Chapter 17
It was around 7.15 and Caroline was still wandering around her room pretending to get ready. Klaus, like a totally gentleman, had been waiting patiently downstairs in their living room for the past twenty minutes. Caroline thought that if she could annoy him to his limits he might just get irritated and leave but instead he barged into her room.
"Are you almost ready love?" Klaus asked as he entered the room. His eyes were widened when he saw Caroline roaming around the room in her nightwear listening to songs. His anger was getting the best of him. She was not even getting ready. She was stalling him.
"Get out Klaus" Caroline yelled at him throwing cushions in his face which he easily dodged.
Klaus raised his eyebrows, "I think you want to continue our previous activities" he said as he closed the door and marched towards Caroline.
Caroline's eyes widened and she stepped back. "Okay fine! Just get out… I'll be ready in five minutes!" she exclaimed angrily.
Klaus smirked, "Five minutes love. Otherwise I'll come here and put you in that dress myself. Am I clear?" He asked seductively.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Yes. Anything else your highness?" She asked sarcastically as she grabbed the dress he gave her and moved towards the mirror.
Klaus slammed the door shut and left the room. After another ten minutes passed Caroline came out wearing the beautiful blue, long dress that flowed to the ground. The upper half of the dress was covered in sequins and diamantes. It showed a great amount of cleavage and screamed out in all ways that 'Klaus selected me'.
She stood in front of him as he eyed her up and down. She rolled her eyes, "I thought we were getting late?" She questioned sarcastically.
Klaus grinned, "You look ravishing in that dress sweetheart. Besides the evening starts when I make an appearance. Let's go then sweetheart" he said as he offered her his arm and she took it reluctantly and made way to his car.
Damon was sitting in the bar drinking with Alaric as usual. After he received the invitation for the Mikaelson ball, he wanted nothing more than to go and rip out Ester's throat for involving Elena again into all this original drama. But he decided against it and to play along with everything. For Elena' sake. He was pulled out of his thoughts when he saw Sheriff Forbes approaching him with a distant look in her eyes.
"Liz. Come have a drink" He said glumly.
She shook her head, "I'm not here to have a drink. We have a serious crisis. There's been a report of a few rogue vampires in town. This is getting out of hand and the council is suspecting everyone. I need to discuss this with everyone tonight" she ordered him off.
"Sorry, can't do anything tonight. Don't you know the Mikaelsons are throwing a ball…" he was cut off by Liz. "I already talked to Klaus. He and his family have agreed to talk and settle this down. Just be sure to be there. All of you. I'll text you the time and room" she practically spat at him and rushed out of the bar.
"That was …unusual" Damon said as he gulped down his final drink and took his leave. He had a ball to attend.
The car ride was silent except for a few phone calls Klaus received from his hybrid minions. Watching him barking orders to them on the phone really made her think about Tyler. The things Tyler must have to endure just so he could be free. She was in her thoughts when the car came to a stop. Before she could exit the car, he rushed to her side and opened the door for her, helping her come out. She couldn't help but pass a smile, appreciative smile towards his little gestures.
They made way to the entrance of his mansion, with their arms linked towards. She could see the mansion flooding with guests. She could only think of the questions her friends would ask when they would see her with Klaus. Here she thought of the problem and it appeared. She heard distant calls of her name. "Caroline! Care!" she heard coming from behind the duo.
She turned to see her friends rushing to her. Elena, Stefan, Damon, Matt and even Bonnie and Jeremy. 'What were they all doing here?' she thought to herself. Bonnie moved to her and passed her a weird look along with Elena.
She quickly unlinked her arm with Klaus and turned to him, "You should go inside. I'll meet up with you" she said casually as if he wasn't forcing her to attend but her actual first choice date. He smiled deviously and leaned in as his lips brushed against her earlobe, "Anything for you sweetheart. Wouldn't want your friends to know about us dating now would we?" he whispered seductively and pressed a soft kiss against her cheek and went inside.
Caroline shook her head and turned to her friends who were shocked out of their minds. Everyone knew Klaus had this creepy obsession with Caroline but they didn't think Caroline would allow him to continue this craziness.
