Sorry for not updating soon. But i have perfect excuse for it. EXAMS!

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THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN...

Elena was sitting on her hospital bed, looking at her clothes in the bag that Caroline had got for her a few moments ago. They were all very plain and conservative looking. Shirts, T-shirts, Jeans. Even her lingerie screamed 'I am a very good girl' at the top of it's voice.

Am I a virgin?

The thought made her really embarrassed. She was 21 years old for God's sake.

The thing is that Elena was trying to figure out what sort of girl she was before the accident and by looking at the clothes, she wondered if her father was a reverend.

Not that she was feeling suddenly slutty but she wasn't feeling like Mandy Moore either.

Spice up the wardrobe in New York? Check.

She was sure she wouldn't be having any problem in that department when her overactive and over bubbly friend was thinking about nothing but shopping.

Caroline was jumping around the place at the prospect of shopping in the city.

"Aaaah Elena, think about all the Gucci and the Chanel and the Dior and the Dolce and Gabbana shops that we will come across." Caroline said, with a dream like expression on her face.

"I am not interested." Elena said while flipping the pages of the Times Magazine. Well, she wasn't exactly flipping the pages, she was only pretending to. Elena didn't want her friend to know that her eyes were glued to the man owning the raven black hair and electric blue eyes and who looked deliciously sinful in a black suit.

She had come across the magazine accidently in the cafeteria while practicing her walk and when she saw Damon's picture in the magazine, she had carefully tucked the whole issue in her hospital gown like a freaking teenager stealing photos of her favorite actor.

Caroline kept on babbling while Elena kept on caressing his face on the magazine, wishing that she could do it in real life. The Times had dedicated the entire issue to the intelligent and hardworking businessman that was 'Mr. Damon Salvatore.' The article was making her both proud and horny.

"Elena, I think you should update your wardrobe."

"Hmmm."

"Your clothes are really old fashioned."

"Hmmmmm."

"Elena do you want to stay single for the rest of your life?" Caroline voice was on a higher octave this time but that wasn't what caught the brunette's attension.

"What do you mean? Of course I don't want to stay single." She frowned clutching the magazine tightly against her chest.

"Then you have to change your wardrobe because with the type of clothes you own, no guy is going to want you. You are going to Big Apple for God's sake. Dress up for the occasion." Caroline said softly.

And since that conversation, all Elena thought was about changing her clothes to make herself more attractive for Damon. She wanted him to notice her, to acknowledge her, to like her, to hold her, to kiss her, to….

She got up from the bed slowly and walked towards the mirror again. This time, the reflection showed only her and she started missing him standing beside her. The picture in front of her was looking a bit empty because he wasn't there to complete it, complete her.

The moment that she had shared with him in the morning was simply perfect. And it got ruined when he got a stupid phone call. At that time, she really had wanted to take his cell and flush it down the toilet as well as kill the person who had invented such an asshole device.

The magazine was still in her hands. She pulled out the page with his head-to-toe photo and threw the magazine onto her bed. Then she grabbed the page and held it against her chest, facing the mirror.

"Damn, even your picture produces butterflies in my stomach." She said to his reflection.

If anyone would have seen her at that time, they would have certainly called the mental institute to get her, but she didn't care. Looking at her, the phrase 'being crazy in love' seemed really true.

"I love you. I know it's really stupid but I have fallen in love with you in just 2 days. I feel an intense sort of connection with you, like I know you. Both inside and outside. I know that you said that you will never love anybody else but your fiancée but I have to try. I have to try to at least make you admit that you feel something for me because I know you do. You feel something for me and I see it in your eyes every time when we are in a same room.

I can't say all this stuff to your face and I can't share it with anyone else too. If I keep it inside me for a long time, I will probably go mad. So I am saying this to your picture like a crazy fan girl." She gave out a soft giggle.

"Thank you for doing everything for me. Thank you for taking care of me and my family. I will never be able to repay you that's for sure, but I promise to love you till the end of the time."

Suddenly, the door opened and Elena turned around abruptly. The paper in her hand fell down.

"Oh, you are here. Did Caroline give you your clothes?"

Elena gave a tight nod, as though her ability to speak had left her.

"What are you doing standing in front of the mirror?" Jenna asked suspiciously.

"I… I was looking at myself." Elena squeaked.

"And what's that piece of paper?"

Elena's eyes shifted down towards the paper. Damon's eyes were staring at her which of course made her squirm. She bent down quickly and threw the paper into the dust bin.

"I was cleaning the mirror while looking at myself." The moment the words left her mouth, all Elena wanted to do was throw herself out of the window.

I can't believe I am studying journalism in freaking Columbia. What was I thinking? No wonder Jenna is looking at me like I am retarded. I have to do something.

And then suddenly Elena started laughing as though there was no tomorrow.

"It was a joke Jenna. The paper was a waste and nothing else. It was just lying there and I don't even know how it reached there. You know all about papers right? They reach everywhere, without any reason."

Yeah, I should really stop talking because it looks as though she is ready to call the doctors in any second.

