Chapter 4 : The Girls Before Me
Camille's Story
[Sweet Creature by Harry Styles]
Camille opened her green eyes and stared at the sun glaring into the window as one of her many maids opened the curtains. She fluffed her blonde hair and hopped off the bed as she placed on her robe. She made her way out of her grand bedroom and into the big hallway where she was greeted by Albert MacCabe her personal advisor and close friend of her late father. She rubbed her head as he babbled about her schedule for today. She nodded as he followed her into the tea room "That's all your Highness"
"And Albert please don't wear that tie again its giving me and everyone a migraine" she said sitting down "I'm expecting Davina for breakfast"
Davina gripped her bag pack on her shoulder as she smiled walking into the compound. She guards greeted her and let her in the Palace. Davina smiled and twirled around looking at the newly done ceiling. Davina is the younger of Camille's deceased bestfriend. She promised to keep an eye on her especially since both their parents died. Davina often visited her either before or after her classes at the University in the city. She was a Chemistry major.
Camille peek over the newspapers as Davina walked in with smiles. She closed it and got up to hug her tightly "How's the classes been for the New Year so far?"
"Ugh I'm ready for a vacation or two . So many assignments" Davina said.
"I could find you a tutor that could help" she offered as she poured some tea out.
"No I can handle it. You do enough already" Davina said glancing over to the paper folded to the article about Prime Minister and the mysterious woman. Camille sipped her tea.
"Keeping tabs on him" Davina teased. Camille laughed "I am heavily occupied for the Prime Minister's dysfunctional life"
"Do you ever think about him?" Davina asked.
"Pfft! Klaus Mikaelson and I were a long time ago. We are two grown people with two different lives. It's bad enough people think I had something to do with him winning." Camille said cutting into her grilled chicken. Davina picked up the paper and began to read "She's pretty...Bonnie Bennett...a Nursery School teacher...cute. Seems happy."
Camille rolled her eyes "Happy for a second...then he gets bored...that man could never love anyone. She should run"
Aurora's Story
Aurora sipped her morning mimosa as she stood on her balcony inhaling the fresh cold morning air and staring at her acres of land. She was scrolling through her phone and she frowned when she saw the article with Klaus Mikaelson and her. She gritted her teeth as she stared at the photo of them laughing. "A School teacher? How pathetic...mediocre" she said loudly. One of her maids brought her croissants and she threw it at her and screamed "I HATE HER!"
[Out of Love by Alessia Cara]
Later that night Camille sat in her bath tub staring up at the ceiling while sipping wine. She lay her head back and closed her eyes. She reminisced about her time with Klaus. She was 16 and a Princess then. He was her bestfriend and sparks flew quickly. But then they grew up and grew apart she went back to the Palace and he went on to dabble in politics.
"You look relaxed, love" a man said leaning against the bathroom doorway.
Camille opened her eyes and smiled at him "Hello Leo. Who let you in?" She splashed alittle water on him. He laughed and sat by her. Leonard Nichols a dashing pilot of the British army and childhood friend of Camille who has been in love with her since she was 13. He never left her side no matter how many suitors she had her eyes set on. She passed him some wine and he sipped it "So your arch nemesis Klaus Mikaelson is dating again? Pretty girl...Bonnie"
Camille nodded and grabbed her towel "Patiently waiting for him to fuck as usual"
She fluffed her hair and walked into her room as he followed her "Are you ever going to get over him?" He asked. Camille laughed "I'm over him...sometimes I felt like we didn't have the right closure but I had to move on. It's just strange seeing him weekly for discussions but it is my duty and he is the Prime Minister. Those are the long-standing rules of the land"
"He was your first love. I'm sure it's not easy seeing him every Wednesday ..sometimes love don't always die" Leo said. She rolled her eyes and went to her closet.
The following day Camille dreaded the most, it was her every Wednesday audience with the Prime Minister to discuss the affairs of the countries. Camille kept fixing her hair and gliding her hands down her pastel pink skirt suit. She was pacing up and down. Suddenly the door to the room opened, she stood still and emotionless. Klaus entered the room "Your Majesty..."
"Prime Minister" she said sitting down. He sat infront of her opening his black book.
"We have the upcoming meeting with the President of the United States. I have my secretary currently getting the venues together. This is going to be a very important visit. I'm very excited to discuss the trade deal for both our nations" he explained flipping through his pages. Camille stared and swallowed.
