A/N: And as promised. [Sorry I couldn't post sooner, work ran longer than I thought it would] This chapter is a tiny bit dark, but I tried to brighten it as much as I could. It's also not that long but hopefully the action makes up for it. I enjoyed writing this chapter and hope you do as well. All mentioned music can be found on YouTube.
SN: For the 'Next Day' part feel free to listen to Nirvana - Something in the Way and repeat! (think of it as a Bamon theme song for now) For the party scene I encourage listening to the songs as they really set the tone. (I mentioned it right around the time you should start playing it)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 11: The Garden Party
Saturday, May 4
Bonnie had arrived to the Salvatore manor at exactly eight P.M. looking like a rare gemstone. The dress fit her like a glove, hugging in all the right places. And after watching several YouTube videos, she was finally able to curl her lush hair independently. She was wearing over 54 kt white gold and diamonds.
She didn't see many cars aside from Damon's, a silver porsche, a blue beamer, white Maserati and a few other luxury cars. But whose to say it wasn't just a small intimate event to begin with. She pulled off to the side, killed the engine and immediately slipped off her flat's to replace them with the Jimmy Choo shoes. Never did a pair of heels feel so comfortable and look so good at the same time but she digressed.
The young woman rung the door bell and was answered by a servant dressed in black dress pants, white button up and tie.
"Hello, you must be here for the Garden Party, please come in and join the other guests in the lounge."
"Thank you." She smiled and followed the host into a room she had not yet been inside. There was maybe twenty or so well-dressed people of all ethnicities scattered throughout the room. Her moss-green eyes scanned the immediate area until she found her captive trading words with a gorgeous tall women with vermillion red hair, sunburnt golden eyes and silicone enhanced lips.
Damon sported a crisp black Givenchy suit, white button up shirt, bow tie, laced in a fragrance by Valentino and plain toe Oxford in black French calfskin and lizard by Salvatore Ferragamo. His hair was side parted and slicked over to his left his side. His freshly shaven face paid much homage to his strong jaw line. And to say he did not look like an Italian model ready for his photo-op would be a complete understatement. He looked so mannequin like.
His head snapped over towards the entrance. Damon said a few shorts to the woman, pecked her on the cheek and made his way over to the paragon that just entered the room; cerulean eyes never leaving hers. "I just sent a car for you." He said, staring down at his Rolex Day-Date watch.
"Oh, sorry. You said I shouldn't be late." She said.
"For dinner." Damon grabbed two glasses of champagne from one of the young servers passing by. "This is the... pre-party per say." He said as he handed her one of the crystalized glasses. "That dress." He eyed her attentively.
"Bonnie! You made it." Lucy pecked her on the cheek, giving Bonnie a whiff of her Dior perfume. "And oh my God, you look absolutely stunning. Who are you wearing?"
"Thank you." She briefly looked to Damon, "I believe it's Dolce and Gabbana."
"Well whoever it is, you look great." Lucy took a generous sip of her red wine. "You're early."
"I thought it started at eight?"
"Well, technically it starts at eight thirty... dinner anyway so I wasn't really expecting to much of anyone until then. Y'know, like fashionably late"
That actually exist—is what she wanted to say.
"I tried to tell her." Damon added—stressing the word 'her', looking around meticulously where he saw his well-dressed father heading their way.
He pulled Bonnie closer to him as Giuseppe approached them. She glanced up at him in confusion.
"There's my wife and one of my son's," He pecked Lucy on the lips and glanced over to Damon and his guest "And who is this beautiful young woman standing beside me?" Giuseppe inquired.
"Papa, this is my date Bonnie Bennett, Bonnie this is my father Giuseppe Salvatore."
"Bonnie." Her name rolled of his tongue like melted butter running down and sinking deep into silk. "Pleasure." He held his hand for the young beauty to take.
"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Salvatore." She placed her hands in his and watched him bring it up to his face, placing a chaste kiss there. Those eyes...those blue aurora borealises. After swallowing a large lump of anxiety and nervousness, Bonnie smiled sweetly. Why didn't he warn her before?
Giuseppe straightened his tie while glancing over Bonnie once more. To be completely honest, he wasnt exactly keen on his son having her as a date. Obviously she was a sight to look at but clearly wasn't Italian and that bothered him to some degree. But was it wrong for him to say that he wanted to keep his families pedigree intact by continuing cultural traditions? And this was not be confused with racism. Hell, she could have been Asian, Hispanic and he would still feel some type of way about it. "And what is it that you do Bonnie?"
"I waitress-"
"And she's a college student at UCLA." Damon finished for her.
"Ah, I guess we all have to start somewhere." He responded, sounding a bit to snobbish for Damon's and Lucy's taste. "Is that where my son picked you up from."
Bonnie was unsure if she should have taken offence to that.
Damon sighed and shook his head in inimical while Lucy just stared at her husband in disapproval.
"Sort of... we just bumped into each other and it turned out that Stefan was dating a friend of mines." She answered respectively.
