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"Truth is, I'm a mess without you."
Chapter 41: Dissolve
I don't think I had ever realized how good it would feel to finally release all the venom I had inside of me regarding the role Stefan had played in hurting me. I kept it inside, swearing not to think about it because if I thought about it, really thought about it– it would only bring back to dark place I had escaped. But the moment I finally got my words out all the built of anger I had for him had dissolved to nothing at all.
"Bonnie wait." Stefan calls predictably. The problem with Stefan is that he was so use to playing the role of the good brother– that I don't think he knew when he was being truthful.
"Please." Stefan calls after me causing me to pause for a mere second. "Ten minutes, and then I'll stay out of your way."
I give him a nod, and so he begins.
I mildly listen to his words as my mind thinks about the one person I had tried not to think about the most... Klaus. I could readily admit that old habits die hard with me. Especially when it came to managing my feelings for Klaus.
In theory, space was the perfect idea to give me and Klaus time to go back to our respectable corners. When I had come up with the idea just looking him made my stomach drop and my heart ache, but now that I had time to think about it, the more space and more time that passed on gave us more room to walk away for good. If I didn't deal with Klaus...or if we didn't deal with our issue/issues those things would poison everything we had good. That was why I had made the decision to go and see Klaus tomorrow so we could sort things out. Despite how insanely upset with him, I still was...I knew I didn't want give up on him or us because I still wanted to be with him. That was why I had made the decision to go and see Klaus tomorrow so we could sort things out.
Thankfully before Stefan gets way into this conversation he's interrupted as someone is ranging my doorbell like a lunatic. Getting up from the kitchen table I make my way over to the living room, flinging the door open with a scowl on my face before dropping all together once I realize it's only Marcel.
"Marcel, what are doing here?" I ask with furrowed brows. Alarm bells went off in my head because although Marcel and I were friendly enough, we weren't the type of friends where you would just drop by without a phone call. In fact, I didn't even know he knew where I lived. And since we didn't chat on a regular basis it led me to believe that something could've happened to Klaus.
"Hi." Marcel smiles. "Can I come in?" He asks looking past me at Stefan who was standing super close.
I elbow Stefan making him slide back just a little bit, the pissing contest I could foresee coming, I didn't even need to happen.
"Yeah sure." I say motioning for Stefan to back up and let Marcel in. "Is everything ok?" I ask suddenly my nerves starting to set in. "Did something happen to Klaus, or Hope?" I ask desperately.
Once I close the door, I nearly run into Marcel. "Sorry for alarming you, Hope is fine." He says pausing. "Klaus is...dealing." He says hesitantly. "I came here to check on you, I heard about what happened." Marcel says with so much compassion in his voice, it makes me regret my earlier thought of us not being real friends.
"You know." I say my voice leveled.
"I do." He nods.
My eyes go wide at his admission. "Who told you?" I asked trying not to let Stefan in on what happened. I didn't want news to get to Damon because I didn't want to deal with him and his hopes and dreams for the two of us. I knew Damon would take my breakup as sign that he and I were meant to be together and that he hadn't had to wait for me too long. I, however didn't feel the same way. It crushed me to break up with Klaus but I knew that I deserved better, that I needed better in my life. And I knew I couldn't settle for a mere apology and pretty words. I needed to see action and progress, tears, but most of all I needed Klaus to fight for me, to fight for us because I would've fought for him.
Marcel looks over to Stefan who can't even pretend he's not trying to ear hustle his way into my private life. "Stefan right?" Marcel says turning to Stefan. "We've met before." He says holding his hand out to shake.
"I remember you." Stefan says shaking Marcels hand. "You use to date Rebekah."
Marcel nods his head. "I'm married now to Rebekah." Marcel says holding his wedding finger up.
"Good for you and Rebekah." Stefan says slowly, as he tries to figure out where this whole thing is going. I guess with Stefan here, Marcel wanted to stake his claim on his wife. I had seen Rebekah and Marcel together nothing, not even Klaus on a tear could separate them. And nobody wanted Stefan.
Marcel grins. "Thank you." He says sincerely before he face goes serious. "I assume you're here to see your brother, however I don't see your brother at the moment and since Bonnie is family, I need to speak to her privately." Marcel says with his signature bright white smile at the end. He claps Stefan on the should no hard feelings, it's a family thing."
Stefan only crosses his arms in front of his chest. "Bonnie is our family to, right Caroline?" Stefan asks as Caroline walks out of her room wrapped in a towel. All I can think is those Damon, Katherine and Klaus genes are shining through today.
"Right." Caroline says on cue. "And as her family, we care about her and want what's best for her."
I look between the three and stand in the middle. "I'm right here." I say causing Caroline to swing her arm around my shoulder and Stefan to stand in his place while Marcel grins again.
"I get it, but Bonnie is a part of my family too, and I need to talk to her alone." Marcel says catching eyes with me.
At his words I nod my head. "I need a moment with Marcel." I say ending this feud.
Caroline tugs on my elbow and brings me to the corner of the room. Without much thought, I say a silencing spell so that the guys could not hear our conversation. "It's safe to talk."
"First of all, how are you related to him and how come I'm just finding out this right now because he's cute, really cute!" Caroline says looking over at Marcel yet again.
I roll my eyes. "Aren't you engaged?"
Caroline pinches me. "I can look Bonnie but not touch." Caroline says her face turning red. I don't even want to know what she's thinking about because she grinning over her shoulder. Rebekah would be on her ass in a heartbeat if she saw the way Caroline was looking at her husband.
"We're not related." I say as Caroline fans herself. "He's Klaus adopted son and one of Lucy's old friends."
"What do you think he wants?" Caroline asks biting her fingernails which was a habit she had when she was really nervous.
From my spot across the room I throw a look in the direction of Marcel as well. "It's not about Lucy because Vincent would've called me."
"That means it's about Klaus." Caroline says knowingly.
"It's definitely about Klaus." I mumble.
"Are you ready for that?" Caroline asks hesitantly.
I bite my lip. "No, not really." I admit crossing my arms in front of my chest. And it was true. As much as I wanted to be close to Klaus still, I also wanted to be as far away from him as possible. Because I needed to protect myself the way I had failed to do before. Still, I couldn't turn my back on him if he needed me, or needed my help. I could still be extremely angry with him and want the best for him as well. "But," I say licking my teeth. "Marcel wouldn't have come over unless it's important, and it must be important." Pause. "And despite everything I still love him."
