Morning came as the moon faded away. It had been two days since I last saw him. Sitting by the window, I marveled at the dazzling sun, stretching my arms and legs before taking a refreshing shower. The hot water felt amazing as it cascaded down my sore back. After drying my hair with a towel, I heard Bonnie knock on the door and Without waiting for my response , she opened the door.
"Care , there's a package for you" Bonnie cried as she entered in the bathroom.
"Why didn't you tell me there was danger? Why didn't you warn me? Ladies know what to guard against, because they read novels that tell them of these tricks…"
As I examined the books closely, I immediately recognized a quote from Tess. Three volumes of Tess of the D‟Urbervilles caught my eye .
"Oh my god" I exclaimed, turning to Bonnie who shared my amazement at the books.
"These must be from Klaus." Flipping through the pages and opening the front cover, I saw the inscription in an old typeface:
"London: James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., 1891."
Taken aback, I realized that these were first editions.
"Bon these are first editions."
"Wow, Mikaelson," she exclaimed, clearly impressed.
I shook my head firmly, "I can't accept these. This is too much. I have to send them back," I insisted, setting the books aside.
"Wait, there's more," Bonnie said, handing me a navy-colored box.
"What?" I asked, taking the box and untying the ribbon.
Inside, I found a rolled up piece of paper. I unraveled it to reveal a beautiful portrait of myself, with a note below it that read "Genuine Beauty" and a name, "Klaus." My heart sank.
"Um Care, are you sure he rejected you?" Bonnie asked , snapping me out of my trance.
"Ugh, Seriously!" I retorted , rolling my eyes.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I put my pen down. I was the first one to finish while everyone else was still writing or deep in thought. A wide grin spread across my face, because we will be celebrating tonight, really celebrating. I might even get drunk! I've never been drunk before. Glancing over at Bon, who was still frantically scribbling, with only five minutes left until the end. This is it… the end of my academic career.No more sitting amongst anxious, isolated students in rows. Inside, I felt as though I was doing graceful cartwheels around my head.
"All right. Pencils down" the teacher said and everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Bon turned towards me, a smile on her face. "We're so partying tonight, Forbes." She announced with an excited grin.
*
The bar is very noisy and chaotic, buzzing with soon-to-be graduates looking to party. Matt joins our group, sparking our sense of newfound freedom by treating us to a pitcher of margaritas. Despite already having had three drinks, and with champagne before that, I recognize that this is not a wise choice. The room is filled with the pounding beat of dance music, encouraging everyone to let loose and drink more. The night is still young, and the energy in the room is rising. After finishing my drink, I felt the urge to use the bathroom.
"Guys, I gotta pee, be back in a few," I informed Bon and Matt. Slightly unsteady, I made my way to the toilet, only to find a long line waiting. Leaning against a pillar, I took out my cell phone and searched for Klaus Mikaelson in my contacts. Feeling a mix of emotions, I scrolled through , until I found his name and decided to delete it . I couldn't help but giggle at the situation. I had no idea what time it was, maybe I should give him a call. Maybe he could explain why he sent me those books and that amazing drawing. If he wanted me to stay away, he should just leave me alone. Suppressing a drunken grin, I dialed his number. He picked up on the second ring.
"Caroline?" His voice holds surprise, mirroring my own astonishment at calling him. But then my confused mind wonders how he knew it was me.
"Yep, this is me. I'm sending back your expensive books because I already have copies of those. So you, your expensive gifts and your romantic drawings can leave me alone." I tell him with a slurred voice.
"Sweetheart, are you okay? You sound strange." His voice is filled with concern.
"Don't you 'Sweetheart' me ! I'm not the one acting strange, you are," I accuse him.
"Caroline , love where are you?" He sounds exasperated
"Woman line , because I have to pee really bad" I said quietly , giggling.
"Have you been drinking?"
"Yeah. I have Mr. Sexy pants. You hit the hail on the nead. I mean the head right on the nail, " I said, fidgeting with my hands.
"Listen to me. I want you to go home right now"
"No" I giggle.
"Bloody hell ! What do you mean , NO !? You're going home right now Caroline"
God he's so annyoing.
"No, You don't get to say anything ,not after how You rejected me!" I spat
" Where the fuck are you Caroline? Tell me now." I couldn't help but giggle at his bossiness.
"You are so bossy. Caroline let's go for coffee...No, stay away from me love... Caroline I can't resist you...Sweetheart i don't want you. Go away. Come here. Come here. Go away " I said imitating his british accent.
"That's it. Tell me where you are," his tone is so dictorial ,showing his usual control freak tendencies.
"I'm a long way from Seattle, a long way from you."
"What bar? What is it called?" he asked, disregarding my earlier words.
"I do not know. I gotta go, " I quickly interjected, cutting off any further conversation.
"Caroline..." I hung up.
Holy shit ! Did I really just call Klaus Mikaelson? Damn! As I turned to leave, my phone rang again. With a guilty conscience, I answered the call from Klaus.