The butler came into room fortunately and announced that the guest were arriving at a constant rate.
"Well then, shall we move out into the garden." Giuseppe ordered as he took his wife's arm seeking to escort her out.
"Voi prego darle una possibilità? (Would you please give her a chance)" Lucy whispered into her husband's ear.
"Qualsiasi cosa per te, tesoro. (Anything for you, honey.)" Said the hesitant Salvatore as they left the room.
She simply laughed."Does he think we're dating or something?"
The other had to apologize to Bonnie for his father's rudeness. "I'm sorry about that...he's old school. Y'know real traditional."
"No need, this wouldn't be the first time someone's parents didn't like me. He seems honest, and real so I can appreciate that."
Her gaze turns upwards meeting a sea of bliss—blue.
Damon quirked his brow and smiled ghostly. Leave it to her to turn everything around and compliment his pernicious father. In that instant, he grabbed her waist, leaned in—the warmth of his breath tickled against her face—seized her lips into an unchaste kiss. His tongue traced along the bottom of her plump lips. Damon gripped her harder as she wrapped her small hands around his muscled arms. It was then he got a strong whiff of whatever perfume she had doused herself in and it was driving him mad. Her mouth tasted of mint and flesh and he wanted more.
Bonnie could feel his lips smiling against hers, she could the urgency behind the movements of his tongue.
"Are we dating again?"She seemed to have forgot.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help myself." He swiped her lips using the pad of his thumb, further smearing that barely noticable pink lipstick. "You just look so...yummy." Arcadian-blue spheres trapped baize-green pound round eyes.
His eyes ebonized. Bonnie swallowed roughly.
"Should we go." She asked.
"Why? Are you in a rush?... Y'know you still haven't answered my question."
"What question?" No she really seemed to have forgotten.
"The one where I asked if you were volunteering."
Her cheeks warmed at that statement considering that question vaguely and something to do with dick and pussy as Damon put it. "Volunteering for?"
"Showing me if I've been doing it with the wrong person."
"It wouldn't matter if we didn't care about each other." Bonnie explained.
"Well said."
...
The live orchestra band began to play an exert from Luigi Boccherini - Minuet - String Quintet.
She was at a complete lost for words after seeing the walled Italian Villa set amidst the beautiful garden shrouded in dainty white roses. It smelt of rain water dipped into the rainbow crushed with grass clippings. They used the pool's walkway as an asset which led to the large white tent centered around the abundant freshly cut lawn. To the far left was what appeared to be a guest home, more than the size of her own. If Bonnie thought the front of the home was magnificent than surely the back put it to shame.
It was like a piece of fine art, with a view to envy.
Stepping into the tent was like stepping into a statuesque palace of Elysian depiction. Everything was white, from the vintage styled chairs, linens draped over the tables to the lively white roses buttressing the area. The tent had long rounded top windows covering all sides with canopies draped over every empty space between them. crystallized chandeliers hung throughout the ceiling, adding just enough light to set the tone. It was far more elegant than any other tent she'd been inside. That much was certain.
The music could still be easily heard from inside as well.
Damon pulled out the chair for Bonnie before proceeding to take his seat next to her. Across the table sat Katherine and Stefan, Lucy sat at one end of the table and Giuseppe sat at the head. The closest tables on either side were the Mikaleson's and Lockwood's.
Two dark eyes studied the couple from across the table, cold and menacing to the playful behavior being exhibited by both Damon and Bonnie. Katherine gritted her teeth and scoffed slightly. Here she was thinking this night would go well with no distractions and once again he shows with her for a date. It truly pissed her off. Especially after sinking so low as to calling her employer and ratting her out—nothing seemed to phase the girl. But she wanted Damon back, no matter how depraved she became.
This however wasn't the Katherine Damon fell for. He didn't know who the hell she had become over the past two years. But right now, he was busy. Busy with a more appealing 'kitty cat'.
"Dance with me."
The warmth of his whisper tickled her ear, as she let her eyes settle on to the dance floor that was already filling up. A pale hand snaked its way to her side where she let her own slender brown hand find it.
He led her to the crowd and found them a center spot in the midst of other dancing couples. Bonnie wasn't the best dancer but she wasn't the worst either. The only other time she had danced was at one of her older friends quince' back in her freshman year.
Sounds of the piano began to play an in tune opening to Beethoven - Silencio
And when he pulled her to the closeness of his body, she could feel the heat rising beneath her flesh, the increasing rate of her heart. Bonnie hesitantly allowed her eyes to travel up to his once more. Bright eyes gleamed with a touch of fortitude and poise; a smile over his rosy lips that could easily stir hearts including her own. Damon placed his hand at the dip of her back. A portrait of perfection could be seen by anyone that had been watching.
Damon led, she followed.
A pair of manicured eyebrows looked down on her sweeping eyelashes. The occasional breeze of rich air nudged her when Damon whisked her off her feet in spins and dips. Her hypnotizing, etiolated—moss eyes gazed at him, heart-shaped lips curved, flashing him a platter of her beluga-white teeth.
