Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Previously: This time I didn't care. I knew I could choose whatever words I wanted, it would not be enough. So I didn't even let him finish and followed my instincts and just pressed my lips to his softly, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly in a warm embrace.

…

He didn't respond. Kol felt like stone in my arms and I felt so embarrassed. What was I thinking? As if a kiss meant something to an Original.

I can only imagine how many people Kol had kissed during the thousand years he has lived. I felt even more ashamed when I realized that this would probably seem like a Katherine move to him. It probably was. Just not seductive at all.

I pulled away to apologize, my cheeks burning. He just looked at me with an expression of shock and what seemed like mistrust to me. "Kol, I.. " I was trying to find the right words to explain myself when I noticed his eyes moving to my lips. I was thinking about how everything about him confused me as he suddenly leaned in and his lips suddenly ever so slightly brushed mine.

This time it was me that froze. I was half terrified, half thrilled that he was going to kiss me when I realized that he was gone. I looked around confused, realizing that it was still raining.

I flinched as I heard the engine of the car and realized that he was sitting in it. He leaned over the passengers seat towards the open door and said "Get in." with a tone of voice that indicated that getting in the car was not open for negotiation. I quickly got in and shut the door.

He started driving, not saying a single word, not looking at me, not turning the radio on.

I assumed he was either thinking about something or did not want to talk to me so I didn't speak or move. My shoulders got tense as we kept driving for what already seemed like hours to me. I was so scared that I couldn't relax into my seat and that I even tried not too breathe too loudly.

After an hour of driving it had gotten dark outside and it became harder not to curl myself up and go to sleep. But I was too scared and too unsure of his mood so I tried to stay as invisible as possible.

When the clock said 11:36 Kol pulled into an empty parking lot. My heart started beating faster when I realized that there was absolutely nothing around. In the blink of an eye,

Kol was opening my door, gesturing for me to get out. I got out slowly, trying to gain composure but not able to stop the trembling completely.

"Where are we? What are we doing here?" Kol who suddenly seemed very cheerful to my surprise, was already getting a bag out of the trunk. "You will see. Follow me" He turned his back to me and started walking towards the trees. Half of my mind told me to follow him the other half told me to scream for help.

My legs decided not to move so I just stood there, feeling like a little child, wishing that all of this would finally be over so I could just go back home,forget about Kol and his confusing messing with my mind and feel like an adult again who makes her own choices and keeps her dignity. It took Kol around 3 seconds to realize I wasn't following and to turn around with an annoyed expression on his face. I gasped as he was in front of me in a flash.

I expected him to painfully grab my arm and drag me with him but instead he wrapped his hand around my wrist and pulled me with him softly. "You know, I could have compelled you but the choices you make yourself are far too interesting and entertaining." My heart sank as I realized he was probably making fun of me kissing him.

I decided not to let him see how embarrassed I was and just act as confident as possible. "Well, since you find my reactions so entertaining how about you tell me where we are going and see what funny thing I decide to do next?" He laughed loudly at that. "We are going to one of my houses. We will be staying here for a couple of days while I have to arrange some things." At least that meant that I wouldn't die in the next couple of days and my heart started beating faster as I realized that this might give Stefan and Damon enough time to figure out where I am with Bonnie and then find me.

Suddenly I got scared that he somehow would be able to pick up on my excitement or read my thoughts so I tried to sound as bored and casual as possible as I said: "Oh and you live in this… this forest?" That earned me another loud laugh. "No, in this."

I looked up and saw a tiny cottage with a little gate and a little garden in front of it. I found myself looking at it with my mouth hanging open. I had expected a huge, luxurious mansion but this cottage was beautiful and peaceful. It looked like it should not be here, like it came from another world. I had never seen a cottage in this style in America before and couldn't keep my legs from walking towards it.

Kol didn't leave my side and opened first the gate and then the door for me. "It's beautiful isn't it? I had to build it myself though, no one here makes cottages like this. It took me a while to make it feel like home." I was looking around trying to take in everything. For some reason I expected an almost empty house, with only the most necessary things but instead there were hundreds of books around the fireplace and many different blankets and pillows on the two couches. "you mean home as in England." He nodded, smiling at me. I relaxed a little bit and tried to smile back.