Caroline runs her hands through her hair. "Fine. Stefan and I will give you some privacy. We can pick apart the downfall of Elena." Caroline says happily bumping hips with me before she physically pulls Stefan's arm so that the two of them can go into the pool house and discuss Elena.
Once out of sight, I say a spell that keeps my conversation private from other vampire ears. "What's going on?" I say motioning for Marcel to sit on the couch as I do the same.
Marcel sits down hands folded on his knees. "How are you?"
"I'm fine." I say my face feeling hot at his gaze on me. I didn't want to deal with my feelings about Klaus right now. I wanted to push that shit down deep and just get through the fact that my heart was stomped on for amusement.
Marcel sits back on the couch. "You don't look fine and I know for a fact that Klaus is anything but fine."
My eyes fly down to my painted nails, a crimson color red that looks great against my skin. Caroline said it would make me feel better, it would remind me that I'm a bold, confident woman that could move on and date anyone I wanted, if I wanted them. Problem was, I didn't think I'd want anyone else but Klaus for a while. "Well good." I say looking up. "He did this anyway." I say biting the inside of my cheek. "Did he tell you and then have you come over here to try to fix what he broke?" I asked my feelings bubbling over.
Marcel meets my eyes then an unreadable look on his face. "No." He says simply. "Klaus is with Rebekah and I came over here because I know how difficult it is to be in love with a Mikaelson. I know the pain and heartache they put people they "love" through."
I stand at his words and find myself at the bar. I pour two glasses of whisky and offer a glass to Marcel who takes it eagerly. "You and Rebekah– you worked it out, you figured it out together." I say holding my glass. "You guys, are one of the lucky ones." I say a small smile on my lips.
Marcel finishes his drink and places it on the coffee table. I'm seconds away from picking it up and putting it away in the sink, some of the habits of my best friend becoming my own habits. However I leave the glass and decide to use this moment to talk to someone who has been around enough to know how to handle these type of situations. "It wasn't easy." Marcel admits. "It's not easy." he says this time looking down at his wedding band. "She abandoned me and took off because of Mikael." He says wiping his face. "That man was a horror. He terrorized us. When I was younger and human we never knew when he would show up, so we never stayed in one place too long. He found us here, it was after I turned." Marcel says lost in thought. "He found us and waited till we were happy, or at least happy for us and then he burned everything to the ground."
My eyes are tearing up by the end of his story as I wipe my face with a tissue. To hear the actual horror of Mikael was horrific. Nobody deserved someone like Mikael in their lives, let alone being a father figure. "I'm really sorry that you had to deal with that trauma." I say sincerely. "And don't get my wrong, I get it– Klaus has been through things, seen things I've never seen and I don't want to see, but what he did to me." I say stopping all together because I didn't want to cry again. I was tired of crying over Klaus. "It was heartless and it was cruel, it was something I never saw coming." I say sniffing, before finishing my whisky. "And you can't defend that!" I say sniffing.
Marcel nods his head. "I know it's bad now, but he's broken up about this rift between the two of you." He admits. "I've never seen him like this, he's determined to be better for you."
I wipe my nose. "He should be better, for himself, for you and for Hope."
"He's trying." Marcel says his tone changing. "He's been trying. When you got here, when you gave him a chance he tried even harder, because you were and are someone that makes him happy, and happiness for a man like Klaus is hard to find."
I'm touched by his words but still I know, I cant give in. "I can't save Klaus from himself and save myself from him as well." I say my voice breaking.
At the sound of my voice breaking and full of so much emotion, Marcel comes to sit next to me. "I get it, it's too soon but think about tomorrow or the day after that or the day, month of two months from now. " Marcel says rubbing my back. "Take it from me, it could be a hundred years from now and you'll still love him, even if he broke your heart."
I lay my head on his shoulder. "I'll take your word for it."
We're silent for a few moments when suddenly Lucy is walking into my house with a bottle of wine and chocolates. When she burst through the door she looks at me and Marcel with a raised brow and I wag my finger her way in case she was thinking something that wasn't.
"Lucy what are you doing here?" I ask while she plops on the spot Marcel had vacated.
"I'm here because I'm your family and you need me." Lucy says as it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I heard about you and Klaus."
I slap my hand on the sofa. "Who told you?"
"Wait a minute." Lucy says looking over at Marcel. "What are you doing here Marcel, you're family with the enemy which means you should be with his trifling ass." Lucy says spitting venom. "Klaus and his bitch ass brother can both kick rocks, because we don't need them." Lucy says popping open the bottle of wine. "We're Bennett women and we're strong, resultant and the best thing they ever had!"
I look to Lucy as she fills up a glass of wine and hands it my way before pouring herself some wine as well. "Lucy have you been drinking?"
"No, bitch I'm here to support you!" Lucy says in that Lucy way.
The giggle that escapes my mouth is involuntary. "Thank you for your support then." I say holding my hand up, which Lucy hi fives.
"Wait a minute?" I say for the first time realizing that Lucy had known about my situation with Klaus, though I had never told her, not yet at least. With Marcel I figured Klaus had told him but Lucy was another story. "Marcel I'm sure Klaus told you–"
Marcel bits his bottom lip. "Yes and no." he says gearing up for my reaction. "He showed up a wreck didn't go into details but said things were bad between the two of you, and then on my way over here, Josh called and told me that Cami told him."
My jaw drops open. That bitch!
I could hear Marcel and Lucy talking but it was almost like they were underwater and speaking to me. If one word could describe my current feelings at the moment, that word would be triggered. Not only was Cami out here trying her best to seduce my boyfriend, but she was bold enough to put my business in the streets. To put it frank, I was livid!
"You know, Josh he just wanted to make sure you and Klaus were dealing with everything."
I puff out of air. "I'm fine!"
"You don't look fine, you look like a zombie and those circles under your eyes are not doing you in favors."
"Thank you Lucy for pointing out that I look like shit when I feel like it already." I deadpan
"See." Marcel says pointing my way. "We knew you weren't fine."
I let out a tired breath. "Who told you?"
Lucy plops down next to me. "Danny picked up a shift, and was ear hustling when he heard Cami call Klaus begging him to call her back."