Why couldn't it be like this all the time with him?
...
Several servers placed the first course in front of each person all at once. Flesh of the veal had been coated with a thick sauce made primarily from an array of spices and tomatoes; finely chopped up into a fine sauce. Vibrant vegetables were plated creatively around the main attraction. It was culinary work of art masticated with a crisp white triangular plate used as the base.
...
By the second course, Bonnie had unwittingly managed to get Giuseppe chuckling. It was clear that he found her amusing and quite simply adorable all at the same time. To be honest, he'd admit he was skeptical about her arriving with his son simply because she wasn't Italian. Perhaps he came off a bit to harsh at first but it didn't take him long to warm up to her charming personality. Not only that but his wife seemed to talk highly of her so he decided to give her a miniscule chance. And whadda ya know!
Katherine took a sip of her fifth glass of wine; which added up to approximately eight since the glasses had a much bigger alembic than her normal wine glass. Just by looking at her could you tell the alcohol was starting to sink in. She hated the fact that Lucy gushed over Bonnie and even more that Giuseppe seemed to approve of everything even though she was not fully Italian. Damon on the other hand surprisingly was enjoying himself, he too tossed back glass after glass. But unlike his usual somber mood, he was pleased as punch. And he would glance at her with a smug expression after whispering something into Bonnie's ear that had her grinning like a Cheshire cat. Little did she know he actually said something in Italian. It could be said that he was acting like a little kid but Damon was basking in it.
Until Katherine opened her mouth. If only she didn't.
"And what about you Bonnie? Want kids?" Giuseppe asked the young woman.
"I never really thought about it but I do want one at-"
"I'm not sure a coke head would make for a great mother." Katherine said lowly, well only low enough that Lucy and Giuseppe hadn't caught on.
Damon stared daggers at Katherine. Bonnie immediately brought her lips together and Stefan rolled his eyes annoyingly.
"That was very rude Katherine." Lucy stated.
"Yes, it was..." Giuseppe said in correspondence with his wife. "...But please, be sure to speak up so we all can hear you." He continued. "So, you were saying?"
"Nothing, Katherine was just saying how she agreed with Bonnie about having only one child." Stefan quickly chimed in to Bonnie's defense.
The baby blue-eyed Salvatore wanted to slap his baby brother because it was clear that he opened his mouth to Katherine. But in Bonnie's case, she thought the complete opposite—she thought Damon opened his mouth to her and that's how she found out. A recipe for a complete disaster.
"Let her speak Stefan." said Mrs. Salvatore.
"Yeah, let me Stefan." Katherine angrily slurred.
"I think you had a bit too much to drink. Maybe you should call it a night." Stefan placed his hand onto her arm softly.
"Don't touch me." She snatched her arm from his grip. "You're gonna' sit here and defend this little girl... or maybe you forgot what I know, hm?"
Bonnie was more than aware that 'this little girl' was in reference to herself obviously. It didn't matter though, not as much as she wished her professor wouldn't continue making a fool of herself. Katherine was in defense mode although there was no one trying to attack her.
"Katherine stop." Stefan warned.
"Stop what? Don't tell everyone that you're a omosessuale." She smacked her lips. "As if it's hard to tell."
Giuseppe directed his eyes over to his youngest son before placing them back onto Katherine. "You will not slander my son."
"No disrespect but it's not slander..." The brunette reassured him. "But being gay is nothing to be ashamed about."
"Stefan." Giuseppe demanded. He wanted answers this second. "What is she talking about? What the hell is going on?"
Everyone at the table besides Damon and Katherine of course stared at the sandy-haired man. He was glaring down at his plate, and yet to answer his father's calling. Damon was inwardly shouting what an idiot Stefan was for even continuing to talk to Katherine. He knew this bit of information once revealed could very well kill his father in the most literal way possible. But before he could step in and speak up, his brother beat him to it.
"Papa...she right, it's not slander. I am what she says." Stefan tossed his napkin over his plate and stood abruptly from the table with his head hung in shame. "I need to be excused." There was nothing more to be said so he choose to leave in spite of his secret being out for all to know.
And for the first time at the Salvatore table was it so still that you could hear a pin drop. Neighboring tables watch one of Giuseppe's boys leave but thought nothing of it.
Damon clamped down on the inside his bottom lip, hard enough to just break the surface of his skin and draw blood. He was livid. It was the last straw and he just couldn't take it anymore. "Well Katherine... don't stop now. C'mon isn't there something else you wanna' get off your chest."
"I should excuse myself." Bonnie spoke quietly to Damon but she wouldn't get far.
Damon seized her arm a bit to hard and forced back into the chair. She wanted to know so much then here was her chance. "Sit." He ordered and being as she was in no comfortable position to begin with, Bonnie obeyed.
He frightened her. And he knew it.
"Go ahead Katherine... since you're just firing off secrets tonight, tell yours" He seethed. "Tell my papa about his unborn grandchild."
"You're pregnant?" Lucy asked Katherine in pure shock.
