THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH!
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BE WARNED! THIS CHAPTER DOES GO A BIT DARK, BUT NOT TOO DARK! (If you know me!)
Happy was not the right word to describe Caroline's attitude the weeks following her adventure with Klaus in the cabin. The light, which always radiated from her, shone brighter than ever.
Every morning she arrived at work with a bright smile, greeting Klaus with warm affection and a slight tease. It warmed her heart to see him smile in return and sometimes with a coffee in hand. They took turns buying the other coffee in the following weeks and the routine was welcomed by both.
Each weekend was greeted with the same light. Every Saturday, she would spend in the apartment with Bonnie, or even venture down to the bookstore. Every Sunday was her and Klaus' day. It was their place in the park to talk about the week and favorite things. They were never tired of each other's company, which was obvious to everyone around them. Bonnie even laughed when Caroline was late for movie night on some Sundays. She never complained because it was so refreshing to see Caroline relaxed and carefree, especially with a man.
Caroline was comfortable. Comfortable for the first time in years, perhaps in her entire life. She couldn't explain it. She didn't dare, but since Klaus' open honesty at the cabin, she was secured in their relationship. His trust in her made her joyous and grateful. No one, except Bonnie, trusted her that much.
And her trust in him only strengthened. Though she knew someday she would have to reveal her past, he was patient. It was his patience which only strengthened their bond. The words he spoke just four months ago faded in the back of her mind with each passing day. The man who she loved and trusted replaced the beast of months before and she was happy to see him go.
He was still there, though, lurking in the depths of Klaus' personality, but never coming out at her. Not anymore. She realized it when she accompanied him to the courthouse for a case, and his beast side came out to play with the assistant district attorney. She smiled at the way Klaus defended his client and produced evidence to the assistant D.A which released his client.
"Was that not just a bit harsh?" she asked him on the way back to the office.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Sometimes, the only way to get the D.A to listen is to be harsh, love," he answered with a sly grin.
She rolled her eyes. "I can see why they all call you the 'beast of the courtroom'."
He laughed, taking the description in stride, no longer angry by the words. "Well, that's the only place the beast will emerge now," he responded with a sultry tone and look before laughing.
She blushed and tried to still her heart racing in her chest. She only smiled and focused on the road before they arrived back at the office.
She settled into her desk, picking up the messages the temp jotted down during her absence. Her brow furrowed as she read one of the messages and quickly picked up her cell. 4 missed calls. 3 texts. She groaned, remembering she silenced her phone while she was in the courthouse.
Hitting the contact number, she held the phone to her ear. "Hey, mom," she greeted, moving to the kitchen area. "I'm sorry I had my phone on silent. I was in the courthouse…"
"Caroline, please." Her mother's panicked voice silenced her.
"Mom, what is it?" she asked, her heart racing and not in a good way.
"He was released today."
Blood drained from her face. Her skin chilled and became clammy. Her breath stalled in her chest. Her body shook. Everything she built for herself in the past few years, especially the past few months came crashing all around her.
"How? He wasn't supposed to be…" she stuttered, shaking, and nearly fell into one of the chairs in the dining area.
"I don't know. I'm looking into it now, but from what I learned, he was released because some stupid psychologist deemed him fit to return to society."
"Deemed him fit," Caroline choked, her eyes closing. "Don't they know what he did!" she shouted, not realizing Klaus and Kol were standing in the doorway. "How…how…how could they…how could they?" she panted, bending over.
"I don't know, sweetheart, but the good news is that he can't leave the state."
"That won't stop him, mom," she returned, wrapping her left arm around her stomach. "It won't."
"I'm sorry, Caroline. I wanted to spare you, but I thought you could handle the news."
"Are you alright?" Caroline asked, swallowing, opening her eyes, and caught Klaus' compassionate gaze.
"I'm fine," Elizabeth answered with a sigh. "The mayor has ordered the police to watch over me. I have round the clock protection. She's even said something about calling in a professional bodyguard."
Caroline smiled at the mayor's compassion. Years ago, the mayor's husband, the former mayor, wouldn't even hear their side and even refused to acknowledge the danger. Painting Caroline and her mom as troublemakers. Until the incident.
"That's nice of her," Caroline responded.
"I just wanted you to know, Caroline. I know you will be safe where you are."
"Yeah, safe," she whispered, lifting her eyes to Klaus' once more.
