Authors note: As y'all could probably tell by a look at my profile, I am an avid FF reader, but I have never written. This is my first story. I just had an idea in my head that I needed to get out, and as we are all in isolation, it was getting depressing that none of my favourite stories were being updated. So why not make my own!
So on that note, go easy on me – and review if you like it!

SUMMARY: Damon is the head of the Italian mafia, based in New York. He is feared and respected around the world. He thought his life was fine, until he met her. He meets Elena and his personal and work life collide. What will Damon do when the love of his life is in danger because of his lifestyle? Will Elena be able to survive the dangers of the mob lifestyle, or will history repeat itself

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters, settings etc are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work. The author only owns the plot line of this story.

Elena strolled though the front door of her apartment building feeling giddy. What an interesting day that turned out to be.. she thought.

She reached her door, unlocked and entered her apartment dropping her bag and hat on the coffee table and slumping onto the sofa. She reached over and grabbed her phone, shooting a text to her friends:

-Just met a crazy handsome man in the park… you guys would be so proud! x
Elena

She knew they would be too. While she wasn't shy, she just didn't really date a lot. Her friends would try to set her up on dates with friends and blindside her with men when catching up, saying she just needed to put herself out there. But she had been content, lonely, but okay with it. She had a lot going on in her life.

She was busier than most and blamed her lack of a love life on that. She was studying psychology and criminology at university and worked two jobs; in a hospital and in a medical clinic. She had an apartment that she lived in alone and paid bills for so she had to work, but she did love it. And it kept her busy. But every now and again she had some time to herself to spend however she pleased, and on those days – the tree in the park with a good book was her favourite spot.

Her thoughts wandered back to Damon, the mysterious stranger from earlier. She smiled at how sure he was that they would see each other again, and wondered if she would see him…
She had every intention of spending her next Friday afternoon in the same place, so perhaps she might see him then…

*Ding* Her phone went off with a text from Caroline:
-Oh my god! What is his name! we need to stalk! x
-C

-His first name is Damon, and I know nothing else. But he seemed pretty certain we would see each other again… I'll let you know when I see him next aha Just thought you would want to know x
-E

*Ding*
-How exciting! A mystery man!
-Bonnie

She texted a little while longer telling them what had happened and asking about their days, before putting the phone down and getting up to look in the cupboards for dinner.
She groaned a little seeing the almost empty cupboards and decided she had put off going to the grocery store long enough, grabbing her keys and phone and heading out to go find her dinner.

After walking up the street for a block or 2 she had an odd feeling of being watched. She turned around and panned her surroundings for anything suspicious before shaking it off and heading into the store.

Damon had woken up then next morning with a pep in his step. Bounding down the stairs for his coffee in the kitchen, greeting the staff he would normally ignore on the way down.

"Someone if way too chirpy this morning", Stefan grumbled from the island in the kitchen, already clinging to his second cup of caffeine.

Damon just rolled his eyes and headed to his office, mug of coffee in hand. He walked in to find the usual omelette and papers made by his chef. He put the coffee down and noticed the manila folder under the papers, with the words 'Classified' and 'E.G' written on the front.

He smiled knowing exactly what this was. Just as he was about to push the food aside to read the contents, Klaus came barging in, grabbing the file from his hands.

"Not so fast, mate, we haven't finished all of our intel on this one" Klaus said, holding the file closed and away from Damon who was now reaching for it again with an annoyed look on his face.

"I don't care if it isn't finished, I want to know what it says about her", Damon said, holding his hand out for Klaus to give back. However, Klaus just looked at his hand and brushed past it with a sigh.

He dropped the photos taken of her yesterday on a visit to the store on Damon's desk to look at while he spoke.

