Chapter Four
1669 Words
The following day, I wake up starving, and the lights are way too bright. I groan as I sit up.
Klaus: “Good morning, love, or should I say afternoon? You had quite the night.”
Allison: “Really? I don’t remember. Give me a few minutes. After I eat, I’ll remember. God, I’m starving.”
He smirks as he opens the door, and a hotel worker brings in room service.
Klaus: “I thought you might be. Let me know if you remember anything.”
He goes into the bathroom and takes a shower. As I start eating, I slowly remember what I did last night. Klaus comes out in nothing but a towel, and I have a hard time trying not to look at his body and hiding my blushing face.
Allison: “Oh god, I didn’t kiss you, did I?”
Klaus: “Yes, you were all over me. So tempting I almost failed to restrain myself.”
He starts getting dressed as I turn away from him.
Allison: “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Klaus: “I was a helpless victim. You were the one all over me, love. I believe your words were ‘charming and sexy.’”
God, this is so mortifying. I can't believe I kissed him.
Allison: “You’re never going to let this go, are you?”
Klaus: “I might have to get you drunk again sometime.”
He chuckles as he walks toward the door.
Klaus: “You should stay here, love. We will find the pack tonight, and it’s a full moon. Wouldn’t want you dying on me.”
He shuts the door behind him, leaving me to do nothing but think about how embarrassing last night was for me.
Allison: “I can’t believe I made out with him. Thank god I didn’t strip in front of him.”
They left me in the hotel by myself until around 5 a.m. Of course, I was asleep when they returned. From what I understand, Klaus’ hybrids failed, so we have to go to Chicago with him. Our driver pulls into the warehouse.
Klaus: “Welcome back to Chicago, Stefan.”
We get out of the SUV after Klaus.
Stefan: “What are we doing here?”
Klaus: “I know how much you loved it here. Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days.”
Stefan: “Blocked out most of them. A lot of blood, a lot of partying. The details are all a blur.”
Klaus: “Well, that is a crying shame. The details are what makes it a legend. Word was the Ripper of Monterey got lonely, so he escaped to the city for comfort. It was prohibition. Everything was off-limits then, which made everything so much fun. Chicago was magical.”
Stefan: “Yeah, well, I’ll take your word for it. Like I said, I don’t remember most of it.”
Klaus: “I believe you would’ve loved it, Allison. The girls were rebellious, elegant, carefree, daring.”
Allison: “I’ve always found the 1920s to be a fascinating period. I’d love to hear about it sometime.”
We watch as the truck with all of Klaus’ things pulls up.
Klaus: “I’d be more than happy to tell you all about it. Down to business then.”
Stefan: “Why are Allison and I still with you? We had our fun. Your hybrids failed. I mean, don’t you want to move on?”
Klaus: “We’re going to see my favorite witch. If anyone can help us with our hybrid problem, it’s her.”
He gently takes my hand and escorts me back to the car. Once in the car, the driver takes us to another bar. As much as I like to drink, why does it have to be a bar after what happened at the last one? Klaus better not make me drink as much as I did the other day. We walk in, and Stefan looks around.
Klaus: “Looks familiar, doesn’t it?”
Stefan: “I can’t believe this place is still here.”
Allison: “So this is where your witch is supposed to be?”
?: “You got to be kidding me.”
We look at the female who just entered the room, seeing an older black woman with white hair that is barely there.
Klaus: “So, a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender--”
?: “Stop. You may be invincible, but that doesn’t make you funny.”
I’m starting to like this lady already. I giggle at the fact she cut him off and told him off simultaneously, earning a side glance from Klaus.
?: “I remember you.”
Stefan: “Yeah, you’re Gloria.”
Gloria: “Mhm.”
Stefan: “Shouldn’t you be…”
Gloria: “Old and dead? Now, if I die, who’s going to run this place, huh?”
Klaus: “Gloria’s a very powerful witch.”
Gloria: “I can slow the aging down some. Herbs and spells. But don’t worry, it’ll catch up to me one day.”