I didn't need for Lucy to go into any further details, I already knew what Cami had been up to, what she had always been up to. Apparently, that slap I gave her needed to be much harder because she still hadn't learned her lesson. And the lesson was not to fuck with me.
Eye-roll.
"Danny said, she said she knew the breakup was hard but she wanted to be the person to help him through it, help him ease the pain."
The snort that follows is almost automatic. Cami was certainly consistent. She wanted Klaus and was so desperate for him that she'd throw herself at him even as a rebound. It was pathetic, she was pathetic. It only proves that she would go to any length to get his attention. "How fitting." I say with a maddening chuckle. "She just can't help herself, she had to go and try to make a play for Klaus, once was not enough for her, she'll keep at it till she finally gets him in her bed." I rant.
"Wait a minute she did this before?" Marcel asks looking shocked by the news.
"That bitch!" Lucy growls.
I ignore their words and continuing speaking. "I mean I get that she's dick deprived but to use our break as a chance to be a rebound really speaks volumes." I say as Marcel and Lucy give me puzzling looks.
"Bonnie, what really happened between you and Klaus?"
"That bitch happened!" I say venomously. "And now she's out here putting my business in streets all the while trying to get ahead of the scandal before she becomes the scandal."
"What scandal are you talking about Bonnie?"
I bite the inside of my jaw, not being able to look at Lucy nor Marcel ass they watch my every movement, all the while trying to assess me. "Cami kissed Klaus." I say finally.
"What–" Marcel starts to say.
"The fuck?" Lucy finishes.
I wipe my hand over my face. "I mean it's not like she was hiding the fact that she was in love with him." I say annoyed. "Every time he was in the same room as her, she'd send him long lingering looks."
Marcel is the first to speak as Lucy is too incensed to say a word. "But to kiss him, knowing about the two of you– that was out of line." Marcel says disgustedly, a wrinkle on his nose. "I know she had been struggling but she said that Klaus was happy and that was all she wanted for him."
Lucy glares at Marcel. "Obviously that was to appease you because the bitch clearly cannot be trusted."
"Chill out Luce, it's not his fault." I remind her.
Lucy relents and sends Marcel an apologetic look and then sets her sights on me. "You should've told me about this when it happened and then we would've had a big talk with Camille about boundaries and shit."
I flinch at her words. "I've been processing things!" I explain the kiss popping up in my head.
"Processing what?" Marcel asks.
"It wasn't just Cami." I admit. "Klaus, let it happen. He put himself in the situation and let it happen."
"Oh hell no!" Lucy says rising to her feet.
"Where are you going?" I ask standing as well, though I was exasperated. Lucy looks like she could do some real damage and though I'm not pleased with Klaus, I don't want Lucy to get a hold of him.
"To find Klaus." Lucy says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
Marcel too stands. "Not while he's at my house!" he says his voice sounding downright gritty. In fact his voice was so gritty Lucy and I had to pause for a moment. "I built my home with my own two hands Lucy, I'm not gonna let you tear it apart brick by brick."
Lucy lets out a sigh. "I won't tear up your house!" She says suddenly. "I just want to tear your father apart."
I put my hand on my forehead as a headache begins. "Lucy, leave Klaus alone." I say finally. "I will handle him, after I deal with Cami."
"Seriously Bonnie!"
I turn to look at her so she can see the truth in my eyes. "Seriously. Cami is out here trying to be an opportunist and use my break from Klaus as a way to slide in and that s not happening." I growl. "I may not like him very much at the moment, but I sure as hell wont let her have my boyfriend."
Two pairs of eyes blink rapidly.
"If she wants to play games we can play games, and make her as miserable as she is on the inside but much worst." I say walking over to the bar to pour me a drink. "But first, I'm going to go out shake my ass like my life depended on it and then I'll handle what needs to be handled period.
Klaus
After the last couple of days he had, he knew that at some point he'd wind up here. Standing outside of Gloria's burlesque club, he pats his pockets for a cigar. Normally he only smokes his cigars on rare occasions but lately he'd found himself doing it more often. Once he realizes he's out his lets out a string of curses. This is just another thing to add on top of his bullshit list. He was trying to fill the void of Bonnie with vices that didn't end in bloodshed but he still had the urge to run out and be reckless. It was in his D.N.A. to lash out, to be a menace but he was trying to curb his tendencies but it had only been a few days and on the outside he may look fine but on the inside he was dying. He knew that with each moment he was away from Bonnie, Damon had gained more momentum. And yes, Bonnie had told him she wasn't interested in Damon that way but that didn't change the fact that they had shared history, a history the led the two of them to living together and going all but to the ends of earth for each other.
When he walks through the door Gloria is teaching the routine for the day, she's wearing her cheetah leotard and heels. He can only grin her way, Gloria had been one of his oldest friends, and had run many speakeasies in her time. Even now, she managed to keep the burlesque club going strong, because everything that was old was always new to someone else.
He claps his hands once she done showing the women and a few men the routine.
Turning round the silver haired witch gives him a wink. "I'll be just with you." She calls over her shoulder before telling the dancers to go ahead and take lunch.
He watches and everyone scurries away eager to get a break. It's only when they are alone and he's sitting at the bar does he notice the look on her face.
"Surprise to see me?" He asks as she pours him some gin.
"Not really." Gloria says it that Gloria way that he adores. "I figured you'd be here sooner or later."
He nods his head taking a big gulp of his drink. "You talk to Bonnie? Have you seen her?"
Gloria crosses her legs and looks his way as if she can see right through him, to things he likes to tuck away deep inside. "No, I haven't seen or talked to Bonnie– but judging by all of this." She says motioning to him. "I gather its bad." She says pausing.
He chuckles bitterly. "You have- no idea." He says finally looking her way.
She takes a sip of her own drink. "I kind of do." She says looking over at him. " The ancestors talk."
He licks his teeth. "I bet they were happy to see the disintegration of my relationship."
Gloria plucks a cherry and puts it in her mouth. "That's putting it lightly, some were downright cackling over it."
The mention of someone finding humor in his situation, has him in his feelings, as he bitterly sits across from his old friend, boiling on the inside. He can't help it, he's incensed. He glowers down at his drink. "I just bet they were cackling." He snorts. "I mean the bastard hybrid who was never enough for—" He pauses not being able to say her name.
Gloria gives him a sharp look. "Don't do that, don't play the pity card because that's not you."
