Chapter 1

The thirty-year-old brunette stormed out of the office building like a lightning bolt. He tackled the top button of his sky-blue shirt and discarded of the complementing tie, stuffing it into a black leather bag.

The cobalt blue of his eyes glistened with fury and the sharp edges of his jawline tensed. How could she do this to him? How could anyone discard Damon Salvatore like a piece of garbage? He offered her the world. They were good together, had their whole future mapped out. And she had the audacity to replace him? Over his dead body.

Damon ran one hand over his tired face, like the motion would magically erase the reminiscence of the worst day of his life. Everybody warned him, but he didn't bother to listen. Who could ever trade a life with him for some stupid small-town model whose name no-one's ever heard of. Fucking Rose, that's who.

He needed to clear his head before it would surely explode. He needed a drink, or even better, a whole line of alcohol coming up his way. Determined to get to his best drinking spot and not afraid to kill anyone who got in his way, he made a sharp turn to the right.

"What the fuck!"

Damon called out pissed off, watching the contents of a clear plastic cup land on his chest and a petite woman stumble into him.

He looked down at his favourite shirt covered in iced-fucking-coffee and glared at the culprit standing right in front of him with an empty cup and shock painted across her innocent face.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" The petite brunette apologised, frantically taking out her earbuds and staring at his soaked clothing.

"How about you fucking look where you're going!" He hissed through his teeth, peeling the wet material off his body. Did people just not give a damn about anything these days?!

"Well in all fairness you did bump into me first..." The girl countered timidly before being met with his deadly stare, which blatantly told her retrieve.

"Look, it's not a big deal." She offered with a hesitant smile. "I'll pay for the laundry wash and it will be as good as new!"

Was she being bloody serious? "Like you could afford that". Damon snickered in response. "This isn't some cheap-ass shirt from Target. A regular laundry wash would destroy it."

"It can't be that expensive." Her eyes rolled involuntarily.

He eyed the stranger up and down, and just as he expected, she knew nothing about fashion nor good quality. She was wearing a pair of simple blue jeans, white converses and a striped baggy t-shirt. She looked like she was in her early twenties, probably one of those annoying students. He didn't even care whether she was good looking or not, for all he knew she just made his day that much worse.

"Oh, trust me on this one." He remarked annoyed. "Next time watch where you're going."

He sighed angrily and walked away in the direction of his black sports car. First, his long-term girlfriend dumped him for some fake excuse of a model who can't even afford a proper dinner at a proper restaurant, and then some careless woman walked straight into him and destroyed his attire.

If that wasn't bad enough, Damon was roaring inside at the thought of watching Rose sticking her tongue down her new lover boy's throat, for 10 days straight. The Salvatore Inc was celebrating its 25th anniversary in Sicily, where the founder, Damon's father, was born. All employees were invited, their tickets and accommodation paid for. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, Damon was the managing director and had to be there.

Rose wouldn't miss it for the world. Money and luxury attracted her like a moth to the flame, and the douche-bag that she left Damon for just happened to be the new face of the company - so yeah, he would surely be there. Fucking perfect. This was the worst day of his life, for sure.


Damon walked into the nearest coffee shop after attending a business meeting at the firm, which consisted of him telling useless people how to do their job properly and quit getting on his nerves. Like that would ever happen. He was immensely frustrated, and hearing his secretary breathe nearly sent him off the rails. It was needless to say that he needed a break, mainly for the benefit of other people.

He picked a table next to the window, overlooking the nearby park and a water fountain. Perhaps the soothing view would ease his nerves, or not. It was worth a try. He pulled out his laptop and placed it on the surface, comfortably situating himself in the cosy grey armchair. It wasn't even noon yet, so the place was rather empty, which ultimately pleased him. Less faces to annoy him.

He was about to pick up the menu and choose a drink, when a familiar petite figure flashed in the corner of his eye. He turned his head and his sight landed on that clumsy girl that ruined his shirt the day before. Well, maybe he had overreacted a little. After all, the stain washed out just fine and there was no sign of the tragic accident.

"Hi! Can I take your order?" A blonde girl greeted him with a bright smile and a high-pitched voice. Damon found her to be way too enthusiastic, especially at this time of the day.

