Devious Intentions

Chapter 3

For as many people as he had tortured over the years, Klaus was beginning to think that karma was finally catching up to him in the form of the Miss Mystic Falls Pageant. His weekend was wasted away in the Founders Hall, interviewing vapid teenage girls instead of dealing with the pressing matter of the rogue Gemini Cartel. A very pressing issue he'd had to send Kol to deal with while he was presently preoccupied maintaining his town friendly image.

Not only that, but the first contestant's voice had been more grating than nails on a chalkboard. The ditzy halfwit, who'd already racked up a felony and several hours worth of mandated community service, had actually convinced herself that she deserved to be here and had a chance at the crown. A descendent of a founding family with money of course, otherwise there'd have been no way for this girl to be among the five finalists.

She'd drone on about the community service that she'd been no less committed to than if she'd been there upon her own free will. A ridiculous notion that he'd had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at.

The second girl, a cousin to the first, was slightly less aggravating, as she was technically felony and misdemeanor free, but clearly felt entitled due to a combination of winning the previous year, and the prestige her family name brought her. She had an air of humbleness to her tone, a farce, one that he saw right through.

The third was your standard, friendly girl next door type. Pretty but boring, just like her name: Amber Bradley. She'd been the best of the contestants so far, but without a founding family name attached there wasn't a chance the other judges were even slightly considering her as a real finalist.

Next, was a name he recognized from the folder Marcel gave him. Elena Gilbert. One out of two of Carolines best friends. She gave a good speech about being distracted over her parents death, and how much this meant to her, but the truth was she had not been an active participant in key community events for a few years now. A quality that usually would have disqualified her from the competition long before this if it hadn't been for the fact that her dead mother had won the title herself twenty years ago.

That, along with barely surviving the car accident that had killed both her parents, apparently not only excused her, but made her the front runner as well. A concept he was vehemently against. One that would not come to fruition if he had anything to say about it. And he would, as soon as deliberation began.

Fifth and finally, Caroline entered the room, causing Klaus to instantly perk up from his previous mood. He quickly realized he was far too invested in this stupid pageant that he had only thought of with great annoyance just a few minutes ago. A lump formed in his throat just from having her in his presence again, along with the strong desire to run his hands along the column of her throat. He longed to touch her skin on skin, but there would be no hope of that today. Not with the other judges there as chaperone.

Her chosen attire was far from what he'd pictured. A modest dress of black with a pink collar and belt. It was conservative, and a tad unflattering; obviously selected with the image she wanted to portray to the judges in mind. It just went to show that he would still find her beautiful even if she were in a potato sack. Though he was now imagining her naked again, rather than in burlap, or her current attire.

He could easily picture her in the chair she was in, only handcuffed to it as she eagerly waited for him to touch her. Klaus coughed and shook the naughty thoughts of completely dominating her from his head as Carol Lockwood began the final interview of the day.

Caroline answered each interview question on the list as if she had rehearsed it a million times, as Klaus listened intently, He picked up on the things she wasn't saying with words. Like contestant number 2, Caroline was attempting to portray herself as the best choice, only in her case the farce wasn't one that stemmed from entitlement, but from a deeper desire. One where she longed to be noticed. To finally be chosen.

And as she continued to list her many activities and accomplishments, it was then that Klaus realized why she was so special. Why so many women before her had failed to hold his attention for more than a few days. While the other girls were confident, self assured, and making a show to come across as humble, Caroline was the opposite. She was insecure, and overshadowed while attempting to appear competent; always fearing that she would be overlooked no matter how hard she tried.

She was on the Mystic Falls Beautification Committee, and volunteered at the soup kitchen in her spare time. Implemented a Go Green Campaign at the high school and reorganized the city's recycling program to make it more efficient. And on top of that was in charge of the policeman's yearly raffle while maintaining a 3.9 GPA.

Caroline had clearly worked her ass off trying to prove herself worthy to this town. She had an absentee mother who constantly put her position as Sheriff above spending time with her own daughter. A father who'd abandoned his family for another love, and then got himself killed a year later.

It was clear all Caroline really wanted was for someone to choose her. To be noticed and appreciated; the one chosen above all other options.

And for once, though she didn't know it yet. Someone had.

CKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCK

After Caroline had left, it was time for the five judges to deliberate. Though they were selecting the winner based on the applications, interviews, and well, honestly on town politics and social standing; the winner would not be announced until all events concluded after the actual pageant the following Saturday.

"I'm guessing she's the front runner then." Klaus chuckled, as he attempted to break the ice with the other four judges. "Since she came all the way across town just to hand deliver the applications last week."

"Actually, that would be Elena Gilbert." Ruth Sommers, a member of the local school board, informed him coldly. "The girl whose parents died in that horrible car accident on Wickery Bridge two years ago."

"I'm afraid I wasn't here for that." Klaus replied feigning sympathy. Though he'd heard of the incident since his arrival to town, it truly had been an accident and not of nefarious intention like most of the other local tragedies, and therefore held no significance to him. "Although I fail to see what that has to do with the actual judging of this pageant."

"Now Niklaus," One of the other women who used to judge this farce of a competition alongside his father responded. "I know you haven't spent much time here since you went away to school after your mother died, but this is the way we do things here. Your presence on this panel is more for show than anything, and as for who wins, that is ultimately up to us to decide."

Klaus's eyebrows raised a hair at her tone, but he kept his temper under control for the time being. "Well then, if losing one or both of your parents are actual qualifications then perhaps I should be in the running for Miss Mystic Falls as well." He retorted sarcastically, but with a menacing grin.

Ruth opened her mouth to scold him for his remark but he cut her off. "And if, by chance, you really are looking to crown the winner based on this ridiculous factor, then I feel I must remind you that Elena is not the only candidate who lost a parent in a tragic accident the past few years." He fixed a stern glare at each of his fellow judges. "I recall hearing that William Forbes, Caroline's father, died in a random animal attack last year. Did he not?"

The two older women on the panel looked to each other rather than at him, Ruth crossing her arms as they had a silent exchange. "Ladies. Mr. Mikaelson." Carol attempted to mediate. "We are here to discuss each of the girls, not just the front runners, and make our decision based on their qualifications and dedication to the community."

"You're just biased because Caroline has been dating your son for the past year." Ruth scoffed.

"And what does that make you, as Elena's great aunt?" Carol retorted back with a fake smile.

As much as Klaus was enjoying the back and forth bickering between four catty women, he had better things to do than sit here all day. He had just the thing lined up in order to ensure not only Caroline's victory, but his own as well. The plan he was about to set into motion is what would ultimately lead him to his end goal of getting her all to himself.

"I think I know how to settle this." He spoke up, before Ruth could come up with a clever comeback. "You see, along with the title, the crown, and getting to be center stage at the 150th founders day gala, I was also going to offer this year's winner a paid summer internship working directly with me at Mikaelson Industries."

His revelation was met with a mixture of dropped jaws and confused stares.

"Which means, Ladies." Klaus continued before another argument could erupt around him, flashing them a victorious smirk in the process. "Since I will be the one doling out the reference of a lifetime to one of these lucky girls, ultimately, the decision is mine."