Pride and Prejudice, 2

Chapter 2: Monday Madness





"You cannot be serious."




"What do you have against them?"




"They have no morals whatsoever and I don't want to be associated with them."




"You of all people want to discuss morals?" the older man raised his eyebrow and Klaus scowled.




In business, Klaus might admit he plays a little dirty. Sometimes. Poached a genius from other companies here and there to work for him. Manipulate people, sometimes blackmailing. He liked to think it's everyone who want to survive in this competitive market would do the same. Now, personal lifestyle is a different whole other level. He like to consider himself, almost royalty,he has made a name of himself and he has a reputation to uphold. He pride himself for not abusing his power and wealth to get women flocking to beds with him, unlike the Salvatores.




Since he got to America, he heard all sort of things those Salvatore brothers are invoved in. Sharing a girl with your blood related brother constantly? Scandalous, scandalous business he can't even stomach.




Little Miss Caroline has proven to be a sweet charming lady - dressed well, smart conversation. Until he knew she's just one of the Salvatores' little play doll and that ruin all the good things he has build off of the 10 min he talked to her. Just one of those nasty scandalous woman. With quite a temper too if her snapping at him is any sign of indication.




"The Salvatore, they know the right people, and they're currently the best one in the gig. If you're going to expand your customer base, you need their help."




"Come on, Elijah. There are plenty other firms we can use and you know it." Klaus rubbed his temple. His brother just doesn't know that his dislike for the two brothers has increase significantly since last Saturday evening.




"I already talk to the younger brother, you have a meeting with them this afternoon. At least give them a fair chance?"




Klaus looked at his brother seeing as there is no sign of backing down, he just gave a curt nod.




Caroline can't remember the last time she actually had a good day.




She just got a memo from Stefan that she will have a meeting with a new client at 3 this afternoon, which, he inconsiderately just call in 10 min before the appointed time. Now Caroline is standing in front of the timetable board she personally set up with Monday-Saturday on the column and the rows were spread from 8am to 6pm. Across the collumns and rows were all different color stick notes telling her what she has to do during that time. In Monday 3 pm column, there's a note - "Florist for CL". Now that's an important appointment. Christian Louboutin is one of their top client and she can't just blow it and let other people do it for her.




"Stefan I can't do it, you have to tell them to reschedule or something." Caroline talk from the speaker phone after she was sure there is next to no room to squeeze in a client today. Let alone a new client she need to get to know the concept of their event and everything.




"Reschedule, I want Mikealson Group with us."




"First of all, must be nice to have everything you want with a snap of a finger. Except bibbidi bobbidi boo doesn't work in real life. Second of all, please don't tell me it's Klaus"




"It's Klaus. Can't you just reschedule what you have today to other time?"




"This is the Ariston boutique I booked and talked with them a month ago just so to make sure they can arrange that Butterscotch Blossoms from France!"




" If you already decide on which flowers to use, why do you still need to meet them? " Stefan asked from the phone and Caroline can almost imagine his crinkling nose.




"I still need to see their miniature and decide which arrangement I like!"




"I get it, can't you just move it to an hour later after you're done with meeting Klaus?"




"No, I need to meet with the florist at 3 today, so I won't be dead on Friday at Christian Louboutin Regal Reign."




Silence goes on for a moment before Stefan started talking again, "Can you get it done in half an hour? I'll tell them you will be a little late."




Caroline look at her full packed timetable, "that has to do." Caroline barely even hang up the phone when it started ringing again. This time it's the florist.




"Hayley!"




A tall brunette in maroon dressed shirt, black pencil skirt and nude pumps walked in.




"Go escort the people from Ariston to the meeting room, they're waiting downstairs. Also, if any people from Mikealson group comes for me, tell them to wait in my office, I might be a bit late."




"Yes, ma'am"




While her assistant went out to do her job as requested. Caroline rounded her table, collected her handbag and go through her folder and look at the documents concerning the florist once more, put it back to the folder and carry it out with her. She just walked out the door and turned the corner to the main corridor to the meeting room when she run into a wall of muscles that almost send her to the floor. Luckily she get her balance just in time.




His questioning eye confirm that he didn't know head of event planning department is run by her. And now Caroline doesn't know how to approach this gorgeous man in a gray 3-piece suit anymore since his insult at the CK event a few days ago. Well, the best course of action now is to just act professional, Caroline! The girl scolded herself in her head. When she made up that mindset and look at him again, she saw the questioning eyes he was giving her earlier had disappeared and was now replaced by the look of disdain, eyeing her up and down, his lips curled.




"I see you work for them here too, Caroline. A woman of many talents."




In a perfect world, Caroline has the choice. She can slapped some sense into that tea stained brain for insulting her like that. Or she can be the bigger person and let it slide, reprimand, and continue it business style.




This is not a perfect world, unfortunately. Stefan is her boss. One of her bosses anyway. And the brothers practically raise her. If they want the Mikealson in their circle, she'll have to help them with that. Even when she wanted to vent her anger may be just a little bit.




