Chapter 12.

"Klaus, Klaus? Are you even listening to me?"

He looked up as his trail of thoughts were interrupted by Genevieve.

Ever since Caroline appeared at his doorsteps the other day he couldn't stop thinking about her. He knew it was quite rude and awkward towards Caroline to allow Genevieve to continue her affections right in front of her, but he had to remind himself many times this is how it's suppose to be. But he couldn't get the image of her out of his mind after she ran away.

He wasn't blind. He knew Caroline was hurt from the image of them two together, he knew the feeling from when Tyler kissed her at the park. So when she ran and dropped the contents she held in her hands, his heart dropped when he saw what it was.

She was the only one who knew of his favorite cafe, not even Elijah his own brother who he's been with his whole life knew. And somehow she was able to get some for him. She was considerate enough to bring his favorite pastries and coffee to his doorsteps and all he gave her was an image she probably wouldn't forget.

All he wanted to do was run after her. Hold her in his arms to ease her mind, he wanted to cradle her beautiful face in his hands as he spoke with her, he wanted everything to go back to how it was before Genevieve appeared.

But he couldn't, because he was with Genevieve.

So instead, all he could do was pick up the crumbled pastries that were soaked with coffee, and throw it away.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, what were you saying?"

Genevieve let out a puff of air and pointed at the magazine in her hands. "I said I hate this bitch."

Klaus took a glance at the front cover of the magazine and noticed it was a girl who Genevieve once worked with before.

"She's always acting as if she's this innocent and pure girl when she's the total opposite, well she better enjoy it while she can."

Klaus raised his eyebrow at her remark. "What did you do?"

Genevieve turned around and gave him an innocent smile, "nothing." But Klaus wasn't buying it.

Genevieve smiled wickedly as she threw the magazine in the trash. "Okay you caught me. Well let's just say I may have obtained a video of her participating in some orgy, and sent it anonymously to the media. So with her image of being 'innocent' tarnished, she'll have to say bye-bye to her career."

Klaus just shook his head. Another girl destroyed by the hands of Genevieve. Yes, it was awful of her, but who was he to judge? He would have done the same and was capable of it too. This was how they do things, and it'll never change.

"Now..."

Genevieve threw her leg on top of Klaus and sat on his lap as she played with his hair, "can't you cancel your plans and stay with me tonight?"

Klaus raised his eyebrow in question. "Do I really need to answer that."

Genevieve sighed and threw herself off him and instead laid on the couch. "No, I just wanted to complain."

Klaus let out a chuckle, and patted her leg in assurance. "Just a few more months, and we can go public. "

She quickly got up and her eyes lit up from what she heard, "really?! How? Why?!"

"After Camille I'm going solo."

"Really?!" She squealed, "no more follow up movies with chlamydia?! No more other bitches?!"

"Genevieve..."

"Opps, sorry. I know you don't approve of name-calling, but I got so excited!" She grinned sheepishly. "But how come? I hate to admit it, but the public loves you with chla- I mean, Camille." She quickly corrected herself.

"Well we already know this movie will be a big hit, and I've already been in another film with her. So that's why we want to stop it at that. We wouldn't want people to be bored of us, do we?"

"So leave the people craving for more?"

"Exactly. I would still be paired with other actresses," Klaus continued. "But they won't be strict with us as they are now."

"I could live with that." Genevieve smiled happily. Finally she can claim Klaus all to herself. Those actresses just wouldn't get a clue, they just kept clinging onto him like leches and it annoyed her incredibly.

She wasn't dubbed as the controversial heiress for nothing. She was spoiled and stuck-up. She grew up in a wealthy environment, with people ready to pamper her and answer to her every whim. She perfectly embodied the snobbish-heiress type, and she was definitely not a goody two shoes. Klaus knew that. Hell, everyone did. But once you're in her good book, she would be there for those people.

Klaus was definitely on the top of her lists, because she was in love with him.