"I better get off now. I call soon, sweetheart. I love you."
"I love you too." She ended the call and held the phone in a death grip. Her body shook once more and she began to rock in her seat.
Klaus motioned to his brother and approached her with careful steps. Squatting to her level, he cupped her chin, raising her face to catch her eyes. "Caroline."
She sobbed at her name and fell into his arms. Her arms wrapping around his neck. They stood together with Klaus bending only to lift her into his arms, cradling her against him as he carried her towards his office.
Kol opened the door and nodded to Klaus. "I'll cover for you," he offered, kindly.
Klaus nodded, placing Caroline on the leather sofa in his office before resting beside her. She curled against him, crying still, but finding comfort in his arms.
He said nothing as he held her, gathering what little he could from the phone call with her mother. He hated the pain she was going through. He hated the anguish in her eyes he witnessed as she talked on the phone. The way her light diminished with each word from her mother. He understood the fear he saw in her eyes.
Whatever she was hiding, he wanted her to tell him. His patience be damned.
It was time she opened up.
"What happened, Caroline?"
She bit back air and stiffened in his embrace. But she didn't pull away. His question asked so tenderly, made her push closer to him. "I can't."
He bowed his head, leaning it against the top of hers. "Caroline, whatever it is, we'll get through it," he began, carefully. "I'll help you if you'll let me."
She clung tighter to him, trusting on his strength. His friendship. Her love to carry her. "Oh, Klaus," she whispered, brokenly. She inhaled, biting her bottom lip. "I can't, not here."
He tightened his hold on her. "Do you want me to take you home?"
Home. A different meaning to her now. How could she tell Bonnie? How could she return to the apartment, which had been her sanctuary for the past three years? How could she put Bonnie in danger once again? She shook her head. "No, I can't. Not yet."
He nodded, pulling back to hold her eyes. "Well, then, I know just the place," he responded, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her cheeks with gentle strokes. "But you better let Bonnie know," he recommended, standing. "I'll let Kol know we're taking the day."
She nodded, taking the handkerchief from his hand and waited until he left her alone in his office. She found her phone, still clutched in her right hand, and slowly found Bonnie's number. "Bonnie," she rasped.
"Caroline," Bonnie responded, her voice panicked and worried. "Your mom called."
Caroline bowed her head. "I figured," she whispered, clearing her throat. "I'm going to tell him."
A sigh of relief sounded on the other side. "Thank God," Bonnie answered. "Do you need me to come?"
"No, and I'm not coming home. Not right now," she revealed. "He's taking me somewhere for the day," she paused, closing her eyes. "I don't know when I'll be home."
"That's okay. I'll call Klaus later and we'll make arrangements. Or I'll get Rebekah or someone to bring me to you."
"Bonnie," Caroline choked, hating that her friend wasn't there.
"I'll get Klaus to text me where. I know he won't leave you, but you need friends right now. I'm not going to let you go through this alone."
Caroline breathed out. "Always have my back, don't you?"
"Always," Bonnie responded with a smile in her tone. "What are friends for?"
"You're more than my friend, Bonnie," Caroline inhaled deeply. "You're my sister."
"Same here. Love you."
"Love you." Caroline lowered the phone and breathed out before her head bent. She leaned forward, letting her arms rest on her knees and fears rocked her once again. How could this happen now? Just when her life was becoming stable and joyous.
Why now?
~XXX~
"I'm taking her to the cottage."
Kol nodded, folding his arms over his chest as he leaned back on the desk. "How is she?"
Klaus shrugged. "She's distraught. Hardly saying a word, but I think it will change when I get her out of here."
"How long are you going to be?"
"As long as she needs," he answered, his eyes downcast.
"I'll call Rebekah and mother. They may want to come."
"Can you tell them to wait until tomorrow?" Klaus asked, glancing over his shoulder. "I think Caroline needs only one friend now."
Kol smiled and nodded. "We'll come over tomorrow, but you better let Bonnie know. The little Bennett is like a mother hen when it comes to Caroline."
Klaus smiled. "I wouldn't dream of getting spurned by her," he remarked with a chuckle. "I'll see you tomorrow, brother."
Kol bowed his head. "Tomorrow." He leaned behind him and waited until Klaus closed the door before he clicked a name on his cell. "Rebekah, we're going to need you and mother at Klaus' cottage first thing in the morning," he paused, with sadness dripping in his voice. "It's Caroline. Something's happened."
