Chapter Three: Queen Of Broken Hearts

---2010---

The French people were dancing like crazy and carefree in the Whisper Club Paris. A red light flashed on the people and music which was just wild and fun enough to shake a leg. A man in his middle 20s noticed a fierce woman around his age just sitting at the bar and drinking wine. She had put on a tight red short skirt and her long blonde hair was smoothened and straightened. She had put on a fair amount of makeup; not too much but she didn't require much of it anyway. Her super white complexion, light brown eyes, thin nose, and pink lips just played too well for her side. 

The man decided to try asking her out. He reached to her and caught her attention. She looked at him with a frown but an intrigued smile.

"Profiter de la Nuit?" The man asked in French. 

"I don't speak French." The English woman said.

"Oh, my apologies. Um... Enjoying the night?" The man asked again in an accent.

"Not much. I heard from all my former friends that this place was a dream to be at but in reality, it's just sad as any other club I've been."

"Oh, is that so? Why?"

"I see all of these people dancing; having fun with each other. It's kind of making me sad. So it's sad."

"Maybe if you wouldn't push away your friends, then you would not be sad."

"How do you say that?" 

"You said before that all your former, friends said it, right?" The man emphasizes the word former.

"Oh! He is a listener." The woman says impressively.

"And also maybe this club, these people are making you feel envious, kind of lonely?"

"I have been here a long time. All the people I've known kind of just slipped away from me." The woman said dejectedly.

"Well, I'll stay here for as long as you wish. Might help you with that loneliness you feel."

The woman smiled and offered her hand to shake, "Rebekah Mikaelson."

He accepted her hand and shook with his,

"Paul Lavigne."

The next morning Rebekah woke up with sheets covering her body beside Paul who too was covered in the sheet. She pulled up a little of the sheet to see whether they were naked or not. They were. She turned to see Paul sleeping with his big brown hair messed up. He with his physique lying there was like an angel. Rebekah wanted to kiss wake him up but she knew that was just too cheesy and not at all how they show in the movies. While Rebekah was still snickering remembering last night, Paul woke up and saw her looking at him.

"Hey there sunshine," Rebekah said sweetly.

"Hello." He chuckled. 

"Your eyes are blue, not brown."

Rebekah chucked and kissed him deeply.

                         ---Past---

"Everything is so chaotic Christopher. With Nik being this animal, father, and mother always fighting and how father's treatment to Nik; all of these are just mind-numbing." Rebekah said exhaustingly while walking with Christopher in the forests.

"You seem more dejected than you did the last time," Christopher said.

"Well of course I am! Father took me with him yesterday to

(emphasizes) fix him but I know all he is doing is getting all of his anger out on him because of mother's mistake."

"Yeah, how are you all rounding your head upon that?" 

"We've seen better nights. The only thing we do now is just eating and sleep. We don't talk anymore. In this strange time, you're the only one who is helping me with my sanity." 

Christopher smiled and said,

"I am happy I can. (Rebekah too smiles a little) So, how's Niklaus?"

"I don't know anymore. I mean we all feel a little distanced from him because of his new side. He just doesn't do anything. He is always out; thinking something. Ever since Elijah refused to help him go away, he's been more miserable."

"You shouldn't do that. Niklaus doesn't deserve how he's being treated by you all. Whatever mistake your mother did, Niklaus shouldn't pay for it."

"I know. But it's just complicated. And because of all this, I don't think my family is in the perfect state for me to mate with you. We'll have to wait." 

"I am okay with that. I am not the one whose time is short. (Rebekah chuckled and then sighed on the reality) I'll be more than happy to do what you want me to do." Christopher said.

"Right now, I would like for you to just keep on meeting me every day."

"You have my word, Beks," Christopher says assuring Rebekah.

                             ------

Rebekah didn't know how she remembered that moment while kissing

Paul that same morning but when she opened her eyes, she saw burnt Christopher laid beside naked Paul. He said with a screechy voice,

"Beks…."

