🚨 Red Alert 🚨
Listen up, everyone! This message is going to be brief. I'm sorry to my loyal readers, but it's official. Almost 500 views and only 2 reviewers for my last chapter? Nope, I've had enough.
To Catsarecool986 and Taebearyoongs, you're the only ones I feel sorry for.
I'm not doing this to be cruel. I'm doing it to show the reality faced by fanfiction writers who share their work for free with people around the world. We all need a little joy after a rough day, and I try to provide that.
So yes, I'm leaving you all on the worst possible cliffhanger. You don't even need to be a registered user to leave a review—it's just a few words, and yet the silence is heartbreaking. I'm not asking for followers, just feedback.
To the two I mentioned, I'm truly sorry. To the rest, I don't know what to say.
Let's see if this message makes a difference. Probably not...
Bye, everyone.
Darkest Temptations
Chapter Thirty Three: It's Over
April Mikaelson
My eyes flickered open despite every part of my body begging me to remain motionless; the light peeking through the gaps in the blinds felt like it was stabbing me in the head.
"Ugh," I moaned, closing my eyes again. The dull ache in my temples throbbed in time with my heartbeat.
I'd never felt this way before in my life, so lifeless and heavy. The room around me spun as I tried to focus on my surroundings, vaguely aware that I was back in my bedroom. I tried to piece together memories of the previous day but found only scattered images: the nightclub, Vickie's dancing, the sound of my laughter.
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes again, determined to get up. It was only when I tried to shift my weight that every movement after that became ten times harder. My legs refused to move, and I realized that they were tangled with the sheets.
"What the glory?" I muttered, trying to sit up.
It was as if I'd been tucked in, like a child for comfort or from someone clearly not wanting me to leave. I reached down to untangle my legs, only to pause when my chin met my chest and felt the gentle cotton beneath it. I looked down to discover that I was wearing my pjs, a set I hadn't even unpacked from my luggage yet.
How did I get back into my pjs? And how did I end up in my bed?
"Klaus?" I called out weakly, hoping he'd be here.
Silence greeted me instead.
"Klaus?" I tried again, this time louder.
There was nothing.
I took a few deep breaths, bracing myself against the pain that radiated through my body. I reached over and switched on the lamp, the warm glow flooding the room. I pushed back the covers, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I didn't have anything on my nightstand, my nightstand being a box at the foot of the bed. My phone was there. I activated the screen to find it was only the back of six that morning, which meant Klaus wouldn't be here; he'd still be at Vickie's house. I closed my eyes, willing my mind to bring back the memories that I knew were buried somewhere in my subconscious. Not until I'd brushed my teeth at least twice and showered did I finally feel somewhat human. But the task of standing up put an end to any bathroom tasks completely; I just needed to get something for my head and answers about how I'd got home and into these pjs.
Klaus respected my privacy; even after the affection he'd given me twice now, he didn't enter our bedroom without knocking first. I knew it made me a total hypocrite, but I wasn't prepared for him to see me completely naked yet. Which was why I found it very puzzling and almost upsetting over the possibility that he might have undressed me last night and put me to bed. I needed answers, and my pain was forcing me to confront him. I'd never confronted anyone in my life; I was afraid of my own shadow, and yet I was prepared now, even at my worst, to speak to Klaus.
I made my way downstairs angry with how many stairs we had all of a sudden, as each of them was a task not to stumble on. Downstairs everything was as it always was, with the exception of a few lights being left on from the night before. I collected my keys from on top of the kitchen counter and crossed the small space between the kitchen and patio door and unlocked it, letting myself out. It was already warm, six o'clock in the morning, and already you could sunbathe, not that I'd dream of it right now. I made my way across my backyard and into Vickie's, barefooted, my brows furrowing at the sight of the patio door open slightly and the sound of raised voices coming from inside.
"How dare you say that about me?"
I paused, the voice unmistakable. I recognized Klaus's tone instantly; I didn't like when he was like this; it was unsettling.
"It was just a few drinks; how long are we going to keep going over this?" Vickie demanded.
"She was completely trashed! You had no right to take her anywhere!"
"I just wanted to do something fun! And she's not a freaking child! She's your wife for God's sake; why do you have to be such a freak about things?"
"She's not like everyone else."
I stopped dead hearing him say this; I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or insulted.
"Oh, you mean like you?" Vickie retorted. "Uptight? She was having a great time last night before you showed up."
