TRIBULATION

chapter nine / dinner

The luminescent lights flicker above Caroline as her delicate iris stayed focused on them as she counted the time that passed by. She found aborting the dual bright room with nothing but a sick environment as the stiff chairs caused a certain heat between her ivory skin, causing a light red imprint to be created around her thigh.

She noticed Klaus speak in such a strongly demanding manner, "We do think since our family plans on staying here, that we end the little games we have going on."

Caroline stays observing her surroundings feeling the tension rise after the noblest original and the hybrid original propose a peace offeringโ€” which is something she agrees on but she stays quiet, seeing where it will all lead to. Her blue cornflower eyes fell upon the wall behind the siblings as they continued to talk about the offering.

Truth be told she did not listen to half what was being said as her mind was somewhere else. She snapped her head to Elijah who sat down, "Before we talk any further, let's have dinner."

Bunch of maids had come out as they plated food on everyone. Her eyes fell heavy as the somber tone fell on her and she felt a gentle squeeze on her thigh from Bonnie. Caroline smiled at her as she put her best fake smile and took a bite of the pasta.

The buttery, lemony, pasta fell on her tongue in a joyful manner as she almost let out a sigh of relief as she did not feel disgusted. Caroline glances at Bonnie who had slight blush on her, she furrows her browsโ€” she needs to pay more attention to her surroundings.

Kol eyes the room as he is completely bored out of his mind, he sets his fork down, "This is boring."

Elijah, Klaus, and Rebekah rolled their eyes at him. Kol just leans forward, glancing at the mystic falls gang, "Look whether you want the offering or not, we are staying."

"Well we don't you all here," muttered Damon as right next to him was Elena who nodded to his words. Elena narrowed her eyes, "You all have brought nothing but misery in my life."

Caroline clenched her fist from saying something, because what about her pain? Bonnie's pain?

The stuff that they went through in order for her to be ensure that she was alive and well. But it seemed Bonnie did not hold back, "Well I want the peace offering."

Everyone glanced at bennett witch in a surprise expression, for willing to accept the peace offering to begin with. Caroline leaned back on the chair as she was sitting with her arms folded, as she backed up her friend, "I do too."

Klaus had a small smile on his face, because whether this deal went well or not, a part of him will always be after her. She has become a light in his dark life. She was his sunshine, no matter how corny it sounded.

Elena glanced at her friends in tears at the betrayal they made. Tears hit her brown orbs but she shook them off as she eyed the youngest Salvatore, "Stefan?"

Stefan feels torn as part of him wants to defend Elena, but deep down he knows this deal is the correct way to go. As part of him knows this deal could benefit all of them and all he wants is some peace. He just wants all this fight between the two to be over.

But he was saved when Caroline had taken the attention away from him, "Just say yes."

Caroline mumbles something under her breath that no one heard. She shifted her eyes to see everyone gazed at her in amusement. She tilted her head in confusion, "What?"

Klaus let out a chuckle at her in amusement seeing her cheek flush pink in embarrassment. Caroline sunk in her seat as Bonnie leaned to her, "Don't ever change, Care."

Caroline let out a chuckle as she avoided everyone gazes around her. Elena glanced at her, "Care, why?"

Caroline shrugs as she really did not want to discuss anything. Bonnie glances at Elena, "Because is better than being in a constant fight?"

Carooline snorted at that as she grabbed her cup of wine and drank from it. Kol eyed the two girls as he had a slight smirk on him knowing they would fit in with his family. His eyes fell on the witch as he admired the way the silk green dress fitted her.

Caroline noticed his gaze on Bonnie, as she moved her head to cover the smile on her face. Klaus could not help but admire her, as the blonde locks fell on her shoulder, her smooth ivory skin, and the way her blue orbs shine under the light when she smiled.

Caroline lifted her head up noticing Klaus' gaze on her and he did not look away but kept his gaze on her, she felt heat rush into her body, as she looked away knowing the blush embedded on her cheek. Klaus smirks as he loves seeing the pink color on her cheeks.

Caroline avoided his gaze as she lifted her head to see Elena and Damon glaring at her and Bonnie. Caroline could not help but roll her eyes at him as that man really had no right to even look at her and Bonnie.

Her behavior was noticed by the Mikaelson siblings. Rebekah furrowed her brows because her curious self knows, that there has always has been hostile tension between the two girls and the eldest salvatore.

Elena had tears in her eyes, "Bon..."

