Chapter 32
Hayley stepped down the car and looked at the lively club before her. It seems the Mikaelsons had decided to make this re-opening as flashy as they could, as if daring their enemies to come.
Aiden closed the automobile door behind her and came to stand at her side. Her friend, driver and bodyguard wasn't particularly happy coming here.
"It's like voluntarily entering the wolf's den." He grumbled apprehensively as he looked ahead too.
"It's a club, and we were invited. Besides, if the Mikaelson's try to take a bite out of me, then I'll show them I have claws too."
Aiden smiled at the glint in her eyes. Pray for the fool who underestimated Hayley Kenner.
As they entered the scene was as lively as it promised on the outside. Hayley thought they did well to restore the place in such a short time. Although she'd never been before, but you'd never know a fire had ravaged the Mystic seeing it now. Music was playing, people were laughing, dancing, drinking. It was a den of sins and sinners disguised as paradise.
She made her way to the bar and ordered a drink. It wasn't long before Elijah Mikaelson appeared before her, most likely having watched out for her arrival. She wasn't here for pleasure after all.
"Lady Kenner." He kissed her hand in greeting.
"Hayley." She reflexively said. She'd never liked being called by her title.
"Hayley, you look lovely." His eyes didn't leave hers as he spoke. Desire stirred in her, squashing it before it became evident she broke their locked gaze, looking around.
"Nice party. And where is your brother ? I believe I was invited here to meet him."
"Of course. Follow me." Elijah held his arm out for her.
Before taking it, she turned to Aiden who was watching the Mikaelson was ill-disguised suspicions.
"Stay here..."
"Maybe I should follow." Aiden cut her off.
She gave him a look.
"Stay here and try to enjoy yourself." She gave him a small grin at the end. Then she turned and took Elija's arm.
Aiden turned to the bar and found himself a seat.
"Can I get you a drink ?"
The bartender was around his age, dark haired and tall. Handsome too, thought Aiden.
"A beer please."
The bartender smiled at him a bit shyly.
"You know, even though it's my job, you're the only one I served tonight that said please. I'm Josh." He said, pushing a glass mug of beer toward him across the counter.
"Aiden."
-O-
Elijah led Hayley up to the second floor filled with booths looking down on the dancing floor and stage, as well as a part of the bar.
They walked up to a booth occupied by only one man, even as it could seat six people. As Elijah and she approched, he only observed her with his piercing blue eyes. So this was Klaus Mikaelson.
"Klaus, this is Hayley Marshall Kenner, Lady of the Kenner Estate." Elijah introduced her.
"Please do sit down." The man smiled charmingly.
She didn't bother with manners and plopped herself on one side of the booth, Elijah going to sit on the opposite side. She tried not to miss his warm presence at her side.
"You're Klaus." She looked at him directly.
"My reputation preceed me. Hopefully not all bad." He continued to smirk.
"Oh, a little bad." She replied tac-to-tac.
Klaus didn't say anything for a moment, just observing her. She wasn't going to let the mob boss intimidate her, and didn't react, taking a sip of her drink instead.
"So, I'm told you wish to form an alliance with us."
"It would be to both our benefit. You get what you want, being top dog in Chicago. I get what I want, the De Martel demise." Hayley boldly stated.
"Some would say, the Mikaelsons already are the top in Chicago." He raised an eyebrow, deceptively calm. But she felt the dangerous thread beneath.
"But with how many enemies snapping at your heels ?"
Klaus took a gulp of his bourbon, looked at Elijah, who for all that his face didn't change seemed to be having a silent conversation with his brother, before turning back to her.
"It would be a pleasure to work with you Lady Kenner."
She released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Although it was a double-edged sword, having the Mikaelsons on her side would make things a lot easier.
"I'm sure, Elijah and you can arrange to speak more about the details of our cooperation later." Klaus slide a teasing glance at his older brother as he said that. "But tonight is for celebrating. And if you'll excuse me, I have a toast to make." Elijah stood and Klaus got out of the booth, going to stand at the balustrade, Elijah at his side.
Elijah gave a nod back to Hayley, as she looked on curiously, and she settled back in the booth.