He blinks back at her. "Maybe I need some pity right now." he mummers. Was it wrong that he wanted for a little bit to just wallow in his own self pity? This– this feeling he was overcome with, had never happened to him before. It was like someone had punched him through the heart and then decided to stab at his beating heart with the white oak stake, inflicting pain but never really just ending his misery.
Unfazed by seeing men with broken hearts sit at her bar, Gloria only turns to him. "What you need to do is get it together and stop feeling sorry for yourself." She says, her voice not gentle at all. "Somehow, someway, you were able to get Bonnie to give you a chance, and now you need to prove to her that taking that chance wasn't a mistake." She says causing him to sit up in chair, no longer is his head bowed down on the bar. "Whatever you broke, fix it and if it cannot be fixed then you start all over, and learn from your mistakes."
He tightens his lips. "I love her." He says suddenly. "And that, being in love, admitting to love anyone outside of my family– that has never been easy for me to admit." He says looking down. "I want everything with her Gloria."
"That's not a bad thing Niklaus." Gloria says easily. "You've been running from love, real love sine I first met you– maybe it's time to just lean into it."
He doesn't get a chance to say anything when suddenly the door to the bar opens revealing none other than Stefan Salvatore. He and Gloria share a look before the witch gets up and gives Stefan a friendly hug.
"Stefan Salvatore, what are you doing here in New Orleans?" Gloria asks conversationally, while he's eyeing Stefan like he's a newly returned enemy back from sabbatical, instead of being an ex, that can be sketchy on occasion.
He listens though never really says anything to Stefan.
Stefan sighs, in that dramatic Stefan way. "The short version is, I wanted to reconnect with my brother and the only way to truly do that, was to come join him and Bonnie here." Stefan says not looking his way. "So, I moved in with them for a while, I'm staying in the pool house."
Gloria nods. "Ah, well good for you."
After hearing Stefan he can no longer sit quietly. "What an interesting place to chose to live especially given your history with Bonnie." He says standing to his full height. "I'm sure you used the near death of your brother and that fractured relationship to get in her good graces."
Stefan crosses his arms in front of his chest. "Ah Klaus, I almost didn't recognize you," Stefan says looking him up and down. "A little unkept for you, longer hair, scruffier beard. In fact you look like you've been sulking." He grins.
He chuckles. "I'll leave that to you and you brother." He fires back. "As for Bonnie, my Bonnie– watch your step because if one hair is harmed on her head because of you, if she breaks a nail because of you, gets a headache or starts to feel any kind of way, I'll be on you and not the way you would like." He says pushing past Stefan.
When he meets Gloria he places a kiss to her cheek. "Thanks love, for everything."
BB-BB-BB
Bonnie
The plan had been to hit bourbon street and go pub crawling and then hit up some clubs. I had invited all the people I knew would make as much noise as possible, which included, Caroline, Josh, Danny and of course the loudest of them all Lucy. It was common knowledge now, that Cami had been doing a whole lot of talking about me. Which was fine, because tonight I planned on reminding Camille of who I was and most importantly teaching her a lesson as to not fuck with me.
As we walked down the street, in our favorite outfits for the night– I realized for the first time in a long time I hadn't felt like shit. I mean, I was outside, out of my sweats and looking good! After all, their was nothing like a bad romantic situation to bring about a hoe situation. Not that anyone would call me a hoe, however the hoes I was with were happy to come along for this pub crawl through Bourbon Street.
It was probably common knowledge that I needed to break away from the shitty mood I had been trying to hide from everyone else. And tonight I planned on letting loose and letting all of the pent up shit go. Finally out of the house and out of my sweats, I'm dressed in a vintage caramel colored slip dressed circa 1997. My lips are painted a rich chocolate brown, almost favoring a brownie brown and my feet are adorned with nude heels."
As per usual the crowd around Bourbon street is massive. The bars are filled to the brink with tourist, regulars and people who just wanted to escape the everyday rundown of the day. Above us people are on zip lines screaming as the guy from one building to the next. Live music plays on every corner as it begins one big party and everyone is dancing to their own beat. That was what I loved about this place. It was magical and magic was in the air, making everyone feel like the good times never stopped.
"This is just what the doctor ordered." I say to Caroline was we come out of one bar a tall drink in hand.
"It's perfect." Caroline says in between slurping down her train wreck. "And if you're lucky you'll find someone to sweat the sheets out with, you know what they say about getting over someone."
That causes me to pause because the thought of being with someone else, isn't on my radar.
"Caroline is right, you have options." Lucy says next to me. " But if you're not ready you can always just dance with us or a cute guy and have fun without all the drama." Lucy muses happily. "I'm proud of you." Lucy says affectionatly.
I shrug with a grin on my face. I had decided to let it all go, let go of the hurt and just be and that was the best decision I could've made. I wouldn't let my romantic situation break me– I would deal with it and if we worked it out, then cool if not I'd be fine. But what I would not do, is let anyone steal my joy, or my happiness. I had fought so hard to get to the place where I was happy and I was going to stay that way no matter what– with or without Klaus.
"I'm amazing like that." I say doing a little dance to the music.
Caroline leans into me. "What is amazing is the pure fact that based on your reputation alone, we haven't had to pay for our drinks. I'm gonna get so wasted tonight!" Caroline screams causing a crowd to cheer her on.
Lucy and I share a knowing look.
"Or," Josh says finishing up his yard stick drink. "It could be because everyone is afraid of your boyfriend."
That stops the party and us dead in our tracks. But only for a minute.
"That almost ruined my buzz." I say as Josh stammers over his words.
"I'm sorry aside from him you do have game, I've watched you flirt with many guys tonight and most of them looked like they were just happy you looked at them."
With a shrug we continue on our walk.
"My girl," Caroline says flinging a heavy arm over my shoulder. "Has game for days." she admits. "If only she used that game while we were back home." she says with a grin. "They wouldn't know what hit them!" She says giddy.
I snort. "It would've been lost on everyone back home." I remind her.
"But here," Lucy says gaining our attention. "Your Bennett roots, magic and finesse shine through." Lucy finishes as we head to the next bar.
As luck would have it or fate would have it, the bar we were going to in was closing due to a heated exchange between tourists that got out of control. Onwards we trek forward still tipsy from our previous bar hopping. When we come to a stop we see a familiar face, that has Lucy hopping into his arms, Josh trying to look but not too hard and a plan unfolds in my head.