Rebekah immediately got up and left the bed; showed her back to Paul. She couldn't see that burnt face of Christopher's. She was shaking in fear.

Paul got up too to console Rebekah. He got closer to her and started saying,

"Rebekah, are you okay?"

Rebekah kept on shivering. "Rebekah you are freaking me out!" Rebekah didn't stop.

"Rebekah, listen to my voice. My voice only." Rebekah slowly stopped shivering.

"That's good. That's very good. Now…."

Paul touched her shoulder to turn her but she twitched at the mere touch of his.

"Hey, don't worry. It's just me. Listen to my voice. Concentrate on my voice."

Paul slowly turned to Rebekah and she saw no burnt Christopher but only naked Paul.

Rebekah instantly took Paul in her arms and hugged her tightly. She let down few tears. 

She then broke the hug and chuckled sadly,

"Didn't expect baggage from me, did you?"

"Everyone has them. Some have the size of a bucket or some are the size of a whole ocean. But no matter the size, it can be cleared off by letting someone in."

"I hardly believe that anyone would stay with me."

Paul wipes off Rebekah's tears and says, 

"I'll be there. For as long as you want."

Rebekah looked into Paul's truthful eyes and smiled.

                      ---Present---

"I can't believe you are doing this!" Paul shouted at Rebekah.

"Paul please!" Rebekah left her breakfast incomplete and got away from the dining table.

Paul got up and went to her to confront her,

"Don't 'please' me! For the three years we've been together, I showed you my friends, family and heard you saying that you will introduce me to your family at the right time. And now that you're going to visit them, you're saying it's not the right time?"

"Because I am not going there to have lunch with them or something! It's a serious matter that I have to attend."

"What serious matter?" Paul demanded the answer.

Rebekah didn't say anything. She can't. Because Paul doesn't know that she is a vampire. She loved him and she didn't want him to leave her.

"You cannot even tell me the matter! How is it that whenever the topic of your family is around, you seem distressed and uninterested?"

"I don't have the ideal relationship with them!"

"Who does? Whose family is perfect? Nobodies! My drunkard father who always starts yanking on Hitler being an asshole, my mother who would always hit on the general store guy, and my sister who is a fucking walking tattoo store, and yet, I was so excited for you to meet them! But you are just so unbothered for your family and you don't even tell me why! It seems like I am the only one who is trying up to have to this relationship!" 

"How can you say this Paul?"

"Because it's true! I moved into your apartment, gave up my job which paid me so well only to find a job closer to here, me keeping up a happy face with all your secrets like your family, your job or the reason why you often go off to somewhere in the middle of the night."

Rebekah was speechless at Paul's last sentence. How could she tell him that she would go feeding on people in the middle of the night?

Paul was correct. Rebekah seemed like hiding in her shell. She wouldn't open up about anything. Anyone was bound to go crazy to compromise everything only to get secrets in return.

Rebekah left and went to the bedroom. She heard Paul storming off. It seemed that this relationship was going to be doomed. Just like her other relationships.

                       ---Past---

By the time everyone left Mikael, Niklaus was too disturbed and hurt. No one helped him previously when he asked them to and when they finally got away from Mikael, it was too late. Niklaus was ired. And all of that because of Mikael. 

Finn and Esther decided to stray away from the other four and go along their way. This broke his heart even more. 

For 100 years or so, they all spent their time here and there.

Sometimes in disguise or by compelling housemates to let them stay. But as they reached New Orleans for the first time in 1250, they saw how everyone was living in order. There was a man responsible for everything that was to happen in that town. They compelled that person to name them everything he owned. 

So the man's clothes, her family's clothes, riches, carts, and house were there. 

They built their house in New Orleans. Every Sunday, there would be a party held where Mikaelsons were living. At one party, Rebekah found an interest in a man because she and Christopher were over. The man was very decent. He would call her precious. Even though her mortal years were over, she still wanted a man with her for eternity. 