Klaus caught the eyes of Caroline, who was at the bar and she smiled going to the stage, in turn making a signal to the musicians. When the song ended, another one didn't start up immediately, confusing people.
Near the bar, Klaus could see Rebekah frowning, unsure what was going on. Marcel, standing at her back seemed to catch on more quickly as his eyes went up to the booth and found him. Klaus smirked and raised his glass. Marcel whispered to Rebekah and her blue eyes, same as his, flickered up to him.
"I'd like to take this opportunity, to take your attention to two people." By then the whole room was silent and paying attention to Klaus's speech. "So, to my loving sister Rebekah, and my right hand man and best friend Marcel, may they find joy in each other. Enough talk, music ! Tonight we celebrate the Mystic rising from the ashes !" He raised his glass and took a long sip as the people raised their glasses, applauded and whistled for an instant.
Klaus could see Rebekah, looking at him with a watery smile before she turned to embrace Marcel. His friend looked surprised, but still nodded at him, afterward turning is whole attention to the blond girl in his arms.
His gaze sought out the rest of his family. Elijah was sliding back in the booth to engage his Lady in conversation. Klaus wasn't blind to the interest Elijah had for the woman, no matter how short he'd seen them together. Downstairs, Freya was sitting at the bar, gaze on Rebekah, smiling at the happiness radiating from her. Henrik had made a fuss about coming tonight, but Freya had put her foot down, their little brother had been unhappy at being left at home, but Keelin was there, she'd make sure he wouldn't sneak out. Kol was in the middle of the dancing floor with his wife. Klaus hadn't expected for that union to actually amount to anything, but everyday he could see his wild brother fall more for the pretty gypsy girl, the boy had been under her charm since he first saw her really.
Finally, his gaze went back to the stage, where Caroline now stood before the microphone. Their gaze crossed for a second, then she looked back at the crowd before her.
"This one's for Gloria." She said quietly and then the music started.
I've seen the world
Done it all
Had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant
In Bel Air now
Hot summer nights, mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you'd play with me like a chil
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
I've seen the world, lit it up
As my stage now
Channeling angels in a new age now
Hot summer days, rock n roll
The way you play for me at your show
And all the ways I got to know
Your pretty face and electric soul
Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Dear lord, when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you'll let him in
Father tell me if you can
All that grace, all that body
All that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds
And will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful ?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul ?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
As the song ended, Caroline stepped down the stage, and another song began. She headed to the bar where she'd spotted Bonnie.
Her friend was indeed there, but she had now been joined by Enzo. They turned from their flirting toward her as she neared them.
"Nice voice as always Gorgeous." Enzo winked at her.
"Here." Bonnie passed her a glass of water she'd probably gotten in advance. Caroline smiled gratefully and took a gulp, her eyes sliding over the bar.
Today the staff was there full force, and right now Sylvia and Josh were behind the bar, but they didn't look like they needed her help now. She had been with them earlier, but it seemed it had calmed down now. Gloria had been a social butterfly, on this part Rebekah could easily fill her shoes as she flitted between patrons.
"Come on Love, just one dance ?" Enzo was trying to entice Bonnie to dance with him.
"I'll tell you what, you can have a dance when we go on our date." Bonnie smirked at him.
"It's a promise Gorgeous." He said in a husky voice so low, Caroline nearly didn't hear. Although she was really pretending to ignore their whole bantering. But Bonnie caught her eyes and Caroline couldn't help give her a loaded look, her friend rolled her eyes at it.
"I had a drink and listened to you sing, I think I'll go now."
"Already ?" Caroline frowned.
Bonnie nodded.
"You can walk me back. As long as you keep your hands to yourself." She turned to the dark haired man next to her who only smiled charmingly at her.
Caroline watched them leave before going to the second floor. Klaus was alone in his booth, Elijah and the woman who'd accompanied him tonight having moved to another one.
She slid in and Klaus reached out, pulling her to him, until they were pressed together. He kissed her temple and she leaned on him making herself comfortable.
Thanks for all the favs, alerts and reviews as always!