Chapter 2 : Take Your Voice
Bonnie sat at a corner table in the elegant French restaurant, her fingers tapping lightly on the white linen tablecloth. The soft glow of candlelight flickered across her face, casting delicate shadows that danced with the rhythm of her thoughts. She glanced at her watch, then at the entrance, her anticipation mingling with a hint of annoyance.
Damon finally arrived, his presence commanding attention as he strode across the room. At 26, he was currently dominating the acting world and shooting the next Thriller. His dark hair was tousled, and his blue eyes held a thousand unspoken apologies. He approached Bonnie with a charming smile, his guilt evident in every step.
"Bonnie, I'm so sorry I missed your gig at the O2 Arena," Damon said, his voice filled with genuine remorse.
Bonnie's expression softened slightly, but she couldn't completely hide her disappointment. "You know how much that show meant to me, Damon."
He nodded, his guilt deepening. "I know, and I feel terrible about it. That's why I wanted to make it up to you. I thought a fancy dinner might help."
Bonnie sighed, her frustration melting away as she looked into Damon's eyes. "Alright, let's enjoy the evening. But you owe me a lot more than just dinner."
Damon chuckled, relieved that she was willing to give him a chance. "Deal. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
As they settled into their seats, the waiter arrived with a bottle of fine wine, pouring it into their glasses with practiced elegance. The aroma of exquisite French cuisine filled the air, and Bonnie couldn't help but feel mixed emotions wash over her. Despite her initial annoyance, she knew that Damon's intentions were sincere.
After their dinner, Damon and Bonnie returned to his penthouse. Bonnie's initial frustration had melted away, replaced by a sense of warmth and affection. Damon, ever the charmer, had managed to make her feel special despite his earlier mistake. They talked and laughed, reminiscing about old times and sharing dreams for the future.
Damon gently tilted Bonnie's chin up, looking into her eyes with a tender smile. "I'm truly sorry"
Bonnie smiled back, her heart swelling with love. "I know, Damon. And I appreciate everything you've done tonight."
With that, Damon leaned in and kissed Bonnie softly, their lips meeting in a sweet, lingering embrace.
The next day, Bonnie stood by the large windows of her penthouse, gazing out at the city skyline. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the buildings. She sighed, her mind drifting back to the events of the past few days. Her career had always been her top priority, but lately, she had been questioning her choices. Was she truly happy? Was this the path she wanted to continue?
As she pondered these thoughts, she decided to take a break and do something that always brought her comfort - cooking one of her grandmother's recipes.
She flipped through the pages until she found the one she was looking for - her grandmother's famous gumbo. The rich, savory dish was a staple in her family, and just the thought of it made her feel a little closer to her 2nd home.
As she gathered the ingredients, Bonnie's mind wandered back to her childhood. She remembered spending summers in New Orleans with her grandmother, the warm, humid air filled with the sounds of jazz and the scent of delicious food. Her grandmother's kitchen was always bustling with activity, and Bonnie loved being a part of it.
~Flashback~
A young Bonnie stood on a stool, her small hands carefully stirring a pot of gumbo under her grandmother's watchful eye. "That's it, sweetheart," her grandmother said with a warm smile. "Just keep stirring, nice and slow."
Bonnie looked up at her grandmother, her eyes wide with admiration. "Grandma, why do you always make gumbo?"
Her grandmother chuckled, the sound like music to Bonnie's ears. "Because, my dear, it's a family tradition. This recipe has been passed down for generations, and it's a way for us to stay connected to our roots."
Bonnie nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "I want to learn all your recipes, Grandma."
Her grandmother's eyes twinkled with affection. "And you will, Bonnie. One day, you'll be able to make them all by heart."
~End of Flashback~
As the gumbo simmered, Bonnie decided to call her grandmother. She picked up her phone and dialed the familiar number, feeling a wave of nostalgia as she listened to the ringing tone.
"Hello?" her grandmother's warm voice answered.
"Hi, Nan" Bonnie said, a smile spreading across her face. "I'm making your famous gumbo recipe."
"Oh, BonBon! That makes me so happy to hear," her grandmother replied. "I miss you" Bonnie blurted out. Her grandmother paused "Are you okay?"
Bonnie took a deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears. "I've been… okay, I guess. Just a lot on my mind lately. You know, with my career and everything."
Her grandmother's voice was filled with understanding. "It's natural to feel overwhelmed sometimes, dear. But remember, if that table no longer serves you like the Queen you are, get up and leave before it truly hurts you"
Bonnie smiled through her tears and reassurance. "Thanks, Nan. I needed to hear that."
