I'm back with another chapter. I have the new couple chapters planned out.
Disclaimer: i don't own any of the fandoms in this story.
Xxx
Caroline comes out of her closet with a suitcase and leans her head against the doorway of her bedroom. As she smiles Conrad rolls over in bed and puts an arm on her side of the bed to snuggle with her but is met with an empty side.
She bends down on the bed and kisses him on the forehead and he stirs awake and brings her down leaning against him. "Conrad I have to go the faster I get to Dallas the faster I can come home."
He kisses her on the cheek."You look very southern."
The blonde smiles back at him. She has a pair of white shorts on with a brown tube top with a black border at the top, she has matched them with a pair of black stiletto knee high cowboy boots and a brown coach purse she has a brown sweater if she gets cold she also has on the necklace he got her for her birthday. "I also have a cowboy hat."
He chuckles as his lips brush her bare shoulder. "You definitely look the part."
She glances over her shoulder at him the blanket has fallen down to his waist he has an arm around her waist she is leaning against his chest he's propped up on his elbow. "I'm going to miss you."
Conrad leans up and kisses her on the lips. "I'm going to miss you too."
She cups his cheek as they kiss and she deepens the kiss they both smile. He flips them and brings her hands up above her head. As he is leaving kisses down her neck she gets out breathily. "We can't I have a flight."
"What time is your flight?"
"Whenever I get there its a private plane."
The smile on his face as he looks down at her brings a smile to her lips. "You are insatiable."
His lips return to her neck and she moans. She goes to move a hand and can't he still has a hand over them. Its exciting but she does not have time for long body worship sex.
She wraps her leg around his waist and flips them. Once she is on top she slides her hands up his chest ending at his shoulders leaning down she tells him. "You can worship my body when I get back."
Conrad steals a kiss from her. "You can count on that."
"Your making it so hard to leave." As she is talking Conrad's hands have been making their way down to her shorts and have opened them.
"You do make a compelling case. The plane can't take off without me." She does get off him quickly to take her stiletto cowboy boots and shorts off.
She gets back on him and their collective moan as she slides down on his morning wood fills the room. Sex with Conrad whether its morning, or night, shower, pool, bed, couch, club, bar top is different its more intimate and more sensual.
Conrads hands grip her hips as he sits up too. His teeth pulling down her tub top as he licks her nipple. Caroline throws her head back the way this man makes her feel heavenly. She just hopes she treats him as well as he treats her.
His hips thrust up as a moan is felt against her nipple a shiver runs down her back. As her hands grip his hair and she quickens her pace.
They passionately kiss as they come. She leans her forehead against his and closes her eyes. He smiles at her she is so beautiful like this. She doesn't have to get all dolled up for him or pretend. It's not just her afterglow either. They both trust each other and know if they need the other they will be right there. It's the little moments that make her beautiful, the way she smiles and there's a hint of her blushing, her laugh is so cute lastly the way if she does something by accident she scrunches up her nose.
Xxx
Caroline nudges her older brother up and sits at the bottom of his bed. "I have to go. Oh god how much I do not want to do this. Conrad is upstairs do not be mean to him."
Damon is laying down in his bed looks at his sister. "You realize you tell me everyday to not be mean to Conrad."
"Yes do you realize that out of the four people I've been with before Conrad you and Stefan punched half of them. I just don't want him to get hurt because of me."
Damon leans up on his elbows this is the first time he's seen his sister care for someone outside of their circle of friends. "Why did you really come in here?"
The blonde stands up and goes over to the window and looks into the atrium. "I needed someone to tell me I wasn't overreacting. I can't talk to Conrad about this, you were…." She trails off as her breathing hitches.
"I was there I rescued you." He doesn't like to think of that day he had never seen his sister so broken then that day. "Your not overreacting. Giuseppe never believed us that his 'precious demon' was a monster and even after what she did to you he still took her side. And now he brought that bitch back into our lives."
Damon joins his sister at the window and they both look into the atrium. "What are you thinking?"
"She's at the office everyday. I don't feel safe at my own company. It's not just me I have to think about. I'm worried about Conrad, my models, she has Giuseppe's ear. While I can't protect every model I have put clauses in some contracts and I can protect Conrad and myself. I'm thinking of calling Lexi or moreover Lexi's husband and asking him to send me a bodyguard."
Damon glances over at her and she is patting a finger around her eyes. This just got serious she never cries in front of people. "I'll back you whatever you decide."
Caroline smiles at him." Thank you Damon."
He wraps an arm around her shoulders. "Of course your my sister, I always have your back and I am happy that you and Conrad have each other. I won't be mean to him."
Xxx
They pull up to the plane and Katherine is awaiting for her. "Kat, what are you doing here?"
"Im going with you, girls trip. Let's turn this boring trip fun."
Caroline smiles at her, She knows what Katherine is not saying. They have been best friends since forever. They are sisters, they know each other better than anyone. When they lived in the penthouse Caroline came up with the idea, designed and found a crew to build Katherine a bedroom connected to Caroline's. Best friends, sisters, roommates. When they went to Paris almost five years ago Katherine tried to make her feel better. She tried everything from suggesting that Caroline join in on Katherine's threesome to just sitting with her being silent. At the show Katherine sat next to her and was so proud of Caroline and how she got Zero in the show. When Katherine's father moved the family to Bulgaria for a couple weeks it was Caroline that talked to her father and tried to get him to see reason it didn't work. Caroline and everyone came to see Katherine in Bulgaria.
"You definitely would make the trip better but you need to stay here and protect the models. Giuseppe is planning something. We need to protect our own."
"Zero, Brad and Brett."