"Also I am currently launching a private investigation into one of my cabinet members. I suspect he might be a traitor and a criminal while seeking a replacement. It is a very sensitive matter but I have it under control"
"Oh" Camille whispered. Klaus stared at her "Okay I'm sorry your Majesty but it seems like you're not interested in this. This is customary granted the awkward position"
Camille laughed "I'm very much aware of my family's traditions"
Klaus exhaled and closed his book "This is about Bonnie"
"Your personal life is none of my business, Prime Minister. I'm very excited about the President visit. I can't wait to show the first lady my shoe closet"
"Don't fuck with me Camille. I am still very upset at you for having your little minions infiltrate the election to sabotage just so you won't see me here every Wednesday"
"You're such a deranged, wanker. I never did. Besides I'm dating too...Leo..we have been going at ...all over this Palace...even where you're sitting right now Ha!" she blurted out.
"Leo? He has been obsessed you and the idea of being apart of the Monarch. I bet he can't wait to be your Prince consort"
"Oh this is what it's really about? Is that why you left? Because you didn't want to bow to me in the future" Camille yelled. Klaus got up "I'm happy to do this job but you need to grow up"
"and you need to stop breaking hearts, Goodbye Mr Prime Minister" she said trying not to cry. He looked at her and left.
Over the next few days Klaus was busy with meetings and crazy travel schedules while Bonnie was busy with the children. She took them to the park to play and for picnic with the other teachers and classes. She noticed some of the teachers gossiping about her. They weren't hiding it. She rolled her eyes and continued her day to day routine. Klaus was the first call she received when she came home that afternoon. She hated to admit but she loved the sound of his voice. It was comforting. He apologised continuously for not making her dinner at his place as they had planned.
"If you aren't busy later...I have an idea...a bit of adventure" Bonnie suggested.
"I'm listening..." he smirked.
An hour later a knocked came from Bonnie's door, she quickly zipped up her thigh-high boots and ran to opened the door to him. She laughed lightly and looked him "Cute burger cap. If I didn't know you I probably think you're a serial killer or atleast a stalker" she joked.
"You said casual...where are you taking me?" He asked laughing.
"Uh on an adventure...let's just say we'll be taking the train" Bonnie said grabbing her bag.
"I haven't taken the tube in awhile..now I'm terrified" he said following her out the building. She ran quickly to inside the train station as he followed behind she pushed her way onto the train and stood close to him in the packed train. He stared down at her reading maps on her phone "What weirdo?" she said smiling.
"Nothing" he smiled. She blushed.
[ Nothing is revealed/Everything Denied by The 1975]
After an hour train ride, Bonnie grabbed Klaus hand and ran out into the wet streets. He looked around puzzled "Where on Earth are we? Are we still in England?" He asked following Bonnie on the pavements. She laughed "Yes! It's called ButterLane. It's a small business area filled with cute things to do. Not everyone knows about it"
Bonnie pointed to the building she wanted him to explore. When he walked in his eyes were open wide. It was place filled with different types of chocolate. It was chocolate heaven. There was even a chocolate fountain at the entrance. Klaus looked around and was amazed at the different shapes and flavours of chocolate.
"Welcome to J De Smet ...a homemade chocolate and candy store where you can eat chocolate and have tea" Bonnie said. Klaus picked up a few samples to try "This is fucking delicious"
"You try their chocolate tea" Bonnie said walking up to the counter and ordering two chocolate teas. She handed Klaus his cup as they made their way onto the street once again. He sipped it and he was in love. Bonnie laughed at his facial expressions. He was like a kid again.
"What's the story behind that place?"
"Well the owner is a 30, a woman & Belgian. She moved here to escape her abusive boyfriend and she started over. I personally never saw her but she's my inspiration for homemade chocolate. Most of the businesses on this block are migrants" Bonnie smiled proudly. She stopped infront of the next place she wanted him to see. He looked at the shop "So what's Stones? Are you taking me to get high?"
Bonnie laughed and pulled him into the store "No its a trinket store. A bit superstitious. The owner is Grenadian, her daughter and I went to the same University"
Klaus walked around the store and touched a few earrings and brought up some memory about Rebekah earring obsession. Bonnie usually came here for the lip balms and the flavoured lipsticks. The owner came out arguing with her employee for not attending to the customers until she realised it was Bonnie. She hugged her tightly. She looked over Bonnie's shoulder and noticed Klaus dodging and looking at homemade face creams. "and you brought a friend...you never brought anyone" the woman whispered.
"Yeah..." Bonnie laughed nervously. Klaus smell a cotton candy egg shaped candle "You have lovely place. I feel safe.. away from evil" Klaus said to the woman she stared at him in shock. Bonnie smiled "He doesn't get out much"
"Well this is an interesting day. Can I get you anything? The woman said in excitement.
"How about that bracelet you said you had for me the last time. The ..special ...one?" Bonnie said winking. The store owner laughed and led both of them into the back. She opened the box and took out a pretty handcrafted bracelet, Bonnie gasped at how pretty it was. It smelled like lavender and Bonnie smiled.
"This will help you too trust again...are you still hiding away in that apartment?" She asked hooking the bracelet on Bonnie's arm.
