Thanks for the feedback guys, it's good to see so many of my regulars interested in this new story. You are the reason I love writing so much.
For anyone new to my stories the chapters will alternate between Klaus and Caroline's point of view, which means this chapter will be from Klaus. I already had this written so thought I'd put it up right away. Enjoy
Keeping Up Appearances
Chapter 2: Twelve Days of Christmas
24 December 2014 7:33am: Airport Hilton, Indianapolis
The incessant beeping from the alarm woke him from his slumber. Eyes still firmly shut, Klaus felt around the table madly trying to stop the loud noise and return to his amazingly vivid dream. He finally located the source of the sound and the room descended into silence.
Unfortunately he was now awake and all he had were lingering memories of his dream starring a particularly attractive and feisty blonde. He grabbed the nearby pillow and put it over his face hoping the darkness would send him back there.
After a minute of trying he finally gave up throwing down the pillow and climbing out of bed. He looked out the window into a sea of white wondering if and when he'd be able to leave Indianapolis. His thoughts flew to Caroline wondering what she was doing right now.
Klaus had to admit when he first met Caroline his thoughts weren't completely pure. After getting to know her more and hearing her story he'd realised that wasn't an option. As attracted as he was to the blonde Klaus knew she was going through a tough time and didn't want to complicate things.
He'd left her in the lobby determined to get a good night sleep and get to Chicago for work. One thing he didn't count on was Caroline haunting his dreams. Haunting him partially naked, he'd never seen anyone look so good in lacey black lingerie.
Klaus shook his head determined to get over his lust starting with a very cold shower, even if it was below zero outside.
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The snow storm had subsided overnight but all flights were still grounded and there was no guarantee about when they would resume. Given Klaus was supposed to be working his only option was a hire car, if they were available.
After approaching Hertz and Budget, Klaus was beginning to lose hope of leaving Indianapolis anytime soon. Car availability was low, due not only to the storm, but the time of year and Avis looked like his last option.
He gave the girl behind the counter his most winning smile hoping that would somehow conjure up a car to take him to Chicago. "Hello Jessica." He said consulting her name badge. "I was wondering if you might have a car available?"
"Well we didn't." She smiled back. "But believe it or not we've just had a cancellation; it must be your lucky day sir."
"Great because I really need to get to Chicago." He gave her his card and she began to process the necessary paperwork.
"Excuse me?" He heard the sound of her voice before he saw her. "I'd like to organise a hire car please?" Klaus tried to ignore the intoxicating smell of her floral perfume she was that close.
"Now who's pushing in?" He asked finally looking at her and trying not to imagine her naked like his dream. "If you don't mind we were in the middle of something."
"Well after all the interruptions last night it's the least I could do." She shot back rolling her eyes. "So do you have anything?"
"Sorry ma'm that was our last car."
"You've got to be kidding me?" She groaned. "This is all your fault."
"How exactly is this my fault? The way I see it you were too slow love." He smiled at her briefly before collecting his papers and placing his card back in his wallet.
"I told you not to call me that."
"Yes but I decided not to listen. How about seeing, because I'm such a great guy, I give you a ride given we are going to the same place."
Klaus mentally kicked himself after he'd offered not sure it was the right thing to do under the circumstances. He wasn't sure if he could trust himself to either kill her or kiss her in the small confines of a car.
"I'll be fine." She replied stubbornly.
"Well this is your last chance." He trailed off before walking away knowing she was that desperate to get home she'd take him up on his offer.
"Okay."
"Okay what?" He asked spinning around a devilish smile on his face.
"You know what, I'll go with you."
"I thought you might see things my way love. Oh and I'll just pretend you said please."
"For the last time it's not love."
"Okay Caroline love what are we waiting for, let's get this show on the road." He laughed walking towards the car park outside. He located the four wheel drive and placed his bags inside before Caroline began to do the same.
Klaus looked on amused as she began to lift her bag, her cute derriere snug in a pair of fitted dark denim jeans only accentuated as she tried. He laughed unable to stop himself.
"What's so funny?" She huffed.
"You. Do you need some assistance by chance?"
"No, I'm perfectly capable of lifting my bag." That was clearly not the case, Klaus intervened picking it up in one swift move and placing it in the boot. "What do you have in there rocks?"
"Excuse me I told you I was perfectly capable."
"Perfectly capable hey?" He grinned. "There's no need to thank me love." Klaus walked around and got into the driver's seat.
