Chapter 1
"Wake up Elena," Someone shouted at the top of their voice, waking me from my sweet slumber. I rubbed my eyes to get a better view of my best friend Caroline Forbes, who was running around the room, "Today we're graduating and you're sleeping here. Today is a very special day you can get all the sleep in the world after today..." her high pitched voice made me cringe.
"Can't you just, you know, low your volume " I said lazily, as I sat up still rubbing my eyes.
"Elena we're graduating today," She exclaimed and I sighed. My best friend was always over excited about everything, every moment, every event mattered, be it, going on your first date, or losing your virginity to the boy next door, or buying a new dress. "Get your lazy ass out of bed right now."
"Okay, okay," I raised my hands in surrender and climbed down the bed. "You called Stefan?"
"Yeah… He just woke up. We're supposed to meet him after an hour and there are things to do, group hug, selfies, scribbling on shirts and then main event... Can you believe it? We're graduating finally," I laughed as she rambled on.
"Yes we're graduating and now we're gonna find jobs and then we're going to meet our Prince Charming, fall in love, get married, have kids and then raise them..." I mocked her a little to which she crossed her arms against her chest
" Okay, okay, I'm not starting with you.. You're a bitch," She rolled her eyes, while I laughed and hurried to get a quick shower.
After getting ready for graduation ceremony, Caroline and I quickly made our way to the hall where all of our classmates were gathered. I quickly noticed Stefan Whitmore, one of our best friends, standing with Matt, who also happened to be my ex boyfriend, Liv, Liam, Jackson and the rest of the gang. I waved at them as we made our way towards group. I hugged each one of them. Matt and I after breakup settled for the friendship as we were childhood friends, we were even together in high school, so that's that.
I was close to Stefan and Caroline the most. They were my best friends and sometimes I feel like Stefan have a secret crush on Caroline, just a feeling don't know for sure. Caroline and I were also childhood friends, while we both met Stefan when we came here New York for our business degree. We quickly hit off, as Stefan was shy one while caroline was totally opposite. And they say opposite attracts.. So being a friend of caroline I also met Stefan and rest was history.
After a lot of pictures, we went to ceremony hall. Everyone was dressed up in black graduations robes. Happy to finally pass, sad to leave a very joyful life behind.
"I heard that the guest of honor is really hot," Kira, one of our batch mate said, earning a laugh from everyone.
"I hope so… And then when he'll give us our degree, our eyes will meet, and then.. " Caroline let out a dreamy sigh, making me giggle. I looked at Stefan who was looking around, not really focusing on us.
" Stefan why are you lost? " I inquired and everyone looked at him.
"No, I'm not," He looked like he was caught red handed, and I let out a chuckle at his behavior.
"Students, May I have your attention? "A loud voice pulled our attention and we took our seats. " Today we're gathered here...," The voice of our dean drowned as I looked around, not really focusing on what he said.
"So here we welcome our guest of honor, Mr. Damon Salvatore," A loud cheer broke in hall as a tall figure made his way to the stage. I hadn't seen his face, but I could tell he must be hot by the way he made girls in the front row swoon.
"Salvatore? As in Salvatore enterprise? " One of our classmate gasped. " Youngest millionaire of the town, "
"He's very hot," Caroline said and I turned my face from gossiping girls to the stage, where the mysterious man was standing. My eyes popped out and mouth fell open when I saw him.
Beautiful.
There was only one word to describe him. His blue eyes scanning the crowd, and a professional smile on his face as he took the bouquet from our dean. Soon after the ceremony started and one by one students started taking their degrees from the hot shot bachelor, who was Damon Salvatore.
I didn't fail to notice the lingering stares girls were throwing in his direction. But he was just smiling politely at them, his eyes were full of mischief. I could see that; it was just his professional behavior which was restricting him from coming out as who he really was.
It was my turn, I got up from the seat and went to the stage. My legs were trembling and palms were sweaty as I climbed the stairs and came face to face with Damon Salvatore. I noticed that he was even more handsome, if look closely.
His eyes met mine and he smiled politely "All the best for your future Ms. Gilbert," I smiled shyly and posed for picture.
..
..
Damon's POV
"April," I approached my younger sister who was standing near SUV, smiling when she saw me.
"How was he? You like him? Please say you like him or at least you didn't murder him," She threw her questions at me and I shook my head. Sisters could be hell annoying.
"Yes I saw your eternal love Stefan. I didn't meet him but, I just handed him his degree, that's all," Her face fell. "I'm sorry April but it was a formal event, I couldn't actually talk to him,"
"I know, Damon," She rolled her eyes and went to sit back in car. A few days ago my baby sister April Salvatore confessed her eternal love for a boy named Stefan Whitmore in front me, who was studying business in the college that had approached me to be their guest for honor for the ceremony and inspire the youngsters from my work and achievements.