"She's—"
"She's what? So, because she's your wife, because she's your youngest wife? What do you have this bubble around her? You don't think anyone else sees it?" Vickie shouted, "I managed to do it within just ten freaking minutes!"
"You don't get to tell me about April; you have no idea what you're talking about."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I don't have to explain anything to you," Klaus spat, his anger almost palpable through the thin wall between them. "I don't care what your intentions were; you had no right to take her out. Especially in her condition."
"Condition?" Vickie spat, "Oh god, don't tell," she began to laugh. "Actually, if she was pregnant, that would make a lot of sense; she's the only one who can seem to stand you and—"
"She's not pregnant; she's a goddamn VIRGIN!" Klaus shouted.
Tears pricked my eyes almost instantly; the violation of his trust shot through me like it was trying to destroy everything within me on its way to my heart. He'd betrayed our trust; our sacred secret of my innocence was gone. It was special; it was private; it was ours, and he'd just thrown it out there as if it meant nothing. He'd promised me he would protect it, and now it was just common knowledge. He'd taken away my control; he'd stolen something from me that I would never be able to get back. Why did he have to tell Vickie of all people? She had a big mouth; he knew this; I'd told him this. I was completely humiliated, especially when silence between them followed for the first time since I got here. She was going to laugh at me; she was going to tell Caroline and Elena, and Klaus was going to have to face her wrath. The knowledge of knowing Klaus Mikaelson hadn't been sleeping with me these past few months, that he'd been a gentleman and respected my desire to wait, was something she'd make him regret.
I couldn't be here for another second; I needed to be alone before they began their next round with one another.
I couldn't trust him, and I'd been a complete and utter idiot to think I could.
I made my way back over to my house, letting myself in before the tears began to fall.
"I've been so stupid." I sobbed as I crashed to the floor.
Klaus Mikaelson
"She's not pregnant; she's a goddamn VIRGIN!"
The words escaped me before I could stop myself; I'd been so livid with her that it just slipped out. I looked at Vickie with a hint of regret, but I was still too angry to take it back. She only saw the regret; she didn't know what it was doing within my chest.
This was by far one of the gravest regrets in over a thousand years.
The words escaped me before I could stop myself, and in that moment, I felt a rush of conflicting emotions that seemed to churn within me. I had been so consumed by my anger towards her that the words just slipped out, unbidden and unstoppable. As I looked at Vickie, I was consumed by my regret, but it was overshadowed by the blazing anger that refused to let me take back what I had said. She saw the regret, but she couldn't begin to understand the turmoil that was raging inside my chest.
The silence between us was palpable, and I found myself scrutinizing her, trying to gauge her thoughts. Was she absorbing the significance of my words? Was she scheming, plotting her next steps to exploit this knowledge? I couldn't afford to wait for her reaction. Her response was irrelevant now; the priority was safeguarding April and managing the chaos I had created.
I maintained my steady gaze as I reached for my phone, extracting it from my pocket with deliberate calm. Vickie met my eyes, her silence unnerving. She was not one for quiet contemplation—that was April's domain. My sweet April, who deserved none of this and certainly needed protection from Vickie's machinations. I resolved to pacify Vickie, ensuring she posed no threat to my wives. April was often underestimated, seen as naive by Caroline, Elena, and perhaps even Vickie. Yet, she was an extraordinary woman with immense strength and compassion, feeling the family's pain as her own.
Opening my banking app, I navigated through the labyrinth of accounts. I had many: offshore accounts, business accounts, and more than twenty others from a life long past. Among the newest were those for Caroline, Elena, April, and, regrettably, Vickie. I selected Vickie's account, my eyes fixated on the screen as she remained motionless across the kitchen, the silence between us unbroken as I made the necessary arrangements. With a few more taps, the deed was done. I powered off the screen and glanced at her, her expression unchanged, which only intensified my concerns over her potential schemes. I had no time for this uncertainty. I needed to prepare for my trip to Sacramento, where I planned to surprise a candidate for the vice president role in my company, someone unaware of my impending visit.
Keeping my expression firm, I reminded her of who she was dealing with, despite her newfound leverage. "From my own account, as requested," I stated, my gaze unwavering. "Thirty thousand dollars, no doubt triple what the average plastic surgeon would charge you. You wanted the best, and if that ensures your silence, it's worth every cent."
I took a step forward, and she instinctively retreated. It was reassuring to know she still feared me. "She never finds out that you know, and in return, you get exactly what you wanted."
