A Year To Prove You Wrong
Chapter 4
Caroline was at her desk simultaneously preparing the file for Stefan's next meeting and researching more bars. Last night hadn't gone exactly as planned what with Enzo turning up unexpectedly, and what was supposed to be visits to two bars had ended up being only the one as Enzo had been more engrossed in Bonnie then giving her any real opinion on the place. He just told her he liked the bar and went back to staring into Bonnie's eyes, with her staring at him right back.
Idiots, she thought affectionately.
Tonight they would go to the second bar, and hopefully fit in a third bar if possible. Bonnie and Enzo better keep their flirting to a minimum tonight, or at least tone it down so that they could actually get a feel for the place. It wasn't that she was unhappy for her friend, she was absolutely delighted that Bonnie was showing interest in another man after her last disastrous relationship. She deserved to be happy. It was just that this was for her work, and she desperately wanted to prove herself to Stefan. She wanted him to see her as capable, reliable, and exceptionally good at her job.
Before she could get lost in her thoughts any longer the intercom sparkled to life with Stefan's deep tone, "Come in, Ms Forbes." She pushed the button and responded, "I'll be right there, Mr Salvatore."
Caroline grabbed the file she had, and made her way into Stefan's office. He was in his usual position behind the desk, but for some reason he looked more relaxed than she had seen him. His suit jacket was opened, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, and he had a small smile on his face. She noticed that he had been doing that more, smiling, not just fake charming smiles but small real ones. Was he warming up to her?
Bonnie's words echoed in her head, He likes you... She swallowed at the impossibility of the thought, and shook it out of her mind straight away. She sent a smile at Stefan, and placed the file in front of him, "Here's the file for your next meeting."
Stefan opened it up, having a quick peruse as he asked nonchalantly, "How was the bar?"
Caroline chuckled, "I think Enzo liked the company more than the bar. But it is definitely a perfect location."
Stefan froze.
Caroline didn't notice Stefan tense, or that he became less and less relaxed the more she talked, "We only managed to view one place. I couldn't get him to leave so we are going to view more places tonight after work."
"Enzo was there?" Stefan's voice was dripping with disdain.
Caroline eyed Stefan with uncertainty at the return of his harsh voice, "Yeah... a twist of fate that he was there too. He is the client after all." She frowned at the coldness in his eyes, "His opinion is the one that matters. We are checking out "One Eyed Jacks" tonight."
"You and Enzo?" Stefan clenched his jaw, his fingers curled into tight balls.
"And Bonnie. Just like last night." Caroline giggled as she recalled their cute behavior towards one another, "Hopefully they'll be less flirting and more looking at the actual place."
"You were not there to flirt, Ms Forbes." Stefan growled, slamming his palms against the desk, "You were there to prove to me that you are up to this job." He shook his head scoffing, "Once again you failed."
Caroline bristled as his tone and his words. When had she ever failed him? She did everything he asked, was always on time and prepared for the day in advance. He has given her a task, barely even two days ago, and she couldn't see how she could have possibly failed him within that time.
Stefan continued despite Caroline's silence, "We have a review coming in a month's time. With my father."
"We do." Caroline gasped, "With your father directly?"
Stefan rubbed his forehead, "My father is the only one who oversees me. He doesn't trust anyone else to give an honest criticism of my work." He crossed his arms over his chest, "So he does it himself."
Caroline had never felt more terrified. Guissepe Salvatore himself would be in front of her scrutinizing their work. She could understand why Stefan might be a little uptight at that, and as his assistant she would bare the brunt of whatever pressure induced emotions he felt. It was part of the job. She was still hurt at his harsh words.
"You need to stay professional while you are out there, because you are not only representing this company, but me and my father as well." Stefan's face was stern, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Caroline, "I will not let your inappropriate flirting ruin that."
Caroline was so angry right now. She hadn't been the one flirting, her best friend had. She had been the only one to truly check out to see if it was the right place. It had been. But she wouldn't tell Stefan, not after his outburst. No matter how hurtful and mean he got she wouldn't snap at him, but if his behavior didn't change she would go straight to his father. Maybe he could teach his son how to be civil and polite.
Caroline took a deep breath to try and control her temper. She pursed her lips, swallowing down the words she wanted to say, and instead said, "What do you want me to do? I am working to find the perfect venues for Enzo. What else can I do?"
"Work quicker." Stefan smirked, his green eyes boring into Caroline's, "Pull this off before we meet my father and we will have another thing to show him what we've accomplished."
Caroline felt like shooting back with "What she'd accomplished" not what Stefan had. Which was nothing beside being pissed off by Enzo, and unhappy at the attention he thought she wanted from him. She didn't, plus it was quite obvious that he wanted Bonnie. So she swallowed down the words she wanted to say, "I better get back to it then, Mr Salvatore."
Stefan turned his face down to read the file she gave him, and he gave a dismissive wave to Caroline.
Caroline spun around, left his office while resisting the urge to slam the door, and went back to her desk. Inside she was fuming at Stefan.
The rest of the day passed in near silence between them.