She has never loved someone as much as she did with him, and that was the reason why she was always trying to be on her best behavior. While she knew they can both be cruel, Klaus still had a side to him that can be caring. He once told her he was never like that, but he wouldn't explain what changed him to be the way he is now. She never bothered for his explanation, but because of that side of him, she knew he would appreciate it if she was to become more kinder. Which was why she was always apologizing and being kind to others. All so she can please him and have him.

"I have to go." Klaus stated suddenly.

Genevieve pouted as she saw Klaus get up from the couch and put on his leather jacket, "so soon?"

"I have to hand something off to Elijah, and you have a meeting near 5th avenue. We can't be seen near the same district."

Genevieve nodded her head sadly at his explanation, "Can I at least come over afterwards?

Klaus looked distressed as he saw her pleading eyes. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but you can't. Just wait for my call when it's alright to come over again."

She followed Klaus from behind, and watched as he was opening the door.

"Klaus, I love you."

His posture stiffen as he heard those words, and nodded in reply as he left.

"Why can't I come up with you Kat?"

Katherine let out a sigh as she turned back around and saw Caroline standing there solemnly.

They were standing in the lobby of the company Elijah and Klaus works for, because Katherine had more to discuss with Elijah about the other day.

She still couldn't wrap her mind around their discussion and the revelation of Klaus's ability to destroy one's career and she needed to know more. If she was going to put Caroline and Klaus back together she needed to know exactly what she's pushing her best friend into.

After coming back from Klaus's home, Caroline had been quiet and she locked herself in her room. She can only guess that her meeting with Genevieve hadn't gone so well...

When she hesitantly opened Caroline's door this morning to go to work, imagine her surprise when she saw Caroline was already up and ready with dozens of new ideas for their next fashion line. When they arrived to their office, it was madness everywhere. Caroline was instructing every single worker with their own tasks, and locked herself in her office to bring everything into perfection. All Katherine could do was watch as the madness unfolds.

But she knew. She knew the only reason why Caroline was pushing everyone and indulging herself into her work was to run away from her problems. She can tell because she had that same distant look in her eyes the day Klaus left her five years ago. Instead of sulking in her own bed like back then, she was overindulging herself into her work.

Katherine knew talking to her wouldn't help, she knew the only way for Caroline to speak was for her to do it on her own turf. So she allowed her to do what she wanted. She had other things to do like talk to Elijah about the other day, so she made an excuse to discuss more business matters with Elijah. Except, Caroline followed her.

"I just have other matters to discuss with Elijah that I can't have you hearing. Just wait for me for a few minutes, I promise it won't take long."

Caroline looked at her suspiciously, but nodded her head in agreement.

Katherine let out a sigh of relief and made her way to the elevator, hoping she can get to the bottom of all this.

Katherine was walking towards Elijah's office while looking around the empty and silent space. Elijah's office had the whole floor to himself seeing as how him and his brother had the most business inquiries within the office, because Klaus was their top star.

"What do you plan to do with Ms. Forbes."

Katherine stopped in her tracks as she realized Elijah was carrying another conversation with someone else, and it involved Caroline. The only one who he can be talking to is...

"What do you mean?"

Holy shit, Klaus... Elijah was finally confronting Klaus about Caroline. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but fuck it. She needed to know too. So she quickly shuffled back and stood beside the door.

"You know what I mean. I already know after you ran way you haven't stopped your contact with her." Elijah didn't bother to elaborate as to how he found out. "What is she to you?"

Klaus stood there struggling to think of what to say, "She's... She's special to me and that'll never change, but she's just a friend."

Elijah sat there in his seat in silence as he stared at Klaus, trying to decipher his body language. "If you were to chose..." Elijah had at last, decided to ask. "Would it be Genevieve or Caroline?"