Without giving her a chance to respond, I turned on my heels and left. I had no desire to hear anything she might say. All I wanted was to make my flight and get back on track with my plans, making up for lost time.
Caroline Mikaelson
As I spent the morning unpacking the last of the boxes in the sitting room, I felt a sense of accomplishment. It had been on my to-do list for so long, and with a shopping trip for college supplies on the agenda this afternoon, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to finally get it done. Tonight was Elena's night with Klaus, leaving me with the place to myself. I thought it would be a great chance to invite April to the movies, a way to catch up after I had forgotten her important first day at work. A dinner afterwards sounded like a nice way to make it up to her, provided she wasn't too exhausted from her shift.
The sitting room looked great, just as it had been before, with plump cushions and thick brown pillar candles, art on the walls, and some sculptures Klaus had brought from his home back in Mystic Falls. The television was set up with ultimate selections and accounts at the ready, and the maroon rug gave the room warmth, along with the lighting Klaus had meticulously installed. With the boxes finally out of the way, the space appeared even larger than before.
As I unlocked the front door, I noticed April slipping into the backseat of a cab headed for work. Unfortunately, I couldn't wave goodbye. The car was driving in the opposite direction, and with new neighbors across the street, we had to be discreet. Elena, April, and Vickie were Klaus's tenants in the minds of the outside world, requiring us to keep a low profile to maintain our story. Starting over had been challenging, especially knowing what Damon and Tyler had done to bring us back in time. Their actions haunted my thoughts, as they had so much blood on their hands. We were not their prize; we were independent women entitled to live our own lives. Damon and Tyler had acted on what they believed was best for them, disregarding the potential consequences of their actions.
As I walked down to the mailbox, I mulled over the need for new grass for the lawns of all four properties. It was another task for Klaus, who was juggling the responsibilities of building his empire and maintaining our homes, where he held the most important title of all: our husband. The mail contained a few bills, nothing overwhelming since we had only been here a week. There was a letter addressed to Klaus, the envelope familiar in the handwriting of one of his hybrids, who updated us on my mom and Jeremy since our arrival in Utah. Seeing this brought a smile to my face. Klaus had always been diligent about staying informed, and now he had secured the much-needed update on my mom in Maine. I knew there would be a letter for Elena with news about Jeremy, but I decided not to spoil her surprise.
Inside, I eagerly opened the envelope, curious to see the pictures of my mom in Maine. I perched on the arm of the couch, desperate to see her smiling face. So I read with anticipation the note provided in front.
Klaus,
I've left Mystic Falls as instructed, but as promised, I am providing you with my final update on Tyler Lockwood. This week, there has been minimal activity, but rest assured that all details included are date- and time-stamped for accuracy. However, it is crucial to inform you that the information encompasses his presence at the residence of C. Forbes. Alongside this, you'll find his arrest report, photographs capturing his assault on the law enforcement officers, and his subsequent release from custody, facilitated by Stefan Salvatore that same night. I managed to secure these documents before the evidence of his criminal actions was obliterated and his record expunged. I will not reveal my current whereabouts. This marks the conclusion of our agreement as per your request.
The realization that Tyler had been arrested, and Klaus was aware of it, hit me like a punch to the gut. How could Klaus have known about Tyler's arrest and kept it from us? My pulse quickened with a mixture of anger and disbelief. I hastily tore the first page away and unfolded the next document, revealing the arrest record for Tyler. My hand instinctively rose to cover my mouth as I began to read the details. The report began with the account of the person responding, the one who had dialed 911. They had witnessed a seemingly intoxicated Caucasian male approaching the former residence of Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes. He was carrying a bottle, a lighter, and a rag—ominous tools for anyone familiar with arson.
The officers from the Mystic Falls Sheriff's Department responded promptly to the scene. Upon arrival, they found a man who had forcefully kicked in the back door of the residence. He was actively dousing the floor with liquor, all the while shouting, "I'm gonna burn it." The words leapt off the page, each one more horrifying than the last. My entire body was shaking uncontrollably. Tyler, someone I once considered the love of my life, had attempted to torch my home—my sanctuary, the place where I grew up, where my parents had nurtured me. And Klaus, with his enigmatic ways, had known all along.
The betrayal felt like a physical blow, rendering me speechless.
How could he have kept this from me? What did that say about the state of our marriage?
