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Terrible Love

Chapter 2: Old Faces Same Feelings

Elijah had opted to stay home and call it a day. Finn had also declined the invitation of going out to which Kol had said it was for the best because apparently Finn was a 'killjoy'. Rebekah on the other hand tagged along.

So they headed to the Mystic Grill for a few drinks. The place was pretty lively. Almost as soon as they'd entered Klaus' name rung through the loud music.

"Klaus?"

He turned and grinned. "Marcel?"

Marcel wasted no time and pulled him for a hug. "I thought you weren't going to make it this time around."

"I had a little change of heart." Klaus replied. He noticed Marcel was giving Kol a hard stare. "And what has my brother done this time to garner such a look. Not that anyone is really fond of him."

"He's trying to win Davina over." Freya chimed in with a sigh.

Aah right, Marcel's adopted daughter. She was pretty young the first time he'd seen her three years ago. He'd only see her sporadically through the times he's returned to Mystic Falls but obviously she must've grown up. "Oh?"

"What do you mean trying, dear sister?" Kol cut in looking offended. "She's head over heels in love with me."

Freya shrugged. "Not going by what I've seen."

"You know Davina?" Klaus asked.

"I tutored her. Sweet girl, bit rebellious, but sweet. Anyway I had a front row seat at Kol's poor attempts to win her over considering he was always freeloading at my house to see her."

"Su casa es mi casa. That's how that saying goes right?" Kol said. "So is she here?"

Marcel frowned. "You really think I'd bring Davina to a damn bar?"

"The place serves minors. Just saying mate."

"I'll keep that in mind." Marcel retorted sarcastically.

"I'm going to proceed with getting, what's the popular term you children use nowadays, hammered?" Klaus cut in with a chuckle.

"Be a lad and grab my drink too. The lovely Cami should be ready with it by now." Lucien called out to him.

Just as he'd made it half way to the counter he'd frozen when his eyes landed on the bartender.

Blond hair.

Familiar blond hair.

Lucien had called her Cami.

It couldn't be.

Slowly he approached her. She hadn't seen him as she was currently attending to someone. Upon reaching the counter the realization sunk in.

"Camille?"

The woman turned around and looked ready to flash a recycled smile meant for patrons. When her gaze landed on him all protocols seemed to fly out the door. Her baffled look reflected on his no doubt.

"Klaus?"

She quickly made her way around the counter and happily jumped onto his arms. "Oh my God! I haven't seen you in so long!"

It was true. They'd been friends all through growing up and he was pretty crazy about her. Unfortunately he'd always be overworked and pressured by his father on being someone in life that dating took the back seat. He wasn't foreign to woman at the time but with trying everything not to disappoint his father true commitment wasn't possible so they only remained friends; and she was never made aware of his feelings.

Eventually time had passed and before he knew it she'd begun dating someone else leaving him with a huge regret. That's why he'd settled on having some on and off fling with a girl named Aurora. She was okay with the type of relationship he'd proposed to her which was convenient even though she could get a bit too clingy for his liking.

Soon graduation had come and gone and he was in college far away from her and her boyfriend's. The calls dwindled and slowly they drifted apart. At the time he had no intention of hearing how happy she was with that man. The man that should've been him.

But alas, that was then. This was now. He'd long since moved on from petty high school lost love.

"Likewise Camille." He spoke, ignoring the voice in his head that reminded him of how well their bodies fit together. He cut the embrace short. "Do you work here?"

She avoided his gaze, as if ashamed. "Yeah. You see my uncle got really sick and wasn't able to take care of himself. I dropped everything and came back to Mystic Falls to help him with his bills. I've been here for half a year now."

It must be her uncle Kieran. Her only remaining family.

"How long have you been working here?" In all his time here he'd never crossed paths with her.

"Oh I just started working here. Pay was better than my last gig so I took the opportunity."

"Niklaus, what's keeping you?" Lucien exclaimed, effectively cutting the reunion.

"Oh, your drink is here!" Camille says and brings the vodka tonic he'd ordered to him. The arrival of Lucien reminds her that she's still working. And with an apologetic look she turns back to Klaus. "Sorry, I have to work. It really was wonderful to see you again."

Klaus could swear he saw the shine in her eyes burn out as she spoke. "Yes, it was good seeing you as well." Pretty soon she's back behind the counter and attending to the patrons and he's watching her, feeling like déjà vu. Finally he turns only to be met with Lucien (whom was most likely standing behind him the entire time) and he's wearing the most God awful smirk.

Lucien's gaze fell momentarily on Camille before it returned to him. "Looks quite lovely wouldn't you say? Remember the days when you were merely her little friend and she viewed you as nothing else? Well she's single now my friend."

"Stalking her are we?" Klaus replied making sure he sounded indifferent.

"Not at all but I do live here and frequent this bar on more than one occasion. Add to that my good memory of you two back in the day. My point is that you're Niklaus Mikaelson successful man in life who can pretty much have anyone. Nothing stops you."

Klaus narrowed his eyes slightly. He was getting the idea of where he was going with this.

Lucien shrugged dismissively. "Unless you want her last impression of you to be that of the friend she viewed you as back in high school." And just like that he was off.

Klaus remained rooted to his spot. Lucien's words playing over and over in his mind like a song in repeat. It was as if his legs grew a mind of their own because soon he was standing right in front of her again.

"Klaus?" She smiled. "Did you need something?"

"I'm visiting my family for a few weeks so that means I'll be in town for a bit. Would you like to get together while I'm here?"

"Wow that sounds great! Why don't we meet up for lunch at Denny's diner? Remember it?"

His hand twitched. "You mean the one we went to a lot as friends during high school?"

She didn't notice his displeasure. "Yes that one! Can you believe it's still around? How about tomorrow?"