Caroline nods. "We can build another Royalty but they can never be replaced."
Katherine nods looking to the ground she knows how important royalty is to Caroline, she has known about it since day one. She remembers when it went public her and Caroline squealed about it in the breakfast room. Caroline puts an arm around her shoulders. "You know since your staying here you could get to know Conrad. You did say you would give him a chance."
The brunette side eyes the blonde. She doesn't remember saying that exactly but she will. "You really care about him?"
"Yeah you remember senior year before Brett came back, Aurora was spreading rumors that she had been with Brett you put a stop to all of them, defended Brett, defended your relationship, protecting Brett when he was not there, Brett has always been your soft spot." She nods and Caroline continues. "Conrad is my soft spot, I will defend him to anyone, I want to protect him from Giuseppe, Klaus, Satan's mistress. Those three can do whatever to me but not to him he doesn't deserve that. He deserves better then me and all my drama. I care about him I trust him. I know he cares and trusts me too."
Katherine has never heard Caroline speak like this about anyone. It really makes her think maybe she had been a little presumptuous to judge them. "Ok i will give him a chance and protect the models."
Xxx
Damon sees Conrad heading towards the door and he calls from the breakfast room. "Conrad come join me."
Conrad closes his eyes, he was so close. He knows how much Caroline loves and is close to her brothers so them liking him is important but they just hound him with questions or sometimes talk amongst each other in front of him like he's not even there. He sits down and Dorota brings him a cup of coffee.
"I wanted to thank you, nobody has seen this side of Caroline before, you bring that out in her. She's changed and it's for the better. There's no doubt that you two are infatuated with each other."
He has heard from Caroline's friends and brothers how she has changed and how she is now nicer. Even Caroline mentioned she was a bitch. "How bad was Caroline, before we met?"
Damon coughs on his mimosa. "Um…..we have maybe been a little misleading here. She wasn't the anti christ but she was no mother Teresa. Heavy is the head who wears the crown. She had so much on her shoulders that she would lash out sometime in a bitchy way, most of time the people deserved. She was never arrested or anything like that although she did inadvertently get someone arrested and got that person deported eventually. This is funny so I was sleeping with this girl and Caroline noticed the next morning that she was wearing one of her dresses so she made the girl take her dress off and walk out in overalls. When she left Caroline called the girls mom to see where she had got her dress from, and when the mom asked how Caroline knew her daughter. Caroline replied with she just slept with my brother. You could hear the gasp and the woman I'm pretty sure almost fainted."
Damon finishes his breakfast and stands up. "Now if you will excuse me I have to go talk a woman I slept with multiple times out of publishing a book about our family."
Conrad watches as Damon leaves he was just hit with a lot, Caroline got someone deported, and arrested, made someone else faint, plus there's a book coming out about their family. He finishes his coffee there's never a dull moment in this home.
Xxx
Caroline hates driving she is not good at it, she left Bill in New York to drive her brother and Conrad. As she looks upon the ranch home a black convertible with the license plate Ewing V pulls into the driveway. A tall handsome guy grabs a black cowboy hat and shuts his door.
"And who might you be darling?"
Caroline turns around to see who the voice belonged to and he's handsome, definitely Caroline's type but she is not interested she came here for business she is to get in get out. "Caroline Salvatore. I have a meeting with Bobby, something tells me that is not you."
"My uncle."
"Shame Can you escort me to him?"
The sexy man looks her up and down and stops at her lips. "I'm sure we can arrange something, are you new to town." He holds out his arm and she raises an eyebrow and he looks down at her there's a devious glint in his eye. "Well aren't you a gentleman."
"Not necessary maybe I just think a beautiful woman like yourself is wasting your time talking with my uncle. When you could be talking to me."
"Oh yeah are you head of the family? I'll only be speaking business affairs with the patriarch."
He lets out a breath and lets go of her arm as they reach a wooden door inside the home. "If you get bored I'll be around."
Caroline rolls her eyes and answers his question from earlier " I'm not staying long Just visiting."
"Staying at the Forbes hotel?"
Caroline looks over at him. "I am."
Xxx
"No, no the client wanted hipster not grunge who picked out these outfits." Katherine going over to the racks of clothes looking for what she wants when Giuseppe and Sybil come in.
Giuseppe whistles getting everyone's attention. "Everyone this is Sybil she is the new head of models. When you re audition it will be for her."
Katherine whipped her head around when she heard Sybil's name. Her and Brett shared a look,they know all about Sybil. Not only did she torment the triplets she also got Katherine arrested on murder charges the charges were later dropped as the person who was allegedly murdered was alive and well. She also peeped on Brett as he was changing.
"I'm head of models and nobody is re auditioning. Everyone in this room has auditioned even our newest models Jed, Ben and Ken they did it two months ago. There is no need to re audition when we have everyone we already want. Sybil knows nothing of fashion or models she would not be qualified for this job."
"Doesn't matter if I'm qualified or not the boss wants me to have this job."
Katherine raises an eyebrow they are definitely thinking of two different bosses. "Once again you are wrong the boss Caroline not only does not want you to have this job she does not want you in this company, this city, this country."
Sybil glares at her and Katherine doesn't budge it's not just royalty she is defending it's her best friend and in a way her boyfriend's job too.
Xxx
Caroline is having a drink in the hotel bar and texting Patrick when a black cowboy hat is put down next to her and she hears the same voice from before. "Bourbon."
"You really think because your uncle didn't take me serious that I'll tell you the deal."
"I had other ideas. Let's go upstairs and discuss them."
Caroline puts money on the bar to pay for her drink then gets up to leave. He follows her. "Your room or mine?"