"I'd like a double espresso, and a blueberry muffin." He answered, no longer interested in the wide choice of things. "And I'd like that girl behind the bar to bring it to me."

The blonde looked over her shoulder and furrowed her brows, turning back to Damon. "Sorry, that's our barista. They don't bring food to the table." She explained politely but failed miserably at hiding her curiosity.

Damon stared at the waitress intently and flashed his trademark smile, stirring up a blush on her face. "I'm sure that you can make an exception for me."

His charm never did fail him.

"I'll see what I can do." She giggled, unable to refuse, and took the menu from the table before walking off.


"Elena!" Caroline squealed out excitedly and pulled her friend to the 'staff only' area.

"Care, what are you doing? I was in the middle of making a drink." She frowned, confused.

"Oh god, who cares about that stupid coffee!" She rolled her eyes and hid behind the wall, searching for a good spot to peek on the blue-eyed stranger. "There is a beautiful piece of ass out on the shop floor and he specifically asked for you to serve him!"

"Okay.. I know that you're crazy, but you're really overdoing it recently. What are you talking about?"

"Why don't you check him out first and then come to me with complaints." She pointed at the table that Damon was occupying, luckily, he was fixated on the screen of his laptop, so their eyes were free to roam.

Elena's gaze followed her friends' directions and she stalled recognising the guy that she had wasted her drink on a few days before.

"OMG, you know him!" Care gasped and grabbed onto the brunette. "Why didn't you tell me that you've met such a hunk!"

"He's a jerk, not a hunk." Elena corrected, remembering how much she regretted not punching him in the face. "And I don't know him, I spilled my coffee on him the other day."

"How did he know that you work here?"

Elena shrugged her shoulders, wondering the same thing. Was he really going to be that extra? It was a stupid shirt for god sake.

"Fine, he wants me to serve him? Oh, I'll serve him."


Elena approached his table with a stern face, prepared to stand her ground and show him where he can stick it. This time she wouldn't be so nice.

"What do you want?"

Damon leaned back in his chair and looked up at Elena, amused. The minute that a wide grin stretched over his lips, her face clouded with confusion. Why was he smiling? He was supposed to be mad, not nice.

"So, you do remember me." He finally spoke up.

"Well, it's not every day that you meet an 'A' grade jackass."

He licked his lips and dropped his gaze, feeling a little guilty. So, she clearly remembered a lot.

"I'll give you that, but you did ruin my shirt."

"And you tracked me down so that I could settle the bill for your horrendous expenses?"

He laughed out loud.

"Actually, I didn't track you down. It's just a happy coincidence that the girl who spilled coffee all over me the day before, is now serving me one." He admitted with a chuckle.

"So, what's the point of this entire conversation? As lovely as it is, of course." She wondered confused, and a little pissed that he was wasting her time.

"I guess I'm sorry for being a grade 'A' jackass. You caught me on a really bad day."

He really must have been out of it, for he did not to notice the beauty of the mystery girl. She had deep chocolate orbs that stared at him with cold judgement, sleek long brown hair tied up in a tight ponytail which accentuated her high cheekbones and soft pouty lips. She had a spark that was just waiting to be ignited.

"Okay, so now that you are forgiven and I'm finally able to move on with my life, please excuse me. There are other customers who need their drinks ruined." She faked a smile and proceeded to walk away.

Damon looked around the cafe finding no other customers and his eyebrows furrowed.

Playing hard to get.

"Wait! What's your name?"

"I'm sure that a guy like you can figure that out." She spared him a challenging gaze over the shoulder and winked, before leaving at last.

And just like that a phenomenal idea in his head was born.


Elena strolled up the concrete steps, with her gym bag strapped over one shoulder and music blasting from her earphones. She was exhausted after attending her regular kickboxing class straight after an 8-hour shift at the Sunbeam Cafe. After fumbling with the keys for a few seconds, she found the keyhole and opened the door, dropping all her stuff on the floor.

"Well, that was a hell of a day." Elena sighed falling backwards onto her best friend's bed.

Bonnie switched her attention from the textbooks and swirled around on her chair to see Elena's almost lifeless body spread out on the covers. The chunky red headphones dangled around Bonnie's neck as faint music continued to play in the background. "What did Sage do this time?"

