AS DAYS PASSED BY AND OVER by two months, the blonde and brunette had only gotten closer with a strong friendship. Cora also found herself bumping into both Rebekahs brothers, Elijah and Klaus. Elijahs was a few times when he would go to the library and Klaus— she would find him everywhere and came with the conclusion he was following her.

Elijah wasn't bad, very formal and respectful. She noticed the kind and softness he held for women, treating them not any lower than men. Like, when most gentlemen would go to the library, they would question why she would work or if she could even read but Elijah only smiled lightly and made small conversation before leaving to do what he wanted.

Cora had pushed the thoughts away and focused on her job and reading, she found herself slowly moving on (besides the nightmares). She noticed she began moving on when she no longer felt saddened by the sight of a red rose that Damon would always get her after war. Or when she would sneak to the library at night for more books after finishing one.

Right now, she was gardening around the front porch of her house, wearing gloves that were made for gardening and began placing the seeds inside before placing the soil and mud back on top and sprinkling a light amount of water then standing up only to be met by a hard chest that caught her.

Cora looked up to see the familiar sea blue eyes. "Klaus, what a surprise." She spoke sarcastically, being used to bumping into him and he chuckled, slowly removing his hand from her waist as she took a step forward. "How can I help you...in my porch?" She took off the gloves.

Klaus smirked in amusement, his hands going behind his back. "I was taking a walk around and couldn't help but come across your house."

"Oh." Cora didn't know how to reply to that. She looked around her garden and set her eyes on the round table with two seats. "Well, could I get you some tea...or anything?"

Klaus chuckled again, knowing he didn't need tea to survive— or anything in that matter except the blood running through her veins. She bit her lip, waiting for a response while he continued to study her, his lips slowly curling up.

He wanted to understand why Rebekah, after almost a thousand years of living, would want friendship, especially with a mortal. He suspected she was compelled until he noticed her willingly talking to the blonde. Klaus could tell there was more to her and her background but what?

Cora cleared her throat, pulling him out of his thoughts and he nodded. "Of course, could I come in, love?" He persistently asked, taking a step forward.

"It's a lovely day." Cora giggled, oblivious to the real reason, "I was planning on drinking by myself out here but now that you're here, might as well come to use." She walked in her house leaving him standing there, dumbstruck.

Klaus shook his head and walked over to the table, he pulled out a chair and took a seat, noticing a book was placed and he raised a brow before taking it. "Romeo and Juliet." He let out a quiet scoff, flickering through the pages. "Could you be more predictable?" He quietly questioned but of course, got no response.

He heard her footsteps from inside the house, cups clinging and the kettle going loud, he heard her pouring the drink then mixing it together. Inside the house, Cora finished the drinks and hurried to her bedroom, picking up a handkerchief and wiping the dirt from her face before walking out then back to the kitchen, picking up the two cups of tea and going out.

Klaus closed the book and she placed the drinks down, pulling out a chair and taking a seat. He took the drink and bought it to his nose, sniffing it while she stared at him strangely. "I didn't poison it." She pointed out and he squinted his eyes at her.

He took a sip and nothing burnt his throat making him nod and set the drink down. "Rebekah tells me you're an orphan." He lied, Rebekah hadn't told him anything, if he'd ask about that Salvatore, she would simply ignore him but he did in fact listen to their conversation in the cafe.

Cora choked on her tea while Klaus raised a brow at her, she set her drink down then looked up at him in the same moment he looked at her while she began speaking. "Interesting way to start a conversation, Niklaus...or rather presumptuous."

Klaus smiled at her and she took in his dimples but just as they came, his dimples fell. "Love, the Salvatore brothers are quite...known for a specific Petrova." She raised a brow as he continued. "Familiar with the term of Katerina Petrova or what most now call her—"

"—Katherine Pierce?" Cora asked, sending him a questionable look as he nodded, now tense. "Shes dead, burnt in a fire...my brothers died saving her. I want to hear nothing of her."

"Well that's a very sad story, love, but how do I ensure her death?" Klaus asked and she pursed her lips as he stared into her eyes, pupils dilating.

Cora let out a scoff making a look of surprise fall over his face, again, until he noticed her necklace. "Expect me to get her corpse out of my bedroom, do you? I don't know if you've had a rough patch with Katherine and she wasn't the best person but to ensure her death?"

"Katerina and I had history." Klaus spoke and Cora took a sip from her tea.

"Alright." She nodded mindlessly.

"Rough history." Cora hummed as he continued. "Cora, love, I don't think you under—" he was getting impatient with the look on her face. He didn't kill her for two reasons, he was intrigued by her and would never hear the end of it by Rebekah.

"No, I don't think you understand." Cora interrupted and Klaus' jaw clenched, he wasn't used to people disrespecting him or not fearing him, even those in New Orleans who did not know of what he was feared him. "With all due respect, I really couldn't care about the ghosts of your past."

Klaus opened his mouth to speak. "What in the good lords are you doing?" Rebekahs voice filled their ears and Klaus rolled his eyes. "Are you disturbing her?"

"Yes."

"No."

The two said at the same time and then their eyes met. Klaus irritated and Coras amused slightly. Rebekah looked between the two. "What are you talking to her about?"

"How she's settling in New Orleans."

"Katherine Pierce."

Again, they said in unison. Rebekah raised a brow at him, "She settled here three months ago."

Klaus put on a sarcastic smile, "Better now then never."

"Oh, leave the poor girl alone, Nik." Rebekah pulled him to his feet and Cora willingly stood up. "I'll see you later today, yeah?"

Cora picked up the cups. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." She smiled and Rebekah nodded before dragging Klaus away.

Once they were alone, Rebekah pushed Klaus away and glared at him while he rolled his eyes and she crossed her arms. "Leave her alone, Nik."

"Oh but she intrigues me, very feisty." Klaus smiled and Rebekah raised a brow and his smile drops. "She wears a vervain necklace."

Rebekahs face fell. "What?"

"The accessory that women, and at times men tend to wear around their—"

"I know what a necklace is." Rebekah interrupted him with irritation while he leaned against the wall. "How do you know? Did you try to compel her?"

Klaus shrugged. "I wanted to know about the death of our lovely Katerina." He tilts his head to the side. "She knows about the supernatural."

Rebekah raised a brow. "How so?"

"She wouldn't invite me in."

"She invited me which means she doesn't trust you, get over it." Rebekah spoke and Klaus' face fell. "You mustn't make a deal out of it, Nik. It might just be a family heirloom."

Klaus scoffed. "Of a vervain necklace?"

"Her family may have a past with vampires but—" she sighed. "Just do not hurt her, Nik. You are being paranoid." Rebekah takes a step closer to him. "And we both know you enjoy her, you are just too afraid to admit it."

Rebekah speeds away before he can yell at her. Klaus frowns, he tilts his head to the side. Sure, he was still curious but did he enjoy her?