Bel's POV:

The next morning I wake up to my phone ringing. "What's up?" I ask when I answer. "How would you feel about coming to a dinner party tonight?" Nik asks. I smirk. "Oh yeah? Who's all going?" "Oh you know, me, Elijah, the Salvatore brothers." My smirk falls.

"No. You know I can't stand being around Elena's little bitches." "Oh come on love." I groan. "Do you really want me there?" I ask. "Yes love, I do." "Fine, I'll be there. What time?" I ask. "Be here at 6." "You got it. See you then." "Bye." I sigh. What did I just sign myself up for?

I shake my head and get out of bed. I head towards the bathroom and quickly shower before getting dressed. I have my daily phone call with Jeremy before he has to go to class. Once the call ends I decide to draw some. I haven't done so since I woke up after homecoming. With Nik.

I start sketching out the outline and soon it's turning into something. That something being Nik himself. I don't know why I feel compelled to draw him. I usually just draw what I have strong emotions about. I let my hands do the work and then let my mind catch up later.

Why am I drawing Nik? Sure, he's my friend, but I've never drawn someone I knew before. I've never drawn Jeremy or Jenna. Hayley or Katherine. No one, so why him? I shake my head as I complete the sketch. It doesn't matter.

What matters is that he's my friend and we've gotten close enough to were I'm drawing him. That's a good thing...right? Sighing I look at the time. It's already 5." Groaning I place my sketch book to the side and head towards my closet.

I rifle through my closet in search of the perfect thing to wear. I've never been invited to a dinner party before so I have no clue what to wear. I finally settle on an outfit and change. I quickly brush out my hair, leaving it in waves, and apply a little makeup.

Once I'm done I check the time. 5:45. Perfect. I quickly go downstairs, grabbing my purse and my keys, and head to my car. The drive is filled with me fidgeting. I have no problem glaring at the Salvatore brothers for an evening, but I really want Elijah to like me.

I mean, Bekah and Nik do and they think very highly of their brother. When I reach the manor I immediately go and knock on the door. Elijah opens it, grinning at me. "Jezebel, please, do come in." He says, stepping aside and opening the door wider. 

"Thank you Elijah, and please, call me Bel." He nods, smiling at me. "Of course Bel." I grin. That's when Nik enters. "My, my don't you look lovely love." He says, smiling brightly at me. "Why thank you kind sir." I tease. He laughs and leads me to the dining room. 

"Now Nik, explain to me why we are having dinner with the Salvatore brothers?" I ask. "It was Elijah's idea, I'm trying to appease him." I nod. "Fair enough, why am I here?" "Because I want one person at the table who doesn't hate me." He says, grinning cheekily. I roll my eyes. 

"It's not my fault you're picky with your friend choices." "Consider yourself lucky love." "Oh I do, I couldn't ask for a greater friend." I tell him. Something flashes in his eyes for a quick second, but it's gone before I can decipher it. 

I hear a knock on the door before anything else can happen. "Come on, let's just get this over with." I say. He nods. "Niklaus, our other guests have arrived." Elijah calls from the door. "Other?" Stefan asks. I smile as Nik and I walk into view. "Hello boys." I smirk, crossing my arms. 

"Damon, Stefan, Elijah tells me you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss the terms of our agreement like civilized men, shall we?" Nik suggests from behind me. "It's better to indulge him." Elijah explains, walking to stand to my left." 

"I didn't, uh, come here to eat, Klaus. In fact, I didn't want to come here at all. But I was told I had to, cause you would hear us out." Stefan says, stepping further into the room. He glances back at Damon who hasn't moved from his spot. 

"Hmm, well, we can sit and eat, or I can reach down your throats and pull out our insides. Choice is yours" Klaus offers, going over to the table and sitting down, pulling  me into the chair next to his. Soon we're all seated around the table and eating. 

"Thank you love." Damon says as one of the compelled workers pours him another glass fo wine. Stefan however isn't eating. He hasn't really done much of anything since sitting down. "You lost your appetite" Klaus notices. 

"Eat, I thought we agreed that we would leave grumpy Stefan at home." Damon chides his younger brother. Smiling a tight lipped smile Stefan picks up his utensils. I hold back a smirk at this. It's nice to see how angry this is making him. 

"That's the spirit. Isn't this nice? The five of us dining together. Such a treat. Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger out of my brother?" Klaus asks. "Well, I know how he felt about you. So I figured the more, the merrier." Damon explains, smirking and taking a bite. 

"Well, Elijah and I have had our share of quarrels over the centuries, but we always make it through." "Kind of like you and Rebekah, right? Where is she, by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were too afraid to face her." He says. 

"If you're looking to start something here Stefan then I suggest you stop. He's already told Elijah what he did." I snap. "How can you stand by his side so willingly Jezebel?" He asks. 

"Easy, his side is a lot more appealing than yours. He's been kinder to me in the weeks I have known him than any of you guys have ever been to me. Kindness is rewarded with loyalty." I retort. 

"Stefan, I think you should back down. Besides, you can't judge him. You killed dad, might want to dial down the judgement till dessert." Damon tells him. "We're here to make a deal Damon. Doesn't mean we have to kiss his ass through seven courses." 

"I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us. Pace yourself." Yep, a long evening indeed. If only I knew how truly long it would be.