She presses the elevator button then turns around to face him. "How about this you go to your room get everything ready and then call someone to come over, your wife or mistress I can't be the only woman you've suggested this too. I have a boyfriend and you don't even compare."
"Neither one is here so what do you say." He reaches up to run a finger down the side of her face. She moves her head, seriously only Conrad can touch her like that.
She steps into the elevator and looks back at him he's in the doorway of the elevator she tilts her head and gets real close to him. "I say there's nothing you can give me that would satisfy me." The elevator doors close on his confused face this has never happened to him before.
Xxx
Conrad pulls back the blankets of his bed when his phone rings. He smiles when he sees the text. It's from Caroline all it says is 'u up?' Reminds him of the beginning of their relationship when they would text each other you up before spending the night together.
He calls her instead of replying. "How's Dallas? Did you close the deal?"
"I hate it here. First the guy would not take me serious because I was not dressed professionally. Second I was propositioned to become the guys nephew's mistress. I told him I had a boyfriend. I know we haven't had that conversation. I don't know about you but I feel that your more then a boyfriend."
Conrad smiles and gets comfy in his bed. It's true they haven't had that conversation it was just a unspoken agreement that they are committed to each other. Its been like that since that first night. "Are you asking me to be your boyfriend?"
Caroline can't help the blush that creeps over her cheeks or the smile that spreads across her face. The effect they have on the other is powerful. Nobody has this effect on the other. She has only ever asked one other person to be her boyfriend and it technically didn't count because that was a fake relationship with her on again off again boyfriend of five years when she was in high school. "Maybe." This is the first time she actually means it when she says in no uncertain ways if Conrad will be her boyfriend.
"I'd love to and even though you are more then a girlfriend will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes although I will miss you introducing me to people as my Caroline."
Conrad let's out a smile he remembers the first time he said that. He was introducing her to Jeremiah and Belly and he meant to this is Caroline but what came out was this is my Caroline. He saw the shock on her face when he said it and the little smile on her face and he knew she like it. If he's being honest he also liked being introduced to her friends and brothers as my Conrad. Their relationship is much more than just boyfriend/girlfriend.
"Who said I was going to stop?" They both chuckle when Conrad asks. "Is it true you got someone deported?"
Caroline swallows and closes her eyes. She really wishes he didn't know about her bad girl history but his voice wasn't judging so that's a plus. "You've been talking with Damon. Um…. Yes I did but Damon helped, he and my ex boyfriend Chadwick were there when I made the phone call….um I'll tell you more when I get back. Just know I did what I did to protect everyone and if it comes down to it I'll do it again."
Her hand begins to shake and her eyes dart around the room for a bottle. Conrad swallows every time she reveals something from her past he is amazed at how strong she is and he thought it once he'll always think that he does not get how someone could hurt her, she is amazing and is so caring to the people she likes.
" You get in tomorrow right, I could pick you up."
A knock on the door interrupts Caroline's smile; she doesn't remember ordering room service and it's too late for housekeeping. "Hold on."
When she answers the door the smile leaves her face and it's replaced with annoyance. "Oh god how did you even find out what room I'm in."
The southern drawl of the handsome gentleman from downstairs says. "I have my ways thought we could have a night cap while we continue our conversation."
He goes to walk into her room and she puts a hand out blocking the entry. "Once again I have a boyfriend who is amazing, sexy beyond belief, the most kind hearted person I have ever met and he wants to be with me. I'm not going to give that up to be with you which I know guys like you, you just love women can't get enough sex. You marry one of the women at the time you love her and want to be with her but your nature kicks in and oh look there's another beautiful woman and another and now you're having three mistresses plus your wife. I will not be a mistress plus and this is kinda important we don't even live in the same state. I am a New York City Bitch and you are a Texas cowboy it never would of worked out."
She shuts the door on his dumbfounded face and returns to her phone call. "Conrad, are you still there?"
"I'm still here."
"Sorry about that, that was well you heard."
"Wow that was…."
Caroline swallows and goes back to her bed. "Yeah….it was a mistake coming here. That guy has been following me all night. He propositioned me at the bar and again just now. Maybe I should cut back on my drinking. I've been drinking since I was fifteen. I used to drink when we would go out but ever since… What happened? I use it to cope. And now I have been propositioned to be a mistress." She takes a breath and tries to liven the mood. "Enough about me, let's talk about how was your day?"
He was just going to let her ramble. She was coming to a realization he didn't want to interrupt. It always amazes him how she changes topics so effortlessly and smoothly; he's also noticed that when she changes the topic it's because she doesn't want to talk about something. "It was good had breakfast with Damon, spent the day answering calls. Some people want me in a regatta next season. Others want lessons. Your friend Katherine invited me to lunch tomorrow."
Caroline can't help but smile. Katherine listened to her and is trying."Wow you are in high demand, good thing I already had my lesson."
Xxx
Caroline has to be insane. She is back at this ranch mansion talking to this older gentleman trying to get him to invest with Giuseppe so he can leave her company. He said no yesterday. Hopefully he won't say no today. She even dressed more professionally today with black dress pants and black blazer and black heels. After being let into the office she takes a seat in the same chair as yesterday.
"The answer is still no Miss Salvatore."
"Ok if I may your family is an inspiration you struck oil and Instead of just sitting back and collecting the rewards you started a company now everyone in Texas knows you. I did something similar while everyone already knew who I was, I didn't just sit back and live off the rewards of having a rich family. I started a modeling company at seventeen you could say I struck oil with my first model. He is amazing and I can't picture doing this with anyone else. If it wasn't for him there might not of been a company. If you won't invest with my father why not put your money with someone else like Royalty modeling. My father would take great care of your investment, every investor he treats like his children."
