Darkest Temptations

Chapter Nineteen: The Store

Klaus Mikaelson

I turned off the car engine and reached for my suit jacket on the passenger seat that I had left there earlier. It was surprising that I was running on time despite not taking a break all day and starting my day at five a.m. As I stepped out to the driveway of the house I shared with Caroline, I headed towards the front door and reached into my pocket for my key. A new chapter unfolded on our street while we were away, adding an element of caution to our daily routines as we navigated the presence of new neighbors. I always parked my car at Caroline's house, as to the outside world she was my wife, now with the high gates separating the houses, ensured my discreet visits to Elena and April. It felt like we were finally starting to adjust to our new lives together. I decided not to tell my wives about our near encounter with Tyler and Damon in Vegas, and it turned out to be a good call as things have been going well since we got back home. I didn't want them to be concerned about something that would soon be resolved. There was much to discuss, as new developments were on the horizon in our shared lives. Tonight marked the long-awaited moment for us to come together and address these changes. Tonight was April's night, I called her this afternoon, surprising her, and asked if she would be open to canceling our plans so we could all eat together. April, always eager to please, had agreed to cancel our plans and put on a happy face despite her night being changed once again. Although we were facing difficulties at the moment, I knew that things would eventually improve. April was not being denied her title as my third wife by my decision to limit our physical intimacy. My hesitation stemmed from wanting to avoid hurting her, not from any promise made to Elena. Encountering a human as a hybrid was a new experience for me, and every aspect of her was incredibly arousing, although she seemed unaware of it. And despite myself, I felt ashamed that I wasn't showing her the respect she deserved. Last night was spent with Caroline, and instead of visiting April before leaving at five this morning, I went to Elena's house instead. I found her awake and unpacking our kitchen when I arrived. I embraced her and kissed her without saying a word. Things were escalating between us, and neither of us knew how to handle it. Elena was completely unaware that just thirty minutes prior, I had slipped on a condom and engaged with Caroline. Our lifestyle was intricate and at this moment, everything appeared flawless, as we were as near to perfection as possible. The only issue I faced was my inability to resist any of them. Each of my wives ignited a primal desire within me, and they were unprepared for the consequences.

I kept my suit jacket over my arm as I unlocked the front door, letting myself inside before bolting it shut behind me the way we all agreed.

"Hey" Caroline called out to me from somewhere inside.

Turning to the coat closet near the front door, I swiftly opened it, retrieved a wooden coat hanger, and carefully hung my suit jacket on it, sliding it to the left side. Caroline had at last confided in me about her requests for small tasks around the house going forward. She sat at the end of our bed, chuckling and grimacing at herself while reading a list of small things that would lift her spirits. She couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with me as she uttered the words, deeming some of them to be crazy yet crucial. Everything that required dry cleaning was to be placed on the left side of the coat closet downstairs. She took charge of all the laundry without any objections from me, handled the food shopping without wanting to hear any comments from me about her enjoyment of clipping coupons, and asked me to inform her when I needed tasks completed. Caroline aimed to spend our first year here settling into homeownership and adjusting to life in Utah. She requested that I inform her directly if I required items like razors, rather than adding them to my own to-do list. My house with Caroline felt more like a cozy home than my other places. Every day brought the excitement of unwrapping and designing a new room. Yesterday, I walked in to discover that we now had a cozy sitting room instead of just a room filled with boxes. Caroline meticulously attended to every detail in her home, from coordinating curtain rods with window locks to adding personal touches like individual cushions for each couch. The fireplace was always stocked with neatly arranged split wood, and the photo frames now displayed cherished memories, including images of her mother and even a picture of me and my siblings. My house with Caroline had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. She frequently baked and in the evenings, she would light the fire and a few candles. Even with her dedicated efforts to create a warm home, I couldn't help but notice the moments she tried to hide - glancing at her mother's photograph, gazing at the telephone across the room, and the sound of her tears in the bathroom last night. Her absence weighed heavily on her, which in turn affected me deeply as well. I had a deeper understanding of her than she realized, and I knew that maintaining a sense of normalcy was what she required. Caroline had to concentrate on our new lives to prevent her mind from straying and fretting, so I offered subtle daily requests and tasks to include in her list. Every day, Elena and April would gather at her house for their meetings, undisturbed by my absence. Caroline orchestrated every meeting, finding solace in her daily tasks and to-do lists. And that was my sole ambition for her, that she find her happiness.

"Hi" Caroline said again as entered from the kitchen meeting me in the sitting room.

I immediately kissed her placing my hand on her hip as I passed by her, Caroline's arms were filled with sauces and a bag of something that escaped my attention.

