Caroline woke up to the sound of heavy banging on the door, she cursed against the pillow burying herself more in the warmth of the bed. Unfortunately , the loud knocking did not stop and an irate Caroline was forced to open the door to a smirking Original.
"Rebekah", she said dryly.
Rebekah only raised her eyebrows and scoffed at Caroline, making the latter frown at her display of 'affection'.
"It seems my brother has taken his fancy for you on a whole new level", it was a statement from Rebekah. As if silently laughing in her face, emphasizing that she was merely entertainment for Klaus.
Caroline took one more step forward and leaned on the door frame, crossing her arms. She dramatically sighed,"Yeah. Sometimes I think its getting a bit too old, no pun intended. Don't you think he should have moved on by now? I mean, I'm not that special am I? After all, I only get special treatment for him and that's all."
The Original seemed to put on an amused face, but Caroline saw something else she couldn't decipher.
"Careful Caroline, I might just help my brother create the most majestic coffin for you", it was a clear warning from Rebekah. But at the moment, Caroline wasn't sure what she was trying to imply.
Klaus was seething with anger and was waiting for Rebekah at the bottom of the stairs. Rebekah only looked at Niklaus and feigned shock, but smiling sinisterly in the end.
"What are you up to Rebekah?" he demanded a straight answer.
"Don't get your knots in a twist Nik, I was merely helping you out. Besides, if she's staying with us then she should be able to stomach it, what with all of us around. We never know when Ms. Righteous Mystic Falls will go declaring her advocacies to us or start gagging with our 'healthy diet'."
Rebekah spoke with humor but there was bitterness in her voice it made Klaus purse his lips. His sister may seem a terrifying woman, but her past with men proves otherwise. He had always protected her by making sure she won't be associated with the men he knew she didn't deserve, but here she was now trying to protect him from Caroline. Klaus thought of it silly, for he was not afraid of being hurt by Caroline. Rather, he was terrified that he might one day cause her any kind of pain that will come with her despise and eternal hate.
Dinner was ready. And by dinner, Klaus had prepared a full course meal hoping Caroline would understand the gesture. Instead of feeding live, Klaus had gotten blood bags and filled the wine glasses with its contents. That part he knew Caroline would at least appreciate.
He eyed Rebekah who had just entered the dining hall and gestured for her to sit down, the following guests that came in he did not expect. Elijah and Hayley sat down on the left side of the table from Klaus's seat at the end. Inviting Caroline to dinner suddenly seemed impossible now, he knew she held a grudge against the she-wolf when she was still with Tyler. More so now, judging by the way she had reacted earlier that day. Klaus didn't like it one bit.
"Elijah, I hope you would understand if I say that the girl's presence is not appreciated right now. I suggest making a leave", his tone indicating it was a final decision.
"Klaus, I'm going to remind you again of what Hayley's role in your life is and what it will be. She is carrying your child, and in the future help you raise your heir in the best manner possible", Elijah was composed as usual.
"Well brother, I'm not exactly into the fatherly role right now. Besides, I have a much more beautiful future that I'm trying to build with a certain blonde angel. Now if you don't mind, could you please step outside", Klaus was unwavering. Anything for Caroline is what he said in his mind.
Hayley seemed courageous for the evening and decided to speak up,"you'd really choose that girl over your own child Klaus. Are you sure that's the choice you want to make?"
The hybrid was furious with the she-wolf's words. She had insulted Caroline in his presence, and if it were not for his brother he would have given the creature an unforgettable punishment. One that would make her bow down to Caroline even in his absence.
"Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth you insolent wolf. That 'woman' you're talking about is a thousand times more important than you and I'd kill you in a breath if she asked me to", it was a threat not to be forgotten.
Hayley kept her silence and looked to Elijah for rescue, but even he cannot say anything to rival Klaus's statement.
Klaus knew that his brother would not leave, and that would mean Hayley was staying as well. Still, with the risk he sped up the stairs to invite Caroline for dinner. When he knocked on her door it opened immediately, much to his surprise. Observing Caroline's features, he noticed that there was a hidden smile dying to come out from the corner of her lips. He watched as she turned her back on him and walked slowly to the vanity mirror but keeping her eyes on her hands clasped together. It was when he noticed she had changed to a dress, deep blue hugging her bosom and emphasizing her tiny waist, the rest of it flared softly from her hips and ending just above her knees and swayed with every motion Caroline made. It was simply breathtaking.
"I take it you heard that we were going to have dinner", he inquired.
"Yes", was her short reply. But he felt the nervousness in it.
"Shall you accompany us then?" his voice giving away rare hope.
"Yes", another short reply.
Klaus was not happy with her reaction, but took a few strides to reach her and offer his arm. Caroline took it, head still hung low irritating Klaus further. But just before they reached the door Caroline stopped, making Klaus turn around with inquisitive eyes.
