Chapter 7


On the way home, Katherine could not be chattier than she already had. She kept talking about Sal's family, Sal's family this... Sal's family that. I was ready to chop my ears off if she kept talking like that. Sure, his family was the nicest people I've met, but, stop talking, lil sis.

"Oh my god, like, he is soooo perfect for you, did you know that? It is so obvious why you are so hung up on him all this time. He was so nice, I thought those type of guys are extinct yet I met one today." She said dreamily, "and his eyes. Elena, did you see his eyes? I'm still contemplating whether they are baby blue, cobalt blue, or greyish blue. It is so unfair that a guy could have eyes like those."

"Okay, why are you this excited? I mean I'm the one who have crush on him and I still keep my composure," I teased.

"So, you admit that you have a crush on him. What are you, fifteen year old teenager?" she stuck her tongue out at me," I just can't believe that you have wasted so much of your time for a guy like Mason, when there is a man like Sal exists in this world. I believe that this is fate."

"Fate?" I asked doubtfully.

"Yes, fate, destiny, all things like that. You have been paired with Sal by God or whoever above, since forever. Just look at the facts, 'Lena. You met Sal at the time when you broke up with Mason, and you met him again in times when you needed someone, like, when you needed help with your flat tire," she explained seriously. I laughed cheerfully hearing her so positive, she continued talking, ignoring the sounds coming from my mouth, "Also, his family loves you. That kid, Charlie, couldn't take his eyes off of you, I saw it."

"Okay, maybe you're right," I said, finally thinking that whatever she said was make sense.

"Anyway, you have his number now, so you can call him whenever you like," she smiled as if she had won a lottery.

"Uh... about that, "I frowned, "He called me using a private number."

She was about to say something then closed her mouth, "At least you asked for his card or something?"

I went silent. Crap, I forgot. Again.

"Did you?"

I shook my head in defeat as I looked straight at the open road ahead of us.

"Oh, man. Why are you so stupid ?" she huffed.

"Hey!"


January rolled around, Katherine had to go back to D.C for her school and I was alone again in my house. Caroline and her team in MBD, who were so excited to find me an ideal partner in less than a year now started to sound worry because I haven't got someone in 'hot' zone yet, but still, she was positive that she would find me a perfect guy soon.

Honestly, this entire blind date thing started to make me rethink what the hell was I thinking when I applied for this? Was this worth all the money I have spent? Was this worth all of the gas for my car that I used to meet the candidates? I sighed when I think about the money; I have spent nearly two thousand bucks for this. I could easily buy the latest Louboutin heels or maybe the complete series of classic Goosebumps at the bookstore.

If only Sal would call me. Since December 25th to January 5rd, everytime my phone rang, Katherine and I would jump out of sofa or bed and reached it to find that it wasn't Sal calling. So many times, Katherine's disappoint face made me laugh because she was the one that was so eager for Sal to call me, well, besides me.

One night, I watched a TV program about Scott Peterson, a husband who killed his pregnant wife so he could marry his girlfriend. The show also told about the characteristics of people who cheated on their significant other. For women who were a home wrecker without knowing that she was a home wrecker, would face some of these indications. First, the guy would come and go as he pleased. Second, his life was all mysterious and secretive. Third, the guy would be so hard to contact.

My thoughts instantly went to Sal. I met him at the Fresh Market when he asked about the ingredients for caesar salad. Then, I met him again when I needed help with my flat tire, and without me asking, he helped. After that, he helped me again with Mason situation at the Halloween party that my company threw. If I was his side woman, why would he introduce me to his family? Wait, were they really his family? Oh my God, was Sal a wanted man and the police had been looking for him all this time?

So, for a few days I got no energy to do anything. There was some kind of fog so thick that covered my spirit corner inside me that made me kind of hard to breathe. I had to throw those things out the window and prepare myself for another blind date set up by Caroline. The candidate was a Damon Salvatore, a computer programmer, thirty years old, white, 5'10 feet. When I heard the description, I had a tiny bit of a doubt. As a computer programmer, he must have been a nerd with big, thick glasses, pale and dry skin due to lack of sun, and he was probably too skinny for his own good. However, his name was catchy, sounds like Italian, and most Italians are hot, so, whatever.