~XXX~
Caroline hardly spoke as they left the city and approached the outskirts. It was a wooded area, almost as secluded as the cabin, but not quite. Part of her hoped he would take her to the cabin, but another part was not so sure.
Her eyes burned from the tears she shed and her body ached from the tension. She must have looked affright, but one glance towards Klaus did not give that impression. Concern radiated from him and she couldn't help but be touched at his actions.
Bonnie was right, she needed someone with her. For the moment, she was grateful the person was Klaus. His compassion and tenderness gave her all she needed to know without words being spoken.
"Where are we?"
He glanced in her direction. "My place," he answered, carefully.
"Klaus," she hesitated.
"Caroline, you didn't want to go home, and the mansion is too crowded at the moment. The cabin is a bit too far to go right now. I'm not forcing you. You wanted privacy. I'm giving it to you."
The kindness in his tone and gesture nearly made the tears flow again. How could she ever have thought of him as a beast? His actions were different than when they first met and it made her smile with the memory. Even with the fear of the moment, he could make her smile.
They arrived at a small one-story home. A home that looked like a cottage. It was painted a pale blue with boxed plants under the windowsills and white shutters and white beams on the front porch. It was idyllic and quaint.
It was perfect.
She opened her mouth as Klaus helped her out of the car and shook her head. "You really meant cottage, didn't you?"
He smiled, threading his fingers through hers. "Well, the cabin is my home away from home, but this place is my sanctuary. I hope it can be yours," he added, holding her eyes.
She smiled and leaned into his side. "Thank you," she whispered, walking in step with him towards the door.
"I'll put on some tea," he remarked, escorting her to the living room.
She nodded, wrapping her arms around her stomach, absorbing the room around her. It was just like the outside. Simple. With the motif of a country home. Simple, elegant furniture painted light brown, occupied the area. A rock fireplace was stationed in the far wall, and above the mantle hung a simple painting.
Approaching the painting, she smiled as she recognized the colors and the style. It was a beautiful depiction of the mountain from the backyard of the cabin. The waterfall seemed to come alive with each color stroke and it warmed her with the memory of the cabin in the mountains.
She turned when she heard him place the tray on the small wooden table next to the window. "Did you paint this?"
He approached her, after filling two cups and passed one to her. "Yeah."
She balked, shaking her head. "You're very talented," she remarked, taking a sip of tea. "The best I could do is a flower or two. Maybe a stick-person," she added with a laugh.
"I imagine with practice you could do more."
"Or patience," she countered, smiling. "Which I don't have."
"You do with me."
She turned, finding him sitting on a light brown leather sofa. "That's a different kind of patience."
He smirked, waiting, knowing she needed time. Even though he wanted answers, he needed to be gentle. His relationship with her depended on it.
She bowed her head, searching for words. "Why are you being so kind to me?"
"You know why," he answered, softly.
"No, that's not it. You've more than proven yourself to me these past four months. Why?" she asked, stepping closer, needing the answer.
He shrugged. "Maybe because I see the same pain in you, I have," he answered, holding her eyes. "I recognize pain."
She sighed; her decision already made. It was now or never. "It happened ten years or at least the last time happened ten years ago."
He waited, watching with his body frozen and eyes full of concern.
She inhaled deeply, fingering the empty cup in her hands. Moving to the table, she placed the cup on the tray and waited, staring out the window. The memory of him opening up to her urged her onward. His honesty inspired her to be honest with him. Her eyes unfocused as she began her tale.
"I grew up in a small town. A place where everybody knows everybody, but the bad is often overlooked because those who are bad have power. My mom is the Sheriff, or she is now. She's always been protective of me since I was born," she paused, bowing her head.
"Your father?"
She shook her head. "He died when I was two. Cancer."
"I'm sorry."
She shrugged. "I didn't know him, only stories my mom told," she remarked, sadly. "For most of my life, it was just mom and me. We had so much fun. We would do everything together. Laugh, cry, watch movies," she trailed off, folding her arms around her body. "Until Aunt Harriet moved in." Her eyes widened with fear.
Her body began to shake, and Klaus jerked up, wanting to rush to her side.
