Hey all, so I am finally back with an update and I seem to have been able to get rid of my writer's block because of those Jodice pics that Julie Plec posted. Also, I hope this is alright because I have been a bit out of practice lately. Please enjoy this chapter if that is possible.
Klaus's gallery opening came around far too quickly. He stood by the door with a smile on his lips though that smile wasn't one that reached his stormy blue-gray eyes... He tried to look at ease, he really did, but he starting to realize that it was difficult.
After all, who would have thought that a grade- A douchebag and college football captain would turn into some gallery owner? He definitely never thought it would happen, but there he stood.
Klaus realized that before he knew of Caroline Forbes, his life was going splendidly in all his jerkish glory. However, he also understood that because of her he became a better man.
He was brought out of his reverie when he heard the blonde's laugh. His attention immediately snapped to her and a large smile graced his lips, this time a smile that reached his eyes.
Caroline was laughing with ease and wore a peach colored dress with a flare skirt. Her hair was in a low bun and as she laughed, so did her eyes.
His attention then moved to a man that stood beside her and held her hand.
Aiden, he realized. Klaus knew that Caroline was going to bring her new boyfriend, but he didn't think it would hurt so bad watching her with him.
Wincing, he looked away from the pair and gave himself a small pep talk. He was happy for Caroline, of course he was. After all, this was the first time in five years that she was dating and he couldn't be more excited for her. She looked genuinely happy and Aiden didn't seem like a bad sort either. However, there was something Klaus was unable to put his finger on about the other man…
"Klaus!" Caroline cried out excitedly as she ran over to him and gave him a hug and kiss.
"You look beautiful, Care." Klaus told her as they pulled away from each other.
"Thank you," she said as she gave him a slight curtsy as a giggle escaped her lips.
"You're welcome, sweetheart." He nodded. "And Aiden, it's nice to see you again."
"Likewise," Aiden responded.
When the other man said nothing else, Klaus pointed them in the direction of the opposite wall and off they went.
After their arrival, people began entering and making their way around the gallery.
There were waitresses and waiters making rounds with trays of champagne, juice, finger foods, and mini pastries. People were communicating with one another and seemed to be having a good time. However, Klaus was unable to relax and go with the flow no matter how hard he tried…
"Klaus!" Caroline said as she came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.
The Brit turned and noticed that Aiden wasn't by her side and smiled to himself.
"You look nervous and I'm pretty sure the people here can feel that. You need to relax a bit, Nik. Come on, you can do it!"
"I'm trying, but I really can't." He told her. "It's the night of the gallery opening and though there are people here, I can't help but feel like something is missing."
"What could possibly be missing? I know that you wanted your siblings here, but they're busy. You have me, Klaud. Always remember that I'll be by your side no matter what."
"Five years ago I never would have thought that I would hear this from you, love. You forgave me for being the jackass that I was and to this day, you continue to forgive me."
"That's what best friends are for." Caroline responded as she smiled at him before putting her hand through his arm.
She dragged him around the room and made conversation with the guests. The guests spoke to Klaus about his work and what it was that inspired him and he answered their questions steadily.
When they finally stopped to take a little break, the blonde reached out for two glasses of wine and handed him one.
As they both took sips from the glasses, Klaus looked around the gallery and noticed that Aiden wasn't amongst the guests there.
"Where did Aiden go?" He questioned, the curiosity evident in his voice.
"Aiden had some business that he had to attend to. Whatever, now I can spend the remainder of the evening with you." Caroline announced as a large smile appeared on her lips. "By the way, though I love all this fancy food and whatnot, I'm in the mood for a double cheeseburger and fries. Oh and onion rings." She told him as she licked her lips.
"As soon as we're done here, we'll go to the diner by the apartment. There we can eat to our heart's content." Klaus announced.
Caroline clapped her hands together and gave him a kiss on the cheek before she excused herself and went off to the powder room.
"Your art is really very beautiful." A feminine voice said at his side.
Turning in that direction, he smiled at the elderly woman and thanked her for her kind words.
Just as he was going to excuse himself, the woman spoke up again.
"I couldn't help but notice that lovely girl you were just standing with. She really is a ball of sunshine and I have to ask to satisfy my curiosity. Are you two together?" She asked as she watched him with interest in her clear green eyes.
Taken aback by the elderly woman's forward question, Klaus didn't respond for some time. However, when he finally found his tongue, he spoke.
"We are not," he admitted as a sad sigh escaped his lips. "She's my best friend and currently taken. To be honest, I don't think she'll ever see me as more than a friend." Klaus told the woman though he didn't even know her.
"Nonsense," the woman said. "I see the way she looks at you and supports you. She may not know it yet, but she loves you as much as you love her. And when I say love, I mean in love." She clarified as she placed her hand on his arm.
