"You're completely off limits for more reasons than just one. But I can't stop." ~ Wonder, Lauren Aquilina

Ch.2

It had been so long since some one had cared. Cared enough to put Jeremy in his place. He knew it and so did she. They both continued to stare at the door in silence for a moment. Realizing that they both had missed it so much. It had been enough, enough to tip Elena's temper over the edge.

Jeremy was the first to break the silence.

"Elena, I'm done with this. I'll see you later." He said walking towards the door and reaching for the handle.

Elena's blood boiled at his apathetic nature. She knew what they had been though, but hadn't he forgotten she was here too? She stood up from her chair and stepped towards him.

"Don't you dare Jeremy Gilbert! You go back to that Grill and beg that man to take you back."

"I really don't think you get it. I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS."

"Jer, I really don't think that's a good idea. We really need this money! God why have you been so spirally this week? Like you couldn't possibly care what happens to you or me."

"Oh spare me the lecture Elena. You're not Dad and even if you were I'd still go. So don't fucking follow me." He said pulling open the door, and slamming it behind him. Elena slumped back into the chair she had stood in front of feeling helpless. This is going to be impossible she thought.

Just then her phone buzzed to life with a text from Caroline:

Care: I'm on my way over bitch and I've got the goods! Get ready for a girls night!

Elena responded quickly, her fingers hovering over her smart phone with ease.

Lena: Hurry! Have I got someone to fill you in on ;)

Care: OOOH INTRIGUE ;) can't wait to hear all about it! Glad to see you're using smilies again!

Elena sighed...of course Caroline would say that. Although she wasn't the emoji queen she still pulled out the old smilies when she felt like it. She simply hadn't wanted to in quite some time. She smiled thinking to herself of who had been the reason for that change, and the one person who had made her smile for the first time in months.

Damon.

He was mysterious, sexy as hell, completely 100% off limits, and she couldn't help but be drawn to him. Those piercing baby blues were enough to make you get lost in a daze for hours. Her pulse raced as she thought about what he could do to her in those few hours….

She obviously knew somewhere inside there was no way he was available, in more ways then one. He had to have been at least 5 year her senior, and on top of it her brother's boss. Which at the moment was the only job that was their main source of income. Elena sighed knowing that in a few months their inheritance would bottom out. Sure they had a house for now, but only because it was paid off, and left in the Gilbert name. With gears turning in her mind Elena got an idea. If Jeremy wasn't going to help out Damon, she would. Hopefully, in more ways than just one.

24 hours earlier…

Matt Donovan was pissed. This had to be the worst day of his entire existence. It all began with a phone call. "Hey Matty!" sang out the familiar tune of his mother and sister. "You'll never guess where we are!"

"At the store?" Matt asked groggily, waking up to rub the sleep out of his eyes.

"We're going to Bermuda Matty! We're at the airport right now." came his sister Vikki's voice. Matt stared in to the distance clutching the phone to his ear.

"How is that possible? I just saw you two last night for my shift at the Grill."

"Well, we met some real cuties and decided to go for it. I mean I just graduated…barely. And mom needed to get away so no big deal right?"

Right. Huge deal, since rent was due this week. He glanced at his emails noting the eviction notices, and the urgent reminders to pay for utilities.

"How are you affording this Vick?" Matt asked standing up from the bed, his anger seething in his veins.

"Mom of course!" stated Vikki without a care in the world.

"Oh we gotta go, we're boarding! Later." Matt heard a squeal of delight and then nothing. What am I going to do? His thoughts screamed.

Glancing at the clock on his nightstand.

11:20

It read, as he swore and grabbed his clothes. He was going to be late for work. Putting on his shirt and slacks he grabbed his phone and dialed. Holding his breath as he waited for one of his bosses to pick up. Luckily Damon did or he might have had a heart attack.

"Hello?" sang out Damon's voice. Matt was so relieved he'd gotten a hold of someone. Anyone who was sane would do.

"Hey boss. I'm coming in late, but I'll be right there!"

"Alright Donovan, but you better not stand me up like one of your prom dates." Replied Damon, attempting to be funny, when he was really dead serious. Jeremy hadn't shown up yet, surprise surprise, and Damon was in desperate need for some helpers on the Lunch rush.

He was getting sick of this. Even his most reliable workers like Matthew Donovan were coming in late. He was starting to think this job was a means to an end. I mean finding a job in this town was hard enough. Did this one really have to be this stressful? Hanging up with Matt, Damon stepped in for the third time this week waiting on tables. Not that he minded, he had bussed a few tables himself back in college at NYU. However, he did not expect this job to be so taxing, considering he was only doing it while he got his career off the ground in photography.

The rest of the day was a blur for Damon. Matt had come in and helped him host, wait tables, and serve. While there was no sign of Gilbert. Had he fallen off the face of the earth?! Attempting to call him was also out of the question, since they went straight to voicemail.

Talk about being stood up. Thought Damon as Matt waved at him while leaving for the night. They had just closed up at 10:00, hoping to save many from disappointment. After all if no one was going to show up to work, what use was it really to keep the doors open? His boss, Alaric Saltzman, had been on vacation and left him with the keys to the kingdom anyway. What did it matter really?

Damon locked up and fumed. He was going to find that little Gilbert and put some sense into him if it was the last thing he did. Looking up his information he began walking towards the white house on the corner block.

His ass is grass, thought Damon as he knocked on the door, and watched as his life began to change in an instant. Funny how all it took to change his day was a beautiful girl with deep brown eyes.