Join my facebook group and you'll get VIP access to jaw-dropping previews of upcoming chapters that will leave you on the edge of your seat! And access to exclusive content that you won't find anywhere else! Just head over to my fanfiction profile and click on the link to be a part of this amazing group. Trust me, you won't want to miss out!


Darkest Temptations

Chapter Seven: The Neighbours

Klaus Mikaelson

I departed from the home that Elena and I now called our own, embarking on a journey with a brisk stride. My feet carried me swiftly across the expanse of three contiguous backyards, their terrain consisting solely of raw earth and rich black soil. A profound sense of urgency surged within me, compelling me to hasten my journey to Caroline's house. It was imperative that I ascertain the well-being of all three young women without delay. At the onset, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through me, as if a current of protectiveness surged within, extending beyond the confines of my kinship with my siblings. Yet, in that moment, a profound and unyielding instinct to safeguard the trio of women who held my heart enveloped me with a force that eclipsed any sensation I had ever experienced.

We had meticulously crafted a narrative to present to our neighbours, yet I found myself propelled forward with unwavering determination, eager to be present when they graced us with their presence.

As I approached the threshold of the open patio door that led into Caroline's kitchen, a wave of anticipation washed over me. Standing there, April, her countenance fraught with anxiety, stood before me, her hands fidgeting nervously. Beside her, Elena's face bore a deep concern, her eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and apprehension. April clung to the tattered fabric rag in her hand, her delicate fingers entwined in a desperate embrace. The mere thought of our neighbours casting judgement upon us, branding us as practitioners of polygamy, threatened to unleash a torrent of tears from her glistening eyes.

Elena's composure wavered, though she valiantly attempted to maintain her facade. Yet, I could discern the flicker of unease that danced within her. As the doorbell chimed for the second time, its melodic tone reverberating through the air, a subtle tremor coursed through the two of them. They instinctively flinched, their delicate frames betraying a hint of unease at the unexpected intrusion.

"What do we do?" April inquired, her delicate fingers clutching the fabric of my shirt at the small of my back, impeding my progress towards the kitchen's exit and the beckoning front door.

As Elena's grasp loosened, a surge of assurance coursed through me, for I knew she had been the mastermind behind my liberation. With April safely sequestered in the kitchen, I pressed on, my steps resolute, my destination set upon Caroline. She was standing near the front door, her body motionless, as if time itself had halted. With her back turned towards me, she seemed almost ethereal. I strode purposefully around her, my steps unyielding and resolute. A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I discovered the front door, much to my delight, was securely locked. Caroline, ever the vigilant one, heeded my instructions with utmost care, as I hoped Elena and April did too.

As I turned the doorknob, a world of possibilities awaited on the other side. Two eager souls stood before me, their countenances brimming with anticipation. In their hands, they held offerings, simple yet heartfelt, symbols of their desire to delve into the depths of our past. They possessed the power to curve their lips into a smile, if they so desired. However, we were resolute in our decision to withhold any tidings concerning our arrival. In the depths of our souls, we held tightly to the tapestry of our past, a narrative carefully woven and meticulously crafted. It was a tale we had embraced, a story we were resolved to uphold with unwavering determination.

With a polite nod and a warm smile, I extended my greetings. I introduced myself, the names Charles and Allison Hamilton gracefully danced upon their lips, revealing their identity as the esteemed occupants of the house across from Caroline's. A sense of curiosity mingled with anticipation as I pondered the stories that would unfold in the days to come, intertwining their lives with ours and forever altering the tapestry of our shared existence.

In that moment, Caroline gracefully made her way towards me, her presence finally gracing my side. Her delicate hand glided languidly up my spine, a tender gesture that sent shivers cascading through my body. With a graceful movement, she nestled her shoulder beneath my arm, her eyes radiating a gentle warmth as she bestowed upon them both a captivating smile. In that moment, she introduced herself, her voice a melodic symphony that echoed in the air.

Caroline, a name that danced upon the lips with a delicate grace, introduced herself with a simple yet captivating greeting. Her voice, like a gentle breeze The words escaped her lips with a gentle grace, a soft smile gracing her face as she extended her hand towards the two individuals before her. "It is a pleasure to meet you both," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of warmth and sincerity.

"This is Charles and Allison Hamilton, they just moved in across from us."