"You have taken your meds right?" Jenna asked.

"Yup." She replied nervously while stealthily moving towards her bed. The issue was still lying on her bed and she didn't exactly want her aunt to know that she was behaving like a creepy stalker.

"So, you have your clothes here. Alaric, Jeremy, Bonnie, Caroline and Damon would be joining us in any moment now and…why are you walking like that?" Jenna asked her niece when she saw her walking towards the bed like a woman who had just crapped her pants.

"My…ummm….my legs are paining a lot. So, I am having a bit of trouble in walking." Elena was surprised how the lie had fallen from her mouth so easily. As soon as she reached her bed, she sat on the issue to cover it from Jenna's eyes.

Jenna's eyes widened on hearing her complaint.

"Should I call the doctor? Since when have you been experiencing the pain? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Oh God, why am I still babbling? I should call…"

"Jenna stop it. I am fine now, it was nothing." Elena said, calming her hysterical aunt. It was really funny to watch her getting all riled up but it was also very touching to see that she cared for her.

"I am taking your word for it, but if you feel any sort of discomfort, you will tell me immediately. Got it" she gave her 'the eyes' and Elena quickly nodded her head.

"Good. Now, I am going to see where the rest of the guys are and then we will head out for the airport. Till then, take a rest and don't start cleaning anything else."

As soon as Jenna got out of the room, Elena sprang from her bed and rushed towards the dust bin. She took out the paper and gently caressed it to smoothen the it. She folded it neatly and tucked it into her jacket pocket.

Then she took the issue and put it inside her bag, underneath all her clothes. A smile was constantly pasted on her lips all the time and she was feeling giddy. Her stomach was churning on the prospect of seeing his face again and her legs felt all wobbly. Her heart was beating really fast and her eyes were glistening.

Now if that isn't the sign of love, then I don't know what else is.

"Have you got the plane ready Lucy...Great and call Raymond. I want him on the airport as soon as we touchdown. Tell him to bring securities with him, I have guests with me and I don't want the reporters hovering around us like animals, got it? And one more thing, tell Jones to update me with all the work from past week. I would like to have a look at them and I will probably come to the office tomorrow. Bye."

As soon as Damon finished barking the instructions to his secretary, he got into the car where all of them were waiting for him impatiently.

"You made all the arrangements?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes." And he replied like a faithful dog.

"Good, because I don't want any drama when we each there."

And Damon nodded his head. He felt Alaric giving him a comforting tap on the shoulder and all he could do was smile. A smile that was of course forced and held no meaning.

The car moved quickly towards his destination, towards Elena.

ELENA…

Had it not been for a phone call, Damon would have probably pushed her on the wall and kissed her. And for that thought only he had been cursing himself the entire time.

I have to be more careful around her. I can't act stupidly like a love sick fool. I made a promise to Jeremy to stay away from her. Stupid, stupid Damon. He scolded himself for the millionth time again.

He had already hurt her and last thing he wanted was to have her falling in love with him and then getting her heart broken away again.

He was a monster and he didn't belong in her life. She was better off without him.

But what Damon didn't know was that destiny had planned something else for them and it wasn't his choice to make whether Elena stayed in his life or not…

As soon as they reached the hospital, Damon took a deep breath to calm his nerves and control his heart which was beating frantically because of Elena.

"So, I will talk to Meredith and get Elena's discharge papers. You guys can get her. Right now, it's 1:00 pm. If everything goes on time, we will reach airport at 1:45 and then it will approximately take 4-5 hours for us to reach New York." Damon said but apparently, no one was interested in listening.

Caroline was blowing her bubble gum, Jeremy was busy on his cell and Bonnie was busy giving him dagger eyes. Only Alaric was the one that gave him a sympathetic look.

Damon gave out an exasperated sigh and started walking towards the hospital. And that, everyone got.

"So, she is safe to fly right? I mean won't there be any complications?" Damon asked the doctor for the millionth time.

"No Damon, she is safe to fly. And it's not like she is flying commercial. You own a private plane for crying out loud." And Meredith replied for the millionth time as she rolled her eyes.

Damon let out a chuckle.

"I really do wish that everything works out for both of you. And the next time I see you, I see you with Elena standing next to you." She smiled and Damon scoffed.

"Believe me, it will take one hell of a miracle for that to happen. And last time I checked, miracles didn't happen. And before you give the example of a mother giving birth to a baby let me tell you that it's not miracle. The term I would use is S-E-X." Damon smirked and Meredith shook her head in disbelief.

"I don't even know how Elena tolerated you." She sighed.

"Well, I did you use my miracle on her every night and she used to give me high pitched squeals and moans to show her gratitude."

And with that, Meredith pushed Damon out of her cabin.

"When Elena gets her memories back, I will advice her to practice abstinence." Meredith grinned.

Damon was feeling a lot of gratitude and respect for the doctor standing in front of him because in the time of need it was Alaric and her who helped him to maintain his sanity, giving him hopes and strength to live for her.

Damon Salvatore was never the one to believe in reincarnations but right now, all he wanted was to have another birth because he didn't know how he was going to repay Alaric, Meredith and his Elena.

