Prompt: Caroline runs into Klaus, she thinks he's a construction worker, then he falls in wet cement. While apologizing she says his boss is dumb by starting here at this time of day but it turns out he's the contractor & she's just insulted him. :))

Jennifer! Thank you so much, luv : ) It's a bit different, but I hope you like the way this mini drabble turned out.

Concrete Blonde

Monday - AM

"Took your time."

"I was waylaid from the airport," she complained, knowing that it wasn't just the cab that had delayed her arrival but she didn't feel like getting into it because it would just frustrate her more.

"So, how was Paris?" She asked, perched up on her desk, legs swinging freely acting like she owned the place but that was Katherine Pierce for you.

"Well, I didn't get my éclair fix from Patisserie Stohrer but there's always next time I suppose."

"Don't talk to me about desserts," she whined. "When I come back in another life I'm going to be the fashion designer and not the model."

"It's definitely more fun on my side of things, Kitty Kat," she quipped, placing her briefcase on the desk. Caroline was a fashion designer and had turned her small boutique in Brooklyn into an international fashion chain. She'd been in Paris overseeing operations there and consulting with her design team on her next line. "Why are you loitering in my office anyway?"

"Maybe I missed you, did you ever think about that?" Caroline gave her a look which clearly said she didn't believe her. "Okay, fine. Enzo was being a grouch so I decided to wait here instead."

Enzo St John was her long time Business Manager and definitely had a grumpy streak so she knew Katherine wasn't exaggerating. They were meeting to discuss Katherine's upcoming photo shoot in the Bahamas.

"Took your time," he grumbled. Speak of the devil.

"Chill out, Lorenzo," Katherine drawled, using his full name because it annoyed him. "She was waylaid."

"Yeah, well it didn't help with having to navigate the construction site out the front," she whinged. "I thought we decided that work wasn't due to begin until next week?" Her design house on Madison Avenue was overdue for a makeover and she decided they needed some major renovations to complement the upcoming launch of her new clothing line.

"Well, we discussed it and the construction manager thought it was preferable to get started right away," he replied.

"Well, some notice wouldn't have hurt given my little surprise run-in with one of the workers out front earlier."

"Ohhh was he hot?" Katherine asked; trust her to focus on the important issues. She could vaguely remember a quick flash of stubble, crimson lips and blonde curls before he was cursing and spluttering and covered in grey sludge.

"Let's just say there was a little incident when he got in my way and I might have accidentally knocked him into some wet cement," she watched their stunned faces as they registered what she'd just said.

"You did what?" Katherine and Enzo shot back in unison.

"I told you I was waylaid."

"So, let me get this straight, you knocked some poor, unsuspecting guy into freshly laid cement?"

"You make it sound like I did it on purpose, Enzo. It's not my fault I wasn't expecting him to be here," she growled. "All I was doing was minding my own business."

"Well, at least it was him and not you," Katherine chuckled. "I know how much those Louboutins cost."

"You might want to keep in mind that the construction manager will be coming in for an introductory meeting and a progress update on the renovations this afternoon. So, the fact that you knocked one of his workers into cement might come up."

"I thought that was your thing, not mine," she whined.

"Says the control freak who insisted she be part of every facet of these renovations," he scoffed, making Katherine giggle knowingly.

"Hey, just because you're pretty doesn't mean you can tease me!" She directed towards Katherine before turning back to regard Enzo seriously. "And fine, I'll take the meeting but I did nothing wrong this morning."

Half an hour earlier

Caroline was running late and she knew it. The traffic had been worse than expected coming in from JFK and she was rushing along the sidewalk. Although Katherine was a good friend, she liked to keep her business matters professional especially given she was the face of her company. She was running through everything she had to do today and it was a long list that couldn't wait even though she'd just gotten off a plane.

"Watch where you're going!" A distinctly, English voice grunted as her legs made full contact with a hard body crouched on the ground. She looked downwards long enough to see a gorgeous but angry face and some blonde curls before he fell into the grey cement. She reeled backwards mainly to protect her designer shoes and handbag, watching him flail around in the thick, gooey substance. He eventually sat up and wiped the cement from his face, exposing some penetrating, blue eyes in the process.

"Good one, lady."

"This was not my fault, buddy," she argued. "Last time I checked you were the one who was directly blocking my path."

"Well, if you were actually paying attention you would have noticed this is a worksite and followed the detour signage we've erected especially for pedestrians," he shouted, standing up so that he was now at the same height.

"Yeah, just there," she gestured past him.

"If you were paying attention you would have seen the first sign about fifty metres back." She chose not to reply to that given she may have missed that one, if it existed. "I know how difficult it can be for blondes though."

