12:00-15:00pm

The day grew to be quite swell. The air smelt of roses, the streets were overpopulated with fashionable people rushing their parties, and Elena strolled quietly exuberating her charm with the least amount of effort. It was still terribly early and Elena lacked imagination as to what she should do. It was true that she had quite a lot of friends, possibly people who were not that bad, but she simply could not stand them before nightfall. Their petty discussions of meaningless things seemed irritating to no end, so Elena decided that she should remain in her own company, enjoying solitary delight for as long as she could, for she knew that once she arrived at the party people would stick to her like glue. Taking short, minimalistic steps in the direction of La Louvre, Elena rejoiced in the grandiose building and all the art it held inside. The wet ground made her feel cold, but as she stepped towards the entrance Elena's heart began to race as if returning home.

The Louvre held a specific memory for her. It had been a part of her since that very day. It had been a sunny morning, not a single cloud in sight, the sun brightening and burning, so much that to escape it one had to stay indoors. Elena's father had arranged for the two of them to have lunch with Mr. Salvatore and Damon. He and Salvatore were old friends and had even deigned in the army together so now delighted in each chance they had to meet. They'd agreed to meet near the grand museum and when they did, not being able to withstand the sweltering heat, they took refuge in the dark and damp halls of the building which housed what Elena loved. She was fifteen then. Remembering now, she had eyed Damon rather curiously when he'd smiled at her as no other boy had ever done before. With a certain unfriendliness, yet overt charm. Elena had frightfully mistaken his feelings towards her then and assumed he disliked her. How naïve she'd been!

They walked alongside, their fathers walked a further distance back. Elena knew Damon looked at her intently, but she regarded each painting and sculpture in close detail, as if each piece was the only piece in the room. The admiration Elena felt for the art, made her heart ache that she didn't have any impeccable talents such as painting or even writing. It made her feel disappointed. Lost in thought Elena had missed all of Damon's, who was two years older than her then, efforts to seduce her and pull her into his web of girls who'd fallen for him. Once Elena turned to him, to see if he was still beside her, that is, Damon looked around, ascertaining that their fathers were not around or close to them in the least, and kissed Elena, stroking her curled hair away from her face, trying to understand his deep need for this girl, so appeared so inscrutable and lovely.

Elena had been terribly frightened. To her it hadn't even seemed as if Damon had found her sensible, but now she assumed a cheerful expression, still seeded with anger that he'd been so unmannerly blunt.

"What on earth? You should not have done that! We don't even know each other,"

"Oh shucks. It was good wasn't it, doll?"

Elena felt as if he was patronizing her and took a step away as he tried to go for it again.

"I cannot simply go around engaging in … promiscuities with everyone. I have a reputation to think about. I suggest you leave me be from this moment further,"

Damon eyed her with a bothered glare.

Elena decided to act quickly and rationally. She endured the warnings of her heart and left him before he had a chance to leave her. Turning on her heel, she slowly and delicately walked away and turned to the first painting she could find. It ached. Her heart felt shattered. Why had she escaped what might have possibly been a perfectly wonderful match? She had liked Damon from the first moment they had met. Then she remembered all the tales of woe people had told her about him. A seducer of girls, of dubious character and entirely irritating with all his over forced charm. Before she knew it Elena was called by her father and they left the pleasant museum and attended a restaurant where they delighted in a glorious lunch of lentil soup, then honey lacquered duck breast and for dessert a lovely tarte aux amandes. During this lunch neither Elena nor Damon spoke. They simply exchanged mysterious glances which could not be comprehended. And so they spent their day. Elena remembered it so clearly. Her first kiss with Damon. Upon entering the museum her heart sunk and she almost wanted to leave, but feeling too much embarrassed to make such a silly move she decided to endure the museum until two in the afternoon at least. And so she wandered the great halls, regarding everything in impeccable detail and not once becoming lost amongst the labyrinths that were the museum itself. She knew each gallery by heart. Finally upon exiting the museum when she lacked strength to strain her eyes further, Elena felt broken and fatigued. It really was two pm now. Elena settled to go to a café and later found herself in the Café de Flore. It truly was magical being amongst all the intellectuals that gathered here although Elena felt rather awkward knowing she lacked the knowledge, creativity and experience to participate in the conversations around her. She delighted in a cup of very strong coffee to keep her spirits up and then simply sat, staring outside and losing herself in her thoughts, which now became more apparently somber.


The air was brisk even inside the café, so Elena gently ran her fingers over the goose bumps on her skin. There was a smile upon her lips that was misleading. It was ever present. Elena was thinking beneath the surface. Thinking about Damon once again. It was terrifying how much he was present in all her thoughts. A memory could surface at any given moment and Elena couldn't help but remember, because every memory she and Damon had shared had been truly meaningful in one way or another, whether it was deplorable or joyous.