Elena did not finish her phrase as Rebekah rolled her eyes, as her accent cut right through the room, "You are so exhaustingly whiny, not everything is about you."

Caroline had noticed how Elena put on a glare. A certain look on her when she wants something. Bonnie had noticed it too. The two girls just glanced the other way as the room tension was at a high. Elijah cleared his throat, "Perhaps you all should take the moment to discuss it."

The others nodded minus Caroline. The blonde baby vampire sighs as she glances at the room, "I won't be in town for the next few days so whatever it is, I agree with the peace offering."

Elijah nodded at her words as part of him has a very fond respect for the baby vampire especially the question she asked him when they had first met. Klaus did not care as a visible frown was shown on him, as to where was she going?

Damon set his gaze so hard on her, hoping she would quiver in fear but she just returned the glare back. Damon cold eyes scanned her, "Really, you blondie have vacation plans? Or is it for little something else?"

A silence fell upon the room as everyone knew what he was implying that the baby vampire would do. Klaus felt the fury enter his body as he clenched his fist clench not wanting to react irrationally in front of Caroline. His tone was harsh as his gaze darkened, "I would watch what comes out of your mouth next, mate."

Caroline felt the tears emerging in her eyes but she did not let them outโ€“ not here where she would give him the satisfaction. Bonnie stood up as she grabbed Caroline's hand ignoring the stares coming from Stefan, Elena, and Damon.

Bonnie gave the four siblings a soft smile, "Thank you for dinner, we will be going now. And we both accept the offering."

"Thank you for dinner," mumbled Caroline as the siblings nodded at the two but each had a curious look on them, minus Klaus as he stared at his blonde vampire in worry.

Elena had stood up as she glared at them, "You both are choosing them over me. I'm your best friend and you are choosing the people that have hurt me?"

The mikaelsons rolled their eyes at her. They all noticed the two girls were about to leave with tense shoulders and anger in their eyes. Caroline let out a hardened chuckle, which Bonnie and Elena winced at, as they knew she was angry.

The others stared at the three in confusion but Caroline just continued to chuckle as she exit out the home but yelled out loud enough for everyone to hear, "Yet you chose Damon all the time."

Bonnie had followed her as she glared at Damon and Elena. Klaus could no longer keep his anger in check as he flashed to him, his tone cold, "What did she mean by that?"

Damon did not respond but Klaus put his hand on his neck having a tight hold that slowly cut Damon's circulation of breath. Elena cries as she pleads to him, "Let him go!"

Rebekah threw her disgusted look. Stefan sighs as Damon needs to keep his mouth shut. He shut his eyes as Caroline and Bonnie both despised Damon and frankly they had every right to.

Elijah rubs his temples in frustration, "Niklaus let him go."

Klaus whispers harshly to him, "If I ever see you look or even talk about Caroline, I will rip you apart. Understood?"

Damon let out a nod as it was hard to breathe. Klaus let him go as Damon and Elena had left, leaving Stefan behind. The Mikaelsons stared at the youngest Salvatore who sighs, "I accept the offering as well."

Stefan leaves as at that moment he chooses what will be best for him, and what would work out for everyoneโ€” not choosing a decision that will benefit only one person. Because they all needed protection.

Klaus does not spare his siblings a look as he grabs his jackets exiting out his home. Making his way to his blonde girl. He needed to know if she was okay after everything and maybe just maybe she would let him join her trip.

Kol glances at the table, "Well that went better than I expected."

Elijah and Rebekah shot him a look of annoyance. The blonde original exits the dining room as Elijah unbuttons his jacket, "I have feeling brother things are more complex between that group."

"Agreed," muttered Kol. The amount of hatred that the blonde vampire and the Bennett witch held for the eldest Salvatore is something so intriguing to all of them considering they are always together.

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Caroline hugs her arms around her own waist as the fresh cold air hits her face. She could feel the tension from Bonnie who was walking behind her. The blonde girl sighs as she jolly teases her, "It was not that bad."

Bonnie let out a stifle chuckle. Anger mostly consumed her in a way that Damon had implied for Caroline going out toโ€” she doesn't even want to think about it as the disgust consumes her. She noticed the way her blonde friend wanted to cry but didn't.

The brunette witch shook her head, "Where are you going anyways?"

"To visit Ali," mumbled Caroline as worried set in. Her blue eyes noticed the green eyed witch friend with confusion. Caroline nudged her, "He saved my life. It's a story for another day."

Bonnie nodded as they entered their street where Caroline paused, "I need a moment to myself. I'll catch you later."