She inhaled, shakily. "She was mom's half-sister," she explained, carefully. "At first, it was just a visit, but Aunt Harry decided to stay. It was fine, to begin with. She was polite and fun, but then her…" she paused, tears falling slowly down her cheeks. "Her son came."
Klaus approached her with soft strides, refusing to touch her, but letting her know he was there, just in case.
"It was like a switch. Mom and I couldn't understand it. Aunt Harry started yelling, lashing out. Her and Timothy both. They were never quiet. It was a warzone," she gasped out, her vision blurred with each word with the memory. "Mom told them to leave, but they wouldn't listen. Nothing worked, not even threatening the authorities. It just worsened with each day." Her hand rested on her chest, flinching at the recall.
"The only sanctuary was Bonnie's place and baseball. I didn't have to explain the bandages or the bruises to Bonnie. She knew."
Klaus' jaw tightened. "What did they do?"
She scoffed, glancing at him. "What didn't they do?" She stared back out the window, but not seeing anything. "Their favorite game was tying me up and firing pistols and handguns at me, but they never shot me. It would create problems if they did. They just wanted to scare me."
Klaus tensed, anger filling his soul. "That's why the popping sound," he pieced together.
She nodded. "Timothy was a fanatic about guns. He had quite the collection."
"Why couldn't your mom arrest them?"
"It would have been her word against theirs. No matter if she was law or the evidence against them. In the town, Aunt Harriet and Timothy were well-respected and they had the mayor on their side. Aunt Harriet said if mom ever tried, they would say it was her and take me away from her."
"The town would believe them?!"
She nodded, not flinching at his anger, realizing how much his defense towards her, and his anger was because he cared. "They were well-respected," she repeated. "This was a place where the name means more than anything. People judged you by your name. No matter my mom's position."
His jaw clenched, hating the pain and horror this woman went through. He hated her aunt and her cousin for putting her through hell for so long. Her eyes became distant, and the fear in her stance and expression urged him to press closer to her, resting his right hand on her right upper arm.
"The last time," she began, drawing a shaking breath. "I was coming in from my evening job. I just entered the house when Timothy attacked me. Mom wasn't home, so I had no protection. He held me down with a knife aimed at…at my…at my throat," she stuttered, remembering the cool blade pressed against her skin. "Aunt Harry was nowhere. It was just him."
Her body shook with the memory. His body pressed closer to her, letting her know he was there. Not too close, but just enough. Her right hand reached for his left, holding it like a vice, but he didn't care. She needed him. She needed to know he was there, and she was not alone.
"He…he cut…he cut me," she broke. "Sliced my chest with tiny cuts before going to my…" she trailed off, touching her chest with her left hand. "He kept yelling what a tramp I was. How I led men on with my clothes and smiles. All the while, he just kept cutting." Tears trailed down her cheeks with each word, breaking his heart. "I kept thinking, 'This is it. I'm going to die here'."
Klaus covered their hands with his other hand, helping her, encouraging her.
"I don't know how she knew, but Bonnie did. She burst through the door and knocked him out," Caroline breathed, glancing down. "She helped me get out. We made it to the street before he screamed behind us." Her body shook with a force that would have crippled her if not for Klaus' steady grip. Her eyes widened and her face paled. "The night had fallen and the street lights were barely blazing. We wouldn't have made it if my mom hadn't shown up." She sniffed, glancing at him.
"She arrived with a few deputies and they were able to get Timothy before he reached us. The knife in his hand, the rantings, all convinced the police how insane he was," she explained, turned her face to the window. "I was sent to the hospital and stayed there for a week and a half. Bonnie and mom took turns staying with me."
"What happened to your aunt?"
Caroline stiffened. "Timothy killed her," she answered, stiffly. "They found her mutilated body in the kitchen."
"Oh, love," he whispered, watching her left-hand caress her chest. All the frumpy clothes she wore or worn. The careful way she presented herself, all of it made sense. She never presented her sexuality. Even now, the dresses she wore were careful to cover her chest and never cut low. They did cling to her perfect figure, but they never revealed.
It made his treatment, his words to her at the beginning seem crueler. Even though he didn't know the truth, he should have recognized the heartbreak. The trauma. He should have. Some lawyer he was. He should have recognized the signs. He was raised in a home similar to Caroline's. That made it worse.
How could he do or say such things? This woman survived horrors and came out still battered, but still strong.