"Let's only discuss business here, Mr. Mikealson. I have an errand to run for now. You did get the call that our meeting is moved by half an hour, didn't you?"




"Indeed. Only I got when I've already gotten here." he gave her the fakest smile anyone can gave, "You see, it's exactly 3pm and in Europe punctuality is a big deal."




"Sorry for the inconvenience. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll take care of that errand now and fast so I'll get back to you soon." Klaus scoffed at the formality and Caroline spotted Hayley just in time, "Hayley. Help Mr. Mikealson settled down comfortably in my office."




Caroline smiled one last time before leaving when his arms shoot out, successfully stopping her in her track.




"Please do hurry. Waiting is not one of my strong fort."




"Exactly." Caroline moved, almost desperate to get out of the scene as soon as possible.




When she got to the meeting room, the assistant from the Ariston Boutique is already settled down. Several style of flowers arrangements were set on the table. Caroline quickly got into work. Looking between the center piece style and different arrangements, and the color theme of the dinner table she will set that night. After discussing back and forth for awhile, Caroline narrowed down her option, and schedule for the florist to meet her one last time tomorrow - when she'll set the table and the center piece altogether and see which one fit most for the event.




Glancing at her watch, it's 3:40 already. Caroline cursed and quickly made her way back to her office. She tried her best and she still let him wait for almost an hour? This is ridiculous. Her heart beat fast afraid that he already left once she got there. After all, she delay their meeting by 30 min at the last min and still got late - she couldn't blame him if he left. She might need to talk to Stefan about interfering with her timetable when she got home.




"Sorry for the wait." Caroline said as soon as she opened the door and see Klaus. He was currently standing in front of her timetable board.




"42 min and 28 seconds," He showed her the stop watch number on his iphone. "I'm glad I told you to hurry. Wonder how long I would need to wait if I had told you to take your time."




Caroline open her mouth but shut it back and took a deep breathe. This is the start of the meeting and she felt tired already.




"Why don't we jump to business then? I have wasted your time far too much already, sorry for that," Caroline almost puked on herself, trying to be polite to him while he was nothing but rude toward her all these time. She walked to her desk and grabbed her Event Planning Catalog and showed him to the white leather sofa at the corner of the room.




She started explaining about the service the firm has to offer and their expertise as Klaus flipped through the catalog. They are civil enough when it comes to work discussion. He took out his laptop from his black leather briefcase, and showed her the architecture of his hotel.




The Mikealson's hotel chain is called Millennium Gold Hotel & Resort. They are everywhere in Europe : France, Spain, UK, etc. However, here in America he has plans to make it as an entertainment complex more than a resort, as he had told her at the CK event. The laptop showed the hotel in New York, a 58-stories, skyscrapers in Midtown Manhattan - 10 minute walk from both Central Parks and Times Square.




"You couldn't have found a better place." Caroline muttered as she clicked through the photos of hotels on his laptop. Sitting next to her on the sofa, Caroline felt the cushion deepened as he relaxed and stretched next to her and she was pretty sure she will see a smug grin on his face if she was to turn around to look at his face now. Guys and their ego whenever they get compliments. Caroline pushed down the urge to rolled her eyes and decided to just look through the collective photos of the hotel. It's tall, gray, and sleek in the middle of NY in the right position of all the important places. She could work with that.




"I got a pretty good idea of what to do with the launch party - that is f you decide to work with us. I'll still need a visit before I can present you anything though."




"What can you do for me that others can't ?"




"Salvatore's an old name. Not as old as the Mikealson, but we're your best bet here in New York. Also, consider you wait 40 minutes to talk with me give me a pretty good idea where your decision are swaying, Mr. Mikealson."




"Or, I was waiting for other reason."




To insult me? Caroline said in her head but choose not to say anything. His tilted head and probing eyes seem to still challenge her. She needed something to anchor him and get the deal done. She's not running around being busy all day only to get a rejected deal and have to endure Damon taunting remarks and Stefan disappointed look.




"Listen. There's a Louboutin event this Friday. They're celebrating their 20 year anniversary. It's big, it's grand, and decision from the main event performance to the salad sauce they use is all run by me. You can see for yourself what I can do and decide after that."




Another social event to attend to is not something that Klaus is interested in, but the determined look on Caroline's face seem to intrigue him. Even if she's with the Salvatore brothers, she seems capable enough and has proven to be more than a pretty trophy if her professionalism (even after his repetitive insult) in workplace is anything to judge by.




"Mailed me the invitation, Caroline. I can't wait to see what you're capable of." Klaus answered, his eyes never left her as he snap his laptop shut and shove it in his briefcase.




Oh yeah, this event can't fail. Caroline promised to herself.




A.N : Thanks for the reviews, follows and fav! Pardon the grammar mistake, I'm not a professional writer or anything plus I don't have a beta...




Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter! Tell me if there's any other pairing you think I should include. xoxo