Myself, Stefan, Jeremy, my mum and my dad all turn up at the restaurant at 8pm sharp. Stefan was never one to be late and was not going to change now. No sooner had we sat down, Caroline, Bonnie and Matt join us to the table, with Damon turning up 5 minutes later apologising for being late. Stefan and I introduce everyone in turn and once our orders have been placed, we all got ourselves acquainted. Looking down the large table, I can see a very smily Bonnie who was conveniently placed next to Jeremy deep into a conversation as Jeremy poured her some more wine, Matt and Caroline were in conversation with Stefan and I am currently in a conversation with Damon and my mum and dad about his business and the award show that was coming up.
"We are up against a few large companies this year. Although of course I would love to win the award. It would bring a great boost of moral to the company aswell as my brother, my father and I" Damon says responding to a question.
"Well I hope you win Damon. You seem to be doing a lot lately and both your company and you and your brother have been in the news a lot. I dare say Elena has had a small hand in your success with the amount of publicity she is giving you from her column and the connection between her and Stefan." My dad says
In my head I am very shocked. Have I really had a hand in their publicity. In a way it's great, but in a way it also means that I may be in the papers for the wrong reasons. My mum notices me in my private thoughts and gives me a 'don't worry about it' look.
"So Elena how's things going with living with Stefan? Are you enjoying it so far?" My mum asks, leaving Damon and my dad in a conversation about the business.
"Things are going….great" I say smiling.
"Have you guys got to know each other on a personal level?"
"MUM!" I say shocked trying not to raise my voice loudly
My mum laughs. "Not in that way Elena. I meant as in your pasts, your likes and dislikes, the ex conversation. That sort of thing"
I calm immediately. "Yeah we have. Of course Stefan is my first proper boyfriend where anything has really happened and he has told me about a few girls he loved before but I think we are okay." I say with a small reminder in my head about Katherine and Rebekah's threat.
With the uncanny ability to read my thoughts my mum asks me "Are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine. Just.. a few girls at work are giving me a little jip about me being with Stefan"
"Well they are just jealous. I mean, from what you have told me over the phone to actually meeting Stefan, you could not have done better." My mum says leaning forward and whispering the last part to me since I'm sitting next to Stefan who is now deep in conversation with Matt, Caroline, Damon and my dad about football.
"So how do I stop them?" I ask
"Sadly in this situation you can't darling. Women get jealous, it's what we are like. You can do one of two things here. You can get really protective and drive Stefan away from you, or you can be really subtle to the girls and make them realise that you are a big girl who can make her own decisions." I smile knowing that my mum is right. I need to deal with Rebekah and Katherine in a way that is subtle enough that Stefan doesn't notice.
"Thanks mum. You always know the right thing to say"
"Well, that's what mums are for. You'll know that one day when you have children of your own." Inside I smile. I've never been interested in having children but recently a lot of things in my mind have changed.
We all finish up our meals and decide to go back home. It feels nice coming over to Stefan's house knowing that I live there too. It feels …like home. Even though I have all of these problems with Katherine and Rebekah, I know that no matter what, my stuff is not leaving this house. I watch as Stefan and Jeremy walk ahead into the living room and sit themselves down on a sofa while still in the middle of a massive debate about football. No idea what they are on about, but suddenly Damon gets involved and so does my Dad again so I get some more time with my mum, Bonnie and Caroline in the kitchen.
"So girls, how have you been?"
"Nothing to complain about" Bonnie says. I agreed that she could come along as my mum doesn't catch wind that we have been fighting over the whole 'photo' incident.
"Yeah nothing to report." Caroline agrees. "Work is usual and things with Matt have been working out great. We've been together a few months but a lot has happened, I mean, Elena moved out and Matt moved in and it has taken some time to adjust but it's been worth it."
"So what about you Bonnie? Any news on the boyfriend department?" My mum asks. She used to join the girls nights when she popped over for an evening so we are very much used to this.
"Nothing I'm afraid to say. I haven't had a boyfriend in a while so I've mainly been focusing on work." She answers just in time to hear Jeremy walk towards the island that we are standing at.
"Hey Elena. Where can I get a glass of water?" He asks
"Stefan didn't offer to get you it?" I ask suddenly thinking about Stefan's lack of hospitality.
"He did but I told him the same thing I'm going to tell you now, I'm a big boy and I can get a glass of water" He jokes.
"Top cupboard on your left." I instruct and leave Jeremy to it. When Jeremy walks past us again with his glass of water, I realise that Bonnie eyes are fully focused on my brother leaving the room.
"Um…Bonnie?" I ask as I see my mum smile a little.
"I think I'll go in the other room and talk to your dad for a bit." My mum has a very good grasp on when to leave a room when she needs to.
"Bonnie?" I ask a little louder.
"What? What?" She asks distractedly turning her gaze back to me.
"You like him don't you?" Caroline asks
"No! Don't be silly. Elena he is your brother. I wouldn't do that to you" Bonnie tries to defend, but I simply laugh.
"Seriously I don't mind. You and I may not be on the best terms right now but I won't deny him the chance to talk to you. I knew you two would hit it off anyway, why do you think I invited you?" I ask
"Really? That's why you invited me?" Bonnie asks. I simply nod and she smiles back and mutters a thank you in my direction.
"So how are we going to sort out this Katherine and Rebekah situation?" Caroline asks trying to change the subject.
"Wait? What Katherine and Rebekah situation?"
"You promise to keep this a secret?" I ask cautiously completely forgetting that Bonnie doesn't know about any of this. Luckily I have a good eye when Bonnie lies so I know I can trust her.
"I promise"
"Okay… here it is…." I start, explaining all about Katherine, Rebekah, the history with Damon and Stefan and the threat they made in the office.
"Those bitches! Right count me in. I'm helping you get those girls off your back." Bonnie retort.
"No Bonnie. The less people that know and that are involved the better" I disagree
"Elena. I am head of a newspaper, I can dig up so much dirt without them realising. Don't you want to use that to get Stefan back?" Bonnie asks.
"But won't it be a misuse of information?" I ask
"Not if it's used in the right way. If it is used to show who those people really are then we are doing our job as reporters."
I take a pause. "Alright you're in. So how are we going to do this?"
So that's another chapter for a week! Was recently going through a bad patch trying to keep this story moving but now with your amazing comments I am 5 chapters ahead again! Get ready for a big twist in this story and please comment! :D