Bonnie nodded in understanding as she brought her a hug, her arms around her friend's waist. The blonde girl buried her head into her shoulder as Bonnie's soft voice filled her up, "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks Bon," mumbled Caroline as they both pulled away. Bonnie wiped her tears aways with a soft smile, "Don't be gone for too long."

Caroline nodded as she turned away walking to the one place she wanted to revisit. She found herself at the familiar bridge that brought her some many memories. But instead of standing on the ledge, her arms were on it.

She was staring down at the water as the dark blue lake reflected her state of mind. She closed her eyes. She enjoyed the light breeze on her face as it felt very welcoming to her.

The swirl of emotions that she can never pinpoint to what she is feeling. She always has mood swings and every time she tries to think about the beautiful things that bring her joy she is reminded of how life has always been so boring.

"Penny for your thought?"

Caroline turns her head to see Klaus standing all awkwardly, well more nervous. She furrowed her brows. Does she make him nervous? Caroline just offers him a small smile, "Just thinking."

Klaus moves closer to her noticing the softness of this bridge means to her. He observes the way the dress has fit her body in such a beautiful memorizing way. His eyes did linger where he knew the tattoo he designed had, been imprinted on her and he could not help as the possessiveness took over him.

He tries to not let it win but the wolf wants nothing more than to take her away from this town and show her all the beauty of the world. He noticed her let out little sigh as she eyed the river, "It means something to you?"

Caroline bit her lip as he stood right next to her, glancing at the river. She shifts closer gently whispering, "You won't judge?"

Klaus paused in his tracks as his darken gaze fell upon her, "Never sweetheart."

Caroline nodded as she tried to gather her thoughts. She does not what came over her but she grabbed his hand for a sense of comfort as she stuttered upon her words, "I..I had tried to kill myself about a year ago at this same bridge."

Klaus did not say anything because there are no words that will make her feel better so he just put his arms around her waist as the blonde accepted the embrace, her head buried into his chest as they shared this quiet moment.

The blonde girl held him tighter as the hybrid had buried his head into her golden locks. Caroline whispered so light that his vampire hearing barely caught it, "Why do you like me?"

Klaus moves his head to face her but Caroline was avoiding his every gaze as he heard the vulnerability in her tone. How could he not like her? She is everything so more, "Because you're strong, beautiful, good, full of light."

Caroline felt the butterflies in her stomach as her cheeks had light pink color on them, "Flattering."

Klaus ahad amused smile on him. Caroline turned to face him, "You are wrong about the good part."

Klaus raised his brow in disbelief. Caroline is the optime of light whether she sees it or not, even in her darkest times you could see the light shine through. He nudged her shoulder, "I find that hard to believe."

Caroline had a soft smile as she stared into his gorgeous eyes, "I'm not. Most days I'm just barely existing."

Klaus could hear the struggle in her voice. He understood what she meant, expect a part of himself makes him wonder what did this town do to her to make her feel that way so soon?

She deserves nothing but the world and he will guarantee that for her.

Klaus observed her until his eyes once again the scar she had. His hands brush on it as she lets out a shudder. She teased him, "It's not bad, I had it worse."

That did not seem to help her case as Klaus's eyes flashed gold in anger for anyone daring to put their hands on her. Caroline grabbed his hand which seemed to calm him down. She carefully shifted closer to him, "I'm okay."

Klaus tightened his hold on her hand, for confusion as to why he feels overprotective over her. Why can't he handle the fact that Caroline had been hurt before this and she is okay with it. He never felt this type of emotion over anyone. He was a selfish man but he couldn't be like that, not with her.

He glances at her with a hardened look but for her but for the anger he feels, "Tell me. Anyone who has hurt you won't live to see the light."

Caroline sighs looking away from him as gripped harder on his hand as he squeezed back, "I can't. This is something I have to do on my own."

"Caroline."

Klaus moves his free hand to get hold of her chin, "Look at me, sweetheart."

Caroline faces him as he wipes a tear off her cheek, "Whatever it is, I can help."

Caroline gave him a watery smile, "I know but trust me, I have to do this myself... just do one thing for me?"

Klaus immediately nodded as he gave a rare loving-dimpled smile for her, "Anything."

"Don't leave my side?"

"I don't think I could ever leave you, love.."

notes!

THOUGHTS?!!?

ahh i hope this dinner scene was okay!!

the truth will be reveal pretty soon as we get ali the next chapter

please stay safe out there