Heart's Desire (Completed)

Chapter 20: New Orleans

Klaus POV

I sit in my usual spot upstairs at my favorite joint in New Orleans. Bourbon Café. The name sounds so sophisticated. Yet, its clientelle is nothing of such sort.

I stir my whiskey by moving the glass in my hand and I enjoy hearing ice clicking against glass. I observe the tonight's guests at the ground floor. I love finding my prey here. I can see everyone so perfectly from my little balcony floor, yet they cannot see me that well.

The guests often comment strange disappearances of friends and acquaintances, not realizing what is going on. I guess I look so innocent, no one suspects me. But anyone who is somebody in this town, knows of me. And they know what I am.

A murderer.

I scoff at the thought. I don't mind being a murderer, though. It has been a part for me too long not to be able to accept it. Especially now, when I am left with no family. And no Caroline.

I scan the people in the left corner. There are two boys and one female.

She is tall and blond, seemingly fragile, but her fighting character defies her weak posture.

Boring.

I turn my head to the opposite corner. A double date it appears. Maybe one of the ladies could lose their gentleman tonight...

Suddenly, the café door opens and I am swooned by the view.

Blonde curls moving with the outside wind, a slightly frowned forehead on a focused sweet little face, and that smell...

Her smell...

It always did disarm me.

Caroline...

I drag my chair backwards, in the shadows, before she can see me. I have a desire to watch her without her knowing.

She moves graciously amongst the round wooden tables, searching for something. Well, someone. And obviously, it's me. But I don't know whether I wish to be found by her.

Last time we saw each other, she ended up dead.

And by the looks of it, this rendez-vous  just might end up the same.

Such a pity. If she wasn't such a traitor, she would have made a great queen of the French Quarter in my hometown.

I realize she noticed the stairs. Smart little Caroline. As she starts climbing up, I leave my table and elegantly descend the other way.

Let's play a little game.

I take out my phone and type a text for my traitorous woman.

*No message today, love? I see you've given up all too quickly.*

I leave the cafe through the back door and make a circle around the building. I want to surprise her from behind once she leaves the premise, disappointed.

A reply comes.

*Klaus? Is that really you texting or someone stole your phone?*

I chuckle. *If someone did steal it, what makes you think they would fess up to their crime once asked about it? Caroline, I expected more of you.*

*well, I expected more of you, too. Thanks for leaving the whiskey, though.*

Damn it. I forgot she can recognize my smell, too. She knows I've been inside.

Time to change the game.