Let me preface this by saying I started writing this story over a decade ago. It's been 11 years to be precise. I was a native French speaker (teenager) taking a try at her first English story at the time. Since then, my fluency in English has increased and my writing style has evolved. I will be making significant edits to the old chapters before I move on to writing brand new chapters.
I hope you choose to embark on this adventure with me :)
Caroline Forbes was sitting in an airplane leading her back to Mystic Falls. The past seven years away from her hometown had been less than restful for the gorgeous blonde. As she settled into her plush seat in the first row of the first-class cabin of a Brussels Airlines airplane, the gentle hum of the engines provided a soothing backdrop to her tumultuous thoughts.
First, her break-up with Tyler, when he had returned to Mystic Falls after Klaus allowed it as a graduation present to her, had been testing. The memories of that time still weighed on her heart. She could vividly recall the heartache that accompanied the realization that she had fallen out of love with him. It wasn't an easy truth to face, and it was an even harder one to admit to her boyfriend. Caroline didn't quite understand what had happened herself. All she knew was that her feelings had changed.
Things had initially seemed hopeful when Tyler returned, but it wasn't long before Caroline noticed the changes in both of them. Time had transformed her, and she had grown into a more mature, ambitious woman with dreams beyond the confines of Mystic Falls. The awkwardness between them escalated, and the romantic spark vanished, prompting Caroline to gather her courage and end things with Tyler. It was a heartbreaking decision, but surprisingly, Tyler had taken it gracefully, accepting her choice without protest.
The memories continued to play like a movie reel in her mind as she reminisced about the time she and Bonnie had prepared to move to Boston for college. Saying goodbye to Elena, Stefan, Matt, and even Damon –leaving him to his never-ending love triangle with Elena and his brother – had been an emotional ordeal for Caroline and Bonnie. Mercifully, the bond between the two girlfriends had been a source of solace for both of them during that difficult period of transition.
There was one person in particular Caroline had been reluctant to bid farewell to: Klaus. It was a strange attachment she refused to acknowledge, even to herself. The enigmatic Original Hybrid had managed to leave an indelible mark on her heart, though she wouldn't dare confess it. The memory of their last encounter hung over her like a lingering fragrance, impossible to ignore.
Resting in her luxurious seat, Caroline's mind drifted back to that poignant moment. The day in Mystic Falls when she thought she might never see him again, or at least not for a very long time, still stirred a tiny pain in her chest. To think that he had been the one to inspire her to take a chance and step out of her comfort zone in the first place... Despite the complexities of their relationship, she couldn't help but remember Klaus with a mix of fondness and fear.
Caroline Forbes found herself standing at the imposing front door of the Mikaelson mansion, her dead heart racing, her body slightly shaking, and her head screaming at her to run away from this house and the predicament she was about to get herself into while she still had the chance. Summoning her courage, she took it upon herself to knock, the sound echoing through the quiet neighborhood.
Rebekah was the one to open up the door. "Oh, and here I thought my day couldn't get any worse." She greeted with the most insincere smile Caroline had ever seen.
At the sight of the Original girl, the nervousness Caroline had been feeling instantly gave way to exasperation.
"I am delighted to see you too, Rebekah." Caroline sarcastically replied. "Is your brother here?" She inquired with the best pretense of casualness she could muster at the moment.
"Which brother?" Rebekah falsely asked, knowing very well who Caroline was here to see. Her eyes flickered with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.
"Thank you, Bekah. I think I can handle it from here." Klaus indicated as he appeared before them. Judging by the stains on his fingers, Caroline guessed he had been painting in his art studio. "Morning, love. To what do I owe the honor?" he greeted her with a kind smile.
Caroline's heart skipped a beat, and she swallowed her nervousness as she began, "Um, I was hoping I could talk to you…" She glanced at Rebekah and added with a pointed look, "away from inquisitive ears"
"Rebekah, darling, would you mind giving us a moment please?" Klaus ordered more than he asked and before she could answer back, he continued, "Didn't you mention earlier you had some shopping to do?"
Though she snorted in response, she wisely chose to leave the two alone and headed out.
Satisfied, Klaus turned back to Caroline and took a step backwards so she could enter his home, which she did.
He then led her to his salon and proposed to fix her something – tea or some champagne –but she declined, claiming she needed to keep her mind clear.
They had been sitting on two separate sofas for a few minutes before he decided to break the uncomfortable and nerve-wracking silence.
"Not that I mind just sitting here and staring at your breathtakingly beautiful face… I could do that for the rest of my days. But I believe you had something to tell me, love." Klaus stated, managing to keep his voice even, though Caroline detected a hint of concern in his eyes.
She, on the other hand, couldn't help the shade of pink that invaded her cheeks, so she kept staring at her feet, waiting for it to fade away.
A few seconds later but what seemed like an eternity to Klaus, Caroline finally gathered all her courage and lifted her eyes towards him. "I am leaving town." She blurted out.
Quick and painless, right?
The news caused Klaus to wince visibly, causing Caroline's features to soften as she realized the impact her departure would have on him.
Minutes went by. Caroline watched a kaleidoscope of emotions flicker across his face.