Caroline was closing down her computer, and clearing her desk ready for tomorrow. Hopefully Stefan would be in a better mood, otherwise it would be as charged and painfully long as this day had proven to be. She couldn't wait to get out of there, and let her hair down.
Screw Stefan Salvatore, she was having a good time tonight and she would not think about him at all. Not one stray thought would cross her mind tonight.
She put her jacket on, then placed her purse on her shoulder. She gave a look to Stefan's shut door, her brow creasing as her shoulders slumped. NO! No, I will not think about that asshole anymore today. She took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and turned around to walk to the elevator without saying goodbye for the first time.
She heard a crash from behind her, coming from the direction of Stefan's office, but she resolutely ignored it, and entered the elevator.
Stefan who? She thought with a huff.
Caroline walked into "One Eyed Jacks" searching the crowd for Bonnie and Enzo. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she saw them dancing close. She decided to get a drink first before she interrupted them.
The bar was horseshoe shaped, lit candles on the bar, and the bottle of spirits behind the bar were lit up giving off a bright glow. Their were chandeliers on the ceiling, which added to the ambiance. She liked it immediately. She paid for her drink, then headed off to see Bonnie and Enzo.
Bonnie noticed her first, a wide smile on her face, "Hey, Care! This place is so cool."
Caroline laughed, "I like what I see."
"It calls to me." Enzo added his opinion, his arm curled around Bonnie's waist as he kept her close, "You have impeccable taste, gorgeous. You've already found two out of three places already."
Caroline blushed at his praise, "As long as you like it, that's what matters."
"You don't care for Stefan's opinion?" Enzo raised his eyebrow, a smirk curling his lips.
Caroline narrowed her eyes, clenching her hand around her glass, "It do not want to hear the name Stefan Salvatore again tonight."
"Ah!" Enzo grinned, "I see you've had the pleasure to be on the receiving end of his legendary Salvatore charm."
"I don't wanna talk about it." Caroline tipped her head back, and knocked back the contents of her drink wincing as it burned. She shuddered before plastering a bright smile on her face, "I just wanna have a good time. Do you guys want another?"
Bonnie and Enzo shook their heads no.
Caroline walked back to the bar, ordering herself a double whiskey this time. She smiled her thanks, and decided to have a scout around. She sipped her drink this time, not wanting to become completely drunk.
The showroom was in the back, a bigger space than the previous location but still small enough to have that feeling of intimacy with the crowd. It had flocked crimson wallpaper, and vintage nudes on black velvet. She blushed at that, though they were very tasteful pictures and each girl was beautiful.
It was perfect. She guessed Stefan would get his wish for her to finish her little project quickly. Caroline growled at the stray thought, she was barely here an hour and she had already thought about him.
No more. That would be the last thought of Stefan all night.
Caroline was slightly tipsy, giggling away dancing with Bonnie and Enzo. Her hands were sunk in her hair as she gyrated her hips to the beat of the music, getting completely lost in the music. It felt good to let go.
"Don't want to spoil your good time, gorgeous." Enzo spoke quietly, his eyes narrowed on something behind her, "But we have an unwelcome visitor..." He smirked as he spotted another person enter, "Or two."
Caroline frowned, pulling her hand out of her hair as she looked behind her. Her eyes widened, and she sucked in a breath. She couldn't believe that who was coming towards her was really there so she reached across to her other arm to pinch her skin, "Ow."
She wasn't dreaming. Stefan and Damon Salvatore had just walked in, and we're making their way towards her, Bonnie and Enzo. She jumped as she felt an arm slide around her shoulders, she turned her head to look to find Enzo winking at her, his other hand was around Bonnie's shoulder. She didn't know whether to be annoyed or grateful. She settled for rolling her eyes, the hint of a smile on her lips.
Damon and Stefan reached them, one wearing a smirk, the other frowning. Not hard to distinguish who had which expression.
Enzo smiled at his friend, "Damon, good to see you."
"Drinking without me, brother?" Damon smirked, shaking his head, "I thought I was your drinking buddy?"
Caroline noticed Stefan flinch at the use of the word brother. What was with the three of them? Enzo and Damon were best friends, Stefan and Enzo couldn't stand each other, and Damon was caught in the middle between them.
"You are. Usually." Enzo laughed, tightening his arms around Caroline and Bonnie briefly, "But when two beautiful ladies offer their company. Well." He wiggled his eyebrows, "You're the loser, mate."
Damon laughed, "I can't exactly argue with that." His smile widened as he looked at Caroline, "I told you we would see each other again, Caroline."
Caroline rolled her eyes, "And I've been counting down the hours until that happened again, Mr Salvatore."
"Call me Damon." Damon winked.
Caroline wrinkled her nose, "I'll stick with Salvatore, thanks."
"Which Salvatore?" Damon grinned devilishly, his eyes smoldering, "We could have so much fun."
"I'll not interested in your type of fun." Caroline shot back, narrowing her eyes at the smirk that refused to go down on his face. God, she hoped their father wasn't as annoying as his sons were. She caught Stefan smirking out of the corner of her eye and she just wanted to scream. All she wanted was to not think about him for a night, but of course that meant that he would turn up here.
