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Keeping Up Appearances
Chapter 28: Girlfriend
February 3 2015, New York City, New York 6:43am
Klaus fluttered his eyes open slowly trying to get his bearings. He felt a warm body up against his chest and blonde hair tickling his face and smiled remembered where he was and who he was with.
The memories of their night together came flooding back and he smiled thinking about their long-awaited reunion. They didn't have sex and to be honest he didn't care at all, the feeling of her in his arms was more than okay for now. The next time he wouldn't be that disciplined though.
He inhaled her intoxicating scent a mixture of jasmine and peaches thinking he could get used to waking up like this every morning. After all the drama with Tatia in London it was welcoming to pick up where he and Caroline had left off.
His picnic had been a hit, they laid on the floor her head on his chest as he fed her strawberries and they watched movies together. He loved hearing her melodic laugh and when she agreed to stay over and it came time to go to bed he was the perfect gentleman.
They snuggled all night, his arm securely around her waist as he feathered kisses along her face and neck. Klaus was surprised with just how much willpower he had given how long it had been.
She began to stir and he watched as she twitched her nose adorably. He closed his eyes immediately for some reason scared of what she was going to do. She stretched slowly before turning over to face him. It was at this point he couldn't ignore her, his eyes opening to meet her blue ones.
"Mmmmm morning…" She mumbled nestling into his chest.
"Morning love." He replied thinking how gorgeous she looked with her tousled hair and fresh face clear of make-up. "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept extremely well." She beamed and Klaus knew they were finally on the same page. "Your bed is so comfortable."
"Happy to hear, I don't think I've ever slept this well." He smiled running his hands down her arms affectionately and pulling her closer, if that was possible.
"We should do this more often." She murmured nuzzling into his neck and placing soft kisses along it.
"I couldn't agree with you more love." He groaned pulling her in so that he could enjoy the sensations.
"Oh my god." She cried reluctantly pulling away to consult her watch. "I'm going to be late for my interview."
"Who could be more important than yours truly?" He whined a little upset by the interruption.
"Angelina Jolie." She shot back jumping out of bed and throwing on her jumper and boots hurriedly.
"Now I know you're just messing with me."
"I'm not." She argued back winding her scarf around her neck. "Vogue is doing a style feature; my interview will accompany Bonnie's photos."
"Fine." He conceded eventually. "Just no drooling over Brad."
"He's got nothing on you." She answered capturing her lips with his. Klaus could get used to this kind of personal attention all the time.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence but even I have a man crush on Brad Pitt." He murmured breaking apart reluctantly from their kiss. "Although I do have my own talents I'll have you know."
"As much as I'd love to explore your talents I need to hurry." She groaned reaching for the door knob. Klaus crawled out of bed and threw on a t-shirt over his boxers. As much as he didn't want to face the day himself Klaus knew he had to prepare for Gordon's visit later that week.
"Can I at least make you coffee?"
"Looks like someone beat you to it." She grinned pointing to the freshly brewed pot on the bench emitting glorious aromas.
"Oh my eyes!" Stefan wailed dramatically as they emerged from the bedroom. He was sitting on the couch immersed in Good Morning America and eating a bowl of cereal.
"Calm down you big baby." Caroline groaned rolling her eyes. "I'm fully dressed."
"I'm not talking about you." He replied gesturing towards Klaus.
"Last time I checked this was classed as clothing mate. " Klaus said consulting his appearance. "And weren't you the one half-naked when I got home last night?"
"Ew I'm not sure I want to know what happened here last night." Caroline baulked.
"Ditto." Stefan shot back obviously referring to her spending the night. Caroline didn't respond just poked out her tongue. "Real mature Care."
"Well on that note I've got places to go and people to interview." She grinned placing a lingering kiss on his cheek.
"Get a room." Stefan responded cheekily. "Oh that's right you already did that." Caroline rolled her eyes at Klaus and walked towards the door hitting Stefan playfully on the head on her way out.
"Send my regards to Brad." Klaus called out sending her a cheeky glance.
"Who's Brad?" Stefan asked curiously rubbing his head where she'd hit him.
"Never mind." He said shaking his head and helping himself to some hot coffee.
