ATTN: As of 2019, this story has been updated with modified or additional content. Re-reading is strongly recommended.

AN: Hi all! Well, another day, another story. I've been in love with this idea for a long time now, and I'm hopeful that the DE element will make it even more better. Please review with your thoughts! xoxo

DISCLAIMER~ I OWN NOTHING BUT THE STORYLINE. THE CHARACTERS BELONG TO L.J. SMITH & THE CW.

Elena Gilbert, a feisty, headstrong 25-year old, has built a wall around her heart ever since tragedy struck her at a young age. Accepting of the fact that at the end of the day love just doesn't last, she's decided to embrace every moment with youthful purpose and passion.

27-year old Damon Salvatore has both seen and felt the heartbreak that comes from loving someone. Burned too many times by those closed to him, he's closed himself off from the idea of happiness and knows when to cut the ropes on a fling before things get too real.

Two single twenty-somethings with a penchant for sex without all of the complications and one ample opportunity leads to a mutually beneficial arrangement between the two. But despite a shared desire for 'uncomplicated sex' and a tendency to emotionally detach, with lives as complicated as theirs, will they really be able to keep the F word out of the papers?

"The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all" ~ Meg Cabbot

~*The Show*~

August 2018

It's a rainy Monday morning as I as stumble through the doors of Mikaelson Vintage Press, Richmond's most prestigious publishing house. My hair is no doubt a scrunched mess. I suddenly regret putting it up today. My blue hoodie is glued to my slender body, and I wrap my arms around my body in attempt to hide the now visible bra underneath.

Yeah, screw you too, Mother Nature.

Since the day I could pick up a pen and paper, I've dreamed of a career in the writing field, and I'd achieved just that immediately after I'd graduated from UVA. For the last two years, I've proudly held an editing job here, and I have helped find some of the most promising authors of today.

"Gilbert!" A stern voice calls, and I stop in my tracks as I cringe, closing my eyes. Damn. I'd hoped that I'd have been able to sneak in without him finding out.

"Klaus," I breathe nervously, my anxiety kicking in as I whip around to face him. I'm already in his bad graces as he thinks that my name got me to where I am today, seeing as my father, Grayson Gilbert, was one of the most talented and promising medical novelists of his generation. I don't need another thing to add to his growing list of 'Reasons to Despise Elena'. Next I know he'll fire me, and God forbid that I could find another job, let alone one that I love so much as this one.

"What time is it?" Klaus snaps, his blue eyes slits as they pierce mine.

"Er, five past eleven." I say softly.

No need to be rude. Even if you are the boss.

"And what time do you begin work at?" He smirks as if he's the devil himself. Which I'm honestly pretty convinced of.

"Eleven," I murmur, suddenly feeling as if I'm six again.

"Exactly. I didn't hire you so you could be tardy, Miss Gilbert," he snaps as he points a shameful finger at me.

Oh, the finger!

"Actually, I hired her, Niklaus," Another voice, a calmer and warmer one, enters the room, and I sigh in relief.

"Oh, come now, Elijah," Klaus sighs, surely bummed that he couldn't have more time to harass me. "I was just having a bit of fun,"

"Fun to you is intimidating an employee?" Elijah's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Well, in that case, I wouldn't be surprised if you found her resignation on your desk tomorrow morning."

I smile. Elijah is Klaus' older brother, and therefore the official boss at MVP. Elijah's been particularly fond of me, as he and my father had been close friends during their college years.

"Come, Elena." Elijah motions for me to follow him. "Don't let my little brother pester you with his childish behavior."

Smiling in gratitude, I mouth a 'thank you' to Elijah as I pass him.

"That's what I'm here for, writing checks and checking siblings," he grins, and I giggle as I follow him down the hallway.

"Listen, Elena," Elijah clears his throat as he slows to a stop. I immediately halt in my own tracks as I eye him uncertainly. "I didn't just come over to rescue you from Klaus."

As I blink in confusion, Elijah elaborates. "Over the course of your three years here with us, you have managed to make a name for yourself. Something I think your father would easily be prideful of."

I nod, my eyes suddenly clouded with the threat of tears. My father passed away when I was sixteen from cancer and no, I'm still not over it and I'm 25.

