Heart's Desire (Completed)

Chapter 8: Emergency

Klaus' POV

Caroline is laying kisses all over my neck, my peck, my abdomen. I feel rushed and excited, and... something else is present... I cannot define the feeling. It's as if I want to stay in the moment but something stronger is pulling me away.

I try to focus on the moment, be in the moment. I fail.

I shake her off abruptly and am off to an unknown place. When I reach my destination, I sees her there...

Take her... Now... a voice tells me.

No, I resist. But the urge is too strong. I break the window and reach for Hope...

I wake up with a jolt.

I am relieved to notice it was a dream, however, I know damn well that it represents something deeper.

I brood about it, hoping it doesn't mean what I am afraid of.

My cellphone vibrates and I scan the text.

Hey Klaus. I was wondering if you could lend me your invisible cloak for today? Seems to be working awesome for you!

Caroline... I smile. She is angry I left yesterday. I have to stop treating her like temporary, when we both know she isn't.

I take the phone to reply.

Good morning, love. You are most welcome to come and take it off me if that is what your heart pleases.

I smile and touch send.

Caroline's POV

Argh! I groan out of frustration. "That slimy little s..."

"Miss Caroline, are you okay?"

A soft voice interrupts me in my cursing. I turn to meet Hope.

"Good morning, Hope. How are you?" I smile. Great. That's exactly what I needed. A reminder of HIM!

"Yes, I am," she stresses.

Why does she have to be just like her father?

"Great then! Okay, off to class you go," I shoo her out in a polite teacher-pupil manner.

She listens, but then stops just before I close the door. Her blue eyes observe me and I can't help but be angry at them for a slightest little bit.

"Are you angry at my father?" She speaks and my mouth drops.

I force myself to speak after an awkward silence fell upon us.

"Klaus?" I laugh forcefully. "Don't be silly, sweety."

She watches me and I know she realized I'm lying, so I shoo her once and for all. "Go now, I'll see you later." And close the door before she can continue to practice her genetically-inherited psycho analytic skills.

I exhale in desperation and take the phone just before I collect myself for work day ahead.

Thanks for the invite, but I'm afraid if I came, I'd stuff it down your stuck-up archaic throat!

I delete it. I can't send that. If I'm honest, I do want to see him. Or do I? Oh God, I don't even know.

Of course you do, a betraying voice tells me and I know it's right.

Well, if he's playing this game, I sure can play it better.

Tempting... I'll do my best to fit the visit into my schedule. Busy this week... xoxo, Car

I don't wait long to receive a response.

Fingers crossed, love. I couldn't seem to take you off my mind even in my dreams...

Well... he sure knows how to compose a nice text for someone that's like a millennium old.

The rest of the day seems to pass so slowly, it hurts. As soon as my clock shows 6 pm, I leave the office and rush upstairs to bathe.

I put a scented body lotion afterwards and the sexiest pair of underwear I own. Yesterday he caught me unprepared. Not repeating that mistake twice.

I put on some easy-to-take-off clothes and an extra dress in my purse in case something gets ripped off.

After putting some perfume, I rush downstairs and into my car. The radio plays one of my favorite songs and it matches perfectly with my good mood. I sing my heart out.

I am at a main road's crossing when my cellphone rings.

"Hey, Ric," I answer via car's bluetooth device.

"Caroline. Come home immediately."

I frown. "What happened? Don't scare me!"

"Trust me... I wouldn't scare you if I wasn't scared myself. You have to come back right now! It's Hope."

I swallow hard and step on the gas pedal to make a U-turn. "I'll be there in five minutes!"