Kol eased back in his chair and took sip of cognac. He was looking out the window of the family's private jet.
A tangy scent of citrus alerted him to the fact that a woman was in the vicinity and when he looked up he found Jenny, his private hostess smiling down at him. When he returned her smile she leaned over and offered him a cigar from a humidified wooden box. He nodded to her as he plucked one out, twirling it around between his fingers and lifting it to his nose.
"Thank you, Jenny." He managed to say as he used a cutter to slice off the tip. She took pleasure in lighting it for him before sauntering off to the front of the empty aircraft. It was just him, Jenny and the two pilots. Kol sucked gently on his cigar, releasing a cloud of smoke while he stared outside the window again. The sky was dark indicating that it was late evening. His phone was off and he hadn't checked his e-mails all day. His mind drifted back to Bonnie.
He could still see her standing outside her apartment building, shivering in the early morning chill while she stared up at him with those fierce green eyes. Bonnie deserved her happily ever after but he wasn't the man to give it to her.
Not yet.
He wondered how Elijah and Klaus would take the news of him absconding and leaving them to clean up his mess once again. He was pretty sure that Elijah would be flying in from London to New York if he wasn't there already.
He could smell bullshit a mile off and he'd become quite equipped in cleaning it up. He's swoop in, handle the board, monitor the situation and fly off again to handle other business ventures back in Europe. Elijah was order, Klaus mischief and Kol was chaos. It had been like that since they were kids and the baby of the family, his sister Rebekah fell somewhere in the middle with her stubborn nature.
Like him, Elijah was single and never married but unlike Kol, he didn't suffer from fear of commitment, he was simply too busy and the business took too much of his time. He thought women were a distraction which is probably why he'd lost Camille to Klaus in the first place.
He picked up the bottle of Henri IV next to him and twisted the crystal cap off. When Jenny saw that he was attempting to refill is own drink she rushed to him but he halted her by raising his hand and shaking his head. He didn't need to be waited on.
Shortly after he poured himself another shot, the hostess announced that they were about to begin their descent into Argentina.
..
Buenos Aires.
Kol was still struck by how colorful and vibrant the city was. He could taste the excitement in the air. Through the rolled up windows of black town car, he watched the city speed by in a blur. The cobblestone streets were lined with pulsating eclectic restaurants and clubs and people buzzing with energy. His family didn't have a home in Argentina so he was going to be staying at a boutique hotel.
When the car pulled up ion front of the hotel, the concierge darted forward to open his door before his driver could assist him. A porter helped him with his duffel bag and as they bounded the red carpeted steps leading to the wide front doors, a few women walking around the lobby turned to admire him. He pulled up the hood of his black sweatshirt and shielded his face with its three day old scruff from their stares. After retrieving his key from reception, he followed the porter to a bank of old-fashioned elevators and slipped inside.
As soon as the doors closed behind them, Kol flopped down on a plush padded bench and rested his head against the dark-wood wall of the elevator. He tilted his head back and watched the numbers ascend. He was tired; he could feel it in his shoulders. What he needed was a warm shower and another stiff drink. When the car jerked to a stop, he lifted himself up with the assistance of a brass handrail and stepped out, the porter following him a step behind.
Kol used his card key to open the suite then flicked on a light switch. A crystal chandelier illuminated a long dark dining table ringed with red velvet chairs. His eyes slid to a red velvet banquette with booster pillows, heavy drapes, a stacked liquor bar and then settled back on the porter who had already placed his bag on the table.
"Gracias." Kol smiled and pulled out a large tip from his wallet. After a large in take of breath, he crossed the room to the bar and filled a shot glass with bourbon. Then slipping off his hood, he explored the rest of the suite.
Through a pair of rich oak double doors lay the bedroom with a plasma TV set against a velvet tufted wall and a four poster bed sitting atop a dark wooden floor. He moved to a wall of dark French doors and pushed them open to a wrought-iron balcony overlooking a square. At the center of the bubbling fountain was a naked statue of Venus. Kol took another swig at his drink and unzipped his sweatshirt.
What he needed was a hot shower, a hot meal and perhaps some company. He hated dining alone.
..
Kol felt a rush of adrenalin as soon as he crossed the threshold of the restaurant. The place had an old world charm, history and old magic as he climbed the stairs that led to the restaurant section of the bar. He brushed past couples who were skipping down the stairs to make use of the small dance floor downstairs. Kol tossed a look over his shoulder at a few people dancing the tango and smiled.