"Afterwards, I became afraid of loud noises, the dark, and being alone," she continued, softly. "I keep thinking he's coming back. He's going to finish what he started."
"Caroline," he urged, turning her, leaning to the side, trying to capture her eyes. "I promise you. You will be safe. I will make sure no one can harm you ever again."
Her hands raised to his chest, not pushing. "I wish I could believe that, but you don't know Timothy."
"You said he was locked up," he began, but her head shook.
"He was sent to a psychiatric prison, but he still has friends, Klaus," she explained.
"Is that the real reason you moved here?"
She nodded, lowering her eyes to his unbuttoned shirt. How strange she didn't notice he removed his tie, jacket, and vest when they arrived. It gave him a sexy look. A look which made her heart skip a beat. "Mom thought it would be good to start over here, and I would be safe. Out of state. No one knows me here. They don't know him. Besides, I can never go back home."
She said a similar sentence a month ago at the cabin. A response he never questioned for fear she would retreat into her shell, but now, it was a question that needed to be asked. "Why can't you?"
She sniffed. "Because even though the evidence proved Timothy's unstable mind and even with what happened to me, they still blamed me."
"Oh, love, how could they?"
She shook her head. "I don't know, but all my friends," she cried, glancing away. "They never believed me. Even when Bonnie tried to tell them," she sniffed. "They said that I provoked it or I made it up. They said I was damaged already. I was just rebelling." She focused on his chest, seeing the skin shining through his shirt. "One night, after the incident, they invited me to the local bar," she began, closing her eyes. "They started popping balloons and making noises. I escaped to the parking lot and they followed me." Tears leaked through her closed lids and her body shook with the sobs. "I managed to get away with Bonnie following me. She tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen."
"Oh, Caroline," he whispered, pulling her closer into a tender hug. A hug she desperately needed. "I'm so sorry, love."
She shivered, clutching the back of his shirt, inhaling his scent. A scent that brought her comfort. "Timothy's friends were the ones behind it. They fed everyone lies about me and the only way to escape was to go to college and leave town."
"Why did you give up softball?"
She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "Because my name was everywhere when we won the championship. I realized they could find me and start over again."
"So, you gave up what you loved to be safe?"
"It was a small price to pay," she whispered, holding him close.
He held her for a few moments longer, wishing for more than just a comforting hug and soothing words. "What was your mom telling you earlier?"
She stiffened, but his hold tightened. She smiled at the reaction. He didn't seem to want to let her go. "Timothy was released. He got some psychiatrist to sign off on his sanity or something."
"After everything…?"
She nodded. "Apparently, he has been rehabilitated and the system let him go. Despite the fact he murdered his mother and nearly killed his cousin. They said he can't leave the state of Virginia."
His hands stroked her back, savoring the feel of her in his arms. "Caroline," he began, pulling back so he could gaze into her eyes. "I want you to listen to me. You are safe here. I won't let him hurt you. You got to believe that."
She licked her lips as tears trailed down her cheeks. "I want to, but…"
"No buts, Caroline, I promise you I won't let anyone hurt you."
She inhaled, seeing the conviction in his eyes. She raised her right hand to caress his cheek and breathed out. "Even with the rocky start we've had, I don't think anyone has ever made me feel safer than you."
He blinked back the tears before pulling her close into another embrace, one full of promise and hope.
The promise of safety and hope for a new day.
~XXX~
With Caroline's permission, Klaus gave a brief description of her predicament to his mother and Rebekah. He never divulged the horrors she endured only that she was harassed as a young girl until ten years ago.
Esther and Rebekah read between the lines but never asked questions. One look at the broken young woman in Klaus' kitchen the following morning was enough.
Bonnie arrived just as they did and Klaus quietly excused himself into his painting study, leaving the ladies alone for a time.
"How are you holding up?" Bonnie asked, hugging her friend.
Caroline nodded. "I'm fine, now. Klaus stayed with me through the night," she revealed, hugging Rebekah and Esther in turn.
Esther smiled. "I'm glad you were not alone."
"I don't think Klaus would have allowed it," Bonnie remarked, tongue-in-cheek.
The girls laughed, helping set the breakfast table. They settled for a meal, laughing at the small jokes each was making.
They ate in silence, each one careful of what should be said in the coming moments. Caroline shifted in her seat, glancing at each one and smiled. "You don't have to be careful with me. I'm fine. Klaus has been the best support system."
