Chapter Two

First, thanks so much to those who reviewed the first chapter: xXCandyXx, Miss Amy Cat, Marie243, Anastasia the Goddess of Drama, xxcharliexx and Abby N. You guys keep my coming back!

Little thing about me, is I love being right. In this chapter there is a figure for Angelbay's net worth, and let me just point out, I didn't make it up. I actually researched Bumble Bee Food's (a seafood cannery) net worth for fiscal '15 and after reducing it by 4.14% (because of inflation) I arrived at $204,300,802.34. Since Bumble Bee Foods is nearly identical to Angbay, it's safe to say that's what Angelbay would be worth in 1972. Cool, right? It's pretty amazing what the internet is capable of.

I hope you enjoy this chapter! I've never really written anything like this before...

Collinwood Manor

"There's a fine line between love and hate. Love frees a soul and in the same breath can sometimes suffocate it."

― Cecelia Ahern

A growl resonated deep in Barnabas' throat as he eyed the paper in his hand. He seethed at the numbers on the page. $204,300,802.34. The vampire huffed and set down the report harshly. Elizabeth had brought up the possibility of buying Angelbay, thinking it would be better than what he had suggested. It would of been, of course, but there was no way the contents of the basement was worth that much. Not that he could ever even get Angelique to agree to it, anyway.

Elizabeth had brought up many, intelligent ideas, but he knew that they could never work on Angelique. As much as he hated to admit it, Angelique was smarter than him. Or more cunning, at least. She had turned the entire town against him, and then somehow went on to build a rival company up from the ground. She didn't start out with any money, or influence. She was a maid for God's sakes, and a servant, at that. Now she was the CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation. Barnabas cursed under his breath, deciding it would be good to stretch a bit.

As he walked down the dark hallways of the east wing, he realized just how late it was. He walked out into the darkened living room with silent steps. As he sat down on the couch, he noticed a glossy card on the coffee table. He quickly picked it up and scowled at the beautiful cursive font that read Angelbay Annual Gala. Below, in smaller writing, it stated that all proceeds were donated to charity. He scoffed out loud and turned it to see who exactly she had addressed it to. The Collins Family. He seethed through his sharp teeth. Fine, he thought, If she wants me to play along, I will.

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"God." Elizabeth exhaled as she pulled the Chevy into Angelique's drive. Barnabas eyed the mansion with disdain. It was beautiful. The house itself was large and composed almost entirely of white marble. Tall columns framed the massive doors, opened as people entered through them. The yard was immaculate with perfectly trimmed hedges that framed the long, stone driveway. Every room in the house was lit up and the light fled from the many windows, as if beckoning people inside. The stone path in front of the house was lit by intricate white lanterns. The faint sound of classical piano music and light laughter could be heard through the open door. Elizabeth pulled the car around to the front as a valet walked towards them.

"Wow. This is her house? " Vicky's exclamation did not go unnoticed by Barnabas and he sighed. Despite his insisting that she shouldn't accompany them, she didn't heed his words. He couldn't, of course, tell her the real reason that he didn't want her to go. Only that Angelique was dangerous and she shouldn't speak to her, she could never know why.

The three of them entered with varying emotions. While Barnabas and Elizabeth tried to repress their hatred through pursed lips and clenched teeth, Victoria was enthralled. Angelique's house, while grand, was much different than Collinwood. It was nearly all white and silver, which contrasted greatly with the hoards of people inside, dressed mostly in black. An intricate chandelier, while not as large as the one in Collinwood, was just as beautiful and accented the large white marble staircases which curved together gracefully to the upper floor.

The entryway itself was two stories, coated with expensive-looking silver crested wallpaper that sparkled as the light hit it. To the left was a parlor, and the pianist he had heard earlier. Servers dressed in black and white tuxedos weaved their way through the crowds, serving glasses of champagne on silver trays. The whole scene reeked of her wealth and he wondered if coming was a bad idea all together. The hum of conversation stopped as the song finished and was replaced by polite applause as everyone clapped except for Barnabas. His attention was directed elsewhere.