When he reached the top of the stairs, a server showed him to table and handed him a wine menu. He ordered bourbon and decided to request a good bottle of wine when his guest arrived. A few minutes later with fresh drink in hand, he looked up to see Raquel walking toward his table. He rose to his feet. Several male heads turned at the sight of her voluptuous figure encased in a wine-red dress. She was still attractive, Kol would give her that.
"Kol" She laughed as loud as life and welcomed him with a hug and kiss on both cheeks.
Thirty minutes later after exhausting all small talk, Kol glanced at the rich, inky red wine in his glass and the white plate garnished with steak and vegetables. He decided to ask about the big elephant in the room.
"You married?" he asked, looking up at Raquel.
"Si, estoy casado." She nodded her smile broad and luminous. She looked happy, Kol thought. As if reading his thoughts, she leaned over the table and clarified.
"A woman needs to grow up and find someone who doesn't mind sharing a bed with her after a tryst. My husband likes to cuddle and he doesn't spend half his time travelling the world." She smiled and played with the tips of her gold tassel earrings.
"He allowed you to meet for dinner so late?"
"Yes. We trust each other but I cannot stay very late. I'm meeting him for drinks later." She said then suddenly perking up, she asked "Would you like to join us?"
"Some other time." He glanced back down at his plate and picked a morsel of broccoli with his fork.
"Are you seeing anyone?" Raquel asked, digging into her salad.
"I was."
"And yet here you are."
"And so here I am."
She nibbled her lip, seeming to consider her statement before she said "Love is a risk. You take so many risks, thrills and yet you're so scared of the one that matters the most. Why?"
Kol swallowed and waved her question away "Enough about me."
He reached into his the inside pocket of his jacket and produced a small gift-wrapped box. Silently he slipped it across the table and looked at her expectantly. He watched as she tore open the wrapping paper and sipped his wine. She plucked a snow globe out of the box and gave it a shake. Inside was a miniature Manhattan with flakes of snow dancing around the glass. Setting the globe back down, she picked up her glass and gave him a little toast to say thank you.
Kol smiled with a nod and said, "You're welcome."
Later he was alone in his suite. He lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. He thought about how happy Raquel had looked and wondered if she had really found peace in love. Perhaps he could also find his peace if he took a little soul searching and really dug deep to the source of how he got so screwed up. Finally reasoning with himself he took out his cell phone and switched it on. He dismissed the pings that alerted him to new messages and e-mails and scrolled through his contact list for Aubrey's number in Paris.
..
Bonnie was coming out of the office buildings when she saw Alfred outside rounding a glossy black limousine with tinted windows. He was amidst a mob of reporters, cameras flashing as they waited for whoever was inside the vehicle to climb out.
Her stomach churned. Her chest rose and fell with her quickening pulse and her heart crashed against her ribs. She was jostled back by the reporters as they tried to get the money shot and she gulped a breath, waiting with baited breath along with the crowd. A dark haired man in an immaculate three piece navy-blue suit stepped out of the vehicle.
It was not Kol.
The man turned to assist a woman in a white dress out of the vehicle and the reporters went crazy. They both looked so elegant; she in the midi-dress with a matching cape, a black Hermes Kelly bag hanging from the crook of her arm and the man in a stylish suit and tie.
"I see the new Editor's here."
Bonnie turned toward the voice behind her and found Enzo, a camera around his neck and a sandwich in his right hand.
She looked at him dumbly before stuttering, "They're hiring a new Editor?"
What she meant to say was how can they replace Kol? It's too soon. It's much too soon.
"Yeah. Josette Parker all the way from Paris."
"Oh, who's that with her?"
"That would be Elijah Mikaelson."
"Kol's brother?" Bonnie eyes widened.
"Sorry." Enzo grimaced then took another bite of his sandwich.
"Sorry for what?"
"Your boyfriend. I heard around the rumor mill that you and Kol had a-"
"You heard wrong."
"Ok but it sort of made sense why you weren't ready for anything with me."
Bonnie opened her mouth to say something but snapped it back shut again.
"I meant what I said, by the way." Enzo brushed past her and gave her a wink, "Call me when you're ready, gorgeous."
..
They stood under an awning at a bus stop waiting for the bus with her picture to drive past.
"Look, I brought party hats." Caroline said handing out sparkly hats that were sure to add some color to a rather dreary afternoon.
"The rain is raining on my parade." Bonnie moaned and slapped a hat on her head. She held out her flute to Katherine who was toting around a magnum bottle of bubbly. The brunette filled each of their flutes with bubbling champagne and took a large swig from the bottle before setting it down on the dirty pavement.
