ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

"Is she alright?"

Something nudged my arm but I didn't turn to look. Though, I did hear his voice as he assured them. "She's great" he replied and I wanted to roll my eyes at the understatement but felt too numb to move. I had my head down and had been staring at the empty white plate for the past fifteen minutes as they broke into conversation.

"She looks brain-dead"

I snapped my head up to sharply glare at Damon's brother's girlfriend. Her steely midnight blue eyes locked onto mine and she refused to look away. Her features hardened and her jaw clenched, causing her nostrils to flare as I watched the silent anger simmer. I could tell that she was close to the edge and whatever insults she wanted to rave were at the tip of her tongue.

Before she got the chance, an arm was placed around my shoulder and I caught how her eyes fell down to the touch. "Oh, she found out that we were vampires" Damon revealed with a casualness that only made things worse.

"What?!" his brother, Stefan exclaimed and I felt the table tremble beneath us with his jump.

The girl, Elena, slammed her fists onto the table and began glaring daggers at me again. "Why the hell did you tell her?" she sneered with a venomous tone.

"We're married now" Damon whispered against my cheek and I felt limp as his lips touched my shoulder. I slowly felt the smile stretch against my skin as he murmured, "We keep no secrets". I could feel his amused gaze on me and I gritted my teeth, knowing he was taunting me.

Shrugging out from his hand, I stood up from the table and walked away, leaving them the chance to finally talk behind my back. I didn't go far as I ended up by the buffet table and used the excuse of brunch to distract myself.

It didn't last long because I felt his presence behind me. I was surprised with his silence so I tried to continue with his game as we walked down and filled our trays. Only it didn't last long as he elbowed my side gently. "Are you okay?" he asked with a hitched eyebrow.

"I'm fine" I replied with malice hanging onto my words. It was a stupid question and he knew that.

"Marriage is exactly what I expected" he muttered and I placed a hand on my hip, turning to cast my disapproving glare onto him for his snarky remark.

He continued to stare at me, waiting for my uproar but I bit my tongue. Turning away from him, I continued down the breakfast table but couldn't help but breathe under my breath. "I have the worst luck in the world"

"Something to say?" he urged and I knew he was pushing my buttons.

"I should ask you the same thing" I jabbed at his chest with the spoon in my hand. He feigned hurt and rubbed at his chest. How could he be a vampire? He was so human and so normal and he was currently munching on a piece of toast. Better question was why did he have to be a vampire? "Why didn't you say anything?" I demanded, interrupting whatever he had been saying.

He rested one hand on the table beside me and leaned in, wearing that all too familiar smirk again. "It's not exactly a traditional first date conversation starter" he mused and I rolled my eyes.

"There is nothing traditional about us" I used my hand to wave between us and he nodded in agreement. A small crease formed between his brows as he mulled over something but I must've intercepted his train of thought with my following question. "You obviously knew what Edward was so why didn't you say anything?" I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest as I peeked up at him.

He shrugged and began to fill his own plate. "Looked like you already had a lot on your mind" he answered with indifference but I could detect the hint of concern in his tone. "I doubt you could've handled…"

Once again, he was cut off when I sharply whipped my head towards him. In the process, he crashed onto me but as I stumbled, his hand was wound around my waist as he balanced me. "You don't know me!" I exclaimed and stepped away from him. "You don't know what I can handle!" I argued, suddenly reminded of how Edward had made decisions for me and now this guy – this complete and utter stranger thought he could do the same.

"Well my case is rested, you're already freaking out" he pointed out confidently.

I threw my hands up in exasperation before running my fingers through my hair. "How can I not?" I cried out and began my rambling. "I was engaged when I got married to a stranger only hours ago. He then turns out to be a vampire and now I'm stranded with him, while my husband abandons me in Sodom and Gomorrah" I ranted and allowed myself to take a deep breath.

"You're not seeing the big picture" he waved his hands in the air and I huffed.

"Being…?" I pressed.

He placed his hands on my shoulders and bowed his head down so our gazes were levelled. "You're a young eighteen year old, that is spending her holiday in Las Vegas with her sexy new hubby, after leaving what was clearly a doomed relationship-"

"You know nothing about me and Edward" I snapped and shrugged his hands away.

His eyes fell down to where the cardigan had slipped, revealing the light purple bruise. I hastily covered it up as he tensely replied. "I know enough"

"He would never hurt me – not intentionally" I murmured and tried to turn back to the tables. Only the sight of the runny scrambled eggs reminded me of my hangover as my stomach churned and the bile threatened to rise.

Once again, he slipped up behind me and I felt the warmth of his breath on my neck as he coldly whispered. "How much did he really love you if he left you?" he surmised and I gritted my teeth, whirling back around to him.

