Elena

Ch.1

In the year of 1995 in the land of Virginia stood a mansion of great history. The mansion itself held grand halls, spiral staircases, three pools, a courtyard, a large rose garden, two tennis courts, one inside and one outside. It also housed one of the largest 10 car garages within miles, and held an innumerable amount of wealth in timeless vehicles. This home in particular, belonged to the Salvatore estate and had been there since 1912. There were servants for every acre, gardeners, florists, chefs, and valets. Apart from this the house itself stood alone in breathtaking majesty created with Corinthian columns of glimmering alabaster stone, and built from imported materials all the way from Italy. It stood, majestic, and immovable as strong as the name itself.

The home belonged to the Salvatore's and was currently occupied by the head of the household Giuseppe, his wife Laura, and their two sons Damon and Stefan. This home was a beacon of timeless tranquility and stood for the wealth and power of their legacy. Giuseppe, having been a steel tycoon of his own business in technology yearned to pass on the family business to his two talented sons. Since both were to have a part of this inheritance, both were given a position within the company from the age of 16. Both were hard workers but dedicated in their own ways. His eldest, Damon Salvatore had a strong will, and worked hard to please his father in business and in life while his younger brother, Stefan, seemed to lack interest in the matter entirely. His time was usually spent procrastinating in his particular position. Instead he could be found in games of chance, lacrosse, and partying with the paupers of society. However selfish Stefan's ambitions may have seemed to Damon, their father favorited him above all else. He loved Stefan, for he reminded him of a much simpler time in his own adolescence. Stefan, although spoiled, was very charming and friendly to all. He would be the socialite of any evening, while Damon sunk into the shadows. Glad to have time for his rise to power.

Mrs. Laura Salvatore was known for her social events of the season within the small town of Mystic Falls. Next to the Mayor she had the best turn out for miles, and her fundraisers always supported a good cause. It seemed everyone in town would benefit from such an occasion. Stefan saw them as another reason to sustain the life that he had grown accustomed, while Damon thrived on building up his connections within the companies he came into contact with.

Among the servants within the family lived a household chauffeur Grayson Gilbert. He and his family resided above the 10-car garage in a private apartment suite. No other servants on the property had this luxury. Grayson was held in high esteem by the Salvatore's, and was paid handsomely for his services. His children Elena and Jeremy had grown up on the estate with the two brothers, and had grown close over the years. Jeremy, now 15 years of age, was thriving in his sports accomplishments, while Elena was an awkward single maid of eighteen. Most days she assisted Grayson with the upkeep of the models while her real interest resided in the house on the hill.

Although never receiving an invitation Elena would always climb the tree that overlooked the courtyard where the parties took place. Her eyes would intently watch the younger Salvatore brother. Even though she was sure Stefan had never once noticed her, her infatuation for him had grown over the years. She studied him from afar with all of his dates, and imagined that they were her.

On one particular summer night, Mrs. Salvatore had given a celebration for the fourth of July. The entire town had turned up for the ceremony it seemed, and Elena found herself climbing the familiar tree that looked out across the courtyard. Her eyes studied the crowds as she looked for the object of her affection.

He stood by the champagne fountain, making a redheaded beauty laugh. She saw his hand reach out to graze her cheek, and nearly felt his fingertips on her skin. She sighed, knowing what was to come next. He would whisper in her ear, and then make his way to the drinks station. He would then proceed to put two champagne flutes into his back pockets, careful to hide them with the length of his pleated jacket. Then he would grab a fancy bottle, newly opened, and sneak to the rose garden. What he would do with his dates there, Elena could only imagine. She had visions of them dancing, and gazing into each other's eyes; of forbidden romances, and long sweaty nights. On this particular night however she was caught red handed.

"Elena! Get down from that tree this instant!" Came Grayson's overpowering voice.

"Dad…" Elena whined from the tree as Stefan slipped away with his date. She sighed in frustration and began climbing down the tree. The show was over with anyways.

She set her feet on the cobblestone path and began walking towards the garage where her father was waiting. Grayson seemed very upset with her, his brown eyes piercing hers, and his long lengthy stature looming over her. He seemed older than his forty-five years, but Elena thought it was because of the loss of her mother so early in their lives. She had died giving birth to her youngest brother Jeremy, and Elena knew her father had never really recovered. She also knew because of this, he was overprotective of her to a fault. Elena hated fighting with her father, but since he had discovered her obsession with the younger Salvatore brother, fighting had become an everyday occurrence.

"You are too young and vibrant to spend your time looking at parties from afar Elena." He said sounding concerned. "You should be out living it. Elena, you just graduated from High School. You deserve to live your life, and be happy."

"But I am happy, "she stated looking towards the ground, her eyes never meeting her father's. "I don't mind dreaming. At least in my dreams I can never be harmed."