"Today?" Caroline inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of scepticism, seeking confirmation as to whether or not their keen eyes had indeed witnessed the extraordinary sight of all four of us, a tightly-knit group, embarking on the momentous journey of moving into three distinct houses, all on that very same day.

"We literally got here twenty minutes ago, our moving guys went to the wrong address so we figured we'd use the time to say a quick hello." Allison said.

She exuded an aura of unbridled joy, her countenance adorned with a tapestry of mirthful creases, as if life's merriment had etched itself upon her visage. Her ensemble exuded the essence of a Southern belle, with its resplendent hot pink jacket that commanded attention, and a delicately adorned rose floral dress that harmoniously complemented her footwear.

She possessed an air of timeless elegance, her age veiled in a shroud of mystery. With a mane of jet black hair cascading down her shoulders, it mirrored the intensity of her eye makeup, both in hue and in the captivating allure it exuded.

Her husband, a man of diligent labour, appeared as though he had recently concluded his toilsome day. His shirt sleeves were meticulously rolled up to his elbows, revealing sinewy forearms that bore the marks of his exertions. A pocket on his shirt, meticulously arranged, housed an assortment of pens in a kaleidoscope of hues, a testament to his meticulous attention to detail. And there, peeking out from the corner of his right trouser pocket, dangled his employee identification badge, a symbol of his unwavering commitment to his vocation. His weathered face betrayed the weight of time, etched with lines that told stories of a life well-lived. Though he stood beside her, his weary countenance seemed to carry the weight of the world, as if burdened by the passage of years. His once lustrous hair, now thinning and receding, whispered of the inevitable march of age.

Neither of them exuded an air of menace or danger.

"Which moving guys did you use?" Caroline asked

I gently encircled her shoulder with my arm, my touch a tender yet firm grasp upon her upper arm. I sensed the tautness in her shoulders, a telltale sign of the unease that accompanied the obligatory exchange of pleasantries. It was a necessary ruse, a means to buy ourselves precious time as we wove the intricate threads of our shared narrative.

"Oh it was the Mitchell company, the yelp reviews were great but just goes to show you can't trust anyone these days." Charles, with a calm and measured tone, offered his response.

"No I guess not." Caroline agreed

In the distance, a shattering sound resonated, originating from the depths of the kitchen. Undoubtedly, the blame could be attributed to either a trembling Elena or a determined April, both desperately attempting to maintain their composure amidst the chaos that ensued with our neighbours. In the depths of my imagination, I envisioned a scene where their eyes were locked, their gazes unwavering, as if they were desperately clinging to each syllable that escaped our lips. The air crackled with anticipation, as if the weight of our conversation held the power to shape their very existence.

"That's no doubt my fault" I confessed, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Caroline, ever the loyal woman, couldn't help but join in with a gentle chuckle of her own.

"We've been unpacking the kitchen all morning and it's just been one smashed dish and bowl after another" Caroline sighed wearily, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Oh I know what you mean, when we were packing our apartment in Jersey I broke my grandmother's vase and was for giving up on the entire move right there."

"I would have been the same. I was so hell bent on safeguarding my grandmother's painting that I kept it on my lap for the whole drive here" Caroline conveyed another brilliant lie yet again.

"So you're from Jersey?" I asked them

"Yeah both of us, we originally lived in downtown Manhattan but the crime there was just insane. Then after we got our apartment valued we figured we'd sell and try put down some roots here."

As Caroline divulged our ventures in the realm of real estate and the art of house flipping to our unsuspecting guests, I maintained a composed countenance, concealing any inkling of trepidation that might betray our true intentions.

"So all three houses?" Allison repeated again

"All three and we already have renters, the house in the middle belongs to a lovely girl named April who is new to the area, and the end house belongs to another girl Elena, who has been a saint for us this week with all the moving boxes and all. So it's a nice arrangement for now."

"Yeah it must be great to get along. Our work keeps us so busy that we didn't even know our last neighbour's names" Charles said

"Well normally that's been the same for us too but we're turning over a new leaf"

Caroline's voice resonated through the air, her words hanging delicately as she gently rested her head upon my shoulder. A soft, almost imperceptible moan escaped her lips, a subtle sound that carried with it an alluring hint of affection. In a swift motion, her delicate fingers ensnared the fabric of my shirt, clutching it tightly behind my back. I observed her gaze fixated upon her own hand, undoubtedly recognising the absence of the wedding ring that played a crucial role in our carefully crafted narrative.