"Out of all the nights and all the bars to come to, you hoes come here tonight while I'm working." Danny says with a pout.
I hold up my manicured finger. "I'm not a hoe."
Danny takes one look at me up and down before speaking again. "But you're dressed like one."
I lament on his words and look down at my skimpy dress. "Touche Danny, touche."
All the while Lucy is cracking up. "Bitch I know you're not talking about someone being a hoe."
Danny cranes his head around to look to see if anyone has heard Lucy and her loudness. "Lucy I am at work, and I am dignified at work." He says wiggling his head.
Eye roll. "You're on break Danny and you've probably checked out half the dudes coming in and going out of here."
I cant help it but the alcohol is getting to me and I'm a giggler when I drink, the fruity stuff.
"Lucy," Danny stresses. "This is not about my hoe days, but the fact that you two hoes." Danny says looking pointedly between Lucy and I, decided to party on my work night. "Unbelievable!"
Caroline soon jumps into the conversation. "Just so you know, I'm not a whore, I'm engaged to be married." She beams. "I'm a one man kind of girl."
"And I'm single, sadly." Josh adds causing me to give him a hug.
"Plenty of dudes out here would love to date you." I remind Josh who nods his head slowly.
"Thanks Bon." Josh says perking up. "That's why I like you and I'm solely on team Bonnie."
That sobers me up just a little bit. "Speaking of team Bonnie, is she in?" I ask looking past Danny into the bar where Cami is probably plotting her next move.
Danny swallows hard and puts his hand over his forehead. "Yes she's in but she's not here." He says tapping his forehead. "Baby Cami is checked out and as a result is a bonafide mess. I've had to go behind her a fix her shit all night long." He swears. "I don't get paid enough for this shit!"
We all collectively feel sorry for Danny. Cami, however is another story.
"Well then, I think it's time you get a reward for your hard work and wouldn't it be rewarding to get to see Cami squirm under my heated gaze?" I ask suddenly as everyone looks my way.
"Bonnie Bennett are you plotting something wicked?" Caroline asks shocked by my admission.
I nod my head. "I think it's fine time that Cami and I have a talk, a real talk woman to woman and why not do it in the present."
Danny doesn't waste anytime. He looks down at his watch. "I've got five minutes left on my break, but for you I'm willing to cut it short."
I beam at him. "Thanks." I say touching his arm. "Can you get us a table with an expensive bottle of your choice that will make Cami come out of her cave over to our table to pour the first round of drinks.
Danny winks. "On it!"
Once were alone Josh speaks again. "Are you very sure you want to do this, I mean the last time I saw Cami she was crying, she's already a mess and everyone knows that Klaus does not want her and will never want her the way she wants him."
Caroline speaks before I even get a chance to say anything. "I think your plan is brilliant, I good sneak attack always brings things back in perspective."
"I co sign." Lucy says linking fingers with Caroline. "Though if I were in your situation B– I would've been sitting right across from her at the bar all night long, making her more than a shaky mess."
I turn to my friends but my words are mostly to Josh. "I tried to be aware of feelings, delicate with her feelings because the fact is she was here first and they may have shared something genuine." Pause. "However, she needs to learn when you fuck with me and what's mine I'm going to do the same."
My words are final and soon enough we're ushered into the bar by Danny who has us sitting probably in the best seat in the whole bare. Usually this table is reserved for Klaus, so that makes this even more better. Lets get her hopes up and then crush her dreams.
Once we're seated everyone starts talking amongst themselves. Caroline pulls me in for a quick picture while Lucy has started filming everything with her phone. We all take shots of silver tequila for our starter while we wait for Cami to make her appearance.
"Where is she?" Caroline asks looking around for someone who fits the description I gave her earlier.
I too parrot around before finding Cami in the shadows looking at her phone. "The pensive looking one in the corner."
"The blond?"
"Yep." I say popping the p at the end of yep.
"Goodness, Danny wasnt lying, Cami looks like a mess, girl needs some lip gloss or something." Lucy says as we all watch Danny walk over and work his magic.
Josh who's settled on drinking his drink is starting to feel the buzz, I can tell because he's much more relaxed now. "She's going to lose her mind." Josh hollers over the music. His drink had literally done wonders for his skepticism. In fact he and Lucy were hamming it up for social media with each passing second.
Sitting back I can only grin, it was true what they said about payback.
C-C-C-
Cami
She had been on autopilot for the last couple of days. On pins and needles as the hours, minutes and seconds ticked on by, just waiting for Klaus. He neither called nor texted her back. He even missed his therapy session and that worried her.
She knew a man like him, like Klaus didn't take rejection well, and Bonnie she turned her back on him, rejecting him so hard that the hybrid had gone silent– dead silent.
"Cami?"
Looking up she's surprised to see her bartender Danny peering down at her. He's got this look in his eyes, that makes her think that Bonnie may have gotten to him, and tainted his opinion of her. However looking further as soon as she see's it- its gone.
"Danny hi," She says offering him a smile. "Did you need anything?" She asks friendly. He was her best bartender even if he only worked her every other Saturday and had horrible taste in friends, she'd lump Lucy with Bonnie because everyone knew that Lucy was the witches biggest cheerleader.
He leans against the wall slanted to the side. "Actually," He says a gorgeous smile lighting his face. "I just came over to inform you that we have a big spender in the house tonight."
Suddenly an elated feeling fills her. Klaus had shut her out because Bonnie in her own way made him choose, but this right here showed her that despite everything he was letting her back in. Klaus had been one of the biggest spenders here, in fact he had known that after every big purchase of a bottle– as the owner she would pour the first round. A chocolate cake topped with white chocolate drizzled strawberries would also be delivered to said big spender, which was a nod to Klaus because despite the fact that he was a vampire/werewolf, he loved chocolate cake.
"Really?" She asks trying not to look to desperate yet still unable to hide her excitement.
Danny licks his lips. "Yeah. I've already sent a cake in the direction of our big spender." he says pausing as he looks at her with the same look she saw earlier.
"Leave the rest to me." She says scurrying off to her office.
Once alone, she takes a look in the mirror; horrofied of what she see's she looks like a mess. But, she can fix that. Firs she pulls her hair out of the messy bun that had been piled ontop of her head. Fingers rake through her hair till it resembles a tousled effortless look. Next she pinches her cheeks and bites her lip to add a bit of natural color.