"Aside from ruining my life, not much." She sat up and crossed her legs, peeling away at the plush blanket beneath her. "Oh, she did come up with a great idea that the front of house staff will share tips with the kitchen. So, there's my summer vacation gone."

"What? No way." Bonnie commented and shared a sympathetic look with Elena. "You should kick that place to the curb, we'll find you something better in no time."

"Matt and I broke up." Elena declared out of the blue.

Bonnie's eyes widened in shock. "What?! How was that not the first thing that you told me?" She quickly hopped onto the bed and sat down next to Elena.

"How did he take it?"

Elena shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "You know Matt. The words ' I'm breaking up with you' could have multiple meanings for him."

"Well, I for one am glad." She admitted with a grin. "You needed a change."

"Yeah, you were right. I'm too young to be settling for an orgasm a month" Elena rolled her eyes. She had withstood mediocre sex for far too long now. "I need an adventure, something crazy."

Bonnie laughed wholeheartedly as they both laid back down and stared at the ceiling in deep constellation.

"Not my words, but I'm totally on board. Any candidates?" She joked, already contemplating on a list of sexy and available guys in her head.

"Nope." She replied popping the 'p'. "Why did it take me this long to realise that Matt and I never made sense? I mean gosh, we were so boring together. I can't ever remember wanting to tear his clothes off. And he's a really good-looking guy, Bon."

"Cause Matt's the kind of guy that you take home to meet your parents, you know? He's adorable, kind, caring." Bonnie's forehead wrinkled along with the suggestion. "Plus, it really helps if you're in love with the guy. And I don't think that you ever were." She added with sarcasm.

Elena's mind searched for an answer, looking back at how they met and their entire relationship from there on. "I guess you're right. Coming to think of it, he's really like an older brother."

Bonnie cringed and slapped friend her on the arm. "Ew, Elena, you still fucked the guy. No matter how orgasm-less or tedious it was."

Elena laughed at the realisation and made a face. "My bad. You know what I would love to experience?" She asked with dreamy eyes, as she got off the bed.

"What?"

"A crazy, intense world-whirling romance. I want to be rightfully ravished, and not feel my legs the next day. Like I want someone to take one look at me and make me weak in the knees." She sighed happily, like she was already picturing it in her head. "I'm done with this mellow romance and delicate love making. Can a girl get some passion around here?"

Bonnie nodded and then replied dryly. "I'm thinking that you've been reading too much of 50 Shades of Grey."

"Hey! You're supposed to support me in all of my rational and irrational ideas." She pointed her finger at the brunette and sent her a warning stare. "If you don't, then who will?"

"Caroline - she's the crazy one." Bonnie offered with a chuckle. "Lena, you have my full support in whatever sexed up fantasy you come up with. I'm just trying to say that there aren't many Christian Grey's out there. At least not in my world."

"You're probably right." Elena released a sigh and her shoulders dropped, as if all the excitement had deflated from her. "And in response to our sad reality, I suggest that we go out and get drunk."

"I'm sure we'll find you a runner up." Bonnie winked and stood up straightening out her wrinkled clothes.

"Get Care to come."

Elena called out from the bathroom, as she turned on the shower and allowed the hot stream of water to pour over her tensed body.


The Mystic Bar was their usual place of choice, serving one of the best Tequilas in downtown Manhattan. It was dark and mysterious, almost predatory in its nature. There was nothing innocent about it - plus there was no way you'd get in without knowing the right people. This is where Caroline's media connections came in to play. So, thanks to some perks, they were now scouring the bar for potential persons of interest.

"Dang, he's so damn cute." Caroline gushed over the blonde guy standing next to the bar, with one hand securely wrapped around a pint of cold beer and talking to a group of people.

"So, let's get to know him." Elena added, reapplying is raspberry scented lip gloss to her full lips. "And get us some drinks." She sent her a mischievous look and adjusted the top of her black glittery tube dress to ensure that her cleavage was teasing with just the right amount of views.

Elena worked hard to maintain a sexy figure - kickboxing, pilates, cycling and most recently a few introductory classes to pole dancing. That and she always had the curves in all the desired places - wide hips and thighs, a ferocious cleavage and narrow waist. And she knew how to show it off, there was nothing shy about her moves. It's just that she didn't get the chance to do that when she was dating Matt.