"Um, hi ..." I started to say , but he cut me off,
"Stay where you are. I'm coming to get you." And abruptly ended the call.
Only Klaus Mikaelson could sound both calm and threatening at the same time.
"What?" I uttered in bewilderment, staring at my phone, finally realizing what I had done.
Oh god! My heart raced and a wave of sickness washed over me. Trying to calm myself, I reassured that he was just playing mind games. I didn't tell him where I am , so he won't find me here. Plus, it would take him hours to reach me, from Seattle and we'll be long gone by then. I took a moment to wash my hands and check my flushed face in the mirror, blaming my appearance on the tequila I had consumed.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I stepped outside to breathe in the fresh air, crossing my arms to shield myself from the cold. Matt appeared behind me and assisted me in putting on my jacket.
"Are you okay?" he asked
"Yeah, I'm just a little more than tipsy..." I answered, smiling.
He pulled me close to warm me up, but I attempted to escape his embrace. "I don't know when I'll have the courage to do this," he murmured, gazing dreamily at me.
"Do what?" I asked, confused
"Care, I like you," he confessed ,as he held me against him with one hand at the small of my back and the other at my chin, tilting my head back.
Fuck! he's going to kiss me.
"Matt...!" I tried to speak , to push him away but I couldn't. He was coming on too strong ,his hand moving to my side. I whimpered, "Don't"
"Please Care" he whispers against my lips .
He gently trails kisses on my jaw up to the corner of my mouth, overwhelming me with panic, dizziness, and a sense of losing control. A suffocating feeling washes over me.
"Matt stop... I don't want this!, let me go"
Ignoring my plea , he begins to kiss my neck. "Sure, you do Care."
"No..." Struggling against him ,he tries to kiss me on the lips but I turn my head to avoid him. Suddenly , I am pulled away.
"I think the lady said no,mate ." a deep angry , male voice threatens .
Holy shit ! He's here , how the hell did Klaus Find me?
Dressed in jeans and a grey henley with stubble from his five o'clock shadow present , he still looks sexy and takes my breath away.
"If you touch her again, I'll rip you apart." He threatened him with his deep sexy voice.
Matt takes one look at the two of us and gets it. He steps back and heads back into the nightclub.
"YOU!" I say staggering away from my savior. "Leave me alone!"
"Caroline wait!"
"Get away from me ! Haven't you done enough?"
In my drunken state, I almost stumble into traffic, but Klaus once again saves me and pulls me into his embrace, causing my heartbeat to stutter.
"Bloody hell ! You need to be more careful...you could have seriously hurt yourself."
"No more than you already have." I retort
"I only did that for your own good."
"FUCK YOU!" I shout, as he holds me closer, looking into my eyes as tears well up once again.
"Let me go Klaus!" I cried out, my voice trembling as my emotions overwhelmed me.
"I will not let you out of my sight until I know you're safe."he replied sternly.
"Why do you even care? It's none of your goddamn business! I should stay clear of you...remember!?" I retorted angrily .
He clenched his jaw and before he could reply to my outburst , I threw up .
"Jesus!" He exclaimed, pulling me swiftly over to a bush. With one hand holding my hair back and the other arm wrapped around my waist to steady me as I vomited uncontrollably. Once my vomiting ceased, Klaus handed me a handkerchief to clean my face and mouth. He then helped me wipe my mouth .
"Nice touch. I'll launder this item." I remarked.
"Let's get you home," he said urgently, looking around.
Too weak to protest, I simply went along with him.
"Okay Fine, but I need to Find Bonnie, I've to tell her" I said , feeling exhausted from my recent purging activity.
"Kol will tell her," he replied , annoyed.
"Who the hell is ,Kol?" I asked confused.
"He is my brother and he's inside talking to her right now,"
"Oh..."
"He is at my hotel with me,and he was there when you called me" he explained.
"You're still at the Heathman?" I asked, surprised.
He held my gaze for a moment before saying, "Yeah. Come on let's get you some water and look for them."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
As we re-enter the nightclub, Klaus quickly hands me a glass of water which I quickly gulp down. From across the room we spot Bonnie and his brother Kol on the dance floor. I know Bonnie well enough to predict that she's taken a liking to this handsome guy and will likely be doing more than just dancing with him later on. Klaus went to his brother to inform him, while I stayed at the bar .Bonnie leaned over to Klaus and whispered something in his ear before he approached me.
"That's your brother?" I asked, trying to look past him.
"Not my choice. Let's go," he said, but I stopped him.
"Wait, what did Bonnie say?"
"She warned me to be on my best behavior. More like threatened me."
"She threatened you?, Well you deserved it" I laughed, but my smile faded. "You are spinning. I think I'm gonna faint" I murmured.
"What? Now?" he asked.
As the world spun around me, I couldn't find the words to speak as darkness overtook me.
"Oh bloody hell!"
Those were the last words I heard before falling into the arms of Klaus Mikaelson.