"Oh my god... This is it. " Katherine waited with her breathe held. Klaus's answer was crucial. She was at the point where she wasn't sure if helping them get back together would be a great idea. She was currently at the verge of dropping her plans because she had finally grasped what she was getting Caroline into. But if... If Klaus chose Caroline, she was certain that she would help. Even with her previous realizations, if Klaus wanted her best friend. She was willing to risk it all.

"Genevieve."

'WHAT THE FUCK?!' It took all of Katherine's willpower to stop herself from barging in and demanding an answer. How could he?! After everything she's done, after everything he's put Caroline through, why?!

Elijah nodded his head at his answer, but asked. "Why?"

Klaus let out a sigh as he finally took a seat in front of Elijah as he contemplated on what to say. "Contrary to what others may think, I like Genevieve. She's frank and know what she wants. Caroline on the other hand..." Elijah waited patiently for his brother to gather his thoughts as Klaus paused.

"She's full of light."

Elijah raised his eyebrow at his answer, "and that's a bad thing?"

"Not at all," Klaus answered. Although Katherine couldn't see it, she knew he was smiling. "It's a good thing, absolutely a good thing. But I can't be with her... I'll only corrupt her."

Elijah didn't say anything, and Katherine didn't move an inch as they were both waiting for his explanation.

"You know how we live Elijah, and I don't want her to be any part of that. I want Caroline to remain the caring girl she is. If I take things any further than I have, I'll just be badly influencing her. You know that, and you can't deny it."

Elijah just nodded.

Only from the few moments he's seen them together, he remembered how she was. He thought back to that one time they've spent outside of Mystic Falls. How he was dragged along to a picnic date, because Caroline thought it would be a great idea for him and his brother to spend time with each other. They both sat back as they watched her run across the sunflower field. She was so carefree, and when she turned back to look at Klaus her smile was so bright and full of love. Even with his doubts to their relationship, even he had to admit she looked innocent and beautiful.

Klaus was right, if Caroline stayed by his side she would be tainted.

"The reason I'm keeping things between us a secret isn't because I don't want anyone to know. It's because if her association with myself leaks out to the public, she'll be the target of prying eyes."

Klaus looked at Elijah with a smile, but Elijah was startled to see the unmistakable sorrow in his brothers eyes. "I don't want to take away her normal life... I don't want to take away her gentle nature... I don't want to take away the simple things she cherishes in her life, I don't want to take anything away from her."

Katherine's eyes widened in shock as his words concluded her revelation.

"He's protecting her."

"Did you hear something?"

Oh crap. Katherine panicked. She wasn't even aware she said that out loud. When she heard the footsteps inside, she quickly ran off to the directions of the staircase.

Elijah came out from his office and looked around. Seeing nobody there, he shrugged his shoulders and looked at his watch. "It's time for us to leave. We have a meeting with the producers."

Klaus followed Elijah out of the office and to the elevator. When everyone was gone, the last shadow stepped out from behind the wall that was adjacent to the door.

It was Caroline and she heard it all.

Rebekah looked at the small compound in front of her, and read the sign, 'Lana's Orphanage' out loud.

She remembered when Elijah and Klaus lived in Boston, they met a lovely lady who owned a orphanage and became close. It took some time to track this place down, but eventually she found it. So instead of contacting her brothers about her arrival to New York, she decided she would do some investigation before she was to meet them. She just hoped traveling to New Jersey wouldn't be a futile task.

Once walking into the establishment, a older lady greeted her with a smile. "Hello, how may I help you?"

"Yes, I was wondering if I can speak to the headmaster of the orphanage."

"Is this for for adoption purposes?"

"No, I just have some other matters to speak of with her." Rebekah replied politely.

"Okay just one moment please." The lady moved back from her desk and picked up a telephone. "Ms. Evans, there's a young lady here to speak with you."

Rebekah watched as the woman nodded while listening on the other line. "Alright, I will ma'am."

The woman got up from her seat and smiled at Rebekah, "just follow me."

She led Rebekah to the office and was met with the sight of a elderly woman. "Please come in."