Klaus Mikaelson
When I arrived in Sacramento, I immediately hailed a taxi from the airport. My visit here was meant to be brief, just a few hours to accomplish what I needed. The individual I was meeting was Marcus Benjamin Kensington, the vice president of the second most prominent telemarketing company in the state. His reputation for dedication and loyalty was well-known, and he maintained a seemingly perfect personal life with a charming wife and two children—a boy and a girl, aged four and five.
To the outside world, Marcus appeared to have the quintessential family.
However, I had uncovered a different story through my connections. Marcus was not just the family man everyone believed him to be; he was a man leading multiple lives. He had not one, but three wives, with the possibility of a fourth relationship on the horizon. This revelation was astonishing, considering that he had managed to keep his complex personal life hidden from public scrutiny for nearly two decades. While most considered him the father of two children, in truth, he was the father of five.
I had been aware of Marcus and his intricate lifestyle for quite some time. Over the past few months, I had observed his progress in both his career and private life with keen interest. Despite his multifaceted family situation, Marcus had managed to maintain a successful career and a public image that inspired admiration and respect. He wasn't a supernatural being, and I had no intention of revealing that part of my existence to Marcus if he decided to join my company. However, I was open to the idea of his family knowing of mine.
This shared understanding could serve as common ground between us, a foundation for the partnership I hoped to build. We were both striving for similar goals, albeit in different spheres of our lives.
My primary objective in meeting Marcus was to find someone capable of handling the daily operations of my business. I needed an individual who could ensure that everything ran seamlessly in my absence. Marcus, with his proven track record and ability to juggle his professional and personal responsibilities, seemed like the perfect candidate for this role. His ability to keep multiple aspects of his life separate and functioning efficiently was precisely the skill set I required for the position.
There was a pub just a block from where Marcus worked. I'd already organized a bike messenger to ensure it went to his office and not through the appropriate channels first. Inside the parcel for him, I had provided a password-protected tablet. The password being the birth date of his latest child. Once he had it unlocked, I had provided everything within it: my agenda, my five-year plan, his job offer, his new salary, which was double his current, and along with a house in Sandy, which had eight bedrooms within it and a few acres behind it, enough to build on and add additional rooms as the years processed.
I was seated at the bar, drink in hand, and had just sent the bike messenger off ten minutes ago when I caught sight of the pub doors opening behind me. There was a glass backsplash behind the bar; it was the reflection it held that allowed me to see none other than Damon Salvatore entering the pub. I gulped at the sight; I hadn't been around him in months, and his presence could only mean trouble. There was no way he could have known of my presence here or my purpose. I had to come up with something fast; there was no way I'd be able to speak with Marcus here anymore. Damon was making his way towards the bar; it was loud, overcrowded, and I had to use that to my advantage.
The bartender in front of me was collecting ice, and I tapped my fingers onto the wooden counter before him, causing him to look up and lock eyes with me.
"Listen closely, mate," I whispered as I began to compel him. "In precisely ten seconds you're going to throw that ice onto the floor hard and knock over my drink and shout about not knowing where he is." I held his gaze. "You're going to shout that you've not seen him for months and that it's the truth, then you're going to walk away, and you're not going to come back to work until tomorrow, at which time you're going to erase the footage of me being here."
I leaned away from him, looking up quickly at the mirror reflection, finding Damon just inches from me now. The noise of the bar meant he would not have heard me compel the lad behind the bar. All I had to do to know was sell it.
"Tell me where he is or else," I demanded of the bartender, knowing Damon was within earshot.
"I've not seen him for months; now get out of my bar!" He shouted to me.
I stood from my seat, and others around me turned my way at the sound of his raised voice; they were unaware that I had compelled him. I stepped back, pushing my back into an approaching Damon without turning to face him, like I was determined to get answers from the bartender.
"You know where he is." I shouted back to the bartender as if Damon wasn't even there.
The bartender threw the ice down hard, frightening the customers seated at the bar. They stood up and ran for cover as ice went flying. He was good; he seemed genuinely afraid of me.
"Get out!"
"Just tell me where he is." I demanded.
"I haven't seen him; it's the truth."
The bartender stormed off, everyone in the establishment watching as he walked out of the same door Damon had entered from. I quickly turned around so it appeared that I was about to head after him when in reality it put me face to face with a smirking Damon while I attempted to look stunned without appearing bothered by his presence all at once.
"Well, look who it is." Damon smirked. "What are you doing here?"
