Disclaimer: We own nothing TVD... but you already know that.
This is a collab with KTCM who is fuck-awesome... nuff said.
So the article is out, she declared her love, I wonder what is going to happen next?
Enjoy.
Elena pov:
"You look nervous as fuck." Stefan says as he sits on the side of my desk facing me.
I ignore him and continue chewing on my fingernail.
I am nervous.
Right now we're in my office. I can't get any work done because I've declared my love for Damon in the paper and I'm not sure how well that will go over with the editor. I was not intentionally wanting the article to go in that direction but... it was just the way it turned out.
"It's gonna be fine, Elena. She published it, didn't she?" He tries his hand at sympathy.
I shake my head. "You know how unpredictable she can be. She may have published it, but let's face it, I threw her a fucking curve ball. She wanted an article and I came back with a fucking love story."
"I think you're over-reacting."
I scoff. "I think I'm reacting just the right amount."
He rolls his eyes and then says, "Damon's reading it... as we speak."
For some reason that makes me more nervous than being fired. "How do you know that?"
"I just text him. Told him to skip to the end, I mean that's where the juicy bits are." He howls.
I gasp and hit him with the back of my hand. He flinches and backs up off of my desk.
"Fuck!"
"What the hell is wrong with you!" I hit him once more. "Why couldn't you just let him read the damn article himself. Damn it, if he did he might've gotten bored and stopped reading it himself halfway through."
"You're fucking crazy, do you know that? Like an actual crazy person!" Stefan straightens out his sports jacket and sits back down on my desk; I roll my eyes. "And no one just stops reading an Elena Gilbert article."
"Well has he sent you anything back yet? Did he say he liked it?"
"Actually, I haven't heard back from him in about 15 minutes."
I groaned. "I'm screwed." I'm about to hide my face in my hands when there's a knock on the door. Then it opens.
Lexi stands in the doorway, her expression is unreadable. "Stefan, could you give me a minute alone with Elena please?"
He smirks in her direction as he stands. "Of course, Lexi. Whatever you want." He brushes his finger along her cheek in his usual, harmless, playful flirtation and I refrain from rolling my eyes. He can be such a creep sometimes.
Once he's out the door and it's just Lexi and I in the office I blurt, "So should I just pack my things and go? I assure you that security is not needed." I cringe at the thought if the burly security guard down on the first level escorting me out of the building.
"What? Elena, no." Lexi laughs. Then she starts laughing harder, so hard that she snorts.
I just stare at her.
Yeah, I think I'm going to need her to take my termination more seriously.
But then she sobers a bit. "Elena, why would I publish your article and then fire you?"
"Um, because one of the most important rules of journalism is to not get personal or bias. That article was..." I trail off.
"Yes, it was personal and you're right, that is a very important rule in journalism." She sighs. "Elena, do you know how many copies we sold since this paper got published?"
I shook my head slowly.
"Three times the the average."
"Are you kidding me?" I stood up and then I sat back down because I wasn't too sure why I was standing up. "That can't be right. It just came out this morning."
"It is Elena. And I'm ninety-nine-point-nine percent sure it has to do with your article. One avid New York Times reader buys his paper, reads your article and then tell everyone he knows about it the article. You know how powerful word of mouth is. It's to the point where people who don't even read the paper are buying it to read your article." She smiles at me.
"I can't belie- But wait! Did you know that was going to happen? Is that why you published it?"
She nods.
"So... I'm not fired?"
"Elena I don't have a reason to fire you. And if I were going to I would've done so when you got here, first thing in the morning."
I sit back, stunned.
"But I do expect a thank you." She says coyly.
I turn my head in her direction and she continues.
"You were so against working with Damon! I almost had to do the article myself. Hell, I could be the one falling in love with Damon Salvatore." We both laugh but mine in a little forced. I've never felt possessive over a boyfriend before, but now I was really feeling it.
"You're right. Thank you, Lexi." She smirks and shrugs a shoulder.
"Okay, I'm going to get out of here, considering Damon is on the other side of that door. I'm sure he wants to tell you how he feels about that article too..."
My eyes are wide. "Damon's out there?"
"Yup." She walks out of my office, leaving the door wide open and sure enough Damon is standing on the other side waiting patiently.
He turns his head slowly towards me, his famous and sexy smirk appearing on his perfectly pouty lips, one eyebrow raised, his gorgeous baby blue orbs eyeing me up and down suspiciously. I just stare at him, afraid to speak or move...what if I have just gone and fucked everything up? What if he wasn't ready for people to know?
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
He finally strolls in my office and shuts the door behind him, he's making me nervous. "Damon, I'm sorry. I just... I was writing and everything was just fitting into place, I don't know what happened... now everybody knows. I should've asked you or something..."
"Elena, shut the fuck up!" He says and then grabs me pressing his lips to mine so passionately that I melt into him. "Don't ever be sorry for this." I feel him smile against my lips. "It's amazing what you did and it has made me realise just how much I am in love with you." He rests his forehead against mine. "You're it for me now, Elena. Just you... only you... forever you."