#IDGAF.

"Thank you," I say softly, the only volume my strained voice will allow me.

"Anyway," Elijah continues. "For a quite a few months, we've had our eye on landing a particular young writer named Damon Salvatore who lives in Georgia. He's just published his debut on iBooks called Summers By The Virginia Sea. I'd like you to take a look at it."

I nod. "Certainly." Why does he seem as if this is something new? I've done this thing for three years.

"There is one more thing." Elijah says carefully.

My eyes immediately lock with his. What more could there be?

"I would like you to scout him and persuade him to join MVP."

"What?" I blurt out breathlessly. "But I'm not a-"

"Not a literary agent. Yes, about that." He says with a sudden purpose. "I believe in you, Elena. MVP believes in you. Not just as an editor, but as a writer and as whatever else you set out to do in the literary world. I saw your portfolio, and I chose you for this company for a reason. I believe that you have the marvelous ability to not only write, but to find us the best of the best. I mean, you've helped us publish books that have easily found their way onto the Times best-seller list. So, saying that, I have decided to promote you to a literary agent for the time being, and if you succeed in getting Damon Salvatore to sign with MVP, the job is yours permanently."

"I-" I stutter, completely flabbergasted by his proposition. Elijah drives a hard bargain, and this one is no harder to refuse than his others.

"It's a lot to take in, yes." Elijah speaks. "But I do believe that you can land him."

Without doubt, I nod. "I accept. Off course. I'll take it. I'll definitely take it."

Elijah's fair face breaks out into a radiant grin. "Excellent. I have no doubt you're the one for the job, Elena." He stretches a hand toward me.

"Thank you," I nod eagerly as I shake his outstretched hand. "Thank you so much for this opportunity, Elijah."

"Believe me," he says as he freezes his hand. "It's all my pleasure."

I smile as a small flush creeps onto my cheeks. He always knows how to charm his way into and out of something.

How is this man not married already?

"I'll go and check his book out right now." I tell him, and Elijah nods encouragingly with a smile.

"You've got this, Gilbert."

As I watch the figure of Elijah disappear, I shake my head in awe. Never in a million years could I have imagined this day to turn out like this. Deciding not to let Elijah or myself down, I rush back to my office to begin my work.

It's been three hours, and I'm on my office couch holding my iPad, already wallowed in the debut of Damon Salvatore's novel. His storyline is compelling, and though the subject can be considered controversial, it is definitely worthy of MVP. The story tells of a young man, Clark Morissey, who, after graduating from high-school, joins the military. His family had rejected him when he came out to them and after the war, he felt he had a bigger part to play in life and decided to enlist. It's not long before he's wounded in battle in attempt to save his fellow soldiers, but because of this and his story he's named a national hero. The book is about four-hundred pages long, and I'm already on page two-hundred and sixteen. I've always been pegged as a quick reader, but when the story's good, I'm lightning.

Suddenly, a knock comes from the other side of my door, and just as I stand up, a slim blonde woman enter, and the face of my personal assistant Caroline Forbes is in my sight.

"Hey, Elena," Caroline asks. "I'm running to the break room. Do you want anything?"

I shake my head. "Oh, no, thanks." I'm not too hungry as I fetched a bagel and coffee on my way in.

"Alright." She says. "Let me know if you need anything."

I nod. "Will do."

With the disappearing image of blonde in my retinas, I resume my reading.

It's been three days since I finished Damon Salvatore's book. I've contacted him thanks to his website, which carries all of his contact information. He's flying out here to Richmond this afternoon to meet with me to discuss publishing his book through MVP. In the meantime, I've gathered every ounce of information on him that google and the worldwide web could supply me with. He's twenty-seven, born in a small town called Mystic Falls here in Virginia, grew up in California, went to UC Irvine, has a younger brother and his father's some yippy-dippy lawyer on the West Coast. No significant other that I could find, so either he's Hemingway or he's riding solo for now, because with a face like that you'd expect him to be in the foxhole with someone.

