Once the lights had come back on the crowd went wild. They all clapped and cheered, asking for more but you could tell that was the only treat for the night. It took me a second to regain my composure, I've never seen a show like that in my life or a woman like that.

I chugged the rest of my drink and let Matt refill it. Now I see why this place is so popular, besides the drinks, girls, and protection from rival mobsters, the shows here were unfathomable.

Before I could take another sip of my drink Alaric and Jenna had walked over to me and Stefan. The two exchanged a handshake while Jenna sat quietly next to Ric and Matt brought them something to drink.

"I see you enjoyed the show," Ric said sippig his wine.

"More then enjoyed it, he couldn't keep his eyes of Elena," Stefan chuckled.

I gave a quick glare and he just smiled. Sometimes little brothers were a pain.

"Shes amazing isn't she?" Alaric asked me.

All I could do was nod. For the first time in my life I was speechless and it was caused by the beauty and talent of a woman.

"The first time I seen her sing and dance I stopped and listened to her voice. She was so young and I couldn't believe a girl so small had a voice that big. I told myself, shes go it, shes special, I knew it, I could feel it. Then just like that she became part of everything I began to work for," he said looking off into the memory of seeing Elena.

I listend as Ric talked. This Elena was something special, something that only came once in eternity and that made me all the more want to meet her. It was not just a want but a need.

"A gal like that needs a man in her life. That security," I told him.

Jenna sat up straighter and grabbed Ric's arm, he glanced down at her and something had passed between the two.

"Thats not gonna happen Damon," he said to me. "Elena doesn't need to get involved with a man like you."

"Your no different from me Ric," I said.

I didn't understand what was going on here and neither Matt nor Stefan decided to explain. Why would they? A former mobster and a killer were facing off.

"Your gonna stay away from her and thats final Damon," he told me.

I tilted my head to the side. "And why is that Ric? Afraid I'll take her away from your big business?"

"Because shes our daughter Damon," Jenna said.

Elena

Once I had gotten off the stage and took a breath everyone came up to me congratulating me on the show. I was handed roses and people wanted autographs and photos. Sometimes Alaric would let a small handful of people backstage to meet me, Caroline and Bonnie but I was mostly the one who got the attention.

That never sat well with her because the attention I got, she wanted. She wanted to be the famous singer in the city so she could get record deals and movie offers from Hollywood. Her dream to was to be famous. I only did this because I loved it and Caroline just liked to have fun.

"Elena your so beautiful!"

"Elena let me get your autograph!"

"Caroline my daughter loves you!"

"Bonnie your amazing!"

"Elena whats it like the be the best Jazz singer in Chicago!"

"Bonnie will you continue to work here or move on?"

"Caroline hows the Mob life treating you?"

"Marry Me, Elena!"

The crowd kept yelling at Bonnie, Caroline and I. We just smiled and took as many photos and autographs as we could and tried to answer a few questions. When the crowd started getting a little rough Tyler and Mason came in.

"Alright everyone, we have to let the ladies get through. Move back," Mason said as he started to push them towards the door.

The crowd started to get upset so some more security guards came to help him while Tyler guided me and the girls to our private dressing room. When were safely behind the door we each went to our mirrors.

"Thanks Tyler, it was getting hard to breathe out there," Caroline said putting her robe on and taking a seat in her chair.

"Yea sometimes those people get a little wild," Bonnie told him while she started cleaning her stuff up. After every show she gets all her stuff together so she could leave. Bonnie never tries to be friends with me and Caroline as much as we keep trying.

"No problem," Tyler smiled as he made his way over to me.

I was putting all the roses I got into a vase and tried to ignore him. A few days ago we 'broke up' after a few months of having a little thing going on. For me it was still a little awkward and I felt bad because he was such a nice guy.

"You guys know I'll always be here to protect you," he said but I know he was mostly talking to me.

"Well your about the only security guard I trust, besides Mason. The rest of them look at me creepy," Caroline said checking herself in the mirror.

Tyler moved his attention away from me and walked over to Caroline. "Well your one part of Chicago's best trio of Jazz singers, you can't blame them for staring. But if it makes you feel any better, spending one day with you three will make them all want to jump in the river."