Eventually, Klaus broke the silence, "With Tyler?" he inquired, trying to sound nonchalant, though a hint of jealousy crept into his voice.
Quick to dispel any misunderstandings, Caroline replied, "No, not at all. Actually, Tyler and I broke things off." Klaus's eyes widened in surprise.
"We're, we're fine. Still friends. We just decided to go our separate ways. In fact, I am leaving town with Bonnie to go study in Boston," Caroline explained.
He listened to Caroline intently before asking in a doubtful voice, "You and Tyler broke things off?"
At his question, Caroline couldn't help but feel flattered: either he actually cared for her and perceived this breakup as a possible opportunity for him or he was really good at pretending.
Slightly amused, she chuckled before replying, "Of everything I've just said, that is the only thing you've picked up?" .
A smile which could only be described as shy crept upon his face.
"Why did you break up?" he inquired after a short moment.
"Does it matter?" she asked as well, quite confused.
Caroline had always assumed Klaus would be sanctimonious and not ask any questions if she ever ended up breaking up with Tyler. She never thought he would actually try to figure out what events led to the separation. She had to say she was surprised. Pleasantly surprised.
"It matters if he hurt you, love. Believe it or not, I care." Klaus declared, looking straight into her eyes as he spoke from his heart.
A lump formed in Caroline's throat as she heard Klaus' words and saw the sincerity in his eyes. He genuinely cared for her. Sure, she had told him when she thought she was going to die that she knew he was in love with her, but that was a stretch, a desperate and last attempt to get to him. She didn't actually think she, Caroline Forbes, the ordinary girl, always second-choice, had –unwillingly and without even noticing it –gotten the Original Hybrid to fall in love with her.
As she didn't answer, Klaus frowned as his concern grew, and he insisted, "Did he…? Hurt you?"
Fearing that her voice might betray her and show the emotions that were overwhelming her, Caroline just shook her head.
/
Elena found herself in the bathroom adjacent to the room she now shared with Stefan in the Salvatore's Mansion – a place that had become her home. As she prepared for the evening, she wrestled with the decision of how to style her hair, torn between straightening or curling it. Stefan's confession about his love for her neck made her giggle and prompted her to settle on straightening her hair before elegantly pulling it up into a bun.
After cleansing her face, Elena meticulously applied a vibrant shade of purple eyeshadow to her eyelids, accentuating her stunning features. She then carefully coated her lashes with black mascara and added a touch of blush to her cheeks for a subtle glow. Completing her makeup, she brushed a seductive red lipstick over her already alluring gave her reflection in the mirror a look. There. All done. She simply looked stunning. And she wasn't even dressed yet.
With her makeup complete, Elena returned to their room, seeking Stefan's assistance with zipping up her dress, "Honey, will you help me zip my dress, please?"
"Of course." Stefan replied, moving next to her.
As he stepped behind her, his touch sending delightful shivers down her spine, Stefan playfully kissed her neck, eliciting a joyful giggle from Elena. Enjoying the sensation of his lips on her skin, she allowed him an additional minute of his favorite snack before reminding him of the task at hand.
"Honey, I said zip, not unzip," she gently protested.
Not paying the least attention to her request, Stefan remained undeterred and moved his kisses to her collarbone, causing her to moan in pleasure. Seconds later, he spun her around and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. In that moment, all the brunette's previous resolutions and plans vanished, consumed by the allure of the moment with Stefan.
/
Caroline stood amidst the bustling crowd at Mystic Falls' airport as her plane had just landed. Stepping out into the arrival area, she looked absolutely stunning in a white slipover and a black skirt, the contrasting colors perfectly complementing her beauty. The genuine smile on her face illuminated the entire space, radiating warmth and happiness.
At first, she had been apprehensive about her return and how much things might have changed in her absence. But now that she was back, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of belonging. What had she been afraid of? Mystic Falls was home. She was eager to reunite with her friends—Stefan, Elena, Bonnie, Matt. Even the thought of seeing Damon again brought a sense of anticipation. The upcoming Founders' Party was something she was truly looking forward to. Hopefully, there would be less evil creatures to torture her and her friends during her stay.
Caroline joined the row of passengers, patiently waiting to retrieve her luggage. As she finally caught sight of her suit-case, she noticed a small note attached to it, and her heart skipped a beat when she recognized the familiar handwriting.
Dear Caroline,
Words fail to express the sheer joy that fills my heart at the prospect of speaking to you once more. Your mere presence has the power to brighten even the darkest corners of my existence. Countless times these past seven years I have found myself yearning for that radiant light of yours. I eagerly await the moment when we shall meet again.
With all my affection,
Klaus
As she read those heartfelt words, a mixture of surprise and emotion overwhelmed her. Her throat tightened with a lump, and her hands trembled slightly, almost unable to believe what she was holding. Could it really be a note from Klaus? How did he know she was coming back? And how had he managed to get his hands on her luggage?
As questions went racing through her mind, Caroline turned to looking around the airport. She scanned the crowd in search of any sign that Klaus might be nearby, but there was nothing. It appeared she wouldn't be getting any answers just yet.
Little did she know that the truth behind the note and Klaus' intentions would soon be revealed, bringing both clarity and perhaps even more surprises her way.