"Let me show you the bathroom, I'm sure you would like to take a bath." I followed him upstairs and stood in the doorframe awkwardly as he turned on the water and even checked the temperature. Towels are in the closet and as for shower gel… I wasn't expecting female visitors so you'll have to use mine." The smirk on his face made me blush and I was hoping that my long, dark hair would cover most of it. "Uhm okay, no problem. Thanks. " I muttered, trying to get past him without looking at him. Another one of those loud laughs. "I'll see you later downstairs."

With a smile he shut the door and I couldn't help but lean against the door with my forehead, trying to make sense out of his behaviour. He was so hungry for revenge and hurt sometimes, mistrusting every word I said and then suddenly he was being sweet and thoughtful. I wondered if I had imagined that he touched my lips with his after that embarrassing kiss. If I hadn't then… maybe he was attracted to me? I laughed at myself for even thinking about an Original having feelings for a human girl like her, without hundreds of years of wisdom, weak and emotional. I shook my head as I got undressed and stepped into the tub. I told myself that I should stop worrying because I don't even care if he as feelings for me. All I care about is surviving this.

After I had finished my bath, smelling very manly now, I wrapped one of the big, soft white towels around me and tried to figure out what to wear. I didn't want to put my old, dirty clothes back on so I decided to check the closet for bathrobes. There were none so I considered asking Kol for some clothes but then realized I could just check the closet in the bedroom. He had showed me the door briefly when he led me to the bathroom so it was no problem finding it. Besides, the cottage was tiny and there were not many doors.

I found a long, black, fluffy bathrobe that was obviously for men because everything was really long. I put it on and instantly wished that I could keep it forever. I realized that this was probably a thousand dollar bathrobe and that maybe he didn't want me to wear it but it just felt too good.

Suddenly I smelled something really delicious from downstairs and realized how hungry I was. I hadn't eaten for hours. I followed the scent and saw that Kol had made fire in the fireplace and that he was still standing in the kitchen preparing food.

I walked over to the open kitchen area, looking at all the vegetables he had chopped and the chicken that was already grilled. "It smells really good." I said, trying not to sound too impressed. He turned around and chuckled. "Thanks, you smell really good too. Oh wait, I mean MY shower gel and MY bathrobe smell extremely good." I blushed and felt relieved that he was fine with me wearing the bathrobe.

"Go and make yourself comfortable in the living room, I'll bring the food over in a minute."

I nodded, thankful to be able to relax for a little bit.

A couple of minutes later he entered the living room and placed a plate with delicious smelling food in front of me. "Where did you get all of the fresh ingredients so quickly?"

He laughed. "I'm an Original, Elena. There is not much that is impossible for me. I had someone bring them over when you were in the bathtub. I also had him bring me some other things that you might need. I assumed you didn't want to wear my underwear so I got you some. And other clothes as well of course." He smirked as he took a bite of his sandwich and I realized that I had never been this thankful for fresh underwear and clothing. "Thank you, that was… really sweet. Like some other things you've done today." I was hoping he would say something so I could figure out his intentions but he just kept eating.

We kept eating and started talking a little bit about the house and when I had finished he told me that he wanted to show me something. Surprised I followed him upstairs and on the balcony that I didn't know existed before. First I couldn't see anything except for the stars because it was so dark, but Kol pressed a light switch and the most beautiful light chain that was wrapped around the balcony railing started glowing in a soft light. Every little light bulb was shaped like a diamond and the soft glowy light they gave almost looked like snowflakes.

When I finally tore my eyes away from the light chain I realized that Kol was pulling a cover off a large, black piano. "This is my favourite part of the cottage. I can play as loudly and whatever I like because no one lives around here. I can create melodies that no one can take away from me. And I can be completely alone." - "Do..do you want me to leave you alone?" I suddenly felt out of place, like I didn't belong here. "No, it's fine. I thought you would like this." He said. " No, I do, I love it, it's so beautiful… it's really beautiful. " I stumbled over my own words.

