Chapter 4

The hallway was quiet and awfully cold. The thin material of her work dress did nothing to provide any protection from unkind feeling. Her hands had gone began to go so numb, that they felt as those they might be frozen. Especially, when she held them against her neck. She continued the glide the hand floor brush in a ruff motion against the surface of the flooring. Her stomach had groan multiple times, from its pit of emptiness. Rosita hasn't let Caroline have a scrap of food until she had finished the floors. 'Spoilt Child' is what she called Caroline. Caroline could half believe it, how was she the one being called spoilt. It didn't take Caroline long for her to start truly despising Rosita.

For a long time, the only sound in the hallway was the sound of the bristles scraping against the wood, accompanied by Caroline's shallow breathes. Until there came another, a bang of some sort. At first, Caroline didn't give any real attention to the unexpected sound. Her rational mind assuming it to be simply someone moving furniture or accidentally knocking something over, and of course, it wouldn't be the first time she had heard a startling sound in this place. She was fine with sweeping it under the rug. However, when it came again and, again her curious began to acknowledge.

She could hear roughly where the sound was coming from. She hesitantly got to her feet and silently stood there for several moments, waiting… listening. The thud came again although this time was companied by a short cry. A picture started to form in Caroline's puzzled mind. A woman in distress, because she had fallen off a stool. By the sound and length of the short cry, she wasn't badly hurt. Caroline started to move her feet in a shuffle, slowly edging around the corner. The sound repeated, leading her to one room in particular. She approached the door; she could see that it was slightly opened by a few centimeters. At first, she didn't see anything, and her hand raised to meet the thick wood. She just managed to slowly push it open some more, until two unexpected individuals came into her eyesight. They landed into the wall creating another loud and slightly unpleasant clunk.

Caroline's body stiffed as her brain began to process the new scene in front of her. She was quickly able to identify Klaus. He was pressing, quite harshly, a woman into the wall with his body. Their figures were completely pressed against one another. Klaus was entirely focused on grabbing and touching many intermate parts of this woman's body. In Caroline's mind, the scene appeared quite violent, and naturally, it did occur to Caroline that she should probably leave. However, some part of her was too curious to leave.

Caroline had never been kissed before. She continued to watch Klaus's movement with interest. The women appear to be enjoying it. Slowly Klaus's hand wandered up to her left breast. The laces of her dress were already undone, exposing her smooth skin. Her neck and shoulders were completely bare to Klaus's touch. Klaus gave her breast an intense squeeze. Caroline cringed for the women, thinking of how much that must be hurting her. However, the women strangely smiled against Klaus's lips and let out a sweet moan of encouragement. His fingers moved in which a way that appears as, so he was massaging it. She kept her eyes closed and rolled her head to the side to give him access to her neck. Klaus took the invitation and moved his lips to her collarbone. From there he roughly placed open mouth kisses up her neckline.

Caroline didn't expect Klaus to pull away from the woman and before she knew it his eyes opened and snap towards the door like he suddenly knew he was being watched. She took a sharp breath in and quickly fled from the scene, praying he didn't get a glimpse of who it was, but she knew he did.

The festivity stayed strong for most of the night. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that things finally slowed down. Kol had suspiciously disappeared after their chat. The rest of the Mikaelson's however, seemed to put on a good show. Caroline watched from afar to see Klaus spend most of his night having many attempting to gain his attention and communicate topics to seek his approval. Which frustrating diverged his attention away from her. Although, when she was notified by one of the palace servants, that Klaus would like her presence in his private chambers later, her mood lifted.

A few hours later his lips were against the nape of her neck, tasting her skin eagerly. She leaned her head further back as his kisses grew more insistent. Caroline let out a breathless moan. It felt good to be this close to him. It took him all but five minutes to deliver her a drink and sway her towards the new canapé placed in front of the fire. Feeling the warmth of the fire as a human is much different when feeling it as a vampire. Caroline felt it more intensely. She felt many things more intensely now. He quickly pulled her to him. She had to go months without the consistent routine of their sexual activities and Klaus appeared to be just as, if not more, eager to get things on track again. She could feel his hand glided up over her dress. His finger touched her everywhere. It felt amazing to be touched like that and by him. He was quite experienced, Caroline felt both excited and dreadful whenever her mind thought about that. Of course, it was great to have a man who knows what he's doing. On the other hand, all the women he had been with through his long life, all the women he could compare her too.