She looks up at the older grey haired gentleman behind the wooden desk. Her fingers are fidgeting on her pant suit. She is not used to a pantsuit she doesn't normally wear one she had to go out and buy this one last night. "You make a compelling argument. Let me think about it, I'll get back to you."
Xxx
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Meeting my fiancé after her long journey." You can hear the sarcasm and bitterness in his voice.
Caroline glares at him, Klaus opens the door to the Mikaelson limo and she doesn't get in. "Where are your balls? The Klaus I knew before we dated and while we dated would have done this but the Klaus after I broke his heart wouldn't have stood for this. Where is the Klaus that stood me up after we had come to an agreement, or tried to embarrass me in front of New York's elite or called me the biggest whore in New York City at prom. That Klaus is an asshole but didn't let anyone tell him what to do. And never would have gone along with this ridiculous plan. So you lost them either at Columbia or scaling mountains with Damon. Do you know what mountain?"
Klaus shrugs and smugly tells her. "I also worked with Aurora to embarrass you. People are tired of you always coming out on top."
She scoffs. "Yeah the top, is it not glamorous: my father is forcing me into a marriage with an asshole and trying to take my company. My ex is harassing me and… there's a demon back in my life." She calls Bill and tells him to come pick her up.
"There's a perfectly good limo right here. In all honesty you are a bitch but we used to love each other lifetimes ago. I'm sure we could fake it."
"No, I'm done faking it. I regret ever dating you. Looking back on it I never did love you, it was all fake. I wasn't happy. I don't want to go back to pretending to be happy. Or sipping tea with ladies discussing what charities we are going to, what we are going to bid on and who is hosting the tea next week. I would rather move to Brooklyn than live that life."
Bill pulls up and as she is going Klaus yells after you. "You've always been a bitch and you always will be a bitch! Wake up, this is your life, it's always been planned out. We marry you, knock out a couple kids, if you're lucky I'll allow you a sordid affair with the pool boy. I'll already be having affairs."
She scoffs as she gets in the town car. Bill asks her her where to. She puts her sunglasses on to hide her eyes becoming red and watery.
As they are driving away Caroline sniffles and wipes the tears from her eyes.
Xxx
Bill pulls up to the apartment building and she goes right into the private residence area. The front desk man doesn't even ask her who she is here to see. She goes up to apartment 4.
As the elevator opens she hears a guitar being played. She leans her head against the glazed windows and watches as he plays, he hasn't noticed she has come in yet.
He looks so peaceful. "That's beautiful, what is it?"
Conrad looks over at her and notices she is sad. "It's nothing, just a rhythm. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
He raises an eyebrow and puts out a hand she comes over to the couch and places her hand in his and he pulls her down to sit on his lap. Her body releases some of the tension. She lays her head on his shoulder while his head is against hers and his arms are around her. "No you're not."
It's silent for a couple minutes then he hears. "Your right I'm not. I just got into a fight with Klaus who told me about our bleak future. I'll give you the highlights. He has many affairs and I'm a stepford wife. Whom he may allow me to have an affair if I'm good and that's only after I give him children. This is the future my father and Klaus and for a time my mother wanted me to have. After my mother saw how successful I was at running Royalty her dream of me being a socialite of New York City changed. That is my future and the affair can't be with you because according to my father your a bum I can't be seen with you."
Conrad's arms tighten around her as he kisses her forehead. All of that sounds awful; he'll always be by her side no matter what she chooses. They know what they are to each other. "What are you going to do?"
She snuggles her head into his neck leaving a kiss below his ear. "I don't know, I just know I don't want that future."
"Are you tired, do you want to go to bed?"
"I am but right now can we stay here?"
He nods and leaves a kiss in her hair. "Of course."
Xxx
They are always at Caroline's mansion, so when they sleep at Conrad's apartment it's different. Even though Conrad's apartment is very nice it was gifted to him by his father who has always tried to buy their love or only wanted to talk about their skills in football. Conrad and his brother Jeremiah got homes when Conrad graduated college, Conrad got this luxury apartment in New York City and Jeremiah got a house in Boston. Conrad doesn't like spending much time here; it does not feel like a home. Even though Caroline's mansion is quite luxurious it feels like a home it has a homey vibe. He enjoys that. Tonight they are sleeping at his apartment.
Caroline doesn't have any clothes here so she is just in one of his red hooded long sleeve shirts. He's in his blue boxers and a blue tee shirt. They get in his bed and turn to each other so their faces are inches apart. His hand is drawing shapes on her bare thigh. "Tell me something?"
"About my recent trip or something else?"
"Something else."
Caroline stretches her neck and looks up to the ceiling thinking of something. He smiles at her she is so cute. "Ok I can't remember when it started but I've always taken care and been in charge of things. Damon might be the oldest but I was in charge. It's not like Damon didn't try, he just failed so I had to step in. It was just easier for me to just do it without asking him. I always thought it was because I liked power but when I started Royalty it changed me. I couldn't have all the power, I couldn't successfully start Royalty, plan proms, run our school, deal with public events that needed a rich family to attend, go to debutant classes, pay the staff, pay all the bills, keep the drama to a minimum, keep satan's mistress from spilling her secret and ruining Giuseppe. When I was in California I didn't have any of that. I was free. I realized it wasn't because I craved the power it was because I was expected to do all of this. If anyone has a problem go to Caroline she will fix it. She can fix anything."