"What are you doing here with Klaus?" Matt asked worriedly. Elena was passing her a look of sympathy because she knew the extent of Klaus' craziness. Bonnie was bothered and angry. Damon was unusually calm and Stefan was looking just impassive.
"Don't even get me started. But what are all of you doing here? I thought only Elena and Damon, Stefan were going to come" She stated in her panic mode.
"Rebekah invited Matt. Jeremy is here with me. Your mom said that she needed to talk to all of us. Even Klaus and his family have agreed to talk because the council is suspecting us all." Bonnie answered in one breath.
"Let's go then but remember no one stays alone especially Elena and Blondie!" Damon spoke up silencing everyone. "Why me?" Caroline asked annoyed. She was the control freak not Damon. He couldn't just take her place!
"No questions! Besides Elena isn't the one being stalked by a crazy, original hybrid" Damon answered laziness as he took Elena's hand and led her inside followed by Matt, Bonnie and Jeremy but Stefan kept staring ahead with hurt in his eyes. Elena was his epic love and he just saw her being escorted inside with his brother.
Caroline instantly offered her arm to Stefan with a playful smile. "Well considering that you are the only one left. I guess you'll have to do as my knight in his shining armor." She added looking at his attire. Tuxedo was a good look for Stefan. Stefan laughed. His friend was always the savior for him. He would never forget everything Caroline did for him. After Lexi, even though he had Elena, he thought he would lose himself and would never be able to survive from her death but then this blonde, giggling angel appeared and helped him through everything.
They both entered together and most of the people by the look on their faces thought they were a couple. Caroline was determined to keep her best friend company while his ex-girlfriend was with his brother. Bonnie was with Elena and Damon and Jeremy and Matt were with Rebekah. Stefan and Caroline were, as usual, together laughing and enjoying themselves.
"Where's your date?" Kol asked his brother who was watching his girl and Stefan Salvatore flirt with each other or so he thought.
"Flirting with the ripper" Klaus replied bitterly as he pointed towards the snickering couple. Kol's eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint. "Do you want to add him to the list too?" Kol asked. His words had a double meaning. Klaus turned to look at his brother. "No it would only hurt her and she would only hate me more" he replied desperately.
"Well maybe that's what you need to do" He said and when he knew his brother didn't understand him, he sighed and continued, "Maybe it's her you need to hurt. Not directly I mean but indirectly. Make it hurt so she knows who she belongs to. Show her what an original wants, he takes"
Klaus smirked, "And where do you suppose we start doing this?" Klaus asked innocently.
"Stefan might be a bit direct but I can sense that Matt could be a fair warning. He is here with our baby sister after all" Kol replied with a shrug. "Let's gather them after the dance. Till then I'll be making some new acquaintances. Maybe I'll start with a certain witch" Kol added with a grin.
Klaus patted his shoulder and turned to leave, "Have at it… By all means" he called out after him.
Damon, Elena and Bonnie were in the corner having an argument whether Ester could be trusted or not to let Elena alone with her. Bonnie and Elena were saying 'yes' but Damon being over-protective Damon was saying 'hell no!'
"We need to do this but just to be sure, I'll go with her. I'm stronger than anyone here. No witch, no vampire, no werewolf or hybrid can withstand my power. I'll be able to protect her…" Bonnie said but was cut off by a voice closing in on them.
"I think you overestimate your power little witch" a young man said coming towards them. He had an arrogant grin and the way Damon moved both girls behind him, it was clear he was not a friend.
"Kol Mikaelson" Damon spat in a disapproving way. He stood tall and firm in front of the girls though he was sure Kol wouldn't attack two teen girls in front of the whole city, he didn't completely trust him either. Kol was notorious for being almost as unpredictable as Klaus. Almost.
"I see you've heard of me. That's good. But I'm not here for you mate. Not now at least" He said as he stood right in front of Damon and glanced back at Bonnie above Damon's shoulder.
"You and your brother really have a thing or two for stalking ladies that aren't even the least bit interested in you." Damon retorted at which Bonnie smiled at little. Damon was always good with his witty remarks.
