webnovel

New Family. New Campus. New Life.

"You are not going back, are you?" She changed the subject. "Hope would drive me crazy if she knew you left without seeing her."

"Where is she?" Klaus asked.

"At a carnival….Alaric was taking Lizzie and Josie." She told him, "It's not very far, just outside the town."

Klaus Mikaelson stayed at the Forbes House for a few days. The white oak stake was nowhere to be found, and everything seemed calm in New Orleans.

Too Calm.

That's when Elijah called him back, and he left. He took Hope with him for a week, with a promise to come back soon.

Caroline's attention was reverted back to the new teachers. The school was now getting too overcrowded. Several students from other countries were now entering the school.

She and Alaric were seriously considering opening a new campus. Caroline was adamant it be overseas. Somewhere in Europe.

Klaus received a big surprise when he received a call from Caroline.

"Hi," He picked up the phone, "I am a little busy, love….."

Caroline heard bones cracking in the background.

"I have big news!"

"Okay….Lock him!" He shouted, "Hold on, for just a second! Caroline!"

She waited impatiently, she was so excited to tell him.

"Okay, what is your news?" Klaus had stepped away from the man he was torturing for information.

"We are opening a new campus of the Salvatore School, in Europe!" Caroline squealed.

"Oh, My…..That is big news!" Klaus sat down. "SHUT UP!"

He shouted at the man who was croaking and crying.

"Klaus?"

"Europe, School…." he grinned, "I'm listening!"

"And Alaric will stay here, and I am going." She told him.

"That's amazing!" He was showing enthusiasm she hadn't anticipated. She smiled harder.

"I know!" She was so happy. "I just met with four funders, and two of them are showing serious interest in helping."

"I can help with the funding, Caroline!" He told her, "Why didn't you ask me?"

"I know you can!" She sat down, "But I don't know.....You paid for the first Campus, I didn't know how to ask, many parents are helping out!"

"Okay…..How much money do you have so far?"

He had forgotten about the man who was bleeding on the corner.

"Right now…." She took out her binder, "75,000 dollars left from your funds." She told him, "And we have 60,000 thousand from parents funding."

She told him.

"And how much do you need?" He asked her.

"I think we need an estimate of one million." She told him, "Considering the place we will buy, which won't come cheap. Construction, furniture, hostel..."

She stopped.

"Klaus?"

"I'm listening….Still."

She laughed.

"What would that mean for us?" She asked, "oh my God, I didn't even think of that! You have a life here, and Hope....I am such a horrible person!"

She stood up.

"Hold on...Hold on, Love!" Klaus told her, "Wait up, Caroline! I will go with you!"

"Really?" She squealed loudly again, "You are going to leave everything behind….?"

"Caroline?" He started to say. "I knew this would be inevitable. I saw it coming."

"You knew the Salvatore School would be a success?" She asked.

"Yes, but that's not what I meant!" He told her, "I told you a few years ago, you would get tired of the small towns."

"Oh…" She remembered.

"Caroline, love…." Klaus interrupted her thoughts, "I have to go, I'll call you later!"

The phone clicked.

She remembered what he said.

'Mark my words. Small town boy. Small town life, it won't be enough for you.'

'There is a whole world out there waiting for you.'

Caroline threw her phone on the couch. She remembered everything. Each and every time Klaus had tried to tell her. This was not her, and it never was. She was living here because her daughters were here. And before them, living in Mystic Falls was never part of the plan.

And she found herself insisting on having a campus in Europe. Everyone looked at her weirdly when she had insisted it be out of the country.

She remembered all the meetings.

"Damn it!" She only went blue when the girls were not home. "He was right!"

She smiled.

"I am Caroline Forbes," Caroline was making her last speech in Mystic Falls. She was also the deputy mayor.

They were standing in the Fell Garden. The whole town was attending the party, Mrs. Fell was throwing for Caroline. A Farewell Party.

"I am the former deputy mayor of Mystic Falls."

Several students and their parents were present in the crowd.

Caroline was widely known, respected and appreciated.

"I am also one of the founders of Salvatore School for the Gifted and the Young!" She was addressing the large gathering. "Most of you don't know why Mrs. Fell is throwing this party. For which I thank her."

Her eyes gazed around the crowd. She saw Damon Salvatore, Elena Salvatore, Bonnie Bennett. She saw Matt Donovan. She saw her daughters, Lizzie and Josie. She saw Alaric Saltzman. She wanted to see Klaus. But he wasn't here, he was making necessary arrangements for them to leave for France. He had some things to complete in New Orleans.

"But I am moving to France to open the new campus of the Salvatore School!"

Several people clapped. Bonnie smiled proudly. She saw Hayley with Hope. Hope had insisted upon seeing Caroline giving a speech.

"I am very grateful for all the people who have made charitable donations for the school!"

She smiled at them.

"Thank you so much, everyone!" She told them, "For having me, for being family to me."

Everyone clapped as she left the mic, and many people clapped.

Bonnie, Elena and Damon joined her.

"You are great!" Bonnie tapped her on the back.

"I can't believe it, you are really doing this!"

"I am!" She smiled. "I am going to miss you guys though!"

Damon Salvatore came towards her,

"I got you something, CareBear!" He told her,

He handed her an envelope. She opened it, it was cheque.