Caroline playfully slapped Tyler on the chest and he laughed.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bonnie throw on her jacket and move towards the door. Ignoring Tyler and Caroline I headed over to her.

"Bonnie," I called.

She stopped and turned giving me a slightly annoyed look. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to say good job tonight on the show, you were really amazing," I told her. I don't know why she hates me, I don't want the things she wants.

Bonnie sighed. "Thanks. See you later."

She turned to leave again.

"Bonnie wait-"

"Elena stop trying to get us to be friends," she snapped.

I tensed. "What?"

"Were not friends and were not going to be, so quit trying," she said and left.

I stood frozen in my spot surprised about what Bonnie said. What have I ever done to her?

Standing there wishing I knew what to do about Bonnie I felt Caroline put her arm around me. "Hey don't worry about it Elena. Thats just Bonnie for you."

"Yea, you know you tried to be the better person. Don't let her get to you like that," Tyler said.

"I just don't understand. I've never done anything to her, I've never tried to take away her fame, never stood in her way and she just hates me," I said.

When Bonnie first came to The Ritz she was really nice and I was super excited to work with her but after the first few days she started to hate me.

"Don't worry about it Elena, she isn't worth it. Caroline are here and were your friends okay?" Tyler said to me.

I looked at him and nodded. He pulled me into a hug and I fell in easliy. Any girl would be really lucky to have him, hes so caring.

"Well now that its emotional in here I'm going to get some rum, see you lovebirds later," Caroline said changing out of her robe and into a jacket. She flipped her hair and walked out the door. I'll never understand that girl.

Tyler and I just laughed at her. "Sometimes I wonder about her," Tyler said sounding like he was reading my thoughts.

"Don't we all," I said pulling out of his arms and going back to my mirror. After shows I go out on the floor and talk to a few people and hang out with Jenna and Alaric.

Tyler walked over to me and I could see his face staring back at me as I took off some of my excess makeup. "What?" I asked.

"Just wanna make sure your okay,' he said.

"I'm fine," I told him.

Tyler didn't move.

"Tyler I'm fine," I said. "I promise."

He pulled me up toward him and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Will you talk to me please?"

"Theres nothing to talk about Tyler, its over. I'm sorry," I shrugged.

I didn't want to hurt him anymore then this but he was making it difficult for me.

"I understand Elena, I just want to make sure that this is how you feel because once I walk out that door, theres no going back to this," he said.

I nodded. "I know but its right, for both of us. I need to see whats right for me and right now this isn't it."

"I get it, you don't have to explain," Tyler said letting his arms drop from around me.

"Tyler don't do this."

"No I understand I do. Your right this is better for both of us," he half smiled. "It was fun while it lasted."

I smiled. "Yea it was, we had great times together."

Tyler kissed me on the forehead. "I'll see you on the floor."

I nodded. "Okay."

He walked over to the door and let himself out. I was alone in the dressing room now so I went over to my rack to take off my dress for the show and threw on a more comfortable one. Once I finished putting on my stockings and strapping my heels I walked out the door.

When I got on the floor people congratulated and complimented me, I said hello to some friends and took autographs for others. When I finally spotted Alaric and Jenna I made my way over to them, I saw Matt was with them and Stefan but I couldn't recognize the man with them. When I finally got a good look at him I stopped.

His hair was so black, his face rugged, he carried himself with confidence. His body language was daring, as if he was challenging you to confront him. He was like a Viper, looked like a common snake but had a deadly attack. The way smirked made him handsome, his lean body you want to run your hands over and gosh those ice blue eyes that pierced your soul.

Who was this man? I need to meet him.

A/N: So I know it was probably awkward reading that Tyler and Elena scene but I was just establishing Elena's life before Damon enters into it and don't worry there won't be anymore Elena and Tyler scenes like that :) The chapters will be longer to express more of where this is going.

Also I have this list of 1920s slang words that I got from my history teacher when we were studying this era. If you guys want me to use it let me know. I used a few words the first chapter. If you guys do want me to use it at the beginning of the chapter I'll post what words will be used and at the end I'll write what they mean. Thanks for reading!