However, on the same night, Rebekah found that man dead. With a terrible death not to forget. She was mourning for a while. Not until she found a man again who was later dead too. No man stood with her for more than a day. Everyone turned out to be dead. And knowing the reason how she was just broken.

That is also one of the reasons why she doesn't want Paul anywhere around her family. Because she knew Niklaus killed each one of her former lovers except Christopher.

                              ------

The next day Rebekah packed her bags and was about to leave when she noticed Paul laying down on the sofa. She realized Paul hadn't slept on the bed with her. She thought he must be sleeping so she left without disturbing him.

But Paul was awake the whole time.

Rebekah booked herself a ticket to New Orleans but her flight was delayed a little and so she sat down in the waiting room. She noticed a brother and a sister playing with a ball. They laughed, took care of each other. She envied them. A thousand-year-old woman envied two little children. 

                        ---Past---

It was Rebekah's turn to accompany Mikael for Nik's torturing session. She hoped the route to the torturing cave wouldn't be silent. But alas, it was! No one was talking to any other.

50 times. 50 times the rope hit Nik. He was full of blood. Rebekah sensed nothing in Mikael. He seemed just as angry and determined as he was when he began. 

Mikael stepped out to get some air and Rebekah saw Nik and she was just so sorrowful. Nik had given up. He seemed tired and just exhausted.

She got closer to him to ask,

"Is it paining Nik?"

"How does it seem like sister?" He asked in a low voice.

"I can't do anything Nik."

"Sure you can, sister. You can untie me and can let me go."

"I can't do that, Nik you know that."

"Why? (Inhales deeply) because dear father asked you to?"

"Because I believe what he is doing is right."

Niklaus seemed hurt,

"You think giving me this pain; this torture is—is right?" 

Rebekah realized the misdirection of what she said, "Nik, you know I didn't mean…"

"You know what, Rebekah, why don't you go where you were a minute ago? Because that was loads less painful than now."

Rebekah realized she has hurt Niklaus. When she was the one who scolded Elijah for not helping Niklaus go, she did the same thing as Elijah did. She didn't know how but she just said no. She knew what she did will hurt him but she trusted Mikael more than she did at Nik.

                              ------

Before she could go to the mansion, Rebekah decided to stray on the streets of New Orleans. She always loved the streets because it was filled with people, music and local stalls. She always had a thing for the nights at New Orleans because it didn't feel like nights. It was so alive.

She did come to know that Marcel was a very famous person in the town; someone she didn't wish to meet. She entered in the local bar where she slept with so many men before 2008; before she left New Orleans.

As much as appealing was the thought of going in and joining the beats, she refused to listen to her thought and took a cab to the Mikaelson mansion. She had a boyfriend. Whom she loved the most. She can't just go onto clubs after their fight. Which reminded her to give him a call. 

She dialed his cell but he didn't pick up. She knew this. Whenever they'd be in a fight, Paul would be very angry. But it would be him who would make a gesture to make things right. But now Paul hadn't done anything wrong and hence, Rebekah didn't expect anything from him.

She got out of the cab and saw the Mikaelson mansion. The same dark green-colored mansion. Never had she thought that she'll be back there just after 5 years?

                       ---2008---

"Do you have any idea what you're saying, sister?" Elijah asked.

"Elijah, I love you and I love this city but it has stopped giving me any happiness." Rebekah tried to explain herself to Elijah.

Elijah and Rebekah started arguing and Klaus was drinking scotch looking at the fire. Rebekah had said that she loved Elijah and the city. She didn't say she loves him.

"But Rebekah, clearly there are other men who'd love your company!" Elijah said.

"Do you think that after all these years, men are the only ones that are capable of giving me happiness? (She looks at Klaus' back) That's long gone! (Looks back at Elijah) This city is just not my thing anymore. I can't bring myself to stay here for a day more."

"Yes, but Rebekah…."

Klaus interrupted,

"Let her go, brother. It was about time for her to abandon us like our other siblings. (Turns and looks at Rebekah) Tell me, Rebekah, where do you plan to go?"

"Paris." She replied.