Caroline called earlier only to say, "I think he's the best candidate so far." So, yeah, I had to give him a chance even though I doubt it with all my heart.


Today, I wore a thick black coat because apparently the universe had a thing against me for going on a date with Damon. I brushed the thought to run before I even met him, then pushed the pedal to go in to the parking lot of the restaurant. I was only working half day since I have been working overtime from Monday to Thursday; God bless my boss.

Damon had agreed to meet me at The Grill, one of Mystic Falls favorite hangouts, and I was grateful for that because instead of going a blind date, with snow today I'd rather curled up on my couch with a novel on my lap. I checked my make-up on the rear view mirror before I went out of the car. Also, for the first time ever, I was wearing my glasses; don't worry it wasn't too thick to make me look like a nerd, because I had irritation in my right eye, impact of the contacts that I have always used everyday. I felt uncomfortable wearing it since it had been three years I'm wearing contacts when I'm out of the house. One of the reasons I felt so uncomfortable was because Mason told me that I look like a dork wearing it.

With slow but steady step, I went into the restaurant. I met with the hostess who said, "Your date is already here." Mmm... my date was punctual, I like it.

We walked to the table near the big French window, where I saw a guy with dark hair, leaning on a chair, wearing a navy blue t-shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his muscly arms. He was sitting with his back facing me so I couldn't see his face, but from the way he was dressed, he wasn't that bad. The woman informed him that I had got here.

"Hello, Elena," he turned around facing me.

Sal?!

"Sal?" I frowned slightly.

"Oh, you two know each other?" the woman in black and white uniform asked.

Then Sal explained to her about how we knew each other. She laughed and left the table.

The gentleman that he was, he pulled up my chair and I sat in front of him. He was back to his seat as soon as I sat.

I was still in shock to find out my date was Sal. How in the world did that happen? I was sure that my face now turned to bright red and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Breathe, Elena, breathe," he said playfully, twinkle in his bright blue eyes.

I did as he told, and I felt my brain had working by itself because of the oxygen had been transferred to it. I realized that I'd been played.

"What game are you playing at?" I hissed.

He looked straight into my eyes, confused, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh do not play dumb. Do you think it's funny to play me that way? You act all gentlemanly yet I know what you are trying to do. Do you have a wife at home? Am I your secret woman or something?" I babbled angrily. If he said yes, that he was playing me, I would splashed him with the cold water in front of me. I was not kidding.

"Your family looks fine. A nice parents, a great brothers and sisters. And your mother, she will be so disappointed if she knew about this. Oh, or maybe those weren't your family at all? You'd better have a good reason or I will call the police and report you," I threatened, I was ready to grab my phone in my bag.

He was looking at me like I was speaking in alien language with his perfect sculpted jaw dropped and he went still. I didn't even know why I brought up the police in this situation, the only makes sense explanation was this guy had been playing with me, and as far as I know, that wasn't criminal criminal.

Then, he laughed. He laughed as if I had told him the greatest joke of the history. His body was shaking uncontrollably and he kept laughing.

Seeing he laughed at me, I was ready to throw that fancy menu in front of me directly at his freaking head. How could he laugh after I accused him like that? Did he think I'm joking? I wasn't.

People started to look at my table because of Sal's hysteric laugh and I got uncomfortable, "What's so funny? I just said that I will call the police. Do you think this is funny?"

"You," he said curtly, then laughed again. I leaned my back to the chair, waiting for him to finish laughing.

After a minute of two, he finally stopped laughing. Tears were forming in his eyes make them looked like crystals. He grinned, "Why did you think I am cheating, right now, with you?"

"You're mysterious," I said without thinking. What else could I say?

"I don't have any secrets," he responded. His eyes showed that he really meant it.