"Funny you should say that. At least I'm not the one shagging up my brother's girl." He remarked back with a smirk. As soon as Damon stepped forward to give Kol a piece of his mind, he saw Kol grab his head and kneel in front of them. He turned and saw Bonnie holding one of her hands up in mid-air giving him an aneurysm. He was almost on the verge of pulling out his own hair.
Damon saw this and smirked, "Did I ever mention I love you witchy?" he said enjoying the view of Kol Mikaelson on his knees in front of him.
Bonnie rolled her eyes in annoyance. She stopped chanting and saw another original coming towards them. Elijah helped Kol stand and also stopped him from creating another scene in front of everyone. Kol soon gained his strength and looked Bonnie dead in the eyes. "I must say I'm impressed darling. But that doesn't mean I forgive you" he said with an evident threat in his voice.
Now it was Bonnie's turn to glare him. "Don't even think for a second that you scare me because you don't. And I'm not some ordinary witch at your disposal. I am a Bennett witch. One of the strongest Bennett witch I may add. I won't even blink before frying your brain again if you even think of coming close to us again." Bonnie threatened and pulled Damon and Elena along with her to regroup with Jeremy and Matt.
"Kol, stop with your childish games. She is not an ordinary witch. She is quite strong. Leave them be!" Elijah warned and he walked away to the stairs. Kol shook his head and smirked, "As you wish brother" he commented lazily as he too grabbed a flute of champagne and moved towards the stairs. It was almost time for Elijah's boring announcement.
Klaus watched as Stefan leaned closer to Caroline and whispered something into her ear at which she laughed hysterically. He was close to her. Too close for Klaus' liking so he strode towards them. As soon as Stefan saw Klaus coming, he stiffened and motioned Caroline to look. Their smiles faded and all laughter was gone when he stood in front of them with a fake smile plastered on his face.
"Klaus" Caroline breathed out with a sigh. He noticed how her body stiffened and her back went straight as a needle under his gaze.
Klaus ignored her and looked towards Stefan, "I think Damon had some trouble with Kol. They might be looking for you mate" he told him and saw Stefan rushing away. Caroline grabbed her dress and raised it a bit so she could run after Stefan and check up on her friends but Klaus conveniently grabbed her upper arm and pulled her flush towards him.
"I didn't ask you to be my date so I could watch you run after other men sweetheart" Klaus remarked raising his eyebrows, flashing her a dimpled smiles.
Caroline stopped and looked at him like he was insane, "Firstly you didn't ask at all. Secondly are you jealous of Stefan?" she asked playfully.
Klaus' expressions hardened and he looked elsewhere, "I'm not jealous of …" he was cut off by Caroline.
"Oh my God! You're so totally jealous of Stefan!" she exclaimed squealing like a little child who found the jar of cookies. Klaus watched her laugh and it forced a small smile to spread across his face too. She looked too beautiful smiling. No insecurities, no worries just genuine beauty. She looked almost angelic. Her golden hair surrounding like a halo. She looked magnificent.
After a few minutes, she finally contained her laughter and saw him staring her intently. "Well you don't have to be jealous of Stefan. He's spoken for and he knows I'm spoken for" she added the last part scornfully.
Klaus ignored her last comment and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't need other people trying to woo Caroline. She was stubborn enough as it is, no need to give her more reasons to resist his advances towards her. "I need to show you something. Come with me" He said and offered her his hand. She contemplated her options. Either reject him or accept and see what he is so eager to show her. She chose the latter and placed her hand on his. He gave her a sweet smile and squeezed her hand as he led the way.
"So what did you want to show me?" she commented idly as they walked into a room filled with paintings and art pieces. 'So Klaus had a thing for collecting beautiful, expensive painting' she thought to herself.
"I wanted to show you one of my passions … besides you of course" he teased. She shook her head and giggled ever so slightly. Klaus walked and stood in front of a huge canvas and stared the half complete painting while Caroline moved to the desk in the room. She looked at him and then the half complete landscape. "I take it the curators at the Louvre aren't on vervain" she commented while smirking.