"Do you really think so?" He questioned as he felt his heart begin to soar.
"I do," the woman assured. "Take my advice, my boy. Do not stand idly by and let the time pass you by. In a blink of an eye, you'll be old and gray and without her. Do not let her go while you are young and work towards the relationship that you want to share with her."
"I don't know," he sighed and at that moment, he realized that he had become a lovesick fool with absolutely no confidence. It was like a sucker punch, he thought. How could this happen? One day he was a star athlete that had a group of girls willing to do whatever he wished and now he was a man without confidence that was letting the woman that he loved go. He had to do something about this, he noted. Though he never wanted to get back to being the man he once was, he had to find the confidence that he used to have again. That didn't mean that he would go back to his old ways, of course… All that meant was that it was time to man up…
With those thoughts, he thanked the woman for her words of wisdom before he excused himself. He decided to get some fresh air. Only God knew how badly he needed it.
When Caroline returned from the powder room, she searched for Klaus's familiar face and when she didn't see him, she wondered where it is that he had gone.
Biting down on her bottom lip, she made her way around the gallery.
With a sigh, she walked over to the bench and took a seat there.
"You're looking for him, aren't you?" A woman questioned as she sat down beside her.
"Excuse me?" Caroline asked, the confusion evident in her voice.
"The young man you were standing with a couple of minutes ago." She announced. "The owner of this gallery."
"Oh, I yes I am." Caroline nodded. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to come off as rude, but you caught me by surprise with your question. I didn't know anybody was watching us." The blonde confessed as a blush stole over her cheeks.
Laughing, the elderly woman patted Caroline on the hand before she looked over the different paintings that were hung up.
"Your boyfriend is very talented, you know… He's young, but his art shows his soul's maturity."
"M- my boyfriend? Oh, um… We aren't together, ma'am. We're simply the best of friends." She assured, shifting from one side to the other uncomfortably.
"Oh my!" She cried out. "Please forgive me for my mistake. I thought you were together because of the way you were looking at one another. I could have sworn those looks were filled with love."
"Love? I beg your pardon, ma'am, but Klaus and I do not see each other in that way."
"Are you certain?" She wondered as she placed her index finger under her chin. "I could have sworn there was some romantic feelings between you. Forgive me, darling. It seems in my old age, I don't see things as clearly." The woman shrugged before she stood up and bid the blonde goodbye.
When Caroline was left alone, she put her face in her hands and couldn't help but wonder if the woman was right.
Was she in love with Klaus? Was he in love with her? Did they see each other as siblings?
As these questions ran through her brain, Klaus walked back and approached her.
"You okay?" He wondered, the worry evident in his voice.
"I- uh, fine." She answered before she stood up quickly. "You know what, I think I'll just head home.
I'm exhausted," she told him.
"What? I thought you were going to spend the evening with me and then later we were gonna go to the diner. What happened? Is it Aiden? Does he not like you spending time with me or something?"
"It's none of that. I'm just… I'm tired," she finished lamely, not sure what else she could tell him. After all, she didn't want him getting suspicious or anything.
"Oh," he said, sounding upset. "Alright, go. I'll see you when I get to our ho- the apartment." He quickly finished.
Nodding, Caroline walked away and made her way out the door. As soon as she left, his good mood seemed to dissipate and he just wanted the night to be over.
This was supposed to be his night because of such an accomplishment, but instead it was turning into a bloody mess. He should have just opened the gallery without having a grand opening party.
As he sat down, he sighed heavily and didn't hear the footsteps approaching him.
"Never mind," he heard Caroline say. "This is your night and I intend to be apart of every minute of it.I am tired, but that's okay. Your happiness is important to me." Caroline told him as she sat down beside him and put her arm around him.
"Love you, Care Bear." Klaus said, unable to help himself. Thankfully, he knew she wouldn't take it in the romantic sense and that was what calmed him down. Nevertheless, he realized that the elderly woman had a point. He couldn't just stand by and watch the love of his life leave him for another man when the time came. Though Aiden was a good sort, probably a better man than Klaus himself, he wouldn't give up. After all, didn't people that loved one another take each other as they were?
Though he sounded like a lovesick fool, he couldn't gather enough willpower to care. Five years ago he was a shell of a man that preyed on the innocent. He preyed on Caroline because of some stupid competition his frat brothers and he decided upon. Also, he treated the girls as though they were nothing but tools for his sexual appetites, but that was not him anymore. No, he was a changed man. And this changed man was the person that he wanted to be. However, he decided he wanted Caroline and he would have her. He hoped… No, he would have her!
There you have it, y'all. So, Caroline had a bit of a panic attack after what the elderly woman spoke to her about, but she was able to snap out of it rather quickly. Though I am not sure if this chapter was alright, I do hope it was.
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~Hana :p