"That sounds lovely. Why don't I give you my number?" Klaus replied with a smile.

Quickly she jotted his number down and flashed him another -unfortunately for Klaus, friendly- smile. "I'll be looking forward to it."

With a nod Klaus was off, feeling not quite as satisfactory as he'd expected. That didn't mean he wouldn't be sweeping her off her feet though. She'd be eating from the palm of his hands in no time.

He'd made sure not to get as wasted as the rest of the group since he didn't want to be hungover when meeting Camille.

"Going somewhere brother?" Finn casually asked as he poured himself some orange juice.

"I ran into an old face last night and I'm meeting up with her for lunch."

Finn looked amused. "A date? Where are you taking the lovely lady to?"

Like he'd tell him. He'd see through it immediately and realize that it wasn't particularly a date to Camille. "It's of no importance. Tell mother I'll be out."

Right as he opened the front door a shriek pulled at his ear.

"Niklaus! You really have returned!"

Safe to say he was stunned. "Aurora?"

"How have you been love?" She didn't even let him finish before pulling him down for a hungry kiss.

He was not ready for this.

H managed to break away from her grip. "Aurora, what are you doing here?"

She batted her eyes innocently. "Do I need a reason to see you my love?" At his silence she sighed. "If you must know I thought I saw you leaving the bar yesterday and decided on seeing if it was you."

This was such a bad time. Hadn't he made it clear to her that their arrangements were over with? He knew of her jealous tendencies so telling her to get lost because he had a date wouldn't end well. "How have you been?"

"Keeping busy. The modeling business isn't a walk in the park."

Yes of course. She still entertained the idea of being in modeling after posing in one bloody commercial two years ago. He needed to get rid of her. Now.

Suddenly an idea popped into his head. "That's right. And models like you need to remain in good communication with their audience. I suggest doing something to get in touch with them. You wouldn't want them heartbroken do you?"

She pondered this briefly before taking the bait. "So what did you have in mind?"

He ran a hand along her cheek. "Wait right here." Not even bothering to wait for a response he bolted back inside and knocked on Kol's door. "Kol I know you are in there! Open the door!"

Kol swung the door open, a headset hanging over his head, and scowled. "And to what do I owe the honor?"

"I need you to humor Aurora's fantasy of being a model while I go out."

He raised a brow. "You don't beat around the bush do you Nik? Oh and, no."

Klaus held the door firmly before it slammed in his face. He will not be denied. "It will only be for a few hours stop exaggerating. Just take her to the mall and indulge her."

This only made Kol more reluctant. "Like hell! Davina works in the mall. What would she think if she saw me frolicking around with that slag Aurora?"

"You don't have to be near her you moron! And if she's working like you say then she won't see you."

His narrowed. "You will owe me for this Nik. And why couldn't you deal with this?"

"I have plans."

"With who?" When Klaus didn't answer he frowned and crossed his arms. "Seriously? The least you could do is be honest."

"I have plans with Camille."

"The forever best friend!? Surely you'd know by now that ship has sailed." Kol mocked and placed a pitied hand on Klaus' shoulder. "I do pity you so I'll do this. One thing though, I'll need your car."

Klaus handed him the key, having ignored the insults he'd just shot. "It's a rental so do be careful."

... ... …. …. ... ... ... …. …. ... ... ... ….

"Niklaus what are you waiting for?" Aurora asked impatiently.

Klaus led her to his car before holding his keys up. Aurora's excitement died out when Kol came and sat in the driver's seat having taken the keys from Klaus.

"Niklaus what is the meaning of this!?"

"What better way to interact with fans then to go with one?"

"Actually love, I'm not a fan. I detest—" Kol's speech was cut when Klaus had stealthily pulled his ear. "I get it." He groaned in pain before facing his unwanted companion. "What I was going to say was that I'm not just any fan, I'm a huge fan."

Klaus shut the door with more force than necessary and waited until they drove off. Now there was only the dilemma of getting to the diner in time. Without giving it another thought he opened his door and took the keys for Elijah's rental. He'd understand.

Upon entering the diner he noticed Camille was already there, seated in their old spot. The place was nostalgic but not the fond kind. Most memories he got from the overly cheery place were those of them two hanging here as friends. Friends and only friends.

Camille gave him a small wave. "Klaus!"

Resisting the urge to pout (Like he'd ever!) he made his way over to sit in front of her. "Camille, delighted you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss this opportunity for anything. It's been too long Klaus. So tell me, what have you been up to?"

"I'm head of the Mikaelson Construction firm in Louisiana. My father passed the company along to me."

"I take it you have a nice office and do boring paperwork?"

"Naturally." He smirked. "Now, what about you? You work as a bartender?"

She sighed. "Not quite what I had in mind when I left here but stuff happens. I'm still studying to be a psychologist but it's sort of not the priority. My uncle needs me right now."

Klaus wanted to kick himself when he noticed her demeanor had changed. He couldn't believe the path he was about to take but if it could get her to smile...

"Do you remember ages ago when we came here and I spilled my soda on my pants?" It was one of the most awful, embarrassing moment he'd ever experienced.

...But her smile lit the entire diner and the laughter that followed was music to his ears.

"Oh my God it feels like it was just yesterday! We didn't have any car back then so we had to sneak by alleys and over yards because Klaus Mikaelson would never let anyone think he'd pissed his pants!"

She was smiling again. And the embarrassment was sort of worth it now. He wouldn't admit how much he missed her smiles; missed her laughter; missed her.

His blood ran cold as he came to a terrifying conclusion.

He was still crazy about her.

Author's Notes

Cheers for reading guys! Always appreciate your support. Look at my eyes now as I compel you to review and wait for more...

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