"Stop it" Katherine chose that moment to sober up a bit.
"Oh, you mean like Stefan asked you too?"
"È meglio iniziare a parlare(You better start talking.)" Giuseppe turned his cold stare over to the brunette. "Subito! (Now.)" His loud outburst had gained the attention of the surrounding tables.
Mouths froze, eyes stared in curiosity of what had Giuseppe so riled up, tears spilled from Katherine face one at a time. Klaus, being sat on the left of his table had a bit of a clear view of what was going on. He noticed Stefan rushing up just moments ago and wished he could hear their conversation but unfortunately wasn't in earshot.
Katherine had disastrously gotten herself into a terrible situation.
"She had an abortion, before she left." Damon answered for her.
Lucy's mouth dropped completely, in fact she immediately felt sick to her stomach. Here she was praying to God that she could conceive and properly deliver a baby while Katherine terminated her own. And not just that but her own step-grandchild, the love of her life's grandchild and her step's son baby. It disgusted her to the fullest degree. Any Italian knew the sacredness of being able to provide life and how important family is. It almost went against religion. Lucy was beyond pissed, beyond any comprehension of the word angry. Not only had she ruined the evening, but hurt her family and that was a huge no-no. She gracefully brought herself to her feet, "I refuse to eat with a pig." tossed her napkin to her plate and took off without any further explanation.
"Just because a woman is Italian doesn't make her wholesome, Papa." Damon responded amicably.
Katherine sobbed just a bit louder.
"Oh, stop acting like the victim. The only thing you're the victim of is me keeping my mouth shut for as long as I did." Damon snapped.
"I did it for us." Katherine protested.
"You killed our child for 'us'." Damon said just a bit too loud. "No, not for us but for yourself."
"I wasn't ready."
"But I was.. Didn't I matter?" He asked no expecting to receive an answer. His eyes were begging to to shone but Damon wasn't going to cry—he cried enough that night two years ago. Tonight he was going to face the sensitive topic head on."Didn't I mean something , Katherine?"
She continued to cry into her napkin. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry"
It just wasn't enough.
Shaking his head in the opposite answered her plea, Damon just as Stefan and Lucy stood up from the table, tossed his napkin down and left for his sanity and Katherine's sake—because he was afraid of what he might do in the presence of everyone but especially Bonnie.
He was done. And if this wasn't proof enough then nothing would ever be.
A strong inescapable punch jabbed her in the gut and twisted it around a bit. Bonnie sincerely felt sorry for Damon. And now she was starting to come to the realization of why Damon was so hot and cold. Of why Katherine acted the way she did. It made her feel ill—like she could regurgitate the veal at any given moment.
"I won't have any of your nonsense Katherine. You are supposed to be a grown woman and yet you sit here and ruin my wife's wonderful event for everyone, embarrass not only Damon's beautiful guest," He gestured to Bonnie. "But also my son...because of jealousy." He gritted his teeth. "And you better than anyone know not to fuck with my family." His jaw ticked; Bonnie could see where Damon got it from. "I won't succumb to your level of indignity but I will tell you this: I'm glad my son didn't end up with someone as depraved and menial as you Katherine. I don't want to see you anywhere near this property, or my sons again. You are dismissed... Now.. you get your spudorato ass off of my estate and I mean what I say, do not return because if you do...God help you." Giuseppe called over one of the servants. "See that she's removed from the property please."
The remaining two persons watch Katherine stagger to her feet with the help of the server and teeter out of the tent.
"Bonnie, would you please go and check on Damon, I need to find my wife and Stefan." He asked.
She nodded her head in the affirmative.
"Oh and I do deeply apologize for Katherine's actions" He continued. "She has trouble with alcohol, but I do suppose it was my fault for inviting her." He said sincerely, his cellophane blue eyes gazed down to the table.
"No, it isn't your fault Mr. Salvatore, please don't apologize."
"Thank you for being understanding. I do hope this doesn't turn you off from Damon... he really is a good man." Minus the problem with alcohol and women.
She smiled.
"Oh and Bonnie. I also need to apologize for my attitude earlier." Giuseppe mentioned. "It was poorly of me to behave so horrid. You've shown me that I shouldn't judge before getting to know someone.
...
After talking to a server, she was tipped of Damon's location. So when she headed up the steps she wasn't surprise to find him standing on the other side of his room.
"Damon?" After closing the door, she called out softly.
"Go home, Bonnie... I don't feel like dealing with the help right now." Damon glowered.
Did he really?...
"Oh fuck you Damon." She spat. Seriously, all she could think was how angry it made her that he always shook off everything. His care-free demeanor was really starting to piss her off. Here she was trying to be there for him and he was treating her like a peasant. "Fuck. You."
"Is that what you want, you want me to fuck you?" He asked as if he just discovered the eighth wonder of the world. His sockets were burning cremators, eyes were bloodshot, blistering beads of ice which smouldered with venom.