Three years ago, when she was seventeen there was a ball organized by her school. A truly dreadful event and Elena had settled for an even more despicable companion. There was nothing he could tell her, not even a single quiver would she make when she touched her softly. He was bland, disposable and truly unentertaining. They danced, her ivory dress falling softly to the ground moving soundlessly upon the marble, her eyes inexpressive, her smile lost and her body screaming for adventure. Just as a dance had ended Elena released him and desired to disappear when she noticed a familiar visage. Damon walked into the room, elegantly and first and foremost respectably dressed, his hair combed back a gentile smile gracing his usually seductive and cruel face with over prominent cheekbones. Elena eyed him curiously, desperately desiring to know which of the pretty faces he would choose to behold and dance with. As he came towards her, Elena's heart race and she heard nothing of his dialogue with her miserable companion, but she simply knew that she was in his arms and they were swaying to the rhythm of a waltz.

"You look lovely, darling,"

"I do hope you are not mocking me. But thank you. I see you have no concern regarding the rudeness you expressed towards my date,"

"I could see how miserable you were from the door. I believe you to be rather relieved and grateful,"

"Why are you dancing with me?"

"You appeared to be the most sensible and attractive company. Also I want to lure girls to me otherwise it is too much work. Jealousy and envy are key. We're old friends, you will not mind surely?"

Elena kept back a frown and tears. Damon was obviously planning to leave her once he found a suitable victim for seduction and she would be left alone. And what was worst was that she would be left alone by someone she deeply loved. Probably too much for her own good to the point where losing her dignity to not lose him was a very likely probability.

"Of course, I don't. Do what you must," Elena finally said in a clear voice with an unnoticeably genuine and honest smile. Not today. She would not fall below her standards today for someone like him.

The music stopped playing and with an icy glance directed towards Damon's piercing eyes she left in order to find a place to rest since she did not intend to dance further. As she entered a sitting room, her hand was caught by the tough grip of a male hand.

"Elena, where are you going?" Damon asked with genuine care, his eyes looking kinder than she'd ever seen them.

"You do not need me anymore surely. Girls were eyeing you as soon as you entered the room,"

"How can you be so hopelessly naïve?"

"Pardon? I cannot stand this. You insult me every time we meet. I have not committed a sin against you. Leave me be," Elena tried to break for his grasp, yet he held her tight and pulled her close. Damon looked into her eyes making her feel terribly uncomfortable, yet one minute more and her heart would burst within into pieces from anticipation. They were standing against each other

"Elena," Damon stroked her hair and looked decisively at her rosy lips, "All I ever wanted was you," His lips fell upon hers and they increasingly lusted for each other. A kiss seemed not enough. The want, the passion that had been there seemed to become unbearable. Elena placed her hands against Damon's chest and pulled him closer by the folds of his suit. They could not be closer together, yet felt inexplicably apart.

"Damon," Elena moaned under her breath and through the kisses Damon was placing upon her lips one by one. He shushed her and they moved against the wall. Damon placed his knee between her legs, making her grant him access to her body. His icy touch upon her thigh made her tremble and she felt him unclasp her garter. At that point Elena knew she had to stop this. At any given moment someone could walk in and she would be ruined and Damon would quite probably not desire her any more after that. "Damon, stop it. Stop,"

Damon broke from her and looked at her in a vicious manner. His cruel streak had reappeared and Elena did not want to hear the insults which would fall upon her for once again denying him as her lover, companion and much more.

"I don't believe this Elena. How can you be so stubborn? I know that you like me. You make it so terribly obvious; blushing every time you see me, shiver every time I touch you and when we are finally alone you refuse me as if I were someone you loathed deeply. Why?" With this he was once again up close, nearly kissing her, but in truth awaiting the answer, which Elena was unable to grant him.

"Don't ask me such things. I simply do not want us to be caught," Damon rolled his eyes and placed his hand at the small of her back and moved so she could feel his body press into her, his arousal becoming awfully evident. That very moment there were light steps heard near the door and Elena sprung from Damon's compromising hold, leaving him unsatisfied and rushed out of the room.

Sitting in the café now Elena remembered that night as clearly as if it had been yesterday. The sensations she'd felt she had not felt again, by the touch of any other man. Elena turned her eyes towards a table of men who were talking passionately of surrealism and so desperately wished to join them. At times she truly did want to lose all the worldly possessions she had and live in bohemian poverty writing stories that inspired her very being and talk to people such as the poets that had gathered here. She would live somewhere warm in Nice par exemple and when she had enough money she would travel to Paris and walk through the streets as if seeing it for the first time again, everything seeming new and fresh. Elena despised feeling like the caged bird, yet could not change her feelings. If only she had Damon, love would be enough for her to summit true happiness and drop all those notions that filled her head, because they really were a means of escape from the suppressed feeling of loneliness she felt.

The girl sat there looking downwards at the table and her long lashes covered her eyes. Outside rain was drizzling pleasantly and soon she was on her way once more. She walked her head raised to the sky and delighted in the drops which fell upon her face. Close behind was Damon. He regarded her with such genuine admiration and wished to put his arms around her and caress her for all eternity. If only she would let him. The clock struck three in the afternoon.


Note/ Hope you found this chapter delightful and look forward to more! Please be so kind and review!