"So things between you two seem to be back on track." Stefan observed rinsing his bowl in the kitchen sink.
"Yeah they are." Klaus grinned thinking back to the previous night and how easily they'd slipped back into things. "Now if I can just sort out my work issues everything will be perfect."
"Are you all set for the Welsh invasion?"
"I sure hope so." He murmured. "We can't lose Gordon Rose; he's one of our wealthiest clients."
"Well if anyone can save Christies you can." Stefan replied confidently.
"Yeah I'll believe that when I see it." Klaus muttered. "You seem awfully cheerful this morning?" He inquired raising his left eyebrow.
"I'm always this cheerful."
"No something's going on here." He deduced. "How was dinner last night?"
"Dinner?"
"With my sister, you know blonde, blue eyed, bossy and about yea high?" He gestured with his hand.
"Oh yeah dinner." He murmured thinking back to the previous night. Rebekah Mikaelson had turned out to be a big surprise and he'd actually had a good time.
After they reached the ground floor of the apartment building in relative silence she had attempted to escape still obviously angry about his cover story.
"Oh come on Rebekah calm down." He called out before she spun around glaring at him with her intense blue eyes. Stefan couldn't help but think how gorgeous she looked all riled up.
"I'm perfectly calm." She huffed.
"Yes because it seems like it." He shot back before adding. "Oh come on I was joking."
"What makes you think I would want to go out to dinner with someone like you?"
"Oh someone like me? Would you care to elaborate princess?" He countered. He wasn't sure why he was bothering with her; Stefan figured he must be bored and in need of some excitement.
"Annoying, opinionated and smug." She said hands on hips.
"Well has anyone ever told you that you're conceited and bossy, not to mention a complete drama queen." He answered knowingly.
"Drama queen?" She drawled not bothering to address the other insults he'd hurled her way.
"Yes tonight is a great example of that. There's no need to get your knickers in a knot it's just dinner."
"Fine." She agreed dubiously. "But if you tell anyone other than my brother about this I'll kill you."
"Charming. Trust me I wouldn't want anyone to know either." He growled wondering why he was entertaining this spoilt princess. "Your secret is safe with me, now how about some pizza?"
"Pizza?" She groaned obviously unimpressed. "Although given it's you that's hardly surprising."
"After I introduce you to the best slice of pizza you've ever had you'll be thanking me sweetheart. I'll even pay for you I'm that confident."
"How very generous." Rebekah replied deadpan but he couldn't miss the slight smile tugging at her lips.
After grabbing a slice on West 37th, they walked around the busy streets, when she let her guard down Rebekah could be a lot of fun. She had this mischievous giggle which was adorable and her come backs were as quick as they were witty.
"Earth to Stefan?" Klaus said clearing his throat.
"I'm here."
"Oh really? Could have fooled me." Klaus laughed wondering what spell his sister had cast over his roommate.
"We had an alright time; your sister sure knows how to complain though."
"Haha tell me something I don't know." Klaus quipped.
"So do you have any plans for tonight?" Stefan asked curiously hoping to change the subject.
"Well I don't usually make too many plans on a Tuesday night Stefan." He joked.
"Let me introduce you to something called a social life Mikaelson, you'll be extremely thankful trust me." Stefan laughed before adding. "Matt's having a bit of a hard time lately."
"What's happening?" He asked suddenly. They'd only met briefly but Klaus had immediately warmed to Matt.
"Oh I'll tell you later, and please don't mention this to Caroline she'll just worry like she does."
"Isn't lying a sure way to get into trouble with your girlfriend?"
"Well I haven't told you anything so there's no need to lie." He argued. "Wait did you just say girlfriend?"
"Maybe." Klaus said feeling his face heat up.
"Well have you asked her?"
"What is this third grade?" Klaus spluttered. "Do you want me to ask her to go steady or whatever you Americans call it?"
"Now that I would pay to see." Stefan chuckled.
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"Good night boss?" Lexi inquired as she sat at his desk.
"It was okay." He replied nonchalantly determined to give nothing away to his nosy friend and personal assistant.
"You realise you are a terrible liar right?"
"Fine if you know so much tell me what I did last night?" He replied exasperatedly.
