The year is 1864. My name is Elena Gilbert and I am seventeen years old. My mother and father died recently in a terrible, tragic accident, when their carriage crashed. My parents had a good friend named Giuseppe Salvatore. Giuseppe invited me to live with him and his family in the Salvatore Estate, in a town named Mystic Falls. I have nowhere else to go, so I accept. I am now on my way to the Salvatore home.
I flatten out my skirt and sigh. I had heard of the family. There was the father, Giuseppe, a strict, posh man who strongly believed in keeping America old fashioned. I don't know much about Giuseppe's wife, Mary Salvatore; just that she died. Giuseppe's eldest son is called Damon Salvatore is twenty-one and I have heard that he is impulsive, irresponsible and a serial charmer. I had been reminded countless times by many different people that I would do well to keep my distance from Damon Salvatore; he would only cause me trouble. Giuseppe's younger son- at eighteen years old- Stefan Salvatore is said to be sweet, kind, funny and considered exceptionally desirable by the local young women. Stefan Salvatore is known as the good Salvatore brother.
I heard the wheels of the carriage pull to a halt. A moment passed before the door opened and the driver, a man I had never spoken to before offered me his hand, to help me from the carriage. I took his hand and was soon out in the fresh air, a welcome feeling. Once I am out in the open, the driver says goodbye and wishes me good luck here, before driving away, leaving me on my own. Another carriage passes me and pulls up in the centre of the Salvatore driveway, nearer to the cement stairs than I am. I see the silhouette of a woman being assisted from a carriage by another woman, her handmaid. The first woman is tall and curvaceous wearing a glamorous, expensive looking gown. Her dark hair is curled and tucked beneath her bonnet. She casts her lingering gaze around, not sparing me a glance. A young man descends the stairs leading to the grand Salvatore estate. The man has light brown hair, combed neatly away from his face and wears a refined brown suit. He is tall, with superb posture. The man stands before the beautiful woman and smiles kindly. I stand, awkward and alone, as the young man leads the woman towards the entrance to the estate, her handmaid trailing behind and a number of men helping with the woman's bags and cases. My few cases, meanwhile, sit at my feet. I heave a sigh; I suppose some things don't change. I may come from a rich family, but I am still lower class than many other women. I am not particularly pretty either. I bend and pick up two of my cases, leaving the other two behind, intending to return for it. "Excuse me, miss?" calls a strong, handsome voice and I turn my head to see a young man with curly dark hair jogging towards me. He smiles, "Are you okay, miss?" he asks, "Please allow me to assist you?" He asks and I allow him to take the cases from me. I turn back to get the other two cases, but the young man beats me to them, piling them on top of the other two.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly, I wasn't that weak, "I can carry two!" I insist.
He chuckles, "I am sure you can, but what kind of gentleman would I be to let such a beautiful young lady carry her own cases?" He asks playfully.
I smile, "Thank you." He smiles back at me, "I am Elena Gilbert." I curtsey to him.
He smiles, "A lovely name. I am Damon Salvatore." He replies kindly.
My smile drops, "Damon Salvatore?" I ask, shocked and unbelieving, I cross my arms; "I don't believe you." I say bluntly.
His eyes widen and he looks at me with evident surprise. "Why wouldn't you believe me?"
"I have heard about Damon Salvatore, and from my knowledge, I can confirm that Damon Salvatore is neither kind nor helpful." I say.
He seems startled by my confidence, but soon recovers, "I suppose my reputation has made you think badly of me. I hope I can change your opinion. You seem different from the other girls around here." He grins and leads me up the cement stairs, to the grand entrance of the estate. "Tell me, Elena Gilbert, are my family expecting you."
I frown, "Yes, didn't you're father tell you?"
"My father and I are not exactly on speaking terms." He states and I nod slowly. "And please tell me this, lady Elena Gilbert, why do we have the pleasure of your company? Have you been misbehaving?" he asked teasingly, "Or are your family just away on a holiday?" he paused, "My mother and father used to take an occasional holiday, I was never welcome, of course."
I swallow and debate on whether or not I should tell him the truth, I look in his pale blue, curious eyes and realise that I have nothing to hide, "My parents died. You're father has offered me a place to stay here on your estate."
He frowns and groans quietly, "I'm sorry. I should learn to be more sensitive to these matters."
"There is no need, Damon Salvatore, I am sad that they are dead, but have no shame in it."
Damon nods interestedly, "You really are interesting, Miss Gilbert."
We are inside, and Damon hands my cases to a butler and tells him to take them to the guest room prepared for 'Lady Elena Gilbert'. Damon then leads me to the drawing room, where Giuseppe sits in an arm chair. We walk in and I see the man and woman from outside sitting in separate arm chairs.
"Good afternoon, Sir Salvatore." I address Giuseppe politely, curtseying.
"Father." Damon acknowledges him bluntly as he falls into a paisley arm chair.
"Miss Gilbert," Giuseppe greets happily, "I am glad you arrived safely. How was your journey?"
"My carriage remained on the road, so my journey went as well as could have hoped." I reply bitterly, travelling still a bitter topic since my parent's accident. I meet Damon's intrigued eyes, "And your son helped me with my cases too."
Giuseppe looks at his eldest son with disdain, before turning to the man and woman. "You must meet my son, Stefan, and Lady Katherine Peirce." He gestures to them both. I smile at Stefan, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr Salvatore."
"The pleasure is mine, Miss Gilbert." His eyes are filled with potent pity, "I am sorry for your loss."
I smile awkwardly and turn to Katherine, only to gasp. She bore a striking resemblance to me. We were practically identical, though she appeared much more mature and graceful, while I was more childish and naïve.
Katherine nods to me, ignoring our similarity. I try to follow suit, though Giuseppe and Stefan are talking animatedly about how we must be related somehow. Damon is smiling at me. I look back at Katherine, who is scowling at Damon. Is she seriously expecting attention from both brothers? If she is, this will be a boring stay for me.
"I will show Lady Elena to her room so she can settle in before dinner." Damon says, I get the feeling he is as eager as I am to get away from the drawing room.
"Yes, Damon." He says, "Good idea. Stefan, you show Miss Katherine to her room too."
We all leave the room, Damon and I hurrying away from the animosity.