Kol's POV

It was horrible. Just pure agony for me to be around her. Elena.

"Hello Alaric". I spoke as I outstretched mine to shake his. He looked at me then down at my hand and turned towards Elena. What a...he's Elena's father you idiot, my conscience said, don't do anything.

"So you married him?" What kind of a question was that? He specifically stressed on the 'he'. What did that mean?

"Yes", Elena spoke with a conviction in her voice that I even I wanted to believe her. I frowned, she lied pretty easily but it was her eyes or maybe the way she stood, that made me realise that there was no way in hell Alaric was going to believe her.

"Why?" He came straight to the point. Well, I suppose that's how teachers are.

"Because I love him". Lie. I could tell and I've known her for two days.

"You do?"

"Yes".

"Alright then, I'm taking you both are hungry, let's have lunch". Good God, this is going to be the worst lunch of my life. Including the time mother, Rebekah and Tatia attempted to have lunch. 'Attempted' being the key word.

"Kol?"

"Yes?" My head snapped towards Alaric and I realised Elena was no longer in the room.

"I hope you like chicken. If you don't, you can just stay hungry". My eyes widened before he turned to walk to what I supposed was the kitchen but stopped dead in his tracks seeing Elena leaning against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest. God, she looked like she had just walked on a runway. Her blue top fit in the right places and jeans were actually tight, her hair was open and all of her makeup was gone because she had slept on the plane. I was pulled out of my thoughts by her voice.

"That was a rude thing to say", she chastised him, reminding me of a teacher or a parent scolding their child, which was ironic since Alaric was both and he was listening to her in borderline shame. "I know you don't like him, but at least give him a chance".

"No, why didn't you just marry someone like Matt, or even better, Matt?"

"Because I don't love him". She straightened up and reminded me of a woman on a mission. Strong, confident and defiant.

"And you love Kol?"

"Yes, I do. Do I have to spell it out for you?" Now that was just rude, not the words but the way they were said.

"Yes Elena, I think you do. You are trying to tell me that your going to let this guy" he motioned towards me as if I was a dog "take the place in your heart that you had given to T-"

"Don't you dare bring him in", gone was the strength, confidence and defiance, all there was left was a scared, defeated girl. It didn't suit her and I didn't want to see her like that. In that moment all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around her and tell her that everything was going to be alright. I wanted to just...not see her like that.

"Why not Elena, he was special, wasn't he? He was the best thing that happened to you. He's the reason you followed your dream, the reason your standing here and not drowning, literally and figuratively. So why shouldn't I bring him in?"

"Because it hurts". Her response was so heart wrenching, and full of sorrow that I couldn't just stand there.

I walked to where she was standing and just hugged her. I could feel her become on alert but she soon relaxed into my chest and I felt something that I had never felt before. It was inexplicable really, there was something akin to happiness bubbling inside my chest. It was not happy necessarily, but it was there, like...like holding her inside my arms in this house in front of her father, was somehow the most important thing in my life and this, not dating models or seeing Switzerland, was the best moment of the last twenty five years of my life. And it was scary.

The moment was over soon though, and I felt her pull back and saw her wipe her eyes and felt another pair of eyes on me.

"Let's eat". The tense silence and hostile environment was broken by the sound of Elena's voice.

"Sure". Alaric said as if none of this had just happened.

"Kol?"

"Yes, of course Elena, I'd like some lunch".

"Great". She walked inside the kitchen with Alaric following her, telling her about a friend he had invited. I didn't really pay attention. I was busy looking at a picture of Elena with some guy. They were both smiling at each other, he had his arms wrapped around her and they both looked at each other as if they were the only two people in the room.

He had brunette hair and brown hair, and seemed athletic and I briefly wondered if he was the 'he' Elena and Alaric were talking about. There was an another photo of the two of them, this time with another boy, he had blonde hair and blue eyes and was probably the quarterback on the football team.

"Hey".

"Oh, Elena, your sneaking up on me now". I commented as she smiled at me. It was a sad smile that just broke your heart. In this case, mine.

"Sorry. And thanks for earlier".

"Oh it's no big deal." I said as if it was normal for me to comfort crying girls.

"I'll believe you. Now". She added as an afterthought and I just smiled. I felt a shock pass my spinal chord as the bell rang rather unexpectedly and Elena jumped a little. "That must be my friend". She said as she walked to the door and opened it.

My ears rang as they both let out squeaks of excitement and then hugged each other. Girls! I shook my head and walked up to them and stood beside Elena.

It was a shock I didn't scream when I they pulled back, she was still the same. The same eyes, noss, lips, the same girl I had fallen in love with.

Bonnie.

"Kol?"