Okay, alright, I was unsatisfied with the last one, so I couldn't help but upload the next one. Also, I would like to thank all of you who reviewed last time - we cracked the 100th review! WOOOHOOOOO! you guys rock. and special thanks to jacquline for writing #100!

this story feels so personal at this point, as you might've noticed, I'm having a hard time ending it. but I know I have to, cause you're all waiting for Claire and Damon to get back together. well, let's just say that there's still some obstacles to overcome, and there will be a few guest appearances by our new, sexy originals, who don't necessarily make things easier. But don't worry, it's not gonna evolve into a whole different story ;)

New York

Cautiously, the chambermaid knocked on door number 531. She had lost a game of rock, paper, scissors against the other maids who made her clean this room. They didn't know why, but they were supposed to stay out of it. Unfortunately, their boss had noticed it and forced them to clean the room. She heard someone cursing inside and her heartbeat grew faster as steps approached from the other side of the door. It swung open and her sight fell upon the most gorgeous man. He had dark hair, piercing blue eyes, a cocky grin and only wore black briefs. He eyed her up and down and a dangerous look appeared on his face. With his ruffled hair, the defined cheek bones and strong abs he looked like a fallen angel.

"What does such a lovely lady want from me?" he asked charmingly.

"I.. I.. I'm the chambermaid, I'm supposed to clean your room, Mr Black?" she said insecurely. He intimidated her. He cocked his head to the side and eyed her more intensely, if that was even possible.

"Well, then why don't you come in?" he stepped aside and she entered. The door closed behind her and when she looked up from her tray, a silent scream escaped her lungs. There were naked bodies all over the bed and couch. She wanted to turn away embarrassed, but when she looked closer, she saw a red liquid on all of them. She then realised that it must be blood. Her body froze while he circled her and put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. He looked her in the eyes and she felt that she couldn't look away.

"You are not going to scream," he said and she felt herself nod. "I am a bad, bad man, and I will kill you, but you won't try to run," he continued. Fear built up in her heart, and even though she wished she could move, she couldn't. Tears started to run down her cheeks. He smiled maliciously. "That's more like it. Now, let's see what you've brought for dinner." With that, he lunged forward and buried his teeth in her neck. Greedily, he sucked in the essence that was life until her body became lifeless. Carelessly, he dropped her to the floor and walked over to the window. On the way, he grabbed a glass from a table and drowned the brown liquid in one gulp. He hated himself for what he did, but it was all too late. That was who he really was. A monster. He realised it the day she left. Absent-mindedly, he took the silver pendant from where it lied on the floor. Twisting the heart around in his hands, he let himself think back at a time when he thought he had a shot at happiness. Her face flashed before his inner eye, laughing happily, green eyes sparkling. He shook his head and the image was gone in a flash. Angrily, he tossed the pendant across the room. Maybe he would leave it here this time. He had tried so often before, but somehow, he just couldn't. He was still weak. She had made him weak and he hated her for it. A sigh escaped his lips. Even with all the anger inside him, he couldn't help but wonder where she was right now. Or rather, who she was right now. Elijah's companion? A normal, human mother? A heartless monster just like he was? The uncertainty drove him mad at times.

While he thought about all this, his phone rang. He grabbed it from the nightstand and pulled his brows up in surprise.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, brother?" he asked with a poisonous tone in his voice. He hadn't talked to Stefan in 2 years.

"You have to come back to Mystic Falls," was the answer.

"Let me think about it… Go back to the town in the US that probably hates my guts most and where a certain werewolf would kill me the moment I step into his sight; all just because my brother's in the mood for some quality family time – no!" he shot back sarcastically.

"Let me handle Tyler. I need you to do something important for me," Stefan said.

"And what would that be? Save Elena? Again? Not interested, Stefan."

"It's not that," he paused briefly " I proposed and I want you to be the best man at my wedding."

One last short scene to go before we go back to full-on story mode. hang on!

Reviews are greatly appreciated as well :)