"Dinner in five minutes" I heard her call behind me as I headed to the kitchen.

I entered finding Elena right by the doorway and closing the fridge door, a glass jug containing water and lemon slices tucked under her arm. Our eyes met and she briefly smiled at me as I leaned in and kissed her once. April was standing in the kitchen island grating carrots as I approached her.

"Hi baby," I whispered before leaning in and kissing her.

"You have a parcel at our house." Elena said behind me then.

Our house…don't think I didn't hear that.

I rested my hand on April's hip caressing it behind the kitchen island so Elena would not see as I glanced over my shoulder to her.

"Big or small?" I asked

"It's like a tube or something. I had to sign for it." Elena clarified.

I began to nod "Good it arrived on time," I said as I casually ran my hand from April's hip down to her right buttock, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Caroline stepped back into the kitchen and said, "We forgot to buy rice at the store today." She placed the sauces she carried down onto the kitchen island, causing my hand to leave April before anyone noticed.

"It wasn't on my list." Elena stated before glancing over at April and displaying a lack of enthusiasm that I hadn't seen before.

"What?" April's innocent question made me struggle to suppress a smile "I got the microwave one."

"April I asked for the jasmine rice, the big bag that we could split between the houses it was on sale."

"I couldn't cook that stuff." April complained.

"It's fine I'll go into town tomorrow again." Caroline told her.

"No I can go."

"You don't have a car." Caroline reminded her before looking to me "Did you want to shower?" she asked.

"I should only be a few minutes." I confirmed before sending her a wink.

I turned away and made my way to the patio doors, which stood wide open. As I stepped outside, I noted the beautifully arranged picnic table before me. A vibrant orange tablecloth adorned the table, complemented by neatly wrapped utensils in individual cloth napkins. Dinner plates and matching side plates were set out, along with two sets of glassware for each person - one for water and the other for fruit juice. At the center of the table, a glass vase held water with fresh white tulips delicately placed inside. The pool lights illuminated April's yard, while a space heater glowed brightly across from the picnic table, providing much-needed warmth to the area.

"It's not my fault about the rice." I heard April complaining behind me as I left.

I sighed heavily as I made my way across the connecting yards to April's house, rolling my eyes when I saw she had left the water running in the kitchen sink. After being back in Utah for just over a week, I was already starting to notice little things about April. She wasn't naive or a silly girl; she was truly an incredible woman. However, living with her came with its own complications. I never entered into polygamy to have three women chasing after me and catering to my every whim. Living in each of my houses had its own distinct differences, and life with April was truly one-of-a-kind. April had not unpacked the furniture I bought, but I set up the television and dishwasher. Meanwhile, April took two lawn chairs from Caroline's backyard and placed them in front of the television. April rarely cooked, sticking to a diet of fruit, cereal, and the meals I prepared for her on our nights together. It was unclear whether Caroline or Elena had noticed that April had lost at least ten pounds since they first arrived in Utah. I couldn't help but notice the safety pins she used for her trousers. There were no indications of her neglecting food or any signs of low spirits that might have indicated depression. According to Elena, April's father wasted no time in sending her to boarding school, leaving her without basic household skills or cooking knowledge. April had not received the necessary life lessons, which explained her current struggle to adapt to our new lives together. That's why I had been quietly taking care of the small details she didn't notice were important, like paying the bills, setting up the coffee machine for the morning, putting batteries in the smoke detectors, and changing all the locks after we moved in. I thoroughly reviewed the statements for each of the girls' accounts and observed Elena and Caroline engaging in these activities independently. Elena swiftly changed the locks in our first week, while Caroline had already arranged for our phone line to be installed. My life with April was unlike my other marriages, but we enjoyed doing things together since we got home. April didn't mind me sharing her bed, and I had already moved into our bedroom. My belongings were divided among my three houses, but the clothes at April's place were now ruined. Last week, April tried to wash my shirts but accidentally left a red lace thong in the machine, turning all my white shirts pink. I kept all of these little incidents hidden from Caroline and Elena knowing April was doing her best to adjust to our lives here.

I headed up the stairs and immediately made my way to the bathroom. I began by shaving before taking a shower, reminding myself to book a haircut appointment for later in the week. I had important meetings on the horizon that demanded my top performance, so I needed to invest in new suits and a fresh haircut. As I emerged from the shower, Caroline was heading making her way up the stairs. She paused upon seeing me in my pink towel coming out of the bathroom. The towel's color wasn't chosen by chance. April found them cute, and on our first day in Utah, I decided not to object, so I've stayed quiet about it ever since. Caroline couldn't help but notice the towel, and when she looked at me, she tried to stifle her laughter.