I and April were very close as our mother passed away when she was young and my father engaged himself in work. It was just me and her, always. I loved her like a mother and protected her like a father. I always wanted my sister to have everything she wanted in life, which was why I agreed to meet this boy, Stefan.
But I couldn't just to go over to this Stefan boy and say 'Hey dude, you don't know me, but my sister who is your high school friend have fallen in love with you, and she has asked me to check you out. So mind if I start my enquiry?' No I definitely could not do that.
Being a big brother came with a responsibility and I wanted to be better at that. I went into the car and sat beside her but she just turned her face. I gave up and said, "Come on, let's meet this Stefan boy,"
"What? How?" Her eyes widened and she turned to me, surprised. I pressed my smile at her giddiness.
"They are inside enjoying ceremony right now, we can still go in and then…"
" Yes, yes, come on," She climbed out of the car and I followed her inside. There was a crowd of students laughing, dancing, enjoying their last day.
"There he is," she quickly waved at someone and I saw the guy Stefan, walk up to us. He smiled at April but when he noticed me, his eyes furrowed in confusion.
"Hello April... Good Evening, Mr. Salvatore," He greeted." How are you here, April? "
"My brother was coming here so I thought I should give you a surprise visit. Congratulations," She said shyly and I tried very hard to hide my smile, I had never seen her fidgeting in front of anyone.
"Wait, your brother as in Mr. Salvatore? " His eyes bulge out and I stared at him. Seriously? Did he even know April?
"Yup," I replied, offering him a soft smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't know," He said baffled. I certainly did not like this guy. They went to high school together, April told me she was in love with him and he barely knew her.
"It's not your fault we never get to hang out in school," April smiled at him, she really loved this guy and I'll make sure she would have this one. My little sister deserved the world.
"I'm gonna leave you two here," I excused politely and left from there, which was a mistake considering the fact that soon all the girls gathered around me to click photographs. I smiled throughout the ordeal, not knowing how to get out of there. Oh the things we do for our siblings.
"Yes, he's going to propose today," I heard a squealing sound and turned to look at two girls gushing the latest gossip maybe with each other. "Never knew Stefan Whitmore would ever have guts to confess his feelings to the girl he loves. I mean he is very shy,"
"I heard he's proposing,"
"Already?"
"They've been best friends forever,"
"I know right? I saw the ring. He's ready to settle down," the brunette, whose back I was facing said proudly.
"He told you that? " the other girl questioned unsure.
" He loves me what else do you expect? " Brunette girl said, giggling. I froze. Stefan Whitmore, the love of my sister's life was in love with someone else. I looked back at April who was talking to Stefan, smiling, tucking her hair behind her ear nervously, a trait girls show when they were nervous. She could not know this.
But I also knew my sister loved that guy and she deserved him, more than that gossiping brunette. He has to fall for my sister. He could not love that brunette. I won't let my sister go through heartbreak. I looked back at the girls, at once the brunette turned around, her hair flying in all the direction as I saw her.
Beautiful.
The first thought when I saw the doe eyed girl was that she was beautiful. Really beautiful. She was smiling, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Unfortunately, the happiness was not going to last forever because I was Damon Salvatore and I do what I want and if my sister wanted that Whitmore guy I was going to do everything in my power to make sure it she gets him.
We, Salvatore's were very selfish when it came to love.
….
….
"You sure she's going to say yes?" Stefan asked me for hundredth time and I rolled my eyes. "Elena, I'm serious. You know I only told you about my feelings for Caroline because I trust you only. Just tell me what you're thinking".
"Stefan Anthony Whitmore you're going to shut up right now. How many times do I have to tell you that you're the most amazing and deserving guy? Caroline won't say no to you, It's a risk but we know she always loves surprises." I snapped at him I mean he was asking the same damn question since graduation ceremony. Was he blind? Couldn't he see that he was the perfect guy for Caroline. God!
"Okay I just hope she says yes," Stefan said and I glared at him, "I mean I know she would say yes,"
"Better," I smirked at him. I looked around The Grill and saw April Salvatore entering. What was she doing here?
"Isn't that your friend?" I gestured toward April and Stefan looked in that direction.
"Yes. Give me a minute," Stefan said and went to talk with April while I picked up my phone and started checking my messages.
'Hey Lena, when are you coming back to Mystic Falls. Big city doesn't suit you. Miss you Gilbert' I smiled at the text from Liam. He was my high school friend or I could say more than friend. We hadn't labeled us yet but we were there. He asked me to label us on the day of our graduation and I said I needed time but we became inseparable since then. We talked a lot. I was searching job in New York, if I could find one before going back to my home town. While Liam was studying medicine in Whitmore college Virginia.
"Crap," Stefan came back and slammed his knuckles on the table. All the people turned to stare at us.
"Stefan?" I hissed but quickly furrowed when I saw his face, it was like he has seen ghost. "You're not having a panic attack. Are you? Caroline is not even here," I said jokingly but he just shook his head. "What happened?"