Satisfied she smiles at her reflection in the mirror.
Emerging from the office, she takes her place with a brilliant smile on her face. As she makes her way through the crowd of people she can all but hear her heartbeat. Butterflies flutter in her stomach with each step she makes, Danny walking in front of her to guide the way.
It's only when Danny finally stops and slides to the side does she realize that her heart hass topped beating. Klaus wasn't here, but Bonnie was.
"Bonnie."
Bonnie grins her way. "Surprise!"
BB-BB-BB
The moment we lock eyes, I know I've got her. The look on her face was priceless and that cake topper was that she never saw it coming. The words gotcha bitch, are on my tongue though I fight with all my might not to use them, just yet.
"What are you doing here?" Cami asks taking on an accusing tone. "This is my bar."
I toss my hair to the side. "Well I am a paying customer and tonight I plan on toasting to the demise of my enemies." I say cheerfully.
Cami stands stock still, so shocked that Danny begins slicing up the chocolate cake and passing it out to all of us.
"What kind of game are you playing?" Cami asked through gritted teeth.
"It's a celebration!" Caroline says as her vampire teeth emerge.
I wink her way.
Lucy nods. "One for the record books or at least archives." Lucy says phone in hand, as she and Josh continue to take pictures. It looked like Josh made it to friend status where Lucy was concerned.
I watch as Cami's lip trembles. "Josh?"
Josh who had been digging into his cake, looked up at Cami. "This cake is really good." Josh says chocolate frosting on the corner of his lips. "I bet it would go good with that bottle... that is if you would open it and pour us some." Josh mutters.
I use my finger to snag some chocolate frosting off my slice cake and savor the taste. "Care to pour the first round." I say picking up my glass and tipping it for Cami to fill.
Cami holds onto the bottle so hard her knuckles have gone white. "You witch!"
My lips twitch. "Watch your tone." I snap back. "I am a paying customer." I say before picking up my forking and taking a bite of the cake, it's a bit dry but so is Cami.
Reluctantly she pours our glasses, a scowl on her face the whole time.
"To Bonnie!" Caroline cheers. "Your are my friend and one of the most strongest, bravest women I know."
I beam her way.
Lucy joins in. "To the downfall of your enemies, may your revenge be sweeter this time around."
We all clink our glasses to clink, clink, clink!
I peer up at Cami who looks like she wants to be anywhere but here. "And to Cami!" I say holding up my glass. "For joining the club, congratulations." I say plainly.
Cami narrows her eyes my way. "Are you threatening me?"
"No, threats are idle– I make moves." I say pushing my plate aside. "Speaking of moves, you and I need to have a chat." I say no longer into games. She started this, and I was going to finish it.
"I have nothing left to say to you." Cami says turning on her heel.
"We can make this a public conversation if you want, let every here hear all the dirty details." I pose not at all surprised when she turns around slowly.
"You wouldn't?" she accuses.
"Actually I would!" I say taking a sip of my drink. "I have nothing to hide, but you on the other hand–"
"Fine." she relents. "You win, you always seem to win." she says walking away.
"You should probably stop keeping score then." I mutter to her retreating figure. I look back to my friends once more before finally following Cami to her office, so we could end this for good.
BB-BB
Once we're alone, gone is the calm collected Cami, now I'm faced with the raging tear filled eyed Cami, who is probably about to play the victim card in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
"What do you want from me Bonnie?" Cami asked her face flushed red with anger and fury. "You come into my bar and you sit with your friends and you have grand ole time at my expense!" She cries out. "You already took Klaus what more do you want from me?"
If she thought tears were going to help her then she was mistaken. I had dealt with many versions of Cami in my life, and none of them had stopped me from keeping it moving. "Klaus was never yours!" I rattled off. "I didn't steal him from you. He could've chosen you a long time ago, but he didn't– he chose me." I say to which only angers Cami more. "As for what I want, I want you to keep my name out of your mouth and to get over my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend." Cami echos chuckling. "You don't even want him! He needs someone to love him. Someone who isn't running off to save another man– someone who only wants him!"
I run my hands through my hair. "Cami, you do realize you're only hurting yourself in the end, because nothing you do or say will change the fact that Klaus and I want to be together."
Cami shifts from one foot to the other. "You guys got back together?" She asks stunned, as her voice catches. "You know, how desperate is he is for affection and you will dangle affection in front of him but not love him the way he needs to be loved." Cami rants. "I love him," She says hysterically. "I love him more than you ever could and I won't let you tear him apart."
I blink her way rapidly. "Do you even hear yourself– you sound insane." I say calmly because everyone knew when you were with someone who was a bit unhinged the best thing was to keep calm, not that I was afraid of Camille, because I was not. "And that whole spile about love, is that why you've been running your mouth about me...about me and Klaus, because of love?" I say leveling her with a look.
Caught off guard her mouth hangs open slightly. "I never–"
"You did!" I snap my voice coming out harsh. "I gave you a chance to slither away and lick your wounds, a chance to move the fuck on from this farce of relationship you've built up in your head with Klaus, and this competition that was never a real competition ever!" I say as Cami stands with her hands on her hips. "But you– you couldn't help yourself." I say walking closer only to think better of it. "And so, I couldn't help myself." I say finally finding a seat on her desk. I cross my legs and wait for her next reply.
"What are you even talking about and get off of my desk?" she says exasperated.
"I took a page out of your book." I say gleefully. "And since word of mouth gets around pretty quickly you should be hearing about all that I've shared." I say pausing to grin.
"What did you do?" Cami asks her stance strong, but her voice betraying her.
I tilt my head to the side. "I should make you beg, but since I'm feeling generous I'll give you the hint of your role in this word of mouth." I say hopping off of her desk.
Still angry she glares my way. "What role is that? Am I some harpy, or a delusional bimbo." cami asks. "You'll say anything to make yourself look that much better." She spits. "Picture perfect Bonnie Bennett, the woman who tamed wild Klaus Mikaelson, the woman who does it all."
"Wow." I say after a while. "That's some deep resentment." I point out. Her words, though were simply not true. I had given Cami her props and credit for all that she was able to accomplish. It was a pity it was all falling apart because she couldn't leave well enough alone. "Picture this, a love struck doctor in love with her patient."
