Chapter 33

Trust me

Selene looked around cautiously. If they have been staying in this house, then why couldn't she remember anything about it? What was going on? She saw a woman who was maybe in her late thirties, coming from the kitchen. She had short dark hair and dark brown eyes. She looked very… efficient. She dropped her coffee mug when she saw her and Kol.

"Mrs. Smith…"

"Sorry?" Selene asked confused.

The woman looked at Kol.

"She's alright", he said.

"That is…wonderful but I still better examine her."

Selene was about to ask what was she talking about when Kol suddenly lifted her up.

"Hey!" she protested. "What are you doing?"

Kol smirked.

"Relax darling, I'm just taking you to your room."

"I can walk…" Selene started but Kol was already carrying her. Selene couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the room. Sunflowers, white roses, balloons… "How…"

Kol smiled and placed her on the bed.

"Well, I got a little help from your brother."

"You spoke with Derek? How is he? Is everything alright? And is Jason…"

"Hey, slow down darling, we have time to talk about that later. Now just relax and let the nice lady to take a look at you."

Selene couldn't understand any of this. Last thing she remembered was her bedroom in that hotel suite. How he had taken her diary… Oh no. He must have read it. Was this some new way to punish her? Only he wasn't going to do it himself, that woman would do it for him… Was she a vampire as well? Selene took Kol's hand before he left.

"Please…" she said desperately. "I'm sorry for…everything. Please just do it yourself, don't let her…"

Kol looked surprised. Then he seemed to understand what she was saying. He touched her face very gently. Still his touch made her shiver.

"That woman is a nurse, her name is Mrs. Barker. She is not going to hurt you", he said calmingly.

Selene looked at him disbelievingly.

"A nurse?"

"Yes, do you honestly think that I would get someone here especially to hurt you…On second thought, don't answer that." Kol sighed. "Look, I know I haven't given you much reason to trust me but I swear through…well, I don't really believe in any higher power so I just swear that I am not going to hurt you and neither will she. Can you believe me?"

Selene didn't know what to say. He seemed sincere but she wasn't sure. Why would he suddenly be all nice?

"May I come in?" Mrs. Barker asked from the door.

"Yes", Kol said and turned to Selene. "Everything is alright darling. I can stay here if you want."

Selene hesitated.

"It's ok", she murmured.

Kol nodded. "I will be right outside if you need me."

He closed the door behind him.

"That's quite a man you got there", Mrs. Barker said.

"Sorry?"

"Oh, my Stu could really learn a thing or two from your husband. Last nice thing he did for me was moving his ass from the couch when I was vacuuming."

Selene had no idea what to say to that.

"But let's see how your blood pressure looks like."

"I'm sorry…Mrs. Barker, right?"

"Please, just call me Ellie."

"Ok, it's nice to meet you Ellie, I'm Selene. I was wondering…could you tell me how long I have been here?"

"Well, Mr. Smith hired me a week ago and he said your…condition hadn't last long."

"My condition?"

Mrs. Barker looked at her sympathetically.

"Sweetie, you had what could be called a complete mental breakdown. Your mind just shut down, so to speak."

Selene stared at her.

"I don't understand…"

"You were catatonic and didn't react on anything around you. But your husband took such a good care of you…"

"Kol took care of me?" Selene asked disbelievingly.

"Yes, as I said to him, I truly admire his dedication to you."

Selene held still and allowed Mrs. Barker to examine her. She couldn't understand any of this. Why would have Kol helped her like that? Of course he wanted something in return. She didn't want to even imagine what that something was.

"Well my dear, it seems that physically you are healthy as a horse", Mrs. Barker said smiling. "But I would still recommend you to see a doctor and a psychiatrist, just in case."

"Thank you", Selene said trying to smile.

Mrs. Barker tapped her shoulder before she left. It didn't take long before Kol walked in.

"How are you feeling darling?" he asked.

"Confused", Selene murmured.

"Yes, I can believe that. Is there anything you need right now?"

Selene looked at him.

"I would like to know what do you want in exchange of all of…this. Taking care of me, I mean."

"I told you, I want you to stay with me."

"Yes, but you would get that anyway, so I really don't understand…"

Kol rolled his eyes.

"Fine, you got me, I do want something."

Selene's body tensed. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself.

"No, not that. Unless of course you want it…"

She turned her head away.

"Alright, alright", Kol said quickly. "I'm not going to pressure you. But what I want you to do, is making a list."

Selene looked at him surprised.

"A list?"

"Yes, I need to know what do you need in order to…well, let's just say remain sane."

"Right… Ok, I need to see my brothers", Selene said cautiously.

"Ok, done, I can arrange that. Anything else?"

Selene was stunned.

"I…I need to be able to talk to people without fearing that you will kill them."

Kol bit his lip.

"Hmm, that is a little trickier but I'm sure we can work something out. Anything else?"

Selene was quiet for a moment. She knew what she wanted to ask but she was afraid what his response would be.

"Selene?"

She swallowed.

"I would like you not to be abusive or violate my mind with that mind control thing", she said before she would lose her courage.

Kol's face was emotionless. He sat next to her and touched her face.

"Done. But I also expect you to honor your part."

Selene nodded.

"Yes, I will stay with you but I would like to be able to take a walk or something every now and then. I don't like to be locked up."

"I'll see what I can do. But let's get you something to eat now, you must be hungry."

Selene hadn't really thought about it but she actually was hungry.

"How about I'll order you some Chinese food?"

"That would be great, thank you."

Kol was about to stood up when Selene took his hand.

"I really mean it. Thank you", she said.

Kol smirked.

"No problem darling." He leaned closer and kissed her. She was about to push him away but he backed down before that.

"Don't worry", he said. "As I said, I'm not going to pressure you. I can wait."

He left before Selene could say anything. She didn't know what to think. Was he serious? She would have to just wait and see.