"Well I wasn't going to because I was fine on my own." She added joining him in the passenger seat as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
"And here I was thinking we were staring to get along after last night." He shook his head, his eyes trained on the road as the scenery rushed past.
"Well you should never presume anything. Anyway I thought we decided it was the alcohol that made me think you had a heart?"
"Ouch, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." He quipped. "Let me guess you didn't sleep because you were too busy having sordid dreams about yours truly?"
She was silent for a moment making him look at her briefly. "You did!"
"I did not." She muttered. "You really need to get over yourself."
"Given how transparent that reaction was I don't think I need to get over anything." He chuckled thinking what a coincidence was they were both dreaming about the other one. "I figure we have about three hours and I'd love to hear all about it."
"Even if there was a dream, which there wasn't." She clarified reaching across to play with the radio dial. "You're the last person I'd tell." The opening strains of Wrecking Ball sounded out from the radio making Klaus grimace.
"Oh please anything but Miley Cyrus."
"Well given you know who it is I'm betting you secretly like it." She teased.
"So if I'm going to have to suffer through this music, how about telling me something?"
"What is it with you and getting to know me?" She asked curiously. "I thought we covered enough last night."
"Hey I can't help it if I'm a friendly guy. Anyway I'm not looking to cover old ground." He said skimming past her confession from the previous night. "I just thought you might like to tell me more about yourself."
"And if I don't?"
"Well I could tell you my life story, or sing along with Miley, whichever you'd prefer. Although I have to warn you I don't have the best voice."
"Wow I can't believe Mr Arrogant admits he can't sing." She snorted. "Okay how about twenty questions?" Klaus mulled over her suggestion for a bit, as much as he wanted to get to know her he wasn't sure he was willing to give out that much information about himself.
"Let's not get too excited, how about ten." He conceded. "You can start."
"Um, what's your favourite colour?"
"Really? That's the best you've got, last time I checked this wasn't third grade."
"Hey you asked me to go first."
"Fine, I'd say probably blue. Even though I don't really care in the slightest. So what's yours, let me guess pink?"
"No it's red." She answered like it was obvious.
"Glad to see we're covering the really big issues here. Okay let's see how old are you?"
"Why is that important exactly?"
"Well given you're tendency to overreact like a nanna I guess I'd like to see if your age matches your behaviour."
"Funny." She snapped. "I'm twenty-seven. How old are you because given your maturity I'd estimate about twelve."
"You're hilarious, I'm actually twenty-nine."
"Well maybe you need to start acting your age more." She joked. "Okay what is it that you do for a living? I'm assuming being an arrogant arse isn't it, although I sure if that was a job you'd get really well-paid."
Klaus looked at the clock noticing they'd been driving for all of fifteen minutes not sure how he was going to make it through another three hours with this commentary.
"Yes I'm sure I would." He boasted. "Let's just say I work in the art industry."
"Let me guess you paint a few spots on some canvas and call yourself an artist?" Klaus rolled his eyes at her suggestion. He was known to paint in his spare time but it involved a lot more than a couple of spots.
"Actually I'm involved in the business side of things if you must know. What exactly do you do princess because I'm fairly sure you'd make a fantastic nag."
"I'm a journalist."
"Oh so you write a few words on a piece of paper and call yourself a writer." He said mimicking her last comment.
"I'm a fashion reporter if you must know and last time I checked Vogue was considered a reputable publication." Klaus really wasn't surprised given how immaculate she'd looked the few occasions he'd seen her.
"So basically you watch fashion parades all day and write about them?" He asked earning a whack from his passenger. "Ouch Caroline! It's probably best not to assault the driver given all the remnant snow on the road."
"You deserved it. So what's so special about selling art?"
"I do a lot more than sell a bit of art." He bit back annoyed.
"Well welcome to my world."
"Okay fair enough. I was only teasing you Caroline; sorry but you make it too damn easy."
"Seems to be something you bring out in me Klaus. So if you don't just sell art what exactly do you do?"
"I work for Christies."
"Christies? As in one of the biggest auction houses in the world?" Caroline asked her surprise evident.
"That would be the one, although I have to correct you it's the biggest auction house in the world love. Sotheby's has nothing on us."
"Aren't Christies headquarters in Rockefeller Centre, what exactly are you doing in Chicago for work?"
"Are you always this nosey?"
"Hey you were the one who wanted to get to know me better." Klaus realised that was true although he was thinking more physically than anything else.