"There are certain men who look quite charming in pink," I mention, causing her to smile before asking her, "What can I do for you sweetheart?" I inquired and then shifted towards the bedroom, noticing her following after me.

"Dinner is ready and so are we for this big reveal."

I had refrained from telling the girls about the project I had been working on since we arrived in Utah. After Caroline spoke to the girls about me working, we had a private conversation. The conclusion was that they didn't care about my profession as long as I remained true to myself and didn't cause any unnecessary suffering like the Mikaelsons past in my pursuit of a career. The project I was working on was truly a remarkable creation and entirely my own idea. I aspired to establish a profession where I could lead a devoted team in generating consistent income for my family. The project I was working on was projected to exceed a hundred million dollars, but the investment would pay off in the end. The construction had me up before sunrise, but that wouldn't always be the case. I had assured each of the girls that if they desired a husband with a nine-to-five job, I would make every effort to fulfill that promise. After a long day without them, all I wanted was to come home to them.

Caroline paused in the doorway, as I quickly put on my boxers under the towel, then set it on the bed. I glanced at her as she observed our bedroom, her eyes moving from one cluttered surface to another, revealing her thoughts.

"Sweetheart," I said, catching her attention.

"Uhhh-" She stammered before shaking her head trying to find the words "Dinner is ready,"

"You told me" I reminded her and picked up my jeans.

"Right, uh-" Caroline paused and pressed her lips together making me sigh.

"Tell me." I told her and avoid rolling my eyes.

"Ok so, next week, it's me on the double, then April, me again and then Elena's double."

"Fine." I said watching her shoulders relax once again.

I slid my jeans on and was adjusting my belt when we locked eyes again.

"You shouldn't feel uncomfortable."

"It is uncomfortable."

"It's the schedule sweetheart. That's all."

"I know I just,-" Caroline sighed and moved towards me "Is it ridiculous?"

"The way we live?" I asked and wrapped my arms around her waist as she stood in front of me.

"The way we share"

"I get to live with three incredible woman love. I won't be complaining any time soon."

Caroline locked eyes with me "It's still so new." She said.

"For all of us." I remind her.

"I just sometimes think of what others would say and I know I shouldn't but-"

"No. I know." I said before leaning in and kissing her cheek.

"I just want us to stay in our bubble,"

"There's no shutting out the outside world. If you stare right back at it, it won't feel so scary."

"Is that what you tell yourself?"

"No I don't have to, it backed down from me years ago." I said and gave her a wink making her smile in response.

I held Caroline tightly after giving her another kiss. There were moments when I sensed she just needed my embrace, whether it was due to a rough day or haunted by nightmares of Mystic Falls. Similar to Elena and April, I was beginning to pay closer attention to the small details about each of them that had previously gone unnoticed. Even now, uncertainty lingered about what would bring Caroline and the others a sense of safety upon our return. All I knew was that I would do whatever it took to secure our future together. I was ready to face any challenge head-on if it meant bringing them happiness. I may not possess the same emotional depth as their past partners, but I would never inflict the same harm they did. Caroline thought that physical closeness was crucial for us at this point, when in reality, it was the opposite of what we needed to progress as a couple. That's why I dedicated more of my time to connecting with her instead of immediately going upstairs to our bedroom. The individual I desired to be close to at this moment was Elena, and she was aware of my feelings. Elena was acutely aware of my attraction towards her, and she kept me at an arm's length because of it. My relationship with April was at a critical point where we needed to have a serious conversation about our future, but I wasn't prepared for it.

Caroline left me to finish getting dressed. I put on a white short sleeved shirt with a matching white v-neck t-shirt on beneath it, leaving the shirt unbuttoned. Caroline suggested I reduce my use of black clothing after our vacation, and I was gradually trying to make that change. Before leaving the house, I applied some aftershave and swapped my shoes before walking over to Elena's house. Upon entering, I observed the differences between Elena's house and April's. Elena had the heating on and had left lights on both upstairs and downstairs to avoid entering a dark house. Similar to Caroline, she started unpacking our furniture gradually, transforming our house into a home. She had efficiently unpacked our entire kitchen and sitting room within a week, only rearranging the furniture once, unlike Caroline. Elena was extremely responsible and took advantage of our vacation to unwind and rid herself of any negativity that was hindering her from fully embracing her new lifestyle as a polygamist. She didn't request me to move into our bedroom; I took the initiative to do it on my own. One morning, during her meeting at Caroline's house, I moved all of my clothes and belongings from one spare bedroom to hers. I divided the closet space, claimed one of the nightstands, and even placed my products in her en suite bathroom. Her reaction was subtle yet meaningful. When our eyes met later that day, she simply nodded and smiled, making sure April didn't notice. After that evening, I stayed at our house for two nights. The first night, Elena had already fallen asleep by the time I got back from the site. I quickly showered, changed, and joined her in bed. The next time, I was uncertain about her thoughts as she had already left by the time I woke up, having gone out jogging with Caroline. Returning from the site earlier, I was relieved to find that she was still awake when I arrived back. Initially, I attempted to initiate a romantic moment, but it was interrupted by a phone call from April, who had a power outage in her house due to an overloaded fuse. Upon my return later that evening, I found Elena fast asleep.