My heart broke with those words... when did I become such a fucking softy? "So you're really not angry?"
He laughs and takes a step back to look at me. "Are you serious? I'm over the fucking moon, now everybody knows just what a lucky son of a bitch I am. There is however a sea of people outside this building, press, papz, fans and envious girls and guys who all need tending too. So lets think of this as our first public appearance, let them take their pictures and ask their questions then I am whisking you off for the week."
This was too much to take in. "I can't just go away for the week Damon, I have a job. And why is everybody here now? I said all I needed to say in the damn article... Jesus, it's never enough for some people." I huff.
"I have cleared it with Lexi, after the sales from today you have earned a week off." He smiles and pecks my lips.
"Okay, so where are we going?" I ask slightly intrigued.
He takes an apple from my desk, sits next to me and takes a bite. "The Hampton's." he says nonchalantly between mouthfuls.
"Nice," I say nodding my head until I realise from his devilish grin what is going on. "Wait a minute, No... oh no no no no no. My parents... how... why?" I was struggling to find any kind of words. I haven't seen my parents in a while, yeah my mom had known about Damon but my dad... he is going to flip out, I know he is... he's very protective of me and Kat.
"I spoke to Ric this morning, Kat gave me his number." He said like it was the most normal thing to say in the world.
"You did what? What did you say to him exactly?"
"I basically just told him how much I love you and it would be an honour to meet your parents. He was pleasantly surprised that I had the balls to call him. Your mom is making preparations for our arrival as we speak." He kissed my cheek. "Don't worry about it, we'll have a fabulous time. I start filming next week, busy busy so I thought some down time would be good before all the bullshit starts."
"And you think I'd be calm introducing you to my parents as my boy- wait... you start filming next week?"
"Yeah. We talked about it when we first met, remember?" He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear as I think to myself. I think I vaguely remember discussing his upcoming movie rolls. Maybe I didn't note the date because I didn't really care back then. "You alright?"
"Yeah I'm good."
How long does it usually take to film a movie?
"You sure?"
"Yep." I nod
Does he have to kiss anyone?
"I don't believe you." He steps closer.
"I promise I'm good." Then I roll my eyes at myself. I'm acting like I would die if I were away from him for a couple of weeks. "So when you talked to me dad how did he seem?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, was he mad... did he sound happy or-or,"
"Elena, baby relax. Everything is going to go fine. I promise." He wraps me into his arms.
I pout and lean my head against n his chest. I was not going to be the only one in the spotlight. Kat and Jeremy were in new relationships too. I giggle.
"What's so funny?" Damon asks.
"Just how Jeremy, Kat and I all got involved with someone in the same week! My mother must be ecstatic and my dad probably doesn't know what to do with himself where Kat and I are concerned."
"Is he really that protective?" Damon inquires.
I look up at him with an arched brow. "He never warmed up to my last boyfriend and we were together for three years."
For the first time since he brought up the Hampton's he actually looked intimidated.
Good.
"We can back out... I mean, if you don't really want to go."
"Nope. This is happening Elena." He nods more to himself than to me.
We leave after that. Damon made a quick speech to the crowds outside and I had a billion cameras shoved in my face, flashing and shit. Damon heads to his place to pack and I go to mine. On my way there I dial Kat.
"Yes?" She answers groggily. She's still sleeping.
"Why the hell did you give Damon Dad's number?" I swear, he goes to her for every little piece of info.
She snorts. "Oh, that. I was wondering when you were gonna call me about that."
"You could've warned me." I scold her as I step out of the cab.
"Now where's the fun in that? Besides, you won't be alone the whole time. We'll all be there by the weekend."
I groaned. "Dad is going to make everything so awkward with his glares."
"Or he could actually like him." she suggests.
"Not likely." I groan.
"Look, your just thinking about the time Dad met Matt. He didn't like him because Matt was always trying to tell you what to do and monopolizing your time. None of us liked him."
I look up as I walk down the hall to my apartment... speak of the devil and he shall appear. Matt is standing outside of my door, looking impatient.
"I'll call you later Kat." I hung up the phone. "Um, what are you doing here?" I was impatient too. I was supposed to meet Damon in an hour and a half.
He held up a rolled up newspaper. "I read your article today."
"I'm sure everyone in New York read my article today Matt." I deadpan. I really wasn't in the mood for this bullshit.
"Well is it true?" He asks, obviously oblivious to the truth behind my words.
I look at him with an arched brow. "Of course it's true, how could you even think that it's not? You think I'd just some bullshit story up about one of the most famous guys around? Jesus Matt what do you take me for?" I can't believe this guy sometimes.
"How can you be in love with that douche, you've only known him just over a week. We were together three years Elena, I know you loved me... I know you still do. What has he got that I haven't?" He looks at me with his pretty blue eyes, pleadingly.