"I'm looking at some paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago for an upcoming sale and have a Christmas function with the board and Chief Executive Officer who lives locally."
"An event with the big bosses hey?" She asked obviously impressed.
"Yes." He replied somewhat nervously. Klaus had been anxious about the function for a while now, something that was so unlike him.
After obtaining a double degree in art history and law at the Sorbonne in Paris and working in some of the best galleries in Europe including the Uffizi, Musee d'Orsay and Tate Modern he'd settled at Christies Auction House in London.
After working there Klaus had made the move to their New York headquarters becoming an Executive Officer for his trouble. However Klaus had a tendency to get bored and he was eyeing a promotion and hoping to further his career.
When news of the Chief Executive Officer's departure next year broke Klaus was secretly hoping he would be considered for the role, even if he was younger than most of his competition.
"Why so nervous?" She asked sensing his anxiety.
"I'm hoping for a promotion I guess you could say." He said unsure of why he was confiding in a complete stranger.
"Well if you've been invited to something like that it probably means you've got a good shot."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Why?"
"A few of the other candidates are older and married, some with children."
"So what? If you're the best candidate why should any of that matter?" She asked. "If anything not having family commitments would probably stand in your favour."
"I guess you could say my boss holds family values in high regard." He started to explain. "The candidate he's going to promote is not only going to be the best in their field but have a healthy family life, I guess you could say."
"So when you say healthy family life you mean…"
"Maybe a wife, kids or at the very least a stable relationship." He muttered.
"Yeah I have to admit that doesn't seem to be your thing."
"Hey, you've just met me!"
"Yes and I'm sure I already know your type." She drawled making him feel a little crushed. "Sorry but first impressions are usually pretty telling."
"Tell me what you really think."
"Okay." She said. "Look if you're the best person for the job and he's invited you to Chicago I think that's a pretty good sign he thinks highly of you Klaus. Maybe you just need to stop doubting yourself."
"Easier said than done." He muttered.
"Trust me if you act like you don't think you're worthy your boss won't think you're worthy for the job."
"So when did you become such an expert about these things?"
"I'm no expert but it just makes sense." She said shrugging her shoulders. "When you are confident people react to that."
"Trust me love I am confident." He said reverting back to his usual self, not quite knowing how they got to this personal point in the conversation.
"I don't know why I bother." She groaned. "Here comes that arrogance I love, I'm surprised your ego can fit in the car with us, it's that inflated."
"Oh you secretly love my ego." He teased. "Now how about a station change? There's only so much bad music I can listen to." He busied himself turning the dial trying to find some decent tunes.
"Don't even think about it!" She objected leaning forward and touching the dial attempting to stop him. Klaus immediately felt an electric shock reverberate through his body from her touch. He pulled back almost like he'd burnt his hand the reaction was that strong.
Caroline looked at him, her shock mirroring his. He shook his head attempting to remove the foreign feelings from his mind. She was silent momentarily possibly doing the same thing before coming out of her trance.
"Ha!" Caroline cried triumphantly turning the dial back in the other direction. Klaus was not one to lose at anything and leaned in again this time taking control of the dial. Caroline attempted to fight back making him avert his gaze downwards.
"Who is immature now?" He argued twisting the dial.
"Klaus watch out!" Caroline yelled as he finally looked up realising he was swerving off the road and into a paddock full of cows. He hit the brakes, hoping he'd stop before hitting the fence not to mention the surprised jerseys.
The car rolled through the grass finally stopping right before the fence. Klaus finally allowed himself to look up gulping at just how close they came to a crash. He looked over at Caroline who was hunched over the dashboard in fear.
"Are you okay?" He asked his voice raspy. She finally looked up shooting him a dirty look.
"No thanks to you." She dramatically threw open the door and got out of the car.
"Hey last time I checked I didn't crash the car on my own." He growled joining her on the side of the road.
"In case you didn't notice I wasn't driving mister that was all you."
"No you were just distracting the driver with your whiny chick music."
"It is not whiny chick music." She shouted. "You know ever since I met you something always seems to go wrong."
"Don't blame your bad luck on me love." He shook his head before realising he needed to calm down, she seemed to have that effect on him. "Maybe we need to stop apportioning blame and see if the car's alright." He tried to start the car but after some futile attempts he gave up. "Well that's that then."
"Isn't this the part where you open the hood and play around with some wires and pretend you know what you're doing?" She asked sarcastically sitting on the grass defeatedly.