They chatted for a while longer, reminiscing about old times and sharing stories. By the time they hung up, Bonnie felt a renewed sense of purpose. She knew she needed to take some time for herself, to reconnect with her roots and find the balance she had been missing. Bonnie was originally from New Orleans; she moved to the UK with her mother Abby Bennett when she was 10.
The night of the gig approached, Klaus found himself pacing backstage, his mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming performance. The venue was packed with fans, old and new, all eager to hear what Midnight at The Grave had been working on during their hiatus. The air was thick with anticipation, and Klaus could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
The rest of the band were equally anxious, but they tried to keep their spirits high. They were about to perform previous songs and two new songs from their upcoming album. The band's new sound is a blend of their old style with fresh, innovative ideas. They have spent countless hours perfecting this new sound, which combines elements of their previous Metal & Screamo influences with new, experimental touches. The result is a powerful and electrifying sound that is unlike anything they have played before.
As the clock ticked closer to showtime, Klaus took a deep breath and gathered the band for a final pep talk. "We've worked hard for this moment," he said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. "Let's show them what Midnight at The Grave is all about."
After playing a few of their old songs, Klaus quieted the crowd to introduce a more laid-back song called "She." The audience hushed, eager to hear the new tune. The soft strumming of the guitar filled the venue, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasted with the high-energy performances earlier in the night.
Meanwhile, Bonnie and Caroline were in the crowd, sipping their drinks and enjoying the show. Bonnie's eyes were fixed on Klaus as he sang. The gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics of "She" seemed to resonate deeply with her. She smiled slightly, feeling a connection to the music and she looked around at the girls around her who were mesmerised. After the gig, Caroline and Bonnie giggled amongst themselves, a few people recognized Bonnie and went up to take hug and take pictures with her. Bonnie decided to pay him a visit backstage, she stood by the doorway watching him laugh and drink with his bandmates "Woah Bonnie?" One of the bandmates said trying to contain his inner fangirl. Klaus stood up immediately and turned around. "I thought I crash your show back. Not bad" Bonnie said. Klaus smirked "This my brother Kol, he's our rhythm guitarist and he loves generic Pop music". Bonnie laughed and shook Kol's hand "You are beyond fucking gorgeous" Kol said staring at Bonnie while shaking her hand.
"Is that a Vanish T-Shirt?" Enzo asked. Bonnie nodded "Yeah, I'm a huge Jack Daly fan. I like other things; I'm not a generic Pop Girl" Bonnie teased laughing. Bonnie introduced Caroline to Klaus. "Hey is this a 1960 Hummingbird?" Bonnie said picking up the guitar off the floor and sitting on the couch. She started to play a tune. Everyone in the room exchanged glances of astonishment as Bonnie's fingers danced effortlessly across the guitar strings. The melody she played was both haunting and beautiful, a tune that seemed to echo the very essence of her soul. Klaus couldn't help but be captivated by her presence and her unexpected talent.
"That's... incredible," Klaus said, his eyes locked on Bonnie, a mixture of admiration and curiosity in his gaze. "Didn't know you could play like that."
Bonnie smiled, still playing. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Klaus."
The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming more intimate and charged with unspoken emotions. Caroline and the other members exchanged knowing looks, sensing the burgeoning connection between Bonnie and Klaus.
As the night went on, the group found themselves engrossed in conversation, laughter, and music. Stories were shared, secrets unveiled, and before they knew it, the early hours of the morning were upon them. Bonnie felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time. She realized that sometimes, it's not just about finding oneself but also about finding the right people to share the journey with.
When it was finally time to leave, Klaus walked Bonnie to the exit. "Thanks for coming tonight," Klaus said.
Bonnie looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a newfound clarity. "Gladly"
With that, they exchanged a lingering smile, each feeling the promise of something more. He took out a card out his pocket and gave her "Elijah Mikaelson? Another brother? The hotter brother?" Bonnie joked. "The rich brother, the one that pulls all the strings, the smart one. In case you need a new creative path, you may need him" Klaus said. Bonnie laughed nervously "I can't leave Alaric..I..It's all I've ever known". Klaus nodded "I know, and you look miserable. Take care, love". As she walked away, she felt lighter.