Cami breathes hard, her face white as alabaster. "What did you do? Who did you tell?" She asks on a verge of a meltdown.
I walk over to the bar in her office and fix two drinks one for me and one for her. When I turn in the direction of her, I offer a drink which she takes and then throws on the ground. She's dramatic like that. Still I sip my drink and look her way. "Now Cami, I didn't do anything– this was all you." I say simply. "In the process of being an interloper, you're on the verge of losing everything you word so hard for." I say sipping my drink. "Turns out its frowned upon to be in love with someone who's seeking your professional help, who would've known." I say with an easy shrug.
"You didn't." Cami says all but throwing herself onto the ground. She sits with her back against the wall her legs brought up against her chest and her head down. "Tell me you didn't?"
I look her up and down. "I did!"
"Nothing happened and you know that– you saw it you damn witch!" Cami says in near hysterics.
"But," I say reminding her. "A kiss happened and you admitted a thousand times to being in love with him." I say poking out my bottom lip. "I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles huh?"
Cami stands up now mascara running down her face. "Klaus– he won't let you..."
I can't help up I start to laugh a full belly laugh that has tears flowing down my face. "Klaus does not control me sweetie." I say wagging my head back and forth. "And most importantly he won't lie for you, not if it comes between us."
"You bitch!" Cami screams loud and shrill. "I worked my whole life, my ass off to get where I've gotten and you, you just come in and bulldoze it all."
I nod my head. "No hard hat needed."
Cami shakes her head. "You know what, I'm done." She says holding her hands up. "I'll let Klaus deal with you and believe me when I say he won't be happy."
I watch as Cami calls Klaus and puts it on speaker, as I presumed the call went straight to voice mail, one, two, three times. On the fourth time she left a message. "Klaus please call me, Bonnie she's done something terrible that will effect my life greatly."
When she's done I look up from my nails. "He didn't pick up."
"He's busy."
"Clearly you're delusional." I shoot back. "You're not fit to be a therapist, you can't even fix yourself." I say pleased as she deflates. "Luckily I took care of that problem."
"I worked my whole life to be a therapist and you just lit a match ruining my whole life."Cami says getting closer to me, as my lip twitches because I swear I'm about to laugh. "Something is clearly wrong with you, your broken inside...dead inside and you will bring nothing but pain to everyone you cross paths with."
I blink up at her. "I mean, surly you can do much better than that- because lets face it, your comeback is a pathetic as you. I know who I am, I know where I came from, what I've gone through and I know my heart and I know the truth."
Cami looks at me a hard look in her eyes. I can see it in her eyes, the moment she's like screw it, still though she's smart enough to know not to try it. "You want the truth, if you wouldn't have showed up, Klaus would've taken me to bed."
Damn, and here I was giving her credit. "And he would've been thinking of me the whole time." I retort back. "You forget I was in his head, he was thinking about me, losing me and what he would do without me."
Her lip trembles as tears fall. "You're lying!"
Not that tears again. "Listen bitch, I warned you– and now you see I'm not playing." I say easily. "Face the fact that Klaus wants me or don't, I don't really care at this point." I say turning to leave.
Next thing I know, Cami charging my way, I turn around just as she starts to swing and misses terribly. "I hate you!" Cami screams. "I wish you never stepped foot here, everything was so much better before you came here!" Cami says defeated as she slides down to the ground of her office.
I take this chance to say my final words to her and then that would be the end of it. "Keep my name out your mouth and stop trying to contact my boyfriend!" I say holding open the door.
"This obsession you have with Klaus, with me is over– find another hobby." I say tired of this conversation. "It's over Cami. I've had enough of your b.s. and if you keep coming for me, I'll hit back harder each time." I say slamming her door shut and walking away.
BB-BB-BB
When we reach our last destination on Caroline well thought out plan for the latter half of the night I nearly stop in my tracks. I could almost hear the sounds of brakes I stopped so hard, and I was on foot. I had never really looked at her list to know what was on her agenda but when she stopped in front of the club Klaus and Marcel owned, I nearly turned around and dragged her in the opposite direction.
"Everyone on social media says this is the best club in the entire state." Caroline gushes.
"I mean," I say pausing to look around. "They aren't wrong, this place is an experience." I admit honestly. Now I'm wishing I had agreed to go to the new dance hall club that Lucy and the guys had gone to.
Caroline gets closer. "B– I've heard it hard to get it, but I'm hoping between the two of us we can finesse our way in.
I cant help but giggle because this feels like old times. Caroline would want to do something and somehow I got dragged into it, but we had fun by the end of the night. "I'm sure we can get it." I say grabbing her hand. "Come on."
We probably get about five steps in when I hear a deep voice calling my name thus stopping us in our tracks. Turning round, I'm greeted with a familiar face, with ice blue eyes, silver fox hair and dimples, lets not forget about his tall stature standing at 6ft and enough muscles to make any girl swoon. Right now, he had Caroline grinning and playing with hair. Word on the street was this silver fox use to be a pro wrestler back in the day and now he was the head of Mikaelson security.
"Hey Clayton!" I say with a warm smile. Are you just getting off or just getting in?"
Clayton crosses his arms which show off the muscles and I swear I heard Caroline hitch in breath, he must've too because he's wearing a smirk now. "I've just started my shift, but you know my work is never really done." he says with a wink. "Are you going in because I could walk you through, set you in a section."
I nod. "Actually that would be nice." I say as Caroline gets close to me. "Clayton, this is my friend from home Caroline."
I say as the two shake hands and make pleasantries.
"B, would you like me to send the boys over to set you up in a section with food and drinks?"
I look over to Caroline who is looking at me strangely. "Actually we're going to go low key tonight."
Clayton holds out both his arms. "Well then, ladies come inside with me."
KM-KM
Klaus
Alone in his office he sits back in his chair all the while going over the books. Work was his salvation right now, because it gave him time to get out of his own head. The club had been doing well, very well, it was a lucrative investment and though he didn't need the money it was good to know that his club, the club he shared with his son was doing so well.
Sitting back in his chair he lets his thoughts wander. He would never consider himself a whiny person, he'd leave that to Stefan, Damon or Elijah. He could admit that since Bonnie had left he had been in his feelings.