"And I suppose that you're an expert on love" I accused.

He hitched an eyebrow but his face then fell again. Somehow, he found the strength and ability to become serious and surprised me further when he bowed his head and quietly confessed. "I've had my share of heartbreaks"

His honesty was astonishing and much appreciated but still worrying. I could tell that it took quite a lot from him and he wasn't comfortable with the moment. Noticing the melancholy look in his sullen eyes, I tried to distract him. "How can you eat?" I quipped.

"We're not Cold Ones" he added simply and almost curtly. Understanding that he needed some space to think, I stepped away and continued down the queue. My plate now consisted of chopped fruit and waffles with syrup. As I reached for the drinks, I felt him move up towards me again. "So how do you know Rosalie?" he wondered and I comprehended the need for a subject change.

"She's his brother" I sighed and poured some coffee in the large white cup. "Adopted brother" I added and the memory of the Cullens troubled me. I hoped that he wouldn't enquire further details because I didn't feel ready to think about them.

"Hm…"

His hum piqued my interest and I couldn't help but lamely attempt nonchalance. "You two sure seemed cosy" I commented and tried to remain indifferent but couldn't help but chance a nervous glance towards him.

"We had our fun" he smirked to himself and had a faraway look in his eyes that fascinated me further. This only made me hate the situation more as I found myself reeled into vampires' lives.

"Damn vampires…" I uttered.

He nudged me playfully and grinned. "You're just jealous"

"Jealous" I scoffed at the idea, "Of what?" I spun around to face him and quietly peek up at him from under my lashes. My hands were placed on my hips as the amused smile fell into a grim line with his close proximity.

He closed the space between us and I was about to move back but he secured a grip on my wrist. "Well for one, we're stronger" he numbered and yanked me closer to him. "…we're faster" he added and I was reminded of how he had been able to dodge Edward, only the memories seemed to grow static with his following whisper. "…and everything we feel…" his voice now husky as he seductively trailed his fingers up down my cheek and crossing my collarbone. His burning gaze singed with an unspoken desire as he finalised. "Is more intense…"

"That isn't always a good thing" I whispered breathlessly and tried to calm the erratic thud of my heart.

Surprise flickered as he withdrew from me. "Very true" he nodded and the confidence slipped but he still studied me. "You're still angry" he noted.

"I just wish you told me" I revealed, feeling betrayed even though technically I hardly knew him to feel like that. It just felt strange to know that I had spent the night with that man and we had been intimate and we'd even gotten married, but I had missed the fact that he was a vampire.

"Why aren't you scared?"

I blinked towards him and shook my head. "We spent the night in the same bed and you didn't hurt me" I assured him but even I thought it was strange that I didn't fear him. Then again, he did protect me so I doubted that he wanted to kill me. He had showed me nothing to make me fear him.

"I wasn't after your blood" he assured me.

I crossed my arms. "Then what were you after?"

"Some fun" he smirked and I grimaced at the word he had used before in regards to Rosalie. I knew exactly what kind of 'fun' he meant. "I won't bite you" he added to appease me again but then froze for a second, arching his brow again. "Not unless you beg me to" he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and I rolled my eyes, placing a hand on his chest and pushing him back.

"Don't hold your breath" I sauntered away from him but his hand whipped out again, grabbing my elbow as he yanked me back to him. He was smiling – not smirking. It was nice. "What?" I asked and tipped my head back to scrutinise his happiness.

Only, once again he startled me when he pushed one stray lock to the back of my ear. "This is our first fight" he noted and the smile fell into his almost too natural smirk.

"Probably not our last" I replied, feeling more at ease with his arms wrapped around me.

I was perplexed by the hope that filtered in his gaze but finally understood as he voiced his thoughts. "Does that mean you'll be sticking around?" he seemed optimistic and I didn't have the heart to say no but didn't lack sense to say yes either.

"Can we just have breakfast first?" I suggested.

"What my baby wants…" he repeated the words from before and I rolled my eyes but couldn't keep the grin off my face as he kissed my cheek and took the tray from my hands. "…my baby gets" he added and I remained where I was, watching as he carried my food back to the table.

What a cheese ball.

However, when I caught the smug smile he sent to the girl – Elena, my heart sunk and I was reminded that this wasn't real.

A/N: Thank you all for still reading and I just love having the opportunity to read your reviews. Your love for this story is astonishing and I will continue to give.

What did you think of then getting to know each other?

Next time - we will interact with Elena and Stefan a bit more.

I've been reading other stories and I would like to recommend the lovely, XxJasper'sAngelxX who is mainly a JasperxBella pairing story author. If you share my love for the Southern major, I truly recommend A Fairytale Ending.

On that note, have a good week and hopefully a good Monday.