The days went by, and Bonnie felt numb and empty. She went to the studio and felt a hole. She spent time with Damon, but she felt distant. She went to dance practice, but she questioned her whole existence. Once again Bonnie was in her space cooking and humming to Jazz tones, she decided to bake fruit cake to take to Damon's for them to share while they watch movies. But when Bonnie got to his penthouse in Hyde Park her heart sank. The cute surprise she had in her head was shattered. All she saw was red and felt her blood bubbling. Her eyes glared at them on the couch: her best friend Elena and her boyfriend Damon half naked and all over each other. Bonnie glanced at the wine bottle and the empty dinner plates. Her body froze but her mind raced. She saw Damon's lips moving before she realised he was talking and gaslighting. "You can't be mad Bonnie, one wrong move and Alaric would send you back to anger management" Damon said walking towards Bonnie. Elena apologised continuously while putting on her clothes.
A year ago, Alaric sent Bonnie to anger management after she smashed an ex-boyfriend car and smeared his walls with red lipstick.
Bonnie pulled her arm away from him when he tried to touch her "You have no access to me anymore. None of you" she whispered.
Back at her penthouse, Bonnie walk through her home slowly, she placed the cake back on the counter. She looked around and all she saw was a fancy with stuff but no one who truly cared. She walked into the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror, she shook her head and exhaled. She slowly broke down and screamed at the mirror. She hugged herself and cried.
Two days later, she marched into the studio where she saw Alaric and the rest of the production lingering around and chatting about Bonnie and her album. Everyone looked her in silence, she stood and smirked with a set of papers in her hands "Fuck all of you!" she said smiling. Alaric frowned at her and chuckled nervously "What is going on, Bonnie?". Bonnie took the lighter out of her pocket and set the documents on fire. Everyone gasped and stepped back "You don't own me anymore Alaric. I'm done with you and this cesspool of a label. Have fun with my clone, Karyn" She smiled tightly. Alaric laughed "BonBon, I get what Elena did was horrible, but this is a bit extreme"
"No, you haven't seen extreme yet but one day everyone will know the cruelty of it all" Bonnie said staring at every man in the room. "Bonnie, let's be honest no label exec is going to put up nor defend your behaviours like I do. You can leave Bonnie Good luck to whatever little career you have left".
[I Apologize by Anita Baker/Chill Baby by Sza]
Over the next two weeks, Bonnie wrote songs, she went shopping in Camden Market and stopped by a record shop for her favourite artists. For the first time she felt a weight off her heart, she shopped for fresh groceries and spent more time making her nan's recipes. Caroline came over for dinner a few times mostly out of concern for her friend. Her other bestfriend in Italy thought she was insane for walking away without any second plan, but she was happy she was safe.
One night Bonnie sat up in bed staring at the TV show playing on her big screen, her mind wandered and eyes wandered to news on her phone. The headlines were the punch but the comments killed her. The world now knows Bonnie left her major label, some had conspiracy theories others called her a basket case. Bonnie flipped her phone on her nightstand and shook her head.
She picked up back her phone and scroll through her contacts, she didn't want to bother Hayley she was always her emotional support. Caroline was probably at some class or dinner with her intern mates. She saw Klaus's number, exhaled and dialed it. At first she thought it was stupid, calling some 30 year old from "has been" band.
"Bonnie?" He answered putting his drink down. Bonnie paused in shock bit gathered herself "I think I've finally hit rock bottom"
"I am in Rock bottom" Klaus said chuckling. " You're just saying that to make me feel better" she said leaning back on her pillow and staring at the ceiling.
" I'm not. I was embarrassed I felt so empty…I choice drugs over my family and my career..I lost two people I truly cared about. Restarting is the worst but it's the only way we prove we aren't weak" Klaus whispered through the phone.
"Who did you lost?"
"Alan. I haven't said his name in awhile. Truly a ghost around here. Sometimes I see his lifeless body on the floor in my dreams and think it probably could've been me. Then Cami who couldn't take it anymore and disappeared. I don't blame her. Why did you quit?" He stared at his ceiling.
"You're just a man ,it probably would float right through your ear" she said closing her eyes.
He smiled "Hmmm. I told my brother about you. I think you should meet him instead of sitting home wondering"
Bonnie rolled her eyes "Mayhem Records. Is it a bunch of scary men screaming at each other?" she teased.
"Everyone thinks that but we're really a family..we do treat people like human unlike Alaric. You should come to Manchester, that's where we record. It's peaceful. You can take the chance or stay with rock bottom" he said smiling. Bonnie paused on the phone and looked around the room "Manchester? I probably insane to even agree to this"