"A little indoor picnic…"
"I'll have to thank Stefan for his honesty." He growled wondering how it had gotten this far so quick.
"It was all Rebekah." She admitted.
"Stefan then Rebekah." He muttered thinking about their gossiping. It really was inconvenient having them all so chummy.
"Is there something you wanted to tell me?"
"Not at all." He murmured thinking he didn't want to be a gossip like everyone else. "How are we going for the Gordon Rose visit?"
"We are on schedule." She replied officiously. "Just waiting for him to touch down which I understand will be Friday afternoon."
"Apparently so." He murmured thinking about his discussion with Tatia. All Klaus wanted was for this to happen so he could get it over and done with, then his work woes would be sorted and he would never have to deal with his ex-girlfriend again.
"Something to get excited about." She joked.
"That's an interesting way of putting it." He laughed before adding. "Actually while we're discussing the schedule can you block out this evening?"
"Don't tell me he's arriving early?" She asked worriedly.
"No I just have uh other things to take care of…" He trailed off.
"Oh like Caroline things do you mean?" She cooed.
"No actually I'm going out with Stefan and Matt."
"So I'll just put boy's night in your diary then?"
"If you must know Stefan asked me to come out for Matt."
"Why what's wrong with him?" She asked her ears pricking up at the sound of his name.
"Wait a minute you know Matt?"
"Caroline introduced us." She baulked. Lexi couldn't deny that when she'd met Matt and stared into those deep blue eyes she felt a teeny spark, she just wasn't sure if he felt it too. She'd been trying to think of ways to accidentally run into him again but she figured crashing boy's night would be a dead giveaway not to mention a little desperate.
"It's homesickness." He blurted out trying to keep Stefan's confidence.
"He spent all that time in the Middle East and he's homesick in New York?" Klaus realised his cover story wasn't that well thought out.
"Oh it's probably a belated type of homesickness." He lied noticing her dubious expression. "He just needs to be cheered up."
"Oh I get it, you mean strippers…"
"Ah no, I've heard nothing about strippers Lexi." He spluttered hoping that little piece of information didn't find its way to Caroline even if it was untrue as he hoped. "Get your mind out of the gutter."
"Fine." She shot back shortly. "Well you have fun with your male bonding."
She flounced out of the room before he could respond. Klaus shook his head wondering when Lexi and Matt even had time to meet amongst all the craziness. He had no idea what was going on and was more than happy to get to the bottom of it as long as it didn't involve strippers.
Back in the day Klaus wouldn't have cared where he went but he had no desire to entertain any strippers that's for sure. The only person he wanted to strip for him was the gorgeous blonde he had in his bed earlier.
Klaus licked his lips excitedly wondering when they'd be together again. He didn't want to be too eager but if Klaus had his way she'd be sitting on his lap at his desk right now doing naughty things with him.
His daydream was shattered by his personal assistant clearing her throat, she always had bad timing.
"Gordon has cancelled."
"He's what?" He groaned rising from his seat.
"Well it's from his assistant's email but who knows who wrote it." She murmured. His thoughts flew to what she was thinking, his devious ex-girlfriend.
"So he's not coming at all?"
"Oh he's coming but it will apparently be in a couple of weeks."
"Way to drag this out." He murmured. "Funny how Gordon just cancelled out of the blue like that."
"Yeah this kind of surprise has Tatia written all over it." Lexi growled reading his mind.
"I just hope this doesn't become a frequent occurrence." He drawled. "I hate being at the whim of somebody like this."
"Yeah especially someone like Tatia, do you want me to call her and give her a piece of my mind?"
"Ah no, I have a feeling you'll do more harm than good with that fiery temper of yours Lexi."
"Well don't say I didn't offer to set that crazy witch straight."
"Oh well look at it this way, we've got more time to focus on other things like…."
"Caroline." She teased raising her right eyebrow.
"I was talking about work." He coughed self-consciously.
"Sure you were boss." Lexi grinned knowingly.
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Klaus walked through the New York streets his hands stuffed into his grey woollen coat pockets trying to ward off the winter chill. He could think of better things to do like snuggling on the couch with Caroline but that wasn't going to happen tonight.