Rebekah took a seat in front of Lana and felt at ease. Lana's smile was infectious and comforting, she could tell she has a kind soul. "Good afternoon Ms. Evans, I'm sorry if my unannounced visit brings you any trouble."

"It's alright dear, and please call me Lana. What is your name?"

"Rebekah. Rebekah Mikaelson."

Suddenly she could see Lana's eye brighten up from the mention of her name. "You must be Klaus and Elijah's younger sister. I've heard so much about you, It's nice to finally meet you dear."

Rebekah smiled at Lana's enthusiasm. "It's nice to finally meet you too, and please. Call me Rebekah."

Lana chuckled at Rebekah's reply, and looked at her in curiosity. "While I'm quite pleased with your visit, I have to ask. What brings you all the way here?"

Rebekah wasn't sure if she should tell Lana the truth of her visit, but as Lana kept smiling at her patiently, she couldn't help but feel the motherly nature of the woman, and decided it was worth a shot. "The truth is, I've came all the way from London to see my brothers after they left 9 years ago. While I still come in contact with Elijah, I'm afraid Klaus doesn't reciprocate the same as him. Knowing Klaus, asking him directly about his life won't get me anymore. So as a result, I decided to ask some of his acquaintances. Unfortunately the only one I could think of, was you. So if you can, I was hoping you can tell me more about him?"

Lana listened carefully to every one of Rebekah's words before speaking. "I see, well all I can say is that this orphanage is actually his official charity. He provides the financial aid we need to feed the children and pay for the construction of this building. He also sends clothing and school supplies for the children."

Rebekah nodded her head and couldn't help but smile from what she heard. She thought after everything their father has done to him, he would remain the heartless boy he was forced to turn into. But knowing that he isn't and helps out others in need, makes her feel relieved.

"Actually he just came to visit me a couple of months ago with Caroline."

Rebekah looked at her bewildered by the mention of some girls name. "Excuse me, who?"

"Caroline, Caroline Forbes. She used to be involved with Klaus back when he lived in Virginia. Surely you must have heard about her."

Rebekah thought back to when Elijah and Klaus lived in the small town in Virginia. She remembered back then Klaus actually made an effort to speak to her during that period of time, and Elijah told her it might be because of his girlfriend's influence. Honestly, she didn't think much about it. She had no care for any of Klaus's relations to any girls. But as time passed, he would call more often and actually sounded... happy. Something she never thought would be possible, but once that relationship ended he went back to how he was and stopped contacting her. Now 9 years later she's decided to get to the bottom of it and find out more about her favorite brother. It never occurred to her, this girl was the influence of Klaus's behavior and that they were still in contact.

"Yes, my apologizes that must of slipped out of my mind. Lana, if you may... Can you tell me more about Caroline?"

"Yes of course dear. I've only heard about her and met her once, but she's very beautiful. While I was talking to your brother, she was out in the yard playing with the kids."

Lana stopped to laugh at the remembrance of the position they caught her in, and Rebekah smiled from witnessing the joy written all over her face. "She was able to capture all of the children's heart with her personality. Maybe too much, because one of our children here has quite a crush on her."

They laughed at that fact, and Lana continued. "They've actually became pen pals and seeing the happiness in Dave's eyes whenever he receives a letter every week brings the volunteer workers and myself such joy. He was quite like your brother in the beginning. Quiet, and always in a dark mood. But Caroline... She has this allure to her that can brighten any troubled soul with her big heart, and I don't blame your brother from being attracted to her. And from what I saw, he probably still is."

Rebekah took a sharp intake of breathe at the last sentence. "What?"

"Well Klaus has told me they aren't involved anymore, but from what I witnessed. It won't be too long until they get back together. You should have seem them, I've never seen Klaus smile and laugh so much as he ran around the yard. It was like he was a kid again. But when they were together, it was... mesmerizing. I couldn't look away from such a beautiful sight. It could warm anyone's heart."