He didn't say anything, he just started playing. I leaned in the doorframe, admiring his skills. Everything seemed so easy for him. As if everything was weightless. He was playing something I've never heard before. It was sad, but hopeful. Depressing but uplifting. Trustful and mistrusting at the same time. I realized that that was kind of the way Kol seemed to me and also the way I felt around him.

When he had finished he got up and walked towards the railing, looking at the stars. After a minute he turned around to look at me and stretched his hand out. Even though I wasn't terrified of him anymore I still didn't want to take a chance to make him angry or sad so I walked towards him with my arms cross and leaned against the railing next to him.

"What are you thinking about?" He suddenly said as I was staring into the dark sky. "You." I said without thinking about it. I gasped as I realized what I had said and turned towards him. "No I mean… I am trying to.. " I sighed as I realized that I should just say whatever I needed to say. "I can't figure you out Kol. And I know I am not supposed to, that you don't want me to. But I need to know who you are. And whether or not you still want to keep your promise of keeping me alive. And I know all you've done was being nice to me since we've been here and I should be thankful and accept it, but I can't help but question your intentions.." Everything that had been going on in my mind was blurting out of me now. He stopped me. "Elena. Just stop. Just stop worrying and thinking so much. Yes you have betrayed me by calling Damon but I understand your reasons. And the reason I am nice to you is because I want to. I have a weakness for the extraordinary." He tilted his head to the side, smirking at me. He brushed my cheek with his thumb and his face got more serious.

I did feel butterflies in my stomach but obviously it would absolutely impossible for me to express that. Kol is an Original. He is Klaus's brother. He has probably killed more people that I have ever met and the attraction must be purely physical, since we haven't actually talked to much so I was searching my brain for something else to say and the thing that blurted out was "So, are you going to kill me or let me live?"

I instantly regretted it when his hand fell from my cheek to his side and his facial expressions hardened. He actually seemed really angry. Turning away from me he asked: "Is that really all you can think of? You're not some animal Elena, surviving is not what matters most!" I felt offended by that comparison and felt like he was overreacting. "Says the Original who has probably killed thousands of people just out of boredom, for absolutely no reason. Oh wait, animals probably actually have reasons like food or…" He didn't let me finish and I found myself suddenly being pressed into the railing which suddenly seemed so much lower than before.

Kol was right in front of my face pressing against me, his eyes burning with anger. "I thought I had told you that I am nothing like my family." – "Yes you have, but that doesn't mean that you have proven it." I said, holding my chin as high as possible, trying not to blink."

To my surprise he let go of me and stepped back. He started covering the piano again and I felt bad for him. All he was trying to do was reassure me and make me a compliment and I didn't even thank him. I tried to get his attention by saying his name and tugging at his arm but he chose to ignore me. I've always hated being ignored so I ducked under his arm so that I was standing right between him and the piano, facing him. He didn't let go of the cover, so I was right between his arms.

"Stop ignoring me. I'm really sorry. I should have said thank you. For the compliment and for being so nice to me. I do wish you would tell me whether or not you are going to kill me. But no, it's not what matters the most. I'm very sorry we got into a fight… " I looked down at my feet, hoping he would say something.

"You know, I liked the kissing apology better, but the verbal one isn't too bad either." I looked up and saw him smiling at me. I smiled back and couldn't look away from the way his eyes sparkled when he was smiling. I could feel his breath on my face and felt the urge to lean in and give in but then I thought of Damon and Stefan who were probably doing everything in their power to find me right now so I pulled away quickly and turned around.

"Im sorry, it's… it's Damon and Stefan, I can't… I can't do even more damage" I said as I was turning around again to face him. I saw the sadness on his face for a second and then he was gone.

I'm really sorry it took me so long to update. I was moving home from college for the summer. Thank you for all the nice reviews, you have no idea how much I appreciate them. I am not satisfied with this chapter at all, but I didn't want to let you wait any longer so please be nice.

When I was writing about the cottage, I was thinking of something similar to the one in the movie "the holiday" with kate winslet I go to College in England, so I see tons of those cottages all the time and I think they are so cute. I hope you guys liked this!

Xo

Ps: next chapter the salvatore's are gonna find the cottage. How will Kol react? How will Elena react? Will they find about the kiss? How will Elena react if they try to kill Kol? And more!:)