"Here it comes." Caroline screamed.
They all cheered at her image on the bus and watched as a number of commuters climbed inside. She looked hot, she thought proudly.
When the festivities were done with, Katherine caught a cab to the west side of Manhattan and Bonnie and Caroline headed east.
"Remember when I told you that Mason was getting a few celebs to tend the bar at his opening as some sort of gimmick?" Caroline asked as she reapplied her lipstick with the aide of a hand mirror.
"Who's Mason?"
"Tyler's brother. He's having the bar opening this Saturday."
"Oh yeah."
"He wants to know if you can tend the bar."
"You're kidding right? Me tend the bar?"
"Don't you see what this means?"
"Er that your idiot boyfriend's brother wants me to work with no pay? I drink, I don't tend bars."
"That's because you can barely mix a vodka tonic but that's beside the point. Mason's asking you to work the bar because he considers you to be a celebrity."
"No offense but he also asked you." Bonnie chuckled, nudging her with her elbow.
"Gee thanks."
"Sorry."
"He asked me because of Tyler and Tyler offered his services because they're family. He's asking you because you're Bonnie Bennett, the sexpert."
"You make me sound like James Bond." Bonnie shook her head, playfully shoving Caroline. They both laughed until the cackles morphed into warm, glowing smiles.
"Uhm…by the way, I've been meaning to tell you but I'm thinking of moving in with Tyler." Caroline announced staring straight ahead and avoiding eye contact with Bonnie.
"Really? As in like live together, share space twenty-four-seven" Bonnie blinked, staring at Caroline.
"Yeah."
"In Brooklyn?"
In Brooklyn." Caroline brushed her shoulder lightly against Bonnie's and smiled.
Bonnie wondered, were they so desperate to find love that they equated flings with greedy, selfish pricks to be earth-shattering, soul shaking love? If that was the case then they were all doomed.
"What?" Caroline turned to her, her brows bunched up.
"Nothing. I'm happy for you." Bonnie lied.
..
"I can't stop thinking about him. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling and I either have fantasies of strangling him to death or kissing him to death. It can go either way depending on my mood." Bonnie spoke around a mouthful of chips while Matt raided the cabinet for more snacks.
"Well you have to forget him as quickly as possible. I don't want you to whine about Mr. Moneybags every time we get together." He said with a quick glimpse over his shoulder.
"I haven't been whining." She argued, punching him playfully on his shoulder.
"Really, Moaning Myrtle?" he countered and finally came up with a box of cookies and a slab of chocolate. He dumped them on the island next to the blender filled with a cocktail mix of their own design.
"Thank you for coming over and thank you for forgiving me." Bonnie told him then tossed more ice cubes into the blender.
"I'm just here for Hugh Jackman and the scarf." Matt winked.
"How did the bus thing go?"
"Terrible"
"Oh?"
"I know I wasn't expecting paparazzi or anything but it felt so uneventful."
"Give it time. Soon New York will love you just as much as we love you." Matt assured her.
..
It was a typical Friday night in Manhattan and it was yet another launch party for yet another rooftop bar. The crowd was a typical mix of Wall Street types, models and a sprinkling of actors. The speakers were blasting Aerosmith and Katherine was already mouthing the lyrics to Sweet Emotion. Before they had even ordered one drink. It felt all so eighties with the music, smoke filled air and the sweaty bodies pressed up against them.
"You want to get out of here?" she turned to Kat and Matt, shouting over the music.
"What?" Matt responded though his attention was clearly taken by a brunette with a cigarette dangling out the corner of his mouth.
"Let's leave." Bonnie suggested.
"We just got here." Katherine countered and pushed past her, heading to the crowded bar.
"I'm just worried about Care, its Mason's thing tonight and she's sort of counting on us."
Taking Bonnie by the elbow, Matt marched her to the bar and promised "Come on, two drinks and then we'll go."
Four drinks later and sufficiently tipsy, she checked her phone and saw three missed calls from Caroline. After finally pleading with the rest of the passé and convincing them that choosing a breed of hot Wall Street types over their best friends was in fact a douche act, they headed outside and hailed a cab.
"Are those business cards?" they both asked Katherine who was pulling them out of her clutch.
"Aha." She said proudly.
"How many did you get?"
"Six." She said, fanning them out like a deck of cards. She pulled one out, stuck the rest back in her clutch and stared at the one in her hand.
"He certainly must have made an impression." Bonnie gestured to the card in question with her chin.