Klaus: “Stefan, why don’t you and Allison go and fix us up a little something from behind the bar?”
Stefan: “Yeah, sure thing.”
Allison: “Sure. It’s nice to meet you, Gloria.”
Gloria: “You as well, Allison.”
Part of me is thanking him for sending me with Stefan to get the drinks, so I can choose how much I am going to drink. Unfortunately, I have to use the restroom, so I told Stefan I only want a glass of wine. When I walk out, we have to return to the warehouse, and Stefan is holding a photo he found.
Stefan: “This doesn’t make any sense. Why don’t I remember you?”
Klaus: “You said it yourself; that time had a lot of dark holes.”
Stefan: “No, if you knew me, then why haven’t you said anything?”
Klaus: “I’m a little busy right now. Memory lane will have to wait.”
Allison: “Is that why you refused to take Stefan as a replacement for Jenna?”
Klaus: “That was one of the reasons, yes.”
Stefan forcefully stops Klaus, making him face him.
Stefan: “What the hell is going on? Answer me.”
Klaus removes Stefan’s hand from his arm.
Klaus: “Let’s just say we didn’t get off to a brilliant start. To be honest, I hated you. You were dating my sister.”
Stefan: “Your sister. So I knew another original vampire.”
Klaus: “If you can’t handle it, don’t ask.”
The two of them go into the storage crate with the coffins while I just stand outside of it, waiting for them. Coffins creep me out when I know there is a vampire in them.
Klaus tells us how he and Stefan used to be close friends, and he will prove it. But first, he compels the security guard to let his sister drink him dry when she wakes up.
Allison: “As much as I would love to go to some abandoned apartment, I think I’m just gonna wait for you guys at Gloria’s since this seems like a private matter.”
Klaus: “How about you just come with us, so I can keep an eye on you? It’s not dangerous, and it’s not that private.”
He grabs my arm, dragging me along with them, and I give Stefan an apologetic look, which he acknowledges. We both know I’m not trying to invade his privacy, and he can’t save me from Klaus’ demands.
We finally arrive at Stefan’s old apartment, where Klaus lets go of my arm.
Klaus: “What a charming little homestead.”
Allison: “It seems old and shitty to me, but then again, it's been here since the 20s.”
Klaus pauses at the door as we see there’s no doorknob. He shoves it open, and we walk in behind him.
Klaus: “Do you feel that?”
Allison: “Feel what?”
Klaus: “Is anybody in here?”
I realize he must’ve meant the AC.
Stefan: “It’s been vacant for decades. People must break in all the time. Why’d you bring us here?”
Klaus: “Your friend, Liam Grant, the one who drank his wife’s blood, I never could figure out why you wanted his name. And then you told me your little secret. It was all part of your special little ritual.”
Stefan: “To write it down.”
Klaus: “And relive the kill…over and over again.[He opens a hidden alcohol pantry] You believe me now?”
Stefan walks into it, while Klaus moves closer to me, and I can’t help but feel creeped out here. It's feels almost as if Ripper Stefan will kill me if I stay here too long.
Klaus: “Are you alright, love?”
Allison: “Yeah, I’m fine. I just don’t like this place. It feels creepy.”
Klaus: “We’ll go back to Gloria’s soon. No need to worry.”
He pulls me into a side hug. It feels like he is being possessive and making sure I won’t run off, but trying to reassure me that nothing will get me at the same time.
Stefan: “Look what I found.”
Klaus drops his arm from me and walks over to Stefan as he pulls a bottle out of the pantry.
Klaus: “1918.”
Stefan: “Single Malt.”
Klaus: “My favorite.”
Stefan: “Hmm.”
Klaus: “Let’s go find someone to pair it with.”
Allison: “That is a very expensive bottle. The perks of being your age, I guess.”
Klaus: “Have you ever tried it?”
Allison: “Unfortunately, no. It’s a $17,000 bottle of scotch.”
Klaus: “Well, now you get to try it for free.”
- Writer