Instead of answering him, I looked beyond him to the door the bartender had left from, making it clear that I had other pressing matters. This is catching Damon's attention the way I hoped.
"You're not up to something bad, are you, Klaus?" He asked as he circled around me, and everyone else began to go about their own business.
"I've never been one for reunions, mate," I said and attempted to walk around him, which he blocked like the puppet he was. "You better think before doing that again." I warned him.
"What are you doing here?" Damon repeated.
I smirked. "I suspected Tyler would find someone to team up with." I said.
"What does that mean?"
"Clearly he learned that a hybrid of mine has recently, shall we say, stopped following their master," I stopped to chuckle. "Now Tyler is using you and probably your brother to save the poor lad from my wrath," I began shaking my head. "It won't help."
"So you're hunting down a hybrid?"
"You already knew that," I shook my head. "Let's not pretend."
"Alright," Damon lied, "I knew that."
"Now if you'll excuse—"
"Just one little question: Where's Blondie?" He asked.
I allowed my smirk to drop; he had to believe the idea of Caroline being missing would affect me.
"Don't lie, Klaus. She's been gone a week, when in reality she's been gone longer, but—"
"Has the day drinking begun to affect your mind?" I asked him.
Damon smirked. "Caroline is missing; Tyler might not believe you're involved, but I'm not convinced."
I stepped forward. "Since when?"
"Since when what?"
"You said she's been gone longer." I replied, "Which is it?"
"She's gone; that's the short version. Now is she with you? I'm certain she is."
"And why is that?"
"A girl like Caroline can't be alone," Damon stepped forward. "I mean, I should know, what with she and I once—"
I grabbed Damon by his shirt and turned him around, sending him crashing over the counter of the bar.
Damon smirked as I locked eyes with him, pinning him easily and holding him down like a vice. He wasn't going anywhere.
"Where is Caroline?" I hissed; he had to believe I was concerned now; he had to buy it.
"You should ask Tyler; he's the one looking for her; some of us have," Damon grunted as I pressed my fist down harder on his chest. "Some of us have more important priorities."
"Tell me what you know."
"About Caroline? Not much, bottled blonde, control freak, and a hot piece"—Damon stopped when my eyes beamed yellow. "Like I said," he stopped struggling beneath my hold, "I've got other things going on, like my brother's fiancée."
I chuckled, "That's just tragic, the ripper engaged to a high school girl," I shook my head at the thought. "That's—"
"She's missing."
"You already said." I pointed out knowing full well he was referring to Elena now.
"Elena is missing."
"And? She's a vampire; her blood isn't useful to me anymore." I said.
"She could still get the cure; you'd need her then."
"That would require me to have faith in your little power squad, which, if history has proven anything, it's that you fail, so I'll pass." I told him.
I let go of Damon and smirked as he struggled to catch his breath, not swayed by the people watching on as I backed away slowly.
"So what happened? Did the ripper not give her a big enough diamond, or did the poor girl just give up the idea?" I teased.
Damon held his throat. "If she chooses to accept it."
"Meaning?"
Damon panted. "She can choose that ring he's got waiting for her," he choked, "or she can finally do what she should have done all along and choose me."
I turned and walked off, seemingly unfazed, but the discovery burned through me like a cast iron rod; even in the now pouring rain, it stung.
Stefan has bought a ring for Elena.
Elena Mikaelson
As I set about unpacking the boxes in the kitchen, I couldn't help but notice the gleam of each new item Klaus had purchased for us. Everything was the best of the best—top brand appliances and cookware, all neatly delivered to our doorstep. I held up a sleek, stainless steel blender, admiring its modern design. It was almost as if I could hear Klaus's voice reminding me that he always wanted the best for us. In the past, I'd watched Klaus invest heavily in his life with Caroline. Their home was a testament to that—filled with his art and the warmth of their shared life. I had often wondered if that was where his heart truly lay, with Caroline, April, and perhaps one day, Vickie. I assumed that was why he kept most of his beloved art there. But now, looking around at all he had brought into my own home, I began to question my assumptions.
The kitchen, once a space of simple functionality, was transforming into something much more. With each item I unpacked, I realized how much thought Klaus had put into this. There was the high-end coffee machine, perfect for our lazy Sunday mornings, and the exquisite cutlery set that seemed more suited for a royal dinner than our everyday meals. It dawned on me that maybe Klaus was trying to show me something all along. Perhaps he was investing in our shared life too, in his own way, and I had been too preoccupied to notice. I felt a pang of regret for not seeing the signs sooner.