I'm in the back of a taxi cab on my way to pick him up at Richmond International. I spent the entire night searching for the right outfit to make myself sellable. Well, the job. My black knee-length pencil skirt hugs my olive legs, and the white ruffle top is tucked in, covered by a grey blazer that I had bought with my first paycheck. As I spot the exit sign for the airport, I take a deep breath. I can do this. There isn't a promotion on the line or utter devastation if I fail. Damn it, Gilbert. Stop. I can do this. I will do this. As I fidget with my hands, I am reminded that I brought along a layout of what MVP can offer him. Elijah aided me with the financial department, while I took care of the rest. In my opinion, as an aspiring writer myself, I would think that Damon would have to be drunk and high off a dime to pass up as great of an offer that awaits him.

As the cab pulls aside the curb, I hand the driver the fee and request he stay put for as long as he can, or circle until I find Damon. Once I'm out of the car, I nearly trip on my black pumps as I step into a cracked hole. I watch for a moment as the cab pulls upward and places the hazard lights on. Once I feel confident that I'm ready to go in and meet my potential client, I brush my hands against my skirt and walk with confidence into the airport.

As the line of carousels fills my sight, I scan the LED signs for the Atlanta flight. Once I spot it, I scurry over, careful not to fall flat on my face as I pull out the piece of paper that bears the words 'Damon Salvatore' in eyeliner on it as I had forgotten a proper writing utensil. I hoist it in front of my face, and as I begin to realize this is stupid as I can't see where Damon is should i have to direct him over here, someone pulls down the paper slowly, and I'm met with the richest pair of blue eyes.

Amusement illuminates them as I take him in. Rich, tousled, ebony hair covers his forehead, ending just above his eyes. Perfectly sculptured lips are curled in a smile, and I realize he's laughing at me.

"Damon Salvatore," I say, blinking in embarrassment. Damn, if I thought he was attractive on my Mac screen, live and in person doesn't even do him justice. He's a fucking work of art, and I firmly believe Michaelangelo rose from the grave just to form this man.

"And you must be..." he mutters as he scans his phone. "Elena Gilbert. Of Mikaelson Vintage Press."

I nod as I hear my name and my place of occupation. "Nice to meet you, Damon." I offer him my hand, which he takes with a firm shake after releasing his suitcase.

"You, too," he says.

"Well," I say with a slight smile. "Welcome to Richmond."

"Thanks," he smiles in response. As I motion for us to leave, he bends down to fetch his luggage, but I hold my hand out in attempt to stop him. "I've got it."

"What?" He chuckles. "Usually girls are asking me to take their luggage."

"Well, looks like it's our lucky day, then." I quip. "You because a woman's changing the rules on you for what seems like the first time, and me because you may just be the guy that I've been looking for. I've read your book. It's absolutely breathtaking,"

Damon scoffs as he waves his hand. "No need to make a thing of it."

I immediately stop in my tracks, causing Damon to nearly ram into me.

"What are you talking about?" I say. "This is sure as hell a thing-a big thing. Pardon my language."

"Well, then, I guess it is a pretty big fucking deal. Pardon my language." He smirks, and I roll my eyes in attempt to hide my blush.

"Good, then it's settled." I assure. "Here, the cab's just over here."

After talking to Damon and laying out his offer on the table with no strings attached, I turn to see him staring out the window.

"This is an amazing opportunity," I tell him as I practically see the wheels turning in his head. "Don't let it pass you by."

"I just don't know if my book is good enough to make it on the market," he admits as he turns his blue eyes to me.

"No, don't even go there," I shake my head. "The book is incredible, and believe me when I say I'm not just saying that because I'm right here talking to you. I've seen far worse, and frankly, you saying your book isn't good is like Kim Kardashian sobbing about the economy to a homeless person. It's ridiculous and out of place."

"But what if it tanks?" he wonders after a moment.

"It won't tank." I assure him. "Do you think that the east coast's finest publishing house would be scouting you if they thought for a second that your book would tank? How many other publishing houses are knocking down your door? Doesn't that tell you something?" I make a mental note to ask why he's considering MVP when I know for a fact that he has at least four other offers and that only one other publishing house is on the East Coast.

"Moving out here would be a big change." he says with a hint of consideration. I remember that in Elijah's offering to Damon, he included a penthouse in one of the best apartment buildings in the city.