"Thank you... for doing that. With Hayley. You know what", she finally blurted it out.
It made Klaus smile. So it was about 'that'.
"I know my priorities love. And you're at the top of the list, I assure you. Just tell me if you're uncomfortable with her and I'll deal with it", he announced with pride.
Caroline smiled and replied,"Tyler never did that. He never showed or told Hayley how I was more important to him, if I ever was."
"That's because he doesn't have his priorities straight Caroline, sweetheart. I do. From the moment I saw you, I knew what you what you were in my life. And I made sure from that moment on you would feel how important you are", he moved to stroke her cheek but immediately withdrew it when Caroline evaded.
"So that's what it was about", she said it as if making a new scientific discovery.
He only grinned at her and offered his arm once again, which she gladly took this time.
As the couple descended the stairs, three pairs of eyes were on them. Caroline observed the dining hall elegantly lit with candles and set formally, Rebekah wearing an elegant red dress, and the she-wolf sitting beside Elijah. Klaus guided her to the end of the table, pulling out a chair for her before taking a seat on the on the other long end of the table. She glanced once more at the people around her, Rebekah on the left, Elijah and Hayley on her right, and Klaus that was sitting opposite her. He was giving her that look of total admiration again, making her uncomfortable yet triumphant knowing he wasn't paying the least bit attention to Hayley. Caroline hated to admit it,she was actually having a good time with Klaus. She listened to all his stories about the countries he had been to, the culture, the art, the people. But the night wasn't destined to end well.
In a rare moment of silence, Hayley decided to change the topic,"I just got the ultrasound pictures of the baby. Maybe you'd like to see them?"
She was putting in admiration and pride in her voice. For what, Caroline didn't care. She simply looked at Klaus with a blank expression once again, the kind that made him puzzled and upset. Caroline had been kicked out of the picture, she was the only one not part of the 'baby' incident. Klaus had to act fast and do what he needed to, to him there wasn't a choice if it was between the wolf girl and Caroline. It would always be Caroline.
"I couldn't care less Hayley. Now that you've made dinner rather insipid, I'd like to invite Caroline for more... drinks. In a more appealing environment I assure you love, would you care to join me?" Klaus was already walking towards Caroline who stood up all too eagerly and accepted his outstretched hand.
Rebekah looked at the couple walking away and smirked at Hayley who still had the look of utter defeat in her face,"sorry wolfie, blonde beats brunette. We're far more appealing."
"Rebekah", Elijah chided his sister and looked at Hayley with apology in his eyes. Hayley could only nod, knowing there was nothing she can do if Elijah did nothing more.
Rebekah only looked at her brother and the wolf beside him. Although she didn't like Caroline, she hated the wolf. But certainly not the baby inside of her, it was the only good thing about her Rebekah could think of.
Niklaus watched Caroline in silent admiration as she stood by the pool, observing how she breathed in deeply though she didn't need to.
"I apologize for the ehrm..." Klaus tried hard to find a word that wouldn't aggravate the situation, but he was at a loss. For the first time, he didn't know what to say. Oh, the things this amazing woman standing in front of him could do.
"It's okay Niklaus. Thank you for taking me away from there. I don't mean anything bad for your son or daughter, but I hate Hayley," she took a sip from her glass.
"From the blood bank. I heard that diet was in trend nowadays", he chuckled at the sight of her smile and the subtle twinkle in her eyes.
"It's nice. Despite everything, I guess I can say it was nice having dinner with you. You've been very..."Niklaus waited in suspense with what Caroline would say.
"Thoughtful", she finished after a few seconds of thinking, turning around as she did so.
What she saw next disarmed her. It was Klaus smiling, not grinning, not evilly. It was a smile even she knew that was because of pure joy. She beamed in pride at what she had done, happy to have made Klaus smile like that. A rare and golden opportunity, that was what Caroline thought at that moment. I knew there was hope, she thought to herself happily.
"I guess I should start serving those more then", he remarked with a grin.
"That's not all it takes Niklaus", she countered him trying to be serious but still emerged from the statement with a similar grin.
"I wouldn't expect less from you, love. I just hope your next surprising action will be as pleasant as this", he mused.
"I hope so", Caroline agreed. She knew her morals and his would always collide, and that they could never avoid to argue. But moments like these were nice, for a moment she could forget all the things he did, everyone he killed. At least for awhile, she could forget all the bad things about him and just leave the charming and thoughtful ones.
Niklaus looked at Caroline that was now silent. He knew that frowning face. Their moment was over, reality sets in once again. That although he can be an incomparable lover, he was also a ruthless tyrant. Something that Caroline hated. His happiness was always like this with her. Fleeting. He wondered when he could have eternal happiness in his existence. More so, he wondered if it would ever happen with Caroline.