Angelique stood several feet away from him, her form easily distinguishable from the crowd. She was stunning. A vibrant red dress tightly hugged her figure, accenting every curve as his eyes traveled down her form. It fanned out elegantly at her knees in pleated, crimson folds. Her pale neck and arms were bare, gleaming in the warmly lit room. Her platinum blond hair was pulled away from her in an elegant up-do, framing her sharp features. She grinned and continued clapping by herself after everyone had finished, making her way towards the dark haired man by the piano. The light chatter in the room ceased entirely and she came to stand next to him.

"Isn't he wonderful? Thank you so much for that, Steven. Who knew that you're worlds best accountant and the best pianist!" The room filled with laughter and she smiled brightly before looking out over the crowd again. Barnabas looked around the room at their incited expressions, angered at how easy it was for them to love her.

"And thank you all so much for joining us tonight. It means a great deal to me to have all of you here as we celebrate the anniversary of this wonderful company that we all have the great privilege of working for. Tonight is a thank you, from me, and the courageous Bouchard women that have come before me, to all of you, who make this dream a reality." She paused for a moment,

"Thank you." She grinned once more and everyone cheered louder than before. Barnabas withheld a grunt looked back at Elizabeth. Seeing her held so highly truly did make him sick.

"Why the hell did she invite us? Isn't this for Angelbay employees? And investors?" She added in a strained voice.

"I do not know." He muttered before he looked towards Angelique. She noticed him for the first time, her gaze looking over them and stopping on Victoria. She made her way through the crowds calmly, briefly pausing to smile at those in her way. When the blonde woman reached them she smiled brightly, flashing her white teeth.

"I'm so glad you all could make it, thank you for coming." She looked from Barnabas and Elizabeth to Victoria, taking in her presence. She tilted her head to the side, and Barnabas could tell she was processing her intense similarities to Josette.

"I don't believe that we've met. I'm Angelique Bouchard." Vicky grinned, almost sheepishly, taking Angelique's extended hand.

"Victoria Winters." She locked eyes with her and Barnabas tensed up. He reminded himself that she would never hurt her in front of so many people, and kept himself from doing anything.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you." She let go of her hand and finally took her eyes off the young woman.

"Enjoy." She looked back to Barnabas briefly before she turned around and was immediately taken up in conversation by a men in a pinstriped suit. A waiter served them champagne and Victoria turned back to Barnabas and Elizabeth.

"Why didn't you tell me she was so beautiful? She looks like a model." Her voice trailed off and Barnabas pressed his lips together, quickly taking her in his arm.

"Nevermind her." His words were final and he frowned, but she didn't see his expression. Her eyes were still on the woman in the red dress. She looked back to him and asked him lightly,

"You don't think that she is beautiful?" She huffed and he sighed in return. He hated how uncomfortable this situation was. But, then again, he had brought it upon himself. He wouldn't let Angelique get to his head. Not this time. This time, Victoria would be safe. He needed to prove that to Angelique. He needed to prove that she couldn't hurt him anymore. The inflictions she had caused him had only made him stronger.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you, my dear."

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"Opening bid, anyone?" The man with the pinstriped suit spoke into the microphone, his eyes searching the room excitedly.

"Three hundred!" Someone shouted from the back and another countered him,

"Three-fifty!" The man with the microphone chuckled.

"C'mon, everyone. This is for charity!" He laughed with the rest of the room, "Think of the children!" The laughter continued as he walked over to Angelique and gestured at her.

"Now who would like to dance with our very own, lovely," he stressed the word and smiled her playfully, "C.E.O., Angie Bouchard?" As he turned his attention back to the crowd a voice spoke up,

"Ten thousand." Suddenly every head turned to look at Barnabas. His dark eyes locked onto Angelique, remaining a calm aura as the announcer spoke up again.

"Ten thousand! Well, I doubt anyone wants to counter that." His voice was still amusing but the room didn't laugh like they did before.

"Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Collins of the Collins Cannery Company." He started to clap and the room joined in, almost reluctantly. Elizabeth scowled and Vicky quickly looked at her, her lips parted in shock. Barnabas calmly made his way through the crowd and the announcer stepped back. Angelique looked as if she was trying not to react to him, and that only made him more confident as he held out his hand. She eyed him for a moment before accepting the gesture as he led her out to the dance floor. Her crimson lips curled up at the end as she forced herself to smile.

The music picked up just as Barnabas took hold of her slim waist and she rested a pale hand on his shoulder. People scattered backwards to make room for them, but they struck up in conversation again. Barnabas' heightened hearing allowed him to hear their hushed words of confusion. But he was focused on Angelique. This was all to make her see his strength, after all. That his pride would not be faltered by her. They began to dance around the room and she shifted her expression to his ashen face. He looked over her features intently, from her cerulean eyes and dark lashes to her full, rouged lips. His eyes bore into her and he could tell that he was bothering her, causing him to smirk. She noticed, but before he could say anything he looked around the large parlor and sighed.

"So, being evil pays." His words were somewhere in-between a question and a statement and he tilted his head to the side. Angelique chuckled at his smug aura. She knew he was cocky, but this was unusual even for him. He had to be trying to send a message with the donation. A message that giving her ten thousand dollars barely even mattered because he would win in the end anyway.

"You would know." Her words sounded honeyed and friendly. Barnabas huffed, his expression darkening a bit but she didn't let him speak.

"You better be a bit more careful Barnabas, your trust fund can only last so long." She pursed her lush lips and he frowned deeply. Barnabas wanted counter her but as he eyed her form he got distracted by the perky cleavage exposed by the sweetheart neckline of her dress. He pulled her closer so that he could look down at her and she raised her eyebrows.

"Ooh, better not do that. Your girlfriend is watching." His brow twitched but he resisted the urge to scowl at her. She was trying to play mind games with him. But then again, so was he.

"Does she know about you? The real you?" Her words were causal as she looked at the glittering ring on her right hand. He took offense at them, though.

"What?" Barnabas asked harshly instead of answering her. She exhaled through her nose and blinked up at him innocently. The graceful sound of the piano rang in his ears.

"I'm just making small talk. You did just pay ten thousand dollars to dance with me, it only seems fair." He gritted his teeth as he spun her around elegantly, the red folds of her dress fanning as he did so. She looked radiant as ever but he forced himself to ignore it.

"What do you know about justice?" He seethed at her, but tried his best not to show his anger. Many eyes were on them. She simply smiled in return and returned her hand to his shoulder.

"Don't change the subject." She muttered through a sigh.

"No, she does not. And you are not going to tell her anything." Barnabas' words were serious and not meant to be taken lightly. She noticed and pressed her open lips together smugly, locking eyes with him.

"Not even that you've been cheating on her? So much for being fair." Her shining blue eyes bared into his dark ones, not at all threatened by by him. It was getting harder and harder for him not to visibly retaliate at her words.

"Why did you invite us here tonight? To try and sabotage me?" He spoke his thoughts and she pretended to look hurt in reaction. Her gaze shifted to Victoria, who was eyeing them with a mix of scrutiny and confusion.

"Sabotage you? I'm only speaking the truth." He narrowed his gaze slightly.

"What truth?" She looked back at him kindly and grinned before she added,

"That you're an asshole." He disposition darkened at her ruthlessness. Her words were nothing like her polite, cheery tone. Barnabas knew that she was trying to get to him, and just to get her mad he echoed in her same kindness. The corner of his mouth curled up into a deliberate smirk.

"I hate you." Angelique's expression was uncertain, but not angry. Interested, maybe. The song ended, stopping their movements. Just before the room rang with applause, Angelique muttered,

"First true thing you've said all night."

Did you like it? Please tell me what you think and give me a follow! I'll be updating often! By the way, I got the inspiration for this from the Dark Shadows deleted scene between Elizabeth and Julia. Thanks for reading!