"Well aren't you a looker." Damon held his hand out to Bonnie, not so subtly checking her out, "I don't believe we've had the pleasure. I'm Damon."
"Bonnie." Bonnie took his hand in hers, smiling sweetly up at him, "And I'm not interested."
Caroline, Stefan, and Enzo laughed at the swift rejection. Damon's ego had taken a battering tonight, two quick rejections from Caroline and Bonnie deflated him a little, but not for long.
"I know when I'm not wanted." Damon winked at the girl's before asking Enzo, "Fancy a drink, brother?"
Enzo nodded, "Sure." He slid his fingers through Bonnie's, smiling at her, "Coming, beautiful?"
Bonnie smiled widely, "I'd love to."
Bonnie and Enzo followed Damon, their hands intertwined.
Which left Stefan and Caroline standing in the middle of the dance floor rather awkwardly. Stefan shuffled uncomfortably in place, while Caroline tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What are you doing here?" Caroline asked, needing to know why Stefan was here of all places, "You knew I'd be here."
Stefan stuck his hands in his pockets shrugging, "My brother and I were in the neighborhood."
"At the same bar I just happened to be going to?" Caroline asked in disbelief.
"Coincidence." Was all Stefan said before staring awkwardly at each other again.
Before Caroline could form a reply someone bumped into her from behind sending her straight into Stefan. Her hands were against his solid chest, her nose brushing against his Adam's Apple, his masculine scent invading her senses and making her breath catch. He smelled really good.
She pushed herself back, her eyes catching with his, so close that she could see all the emotions swirling in his eyes. His eyes were greener than she'd even imagined, and the more she gazed into them the darker they became. She could feel his heart racing beneath her palm. She dropped her gaze to his lips, so temptingly close to hers that she could practically taste them already. Her breathing sped up, her eyes flicking back up to his. Their faces began to inch closer.
"Care!" Bonnie shouted.
Her best friend's voice was like a bucket of cold water, putting out the fire within her immediately. She gasped as she took a step back, dropping her eyes to the floor to avoid looking into Stefan's. She didn't even realize that he'd had his hands on her the whole time until she no longer felt the warmth of where his hands held her hips.
"I-I'm gonna get a drink." Caroline bolted, practically running to Bonnie, Enzo, and Damon. She knew that Stefan was behind her but she tried to ignore his presence, which was almost impossible, she could feel the heat of his body against her back, his deliciously alluring scent filling her nostrils.
Bonnie passed Caroline a drink, her eyes widening at how quick she drank it, "Want another?"
Caroline frantically shook her head, "How about we check out the other place?" She looked over at Enzo, "You're happy with this place right?"
"I am." Enzo answered, his eyes narrowing at how skittish Caroline appeared.
"So we might as well check out the other place." Caroline replied, anxious to leave and try and forget what she'd been about to do.
Enzo looked down to Bonnie, "You want to leave too, beautiful?"
"Sure." Bonnie took a quick glance at Caroline before smiling up at Enzo, "Sounds good to me."
Caroline let out a relieved sigh which caught in her throat as she felt Stefan's warm breath against her neck.
"Enzo has the hots for your friend, huh?" Stefan whispered huskily.
Caroline could only nod.
"My..." Stefan chuckled, sending a shiver down her spine, "What a little matchmaker you are, Ms Forbes."
Caroline felt her mouth go dry. She had to get out of there. She grabbed Bonnie's hand and practically pulled her out so that she could breathe.
What the hell was that?
The final place was "House Of Blues". All of them made their way inside, Stefan and Damon joining them as well. They all went straight to the bar, a cute red chandelier over the bar that she liked very much. Once they received their drinks they took a look around.
Caroline linked her arm with Enzo and told him, "They have a main hall which has an 850-capacity, which is more than you want." He nodded so she continued, "They have a smaller, 360-capacity adjacent space dubbed The Parish. Which I guess is still a bit more than you want. So they have the Voodoo Garden, which hosts free happy hour shows."
"So do you think I should sing for the happy hour crowd?" Enzo asked curiously.
"You could do that." Caroline agreed that was a possibility, but she had another idea, "Or you could use the medium space, and it would be your last show out of the three. Perhaps the one with the competition winners." Feeling insecure she chewed her lip, "What do you think?"
Enzo thought it over for a moment, sipping at his drink as he contemplated what she'd said. After a few moments he nodded his head and smiled down at her, "That sounds great, gorgeous." He pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Caroline giggled as she felt Enzo's stubble tickle her cheek. She had a wide grin on her face, her laughing eyes meeting Stefan's glaring ones from across the room. She sobered instantly, never taking her eyes off his as she knocked back her drink.
Oh yes, she was getting completely drunk tonight.
Arms cradling her close, warm and safe. Surrounded by a wonderful scent, she buried her nose further into the scent.
A deep rumble sounded from beneath her ear.
She felt softness against her back as the comforting presence left her. She grumbled, wanting it back. A moment later she felt something covering her.
She was just going into unconsciousness when something soft brushed her forehead, and something swiped gently down her cheek.
She was lost to darkness before she could even register what it was.
TBC
AN - I hope you all liked it! Loving how much you are enjoying this, warms my heart.