Finding the awaited parcel on the kitchen table near the fruit bowl, I eagerly unwrapped it, examined its contents, and carefully placed it back into its protective tube container. After leaving Elena's house, I walked across the backyards towards the girls who were bringing out the food together. I refrained from smiling as I approached them, maintaining my true self without revealing how simple actions could evoke joy. Everyone looked stunning that evening. Caroline donned a grey pencil skirt paired with a white blouse and a chunky gold necklace. Elena looked incredible in a white blouson dress, accessorized with thin silver bracelets that complemented her engagement ring. April was wearing one of my t-shirts along with a pair of what seemed to be my boxers. As I sat at the head of the table, observing their interactions and movements, it was as if they had been working together seamlessly for years. As April locked eyes with me, she smiled and gracefully made her way around the table to lean down and plant a kiss on my cheek before I turned to see Caroline emerging from the patio doors. Watching them as they settled into their spots, there was no formal seating arrangement, yet Caroline consistently positioned herself to my right, with April next to her, and Elena to my left, making them the closest to me.

As I extended my hands towards Caroline and April, I witnessed the girls doing the same until we were all connected. April requested that we incorporate prayer into our daily routine by silently praying and bowing our heads before each meal. None of us had openly discussed religion going forward, but we all felt grateful for our progress. I personally believed we were evolving through dedication, and maybe even through the act of joining hands and prayer. As we lowered our hands and exchanged smiles, I made eye contact with Caroline. She mouthed 'I love you' to me, prompting me to blow her a kiss without actually touching my hand to my lips. Almost immediately, I reached beneath the table cloth and gently brushed Elena's dress up over her knee to caress it. Refusing to meet her shocked expression as I felt her eyes burn into me from the moment she felt my touch upon her.

After we finished dinner, I assisted in clearing the table and complimented April on how attractive she looked in my clothes while she washed the dishes in Caroline's kitchen. Elena despised the dangers I embraced when it came to making contact with her, yet I couldn't resist. Whenever the chance arose, I seized it and cherished every caress and kiss. I could freely show affection to Caroline without it bothering Elena or April at all. Caroline, on the other hand, was quite attuned to their emotions and gently encouraged me to consider them more before expressing my love. Caroline thought my heart could love them all, but all I could think about was them and it didn't seem like that would change soon. We completed the cleaning and then proceeded to the dining room of Caroline's house, where I had the blueprints I had requested delivered to my home earlier that evening. I gathered the girls and outlined my vision to build the biggest mega store in Utah and lead as the CEO. I detailed my intentions to acquire the competition and inject over five hundred new job positions into the Sandy Utah community across various departments. I intended to present Caroline and myself as the Mikaelson family, participating in community events and building relationships with our neighbors and locals. Caroline would participate in some town events, donate to local charities on my behalf, and then promote our store construction plans.

April looked toward me from the opposite end of the table "How much is this going to cost?" she asked.

"We're estimating around a hundred million in the grand scheme." I replied

Suddenly you could hear a pin drop and I found my gaze shifting between all three of them who looked back at me with their jaws to the floor.

"It's pocket change to me." I explained.

"But we're not supposed to live like that." Caroline was quick to point out.

"I made it very clear that the financial side of our lives would be within my supervision." I told her.

"But we should still get a say Klaus." April said

I turned to Elena who was staring down at the blueprints studying them in a way I hadn't expected, her gaze never shifting from them as she took in the details we had mapped out for the ground floor of the store.

"And what do you have to say?" I asked but Elena never replied causing me to brush her hair back behind her ear and make her almost jump out of her skin in result.

"Sorry-" Elena gasped.

"He asked you what you think," April explained

"I don't know," Elena responded all too quickly.

"No." I said firmly making her look towards me "You know exactly what you think. So, say it."

Elena looked towards Caroline and April who didn't say a word to assist her. She glanced back at me, her uneasy expression shifting into a smile.

"I think it's amazing."