Rebekah sat there not knowing what to do with this new piece of information, and Lana watched her with a peaceful smile. "Rebekah. I've been alive for 73 years, I've seen my fair share of couples and the obstacles they had to go through, but them?... No matter what they have to go through, you just know. That kind of love never dies."

Caroline sat on the park bench, her elbows on her thighs as her hands held her head.

'I can't do this...'

Her eyes were closed, but she didn't cry. No, she was done with crying, she was done with all the tears.

Ever since the scene between her, Klaus and Genevieve. She hasn't spoken to anyone about what occurred. She was too hurt to even pretend that nothing was wrong. She didn't want anyone to worry, that's why she burrowed herself into her work. But with what she heard a couple of days ago, she couldn't find the tiniest of strength to even act as if everything is alright.

From the beginning Klaus was clear that he just wanted to be friends, but she on the other hand, was thinking way ahead of herself. Indeed, everything between them has finally settled. Their breakup issues has been resolved, they were in each other's lives again, and she really thought she has moved on.

But days have passed after that incident. Klaus was back to working again, and Genevieve was still in New York. As for her?... Well the pain was still there.

Now, after hearing everything Klaus said, after finding out Katherine was trying to help behind her back, after knowing Elijah was a part of it too. She was more confused than ever. She didn't know what to do, she didn't know who to turn to, she didn't know what to feel. She had her suspicion when Katherine was in contact with Elijah more than what was necessary for work relations. So she followed Katherine from behind and saw her hiding beside the door. So she did the same, she just wanted answers, but got a lot more than expected.

She wasn't as naive as she once was. Katherine's reaction to the conversation just proved her notion. Moreover, after listening to Klaus's and Elijah's conversation, it wasn't just Katherine doing something, she realized Klaus was also doing the same.

They were both protecting her.

She lifted her legs to hug her knees, and buried herself further. The people closest to her were going out of their way just for her, and all she could do is go to the park and drown in her own sorrows.

Was she so weak that they found the need to do that for her?

Ever since Klaus came back into her life, her emotions went on an extreme roller-coaster ride. It just proved to her that she had no control over what she was feeling. It was always 'she got carried away,' and in the end, it left her hurting. It left her empty.

She was just too emotional.

While Katherine and Klaus were busy protecting her, she was constantly exposing herself to defenseless positions. She needed to find strength, she needed to be strong. She needed to to be strong for them, and most importantly, herself.

Katherine and Klaus were on the same page in the sense that they were protecting her from other people, but Caroline knew. She knew the most important protection she needed from herself was... herself. After all, she had a separate issue that they couldn't help with. A far more important issue.

Her love for Klaus.

"Caroline?"

Caroline's posture stiffened, she can recognize that voice a mile away. How did he find her? She wasn't ready to face him! Their confrontation was all too soon for her.

Klaus was surprised to find her there. He didn't expect to run into her. Is New York so small, that he couldn't go anywhere without accidentally meeting her?

Caroline didn't respond or move as Klaus took a seat beside her.

"I was just passing by. Taking a walk to clear my mind until I saw you." He supplied an answer even though she didn't ask. He was actually on location and shooting for the movie in Central Park, but he felt suffocated. Everyone always wanted to get close to the main actor, a chance to use his status for their own benefits. It was always the same, so he escaped.

But it was ironic. He was clearing his mind about Caroline, and poof, here she was.

Caroline on the other hand, still didn't acknowledge his presence.

The two of them remained silent until Klaus took a glance at her and felt his heart ache at the image of her. She was just sitting there hiding her face between her knees. Who knows how long she's been here in that position. She looked so small, so vulnerable, and it breaks his heart.

"You know love, I don't enjoy seeing you like this... So I'll tell you a story." He cleared his throat, and spoke. "I once had a vase."

What the hell.

Caroline almost reacted to his randomness, but she held herself in time. Just what in the world was Klaus smoking?

