Chapter 2
The next day Elijah returned home after a long day at work. The large villa was perfectly empty and it was getting to him. Just when he was about to go crazy, when Klaus called him to go bowling. Ever since Klaus found out about bowling, he could be found at the Lanes almost every afternoon.
The Mystic Lanes were fairly vacant with only Klaus and Finn, their other older brother and business partner of Elijah. The two were hogging the five lanes shouting and messing around like a bunch of preteens. Kind of like Kol and Rebekah.
Yeah, they were a big family.
"Hey man! We're already bowling. Join the fun"
"Greetings and salutations. Elijah"
Finn was always a little weird. Picking the lane next to Finn to avoid any flying heavy balls coming from Klaus, Elijah did join the fun letting his self unwind a little.
"It's good that you made it out, what with yesterday being so crazy and everything"
"I don't really want to talk about it right now, Klaus. I thought I liked Katherine, but I didn't think she'd try to pressure me into marriage after 3 weeks"
"Yeah, Katherine was a total basket case. If I knew it, I'd have sealed the deal"
"I guess it could be a good idea"
Elijah agreed. He and Katherine had met after she had met Klaus. Since Klaus had a habit of loving and leaving, Elijah had little remorse over stealing his girlfriend. Of course in retrospect, that may not have been the best of ideas
"Ah, a swan song between the recalcitrant of love. However the true crux of the issue, thus far unmentioned, seems 'prima facie' to be pecuniary in nature"
"Finn's right, she was probably just after your money. El... Don't look now, but the girl at the coffee bar is really cute. You should go get a cup"
Elijah rolled his eyes at his brothers' goading. However he did turn around to check out the girl when Finn joined the goading. The girl truly was cute so he walked over to the coffee stand and waited patiently for his turn.
"What can I get you?"
A soft voice greeted him.
"I'll take a coffee and...Oh, how embarrassing. I lost my number, can I have yours?"
He stammered as he shook his head at how awkward that came out. The girl shook her head with a wry chuckle as she handed him a cup of hot coffee
"I'll give you my number on one condition. Never use that line again"
"Deal"
He agreed at her smiling face but she stopped him as he was about to pay
"No charge. It's on the house"
With a parting smile Elijah joined his brothers at the lanes. Both Finn and Klaus were doing a poor impression at pretending they hadn't heard a thing
"How'd it go? Did you get her digits?"
"Strangely... yeah I did"
"Awesome! If you're not going to call her, I'd be willing to take her number off your hands"
"I bet you would"
Elijah laughed at Klaus as the three men moved to the pool tables. Unlike bowling though, all three were horrible at pool. Colored balls would fly away or they'd hit innocent passerby's with their sticks.
All in all, they had fun. Dodging a stray ball, Bella gently tapped Elijah on the shoulder. She had taken off the light blue apron she had on but the sky blue t-shirt with the word 'Coffee' was still in place
"I gotta run. It was nice to meet you Elijah"
"It was nice meting you too. Goodnight"
With a last smile she left the bowling alley.
"You know El; you just got out of a relationship. You don't want to get involved in another one so soon. Just give me Bella's number and I'll get rid of it for you, alright?"
"Keep dreaming, pal"
The banter continued until Finn interrupted them
"I must bid adieu to you comrades. My presence is required at the dinner table. Maybe the power see you prosper
"See you later"
"Bye Finn"
"We have to cancel his subscription to Star Trek, Star Wars and everything else including the words 'Star' or 'Doctor Who'
"Maybe his wife likes it Klaus"
Blue eyes met hazel ones and the two shuddered before slumping on one of the long, comfy leather couches.
"Don't look now, but Katherine just walked in with your 'best friend' Edward"
Klaus uttered but not surprised. Elijah's eyebrows went to play hide and seek in his hairline as he swirled around to see.
"Edward Cullen! I can't believe she's with my main business competitor. She was talking about marriage, what yesterday? This is ridiculous!"
"She's trying to get to you. Why don't you flirt with someone else?"
"This is childish Klaus"
"When in Rome..."
Thoughtfully Elijah nodded. After all he had let his mouth run a bit with Katherine. The last thing he needed was for his main competitor to find out all his business skeletons and plans.
Rolling his head as if he was preparing for a fight, Elijah walked up to a group of women standing by the jukebox. He tried to flirt but skills were sorely bad
"Aren't you Elijah Mikaelson, millioner CEO? Somehow, I thought you'd be taller"
"Hey watch it. I came here to bowl, not get knocked over by pinheads"
"I left my phone number at home. You wait here, I'll go get it"
When he turned to Klaus, his brother was laughing. Unfortunately so was Katherine
"That was pathetic. You're really taking this hard. Aren't you? Perhaps you realize how good you had it with me! It's too late now thought. I'm with Edward and he knows how to treat a lady"
"Why is there one around?"
Klaus asked under his breath as the new couple left hand in hand.
"That was harsh man. And I'm not talking about what happened with Katherine"
"Yeah, I know. At least I got Bella's number. Anyway I think I'll go home now. Later man"
"Erm... Eli? I signed you up for an eDating service last night"
Klaus said quickly with one breath before hoping on his motorcycle and speeding away. Elijah was left shaking his head. Too bad you can't choose your family.
