Hey guys! Thank you so much for the great feedback on chapter 2! I was worried you guys would come after me with pitchforks after the Forwood engagement. I'm glad you all liked Klaus' reasoning for being the bonehead that he has been towards her. Silly Klaus!
This chapter is pretty Klaroline heavy and it really starts to kick their future interactions in gear. My beta told me she got a lot of feels while reading it, so I hope that means you guys will like it :)
Cover by Erika, beta'd by Gail.
See ya at the bottom!
Caroline sighed, checking her phone for what felt like the ten-thousandth time. She was sitting in a swanky hotel restaurant's bar, waiting for Tyler to show up for their usual Thursday night date. He was uncharacteristically late again, probably still working. He'd been somewhat tardy for the last couple of weeks, but he always chalked it up to working on this huge case that the Lockwood firm had going to trial within the next few weeks. He had told her a little about it, something to do with a divorce that included the wife cheating on her rich husband with his poor brother, and voiding the prenuptial agreement. The wife was apparently unstable, having emotional outbursts and continuing to try to seduce her own husband while also stringing along the brother.
The case ended up being a bigger deal that it was supposed to, according to Tyler, so now he was stuck working a lot of late nights with his fellow colleagues and their client.
However, his lack of punctuality had seemed to interfere with his basic common courtesy when it came to letting his fiancée know that he was going to be late.
Tracing the rim of her wine glass, Caroline propped her cheek up against her fist as she glared at her empty notifications screen. She'd been waiting for about 15 minutes, and was already on her second glass of wine. Work had been very stressful that day, working on the newest opinion article whilst also starting research on Klaus.
She still had a lot of hesitations about writing such a piece, but with the future of the Herald riding on something big like the Mikaelson expose, it was a sacrifice she was willing to take. The article could be her big break into freelancing, or move her out of the Opinion section and into something more hard-hitting than toilet paper protests.
Long shot, but still possible.
Other than worrying about her reputation as a future reporter, Caroline was also uneasy about how Klaus would retaliate if they really did uncover something big. She couldn't stand the smug journalist, but this article was going to be deeply personal. She heard that his father, Mikael, had quite the temper and if Klaus was anything like him, so would he.
Checking her phone again, she shot a quick text to Tyler yet again asking if he was on his way. Her phone buzzed back almost immediately to her surprise, her heart sinking a little when she noticed that it was a message from Katherine.
I checked out some of the other Mikaelson siblings. Finn and Elijah are the two oldest and seem to be as squeaky clean and boring as your fiancé. God, does anybody in this town have fun anymore?
-Kat
Caroline rolled her eyes in response. Katherine liked Tyler pretty well, but she didn't hide her feelings on how straight-laced and lackluster she found him.
Not all of us still like going to clubs like we're still 22, Kat. Did you check out his parents yet?
-Care
Katherine's response was fast.
Please, you love girls weekends at the club. We're 26, not grandmothers. And I checked out Esther. Not much is known about her, other than the fact that she's been a stay at home mother ever since her oldest was born. Typical trophy wife, 6 kids, big mansion.
-Kat
Caroline giggled at Katherine's grandmother comment. At least once a month, she and Katherine would have a self proclaimed girls weekend, starting at the club on Friday and Saturday nights, ending at the spa on Sunday nursing hangovers and getting massages.
Big mansion full of secrets?
-Care
Quite possibly. If there was only one way to get in there...perhaps some minor flirtation on your end? For the article, of course...
;)
-Kat
Wrinkling her nose at her message, Caroline typed out a quick response. Even though Caroline was going to write the article, Katherine volunteered to help her do some of the dirty work. The file that Jenna had put together was still sitting untouched on her desk, almost like she didn't want to open that can of worms.
If you're suggesting that I do something drastic, something like asking to see Klaus' childhood bedroom or something like that, we are not 15 anymore, Kat. Plus, I might catch something disgusting.
-Care
It's a house, not a bar.
-Kat
If it is anywhere Klaus Mikaelson has lived or touched, I wouldn't be so sure. Besides, I'm engaged and that's just awkward. How would I even go about trying to get into that house? You're the single one.
-Care
I swear, one of these days Klaus and you will take care of that sexual tension between you two. Because, honestly, you need to get laid by someone more exciting than Tyler. Like, either get each other off, or get off each other's cases.
-Kat
Caroline nearly choked on her sip of wine. Grimacing at her phone, she quickly tapped out a response to Katherine. She loved her, but the Team Klaus attitude was staring to wear thin.
Warn a girl before you go off spouting something crazy like that. In case you forgot my news yesterday? I'M ENGAGED. TO TYLER. THE GUY I'VE BEEN WITH FOR FIVE YEARS. Since when are you on Team Klaus? I'm almost offended that you would suggest me doing something other than kicking him in the proverbial and actual balls.