"It's… It's April. She... She is in love with me," I gasped at his words. "Someone must have told her that I was here with you and she got jealous and she just started screaming at me for not caring about her. And then she confessed. I..."
"You rejected her. Right? " Stefan was someone who could not hurt even a fly and I was afraid if he said yes to April. Just thinking.
"Of course, " he exclaimed.
" Excuse me to be afraid of your saint Stefan morals," I said sarcastically.
"I hurt her but I couldn't give her a fake hope," he sighed and I held his hand.
"Look Stefan, at least you were being honest."
"I told her I am in love with someone else. I couldn't lie" I smiled ruefully. "I love Caroline and I'll..."
"What?" someone gasped behind us and we quickly stood up to face a very shocked Caroline.
"Caroline I... " Stefan started but was intruptted when Caroline swung her hand and slapped him.
Crap!
….
….
Damon's POV
"Miss April refused to eat, sir," Sam, our house cook informed me when I was leaving the house. I sighed. It's been a week since April confessed her eternal love for that Stefan guy and he rejected her. He was in love with someone else.
She refused to eat or go out with her friends. She was hardly out of her room nowadays. It was depressing to see my little sister in pain. I had to do something. I nodded at him.
I called April's friend and my best friend Klaus Mikelson's sister Rebekah and asked her for help. She was a clever girl and I knew she was the only one who could help me get April out of this depressing phase.
...
….
Elena's POV
My palms were sweating as I sat in the waiting room. I wanted, no I needed this job. Working with Salvatore company would be like a dream come true. I was surprised when I got the call from University a week ago, they informed me that I was one of the short listed students for the job interview in Salvatore company.
It was the second good news of the week. First was, of course, Caroline and Stefan's relationship. That day I got scared when she slapped him but to our surprise that slap was for the delay in proposal. She complained that she had been giving signals to Stefan since last year but he was fool, while Stefan defended himself by saying that he wasn't a mind reader. But at last they confessed their love for each other. Caroline wanted to take it slow as they both were still searching for jobs and were too young to get married.
Idiots.
"Mr. Salvatore will see you now," I was the last one to be interviewed, so of course, I felt the pressure. I was scared shit. Even more now that I knew the CEO, himself, was taking interviews.
"May I come in, sir? " I asked at the door.
"Come in," I heard a deep velvety voice. I was facing his back. I had seen him a graduation ceremony and a face handsome like his was hard to forget but still I was hoping to see his eyes, his dreamy blue eyes.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Salvatore, " I said sheepishly when he still didn't turn around. I couldn't see the rest of the panel members. Are they done with the selection?
"Elena," I was surprised when he took my name, his eyes searching something in mine." Come have a seat,"
Damon Salvatore was a very handsome man as I said before. One could never get over his beauty. I sat opposite to him. He sat opposite to me and looked at me like he was… he was studying me. It was strange, I was here for job interview but it didn't seem like that.
"Why do you want this job?" he asked out of nowhere and I was puzzled. Calm down Elena!
"Mr. Salvatore, I-, " I told him about my ambitions, and that I had to support my underage brother, whist living in not very good conditions.
He kept questioning me and I answered confidently.
"It's not a job interview, " he said at once between questioning.
Wait.
What?
Seriously? What the hell was going on?
"Sir, I don't understand, Did I… Did I do something wrong? "
"Leave Stefan Whitmore,"
"Excuse me," I narrowed my eyes. How did he know Stefan? And what did he mean by leave Stefan. My eyes darted to the photograph on his desk of his sister. Oh right, April!
"I know Stefan is in love with you but… See my sister loves him and she has gone into depression ever since Stefan broke her heart," He glared at me, "Because of you,"
"Me?"
" Ssshh…" He was quite intimidating. "Now, Elena, darling, I don't like tears in my sister's eyes so either break Stefan's heart just like he broke my sister's or forget about your dream job. I'll make sure you won't ever have one. Not only in New York but in any other city. Also your boyfriend. The unemployment will suck the love out of your life, naturally."
"You cannot do that," I snapped at him as I stood up. Enough of his bullshit! "I'm intelligent student, I can get a job wherever I want and about your sister, tell her to forget Stefan. It's life, you can't get everything you want, money can't buy love."
He stepped towards me and I stepped back but fell back on chair.
"April Salvatore gets what she wants and if she wants Stefan, I'll give her Stefan." His eyes turned cold. I glared at him, furious. His face was close to me. I couldn't tell him that Caroline was the girl, Stefan was in love. He would threaten her too.
"Okay, I'll do it, I'll leave Stefan but I'm sure he'll still love your sister, " Of course I could lie to him. I would have to tell Stefan about it.
" Oh, he'll, darling." He smirked and my heart leapt out of my chest." Because I would crush his every hope to get back with you."
"What do you mean?"
"Marry me, Miss Elena Gilbert,"
….
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