The realization that he was making an effort to balance his life with us, to invest equally in our relationship, was both surprising and comforting.
I placed the new, elegant dinnerware set into the cupboard, feeling a sense of gratitude swelling within me. Maybe I had underestimated Klaus and his intentions. He was not just building a life with Caroline and the others; he was genuinely trying to nurture what he had with me as well. I had been so focused on what he was doing elsewhere that I failed to see the care and effort he was putting into our home.
I'd told Klaus that us sleeping together was a mistake. They say honesty is the best policy, but in that moment, I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince him or myself. Seven months had passed since I left Mystic Falls, seeking a fresh start, a clean slate. Yet, here I was, entangled in a connection that defied my plans and expectations. I had genuinely enjoyed every moment spent with him. Klaus had a way of making the world feel more vivid, more alive. Nights filled with laughter, conversations that stretched until dawn, and a sense of belonging I hadn't anticipated. But despite the joy, uncertainty lingered in the corners of my mind. Was I ready for this? For him? Our future seemed clouded, and I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was moving too fast.
Yet, with all my doubts, it was impossible to ignore the reality of what had happened. We had crossed a threshold into something new, something that couldn't be undone. It was as if this path had chosen us, rather than the other way around.
I often caught myself lost in thought, replaying moments in my mind. I was drawn to the idea that perhaps this was meant to be, that maybe Klaus and I had found each other at precisely the right time. But then again, the fear of losing control, of stepping into the unknown, was daunting.
In those quiet moments of reflection, I realized that life rarely unfolds according to plan. Sometimes, it throws you into situations that challenge your understanding of yourself and your desires. But I should have known better, and I didn't. Klaus and I had gone and had sex in my old bedroom. I couldn't believe I'd risked doing that; anyone could have walked in on us; they could have thought we were having an affair. There was no way any of my friends would have believed that I'd left town of my own accord after marrying Klaus and agreeing to live a plural marriage with him. Sometimes when I heard it, it made me want to scream. That wasn't the type of person that I was, and on occasion when I'd walk in on him kissing April or Caroline, I'd remember our first kiss and how early into our relationship that had also happened. Things had moved too quickly with Klaus, and that needed to be addressed.
It had to be addressed tonight.
Klaus Mikaelson
As I eased my car into Caroline's garage, the familiar hum of the door closing behind me offered a sense of security that was almost palpable. The garage was dimly lit, with shadows dancing across the walls as the door settled into place. There was an unspoken tranquility in her home that always seemed to wash over me, a comforting embrace of sorts, though I would never admit this to her. After turning off the engine, I sat for a moment, listening to the ticking of the car as it cooled. The air was thick with silence, only occasionally broken by the distant hum of a passing car on the street outside. I finally unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out, my footsteps echoing slightly on the concrete floor. The soft click of the car door closing felt like a whisper in the stillness. I made my way inside, finding the kitchen in darkness; not surprising, it was after twelve, and I'd missed my flight. The kitchen was a familiar sight, with its polished countertops and neatly arranged appliances reflecting the moonlight streaming in through the window. I paused, taking in the serene ambiance, the kitchen's silence a stark contrast to the lively conversations and laughter that usually filled the space during our family nights. She would be asleep by now, and I didn't want to wake her. So I did as I always did and used her kitchen to cut across into the yards out of the prying eyes of neighbors so I could walk to Elena's house.
With a gentle push, I opened the patio doors and stepped out into the backyard. The cool night air greeted me, carrying with it the sound of crickets chirping and the distant rustle of leaves. The garden was a small oasis, illuminated by the soft glow of solar lights scattered among the flowerbeds that Caroline had planted in her own yard. I glanced towards Vickie's house; her lights were still on, casting a warm glow through the windows. I approached Elena's house, noticing her lights were on as well, and I sighed at the sight. If she was still up, it meant she wanted to talk, and right now I didn't.
All day long I was consumed with the news that Stefan had purchased her an engagement ring and was determined to find her. If she knew, it could destroy everything.
I unlocked the patio door to her house and quietly stepped inside. As I closed the door behind me, I was struck by how silent the house was, with only the faint sound of a clock ticking somewhere nearby. I collected myself a bottle of water from the fridge; she, like Caroline, was organized in that aspect. April's fridge consisted only of diet soda, eggs, and one jar of jam.