-Care
The bartender placed her third glass of wine in front of her and Caroline smiled in thanks. She took a quick sip, blinking at how lightheaded she was starting to feel. The wine mixed in with the lack of food and Katherine's sudden Klaus suggestion was starting to make her brain spin.
Her phone vibrated with Katherine's response, and she shook her head, as if she could shake the wine consumption out of her head.
I'm just saying. He's hot. You're hot. Obviously, there is a bunch of tension there and every girl needs the last fling before the ring. He's such a player anyways that he would never talk about it afterwards. And he's rich.
-Kat
Pursing her lips together, she lifted her eyes to the ceiling in annoyance. Noting it was Thursday night, which meant "Thirsty Thursday" for Katherine, a tradition she invented back in college and had yet to stop celebrating them. It was way past time for her to start drinking, so she wouldn't put it past her to already be slightly tipsy.
Are you drunk already?
-Care
Little bit
-Kat
She giggled at her phone as she rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Katherine always lost what little filter she had when she started drinking.
"Something funny?"
Caroline immediately stopped laughing as she heard the familiar, annoying, yet charismatic British lilt. She turned around slowly in her bar stool, glaring at the familiar smirk plastered across Klaus' face.
"Other than your lack of social life? No," Caroline smiled tightly at him.
Klaus placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. "You wound me, love."
"It's Caroline. And did I wound you enough to get you to leave? Because you should."
Klaus grinned imperviously in response before gesturing at the empty bar stool next to her. "Mind if I join?"
"Yes, I do actually. So please-"
Klaus ignored her and slid onto the bar stool. "Completely disregard everything I said," Caroline glared at him. She gripped her wine glass tightly in her hand and took a sip through pursed lips.
Klaus motioned to the bartender. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"I'd rather die of thirst, but thanks," Caroline responded with a fake saccharine smile. He chuckled at her obvious disgust and ordered a scotch on the rocks and another glass of wine for her. Glowering at him, she glanced over Klaus' shoulder to check for Tyler again, her shoulders drooping when the man was nowhere in sight.
Klaus turned to face her on his bar stool, smiling slightly at her annoyed expression.
"Looking for someone?"
Caroline scoffed, taking a gulp out of her new wine glass. "Yes, actually. My fiancée."
Klaus narrowed his eyes at her in confusion, realization dawning on his features as he focused on her left hand. He picked up her hand, and Caroline tried to ignore how warm and rough his hands felt against her smooth skin. She yanked her hand away immediately, chalking up the way her head got all fuzzy from his touch to alcohol consumption.
"Ah, you have a new accessory. Pray tell, who is the lucky man?" Klaus asked, taking a huge sip of his scotch.
"Tyler Lockwood."
Klaus' eyes hardened at his name and a scowl crawled across his face. "You're marrying that git?"
Caroline gasped indignantly and narrowed her eyes at him.
"That git? If you mean the love of my life, Tyler, then yes I am marrying him," she bit out, flipping her blonde curls over her shoulder.
Klaus rolled his eyes and drained the rest of his drink, motioning for another to the bartender.
"How do you even know him?" Caroline asked, waving off the bartender when he asked if she wanted another drink.
Klaus shrugged. "His family's firm represents my family's company, remember? I've ran into him quite a few times. Got to say, love, I had you pegged as someone who wanted a little bit of fire and spark in your bedroom."
Caroline gasped incredulously in shock, her cheeks tingeing pink in the process.
"How dare you make assumptions about my sex life. Not that it's any of your business, but Tyler and I have plenty of fire and spark in our-" she sputtered, him grinning at her defiant expression.
"Shut up," she muttered. "I'm drunk."
"It's very endearing sweetheart," he remarked. "More endearing that your fiancé, or so I've heard."
She rolled her eyes, propping her chin up with her arm on the bar. "Very mature. Why do you care who I'm marrying anyways?"
Klaus didn't say anything in response, electing to take a sip of his refreshed drink. She whirled back around to the bar, eying her fresh glass of wine.
"Shall we change the subject then?" Klaus mused. "Or perhaps get you some food?"
Caroline rolled her eyes and waved her hand flippantly.
"Or you could just leave," she muttered darkly, swaying a little on her stool.
"Now why would I do that? I'm having too much fun learning about the spark and fire of-shit," Klaus hissed as she elbowed him sharply in the ribs.
"Touchy are we?"
Caroline ignored him, checking her phone to see if Tyler had texted her back. Groaning in annoyance, she tossed her phone on the bar and propped her head up by both of her fists. She sighed and looked at Klaus who was watching her amusedly as he sipped from his drink.
Obviously leaving her alone wasn't part of his agenda.
"So what do you want to talk about?" she sighed, forfeiting defeat.
"I want to talk about you," Klaus said, smirking at her. "Your hopes, your dreams, everything you want in life."
Caroline snorted. "Does that line work on all the girls?"