"It won't be forever, and besides, once you get your checks coming in, you won't be tied down to Richmond. You'll be able to travel and see the world if you want." I tell him as I know he's considering the offer whether he likes it or not. As Damon's eyes pierce mine, I see the genuine worry over his success as a writer. I know exactly how he's feeling. The rejection for writers is a strict dog-eat-dog world.

"Here, hold on." I tell him as I sit up to talk to the driver. "Can you drop us off at the nearest bookstore in Richmond?"

Once I see the nod of acceptance, I sit back.

"What good is that going to do?" Damon snorts, and I ignore it.

"I'll show you exactly which books have been published by MVP, and then you'll see why yours belongs on the shelf with them." I say determinedly.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're crazy?" he wonders, and I nod.

"Only when I love my job and believe in something, I can be." I tell him with a grin. After a moment his lips curl into a pensive smile.

"How long did it take you to roll with the MVP?" Damon asks with a chuckle and I return the motion.

"It actually works well, so don't knock it just yet," I shake my head. Elijah and Klaus had to have been intentional with the naming.

"Here," I say as I throw a book at Damon, who nearly misses it.

"Jesus, you have a hell of a throwing arm." He assesses as he catches it.

"What book is that?" I ask, nodding to him as I wait for him to realize.

"Um," he says as I watch him flip the book over. His eyes dart to mine, and I grin with knowing.

"'Three Weeks In Venice'?" he nearly shouts. As a young man shushes us, I lower my voice.

"See?" I grin. "And how long has this book been on the New York Times?"

Damon gapes incredulously, "I lost count."

"Damn right, you did!" I cry. "His work," I point to the author, Arthur McKitrick, "is phenomenal. Am I right?"

Damon nods as if I'm insane to ask such a question.

"Exactly." I say as I move back over to the shelf to fetch the newest darling of MVP, The Girl With No Name by debut author Sage Mitchell.

"How about this one?" I toss it to him, and Damon nearly drops the copy of Three Weeks In Venice as he reaches to catch the book.

"Watch it!" he whispers.

"Did you not play ball as a kid?" I wonder.

Damon shakes his head. "I was a writer. I never had time for sports."

"What am I, a mailman? You can't have more than one hobby as a kid?" I scoff incredulously.

"You know what I mean," He shakes his head.

"Maybe I don't," I say softly with a feigned frown. "Maybe I'm just a lowly softball player who can't pick up a pencil and paper because it will shatter the stereotypes that be! Oh, the shame!" I move the back of my hand against my forehead in dramatics, then burst out laughing against my better judgement. As I catch sight of Damon, his eyes glare with youthful pleasure as he raises his hand at me, a paperback copy of

, I raise my hands. "What book are you about to throw at me?"

As Damon reluctantly scans the cover, his mouth nearly falls to the floor.

"You guys got The Girl With No Name?" he squeaks, and I bit my lip so hard to keep from laughing at the sound. "This has been number one on the Times best-seller list for nearly a month!"

I nod slowly. "I know. And you know who made that happen? MVP. Don't you see? All of these books," I gesture to the basket wrapped over my hand. "They were by writers just like you. They all didn't know whether or not their book was going to make it or not. But they did. Because they took a risk. 'The brave may not live forever-"

"But the cautious do not live at all," he and I finish together.

"Damon, if you don't take a risk, then you'll never enjoy life!" I implore as I walk up to him. "Take a risk, Damon."

As I will him to look at me, I see his mind turning. And just when I think he won't give me an answer, he nods as a smile plays at his lips.

"I'll take it." he nods. "I'll take the offer."

AN: Well, hope you liked it! Review for more! Love to hear your thoughts! They're greatly appreciated/welcome and strongly motivate updates! :)

PS: Feel free to check out my other DE stories!

PPS: Follow me on Twitter (MdntEpiphanies) for updates and Spotify (Midnight Epiphanies) for playlists!

~Songs that were either mentioned in or inspired this chapter (full list on Spotify)~

THEME: Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth feat. Emeli Sandé

Love Song by Sara Bareilles

- Elena arrives at work.

The Show by Yael Naim

- Elena reads Damon's book in her office.

Pretenders by Antennas Up

- Elena gets ready on her way to pick up Damon from the airport.

One Way or Another by Blondie

- Elena convinces Damon to publish his book through MVP.