Conrad takes a breath when they play this game the other never knows what the other is going to say and they are always blown away by the other's confession. Caroline once told him it looks like she has a charmed life from the outside but she doesn't. It's true she has the seven floor mansion, the money, the clothes, everything she could ever want at her fingertips and yet the way her father treats her is borderline abusive mentally not physically he has threatened all three children multiple times.
Conrad runs a hand through her hair and tells her. "I always took care of everyone too. Especially when my mom got sick I was always around cleaning up and trying to make life easier for her, If I found her asleep on the couch I would tuck her in, that last summer I found her on the stairs I helped her upstairs and to her room. When I broke my arm I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want to burden them. I tried to get Jere to clean the dish he just used and to stop drinking other people's cereal milk I failed on that."
Caroline smiles at him and sits up in bed he sits up to and she looks at him. Their fingers finding each other in the middle of each other. "You take care of everyone, I take care of everyone, but who takes care of us? I'll make you a promise I'll take care of you if you take care of me."
Conrad brings their hands up to his lips and leaves a delicate kiss on her hand the both smile at each other. "I'll take care of you and you can take care of me."
He wraps his arms around her as they lay back down and she leans up and kisses him. He pulls her closer to him. She loves being in his embrace it makes her feel safe.
Xxx
Conrad wakes up and smiles when he sees Caroline is still there but he can tell something is on her mind. "Hi."
Caroline leans her head against the window frame and smiles. "Hi." She takes breath and sits back on the bed she is still in his red hooded shirt. "I owe you a story." She takes another breath her fingers fidgeting with the hem of the shirt. "I haven't always lived at the mansion. I used to live in a three story penthouse apartment just a couple buildings away. One day my brothers and I came home and we were happy Stefan and I had dates that night, Damon was planning out lacrosse schedules. When we walked into our living room we saw our father and the happiness left. We went up to our rooms and when I went into my room there was a strange brunette teenager a year and half younger then us in my closet trying my clothes on. I screamed and called security. It turns out she came with my father. Didn't matter what she did, my father always took her side and defended her. For the next seven months this brunette bitch tormented us mainly me. She did something so vile I can't speak of it but after that I called the police had her arrested and informed them that she does not have a visa. Her and her mother who called us whores were deported and sent back to wherever they crawled out of and now she is back."
Her hands are shaking as they bury themselves in the sleeves of the shirt and her breathing is heavy. Conrad can tell she is leaving something out but he doesn't want to push it so he can see the emotional toll this is having on her. When he was told she got someone deported he didn't know what to think but hearing this it's awful. He puts a hand out and she puts a red covered hand in his he lightly laughs and sticks his hand in his sleeve to find her hand. His touch calms her down a little.
"When do you have to go?"
"Ten minutes ago. I owed you an explanation and I didn't want you to think I just had her deported for fun."
"I didn't think that." She half smiles at him.
Xxx
When she gets back to the mansion she beelines for her floor and opens the balcony doors and screams falling to her knees. This menace even causes her pain talking about her.
She brushes off her capris and takes a breath of fresh air. She has to go into the office today and hopefully because she went to Texas Giuseppe will leave and take the heinous beast with him.
Caroline does not go into the breakfast room but Dorota meets her in the foyer with a smoothie in a travel mug that says queen and a bag of raspberries. "Thank you Dorota Wish me luck."
"Good luck Miss Caroline, try not to have a panic attack or murder your father."
"No promises."
As she is about to leave, Dorota tells her. "You need to call Mrs. LaRue. She has been calling here every month for the past four years."
The blonde groans. "Seriously fine I'll add it to the list. Anything else?"
The older Polish woman shakes her head.
Xxx
Nora is coming out of Caroline's office when she comes in. "Nora?"
"Don't look at your laptop."
The blonde raises an eyebrow and opens the laptop to check her emails and its a thousand notifications to watch Giuseppe Salvatore give a live press Conference. She literally can't click on anything else but the links covering her screen the banner at the bottom of the screen says Giuseppe Salvatore announces Daughter's engagement. "Nora! What is this?"
Nora looks at her confused she thought she knew. "Your engagement. Congratulations."
The blonde glares at her. Her father has seriously lost it declaring this to the public it is an obvious lie. Although it will be sweet for him to the tell the press he was wrong and they are not engaged. "Excuse me? First I'm not and never will be engaged to Klaus Mikaelson! second, take back your congratulations."
"If your not then why-"
"I'm going to stop you right there if you hadn't noticed my father is a terrible person. This is just the first time he has put his full weight behind a marriage proposition or relationship he is pushing on me."
They hear Giuseppe tell the press. "My Daughter Caroline Salvatore and Klaus Mikaelson are engaged. They couldn't be more happy with each other." The press asks him where the happy couple is and he tells them. "That they couldn't come to the announcement because they are so enamored with each other that they are celebrating privately."
Caroline puts a hand over her mouth. "I'm going to be sick. This is the worst thing I've ever heard and I was once on the phone while my uncle was getting blown."
Nora glances up at her and the blonde closes her eyes and shakes her hand. "Don't ask." Nora goes to get the alcohol out of the desk then remember she took out all the alcohol per Caroline's request. She hands her the smoothie.
Seconds after the press conference ends Caroline's phone starts blowing up. When she looks down she is surprised Vera Wang is Calling her. "Hello?"
"Hello, Miss Salvatore i just heard your getting married and wanted to know if you needed a dress."
"Oh that is very thoughtful of you truly but I am not getting married. When I do I think I'll have my mom design my dress but maybe you and her could collaborate."
She ends that call and her cell phone rings and the office phone rings too. She answers the cell phone while Nora answers the office phone. "Where did your fiance get your ring? I did not see Mr. Mikaelson come in recently. Although there was a man that came in recently and bought a necklace for you."
