Give Me Love Like Never Before
A/N: Thank you guys for your support. I wanted to express my love for Klaroline with a story but never expected I would myself enjoy it this much. Special thanks to Mystery Girl3, Ktclaire99, CharlSmith, TheBlueBloodPrincess and Guest for your sweet reviews.
Disclaimer: I do not own TVD
Chapter 3
Mikaelson Motors was one of the established automobile companies in the world. It was started way back in 1963 in England. It became quite popular in Europe but success in the American continent was still a dream then. However, Mr. Mikaelson revolutionized car production in US in 1970s.
Though, it was still a leading company, it wasn't the best one in the business. And that was what Klaus tried to achieve. Klaus had always wanted to be the best in everything. He hated to lose. He put in his best effort whenever he took up a job and tried to excel in it. His thirst for achieving bigger and better was what drove him to achieve many things.
According to his employees, Klaus was a mysterious guy. They could never predict their boss. Sometimes he could be the most charming person on earth, while there were times when just an icy glare of his could send shivers down their spine.
Klaus thus used his charming and ruthless demeanor to his advantage. There had been victims for his both sides. Camille, the receptionist was one of them. She had always been enamored by him. She was confident and lovely to others but when it came to him she could barely string a proper sentence.
"Good Morning, Mr. Richard. It's been too long. How do you do?" asked Camille smiling politely. Richard returned the greeting by saying, "Oh! It's always a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Camille!" winking at her. Camille had been working here long enough to know when guys were flirting. So she responded with a flirty smile. But she was distracted by the blonde hair which appeared behind Richard.
Her heart skipped a beat when the guy she had a huge crush on approached her. "Hello, good morning, Camille" said Klaus with a cute smile. She had always liked his smile, though she had yearned for that boyish grin with dimples he sported when he was around Stefan, the most. "Good Morning, . Have a nice day!" greeted Camille with her sweetest smile.
"Well, thanks. Wish you the same", said Klaus already leaving for his room. Camille let out a disappointed sigh. Stefan, who had watched the whole exchange, shook his head smiling. Sometimes Klaus could be the most oblivious guy. Once they were out of shot, Stefan laughed and told, "Seriously? Wish you the same? That's the best you could come up with?"
Klaus looked utterly confused and asked baffled, "What?" "Please don't say you don't know that she has a crush on you. God, the whole office knows about it" completed Stefan. Klaus just appeared annoyed and said, "Oh sorry that I didn't know about such an important matter when I was worried about our lost chance in bidding."
Stefan sighed and answered, "Klaus! You know I quoted the lowest price possible. I just can't believe we didn't get it. But such things happen and it is not under our control." Klaus appeared furious when he spat, "Not under our control my foot. Our rival company, 'The Five' bid only a little less than us. I can't believe we lost to them".
"See you could not even control your anger. How could you…. wait. What do you mean there was only a small difference in the bidding?" asked Stefan a little suspiciously. "Well, there was only a difference of five hundred dollars", answered Klaus. Stefan appeared surprised by this new information and told, "How could the difference be so small? Unless…"
"Unless they already knew how much we were bidding", nodded Klaus understanding Stefan's line of thought. "I think there is a possibility that we may have a spy here" warned Stefan. "Yea, that is possible" agreed Klaus thoughtfully. Suddenly, a guy just called out Stefan across the hall as he approached him, "Hey Stefan! How are you? How is Elena? I missed you guys."
However when the guy saw Klaus, he stopped abruptly and said, "Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Mikaelson. I didn't see you". Klaus just smiled and told, "Oh its fine, Mr. Gilbert. And good morning to you too". Jeremy appeared flustered and mumbled a good morning hastily and left.
Stefan just smiled at that and turned to Klaus, "So, . How do you feel about tomorrow's party?" "You know how I feel about being around Mikael" answered Klaus annoyed. "Oh come on. It won't be that bad. It's fifty years celebration of our company after all", tried Stefan to convince Klaus. "Well, I hope you are right", sighed Klaus, "but really, thanks for being there for me, brother", completed Klaus sincerely.
Stefan smiled and teased, "Oh aren't you satisfied with the two brothers you already have?" "You see it is difficult to be satisfied when one happens to be upright and moral and the other happens to be annoying and irritating" complained Klaus. Stefan picked up his cup of coffee and said "So what do you say? Cheers to brotherhood?" Klaus smiled one of his genuine smiles and clinked his cup with Stefan's saying, "Cheers".
"I don't know, Elena. I just feel like something has changed. I feel like we have lost the um…" struggled the brunette girl with brown eyes. "You mean spark?" offered Caroline trying to help Elena's best friend Bonnie. "Yea, something like that", said Bonnie still uncomfortable.
Caroline completely understood Bonnie's uneasiness. Of course it will be awkward to talk about the relationship with your best friend when she happens to be your boyfriend's sister. "Its fine, Bonnie. Maybe you feel so because, of late he had been so busy with his work. I am sure you could talk it out" suggested Elena soothingly. Bonnie gave a reassuring smile and nodded.
Caroline was first hesitant when Elena invited her over to Bonnie's house. She wasn't sure how she would fit between two best friends. But surprisingly, Bonnie had been really friendly and didn't make her feel like a stranger between two friends. Caroline immediately took a liking for her.
"So, how about we girls spend a day shopping tomorrow? It would be so much fun and we could get to know each other better" suggested Bonnie looking at Caroline. Caroline was excited at the prospect of shopping and nodded enthusiastically. However, Elena just sighed and said, "We can't. There is a Mikaelson's party tomorrow for which you were also invited by Jeremy".