"of course she is" Klaus said. Bonnie laughed "No. I do ..stuff"
"Letting it go. Allowing yourself to breathe again and you'll be fine. You're on the right path" she said squeezing Bonnie's hand.
The woman looked at Klaus and narrowed her eyes "You're empty I can't read you"
"But I always thought I was an open book"
The woman smiled "Either way I always believe no one meets by mistake and that's for you to think about. That's the only thing I'm hearing". He nodded.
When Bonnie and Klaus left the store they walked down the side walk and looked around "So you have trust issues and I'm empty. Do you really believe in that stuff?"
Bonnie laughed "Not really but it's entertaining".
Bonnie dragged him into her favourite restaurant on ButterLane, they found seats as Klaus looked around at the cosy Asian fusion restaurant. He looked through the menu and looked at her "Cosy and maybe a bit depressing" he joked "But the menu sounds delicious"
"Probably the only place I've been that has Chinese, Japanese and Thai food on one menu. Plus I love the jazz music" Bonnie said flipping through the menu. Klaus ordered two Whiskey Macs while they waited on their food.
"So ButterLane is your getaway place?" He asked sipping his drink. She nodded "Sorta. When I first moved here I discovered this area after train riding alot to clear my head. My mother fitted in quickly...it wasn't easy for me. I left my friends and my routines. The people on this street made me feel that it was going to be okay and maybe one day I'll find my place too and I won't feel alone". Klaus smiled.
[Music by Cleo Sol]
When they left the restaurant there was a downpour, they raced to the train station and onto the jam packed train. They stood close to each other drenched in water they smiled at each other. Both their insides were filled with butterflies. Their fingers gently grazed every time the train shook. After the train ride they walked side by side to Bonnie's Camden apartment as the cold air hit their flushed faces "Do you want some tea?..and maybe maybe towel?" Bonnie asked looking at him drenched. He nodded.
Bonnie fumbled with her keys and she walked inside her apartment taking off her wet jacket "I have a cat Midnight...I'm not messy so don't worry"
Klaus laughed as he took off his cap and looked around at her baby pictures on the wall, she went into the kitchen to begin making her own special tea "So you're going to love my tea. I usually make it with Oat Milk and vanilla flavouring" she yelled from the kitchen. Klaus was distracted at her book collection, poetry writing and her university photos. She brought both cups of tea and placed it on the table. "I didn't know you write poetry"
"I dabbled a bit in Uni but pfft I got bored with it just like ballet, pottery and candle making classes" Bonnie rambled. Klaus sat on the couch and sipped his tea. She sat next to him in silence and sipped hers.
"I'll get you that towel" she got up immediately and nervously. She hurriedly made her way to her bedroom. She exhaled as her heart raced. She searched through the drawer for the towel, she scrambled it and went back to him. She noticed he left the couch and was out on the balcony smoking "Isn't it cold out here?"
He laughed and grabbed the towel "It's my favourite weather." Bonnie was about to walk back inside to distract herself with something but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him. She froze staring into his icy blue eyes "Hi" he whispered staring at her. "Hi" she said softly. Before she could say another word, he crashed his lips on hers and she was speechless. He pulled away for a second and she smiled. He rubbed her cheek and kissed her again. She pulled him closer and didn't let go.
Leo rushed into the Queen's study room where she was writing letters in her satin and lace robe. She glanced up at him, he was folding his arms and frowning. She continued to ignore him "What brings you here at 11pm?"
"You told Niklaus Mikaelson that we're a thing? His cabinet members are at the Nutmeg club laughing about it over drinks" he said out loud.
"A club of boring dumb men... I'm sorry I panicked during our meeting and I blurted out stuff" she said picking away her papers and locking her drawers.
"Your meetings with the Prime minister is for the country not for your personal vendetta" he yelled. She rolled her eyes and sat by the window.
"Shush I will fix it" Camilla said.
The following morning Bonnie opened her eyes to the sound of fumbling coming from the kitchen, she stretched and leaped off her bed in her Mick Jagger t-shirt. She smiled as she approached the kitchen to a shirtless Klaus flipping pancakes and frying bacon. She sat at the table and sipped the coffee "I could really get use to someone making me breakfast"
"I don't mind being a personal chef" he said placing the food on the table and leaning across to her. She smiled and took a bite "Don't look at me like that, you're going to make me late for work"
"I'll take you" he said kissing her.
Outside of Bonnie's apartment building, Aurora sat in her black Audi a few metres away looking at the doorway and Klaus driver parked in the corner waiting for him. She followed his driver here. Suddenly she saw Bonnie and him walking out as the driver opened the door. Aurora narrowed her eyes "Interesting disguise...and spending nights at her..we'll see how long that will last" she gritted her teeth.