Damon lunged forward and hugged the doctor tightly. Meredith understood him and hugged him back.

"Thank you." He murmured softly in her ears.

"Don't worry Damon. Everything will be okay. Have patience and faith in your love because never in the history of love has 2 souls been kept apart." She whispered back in his ears.

Damon knew that no way in hell it was going to be true but when he released her, he desperately prayed for a miracle to happen.

"So, we are going to New York." Elena looked at her family members awkwardly. The fact was that she was waiting for Damon. Alaric had said that he had gone to meet Dr. Fell but he had been gone for quite some time, something that didn't sit well with Elena.

"You can have your shout now Caroline. I know you are dying to shake your vocal cords." Jeremy said and the next thing she heard was a loud and obnoxiously irritating high pitched sound.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I still can't believe that we are going to New York. It was always my dream to visit the big apple and now it's finally coming true." Caroline said with a dream like expression on her face.

"All thanks to Damon." Elena said and the dream like expression vanished. It became more of a nightmare like expression. The scowl that Caroline was wearing on her face wasn't exactly subtle. And that made Elena's inside churn due to anger.

Before she could speak her mind, the door flew open and her blue-eyed stranger walked. His scent reached her nose and it immediately calmed her insides but as soon as she drank his sight, the calmness vanished. He looked absolutely sinful in his formal white shirt, black pants and black suit jacket. He looked like a CEO of a successful company. He looked mature which of course made Elena's mouth water and her body squirm.

"Everyone ready?" He asked, looking at Jeremy but all her brother gave him was a curt nod.

"I don't even know how to thank you for doing this." Elena said with all the gratitude and respect she could muster up for the beautiful man that was standing in front of her.

Damon gave a beautiful smile and she could feel her heartbeat stop for a moment.

"No problem. Believe me, it's for pure selfish reason. This way, I will be able to repay Alaric for all that he has done for me and I will be able to kick him out of my life." He winked at his best friend and Alaric, like a real mature person he is, stuck out his tongue at him.

Elena was trying really hard to keep her laughter inside.

"Can we leave, or do you want to continue this bromance stuff?" She saw Jeremy glancing at Damon and just like that, his smile disappeared. Pain and anger seeped in her heart because it was really rare to see her raven man smile and now, because of her brother, she couldn't even revel in that moment.

"Sorry. I will take the bags." He said acting like a freaking servant and that made Elena angrier.

"No need. They will carry their own bags. You are not a bell boy. And I want every one of you to speak with respect. The daggers eyes that you guys were giving him were not exactly hidden from me.

He does not know me but still he is doing so much for us, the least you people can do is treat him with some respect. " She said giving mean eyes to everyone in the room and fortunately, no one dared to argue.

One by one, they picked their own luggage and left the room. She then turned towards Damon and the view knocked the oxygen out of her lungs.

He was looking at her with such a pained expression that she felt her heart tearing instantly. She could see that he was trying his best not to cry but the moisture in his eyes said something else.

His jaws had hardened and his hands were flexed. It looked as though he was trying his best not let himself fall in front of her and break down.

"Why?" His sounded really heavy, probably because it was laced with sorrow and anger at the same time.

She understood his question.

Why did you take my side?

Why did you fight with your family over me?

She had only one answer to it. And it was a four lettered word. LOVE.

She decided it was now or never. Carpe Diem.

With a shy smile ghosting over her lips, she started walking towards him. She came really close to him and when she felt him walk away, she took his hands in hers.

His blue eyes that earlier held pain, were now sheltering confusion and panic.

His expression almost made her change her mind but she had to do it.

"Because I love you." She said and before she could get more words out of her mouth, he left. He left without saying anything. And that really broke her heart…..

"Why Elena?" she heard his voice again. She looked up and saw him standing there with the same pained expression and she found herself sitting o the bed. It took a few seconds for to understand that she was imagining it, imagining the whole scene.

Go and tell him. The voice inside her begged but the rational side of her brain scolded her for even thinking about it.

She got up from the bed and walked towards him. When she came close, he tried walking away, just like her imagination but she took his hands in hers and his expression changed to confusion and fear, just like her imagination.

"It's because you are a good man. I don't know why my family hates you, why they treat you like you are below them but when I see you, all I see is a man with heart of gold and someday, I hope, the others see him too."

It wasn't as good as 'I love you' but it was close enough because it was the truth. The truth that Elena was not afraid to share with him, the truth that Damon was not willing to face because he thought otherwise.

Elena didn't confess her love for him not because she wasn't ready or she was afraid. It was because he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready to hear those words from her because for some reason, he didn't consider himself worthy of it.

He is freaking Damon Salvatore, the youngest CEO and one of the richest men. He is beyond handsome and is very intelligent. But still for some reason, he behaved like a person with no dignity in front of her family and she didn't understand why. But she had to find out, she had to know and more than that, she had to make him love himself before she could ask him to love her.

And that was Elena Gilbert's main agenda for the next 6 month…..

Thank you for reading.

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