I walked up the stairs taking them two at a time, hoping that I could slip into bed and get some much-needed sleep before tomorrow. I opened the guest bedroom door, not dreaming of going near the master bedroom tonight, only to stop at the sight of her waiting for me there. I froze, suddenly aware of her presence and what it meant. She was standing at the foot of the bed, her expression unreadable in the shadows. I sighed and switched on the wall light.
"Where have you been?" She asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I leaned against the wall, keeping my distance.
"You said you'd only been a few hours in—"
"Something came up; I had to change my plans." I interrupted her.
"Oh," she paused, "What happened?"
I held her gaze and began to shake my head. "Nothing."
Elena crossed her arms, looking around at the room. "So you're planning on sleeping in here tonight?"
"I thought you'd prefer it that way," I told her.
"I think it's what's best." She agreed.
I watched as she sat down on the bed and began fidgeting with her hands.
"I wasn't expecting you back so late," she said after a moment. "I thought you'd gone over to someone else's house for a second."
I raised an eyebrow. "And what if I was?"
She looked up at me, her expression hardening. "That's not funny."
I shrugged. "I wasn't trying to be."
"I don't want anyone knowing that we're fighting; it would just cause problems." She said.
I nodded slowly. "So are we fighting? Because it sounds like that's what you want."
"Klaus," she began, "I don't know what I want right now."
"Then what do you need?" I asked.
She shrugged. "I just... I need time and space. I don't know, but I need something."
"Or someone," I stepped forward. "The infamous ripper, your first love, your high school sweetheart."
She stood up. "Stefan has nothing to do with this."
"He has everything to do with this," I stepped towards her. "We both know it; he's your first love, your last love. Who am I to stand in your way of true love?"
"What would you even know about love anyway?"
Her words hit me harder than I anticipated, and I found myself taking a step back.
"You know nothing about love," she repeated. "You've never been in love; you've never given yourself to someone completely, and that's what scares me."
"I never signed up to give you a romance, darling," I reminded her. "I agreed to give you a home, protection, and if you asked someday, a sample of my—"
"You're disgusting," she snapped, her voice cutting through the tension like a jagged blade.
I met her gaze, unwavering. "No, Elena. What's truly appalling is the insinuation that I took advantage of you when you were uncertain."
Her eyes flashed with defiance. "I wasn't uncertain."
"Then why?" I pressed, my voice firm yet searching.
"Because I needed time to think," she insisted, her voice rising with the swell of emotion.
"To think about him?" I probed, pushing the fragile boundaries of our conversation.
"No!" Elena shouted, her denial echoing through the room. Her outburst hung heavy in the air, leaving a charged silence in its wake.
I took a deep breath, the weight of my next words pressing down on my chest. "Well, he's thinking about you, darling," I said, unable to mask the bitterness in my tone. "He's still in Mystic Falls, and he's armed with an engagement ring."
Her face fell, the revelation landing like a weight on her shoulders. This was the second time today that I'd let my emotions get the better of me, that I'd revealed secrets that weren't mine to share. Why had I done this to her? Why had I done this to our marriage? To our relationship?
Elena swallowed hard, her eyes welling with tears. "How could you possibly know that?" she began to shake her head. "You're lying."
"You know I'm not." I said calmly and as softly as I could muster.
"No, I wouldn't," Elena stopped to wipe a fallen tear. "I never know when you're lying; you're always lying, and I'll never, ever," she sobbed, "be able to trust you."
She walked out of the room, not seeing my hand reaching out to stop her at the last second.
"I can't be here anymore." I heard her sob as she got into the hallway.
I closed my eyes as her words echoed in my mind. This was it. The moment I'd been dreading. The moment she'd finally seen me for who I truly am, the monster within. And she couldn't handle it. I opened my eyes and turned around, staring at the empty space she'd once occupied, feeling the weight of her absence hanging in the air.
I left the room, finding the door to the master bedroom was closed and no doubt locked. I didn't waste any time in leaving; I'd spend the night at Caroline's house. I'd sleep in the sitting room if she wouldn't have me in her bed. I cut across the backyards, fighting the bitter cold of the night, and made my way back into Caroline's. I settled down the bottle of water I'd had in my hands all this time and placed it down on the kitchen island along with my coat before unbuttoning the top buttons of my shirt and making my way upstairs in the dark. As I opened the door to the master bedroom, I was enveloped in darkness. I flicked on the light, revealing an empty bed, its covers undisturbed. My eyes were drawn to the open closet, where only empty hangers hung on the rod. The sight of her empty space hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt the sting of tears pricking the corners of my eyes.