"Hmm. Beautiful city. I wonder what there is to drive you away from us.

"I have always shared my affection for the place. But you would've known that if you hadn't been so involved in your ego and paranoia."

"You're the one to talk about paranoia? You cannot talk about paranoia if you're running. And who are you trying to deceive, sister? (Starts walking to her) You say you've grown tired of this place but you come back home every day with a bigger and bigger smile. It's me you're tired of, aren't you? Like every other sibling? Are you sure you're the same Rebekah who swore that she would protect her brother even if it meant killing herself? (Looks in her eyes) Tell me, what about your promise of always and forever?"

"A thousand years is a long time Nik. A lot of things have happened to fade away that promise." 

Rebekah didn't even blink saying this.

Klaus blinked a couple of times and walked away, "Let her go, brother. She is determined to leave us. Leave me, leave you, in fact, why don't you join her?"

"Pardon?" Elijah was confused.

"I am allowing you to go with her. You can go and leave this half-breed of a brother alone as you have done before. You should go."

"Brother why are you…"

"He's right Elijah. I was going to ask you whether you wanted to join me or not."

"Look, brother! At least we think the same. Go!"

"Niklaus be quiet!" Elijah shouted and walked to Rebekah,

"Look what you're doing to him." He says slowly. "Stay sister, please. For him."

"All of these years, tell me one thing he has done for me which did not benefit him. (Elijah couldn't say anything) Why are you quiet Elijah? Because you have no answer? Because all that Nik has been being just one selfish prick?!" 

"No matter how slow you talk, I can still you with my abilities!" Niklaus shouted.

"I know!" Rebekah shouted back. 

"Elijah, it won't matter if you stay with him or not. He'll rot and rot you with him. You should leave him. And start a new life like me." 

"I am not doing that. I am not leaving Niklaus alone again." Elijah said firmly.

"Okay, it's a goodbye then," Rebekah says and leaves.

                             ------

Rebekah kicked the doors open and made her way in. With the rumbling sound the doors made, Elijah came worried. 

Rebekah looked at him and smiled,

"No lock's strong enough for me, you know that." 

Elijah nodded,

"Welcome home, sister."

Rebekah dropped her bags and hugged him with a huge smile.

"Oh, I have missed you sister!" Elijah exclaimed.

"Missed you too Elijah." 

They broke the hug and just then Nik came rushing but when he saw Rebekah looking at him, his pace slowed,

"Hello, Rebekah."

"Hello, Nik."

"How's Paris treating you?"

"Fine," Rebekah replied and Nik nodded.

Elijah was disappointed because he wished them to talk more.

"You called any others Elijah?" Elijah shook his head.

"I'll call Kol."

Rebekah took her bags and left. 

She entered her room and thousands of memories came rushing in. She opened the closet and the list of names of men she truly loved was still there. She put her clothes there and dialed up Kol's number. 

It took some time but he finally picked up,

"Sister not now, a girl is about to enter my room naked so…"

"Father is arriving," Rebekah said.

Kol's voice changed.

"How do you say that?"

"A fellow witch of Elijah said so."

"Where are you?" Kol asked.

"At the mansion," Rebekah replied.

"Oh, you're already there? They called you first?"

"Kol, it's not the time."

"I know. I'll be there."

"Good. I'll call Henrik now."

"Oh, don't! I'll call him." 

"Okay." Rebekah hung up the call.

She forgot the whole drama with Kol. Of course, Kol is still hurt. She doesn't blame him. But this was what she was trying to run away from. And now it's gonna happen. Again. She hated the life she lived with her family. Baggage and baggage. Everyone's baggage. No one in the family lives carelessly. Everyone has their baggage. Like her's is the fear of being forever alone.

With all the men that she has lost, she fears she will be forever alone. Hence, she thinks it's right to regret saying yes that night. The night where Nik and they ran away from Mikael if she would've said no, then they would've never left and Nik might go away from their lives but at least she would've had a family. She'd be with one of the men Nik killed. She'd be happy. If only she said no.