Bonnie stared at him incessantly, refusing to give into his antics—a bit surprised to hear him say that. Anyone with eyes could see that he was drunk—or close to it, given the intoxicated haze possessing the white of his eyes. So why bother playing into his games?
"Should I unbutton my pants then?" He did so without protest as he stalked forward. She kept her gaze upwards. "Should I bend you over this fucking couch?" Damon made quick to grab Bonnie, roughly slinging her over the back of the lounge chair. He clasped onto the back of her lustrous curls and tugged her skirmish body closer to his. "I should take these off, right?" And again he nudged her forward as he used his free hand to hike the dress up over her hips.
"Stop, Damon!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears, he pulled on the fabric so hard that the string holding the black lace panties together snapped. Bonnie struggled to get free from Damon's grasp and her embarrassing position. He was stronger. "Let me go!"
But he couldn't; he could never let her go.
"Don't."
"Shut up!" He clamored, almost robotically.
She cried. "Please."
The struggle only lasted for another thirty seconds before her cries became unbearable. He tucked himself back into his dress pants. Damon released her and watched her slid down to the floor. "Get up, get your stuff and let yourself out." He stated chillingly. He said it in a way that stopped her from actually taking any further movement right away until he headed into the bathroom.
Bonnie flinched when she heard the door slam shut. Fear struck through her like an icicle piercing through her gut, sending a chill up her spine that caused her to feel inexplicably cold inside and out. Her heart thumped heavily against her rapidly rising chest, and the pulsating of her heartbeat reverberated to her ears. The curse of terror traveled through the rest of her body as she sat there trembling. Not that she had to pack a suitcase, the only thing she knew she needed to grab was her clutch. And after scrambling to her shaking feet and retrieving her belongings, she quickly went to leave before he returned.
Just as Bonnie pulled the door open, standing there in his sharp Armani suit was a stoned face Klaus who had his hand raise in a knocking position. Where was he a minute ago? She didn't say anything to him; she didn't need too and they both knew that. Bonnie just flounced passed him. He called her name but he could already hear her heels fading down the steps. Klaus was aware of the telltale shouts followed by incoherent words just as he rounded the hall but with the Bennett rushing away and Damon nowhere in sight, it confused him. Just then did the Salvatore return to the room stark faced, hair disheveled, white button up shirt and pants undone; looking guilty as day.
Klaus glanced down to floor by the white lounge chair and spotted Bonnie's torn panties. When he looked back, it was clear Damon had seen the exact thing because his eyes were still on them. "What did you do Damon?"
"...I don't know." Was his response.
Bonnie tried her best to keep the tears captive until she at least reached her home. The whole time she felt flushed in anger for being so defenseless and even more embarrassed when Klaus had showed up. She could see it in his eyes that he had some idea of what was going on before the door opened. There was no telling how long he had stood out there. To make matters worse there was no one she could really talk to so when she got home so she didn't bother making a beeline to the house just yet. Everything that could go bad in her life was starting to take its course; she refused to say it out loud for a fear of God showing her that it could get even worse. Instead, the caramel skinned woman killed the engine and tried calming herself. She glanced around, finding Tyler's jeep and Caroline's Corolla parked in their usual places. And then there was Eleanor. She already knew Trevor would be leaving for work soon...
...
Her jade hues traveled over to the front door where she saw Trevor locking up. It made her wonder how long she had actually been sitting there. For a minute it appeared as if he were going to continue to his car, but he briefly saw the silhouette in the silver Prius parked in the driveway.
Bonnie almost wanted to cringe when she saw him walking towards her car... almost. As he approached the driver's side and tapped on the window, she rolled it down just slightly.
"You al-" He didn't need to finish the question to know that she wasn't. "Can I?" Trevor asked while motioning towards the passenger side.
Was it too soon?
It took her a second but she finally nodded.
"What's goin' on, Bon?"
"I just realized how stupid I've been acting."Bonnie drummed her hands on the steering wheel. "My life was complicated enough without adding all the extra baggage. Now I'm just screwed"
"Are you talking about that guy?"
"Is it that obvious."
Trevor nodded. "Don't beat yourself up... Whatever it was just know it wasn't your fault." A ghost of a smile appeared. "I mean how can it be? You're beautiful and way smart, sweet and one the coolest chicks I know...so he's definitely the idiot here not you"
That was more than enough to put a smile on her saddened face.
"Thanks Trevor." Bonnie locked him into a tight hug.
Her scent had him spinning with licentious thoughts but he was well aware that trying any of the above would only result of what happened the other night. Her running away from him in disgust.
"I'm sorry I can't stay with you but I gotta get to work... Sam with kill me if I'm late." Trevor frowned.
"Yeah, have a good night."
He smiled. It already was a goodnight.
The Next Day
Sunday, May 5
The next day Damon woke up with a deep sense of guilt with the addition of a nasty headache. Every inch of his body was screaming out 'what did you do to me'. He was remorseful, agitated and felt sick to his stomach because he knew it wasn't a dream like he had wished—instead it was the harsh reality of his undignified actions. Damon had taken partial of his anger out on Bonnie. And God knows she didn't deserve it. Unfortunately this time he couldn't make up excuses, he couldn't blame it on anyone else. Kath- No. This was his fault. His emotions got the better of him.
