The Art Of Hiding Your Death

Chapter Twenty: Balance Is Key

 Disclaimer: This is an Originals fan fiction and I do not own any the Originals/ TVD. This story though, and specific characters are my own. Any characters that are my own shall be specified, otherwise, I do not own them. 

5:16 AM

Bleu House

The next morning I am up bright and early. Tying my hair in a strict high ponytail and then braiding it, I apply dark makeup, feeling daring and bold.

When I walk down the stairs to get breakfast, clad in an all black and red outfit that consists of a tight red crop top, black skinny jeans, a black leather jacket and black and red heels, I was not expecting to find Gertrude, one of the help, waiting for me with a note. I grab my yogurt and mix a blood bag into it before taking the note with a raised eyebrow. My narrowed eyes follow her as she cruises out of the room and I sigh, finishing my breakfast before reading the note.

It informs me that I am expected in the meeting room in thirty seconds, and I debate going up in thirty one seconds just to annoy him, but stamp down on the idea because I don't want to get in trouble.

I fix my hair after speeding up to the room and then step inside. On the table are the duffle bags full of the money that I stole, and I give them a curious look before directing my gaze to Mikael. He is standing there, watching me with an annoyed expression, and I cross my arms.

"What?" I ask, and he sighs before answering.

"I need you to make another transaction, this time for a special magazine for the gun we got. Give me your phone so I can put the instructions to the meeting place in it." I hand him my phone and he puts the instructions in.

"Is the place rigged?"

He nods. "They're vampires, by the way."

I grab four of the the bags, and stick my phone in my back pocket, leaving the room without another word.

6:42 AM

Paris

I hurry down the streets of Paris to get to the patisserie, and feel relieved with how the meeting earlier went. The men this time one, took me seriously (probably due to the fact that they actually know who Mikael and me are), and two, my look today definitely helped.

The people on the streets this early are giving me a wide radius, and I begin to strut, weirdly enjoying the scared glances that they give me. I hope I'm not turning into Mikael. I think, and then shudder. I hope to god not.

When I reach the patisserie, I can see Blanc artfully arranging croissants on a lace doily, his back turned to me, and so I tap on the window to get his attention. He turns around and almost drops the tray of croissants, mouth gaping at me. I can't look that hideous, right? Oh no, maybe I've scared Blanc with my look. Or is it too risque? No, if anything, it is modest. He turns a deep shade of pink and puts the upset-but saved-tray of croissants on the counter and comes to unlock the patisserie for me.

When I stride inside, he only watches me in awe, gaze trailing me and I set my purse down on a table, digging around in it until I find the bracelet that I made for him earlier. I hold it out on one hand towards him, but he doesn't take it, too focused on what I look like.

"Done checking me out?' I ask amusedly, and he stutters.

"No, I- I was just um. You just look really- I'll shut up now."

I smirk. "It's okay, Blanc. I can't help it if my fabulousness outshines others."

Blanc gulps, "Yeah." he says, embarrassed.

I shake my head in amusement and hold out the bracelet, which he takes unsurely, gasping when he sees the burns from the herb on my skin.

"What happened? What, is this?" He says, first in panic for me, and then in confusion about the bracelet.

I tug my jacket sleeve over the burns that are fading fast and hop up on the counter, grabbing a fruit pastry.

"That is a vervain bracelet. It'll protect you from compulsion. Never take it off. And just so you know, vervain also burns vampires and hybrids, so when I touched it-"

"You got burned." He finishes for me, and begins arranging the crosshairs again.

"Yup!" I say, stealing a croissant with supernatural speed and ignoring the yelp of outrage from Blanc. He rolls his eyes while I stuff the dessert in my mouth and finishes arranging them. When he is done, he puts the tray away and comes back out, nervously scratching his neck.

"Hope?" He asks and I incline my head towards him.

"Hmmm?"

"Well, I was wondering, if you might, well um, go on a date with me?" He speeds out, and my eyes widen.

"Why would you want to go on a date with me?" I ask hoarsely, bending down and picking up the croissant bits I dropped, but also successfully hiding my fearful face. This is not good for a number of reasons.

Number one: I really like Blanc, more than I ever dreamed of, and I like him way more than I did Jamie. And that scares me. I want Blanc to stay alive, and the people that I care about have a habit of dying, which is a big no no for Blanc.

Number two: I have a hard time hiding my emotions around a certain green eyed, brown haired boy, and this is not good, because in my life, you have to be able to hide everything about you. Which leads to number three.

Number three: If I pursue a relationship with Blanc, I can only hide him away from the evil side of my life for so long, and when that happens, he will be in even more danger than he already was, especially if Mikael finds out, referencing reason number two.

Last but certainly one of the biggest reasons, number three: Mikael. Enough said.

Though they are a very good reasons why I should not ever date anyone ever again, I make the stupid decision, my heart overruling my brain and mentally facepalming afterwards.

"I would love to go on a date with you, Blanc!" I exclaim, and then internally scream at myself for my stupidness.

But his wide smile of happiness makes up for it all. "Great! So tonight at Beaumonts?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Beaumonts sounds good, but I'm picking you up at your apartment to avoid any risk of you being abducted by the things that go bump in the night." I grin, and he cringes.

"Oh right! I totally forget to thank you for that. Thank you." He says awkwardly, and then goes to open up up the cafe.

"Blanc, it was nothing. I'll see you tonight." I say, hopping off the counter as Blanc opens up the doors and I grab my bag. "Remember, do not take that bracelet off for anything." i say to him as I leave.

8:56 PM

Bleu House

I mask my face into it's usual blank stare before walking in the doors. The date went amazing, and I couldn't have asked for more. It's surprising how happy and light I feel with Blanc. It scares me though, because he is changing me, bringing me out of the void I fell into when she died. I swallow hard and shove the tears that threaten to come up again at the mention of- no you are not losing it, Hope. You just had an amazing night.

When I flick on my light switch however, I am startled (though I don't show it). Mikael is waiting for me, sitting rigidly in my desk chair, and I roll my eyes at his dramatics before pulling off my coat and throwing it on my bed behind him.

"What?" I snap at him, and he holds up a file in one hand and a large black bag strung over something on a hanger. It is the kind of bag that clothing is encased in, and I raise an eyebrow. He holds out the file, and I grab it tiredy, flipping it open to the first page. My eyebrows shoot up my head in surprise as I look back up to Mikael.

"I'm robbing the Louvre? Tomorrow?" I ask in a shocked voice, and he nods, unzipping the zipper that runs along the bag.

My mouth falls open at what is inside.

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