Grayson sighed with a lonesome understanding. After Elena's mother had passed she had always told him that she felt a part of her was missing. He suspected that this new obsession with Stefan had just been a coping mechanism designed to keep Elena's thoughts at bay.

"Look, Jeremy will be spending the summer at camp. You can't be here by yourself. You need to find new hobbies, new interests. Elena I want you to find something you want to live for."

"Ive already found something to live for."

"Living for a boy who doesn't know you exist is not living Elena." He said sternly, causing Elena's breath to catch and her eyes to swell with tears.

"How do you know…?" She asked

"Because I know unrequited love when I see it, and it can only hurt you."

Elena grew quiet, and her thoughts of being happy with Stefan slowly dwindled.

"What would you have me do father?" she asked, not truly expecting an answer.

"I want you to go to Paris. I've found a summer program there were you can study photography. I've already paid for it, and your bus to the airport leaves tomorrow morning." Grayson said. Coming closer to Elena, he lifted her chin up with his hand so she could look into his eyes. "This is the life I want for you. This is what I want you to have."

Elena's tears came then in slow streams down her cheeks. Turning her head away she said, "No! I won't go. I can't leave him."

"Oh you can and you will. I will not have my daughter waste her years on a spoiled silver spooned brat. You are going to Paris and that's final."

Grayson dismissed her and left up the stairs to their apartment above the garage. Elena stood holding herself. Her blue summer dress blew softly in the wind, and she found her heart distraught at the thought of leaving. Her thoughts drifted to Stefan, and of her never saying goodbye. She made up her mind then and there that tonight would be different.

Picking up her skirts, her feet fled towards the house on the hill with one ambition: to see Stefan.

She made up her mind to tell him everything. To confess the true desires of her heart. Knowing they had grown up together just might be what she needed to help him understand where her infatuation began. She would tell him about the kindness he'd shown her even when others dismissed her, and how he had made her laugh on more than one occasion. She would explain that the laughter had turned into happiness in her heart and that she had slowly fallen in love with him. How she never wanted to stop.

She reached the back doors of the kitchen and passed the many servants scurrying around to serve dinner. She asked where Stefan had gone to, and The Chef's daughter Bonnie answered, "He's just made his way to the indoor pool, but I wouldn't go to see him he's not alone." She warned.

Elena didn't seem to care; she rushed out of the kitchens and headed towards the west wing, where the indoor pool resided. As she reached the outer door her heart thumped in her throat. "This is it," she whispered to herself. Grabbing the knob and turning it, she entered into the steamy room. Coming inside she took in the room before her, a large blue circular pool reached across the space of the room, including a small waterfall, and a Jacuzzi. The water she knew would be warmed, and that explained the steam rising up towards the rafters of the vaulted emerald glass ceiling. She was surprised to realize there was only one person in the pool doing laps. She quickly ducked behind the towel wall that divided the room and grabbed a towel for strength then she shouted out,

"Stefan! Is that you?" She waited in earnest for his reply. Then came the sound of the water sloshing, bare feet hitting the cement, and then a shadow coming towards the towel wall. "No please stop." She said, "I have something to tell you and if you don't let me get this out I'll never be able to say it." The shadow in question stopped moving towards her, and asked in a low tone, "Ok, could you pass me a towel then?" Assuming it was Stefan, she threw the fresh fluffy towel she was holding towards the shadow, and watched as he caught it. Finding her strength she began, "I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow and I don't know when I'll be back. Before I go I just wanted you to know how happy you've made me. Because of you Stefan, I have lived here knowing someone cares for me. If you know nothing else just know someone somewhere is remembering you. Loving you from a distance." Slowly the shadow came closer towards Elena. She gasped as the smoke cleared and her mystery man appeared in front of her.

Elena's hand flew in front of her mouth as she realized her mistake.

It hadn't been Stefan. It was Damon, the oldest Salvatore brother standing before her in only a towel. Elena couldn't stop her gaze as she took in the man before her. His dark black hair slicked back, and his blue eyes piercing hers with droplets of water gliding down his body. She couldn't believe how much he resembled a Greek god in that moment. His muscles looked chiseled and sleek under her gaze. Damon's voice broke the silence; "I can give him the message for you Elena."

"I'm so sorry, please forget about all of this." Elena said as she blushed scarlet and raced towards the door, and flinging it open for escape. She didn't stop running until she reached her apartment above the garage. Little did she know that the man she had left there stood gazing toward her long after she had gone. He couldn't believe that after all their time together Elena had favored his brother over him too, just as his father had. Damon sighed as pain sunk into his heart. For the object of his affection had always been and would always be Elena Gilbert, and now he knew she had never felt the same way about him.

****Authors Note**********

This story is based on the movie Sabrina (1995). I really loved seeing the dynamic of two brothers fighting over the same girl, and of course it triggered my Delena love, so here it is! I sure hope you enjoy the read. Be good and review! Thanks!