Last night Damon had battled an internal demon who for the past two years had leached off of his being. On the contrary, he did feel a thousand times lighter now since the weight of harboring secrets were no longer straddling his back in the form of intangible baggage. Not only his but Stefan's. Damon was almost certain that his father would have died right there after hearing such a thing. But nonetheless was he glad for his father pulling through. It had been quite a while since Damon had ever seen Giuseppe so upset. And the situation had went nothing like he suspected it would. Especially how he thought it would be a breath of fresh air to see Katherine getting chewed out, it was quite the opposite. He had no idea how his family dynamic was going to go now. Would Giuseppe accept his younger brother? Would Lucy and he ever have a normal relationship? Would Bonnie even forgive him?
He was starting to believe that maybe he did care about her. He just didn't know why it had to take this long.
Damon sluggishly crawled out of bed and headed over to his walk-in closet. He browsed his selection before pulling out one of his black custom Versace trim fit suits and laying it over the bed.
He showered, in fact scrubbed himself like some how all of his malfeasance would be washed down the drain. It didn't, however Damon felt even worse than when he first woke up.
Today was already a bitter day to begin with and now he had to deal with this.
Ring Dong!
Trevor pulled open the door, unveiling the again well dressed Salvatore holding a rather large bundle of ivory roses. "Damon right? Bonnie's not here so uhm..."
Damon glanced over to the Silver Prius parked in the driveway.
"She went for a jog." He lied.
"Right."he stated, his voice heavily laced with annoyance. "Just makes sure she gets these." Damon handed over the abundant bouquet of roses.
"I will." Trevor carefully takes the roses and uses his leg to shut the door since they required two hands. He set them on the island in the kitchen and left them there. She would see them.
...
Bonnie read the card.
Little Kitten, please forgive me.
—D
And ripped into two/four/six pieces.
She brought her heart-shaped face closer to the bouquet of the albumen-white roses and took in the sweet natural scent. Did he think this was suppose to be enough? Nothing could fix things but time. And right now she didn't have it because her COM class was starting in twenty minutes.
Bonnie left the roses sitting on the island and continued out into the living room until she reached the front door. As she locked up, the teen was in such a hurry that she didn't even notice someone standing near her car until she got there.
Fear crippled her, leaving her almost breathless. Her brows drew together and her eyes nearly widened in terror. Bonnie knew or rather she didn't know what he was doing.
"What are you still doing here?" She managed to muster up a bit of courage since a sudden surge of despair rising inside, chewing away at almost all of her confidence.
He could still see the fear searing through her aphid-green eyes.
"Waiting for you to come back from your jog?" Damon explained as he glance down to his watch. "I didn't even see you go into the house."It had barely been five minutes.
"Yeah well, I used the back door."
"You're a horrible liar." He sighed. "I came here to apologize for last night. I was drunk and angry... I shouldn't have taken it out on you like that."
"What do you want me to say... that I forgive you because I can't."
"I was wrong, Bonnie." His eyes were filled with silent supplication, and repulsive sorrow, his face ashen with shame.
"You almost raped me and I'm just suppose to forgive you.. I'm really sorry for what happened with Katherine and Stefan but I- I can't forgive you right now." Bonnie lowered her brows in dismay. "Just stay away from me." Slowly backing and pivoting on her heels, she continued passed him where she quickly entered her car.
Damon stood there watching as she peeled out of the cul-de-sac feeling more idiotic than he already had. There was no instant relief after apologizing, no breath of fresh air. Just regret and stupidity.
...
The day dawned with the caliginous nature of Springs debut. The oppressive gloom seeps through Damon's mind, a palpable milieu of mournful emotions brought his equilibrium into the effervescent muddle. He is barely able to harness any strength at all, whether through toughness or virility of mind.
Damon arrives the church with a minute to spare. He takes a seat in the back, placing about three empty rows between him and the over one hundred fifty attending guest. He knows over half of them are family, while the remainder are just friends. Nonno Giorgio had the effect on people. Something about him just drew you in.
Ululation in the form of sobs from several family members could be easily heard from his seat.
Cyan orbs glanced up ahead where he could see the backs of two familiar patrons. Mason's curly dark hair and Katherine's freshly dyed auburn hair pulled up into a chignon with her exposed back due to the black V-back dress she adorned. And surprisingly he didn't feel disgusted by the sight of her. Out of the corner of his eye did he see Emily seated just two benches ahead of him on the right side. He also could tell by her rich looking brown waves; another thing that reminded him of her... Damon tried to stay focused on what the Italian minster was saying but found himself still dwelling on what had happened last night.
Leave it to Nonno Giorgio to request a flown in minister from Italy.
...