"Yeah well that's their mistake." He teased at which she shook her head. She shuffled a few of the sketches on the table and instantly one caught her eye. It was a sketch of her. Then there was another of her crying herself to sleep, then with Tyler, Elena, Stefan, her mother. Wait! Did he draw everything in the room?
"Did you do these?" She asked surprised that a man so terrifying could be capable of producing something so beautiful. The sketches were just breathtaking. In full honesty she didn't think she was actually half as pretty as the sketches showed her.
Klaus' head shot up and his eyes bore into his. She wasn't supposed to see the sketches he made of her so soon. Dammit! He was so busted. He looked away, "Umm yeah… One of my painting is hanging at the Hermitage, not that anyone would notice." He stumbled a little at first and then badgered trying to lighten the mood.
"They're beautiful Klaus." She said as she picked up one of the sketches of her crying and moved to stand by him. "They're just amazing." She commented again and a huge smile graced her lips. She couldn't help but smile. This was so beautiful and for a moment forgot all her problems. The sketch seemed so full of life. Even if it was showing something gloomy it was still just perfect.
Klaus took in her smile. It was actually one the first time she appreciated something he did for her. He would never forget the way her face lit up when she saw her sketches and thanked him. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and keep her there, in his arms, forever.
"Were you watching me when you … you drew this?" she asked lamely pointing towards the sketch in her hands. Of course he was watching her when he drew this. How else would he have drawn such an accurate image? Dumb Blonde move. She cursed herself internally.
Klaus watched her every move closely. Her insecurities coming back, her strength and will to fight off her tears. He took the sketch from her and moved closer to stand directly in front of her. He moved forward and grabbed her hands softly into his own. He was half expecting her to push him away but instead she held onto his hands tighter.
"I wanted nothing more than to comfort you Caroline but you and I both know that you weren'tready for what I had to offer. Maybe in a few years, or a century" He paused as he saw a tear escape her eye. "Maybe even now" he added carefully.
"Why Klaus? Why are you doing this?" she asked as a few more tears flowed down her cheeks but she held her gaze to the ground.
Klaus could not believe what he just heard. Was she just asking him why he liked her? Why he fancied her? Was she this naïve? "Look at me love" he said softly. When she didn't he sighed, "Caroline sweetheart look at me… please" he pleaded.
Finally she looked up at him with her tear filled eyes but all he could see were the insecurities, anxieties and all her sorrow. "You're beautiful, you're strong and you're full of light. I fancy you." He answered her trying to cheer her up. They were so close that Klaus could feel her tiny, jagged breaths on his rough stubble. He took in her scent of vanilla and honey. She was just amazing. Too good and pure to be of this world.
"I know you have been through a lot but there's a whole world out there and I am willing to wait even a thousand years for you to give me the chance to show you what the world has to offer." He said as he leaned in closer so he was speaking directly into her ear. "Great cities, art, and music… genuine beauty" he exhaled. "All you have to do is ask" he added and smiled innocently.
She bit her lip and parted her mouth to say something when both Klaus and Caroline's heads snapped in the opposite direction. (TO BE CONTINUED)
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hi guys! Sorry for yet another author's note but I have to say this and please please please read this! I have written this chapter in a matter of a day and I was hoping to update it a little late along with my new stories but I have updated earlier because of a "Cyber" friend. She is a great girl and right now in a lot of trouble. She is really upset because her result is coming up I guess in a few days. I want you all to pray for her. No matter what religion you're from. She deserves this. So please just pray for her to whatever higher power you believe in.
Now towards the story, some people were objecting about Klaus' behavior towards Caroline that he's forcing her etc. Well the thing is as I mentioned in the previous chapters, Caroline does feel attracted towards Klaus and she wants to kiss him and stuff but she backs out at the thought of her friends and what they would think about her and Klaus knows about her hesitation so he kisses her forcefully just to pull her out of her shell of human morals. So yes it's wrong but then again this story is representing a little darker Klaus than usual. If there are any other queries please feel free to ask.
Thank you so much for reviewing, following and favoring my story. Your continued love and support means a lot to me. Thanks a lot guys. Take care and happy fan fiction