His phone rang loudly breaking him out of his thoughts and as Klaus consulted the screen his face broke out into a huge grin. It was like she could tell he was thinking about her.
"So strippers hey?" Klaus rolled his eyes thinking that he obviously didn't give Lexi enough work to do.
"I see you've been talking to Lexi."
"I called for you and she said you were on your way out, something about a boys night with strippers."
"There are no strippers, she's just jealous I didn't invite her to come along."
"I don't know, I mean Stefan is involved."
"Something to look forward to then." He teased almost hoping to provoke a jealous reaction.
"Well you enjoy that; make sure you've got plenty of $1 bills for the show." She laughed calling his bluff.
"If you're lucky I'll come by later and give you some." He said his voice husky with desire.
"I don't do bootie calls Mikaelson, especially for small change."
"I resent your inference." He pretended to be offended. "Maybe I just wanted to snuggle with you and pick up where we left off this morning."
"I have an early meeting tomorrow." She complained but he could tell by her tone she was slightly tempted.
"Don't tell me it's Ryan Gosling." He drawled really hoping it wasn't.
"No but a girl can dream." She joked. "I better let you get to the strip club, don't want to hold you up."
"Gee you're the best girlfriend ever." He grinned slipping in the g word to see how it was received.
"Girlfriend?" She murmured.
"Ah yeah well I thought it was about time we made the jump." He stuttered hoping he hadn't overstepped the mark.
"I think I could get used to that." She replied and he could tell she was smiling.
"Well now that we've settled we're going steady I'll get going."
"Please don't ever use that term again boyfriend." She teased before disconnecting. Klaus grinned madly thinking just how lucky he was to call someone like Caroline his girlfriend.
Stefan had chosen a place called Antique Garage in Soho and even though he didn't often venture that far downtown this was for Matt after all. Klaus was still curious what was going on but he figured he'd find out soon enough as the venue loomed ahead in the distance.
"Nice of you to join us Niklaus." Stefan called out across the room raising his glass of whiskey.
"You've been around my sister too long." He growled approaching the two and shaking Matt's hand heartily. "Good to see you mate."
"You too." Matt replied. "Your sister? This I need to hear about."
"No I just like teasing my roommate." Stefan shot back but not before a slight blush crossed his cheeks. "So what do you think of this place?"
"I don't know could you find somewhere further away?"
"We're in Soho not the North Pole, anything other than the Upper East Side and he freaks out." Stefan muttered. "This is called branching out man."
"Why thank you Dr Salvatore, now please tell me there's a drink in my near future."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A couple of hours, not to mention quite a few whiskeys later they were all seated at the bar chatting happily, even if he did have to explain the whole pretending to be Caroline's boyfriend at Christmas.
Matt seemed fine and Klaus was wondering what was wrong. The fact that Matt had come to New York so soon after being reassigned to a new base was strange and as much as he didn't want to raise it the excessive amount of alcohol he'd consumed helped considerably.
"So how's the Army treating you?" He began noticing Matt wince.
"It's fine." He replied monotone.
"Well we know it's not fine Matthew." Stefan added making Klaus look at him with interest.
"Gee thanks Stefan." He growled. "I just don't have the desire for it like I used to I guess."
"Well it must have been tough in the Middle East mate." Klaus offered wondering how he'd deal with something like that.
"It wasn't that, I was proud to serve my country and help out the cause." He said strongly. "I think it's just time I moved on."
"So move on."
"It's not that easy man." Matt admitted. "My family are so proud, you know my parents, Caroline, not to mention nanna."
"You could be a male stripper and nanna wouldn't care." Stefan said making them all laugh. "They'd be proud of you whatever you did."
"I second that mate." Klaus agreed trying to reassure him.
"Yeah well even so it's a pretty big move; I mean what am I supposed to do now. The Army is all I've ever known."
"So what do you think of this place?" Stefan asked making Klaus look around. His change of subject was interesting to say the least.
The bar had an antique feel like its name with high ceilings, dim lighting except for a few grand chandeliers and exposed brick walls covered with old photos and art work. The bar in front of them displayed an impressive selection of liquor bottles in all shapes and sizes.