Nora tells her. "It's Harry Winston asking where you got your ring and they can make any adjustments or cleaning."
Great she has Tiffany's and Harry Winston now competing with each other this is all she needs. She motions for Nora to put her call on speaker while she puts her cell on speaker phone. "Tiffany's, Harry Winston, I'm going to tell you this together. You both know I love your jewelry. Tiffany's is a part of my life I'm wearing both Tiffany's and Harry Winston currently. Harry Winston I love your jewelry. It is true someone did come into Tiffany's to buy me a necklace recently and that was my actual boyfriend. I am not getting married nor am I engaged. If and when my actual boyfriend and I do decide to get marry we will have a hard time choosing between my two favorite jewelry places."
"Nora call the masseur and make an appointment for this afternoon tell them I will pay whatever for an appointment this afternoon early evening. And that six am is too late."
Xxx
As she is crossing the lobby her father is coming in. She glares at him as she walks by him. She plans on ignoring him. There's no point in saying anything he's not going to change his mind. "Caroline, we missed you at my press conference."
Caroline takes a breath and closes her eyes. She knows what her father is doing. "Klaus wasn't there either. Such a shame, I wonder how the press is going to handle it when it comes out you lied."
"I didn't lie, didn't Klaus pick you up yesterday. He was supposed to give you a ring when you got off the plane, and you both will be living together soon. I just announced a little prematurely."
The blonde rolls her eyes and shakes her body. This is so disgusting she can't believe what she is hearing. She holds up her hands and has no engagement ring. "Must have missed him oh well. We are not moving in together, it's not just for our peace of mind, think of Dorota I don't want to put her through that. Third and this is huge, we hate each other. I did what you wanted. I went to Texas. I got your money now, please leave my company."
She goes to walk away and Guiseppe grabs her by the elbow pulling her back to him he leans down and whispers in her ear. "Come Christmas you will marry Klaus Mikaelson, I will not be made a fool in front of the press."
Caroline glares up at him. "Then you shouldn't have lied. You want someone to marry Klaus so bad you do it, or better yet ask Stefan if he wants to marry his girlfriend Rebekah Mikaelson."
Xxx
"Dorota I'm going to try to go through this drama without drinking, no matter how much Guiseepe or wannabe rich tries to get under my skin I will try not to drink."
Dorota nods. Caroline just lets it out. "It's just that a guy wanted me to be his mistress in Dallas and maybe if I wasn't at the bar he wouldn't have asked me. So I'm trying to cut back. When you think about I only drank in stressful moments. My whole life is a stressful moment. I'm not swearing off alcohol completely, I'll only drink during social outings."
Dorota puts a hand on Caroline's shoulder. She knows Caroline can do this. She knows anything Caroline puts her mind to she will accomplish. Dorota has never seen Caroline fail, sure there's been setbacks but never failures. Dorota has always been Caroline's biggest cheerleader; she raised Caroline, looks after her and is a mother figure to her, when Klaus tried to embarrass Caroline in front of all New York's elite when they were seventeen Dorata cursed him in Polish. Dorota and the triplets always knew that yes Guiseppe and Liz hired Dorota and that's where her paychecks come from but she is loyal to the triplets.
Caroline collapses in her closet and pulls out her phone calling her uncle. "Uncle Sawyer, where are you?"
Uncle Sawyer groans awake and in a sleepy voice tells his niece. "My material girl, it is the middle of the night in South Korea. What do you want?"
"Oh you're visiting your friends nevermind then. I'll just call uncle Peter."
Sawyer rubs the sleep out of his eyes and sits up in bed bending his knees with his arms over his bent knees. "Excuse me, my material girl. You will do no such thing, besides uncle Peter is probably busy. You might as well tell me I'm already up."
She smiles when she knows saying she was going to call uncle Peter instead would get him his attention. "I want to kill Giuseppe and Klaus and that she Demon from hell. Giuseppe is forcing me to marry Klaus. I have no say in the matter. He says a union between us will be good for business. Honestly I would give up every business tie then be married to him after hearing what our lives would be. It sounds like a nightmare, an unhappy miserable nightmare. For the first time in my life I am happy and it seems like everyone wants to ruin. Giuseppe does not approve of Conrad and thinks of him as a bum. Klaus is jealous. Conrad and I are happy and all of this is just ridiculous. I don't understand Uncle Sawyer, why is me being happy so offensive to everyone."
Uncle sawyer can hear the blonde sniffling he knows she is crying a little. "It's not offensive, there's nothing wrong with you finding love. You and Conrad deserve to be happy just like every other couple. It's not fair that you have to go through this. Your father has always been an asshole but since your mother divorced him and married Paxton he has upped his asshole-ness. He is taking it out all on you. I'm leaving tomorrow for Italy. Why don't you and Conrad join me? I want to meet the man who has made my Material girl so happy."
Caroline smiles and wipes a tear from her eye. This is why uncle Sawyer is her comfort person; he always knows the right thing to say. Even over the phone he can get her to cry. When she is around him tears just flow freely. "I would like that but Royalty has an event next week and I have to go as CEO plus it's to celebrate my guys. Plus I have other Royalty obligations. You know you could always come here."
"You know why I don't come to America."
"Yeah but Grandfather has been dead for years. I'm sure I could help you get your inheritance back."
Uncle Sawyer chuckles, switching the conversation to focus on him Caroline really is a girl after his own heart. "Nice try but no."
Xxx
"Ahh Mr. Conrad, it's been a couple days, how are you?"
Conrad smiles at the older woman and her daughter. "I'm fine, how are you?"
