Chapter 10: Nervous

Crowds and crowds of people. It was a typical morning in New York City. It was cold outside, light rain pouring from the sky. Looking down from above, the streets were multicolored; umbrellas shielding away the droplets from the storm above. Clouds rolled in as the rain grew heavier.

The hotel was busy as usual, the basement packed with staff who were ready for action. The locker slammed shut, the sound of metal echoing. Staring into the mirror, the brunette pulled her hair into a tight bun, pinning it up. There was a lot of chatter going on in the changing rooms, gossip between the girls being laughed over.

"Looking hot Miss Gilbert!" Caroline walked pass her, grinning.

Elena looked away from the mirror, her eyes shining bright as she laughed and smiled at the bubbly blonde. Not even the rain could bring any of their moods down.

"Where are you today?" Elena asked, slipping her feet into her heels as she looked up at her, "Have you got one of our regulars or a new one?"
"Ah, I think I have one of the new fella's today!"
"Ooooh, aren't you a lucky ducky?"

"Elena Gilbert!" The speaker system came to life suddenly, squealing in the process, "Please report to the Manager's office!"
"Oh no." Elena moaned, looking over at Caroline, "Help me! Please...?"
"It will be fine, just stay calm! Go on quick!"

Sighing softly, she moved quick and ran for the elevator as the doors were just about to close. Hitting the button for the elevator, she slipped in as the doors opened, her heart racing in her ears.

Breathing deeply, she raised her first to knock on the door, her stomach in her throat as she was called in. Forcing a smile, she walked inside the office and looked over at Louise who was sitting behind her desk.

"Elena, have a seat please." Louise ushered her to the seat at the other side of the desk.
"Ah, thank you for that." Sitting quickly, she rubbed her hands against her thighs nervously.

"So, how are you Elena? Is everything going okay?"
"Yeah Louise. I am perfect actually, everything is going well," Elena bit her lip, "And you? Are you good? Busy?"
"Oh yes," She laughed and smiled, shaking her head, "I'm busy, but that's just how I like it."
"Yeah, I can understand that. It speeds up time I suppose."

"So Elena, the decision for who we would like as our new manager will be made soon. It is in the middle of an approval process. I am set on giving you a promotion, but as organisation rules, we have to consider other applicants for the upcoming role."

Louise smiled big and inhaled. Elena smiled in understanding and pushed herself to a standing position as she looked around and smiled.

"I understand that Louise. I am just thankful for your consideration."
"Anytime Elena. You're free to go now. Enjoy your day!"
"Thank you!"

Elena opened the door, walking out as she carefully shut it behind her, her heart racing again as she let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank god." Walking down the corridor, she tried not to scream in relief. She got nervous for nothing as usually. Laughing, she turned the corner and yelped in surprise, "Alaric!"

"Well, hello Elena!" Alaric smiled, laughing, "You in a rush there?"
"Oh! I just had a meeting, so just going to head back downstairs."
"Oh I see. How did that go?"
"Thankfully, better than I had hoped!" Elena smiled big.

"That's good. Damon is in a meeting himself. Going well I hope."
"He is a busy man after all."
"Always has been," Alaric agreed, "Would you like to see him?"
"Oh no, its f-"
"Honestly, I can bring you to him if you like?" He offered with a grin.

"I'm just going to finish up preparation downstairs and then I am going to meet my mom," Elena smiled big, "I have a date with him tonight, I will be seeing him then. Just tell him I said hi."

"Of course," Alaric laughed and gave her a nod, moving down the hall, "I'll see you later Elena!"

Waving back at him, she smiled and walked on down the hall, hitting the call button once she arrived at the elevators. Oh it was going to be a good day.

The cafe held the aroma of coffee as the air filled with caffeine. Pushing the door open, the brunette stepped inside and looked around for her mom. Spotting her, she walked over to the back of the cafe and slid into the seat opposite her mom.

"Elena sweetheart," Miranda smiled, "Did you get here okay?"
"Yes ma, got here without a fuss. Are you okay?"
"Yes sweetheart! I got you a strawberry smoothie."
"Oh thank you ma." Elena took it into her hand, sipping it.

"How is work going?" She raised an eyebrow with interest, "Still busy?"
"Mmh, it always is." Elena smiled with a laugh.
"Anything new huh?"
"Ah, well I might be getting a promotion at work!"
"Oh honey, congratulations. I am so proud of you."

"Thank you! I'm really hoping I get it. It will be good for me."
"It will be good. It will help you go places honey, won't it?"
"Nah, and uh I kind of...met someone." Elena admitted, sipping her drink.
"You met someone?"

"Ah yeah, I believe that I may have." Elena smiled shyly, "But only time will tell."
"So, who is he?" Miranda questioned.
"Damon Salvatore." She inhaled, butterflies in her stomach at the thought.
"Oh Elena." Her mom sighed, "That is not good."
"What?" The brunette frowned, "Why? What makes you say that?"
"I've heard about him. He is not good."
"Mom, you don't even know him."
"And you do?"
"I-"
"They're all the same. Please remember that Elena."
"Mom," Sighing, she got up and looked at the time, "I better go back to work."

Leaning down, she kissed her mom on the cheek and walked out, sighing heavily. Just perfect.

Close enough to perfect. Rubbing her lips together, Elena watched as the gloss shined in the light; the gloss coating her lips in a seductive way. Running her fingers through her locks, she twirled, studying the way the black strapless dress hugged her figure, the length coming mid-thigh.

"Elena!" Stefan walked in, grinning, "Well, look at you."
"I don't know Stefan. Maybe I shouldn't do this, should I cancel?"
"Oh stop. You look perfect, honestly. He is going to love you."
"Really? Are you-"
"Elena...he will NOT be able to take his eyes off of you."

"Oh Stefan," Elena smiled shyly, walking over and hugged him close, "I've never been so nervous."
"Now you know how I feel about Miss bubbly down there."
"Oh, yes I do. You're the one to make the move, not her Stef."
"Yeah, I know. I jus-"
"Elena, Damon is here!" Caroline called upstairs.

"Oh god." Taking a deep breath, she looked at Stefan as her gave her a thumbs up and led her out onto the landing, "I'm shaking."
"Go get him Elena." Stefan smirked.
"Yes sir."

Making her way down the stairs, she held her breath as she seen Caroline and Damon talking. Wow, he looked incredible and that was only from the back. Caroline smiled when she seen her, directing Damon's attention from her blonde friend and to herself.

Their eyes met, it was like electric. The butterflies were pounding in her stomach, the nerves sending shivers all over her body. He looked...phenomenal. An Italian made suit by the looks of it, the colour of a dark blue catching her eye, the tie matching the suit.

"Elena," Damon smiled, his eyes travelling over her, "You look-"
"Beautiful." Caroline tapped his shoulder, laughing and walked out.
"Sorry," Elena laughed, blushing as she got to the bottom of the stairs, "Caroline is-"
"No, she is absolutely right. You look amazing Elena."

"Thank you Damon, so do you." She responded with a smile on her face.
"Shall we go?" Damon held his hand out for her.
"Yeah, that is a good idea." Placing her hand into his, she inhaled and followed him out.

A/N: Heya everyone! Yes its been a while, I am uploading as fast as I can! Work has been busy, I've been doing overtime and I got amazing news! I got into Uni so...hallelujah!

Thank you!

Shauna