"What is the beautiful mind of your debating, love" Klaus looked at her with interest. Caroline realized she must have had a worried look on her face. She quickly replaced it with a smile.

"Nothing"

She leaned over pulled on his shirt for a deep kiss. Moments after their lips touched again, he pulled away. He didn't speak a word as he began to detach himself from her hold. "What's wrong?" She spoke bewilderedly. He only smirked at her and turned away, escaping to the other side of the room. Caroline watched his movements intensely. She watched him receive a small box from his dresser and the feeling of puzzlement disappeared. For she knew instantly what to expect. She smiled softly. He returned to his spot beside her where she was patiently and excitedly waiting. He presented the small box to her and dipped his head in the kiss the back of her ear. The took the box from his hand and removed the ribbon.

Her eyes glistened in awe as she reached inside the box to pull out its contents. What she saw was nothing short of enchanting.

Speechless, she took in the detail of the pendant's design. Klaus had given her gifts before dresses, flowers, treats, but ever something as precious and delicate as this. "It's beautiful".

"Yes," He said, clearly expecting that response as if he had thought the same thing of the gift. He took the box and placed it aside. He then took the necklace from her as well. Making a gesture for her to turn around. She immediately responded and turned around still seated. He lifted the necklace over her head to come to rest on her collar bone. "I had it especially made for you. It's made of pure gold and was made by one of the finest craftsmen in Greece" It felt cold against her warm skin and reasonably heavily. "Thank you," She said politely. She could feel him smile against her skin.

Unfortunately, she couldn't stop at least seventy percent of her brain from constantly thinking about what Kol said. It was like a broken record playing again and again. She couldn't just bring up such a specific topic. Especially since he didn't want her to know anything about what he was doing. That was 'if' she was to believe Kol.

Klaus began to kiss the top of her spine. She could feel her chance to bring up the conversation slipping away as Klaus's movements grew more intense. She could see the next several hours playing out. He would undress her, lead her to the bed and that would be that. She decided to take the subtle approach.

"Rebekah seemed to enjoy herself tonight" An animal-like scoff company a puff of air escaped Klaus's lips.

"Of course, she did. The male population was present." He spoke be between kisses. Klaus reached around to pull on her legs, causing her to turn back towards him.

He tried to kiss her lips however she quickly placed her hand on his chest to prevent it. "Elijah appeared to charm everyone in the room as usual, with his impeccable cadence" She giggled. She presents him with a playful smile, trying to keep the mood between light and 'friendly'. Although the look Klaus gave her appeared to be that frustration and a little confusion. She could see his mind begin to pick up on her approach.

"I think we both know what's under that façade" He considered that to be the end of the conversation. He pulled her closer and began kissing her roughly. His words were true. Caroline had rarely ever seen Elijah lose his composer and most of the time he seemed genuine and perfect, although she would always be afraid of the monster within.

She knew he was beginning to get irritated. But she couldn't let it go. As soon as their lips parted and he began working on her clothing, she made one final attempt. "I ever find myself bored having a conversation with Kol" As soon as the word left her mouth, a funny feeling suddenly corrupted her body. It was like she excepted Klaus to know what she was thinking, even though it was an innocent statement. She was trying to be subtle, but to feel as though she just confessed. Klaus seemed perfectly calm. "He likes to talk a lot" Klaus ignored her and continued with her clothes.

"I mean he certainly has some funny ideas," She said. Finally, he stopped and looked straight at her. "I suppose," He said bluntly. "What's your point love?" His eyes felt like spotlights on her. She could just ask him. Caroline stopped being scared of Klaus years ago, in fact, he often made her feel safe. But there was something about this situation that made her question, merely asking him.

She flashed a flirtatious smile at him. "No point"

It wasn't long until thankfully the day came to an end. Caroline was lying in Klaus's bed. The night was still early. Caroline didn't expect Klaus for several more hours. Which left her sitting in bed, fearing what's to come.

The bed had strangely become her safe haven. Not because it was the safest place she had ever known. But because it had become somewhat familiar to her. No matter what, her day would always begin and end laying in this bed. As a plus, she rarely ever felt Klaus slip in. She was normally asleep by the time he came in and gone by the time she awoke. The only evidence that he had been there was the slight indentation and creased sheets he left on his side of the bed.