"Elena Gilbert, 25 years of age, country girl born in mystic falls, moved to NYC for university – studies psychology and criminology, interesting", he laughed. "Works 2 jobs at a hospital and a medical clinic. Lives alone in an apartment on the upper west side, has a fair to average credit rating, some debt, minimal though… Has one little brother Jeremy Gilbert and parents live back in Mystic Falls. Best friends are Caroline Forbes and Bonnie Bennett, from high school also now living here in NYC. Ex boyfriend Kol of 2 years went a bit crazy a while back, she had a restraining order put on him for 12 months, due to stalking, but no trouble since reported."

"A fine job you did with just a first name, you never cease to amaze me buddy", Damon chuckled, taking all the information in.

"I am good. I know", he smirked, "do with that information what you will, but we have a meeting in 20 minutes" he said as he headed for the door.

Okay, Damon thought, I'll get todays jobs out of the way, do some more recon on Parker and head down to the park to try and find her.

With that, he finished up his breakfast and coffee and headed to the dining room for the mornings meetings.

7 days…. It had been 7 days of not seeing her anywhere. He had hoped to run into her at the park the next day, but never counted on her not being there until the same day the next week. He was having to shake himself, wondering why he was getting so wound up about not seeing a girl, he could have any girl he wanted.

But this one was different…

Friday had rolled around again, the 7th day in a row of him wondering around the park, waiting to see if she would turn up to no avail. Today however, he got to the park, and spotted the brown haired beauty herself perched in the same spot under the tree, reading just as she was when he first saw her…

Thank God! He thought… He strolled over and sat down next to her with no hesitation, she looked over and smiled at him, before turning to focus back on her book again, "Hello Damon, it's good to see you again".
Damon stared at her incredulously, she was even more beautiful than he remembered her.
"I'll have you know, I have been here every day looking for you, this time, I am not letting you leave without your phone number" he smirked. Not minding that he was giving himself away.

Elena turned and laughed, "Have you really?" she asked, stunned into silence when he looked at her and nodded.

"Well, I am usually busy during the week… but uh… I'm free now, if you wanted to go get dinner or something? There's a great place just over the road." She blushed feeling like a school girl again.

"Shall we then?" Damon stood and held out his hand to help her up, loving the feeling when her hand was in his.

They exchanged contact information as they were seated, with topics flying by from books to hobbies to sports and family. She was easy to talk to and he was loving every moment of this date.
Hours past of them talking, like fireworks across the table, when she looked at the time.
"11:00pm gosh, I should probably get going, I walked here and its getting late"

"Nonsense", Damon said, there is no way you are walking home this late, I have my car back at the park, I will drive you home, no funny business, I promise".

She reluctantly agreed, peaking out at the dark night sky outside, walking back to Damon's car where he opened the door for her and she directed him to her building, whilst he pretended to not know exactly where she lived.

Once again, he kissed her hand and said he will talk to her soon.

Getting up to her apartment she got ready for bed and jumped in, exhausted from the day but giddy about this man who had shown up in her life, when her phone buzzed..

*Damon*
Goodnight beautiful x
-Damon
She fell asleep that night with a smile on her face…..

For the next week they spoke on the phone every day and come Friday that week, they had another date. Both having an amazing time, talking and laughing. The date ended far too quickly for their liking, but Damon walked her to the door of her building and kissed her goodnight. Knowing he would need a cold shower once he got home if he wanted to get any sleep.

The weeks following saw them go on several dates during the week, falling more and more in love with this woman as every day passed…

They were walking to Elena's building entrance, when Elena turned to look at Damon sheepishly. Damon was praying this meant what he had been wishing for...

"Damon, do you, uhh, do you want to come up?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips…

"I would love to", he replied smoothly, his head screaming YES!

They headed up the elevator and Damon had decided he couldn't wait, and he pounced on her. Pressing her up against the wall of the elevator in a passionate kiss, stumbling out once they reached her floor. They got to her door where he lifted her up and carried her inside, locking the door behind him.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Little did Damon know a man in the shadows had been watching his every move for weeks, snapping photos of dates and drop offs with a beautiful brunette passing the photos along to his boss – Kai Parker.