"Takes one to know one," she muttered. "Anyway, you're not even supposed to be working on this building yet, so excuse me if your presence comes as a bit of a surprise. What kind of company is your boss running anyway?" She didn't allow him to reply just stalked away in frustration, her heels clicking on the path.

Monday - PM

"Mr Mikaelson is here to see you," her assistant Lexi advised through the intercom.

"Send him in," Caroline yawned, feeling the effects of her long day finally taking its toll. She heard her office door click open and looked up, unable to form words. She'd know those blazing eyes anywhere. Suddenly her throat went dry and her bravado from this morning seemed to be slipping away with every second. Mainly because of the fact that he was absolutely gorgeous without the layer of cement he'd sported earlier in the day.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" He smirked, knowingly. Bastard.

"It's you," was all she managed to mutter. He took a seat across from her at the desk, his gaze unwavering. She noticed a grey smudge on his right arm and a few stray crumbs of cement lodged in his curls.

"The guy you knocked into wet cement you mean? I'm actually surprised you recognise me to be honest."

"You're..."

"Klaus Mikaelson," he murmured, leaning forward to shake her hand. She took it reluctantly, not expecting the warm sensation his touch caused. "Construction Manager."

"You're the Site Manager?"

"That's what I said."

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"

"Well, let's see. Number one I was covered in cement, so it wasn't foremost in my mind and number two you stalked off before I had a chance to address your complaint, which was unwarranted given your Business Manager ticked off on the start date last week." Caroline hated that this smug ass had a point. She was never going to let Enzo forget that he made a decision without her consent. He'd probably just accuse her of being a control freak again but she didn't care right now.

"You have an interesting way of speaking to your clients, Mr Mikaelson," she drawled, attempting to change the course of the conversation and trying to ignore his enticing scent.

"Well, I didn't know you were my client this morning until one of the other guys brought it to my attention and you should know I'm not one to back down, especially when I'm not at fault."

"We're not going to do this again, are we?"

"You don't want to rehash this because you know I'm right," he replied, cocking his left eyebrow. She faltered briefly thinking he may just have a point.

The incident had been plaguing her all day. She'd been adamant it wasn't her fault because the workmen shouldn't have been there but finding out Enzo had approved the change had caused her to rethink things.

Caroline had always been self-conscious about wearing her glasses since she was young and in her rush from the airport they were still stowed away in her handbag from the flight. If there was a sign in the distance she wouldn't have seen it. Even so, she didn't think she'd ever have to talk to him again so owning up wasn't a priority.

"Fine, I'm sorry," she muttered, her gaze downward.

"I don't think I heard you properly?" He asked, holding his hand to his ear, a sly smile on those deep, crimson lips.

"I think you did."

"Wow, I wasn't expecting a full blown confession," he whistled. "I thought the great fashion princess would be too proud to admit any wrongdoing."

"I may have missed the earlier sign because I wasn't wearing my glasses because I hate them on me but obviously I didn't mean to do what I did," she rambled. "Although given what an arrogant ass you seem to be I'm not completely upset by the outcome."

"Do you always speak to your clients like this?" He grinned, repeating her previous comment.

"Only when they deserve it," she quipped. "Look, obviously we need to work together, so if there is something I can do to compensate you..." He leaned forward rummaging around in his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "What's this?"

"It's my dry cleaning bill." She was a little taken aback that he'd brought it with him in anticipation of their meeting."

"Fine," she murmured, pretending not to be offended by his presumption. "Now that's settled, should we talk about the project?"

After fifteen minutes, Caroline was up to speed with the renovations and the proposed time line. Klaus obviously knew what he was talking about and she was glad to have someone so competent working on her shop. The only obstacle she foresaw was having to pretend she didn't find him immensely attractive. Easy, right?

"Thanks for that, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with."

"You'll love it, trust me," he answered, before walking towards the door while she tried to ignore just how toned his ass looked in those pants. He looked back at her briefly, his eyes flickering over her body. "Oh and by the way I think you'd look beautiful in glasses." She was taken aback momentarily, not expecting that at all given their earlier encounter.

"Uh, thank you," she murmured.

"Also, if you could settle that bill soon, it would be appreciated," he added, confusing her slightly. She shook her head thinking that he was either a really weird guy or the jet lag was setting in. Opening the bill he'd provided she began to read the scrawl.

Do you really think I'd charge you for dry cleaning (even if you did push me into wet cement). What I'd really like is a date, cement free of course.

He was so damn cocky but she couldn't help grinning. Caroline would give him an answer when she was good and ready, at least she knew they'd be working together for a while.