"Well if I was less of a man maybe but I'm man enough to admit I don't know anything about cars. That's what mechanics are for."
"Speaking of a mechanic." She mumbled rifling through her bag and producing her cell phone. "Damn it!"
"What are you squawking about now?"
"No reception." Klaus looked at his own phone realising the same thing. "You'd think we were in the middle of nowhere or something."
"Well I don't see much around these parts." He rolled his eyes looking around the vast green fields. "We should walk down the road and find a house and raise the alarm." He said locking the door and beginning to walk away.
"Excuse me?" She asked standing up hands on hips. "I think we'd be better to wait on the road for a passing car, it is broad daylight after all."
"Yes after a pretty severe snow storm, did you happen to notice how few cars we passed on our way?" He stalked away determined not to back down.
"Fine." She shouted to his retreating back. "You do that and I'll stay here." Klaus closed his eyes momentarily not feeling like Caroline-esque drama right now.
"You are not staying here." He growled finally turning around to face her.
"And why not?"
"I'm not going to leave you alone."
"I have company." She argued gesturing to the cows that didn't seem too happy to have their peaceful reverie broken. "All we need is eight maids a milking and we are one part of the way to twelve days of Christmas right here in Indiana."
"Haven't you heard all those stories about hitchhikers? They usually end up missing or even worse, dead."
"Don't tell me you care about my wellbeing all of a sudden?" She asked raising her left eyebrow.
"You wish sweetheart."
"Well it doesn't matter anyway; most of those hitchhiking stories are from horror movies Klaus. I'll be fine." Their argument was broken by the sound of an approaching truck making Caroline's smile widen. "What was that you were saying?"
"Yeah whatever." He said dismissively flagging down the approaching driver.
"How's it going folks?" The kind looking man said after winding down his window and tipping his cap in their direction by way of greeting.
"Hello sir." Caroline said giving him her best smile. "We were wondering if you had a phone we could borrow to call a mechanic?"
"Excuse me." Klaus said to the man then whispered in her ear. "Given we don't have any reception what makes you think he does?"
"No I don't have a phone." He confirmed, obviously overhearing their conversation. "The best I can do is give you a lift to the nearest town. I'm sure the mechanic there could organise a tow."
"That would be great thanks." Klaus said warmly.
"Oh so now you want to hitchhike?" She asked loudly before realising the man heard. "Sorry sir you don't seem like a crazed maniac at all."
"Way to give him ideas love." He groaned. "We'll get in the back then shall we?" They walked around the side of the truck a weird smell suddenly filling their nostrils.
"What is that awful smell?" She asked scrunching up her nose. Klaus spied some white feathers unable to take the grin off his face.
"Chickens or maybe going with the twelve days of Christmas theme, French hens? Although I've got to say there's a few more than three."
Caroline looked horrified watching them mill around the back of the truck. She was silent for a moment making him look at her curiously. "Do you need some help in those high heels?" He asked looking at her chic tan ankle boots and extending his hand.
"I can't get in there." She uttered finally able to speak.
"So now you don't want a lift." He drawled unable to keep up with her changing moods.
"I just, um, don't do chickens." She hissed like they would hear her confession.
"What do you mean you don't do chickens, are you a vegetarian or something? They're all still very healthy and alive if you hadn't noticed, well for now."
"No, I'm um kind of scared." She mumbled the last word.
"You're scared of chickens?" He asked incredulously making her creamy coloured skin flush pink.
"Well you know chickens, swans, pelicans, pretty much birds of any sort, I'm not fussy." She rambled.
"You have ornithophobia?"
"I have what now?" She asked looking at him strangely like he'd sneezed on her.
"It means you're scared of birds." He explained slowly for her benefit.
"You're a smart arse, has anyone told you that?"
"Usually about once a day on average." He joked.
"Okay maybe I am. It's just those little beady eyes and those sharp looking beaks." She shivered involuntarily. Klaus placed his hands on either shoulder and looked deeply into her eyes trying to calm her nerves.
"It's okay, they're not going to hurt you Caroline. I'll be there to swat them away if they get crazy." He said trying not to laugh. "But if you're that worried we can wait for another car. I assume cows are okay?"
"Ha ha." She replied sarcastically. "Who knows how long that will take?" She said wearily looking at the truck. "Let's just get this over and done with."
"I'll be right there with you." He promised taking her hand and helping her into the truck.