As the final farewells escaped our lips, I gently closed the door, sealing off the outside world. Caroline, my partner in crime stood steadfastly by my side, her delicate arms cradling the offerings bestowed upon us by our seemingly thoughtful neighbours. In a single fluid motion, I secured the door, ensuring our privacy. Then, with a gentle touch, I rested my hand upon her shoulder, leading her gracefully into the kitchen, where Elena and April awaited. I maintained a stoic countenance, concealing the smouldering ire that welled within me in response to our initial misstep. Merely on the second day, and already the watchful eyes of our neighbours had detected a disturbance in the harmonious facade of our homes.

As we stepped into the kitchen, a subtle gesture escaped my hand as it slid down from Caroline's shoulder and brushed her arm. The keen eyes of both Elena and April caught this fleeting moment, their senses attuned to the unspoken tension that hung in the air.

All I wanted to do in that precise moment was to whisk Caroline away to the sanctuary of our upstairs to one of the bedrooms where the morning's chaos could be left behind.

I found myself compelled to embark upon a different path. The course I ultimately chose was not one of personal preference, but rather one dictated by necessity. From the moment we set foot upon the sacred soil of Utah, I found myself relegated to the role of a mere observer, a passive witness to the flurry of activities unfolding in my midst. I yearned to grant the three of them a chance to acclimatise themselves to our novel arrangement in this unfamiliar town. However, relinquishing control had unleashed a series of unfortunate events, which compelled me to intervene and assume responsibility. I steeled my countenance, my eyes sweeping over each of them in succession, conveying a resolute message that I had no inclination to entertain their perspectives or even share the same space as any of them in that moment. I was esteemed leader of our humble abodes, found myself at a crossroads where the weight of my responsibilities demanded a change in demeanour. It was high time for me to assume the role that destiny had bestowed upon me. The urgency of establishing security procedures weighed heavily upon me, for it was imperative to safeguard our existence and seek the solace that a tranquil life could offer.

April, a mere mortal, was in need of certain precautions to safeguard her well-being in every moment.

The weight of their lives now rested upon my shoulders, a burden I willingly accepted. For I had embarked upon a journey that demanded my complete understanding of the intricate dynamics that accompanied the role of a husband to three distinct and captivating women. Three unsuspecting women, completely oblivious to the intricate web of schemes I had been weaving ever since my arrival in this small town.

"What just happened can never happen again. Do you understand?"

Neither of them dared to utter a word, their eyes averted, unable to meet my gaze. The shift in my tone had left them unsettled, my voice resonating with an authority they were unaccustomed to. Regrettably, it fell upon me to instil a sense of fear within their hearts. It was imperative that I convey the stark reality that our sanctuary was not exempt from danger. Our very lives, intertwined in pursuit of a shared dream, remained perilously at stake.

They stood in a profound silence, their eyes fixed upon me, as I once more reiterated the harsh truths that enveloped our existence. The world outside, with its judgmental gazes and scornful whispers, labelled our way of life as polygamy. My voice reverberated through the room, a thunderous crescendo of frustration and disappointment. I castigated them, my words lashing out like a whip, for their failure to perform the simple task of pulling down the blinds and maintaining a hushed silence. How could they be so oblivious to the imminent threat that loomed over us, like a shadowy spectre waiting to strike? We were yet to establish a comprehensive security system, a shield to safeguard all three houses from the encroaching unknown.

I dared to articulate my apprehensions, for it seemed that they remained oblivious to the perils that lurked in our midst. I pondered the fate of this nascent existence, should they persist in replicating the very same audacious act we witnessed today.

With a heart full of fury, I stormed out of the kitchen, my eyes refusing to grant even a fleeting glance to any of them. Unbeknownst to them, I found myself burdened with a pressing phone call to attend to and crucial information to safeguard. The moment had arrived for me to establish the bedrock principles of our nascent existence in this unfamiliar realm, and I resolved to embark upon this endeavour without delay.

The day had barely even begun and it was going to be a long. Particularly for Elena.


Join my facebook group and you'll get VIP access to jaw-dropping previews of upcoming chapters that will leave you on the edge of your seat! And access to exclusive content that you won't find anywhere else! Just head over to my fanfiction profile and click on the link to be a part of this amazing group. Trust me, you won't want to miss out!