"I don't know, you tell me." Klaus shrugged with a teasing smile. Caroline met his amused gaze and smiled in spite of herself.
Maybe it was the alcohol speaking, but damn he looked rather attractive right now. His eyes were sparkling with amusement, his hair perfectly mussed, and his raspberry lips were arranged in a pouty smirk.
Clearly, she had lost her mind.
"Nice try but my panties are staying on," she joked, his grin widening at her playful tone.
"For now," he cut in and Caroline laughed.
"Wow, you have quite the ego." She raised her eyebrows and Klaus pursed his lips in thought. Caroline's eyes slid down to his mouth, wondering how his lips would feel if she touched them.
She really needed to stop drinking.
"I'm only stating the facts. It's only a matter of time before we, you know."
And he's right back to being the egotistical ass that she knows and loathes.
Caroline rolled her eyes, turning to face the bar. "You know this was nice and all, but I'm rather busy tonight, Klaus."
Klaus narrowed his eyes at her. "Because sitting by yourself and drinking almost four glasses of wine really screams 'rush hour busy.'"
"Tyler is just running a little late," Caroline protested and he scoffed.
"I've been sitting here for almost fifteen minutes, sweetheart, and you were already on your third glass."
Caroline huffed and whirled across to face him. She didn't know if it was the alcohol seeping into her brain or years and years of annoyance of Klaus but if she didn't get this out, she was going to explode.
"You know what, Klaus? It's really none of your business how I choose to spend my time or who with. Yeah, Tyler is a little late but what's the big deal? Unlike you, he's worth waiting for."
Klaus' eyes had widened at her outburst. The shock oozed of his face, his blue orbs fixated on her with a glare, the expression growing darker in anger as she continued to rant on.
"Unlike you, I'm not going to be alone for the rest of my life."
"I'm not-" he tried to cut in and Caroline cut him off with the wave of her hand.
"Oh, shut up, Klaus. You see that blonde over there?" Caroline motioned behind him, Klaus' icy expression snapping to the side.
"In approximately five minutes, you're going to walk over to her, buy her a drink, tell her the line you used on me, and she'll be yours for the night. Tomorrow? Same process, except with a brunette or redhead. That's how you operate, Klaus: lather, rinse, repeat."
Caroline finished, panting slightly. Klaus stared at her coolly, the glare on his face sending shivers down her spine. If looks could kill, she'd be dead and buried.
"Seems like you have me all figured out," he bit out. Caroline swallowed heavily, noticing the tiny bit of hurt in his eyes.
"I need to go," she whispered, noticing Tyler finally walk in over Klaus' shoulder.
Klaus blinks in response, turning back to the bar without saying a word. Caroline swallowed down the tiny bit of guilt that was building up in her stomach and hopped off the barstool, laying a couple of bills down for her drinks.
"Thanks for the drink," she muttered, not really sure why she was thanking him or why she felt like she should apologize for the hurtful things that just came out of her mouth. He nodded curtly, turning to look at her. His eyes swiftly dropped to her left hand, his expression inscrutable. She immediately ripped her hand from the bar, feeling uneasy. She walked towards Tyler, her stomach swimming with alcohol and slight guilt.
Still.
He deserved it after the Gerard interview.
"Babe, I am so sorry," Tyler rambled when she reached him, not noticing the perturbed look on her face. "Mrs. Salvatore had to come in for an emergency deposition and it lasted longer than we thought it would."
Caroline nodded numbly, glancing quickly to see Klaus staring at them, his shoulders tense and his expression still indecipherable.
"Can we just go home?" she muttered. "I'm tired and drunk."
Tyler cocked his head at her in surprise, but nodded nonetheless.
"Do you want me to go get takeout?"
Caroline shrugged in response, turning around, her vision was void of Klaus. "I don't care. I just want a bath and to relax."
Tyler smirked at her, the expression reminding her of Klaus' signature look and she cringed slightly.
"I can relax you all right," he flirted, kissing her lightly on the lips. Caroline smiled at him briefly, allowing herself to be tugged towards the door. She turned around one last time to watch Klaus. He was sitting and talking to the blonde woman she had pointed out, the picture causing a slight twinge in her chest.
Shaking her head, she looked and smiled lamely at Tyler, chalking her distaste for the scene as annoyance and followed him out the door.
Clearly she had too much to drink.
It was the only way to explain the guilt and confusion that she felt towards Klaus.
The only reason.
So what did you guys think? How did we feel about the Klaroline showdown? Klaus' reaction to her engagement? Was it too angsty? Thoughts on Forwood's future? Anybody figure out who Tyler's client is?
Please review and tell me what you think! Reviews really help motivate me to continue with this story and let me know what you guys are liking/hating/want to see more of. As always, I'm on tumblr at she-walked-away! You can also message me there if you have questions, or comments or just want to say hi!
Until Next Time
Kaitlyn