Dorota looks the young man over and he's not making eye contact with her and is kinda fidgety. "Are you sure you're fine?"
He nods. "Caroline texted me that today did not go well, is she upstairs?"
"Spa, she's getting a massage."
Xxx
Caroline gets off the massage table wrapping the towel around her she is walking out of the massage room. When she looks up she sees Conrad sitting in the pool lounge. "Hi."
He looks up from his hands and they both smile when they see each other. "Hi."
She sits down next to him and leans her head against his arm as their hands find each other. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine."
"Talk to me." That is the first time Caroline has ever told someone she is seeing to talk to her, and she actually cares about what he has to say. Unlike the guys from her past she never thought of them as her boyfriend, she was not her true self.
Conrad looks down at their hands and over at her. They feel so comfortable with each other. He knows she will have his back no matter what and he will have her back no matter what happens. I'm fine. Does not work on either of them. They can see right through that. He leaves a kiss on her forehead. "I was coming out of Cleveland's apartment building and someone walked by and tried to punch me in the face when I went to go fight him back he hopped in an awaiting limo."
"An awaiting limo?….That asshole, well now I know where he was during my father's announcement." His fingers curl around hers.
She closes her eyes and takes a breath. It's come down to this; she can't believe it's really come to this point. His thumb rubs over her wrist. "How would you feel if I hired protection for us? A bodyguard who would protect us if Giuseppe ever tried anything, she demon from hell, and if Klaus ever tries to attack you again. We would be protected."
He looks down at their hands and then up at her face and he can see the pain in her face. He hates seeing that. Even though Klaus missed what I'd the next time he didn't miss. He's never been in a situation where he needed to be protected. He nods.
"Dorota, where is Damon?"
"He is trying to find Miss Aimee to quiet her book."
Xxx
"I learned something about you yesterday." Last night he had planned on telling her but when he saw how sad she was he forgot about it completely.
Caroline coming out of her closet she is only in black lingerie with a short silk blood red robe that has black lace trim around the cuffs. " I can explain."
"It's nothing bad, you're Tiffany's ambassador. That's amazing they really know you, thats where Katherine wanted to have lunch and when I went in someone came up to me and asked if you like your necklace and if there was anything that I need come find them." He watches as she moves around her room checking if her make up is smeared from her massage running a makeup brush between her breasts. Brushing out her long blonde hair.
She chuckles as she lays back against him on the chaise lounger in the sitting area of her bedroom. "I've been one since I was fifteen. Before we all went to college, Katherine, Rebekah, myself and our other friend Davina the four of us would go shopping or as we called it diamond shopping. How did your lunch with Katherine go?" She is surprised Katherine actually went through with the lunch. She knows Katherine and once she makes her mind up there is no changing her mind so her giving Conrad a chance after being so cautious of him makes Caroline happy.
"It was awkward, at first they kept asking if I was comfortable at Tiffany's, if I felt the need to run. Enzo was there too and they just kept asking questions about our relationship and if I was going to hurt you. I get they are protective of you but why does everyone think we are going to hurt each other?
Caroline swallows and is glad he can't see her face. She looks over at the French doors going out to the terrace. "Um… I haven't had the best luck with guys in the past. My longest relationship was with this guy named Chadwick and we dated on and off from when we were twelve to seventeen. The longest time we were off was almost a year and half, during one of those off times I started dating Klaus and well you can see how that went. After Klaus I was just sleeping with two guys. I was only physical with one, the other was holding it over my head and the only way to get out of that was to sleep with him. Chadwick and I got back together only to piss off Giuseppe who still to this day hates him. Out of those four guys one of them betrayed me, one tried to force himself on me repeatedly. I have a restraining order against him. And the other two are still friends of mine, oh yeah and another guy who I was on a date with and during the date he ran from me."
Conrad wraps his arms around her from behind. Seriously this woman every time she reveals something about her past it breaks his heart. He does not understand why people can't see what he sees in her. He does not see a bitch or a horrible person. He sees a beautiful woman who just wants love and wants someone to care for her for a change instead of her taking care of everyone. She is amazing and he can't believe she wants to be with him.
"I broke up with my first girlfriend Aubrey when I found out my mom's cancer had come back, then during that summer I was leading this girl named Nicole on we slept together a couple times. Then Belly and we are still friends."
Xxx
"Dorota, where is Caroline?"
Dorota glances over at the black haired 21 one year old coming into the mansion she was signing for the flower delivery. "Miss Caroline and Mr. Conrad have retired to her floor for the night."
Damon crooks his head to the side and watches as bouquets of all different colors and flowers are being carried into his home and into the breakfast room. "Retire for the night? I think your countess is showing… What do you think of them? I've never seen Caroline this happy."
"Me either I am so happy for her but worried the pressure your father is holding over them and mr. Klaus is not going to stop. He already tried to resort to violence. Poor mr. Conrad luckily mr. Klaus missed."
Damon follows the older polish lady Into the breakfast room. "I'm stuck in the middle, she's my sister, he's one of my best friends. I was always against their relationship."
Dorota is putting the bouquets in vases that will be dispersed all over the mansion and in every bedroom. "I know but Mr. Damon you could help." When Damon raises an eyebrow Dorota continues. "You could take some responsibilities off Miss Caroline. With her schedule cleared up she could spend more time with mr. Conrad and be happy."
Damon slouched into one of the chairs and his fingers start tracing one of the leaves on a stem Dorota's daughter makes cooing sounds and reaches out for the leaves. "Your baby is making noises?"
Dorota side eyes him. "Mr. Damon." As she brings one of Damon's fingers up to Ana so she can play with it while Dorota starts organizing the flowers.