The funeral seemed like it had dragged on for hours despite it only being ninety minutes in total. More people had decided to talk than what was expected but none the less it was over. Much like American tradition, everyone was to meet after for drinks and refreshments but knowing the Vito's like he did then refreshments really meant a five course meal.
Damon sat on the lavish sofa nursing a cup of whiskey as he glanced at many of the attendants conversate. He stood after seeing Mason come into the lounge room and point one of the guests down the hall.
"Hey man." Mason and Damon briefly side hugged.
"How you holding up?" said the Salvatore.
"Better." Mason began walking out into the hall as Damon followed. "Somehow having everyone here is helping..." He then glanced down towards his empty glass. "Come on... let's get a real drink."
And Damon nodded.
He ended up being led through the mansion and into the kitchen where Mason poured Damon a glass of Cognac with that of his own. "Just so you know, I took care of that thing with Conor. He was pissed but I took care of it."
Again the Salvatore nodded as he took a sip of his exceptional glass of liquor. He had far more urgent matters to deal with which didn't include the bullshit with the Jordan's. Damon did feel a bit guilty about having Conor fired, and after last night he had no real desire to pursue that any further. Of course the night of Emily coming to his home flashed throughout his mind. All she asked was that he leave her husband alone and he had gone and gotten him fired from his place of employment.
And speak of the devil, in waltzed Emily who looked to be finding some service as she held her phone up near the ceiling. Once her slightly slanted brown eyes caught on to the occupants in the kitchen her mood immediately shifted. Mason could feel the undeniable tension in the room—in fact it was so thick that he felt as if he were going to choke.
"A minute please." She said quite sternly.
Mason glanced over to Damon as he immediately downed the last bit of his alcohol. "No problem." He said quietly, and moved to make his way out of the kitchen.
Damon wanted to extricate the encumbrances of his métier because oddly his avidity to provoke no longer seemed enjoyable.
"What? No smirk or snarkiness?" She asked in disbelief.
He wasn't himself and Emily knew it.
"You asshole... you bastard, what are you gonna' get me fired now too?"
...
"Go ahead, call your father. I'm so sick of this shit. Why can't you just move on?" Emily narrowed her eyes agitatedly on the premise of his silence. "Why Damon... I made a mistake and little do you know I'm paying for it... in fact I'm paying for it right now as we speak."
Since she was unsure who fathered her child.
"Are you done?" Damon asked, clearly uninterested.
Smack!
It was the sound of flesh meeting flesh. The vibrations of the slap rippled through the skin of Damon's cheek. He'd be lying if he said it didn't sting as if his reddened face warmed. He kept his cyan eyes in the same direction the slap had caused his head to turned.
"Yes... Now I'm done." She said in satisfaction. "And just to be clear... Conor will never sink so low as to ask you for anything." And with that she turned on her spike heels and left the kitchen all together.
...
The day yawned drowsily, in a mist, slowly beginning to prepare for sunset. However, the receding sun was still hiding behind an assortment of cirrus clouds—making it much more bleak than the time called for. Hundreds of teens and young adults littered throughout the campus grounds. Sounds of birds, stomps of hurrying students and chit chatter could be heard. Throngs of scholars peppered the walkways; it wasn't hard pointing out the freshman—they were caring folder sized maps of the campus.
Bonnie was sitting at a table alone in the courtyard while reading the next chapter in her literature book, not that she minded. She just returned from a journey to the food court's most populated establishment known as Starbucks, where she purchased herself an over priced turkey sandwich and mocha frappacino which satisfied her quaking hunger. These were the kind of days she enjoyed most even though lately she hadn't had a chance to experience one. She felt lazy and contrastively relaxed, obviously the point of being out there to complete her assignment and readings served as a dual purpose. But now, sitting through a rich, cool climate, Bonnie introspectively evaluated her episodic existence, equivocal to the start of the spring semester. Especially now considering she was no longer employed.
She shut her book and breathe freely.
"Bonnie?"
The young woman turned around and smiled immediately. "No way...you go here?" She asked in shock.
"For two years now." Luka smiled brightly. "Do you mind if I sit?"
She shook her head, still somewhat surprised to see Luka standing there. To be honest, Bonnie didn't think she would ever see him again but it was a nice surprise.
He took the empty seat next to her. "Didn't think I'd be seeing you again."
Funny because she was thinking that same thing. "Ditto."
His parched lips were slightly open in an impoverish smile, his eyes were hazy. "Just get out of class?"
"A while ago, I was just sitting...thinking." She responded somberly.
"Lucky, at least you have time for that... Outside of practice and school I don't really get much free time." Luka wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Sorry for being a sweaty mess, basketball practice... Are you going to the game Friday?"
"Oh, no."
"You should come some time. Players get free tickets and I usually have extra tickets... most of my family is back in Texas."
"So you managed to escape to?"
"I had to? I mean that scholarship was like the best thing that ever happened to me. Luckily Conor and Emily already lived here so they offered me a place to stay. Matter of fact, she should be getting here soon to pick me up."He rubbed at his trimmed hair. "My car's in the shop so... I really hate relying on other people."
