "I'm genuinely curious as to how you came to be bitten as well".
"That.. That would be a long story and to be honest, I am quite exhausted by today's events. How about we do lunch tomorrow and I can explain what happened during then?" I sigh softly and take a large gulp of my scotch.
"I think we can do that. We shall see you for lunch tomorrow, Ms. Swan." Ester smiled softly before nodding to her son and walking away.
"Bella, will you come with me?" Klaus asked as his mother's figure disappeared into the crowd.
"Can I bring my drink with me?" I ask as I take another glass from the bartender.
"Of course." Klaus smiled before holding out his hand.
I take it, lacing my fingers through his while he leads us out of the ballroom, down the hall and into a room filled with paintings on the wall. The room looks like a fancy art studio. There are easels, paints and drawings strewn about and piled upon a large extravagant desk.
"What is this place?" I ask as I gaze at one of the paintings on the wall. It's a violent storm scene with a ship sinking to the watery depths. The painting looked old and original.
"This is one of my passions." Klaus smiled as he waved towards the paintings and drawings.
"Did you?" I start to ask and he nods nervously. "Wow." Amazed at his talent, I find myself gently gliding my fingers across the oil painting. The bumps and crevices feel strangely fun to touch. "It's beautiful." I turn to look at him but he is already beside me. His hand hovering over mine on the painting. "I promise I am being gentle." I whisper softly.
"I know you are, Bella." He chuckled and looked down into my eyes. "It's just, very… alluring to see you touching my work." His cheeks flush red and I realize his predicament while glancing away.
I try to move my hand away but his grip on my hand is a bit firmer and I look back up into his eyes. "Klaus?"
"Ah, sorry." He sighs gently before backing away. "I am glad that you like it."
Confused, I frown before turning away and moving towards another painting on the other side of the room. "Yes, I am quite impressed actually." Each painting looked older and older as I walked around the room. "I take it the curators at the Louvre would love to get a hold of your work."
"They would actually but actually one of my landscapes is hanging at the Hermitage, not that anyone would notice." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair allowing the curls to bounce and wave.
I want to run my fingers thru those curls, I thought sinfully. NO! Bad, Bella! I felt myself chasies my inner thoughts.
"Bella?"
"Hmm, what? Oh to the Hermitage? No, I haven't actually. I should though." I think wistfully not about the museum but about the man before me.
"I'll take you." He whispers and I look towards him. "Wherever you want, Rome, Paris, Tokyo?"
"Really? I'd love to get out of here for a while." I say honestly. Charleston wasn't as far away as I had hoped. All evening, every time I noticed Stefan, I felt my heart breaking more and more. Although, that pain wasn't there when I was around Klaus.
"We could, love." Klaus said as he walked closer to me. "I mean, we'd have to wait for a while. I'm still trying to get control of my hybrids and I'd like to spend more time with my family again."
"You're still making hybrids? How many do you have now?" Surely he wouldn't need too many hybrids. After all, he had his family now.
"36 and we still haven't begun moving towards other regions yet." Klaus smiled happily.
"36? God god man, why do you need so many hybrids?" I laugh loudly.
"Excuse me?" Klaus and I looked at each other and stepped away slightly.
"Klaus, you have your family, you have friends. Why do you need 36 hybrids? Are you purposefully trying to create an army of hybrids?" Wary of his intentions, I move slightly closer to a window in case I need to make a hasty exit.
"You're making assumptions, Bella. I am not making an army." Klaus said defensively as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Ok, so if you aren't making an army, stop controlling those you have already made. Severe the creator link so they have freedom of choice. Isn't that how yalls connection works? They can't disobey your orders because you created them?" My voice is shaky and I feel my stomach flip. To think, for even a brief second, that I was attracted to Klaus. I shake my head and notice Klaus angrily click his tongue.
"You know Bella, this was a perfect pleasant evening but I really think it is time for you to leave." He waved his hand at the door.
Shocked, I stare at him incredulously with an open mouth. "Are you serious right now?"
"Completely, Ms. Swan." Klaus checks his watch and straightens his tie.
Scoffing, I brush past him and out the door pausing briefly to stare once more at the painting I had lingered at earlier. To think, for a brief moment, I had thought of him in such a manner. I shake my head once more as I walk out the front door.
At the motel, the concierge stops me as I enter, telling me that a package came in for me. The box is wrapped in silver and topped with a yellow bow. I wait until I am in my room and out of the dress to open the package.
In the box, I find a framed drawing. Looking closely, I see that it is a depiction of me touching the painting from earlier with Klaus. Turning the frame over, I see a note is taped to it. I pull the note off and read it: After the kind of jerk I was toward you, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to talk to me for a while. But I hope that you will, and I'm truly and deeply sorry for the way I acted. I hope after lunch tomorrow, that we may have a chance to talk again. Sweetest dreams, Mia Bella.
Rolling my eyes, I look once more at the drawing and smile softly. "Dummy."
Note from Author:
Well the quarantine seems like the perfect time to work on this story, don't ya think? 3 3 Hope everyone is staying safe!