Longing ~ Klaus Mikaelson(book 2)

Chapter 3. Home

As we approach the Mikaelson mansion, my heart pounds in my chest, the knot in my stomach tightening with every passing second. The grandeur of  the mansion is breathtaking, every inch of it exuding wealth and power. The sight of it makes my anxiety spike, but I force myself to take a deep breath and push forward. I need to do this. I need to see them.

Damon steps out of the car first, offering me his hand as I follow. The moment my feet touch the ground, it feels like all eyes are on me. The guests gathered outside and inside, the elegant atmosphere—it’s overwhelming. But I square my shoulders, lift my chin, and let Damon lead me up the steps.

The massive double doors open with a grand flourish, revealing the opulent interior of the mansion. The entrance hall is filled with guests in extravagant attire, all of them turning to look at us as we step inside. For a moment, I feel like I’m back in time, attending one of the lavish parties I used to read about. But this isn’t just a party—this is a Mikaelson ball, and the weight of that realization is almost suffocating.

As we make our way further into the mansion, the grandeur only increases. Chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over everything. The room is filled with the low hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of classical music. It’s beautiful, almost hypnotic, but I can’t focus on any of it. My mind is elsewhere, scanning the room, searching for familiar faces—searching for them.

But the Mikaelsons are nowhere to be seen. I can’t spot a single one of them, and the absence only heightens my anxiety. Where are they? Do they even remember me? The questions swirl in my mind, each one adding to the growing unease in my chest.

Damon must sense my discomfort because he squeezes my hand, offering me a reassuring smile. “Relax, Bonnie. You’ve got this.”

I nod, but my gaze continues to dart around the room. I know I’m supposed to make an entrance, to walk in with confidence, but all I can think about is what might happen when I finally see them again.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to focus on the moment, to push down the fear and anxiety that threaten to consume me. I’m here now, and there’s no turning back. I have to be strong, to face whatever comes next.

With that thought in mind, I take my first step into the ballroom, trying to ignore the fluttering in my chest, the nervous energy that makes it hard to breathe. The guests part as we move forward, their eyes following us as we make our way deeper into the mansion. I can feel the weight of their gazes, the whispers that follow in our wake, but I push it all aside. Right now, the only thing that matters is finding them—the Mikaelsons.

But as the minutes pass and there’s still no sign of them, I start to wonder if this was a mistake. What if they don’t remember me? What if I’m just a stranger to them now? The thought is almost too much to bear, but before I can dwell on it any longer, I catch sight of a figure moving through the crowd.

For a moment, my heart stops. But when I focus, I realize it’s just another guest, not one of the Mikaelsons. I let out a shaky breath, my nerves on edge. The anticipation is killing me, and every second that passes without seeing them only adds to the tension.

Finally, I make my way to the center of the room, standing in the spotlight as the guests continue to watch. I can feel the tension building, the nervous energy in the air almost palpable. This is it. This is the moment I’ve been dreading, the moment that could change everything. I just hope I’m ready for it.

As I stand in the center of the ballroom, my heart races, and I can feel the eyes of the Mystic Falls gang on me, watching and waiting for my next move. The room is a blur of faces, all of them unfamiliar, and I begin to wonder if I’ll even see them tonight—if they’re even here.