"You might remember it. It was when my siblings and I were fooling around and broke a vase, and I took the blame? Well I told you what Mikael did, but I never told you what happened afterwards. Well I thought of picking it up and gluing it all back together, but then I realized... It would all be an illusion. You know why?"

She didn't know what was up with him, but she shook her head no nonetheless.

"Because it would just be pieces glued together by something so artificial. It would never be the same vase again. It may look like it, but deep down... Its damaged." There was an emotion to Klaus's voice that she couldn't quite decipher. "It wouldn't be as strong as it once was, there would be cracks that could never be repaired. It would just fall easily and... shatter all over again."

Caroline remained silent. She honestly didn't understand as to what Klaus was saying.

"I thought of buying the same exact one, but I asked myself. What's the point? Am I going to buy it just because it looked exactly like the last one? To me it made no difference from gluing the pieces back together. In the end, I'll just be holding onto that new one because of the past... vase." Klaus closed his eyes as he continued. "Maybe the vase got broken for a reason. There was a reason it shattered in the first place, so buying the same one would be pointless."

Klaus turned to her and stared at her gently, "what should I do then?"

"Buy a different one." Caroline stated softly.

Klaus smiled at her answer and stood up, "exactly. I have to go back to the set, and Caroline?"

She slowly looked up and saw him smiling at her. "Just let me know whenever you need me." With one last smile, he left.

Caroline could only stare at his retreating back. Just what in the world was Klaus talking about? Then suddenly the realization hit her.

Was he telling her to stop clinging onto the past?

Was that what she's been doing all along?

Caroline froze as everything Klaus said was coming together. Now she understood why it hurt so much...

She was holding onto the broken pieces.

She was blindly trying to put something back together that could never be whole again. The vase he was speaking of was referring to their past relationship, and the pieces were of their past selves.

Back then she wasn't mature enough to face her problems, that's why she was easily convinced by Elijah's speech to break things off with Klaus. That's why every time she touched a broken piece, it would cut right through her. Causing a new set of pain... That's why she couldn't control her emotions over him. Because she couldn't let go of the broken pieces, and holding onto those pieces meant she was still her old self, and her old self was always in a vulnerable position.

It was scary to think Klaus knew her more then herself. It was scary that he knew what she was going through... but it was also because he went under the same thing.

In the past she knew Klaus loved her so deeply nothing else mattered except her. He would have thrown everything away, because he forgot his sensible side because of his love. He wasn't practical and realistic to the point that he was ready to sacrifice a career he's been working on for 4 years just to be with her. It wasn't just her that held onto the broken pieces.

However the only difference is Klaus stopped trying. He already stopped hurting himself. So really, wasn't it about time she did the same? Because no matter how hard she tried...

It simply wouldn't be the same again. The vase was already broken.

And she had to let go of the pieces.

He was right. There was a reason it fell in the first place, it was because in the past they were both too weak and too emotional. Their relationship was bound to fall. Now she knew... If neither of them were to change, and they were to get back together with those same qualities, then the same qualities that were used to recreate their new relationship would look whole and complete on the outside, but in the inside... there would be cracks.

That's why in order for everything to work out, if she still wanted to have a chance with him, she needed to make and accept changes within to have an entirely new, different, and working... vase.

It was funny how she finally saw things clearly with just a little story from him. After all this, who would have thought that Klaus was the one who would be able to help her see it? Fate really had it's own twist.

And so, for the first time in a couple of days. Caroline finally smiled. "Really Klaus... A vase?"

So I didn't upload within the same month as the last chapter, but I still did it within a little less than a month, so woohoo!

I hope the vase analogy wasn't so difficult to understand, if so I can always explain further about it if you need me to. You can just DM me.

So yeah, Rebekah's doing her own little mission before she meets everyone. And Caroline is finally realizing she needs to let go of everything in the past in order to develop as a person, and have a winning chance to have a relationship with Klaus that'll actually work out this time. Hehe.

Thank you for reading, and please review/favorite/follow! Thank you lovelies and have a great day!