"Well it has two of my favourite things, art and whiskey, so it's not too bad at all." Klaus observed taking in his surroundings thinking what a great ambiance this place had.
"How about you Matt?" Stefan asked. Klaus looked at his roommate curiously, where was he going with this?
"Well I don't know anything about art but this whiskey selection is amazing." Matt smiled sampling a sip of the amber liquid. "I know you're usually strange but why are you being especially weird tonight?"
"How about a joint venture?" Stefan suggested. "You managed that bar in Chicago for years Matt."
"I think managing a bar is a lot different to owning one." Matt laughed.
"I don't know about you boys but I've always wanted to own my own bar."
"Let me guess to get women?" Klaus quipped earning a grin from Matt.
"Maybe." He conceded. "I don't know, I think between us we might have a shot boys. I've been looking to invest in something anyway."
"This is crazy."
"Matt's right Stefan." Klaus shook his head wondering just how many whiskeys they'd drank. It had to be a few by now considering this brainwave.
"Where is your imagination?" Stefan slurred slightly looking into the distance almost like he was visualising their bar in his head. "We could start our own art gallery and bar in one."
"Where? When? How?" Klaus asked peppering questions at Stefan thinking how far out of left field this all was.
"What he said." Matt shot back taking another sip of his drink.
"Look I'm just putting it out there." Stefan said. "There's no harm in thinking about it at least."
Klaus shook his head wondering what Stefan had been drinking or smoking in this case. There was no doubt he had enough capital to invest in a bar thanks to his handsome salary and his impressive stock portfolio thanks to Kol.
Actually knowing Kol he'd want to go into a venture just like this, probably just to meet women like Stefan. Klaus knew Rebekah would be an amazing public relations consultant too.
He shook his head trying to dislodge the drunken thoughts bouncing around his head. Klaus couldn't believe he was entertaining this thought. If he started a business with Stefan and Matt and things didn't work out with Caroline where would that leave them?
Klaus realised he wanted things to work out with Caroline more than ever and having a link to her friends and family wouldn't be such a bad thing.
"I've actually saved a tidy sum while I've been overseas." Matt said obviously turning over the same thoughts in his head.
Stefan placed his arms around them both a triumphant grin plastered on his face. "Now we're talking."
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A couple of hours later and three very drunk possible bar owners converged on the Pierce/Forbes apartment. Stefan tripped up the hallway falling over making Klaus and Matt giggle uncontrollably.
"Shhhh man." Matt whispered. "They'll evict me."
"You can live with us in the man pad." Stefan offered looking at his roommate's surprised face. "Oh come on how much fun would we have together?"
"Actually it could be really good." Klaus agreed ignoring the fact he could see multiple versions of Stefan.
Matt attempted to open the door with his key but kept missing the lock he was that drunk. Stefan chuckled again trying to help him but failed as well.
"You two are so drunk." Klaus rolled his eyes attempting to hold onto the wall without much luck.
"You can talk Mikaelson." Matt laughed missing the key hole yet again before the door flew open quickly making him fall into a very unimpressed and half asleep brunette.
"Oh oh, you're in trouble." Stefan sing-songed noting Katherine's grumpy face.
"We didn't mean to wake you roomie." Matt grinned attempting to smooth things over.
"Well you did not to mention the rest of the building." She hissed sending them dirty looks her hands placed firmly on her hips. "You're drunk on a Tuesday night?"
"She's a little upset since Elijah kissed her then ran away." Matt spilled the beans earning a hard whack from Katherine.
"I am not dumbass." She cried her voice rising an octave.
"What's with all the commotion?" Caroline murmured joining Katherine at the door in little shorts her voice full of sleep. Klaus felt himself stir knowing that the same thing would happen drunk or not.
"Your boyfriend, your cousin and your Stefan are drunk and being obnoxious." She growled emphasising the word your each time.
"Hey I'm just as much hers as yours." Stefan smiled lazily swaying slightly on the spot.
"And I am not obxious." Matt slurred obviously unable to pronounce the word. "We came to give you the good news."
"Oh really?" They both asked their arms now crossed over their chests waiting for a response.
"We're opening our own bar." Klaus announced waving his hands in the air for extra affect.
"And I thought strippers were going to be a problem." Caroline murmured.