His talk with Rebekah and Gloria had been what he had needed to hear, though they essentially said the same thing, it was Gloria who finally set him straight and told him to pull it together. Many people may not be rooting for he and Bonnie but knowing that someone like Gloria was rooting for them, gave him hope the hope he needed to push forward today. While Gloria had been able to sober him up and give him the kick in the ass he needed, seeing Stefan had reminded him that his vulture of brother was on the prowl and he would not let Damon try to tear down what he and Bonnie had built together, not what was left of it.
When his phone blares to life, he looks down and glowers at it. He thought he had made himself perfectly clear with Camille but it appeared he needed to spell it out for her. Right now, he couldn't deal with her stuff, meaning her feelings for him. He needed to concentrate on his own stuff, meaning what was left of his relationship with Bonnie.
He lets out a bothersome sigh.
Looking at his phone he blocks the number that Cami had called from needed her to stay far away from him right now. He knew it wasn't just her fault, it was his fault too, and when things had simmered down he would talk to her and make her understand that– he couldn't look at her like he did before Bonnie. And he never would again because he knew who he wanted and Camille was not it...not anymore.
He had never expected to fall in love– let alone to fall for a woman of her caliber; but he did, he fell in love with her and those green eyes, the grudges she held, her stubbornness that often rivaled his own stubbornness and that heart she wore on her sleeve. Put it simple Bonnie had him, any way she wanted him.
But this notion of space was driving him crazy!
He had never really wanted space, not from Bonnie. But he had gave her what she wanted because the alternative could've been worse then his current predicament. It felt like a lifetime since he last seen her in real time, when it was only days ago. But that's what came with love right? You wanted to be with the person all the time, a tiny brush of the hand, a smile could send you into overdrive and as much as he detested feeling vulnerable especially in love, being with Bonnie– it felt right...she made him happy and that was hard to accomplish and hard for him to attain.
That, of course was why he had decided that he'd give Bonnie one more night without him and then he was going to get his woman. He'd stop at nothing to make sure the two of them were on the right foot again. He had given her what she wanted and now it was time to do what was best for the two of them and what was best for them was to sort everything. He knew what he wanted, always had– he had just been waiting for Bonnie to catch up to him. But, after everything that happened he realized that he wasn't alone in this whole love thing. Deep down he knew she wanted them as much as he did– he could feel it in soul.
A knock at the door sounds causing him to look up upon hearing Clayton the head of his security team. "What is it Clayton."
The 6ft brawny white haired wolf walks into the room standing in the center of it. "I just wanted to inform you that Bonnie is here tonight. I offered her a suite and she declined opting to go low key tonight."
He keeps his face neutral. "Is Salvatore with her tonight?" He asks choking down the bitterness that threatens to pop up. He knew that Stefan was here, and Damon and Caroline, it would make since if Bonnie had gone out with the three of them, but you'd think she'd be anywhere but here unless, she wanted him to see her or more importantly she wanted to see him.
"No, her friend Caroline is with her." Clayton says keeping still and alert. "It's just the two of them, no sight of Josh or anyone else."
He nods his head. He's not surprised that Bonnie was able to shoo Josh away, though he was thankful that the vampire had made friends with Bonnie enough that she didn't complain about him being around so much. "Thank you" He says dismissing the wolf.
Once alone he sits back in his chair and grins. This was the moment he had been waiting for, a moment he wouldn't lose it or her again.
BB-BB-CF
Bonnie
Once we're inside Caroline is looking around at the club like it was some kind of amusement park (she loved amusement parks) but even better!
"Bitch, look at this place– " Caroline hollers. "And you have connections to just get us escorted by some hot, very hot looking zaddy."
"My eardrom." I say holding my ears. Causing Caroline to tone it down just a bit.
"I mean you're glow up is real." She says gushingly.
I give her a shrug. "I mean I know some people." I say not bothering to let the little detail that Klaus owned the club, but the club didn't just belong to Klaus, Marcel owned it to.
When my song comes on I decided to just let go of everything.
"Come on, I want to shake my ass." I say dragging her through to the perfect place on the high risers.
BB-BB
Song after song we danced like it was the last night of our lives. When in fact I think it was one of the best nights of our lives!
Finally free from all the bullshit and baggage of the past I felt like I could fly and with Caroline by my side it made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Together we danced to every song that came on. We sang at the top of our lungs to our favorite songs like we were at a concert, where we would do the same exact thing. To the songs we didn't know, we just danced and laughed and really were just Bonnie and Caroline two friends who had been through it all together and still we stood.
"This is the best night ever!" Caroline says as she spins around.
I'm in the zone feeling the mid tempo song when suddenly I catch sight of Klaus. Just as soon as I see him, he's gone.
"I knew if you got out of the house and your mind off that rat bastard you'd feel much better." Caroline rattles on. "And look at you, you look hot, you've gotten your revenge on that bitch and we're having so much fun."
Looking back up at the rafters, I've lost sight of Klaus. "Yeah, I needed this!" I say as one of the servers comes over to hand Caroline and I a drink. I take them thankful and hand one to Caroline before toss the other back rather quickly.
"You know," Caroline says done with her drink as well. "If I ever see him, I'm going to light his ass a blaze for what he did to you." Caroline says protectively and a bit too enthusiastically for my liking.
My heart was feeling funny, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was because of Klaus. As quick as that notion came to mind, I shook it off.
"B, are you even listening to me." Caroline says coming closer to get a good look at me.
Pause. "Yeah." I say after a lengthy pause. "I just- I thought I saw someone I thought I knew."
Caroline groans. "Please don't tell me it's Damon he would ruin the fuck out of this night." I send her a look. "It's not Stefan because he does not party at all, but he would party if he thought Lucy was going to be in the same vicinity as him."
"Not Stefan."
Caroline stomps her foot. "It better not be Elena. I was hoping she would fall into a well, or a hole, slip through a crack in the street anything other than trying to ruin our night."
I bite my lip. "It was Klaus." I say simply. "I saw Klaus." I knew it wasn't out of the ordinary for Klaus to be here, he just left most of the club stuff up to Marcel.
Caroline turns around. "Where, is he here with that Cami person because I'm feeling like I could fight a bitch or two, for you of course."
While Caroline is trying to find Klaus, I feel it, a tingling sensation that makes me catch my breath.
"I'm right here love." He says close to me. The electricity is so strong in that moment that my whole body is humming.
Slowly I turn around till we're face to face for the first time in days.
