Luckily, I recovered quickly. Stefan had the same look that Damon had when we first met – familiarity.
" It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mister Salvatore" I said to him with a curtsey "Your brother has told me lots about you."
"Only good things, I hope?" Stefan smiled as he took my hand to kiss it. It felt so strange to be in the same room with both Salvatore brothers. The energy between them is very different than it was in the future – there wasn't as much contempt.
"Of course, brother!" Damon said as he patted Stefan's back. They were both laughing at each other. I could see how both men had so much influence around this town. They were stunning.
They were talking loudly among themselves, but I just couldn't keep up. I was too immersed in my thoughts. I couldn't help but just watch them laugh and joke at each other, they were definitely on the opposite spectrum of what they were in the future.
"How about you, Miss Grant?" Stefan's voice broke me out of my trance.
"Pardon me, Mister Salvatore" I apologized, I could feel myself blushing. "I'm afraid I didn't catch your question." I tried to look as innocent as I possibly could.
"I was just asking Damon if he was coming to Charlottesville with me next Monday for our cousin's birthday. You should come along." Stefan asked innocently.
I instinctively looked up to see if I could suss out if Damon was going because I sure as hell wasn't going by myself with Stefan. Damon gave me a little nod.
" I'd love to. " I replied "Only if I am not too much of a nuisance."
"Absolutely not! Cousin Charlotte would love to meet you!" Damon reassured me. "Now, I am going to go find father, quickly. Stefan why don't you take her on a tour of the rest of the house?"
"It would be my pleasure, brother." Stefan replied, and he held out his arm for me. As much as I would have rather run away, I needed to suck it up. It was only Stefan.
"You look breathtaking tonight, Miss Grant." Stefan whispered in my ear as we walked towards the grand staircase.
"Thank you, Mister Salvatore. You are too kind." My heart broke all over again whenever I looked at him. My mind knew that it wasn't rational to feel this way, but I couldn't help it.
"If I am not coming off too forward, Miss Grant…" Stefan was really struggling with his words. I internally groaned. "Have I by chance met you before? You look so familiar, its bizarre. It's as if I've known you all my life."
"No, I don't believe so, Mister Salvatore." I innocently replied. "Maybe I resemble someone you know?"
"Perhaps.."
After spending around thirty minutes with Stefan, walking around the magnificent Salvatore mansion, we finally returned to the party below.
"Miss Grant, before I return you to my brother I'd like to say something." Stefan stopped just before the door to the ballroom. "I'd like to thank you. It's been a very long time since I have seen my brother this happy and I am assuming you play a very big roll in this."
It was so like Stefan to put everyone in front of himself. "You're welcome, Stefan" I replied, instantly realising my mistake. He was visibly startled but was too gentlemanly to say anything. With that, he gracefully escorted me into the ballroom.
We walked around until we found Damon conversing with an older man on the other side of the room. "There's my girl!" Damon exclaimed and proceeded to outstretch his arm for me to hold on to.
I turned around to look at Stefan one last time "Thank you Mister Salvatore. For everything." I said to him. I hoped to close that book and find closure. Stefan just gave me a nod and smile and disappeared into the crown of people.
"I hope he hasn't stolen your heart away from me already?" Damon joked, "I might have to fight him for it,"
I chuckled. He knew how to make me laugh. " Never!" I replied.
"Miss Grant, I have one more surprise for you tonight." Damon whispered in my ear " Do you trust me?"
"Yes, I trust you Damon." A cheeky smile broke on his face and he pulled out a necktie from his pocket. "Turn around." Damon proceeds to tie the necktie around my eyes so I'm rendered completely blind. With one hand around my waist and the other guiding me, Damon opened the door behind us. We were going outside. I felt the cold breeze brush my face and the next thing I know, I felt Damon's warm jacket around my shoulders again.
" We are almost there, I promise." Damon says as he is helping me down the stairs. After ten more steps he stops and gives me a kiss on the cheek and then my lips, tenderly. He walks behind me and slowly unties the neck tie from my eyes.
My breath was instantly taken away. The wooden deck rails were set alight by at least a hundred pillar candles and on the far corner a man sat with a violin. He was playing a beautiful slow piece.
"Remember that dance you owe me?" Damon looks right into my eyes.
"Oh, Damon, this is so beautiful." Tears welled up in my eyes, no one has ever done anything this romantic before. "How? You were inside the whole time."
"Well, Julia is a romantic at heart and as for Mister Holt over there, I had to bribe him a small fortune but it is all worth it if it means I get you to myself." Damon knew exactly what to say to make my heart melt.
He held my hand and pulled me to the middle of the makeshift dancefloor. He was ready to dance with a classic form but I wanted to be closer.
" Here" I placed both his hands around my waist and wrapped my arms around his neck. He seemed content with this configuration and we danced under the full moon.
" Promise me something, Elena Grant." Damon whispered. "Promise me you won't disappear one day. Tell me if you would like to leave and I won't stop you but if you do decide to stay, stay with me." Damon's voice was smooth as honey and all I knew was that I never wanted to break his heart.
I promise, Damon Salvatore" I replied. "Besides, you are the only one I would want to be with."
A huge grin broke on his face " You make me the happiest man in the world when you say that."
Here you go you guys! Chapter 11. Let me know what you think! -xoxox Oak&Lace