Esther exchanged glances with her daughter and Bonnie with a smile. "I don't know everything because Niklaus refused to explain, I suspect because he values your confidence in him."
Caroline blushed, bowing her head. "He is the soul of secrets."
Esther nodded, glancing at her daughter, who tilted her head to the side. "Caroline, my son has made a life of helping people in times when they need it. He is a strong man because he had to grow up quicker than my other children," she explained with a sad expression.
"I know. He told me," Caroline returned with a soft expression directed towards Bonnie and Rebekah.
"He normally would not tell unless he trusted, and Niklaus does not trust easily."
"Not since that harpy," Rebekah spat with a sip of coffee.
Esther smiled patting her daughter's hand. "That's true. Camille damaged Niklaus and this family," she began, solemnly. "I'm just grateful that he found someone as trustworthy as you, Caroline."
Caroline inhaled, standing from the table, turning towards the back-door window. "How much did he tell you?"
Bonnie glanced at the other women and nodded.
Rebekah stood, approaching Caroline with careful steps. "He told us about your cousin and the pain you suffered at his hands."
"Was that all?" Caroline asked, knowing Klaus would never reveal too much without her consent.
"It was enough for us to understand your pain," Rebekah answered, grasping her friend's arms, turning her around. "You can trust us, Caroline. Mother and I know something of the pain you went through. The fear. The trauma," she paused, glancing at her mother, who rose to join them with Bonnie beside her. "I spent years terrified of the sight of a whiskey bottle even the smell brings horrid memories," Rebekah revealed. "Sometimes, late at night, I would run to the safety of mother's room when a loud banging occurs because Mikael always banged doors, chairs, books, anything he could get his hands on. I hate the sound of doors slamming."
Caroline's eyes filled with tears as she soaked in every word Rebekah told her. In the young woman's eyes, she saw a sister. A sister who understood fear.
"If it had not been for Mother and Stefan, I would still cower at the mere smell of any alcohol or even the sound of loud banging. I still would be terrified of the dark because Mikael was his worst during the night," Rebekah continued with a tender expression. "I don't know everything because Nik is the soul of discretion, but I know enough. I know that you are not alone in this."
Esther's hands grasped Caroline's left hand and smiled, tenderly. "No, my dear, you are not."
Bonnie smiled, taking Caroline's right hand in hers. "Definitely."
Caroline laughed, broken, and was soon enveloped in the arms of the three women in the room. They held her as she cried tears of joy and pain. Tears they shared with her as they too cried.
In the doorway of the room, Klaus smiled, backing up as quietly as he entered, leaving the women alone with the woman he knew was healing now.
Because they were crying, not only for joy and pain but also, tears of sisterhood.
Please be kind!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I did warn you it would get emotional, and I hope you all understand Caroline a little more now and like Klaus' reaction.
Also, if you guys remember a story I started a few years back called "Storybook Love" focusing mainly on Damon and Bonnie, well, I've been working on completing it while revising it a bit. I'm hoping to have it finished by next week. If you want to check it out, I suggest you wait until next week, seeing as how I'm working on touching up the earlier chapters. I should get it going by the weekend. Wish me luck with that!
If you have a suggestion on the next story for me to finish, let me know! I'll work to get inspired!
The next chapter will be up next week! (I got a schedule worked up!) It's entitled: Camille. (I guess you know what's it's about!)
Here is a sneak peek:
Caroline raised her eyes from her work and sent a friendly smile to the strange woman in a casual pantsuit. "Hello, may I help you?"
"Yes, I would like to see Klaus if possible," the woman answered with a southern drawl.
Caroline hesitated. "I'll check. May I have your name?"
"Camille."
Caroline froze, her eyes widening. "Camille," she whispered. "I'll...uh...let him know."
"Thank you, miss...?"
"Caroline," Caroline responded, picking up the phone. "Klaus, a Miss Camille is here to see you." She glanced up. "Yes, that's who she said." She nodded, biting back a laugh at his reaction over the line. "Of course, I'll tell her," she added, hanging up the phone. "Klaus will be out momentarily. If you care to have a seat."
"Thank you."
Caroline nodded with a rough smile, biting her lip as she recalled Klaus' reaction. Is this hussy in for a surprise?
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek!
Until Next Time...
