Sorry about the hiatus, I had to do some rewriting. Thank you for the reviews, favs and alerts.

Chapter 10

The surrogate

It was an early morning when I slowly opened my eyes. The dresser was still in front of the door; thankfully no one had tried to get inside. I didn't get up; I simply rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling. For some reason I felt very calm now. Maybe what had happened yesterday had caught me off guard, but really, what had I expected? To be treated like some kind of princess? Oh please. To Kol I was a slave, to his brothers a copy of someone else. That was the reason why I was here, because I looked like someone else.

I was nothing more than a toy Kol had brought to his brother to play with. Or maybe both of his brothers. I found it hard to believe that Kol wouldn't have known about Elijah's feelings towards the woman I looked like. Apparently they had been lovers, I didn't know or care. Kol certainly didn't care either. It didn't matter, what choice I had but to go through with this. At least I knew now what to expect. Maybe Klaus had been polite so far, but that didn't mean anything, it was all just a boring formality before taking what he wanted. It made no difference what we would talk about or what I would tell him about myself; it would never be me he wanted.

Just like Elijah, Klaus would see that other woman and think about her when he would take my body. I was nothing more than a toy. And exactly which part of that hadn't I already known? Idiot… Feeling sorry for myself would certainly help me a lot, just like it always had. Was it really so wrong to hope for…what? What had I possibly hoped in a situation like this? Kindness? Respect? Right, sure. Those things weren't for a slave or a whore. Klaus had been polite and that was more than I had the right to ask.

And Elijah… Maybe he wouldn't stop the next time. Maybe that was what Kol had wanted all along; give me to both of his brothers to get his damn distraction. It didn't matter. I would do this, take my money and buy myself a new life. After all I had already been through, I could do this. One man, two men, was there really a difference. Neither of them would see me as nothing but some kind of surrogate. I had never asked Kol anything about the woman I looked like and I wasn't going to ask. Why would I.

Slowly I got up and walked over to the door. It was time to clean myself up and get a grip. I pulled the dresser back to its original place and marched towards the bathroom. My reflection didn't look very nice; I was as pale as a ghost. Carefully I washed my face and brushed my hair. Now I just needed a smile. Fortunately it came easily and looked genuine enough. I went back to my room and changed my clothes before heading to the kitchen, I was hoping for a cup of tea.

"Sadie!" Klaus' voice called before I reached the kitchen.

I stopped and turned to look at him, he was marching towards me.

"Good morning," I said smiling.

He hesitated for a brief moment before replying.

"Good morning. I… Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, very well, thank you for asking. And you?"

"Yes, I did." He paused and hesitated again. "Listen, about last night… I apologize if I offended you, it wasn't my intention…"

"No, no," I cut in. "I'm the one who needs to apologize. I can assure you that I'm not usually so ill-mannered; I was… very tired and a little emotional last night. A new city, a new job, a new home, a long day… I hope you can forgive me for acting so rudely, I can assure you that it won't happen again."

He observed me for a brief moment before his lips curved into a smile.

"There's no need for you to apologize, I completely understand."

I smiled too.

"Thank you, Mr. Mikaelson…Klaus."

"Perhaps you would like to join me for breakfast?"

"I would love to," I replied.

Everything was like it was supposed to be again, I followed him to the dining room and he pulled out a chair for me.

"What are your plans for today?" I asked when he sat down opposite me.

"I don't really have any plans," he replied.

"In that case, perhaps you would like to start your treatment?"

"Yes, sounds good."

I kept the smile on my face and chatted with him while the maid served the breakfast. The whole thing was going well until Kol entered the dining room. I glanced at him coolly, but managed to keep the smile on my face.

"Good morning, Mr. Kol."

"Good morning," he replied and casually sat down next to Klaus. "How are you, Miss Topolsky?"

"I'm good, thank you for asking. I was just telling your brother that we should start his treatment today."

His expression didn't change; he motioned the maid to pour him some coffee.

"Hmm, how nice."

"Out all night, brother?" Klaus stated.

"Yes," Kol replied simply.

"Where were you?"

Kol smiled.

"As you said, out."

Klaus smiled too and took a sip out of his cup.

"By yourself?"

"No, 'father', I had some company."

"Anyone I know?"

"I doubt that," Kol replied.

"Hmm, I suppose you are right. Your conquests are usually quite… how should I put this, cheap."

Kol didn't comment on that, he seemed to be concentrated on his coffee.

"There's a lady present, Nik," he stated coolly.

It seemed that Klaus had forgotten me for a moment.

"My apologies, Sadie," he said quickly.

"That's alright, Klaus," I replied smiling. "I have heard worse things."

Klaus glanced at Kol.

"Not from my brother, I hope?"

"No, no, your brother was a perfect gentleman when we traveled together."

Kol grinned.

"There you have it, Nik. And for the record, I'm always a gentleman."

Klaus snorted and emptied his cup. I tried to concentrate on my own breakfast, but then I noticed Elijah standing in the doorway, he seemed uncomfortable to say the least. His brothers hadn't noticed him yet and he didn't pay any attention to them, he was looking at me.

"I'll never let you go again…"

I shivered, but my lips curved once again into the stupid smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Elijah," I said perkily.

He looked confused for a moment before he managed to clear his throat and reply.

"Good morning."

Kol didn't pay much attention to him, but Klaus greeted him briefly. Slowly he made his way to the table and sat down on Klaus' other side. All three of them were opposite me now. Elijah kept his eyes on me, clearly wanting to ask the obvious question. Why hadn't I told anyone what had happened. Klaus was smiling at me; his eyes were observing me intently. Kol was looking at me as well; I couldn't really tell what he was thinking. Not that I even cared.