The dress finished mid-thigh, it wasn't shamefully short, but it still nicely showed off Elena's sleek legs, which seemed endless in those dark blue heels. She decided to straighten her long brown hair, keeping it simple and sexy, whilst focusing a bit more on her makeup and doing a smoky eyeshadow and adding some individual lashes to the outer corners of her eyes. She looked like sin, and that was the aim.

The three best friends strolled up to the front of the bar, heels clicking against the marble floor and multiple heads turning as they walked past with a sway of the hips. They each took a seat on the barstools, and all it took was a few seconds for the bartender to notice them and come to their rescue. It was excruciatingly loud, with most people lost in the heat of music in the middle of the dance floor.

Elena's eyes darted to the dance floor and found multiple couples grinding their sweaty bodies against one another, dressed in such flimsy clothes they could have easily been naked, and no one would tell the difference. Whilst some people did it rather sloppily and were basically an inch from dry humping, there were others whose dance radiated with passion and there was simply something sensual about it. That kind of got Elena a little hot and bothered.

She had never danced like that before. Like a provocative temptress with nothing to lose and a guy that set her mind and body on fire. What she and Matt had was more like an old married couple - it drowned her in the feeling of comfort and safety. This time she felt like she wanted to walk on the edge of a cliff, blindfolded and completely unprepared for the fall.

"Lena, vodka and cranberry juice." Bonnie slid the drink to Elena, bringing her back to reality.

"Thanks, but I didn't order it?" She replied staring at the cocktail with confusion.

"It's from that guy over there." The bartender added, overhearing their conversation, as he pointed at someone on the other side of the bar.

The girls turned their heads with morbid curiosity, and Bonnie's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as she took a good look at the person of interest. "Damn!" She exclaimed appreciatively and grinned like crazy.

"I might have been wrong about that Christian Grey thing."

"I can't believe this guy." Elena groaned internally as she recognised the blue-eyed stranger, for the second time during the day. Was this terrible luck or was he a freaking stalker?

"Elena, get your panties out of a twist." Bonnie reprimanded her friend, fully shocked. "He's dripping with sex and he bought you a drink. I'm saying it's party time!"

"I've bumped into him like 3 times this week and he's a dick," her voice was laced with sarcasm. "Looks is all that he is."

"So, what? You wanted good sex, not a relationship." Bonnie remarked sipping on her drink and leaning on the backs of her elbows, so that she had the perfect spot to eye them up.

"And good guys stand no chance at satisfying a woman in bed?"

"Like they say - good boys go to heaven, but bad boys bring heaven to you." She giggled voicing the cliché. "Looks like Caroline found hers."

Elena rolled her eyes at Care's blatant flirting with the cute blonde guy that she'd spotted when they arrived. She was a gorgeous blonde with bold blue eyes and confidence to get anything that she wanted. So, it looked like the mystery guy got caught in her net.

"Trust her to get a Mr Grey."

Elena mumbled swirling around the red liquid in a tall glass. She took a small sip through the straw, finding its contents tolerable and sipping on it some more. The back of her elbows rested against the table top as she stared at the stranger across the room, lost in deep thoughts. He looked so damn good, and she hadn't really noticed that about him until tonight. The first time only showed that he was an emotionless dick who treated people with no respect. The second time, well, she was sure he didn't mean a single word of his fake apology. Once a dick, always a dick. That's why she was always attracted to guys like Matt - the long-haul material, wouldn't hurt a fly. So, why was she standing there and literally devouring the guy inch by inch?

Ah, what the hell. Elena gave a nod to her thoughts and slammed the drink down, climbing off the stool and making her way across the room.

"Where are you going?" Bonnie called out puzzled.

"Be back in one sec." Elena turned around to blow her a kiss and continued to approach the target. She made sure to straighten up a little and stay steady on her feet, with her head held high.

She zoomed across the club, sliding past the tangled bodies and keeping her eyes locked on the brunette, hoping that he wouldn't get away. She reached the spot that he originally stood in, this time he was standing with his back to Elena and was clearly engaged in a conversation with someone else.

Elena poked him on the shoulder, holding in a breath and hoping to see that she found the right person.

"Ah, you again." The familiar smirk of his greeted her, as he seemed to have recognised her.