"Do you remember the last time I tried to do all of Caroline's responsibilities? The staff went on strike and would not listen to negotiations and left. Plus I had no idea where Caroline was. I only lasted half the day before I was taken out of the penthouse before I had a mental breakdown."
Dorota remembers that day her and Bill were the only staff members that didn't leave when they all walked out. It was also payday and their paychecks were a couple hours late that day and that's why the staff was mad. "Mr. Damon, Miss Caroline has always been there for you and whatever woman you're sleeping with that day."
Damon lays his head on the table and groans. Ana squeezes his finger and laughs. Even though he is protective of his sister and the oldest he's never been the responsible leader of the triplets that was Caroline. It's time for him to help her. He's worried he'll mess it up and she will have to fix it. He is already having trouble trying to get the new slanderous book about his family canceled. How is he going to handle getting his father to cancel his sisters upcoming forced nuptials to someone she detests. "Fine I will try no promises."
Damon pulls his finger back and Ana starts to cry but Dorota soothes her. Dorota puts a hand on his arm. "I'm always here mr. Damon if you need something or someone."
He smiles at her. "Thank you Dorota but I can't ask you to seduce my father. I do however know someone who is more than willing and would love nothing more than seducing a Salvatore male."
As he leaves Dorota is finishing up the flowers. " I'll take these up to Caroline's floor." He has a smirk on his face as he says it.
"Mr. Damon, do not disturb them!"
Damon goes upstairs taking the stairs and when he gets up to his sister's floor he places the flowers on the table across from the elevator. He notices his sister and Conrad laying on a chaise lounge; she is leaning against him, her fingers tracing the line of his hand. He overhears their conversation and it makes him stop. "My life has always been filled with drama, and when I went to Stanford the drama went away, Giuseppe didn't talk to me he was mad about Royalty and that I did not get into an ivy like Stefan. When I came back to the city, the drama was waiting for me. I was so done but then I met you and you are a bright light of sunshine. I can put up with the drama knowing that later I get to spend time with you. Whether its just talking or sex or you just being there for me. I've never been this happy in my life thank you."
He leaves a kiss on her shoulder then up her neck and tells her. "You make me happy too." She smiles at the touch of his lips on her neck as she turns around and cups his cheek and their lips find each other.
Xxx
Damon goes to his room and pulls his phone out calling a number he hasn't thought of ever but hasn't needed since high school.
The phone rings and then he hears her voice. "Well if this isn't a blast from the past. What do you want?"
"How fast can you get back to the city? I have a plan and need your help."
He hears her take a deep breath then ask. "Who am I seducing?"
He chuckles he knew he made the right decision. "The ultimate rich elite my father, so what do you say?"
"You had me at Salvatore and need my help. See you at Christmas, save me a seat next to Caroline. She will be so excited to see me."
Before he can say anything she hangs up. Christmas it's Halloween and she is not going to be here for almost two months.
Xxx
Later that night Damon searches all over the mansion and finally finds his sister and Conrad in the screening room they are on the big red fluffy couch snuggling and talking their bodies are entwined. A Halloween movie in the background but neither of them are paying attention. The furniture was custom made for this room and the red furniture matches the red walls. They also have the fire play which is under the flat screen on.
"Are you going to Enzo's Halloween bash?" Damon himself is dressed up as a sexy cowboy he has chaps and a cowboy hat on.
"I think we're going to stay here you remember the last time we went to Enzo's club?" She glances up at Conrad. "Unless you want to go? We could go as an old Hollywood couple or saints and sinners. I still have my sinner outfit."
He raises an eyebrow and she winks at him. He remembers the last time they went to that club and it did not end well for anyone he's been grazing his finger over her thigh. "Let's stay in. Since it's Halloween, what do you say Cinderella, let's have a happy ending." He kisses her shoulder.
Both of them chuckle as Caroline says. " With you Prince Charming anytime."
They share a smile and Conrad kisses her neck before he rolls onto his back bringing Caroline onto his waist so she is straddling him. She leans down and kisses him on the lips, as his hands move up to the tie of her blood red robe. Caroline glances over her shoulder and tells her brother. "Give Enzo my best and can you shut the door on your way out."
Damon groans as he turns to leave the two lovers to their happy ending so glad that even though he is not going to be home tonight that the screening room is soundproof.
As soon as the doors close Caroline's robe is on the floor. You're a little overdressed, let me help." Her Halloween manicured nails slide under his white tee shirt and slides it up his body ever so slowly. She can feel his body react to her touching him. His sweatshirt and tee shirt join her robe. Before she can start on his jeans he flips them. His lips moving from her lips down her neck. Her fingers go to his hair as they make their way down her body.
Xxx
California:
The sounds of swords clashing together echoes throughout the room. A guy jumps as his partner tries to take his legs out. His two swords crossover hers and she shoves them off. They smile at each other. They've done this countless times and know the other's movements like the back of their hand.
One of their phones rings and she glances over at it and that distraction he uses he draws one of the swords and brings it to her neck. "And dead."
"Again?"
He nods and as their swords clash she bends down on one leg as her other leg swipes his and he lands on his back her sword on his chest. "And dead."
She puts her hand out and he takes it, his thumb moving over her wrist as they look into each other's eyes. "I taught you well."
"That was from my dancer days."
He rolls his eyes. As she picks her phone up she sees that she has a voicemail. She glances back at her partner who is getting a drink. "Riv we just got a job."
Riven comes over to her and looks down at her; they both have a layer of sweat on them. "Where are we going?"
Musa looks up at him. "New York City."