She tried to make herself find some sleep, predicting that he would be less likely to vent his anger on her if she wasn't conscious to witness it. Unfortunately, her mind was too active for such relief. She kept trying to piece together what she had seen. She wasn't sure why she was so surprised or suddenly angry. But the thought that she was scrubbing the floors all day, while he was kissing some woman, annoyed her.

Caroline's mother had ever got the chance to talk in detail with her about what sort of 'events' take place between a man and a woman. She had friends of course that were married but Caroline was always too embarrassed to ask questions or admit she had no idea what they were talking about. She had ever even seen a man unclothed before. Klaus had on occasion undressed in front of her, he wasn't the shy type. But as soon as he removed certain bits of clothing she would turn away. Klaus found amassment in this. He would often find pleasure in playing with her 'innocence', as he called it.

So deep in her thought, Caroline was The door groaned opened, Caroline's body and mind fell quiet and still. She heard him cross the floorboard. Caroline laid with her back to the door. She closed her eyes to impersonate sleep. Klaus sounded like he was in a tranquil mood, she could tell just by his footsteps. She kept her eyes softly shut, pretending she was asleep. She just listened to his movements. He didn't directly go straight to the bed. Caroline spent the next pasting minutes silently listen to his movement around the room. She was tempted to open one eye to see him but considered it to be too much of a risk.

Eventually, he lay down beside her, clearly with no fear of waking her up. Caroline felt herself begin to get nervous. She had her back facing him. All of her muscles were as still as stones. "I know you're awake, don't ignore me," He said in a rough voice. She should have known by now that it was useless to pretend. She opened her eyes and patiently waited. "You know love, it's quite rude to spy on people" His voice calm.

She took a moment to think of her next words.

"I wasn't spying" she softy whispered in defense. "I had heard something-"

"- and like the curious little bird, you decided to investigate" He almost immediately cut her off. He sounded annoyed, which wasn't surprising. Caroline quickly learned Klaus can be funny about his privacy.

She took a breath. Despite her better judgment, Caroline decided bravely to attempt to reason with him. "I heard a cry and I thought someone might be hurt. I didn't want to just leave them there. So, I followed the sound. I wasn't intending to find you or spy on you. I wasn't there for very long." She whispered, then gently adding. "I was just curious" She was too sure why she felt the need to add that last bit.

Silence.

"I see" That was all he said.

Silence.

There was this feeling of anticipation in the air. Like even though they weren't talking, they were still saying a lot.

"What exactly were you curious about?" His tone was a lot smoother now. Had that exclamation actually satisfied him?

She hesitated. She didn't want to answer that question. It felt too personal. But there was also a part of her that saw this as a chance to ask all the questions that she always want to ask. Eventually, she arrived at her question. There was something about today that was pressing on her mind. She realized it was why she had stayed awake. But she wasn't sure if she would have the courage to ask Klaus. The silences stretch as she was deep in thought. 'Go on, ask' She wasn't sure if Klaus had just said that or her brain. Either way, she soon worked up the nerve to ask. "Was she in pain?"

Klaus was quiet for so long she thought he might have fallen asleep. Therefore, his voice moments later surprised her. "Why would you think that?"

Caroline thought back to the scene from earlier. "She was crying" She felt Klaus move next to her.

From the sound of his voice, he must of moved to face her back. "I suppose in your mind she would sound like she was crying because you don't know any different" Caroline wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean. She listened to him quietly "But I wouldn't worry, she was in no pain. Think of it as for enjoyment… pleasure"

"yours or her?" she sarcastically snapped. He let out a puff of air in laughter.

"I assure you, love. She would have enjoyed herself as such as I did" His tone playful.

She moved to look over her shoulder at him. It was dark and therefore hard to properly see him. "Somehow I find that hard to believe." She replied in a startling tone that was almost as playful as his. He beamed back at her with a wicked smirk. She waited until she turned away before fully letting a smile upon her face.

There was a final moment of silence between them, except this one was comfortable. During that silent moment, Caroline drew up another question. One she had been wanting to ask for a while now, and once again looked over her shoulder at him. "Why haven't you touch me?"

She could see the smirk slip slowly from his face. He looked away from her. "I have my reasons" He once again began to sound annoyed. Her eyes stayed glued on him for a bit longer, although eventually she turned her head back around and closed her eyes.