It was then, from the corner of my eye, that something on the nightstand caught my attention. I picked up the folded pages, opening them up to find an update from my hybrid.
"No," I whispered.
She'd seen it; she knew. She knew everything.
"Damn it." I said, slamming the paper down on the nightstand and running out of the room.
I jumped down from the last five steps of the stairs and ran straight back outside, hoping she'd gone to April's, as I knew for certain she was not at Elena's. I quickly unlocked the patio doors and entered the dark kitchen.
"April?" I called out.
Nothing.
"Caroline?" I called out again, walking into the sitting room, "Baby?"
She wasn't there.
I raced up the stairs, each step echoing in the silent house, my heart pounding fiercely as if trying to break free from my chest. I burst into the bedroom, the door slamming against the wall with a loud thud, only to find the room shrouded in darkness. My hand fumbled for the light switch, and with a flick, the room was bathed in a soft glow. There, on the neatly made bed, lay a solitary piece of paper. It caught my eye immediately, and I snatched it up, my fingers trembling as I unfolded it to reveal the message inside.
The words were simple, yet they carried the weight of betrayal. I raced up the stairs, each step echoing in the silent house, my heart pounding fiercely as if trying to break free from my chest. I burst into the bedroom, the door slamming against the wall with a loud thud, only to find the room shrouded in darkness. My hand fumbled for the light switch, and with a flick, the room was bathed in a soft glow. There, on the neatly made bed, lay a solitary piece of paper. It caught my eye immediately, and I snatched it up, my fingers trembling as I unfolded it to reveal the message inside.
The words were simple, yet they carried the weight of betrayal.
It was supposed to be our secret.
I sank heavily onto the bed, the realization settling in. Caroline had discovered the truth—that Tyler had attempted to destroy her old house and that I had failed to confide in her and April. Sweet, innocent April, who had never wronged anyone, had inadvertently overheard me confessing to Vickie, exposing a truth I had desperately tried to conceal.
A sharp beep from outside drew me to the window. Peering through the blinds, I watched as Elena dashed out of her house, her movements swift and purposeful. A duffle bag was slung over her shoulder, and she moved with a determined grace across the dusty ground. My grip on the blinds tightened as I watched her climb into a waiting cab, her actions resolute and without a hint of hesitation.
The cab pulled away, leaving behind a swirling cloud of dust and a hollow ache in my chest. In its wake, it carried away the remnants of what once was, leaving me enveloped in solitude. They were all gone, and I had no one to blame but myself for it all.
I walked back over towards Apri's bed, sitting down on the side of it.
What was I supposed to do now?
I heard footsteps coming towards the door, and I looked over, waiting to see who appeared. Vickie came into view, looking over at me, her expression unreadable as I didn't attempt to hide my agony. She was wearing a short black satin robe, her hair was curled, and she was wearing a soft pink lipstick. She stared back at me; she knew they were gone; she might have even seen Elena leave just now.
She stepped into the room, holding onto my gaze as she stood a few feet across from me. She reached for the satin ribbon of her robe and began to undo it, letting the garment fall to the floor and reveal her naked body to me. I stared back at her, not knowing what to say or do. She slowly made her way towards me, swaying her hips; her skin was sun-kissed like she'd been out in it all day. She brought her knee up onto the bed as she reached me and placed her hands on my shoulders, leaning over my lap and holding my gaze without saying a word. I could feel her breath on my face; the scent of her perfume surrounded me, and I couldn't help but let my eyes wander down her body.
I looked away ashamed at my thoughts. I'd just lost everything; how could I think about this?
Vickie placed her hands on the side of my face, bringing me to face her. "Just tell me what you want, what you need," she whispered, her voice laced with desire. "And I'll do it, whatever you want."
She leaned down and brushed her lips against mine, the warmth of her touch sending a jolt through my body. She traced her fingers along my jawline before tilting my head up to meet hers. I couldn't help but inhale her scent, the intoxicating mixture of soap and sweat enveloping me as she leaned closer, pressing her naked breasts against my chest. My hands slid down to rest on the curve of her hips, feeling the smooth skin beneath my fingertips.
"What do you want, Klaus Mikaelson?"