"Actually, "Katherine began as she tore the cards to pieces, "I won't be calling him, he spent an entire thirty minutes trying to convince me how rich he was. Men who try to prove that they have money never have money."
"Your assets are really wasted as an entertainment writer." Matt smirked, looking up from his phone.
Tossing back her hair and giving him a wink, Kat said "I know. Speaking of assets who is that hot suit guy that was marching through the lobby this morning?"
"At the office?"
"Yes. I heard he was heading up Esther Magazine."
"Oh I saw them earlier. The hot suit's name is Elijah Mikaelson, Kol's brother. Apparently he's in town to help Jo Parker settle into the new Editor's job. "
"Replacing his brother so soon?" Katherine's brows shot up and just as Bonnie was about to pipe up in agreement, she decided to shut her mouth. She didn't want to talk about Kol tonight.
"The fashion industry is shrewd." She said instead.
"Tell me about it."
When the taxi pulled up in front of Mason's bar the crowd was spilling out of the bar onto the sidewalk. They entered the space and took in the African masks lining the bamboo walls and the mass of people on the dance floor. They moved through the bar, inhaling rum and floral perfumed air and for a moment, she forgot she was in Manhattan.
It felt like Havana or how she imagined Havana to be. It was hot, sultry and Cuban music was being played by a DJ at the turntables.
"Not bad." Katherine smiled, sweeping her gaze over a dancing crowd. A man busy unloosening his tie brushed past them smiling at her which only cemented the fact that this was in fact not a bad bar. Caroline was behind the long bamboo bar and when she saw them she beckoned them over.
"Hey, you guys made it. I'll get you some drinks." She said to them once they were within ear shot. The three of them settled along the bar and waited for Caroline who with the help of some other famous DJ and some actor, helped assemble their drinks.
She set the mojitos down in front of them with a dramatic flair just as a tall strikingly handsome man made his way to the bar next to Caroline.
"This is Mason Lockwood, Tyler's brother." She made the introductions.
"Mason, this Katherine, Matt and this is Bonnie, she writes a column. It's called The State of Sex in New York City."
"Congratulations. Great turn out." Bonnie smiled, glancing around the bar then back to Mason.
"Thanks. Its rent-a-crowd."
"Oh."
"I'm kidding." He blushed.
"I knew that."
"Enjoy yourselves. Just reminder it's a two drink minimum." He smiled, his gaze sweeping over all three of men.
"So you're basically holding us hostage for at least twenty minutes." Matt piped up, leaning slightly over the counter. Bonnie recognized hi infamous flirt pose.
With a laugh tossed over his broad shoulder, Mason said "Precisely"
..
An hour later, Mason returned with a fresh round of drinks. Katherine gaped at his magnificence and Bonnie caught him looking at her and smiled. As soon as he left their side, Katherine shot Bonnie a look over the rim of her glass.
"Well it seems we both like Mason." Kat said with her eyes fixed over Bonnie's shoulder watching Mason go.
"Uhm-"Bonnie coughed, nearly choking on her cucumber martini.
"You wanna flip a coin for him?" Kat suggested.
"For Mason?"
"No for Barney, the fat idiotic dinosaur." She scoffed, rolling her eyes and Bonnie pursed her lips.
"Just so you know I'm willing to sit out a marathon of green tea martinis to be the last woman standing." Katherine added to which Bonnie had to concede.
..
Later when she arrived at the apartment, she tossed her clutch on the kitchen counter, removed her shoes and slipped out of her dress all before she reached her bedroom. After changing into a large sweatshirt, she padded back to the kitchen and she'd just opened the fridge when her phone rang.
Lifting the phone from the counter, she swiped her thumb across the screen.
"Hello?" she answered, cradling it between her ear and shoulder while she evaluated the contents of the fridge.
"Hi there."
"Hi" she frowned, not recognizing the voice in her tipsy state.
"It's Mason from the bar. I got your number from Katherine."
'Oh hi." Stuttering, Bonnie straightened up and closed the fridge door with her bum.
"How about an exclusive over dinner?" Mason asked.
Her brows bunched up even more when she followed up with "Are you a journalist?"
"Sorry that was my silly attempt at banter. I'd like to see you again."
"Uhmm-"
"Sleep on it. Gimme a call tomorrow." He said hurriedly before she could even think of refusing him.
"Will do. Toodle-do." She ended the call, placed the phone back on the counter and scratched her head. Toodle-do? Had she really just said Toodle-do to him?
..