A waiter came to ask for our orders. He ordered something I couldn't possibly know what then he asked me what I want. How should I know what I wanted? All foods were too fancy for my taste.

"Um... lamb chop, please," I chose the only thing in English. The waiter went leaving me and Sal again.

"So, your real name. Is it really Sal? Or Damon?" I asked curiously because I have fed up being lied to by this guy in front of me.

"My friends in college called me Sal because I like Salmon and also my surname is Salvatore, as you can see," he handed me his driver's license and I took it immediately. I scanned it very carefully.

"My real name is Damon Salvatore. My family calls me Damon. Only my friends call me Sal," he explained. "And for your information, the people I introduced you to are my real family; my real mom and dad, my real brothers and sisters, my real nephew. I'm pretty sure my mom would get a heart attack if she knows what you were saying about her," he smirked.

"Oh," I didn't know what else to say. Should I apologize to him? "Okay," I started, "I'm going to call you Damon, because personally I think Sal is not suit you. You can't ignore me when I call you Damon," I stated.

He nodded, still, with a grin on his face showing me his full white teeth.

"Oh, and as far as I know, I have never been married, so, no wife yet. I can say that I am perfectly single and ready to start our relationship," he said casually as he sipped his wine that came earlier.

"What kind of relationship are we talking about?" I asked carefully. Was he trying to make me his girlfriend? After just one date?

"Dating, a serious one."

"Well, why haven't you given me your number if you want a serious relationship?" I challenged.

"You want my number?" he seemed surprise.

"Of course," I mumbled shyly. "Forget I said that," I snapped from my own thought.

"No, no. Here, give me your phone," he extended his arms, asking for my phone.

I hesitated then pulled out my phone and gave it to him, "What do you want with that?"

He ignored me and punched some numbers in it, "Done. You have my number now."

He put the phone on the table in front of me, "I'm sorry I didn't give you my number before, I was afraid that I'm too forward and scared you away," he continued.

"That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard," I huffed then took my phone when the waiter came with our foods and place it on the table.

"Uh... I don't see any 'Damon' here," I scrolled through my contacts.

"It's in 'H.'"

I did find a new contact name here under the name 'Hunny Bunny.' I called the number; put the object on my ear, and Damon's phone vibrated on the table next to his plate. He picked it up and put it against his ear, "Now, you have my number," he smiled.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I heard him spoke. I have been lost in my thoughts apparently.

I shook my head, blushing. Because I was just thinking about Katherine, Jenna, and Caroline would react. All of them would be on their feet singing happily and yelled 'go get him!'

He seemed uncomfortable and said, "Look, you don't have to put my number under the name 'Hunny Bunny,' I was just messing with you. Bad joke, on my part." He cursed in silent.

"No, no, it's fine," I said nonchalantly

He still looked like I have just killed his puppy, I grabbed his hand on the table and smiled reassuringly, "Really, it's fine. I kind of like it."

He smiled back with his charming smile and said, "How long have you join MBD?"

"Seven months or something." I let go of his hand and immediately lost the warmth and I hated it.

"I want to know more about you," he said suddenly when I sipped my wine and almost choked on it.

"I'm going to get the bill," I said as I wave my hand for the waiter and he came with a bill. "Uh, is there something wrong?"

"You're leaving?" he asked in surprise.

"No, we are. Come on," I stood and tugged his hand. He followed my lead and we went to the cashier. I asked for our foods to be taken care of. He paid then. For both of us. Could he be any sweeter?

"Do you know Maple Street? I live on the 12th Maple Street." I informed him as soon as we got out of the restaurant.

"Yeah," he answered hesitantly.

"You can follow my car. Or meet me there," I suggested.

"We can meet there."

I told him that and we went to our own way. Well, he wanted to know more about me, might as well take him home to let him see the real me.


Now let the courtship begins!

I'm probably gonna update once a week or something because I'm gonna have to read the novel again since it's been years. I know, I'm sorry for being so so late, I got distracted by many other things.

Drop a review, let me know what you think ;)

Have a nice weekend!