Those eyes may be pretty but I won't tolerate this. "Damon has a lot of qualities that you don't posses. Like charm and honesty, he is also honourable and knows how to have fun. He treats me like I deserve to be treated and I'm sorry but you lack in all those areas." I sigh in frustration. "We haven't been together for months Matt, you need to get over me. I've moved on and it's about time you do the same."
He punches the wall at the side of my door which startles me. "No! Elena I can't get over you. I love you and it's always going to be you, I won't allow you to be with this guy... I mean your probably only with him for his money."
Without thinking I raise my hand and slap him across the face. "Just leave Matt, leave me alone. How dare you come over here and accuse me of shit like that? That just proves that you don't know me at all."
He grabs my shoulders and pushes me against the wall. "I won't leave you alone Elena... I can't." He forcefully presses his lips to mine.
"Matt get off of me." I shout but it is muffled by his lips.
"I think the lady asked you to get off of her." I hear someone yell and then feel Matt being pulled away.
I see Caroline push him up against the opposite wall with his arm twisted behind his back. "If ever see you here again Matthew Donovan, I won't think twice about taking you downtown and having your stalking ass arrested. Do you understand me?"
I watch from the sidelines as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I love it when she goes all bad cop.
"Yes, officer Forbes. I understand." He says nervously.
"I mean it Matt, do not make me have to come back for you and don't enter this complex again. You have no business here and I have people watching out for you. Now get out of here." She releases his arm and pushes him away.
Caroline and I watch as he gets in the elevator to leave.
"Thanks Car. I don't know what his fucking problem is." I say unlocking my door.
"Not a problem, the guy on the desk downstairs called me, told me that Matt had come here. I knew he would try something else, something stupid because that is what Matt does... makes a complete ass of himself." She laughs.
"I know. I don't want to keep hurting him but he has to understand that he isn't part of my life anymore." I walk into my bedroom and pull out a suitcase from under my bed. "I need to pack, will you help me?" I ask her.
"Ohh yeah, the Hampton's right? Sure I'll help you." She starts looking through my closet. "So just you and Damon huh?" She giggles.
"And my parents. Can you actually believe that he called up my dad and asked him if we could spend time over there?" I throw some jeans in my case.
"I know! Ric isn't an easy man to please but Damon must have done something right if Ric is agreeing to this. And I mean, at least Damon went about it in the right way... most guys wouldn't have dared to do something like that. It just goes to show how much he loves you."
"When did you get so smart?" I tease.
She winks at me. "I'm a fountain of knowledge Elena, drink from me."
I start laughing hysterically. "You're such a fucking goon."
She flicks her hair over her shoulder dramatically. "I know this."
"So then, how are things with you and Klaus?" I quiz as we pack my case. I throw shit in, Caroline takes it out, folds it and puts it back in neatly.
We have a little regime going on.
Her eyes light up. "He's such an amazing guy but he knows diddly squat about city life. It's cute really... yesterday he called me up because he was lost in times square. Tyler and I had to go rescue his ass, he looked like a little lost kid who couldn't find his momma."
I laugh loudly. "I can actually picture that. Klaus is a good guy, I'm glad you've found somebody."
"Yeah, now if I can just get him to get along with Damon and Stefan. I want us to do things together and that can't happen if those two can't get along with him." She looks at me like I have something to do with it.
I hold my hands up. "Hey, Damon and Stefan have their own reasons for not liking him, you're going to have to take that up with them."
"Well hopefully this is something they can just get over. I mean, whatever happened between them happened along time ago, right?"
I shrug. "I'm staying as far away from that as possible. Maybe after a while all the dislike will just diffuse and go away?" I start looking through my drawer for bikinis. "Hey, speaking of things and people that need to go away, can you not tell Damon... or anyone for that matter, what just happened with Matt?"
Caroline looks back at me from my closet. "I wasn't planning on it. But you are, right?"
I snort. "No."
"Has he ever asked you about Matt?"
"Not really. I mean, I know he knows about him but we never talked about it."
"Not even when he sat outside your door for hours while you were sleeping?"
"No, Car!" I scoff. "Call me crazy, but I'm not willing to tell Damon about a crazy ex that might scare him away. Besides, it looks like he'll let it go after today."
"But what if he doesn't?" Caroline shoves something else in my suitcase. "Don't you think he'll appreciate a little heads up if Matt does something else stupid?"
I sigh. I honestly don't want to tell Damon anything about Matt, but Caroline is right. I mean, considering how I reacted over that situation with Damon's ex when we went to Mystic Falls, I should do everything to avoid circumstances like that.
"I'll think about it." I say.
"Good." Caroline smiles at her success.
We finish up packing and Caroline gives me a ride over to Damon's apartment. He will be driving us himself to my parents, I was looking forward to it. Just me and my man hitting the road. I know I'm going to have to tell him about Matt but I don't know how he will take it. That fact scares me but one thing at a time.
First on the agenda... meeting the parents.
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