"Yea, right. I forgot about it completely. But if it is Mikaelson's party, wouldn't Rebekah be there? Are you fine with it?" enquired Bonnie. Caroline was really getting frustrated about this Rebekah girl that everyone was talking about. So she finally asked, "Hold on. Can anyone please tell me who Rebekah is? And what is this big deal about her?"
Elena just scowled on hearing that name leaving Bonnie to do the explanation, "Well, Rebekah is Stefan's boss's sister and also his ex-girlfriend". Caroline appeared genuinely surprised as Bonnie continued, "Though they had broken up, they still are good friends. Elena hates her and it doesn't help that she always wants to rile up Elena whenever she sees her".
"And that is why I hate Rebekah Mikaelson and dread the time I have to meet her in person again and endure her taunting." Elena completed with distaste. "Oh, don't let anyone get to you, Elena. Stefan loves you and only that should matter" pacified Caroline. "I guess you are right. Alright, I think it is getting late, Bon. See you in the party tomorrow. Come on, Caroline" said Elena and left.
At Elena's retreating figure, Caroline shook her head and whispered, "She is totally jealous". Bonnie laughed and mouthed, "Absolutely". She then proceeded to hug Caroline and told, "It was really great meeting you, Caroline. I guess we would make great friends. Finally found someone with whom I could talk about my boyfriend without feeling guilty". Caroline smiled and said, "Oh the pleasure is all mine. We will make one hell of friends. Good Bye. Totally looking forward to seeing you tomorrow".
Damon hated waiting outside his little brother's office just to spend some time with his best friend. It just reiterated the fact that his brother did some fancy job while he was stuck being a reporter for a local newspaper. But if there was anyone who understood him completely it was Alaric Saltzman.
It was true the guy had a weird name, but his ability to see past Damon's façade compensated that. Damon and Alaric met in one of the employees' party of Mikaelson Motors when Damon accompanied Stefan. They didn't hit it off right away. But when they did become friends, Damon got a best friend for the first time in his whole life.
"Oh see, who is here? The great Lord Damon Salvatore who didn't even have time for his poor friend since he was busy seducing a young lady", said Alaric scathingly. "God, Ric! Get over it already! It was just one time", tried Damon to cool down his friend. "Yea right. It was just one time this week" answered Alaric still not convinced.
"See, I am really sorry, ok? I just was acting stupid as I always do. Can't you forget it this time? I mean I can make it up to you!" said Damon. "Oh how sweet! Are you guys having a couple's fight?" came a voice behind them. "No" shouted both the guys to see Jenna with mischief sparkling in her eyes. "What, no? But then why are you guys fighting", asked Jenna innocently.
Damon gave an exasperated smile and told in a false sweet voice, "You see, honey. This is called a fight between friends or…" "A lovers' spat" teased Jenna enjoying their reactions. "See, let me get this straight. Why the hell would you call this a lover's spat?" asked Damon finally losing his patience.
"Because you two are lovers. You see that's what the whole office thinks about you two. You know, you don't need to hide it anymore. We are not against this. We are cool about it. And please make up soon. You are such a cute couple" said Jenna before bidding them good bye leaving both Damon and Alaric stunned.
Alaric looked horrified while Damon looked like he couldn't believe what just happened. "Great! It is so great. Now the whole office thinks I am a homosexual and I find this out from the woman I have liked for two years now" groaned Alaric. "Oh come on, Ric. You know she is just messing with us. I am sure she likes you too. You know, you can ask her out tomorrow at the party. I will help you" offered Damon.
Alaric looked relieved and asked, "Do you think she would say yes?" "Why not? Look at you, tall, smart and handsome. Who would say no to you". Alaric smiled a little at Damon's compliment. But Damon never liked to finish it good. So he added, "Even if she does reject you, I would be happy to take her place".
"Please remind me again why I am dragged to this party?" shouted Caroline as Stefan and Elena were quite busy getting ready. Caroline honestly didn't know why she was going to the fifty years celebration of a company she had nothing to do with except for the fact that she had managed to fight with its boss without even meeting him in person.
Caroline was shocked when she found out the guy with whom she was arguing was Stefan's boss or more precisely her future boss. She had freaked out and gave the phone to Stefan immediately. Though Stefan had assured her that nothing was wrong and it was just a small misunderstanding, Caroline was not completely convinced.
She was sure she had just blown up her chance of getting a job and she was definitely not happy at the prospect of meeting in person. "Oh, it is not like the world has come to an end. It is just a party and I am sure Klaus would not hold grudges against anyone", tried Stefan when he was met with a snort from Elena.
Stefan frowned at her and told, "You are not really helping the cause, you know?" "Well it was just funny. Caroline, look. Klaus is the most arrogant guy I have ever met", started Elena while Stefan shook his head in denial, "But, why should we care about some stupid guy? Let's enjoy the party with our friends. Damon, Jeremy and Bonnie would be there too".
"No, it is not just about Klaus. I just don't feel like dressing up today. It feels depressing", sighed Caroline. Elena patted her sympathetically while Stefan said, "All the more reason you should come to this party. You should have fun, meet some hot guys and", hesitated Stefan before he added, "maybe hook up with one instead of wallowing in self pity. You should prove to yourself that you are over him". Caroline understood what he meant and nodded. That's right, she had to get over it and she would do it tonight.
A/N: Why is Caroline depressed about that particular day? What will happen at the party? Two new characters in the next chapter and some real Klaroline interaction will be there. Please review about your thoughts and if possible spread the word about this story. I don't have a tumblr account. So it would be of great help. Sorry for any typos in the chapter.
