Breathing ∞ Kol Mikaelson [1]

[20]

Emma moved around the kitchen, pulling items out of grocery bags brough home by her mother and putting them away in their designated spots. "You really went all out, didn't you?" She questioned her mother with a laugh as she started to struggle finding room in the fridge for all the new food.

"Well, my schedule's going to be great next week, and if I have time to cook, you can be sure I'll take advantage." Marissa explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Which, knowing her mother's love for cooking and food itself, it actually was.

"I can't wait. The food at the Grill is good, but one of your extravaganza lunches would be greatly appreciated." Emma smiled happily. Her mother's cooking was some of the best in the world, so when her job didn't keep her busy, both Marissa and Emma were always eager to make the most of it.

"Is it just the food that keeps you at the Grill? Or is it the person who keeps giving you extra fries?" Marissa questioned with a teasing smile; however, her daughter's reaction wasn't the one she expected.

"The person who... Matt? Oh god no. Matt's just a friend." Emma laughed at her mother. Trust the woman to look too far into every little interaction Emma had with anyone she met when they moved to a new place.

"And what's wrong with this Matt?" Marissa raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

"Maybe the fact that he and Rebekah are... Have something going on." Emma wasn't sure what kind of label to put on Matt and Rebekah's thing. After all, it wasn't like it went far with their failed homecoming date. But knowing Rebekah was the one who asked Matt and seemed to like him, Emma knew better than to even look at Matt as more than just a friend. And he wasn't her type anyways.

"You haven't mentioned Rebekah in a bit, why is that?" Marissa asked curiously, only now noticing the absence in Emma's stories. Perhaps it had been an initial friendship that fizzled out after a couple of weeks. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Oh... She'd been travelling for a bit, took a trip to see some family out of state." Emma lied quickly, already having come up with the story a long time ago in case her mother asked such a question at any point. "But she's back in town now, so don't worry, you'll be hearing more about her again."

"That's great. Did she-" Marissa continued on, but before she could ask whatever was on her mind, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation. The two Park women shared curious looks among themselves. "Are you expecting someone?"

"No, I'll go see who it is." Emma replied. While she wasn't expecting anyone, she wouldn't be surprised to find one of the two Mikaelson sibling she was acquainted with standing on the other side. It wouldn't be the first time Klaus showed up with no announcement whatsoever.

Opening the front door, Emma was surprised to see no one standing there. Or anywhere around the front of their house for that matter. Instantly, her eyes first turned to the opposite side of the street, searching for the stalking car that she hadn't seen for a couple of days. Ever since Rebekah reassured her she'd take care of the issue.

She was about to close the door and give up, but then something finally caught her eye. A simple white envelope laid on the ground in front of the door, Emma's name written out on top in a beautiful handwriting. With furrowed brows, she picked it up before closing the door and moving back to the kitchen. Opening it as she walked, she curiously read over the invitation. It would seem all of the Mikaelsons were extravagant, not just Klaus and Rebekah.

"Who was it?" Marissa asked as she saw her daughter return to the room without anyone else.

"An invitation to a ball." Emma said, making her mother become just as intrigued as she was. Marissa extended her hand towards the daughter, wishing to see the invitation herself.