Tell her about it.
"Emily? "Bonnie stated.
"Yeah, Conor's wife. Well technically my sister-in-law. " said Luka.
She wanted to say more but didn't. Odds were that he didn't know what happened between her and Damon. There was a bit of confusion on her fault; mainly because the way Luka talked, they were still married. Affairs in a marriage usually mean divorce. Usually
The sun was setting and there were only a few more engulfs left in the sky before it was completely swallowed. It's copper now, with a thin-film of blue licking at the edge. Making them seem as if they were trapped in the veil of day and night. By now most of the students had settled into an orderly fashion and the courtyard no longer sprinkled with new/reoccurring people. Everything seemed calmed now, including the jade eyed woman sitting down, still deeply in conversation with Luka. He was so, light-hearted and kind. A bit complex but nice nonetheless.
Bonnie glanced over to the main building where she saw a raven standing on the top of the ledge. It's beady blood-red eyes appeared to be staring directly at her. He stood silently, until freeing it's wings and cawing barbarously. Reluctantly, the teen brought her sight back to the older male.
Luka glanced down to his phone. "And now I feel like the last kid at school because my 'parent' forgot me." He sighed heavily. "She got held up at the office so I'm gonna' have to bus it."
When she looked back it was gone. "I could give you a ride? I should get going soon anyway. You said you lived near Santa Monica?"
"Yeah." He looked up at the darkening skies. "If it's not too much trouble."
"Cool and no, I live no to far from there." She gathered her books and stood up. 'C'mon."
The Salvatore Manor
When Damon stumbled home after Nonno Giorgio's funeral and a visit at his usual bar, he could smell the smoke of his father's familiar habits cursing through the foyer. The Salvatore traveled deeper into the manor where he entered Giuseppe's home office; which was slightly less egotistical than his one at the company. The modernized office complete with dark wood walls and flooring, white ceiling and panel lighting seemed all to unfamiliar with the younger Salvatore. Damon watched his father puff on a Her Majesty's Reserve cigar, tumbling through what seemed like hundreds of pages before he actually said anything. He was actually more surprised that his father was sill up this late.
Giuseppe didn't need to look up to know he was no longer alone. He didn't need to ask if it was his first-born. He just knew. "I was just finishing up some work...but I wanted to talk to you...especially after last night" He stated while dousing the end of his cigar into his ashtray. "Siediti."
Damon sighed deeply abet quietly as he sunk down to the lounge chair, crossed his leg over one another and brought his arms to his chest because he knew what was coming.
"You know I have always thought of you and Stefan as good men...And I have your mother to thank for that but I- "Giuseppe rubbed the underside of his chin. "I regret not seeing so myself, not being more involved in my sons lives. I can understand you and Stefan's frustrations with me but I need you to understand why I work hard. I work hard because I've always wanted to give you and your fratello the life I never had growing up. To your mamma... especially her because she gave me the both of you. But to think I was so negligant not to notice that my own children were suffering breaks me and I know it would break your mamma if she knew. I've been so into the company that I almost forgot the reason I even started it. Family. I'm a maccabeo for not seeing it sooner. This is not how I want things to be, I do not want our relationship to sink so low. You are my son and I love you, no matter what happens. The same goes for Stefan."He paused. "You have never been a disappointment to me, Damon."
Unwritten words and unspoken truths surely couldn't prepare him for his fathers words. For his father's calamity and vulnerability. He was exposing a side to him that Damon had not seen since his own father passed away years ago. New angles were being maneuvered into situations he could never think possible. Man to man; Father to son; Teacher to student. But it did not matter because Damon understood where he was coming from. Giuseppe was finally confessing a father's love for the first time in a long time which scared the young Salvatore all the same.
"Your brother wants to transfer back to New York... I tried to talk to him but he won't listen. I am scared that he thinks I no longer think of him the same. And while I will admit that I always wish for you and Stefan to marry Italian women and have children... that doesn't matter anymore - I only want you and your brother to be happy by whatever means."
"I want to get into the family business... I want to learn."
"Damon you don't have to do-"
You're right." He interrupted. "You've build this empire for our family and I don't want to see it get handed over to anyone else without the last name Salvatore." Or else it would defeat the Salvatore Inc. naming.
Giuseppe doesn't smile, but he does: inwardly. Instead of showing any outward compassion right away, he simply reaches into the wooden box and hands Damon a cigar. It's compassion enough considering just one cost over seven hundred bucks.
A/N: Finally what we've all been waiting for.
I know it wasn't as long and a lot of you are probably cussing Damon out right now, but that was the result of everything with Katherine coming out. And especially Stefan since his secret has now been exposed. At least he's trying though. Now that Bonnie is associating with Luka we're going to have to keep a close eye on that because that can easily turn ugly. (Everything that happened when Bonnie drops Luka off will be included in that)
I've already started the next chapter and I'm hoping to get it out soon. With school, work and all, I'm doing my best. But reviews really do help my muse. Until next time. xoxo