He chuckled and turned so that his attention was fully diverted onto Elena. Coming to think of it, she preferred it when he wasn't so deeply focused on her. For some reason, his gaze nearly paralysed her and all she could do was stand there and gawk at the perfection that he truly was.

"Who said that you could buy me a drink?"

She questioned, folding both arms over her chest and eyeing him up.

"Hm, and what makes you think that I bought you drink?" He stated amused.

"Quit the crap. The bartender told me that it was from you."

"Well, then maybe you should tell the bartender to quit the crap, because I did no such thing."

She let out a hard laugh, refusing to be fooled. "Seriously, you're that type of guy?"

"What type of guy?" His brows lifted in curiosity.

"The one that gawks after a girl all night and then pretends like she's the crazy one and all up his business?"

"Maybe those are the kind of spunks that you surround yourself with." He commented with a chuckle and gulped down a glass of bourbon. "If I wanted you, you wouldn't have to wonder."

Elena nearly opened her mouth to fire at him again, but stalled when his words properly sunk in. Did he just say that he didn't want her? Which meant that he didn't find her attractive?

"Oh," she replied confused and took a step back from him. A blush washed over her cheeks and she cleared her throat.

"Well then, I guess we're done here."

She speedily turned on her heel and muttered something under her breath, annoyed and hugely embarrassed. Way to make a fool of herself. Maybe she wasn't so great at the flirting thing after all...

"How about that drink?" He grabbed her arm and at the same time motioned at the bartender to take his order.

"Pity drink? No thanks." She let out a hard laugh and rolled her eyes at his failed attempt at politeness. He just said that he wasn't interested, and now he was trying to get her to stay? Men. They always want what they can't have.

"Wouldn't want you to walk all this way for nothing. Can you just oblige for once?" He breathed out tiredly and passed the glass to her. Every tiniest thing felt like a challenge with this girl, she pulled at his each and every chord.

Her eyes bored into his and she decided that it wouldn't hurt to sit down for a few minutes. She strolled over to him and sat down in front of the drink that he got her.

"Wasn't so hard, was it?" He chuckled, enjoying seeing her so conflicted. When she came here with her mind set on giving him a piece of his mind, she knew just what to say. Now that she was off the tracks, she looked all cute and clumsy.

"You don't even know."

"So, you like your job?" He asked casually, out of the blue.

Her brows knitted together in confusion. "I work at a coffee shop, what's there to like?"

"Thought as much." He commented and tapped his fingers against the marble tops. "I have a business proposition for you."

"Excuse me?"

Her brown eyes widened in shock and her stare drilled into his, searching for anything that would prove that what she had on her mind wasn't what he was about to offer.

He quickly detected the disgust in her face and could swear that she was a second away from seriously injuring him.

"No, not that kind of proposition." He laughed at the idea. "I'm not a pimp if that's what you're thinking."

"You're lucky, otherwise this drink would have ended up on your pretty little face." She muttered out and relaxed a little. "Continue."

"I'm not pretty. I'm hot - or sexy, or so-goddamn-breath-taking." He pointed out as the words rolled off his tongue. "Whatever you make at that coffee place, I'll pay you ten times more."

"What the hell are you made out of money or something?" She blurted out and shook her head in disbelief. "Who pays that kind of money and doesn't expect sex or whatever in return? I told you, I'm not a call-girl."

"And I told you, I'm not looking for sex. I don't have to pay anyone to sleep with me." He scolded a little angrily, it offended him that anyone could imply that Damon Salvatore needs to pay for sex.

"I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for ten days." He paused for a second, glanced over at Elena who stared back at him with a blank expression. "We'd go to Italy; the flight is next Friday. I'll pay for your ticket and the hotel. You get half of the money before we leave, and the other half once we get back."

"I'm sorry, you want me to do what?" A long laugh escaped her mouth.

"To be my fake girlfriend." He repeated with a straight face.

"Do I even want to know what this is about?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed. "My ex cheated on me right under my nose, so I want to show her what she lost."

"So that she gets all jealous and runs back to you?"

"So that she gets all jealous, runs back to me and I turn her down." He countered.

"Ah, that's sweet of you…" She added with sarcasm and then squinted confused. "And a guy like you has no other girls that he could use for this? I don't even know your name."

He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. "Damon Salvatore." He dug out a business card from his wallet and passed it to her. "Call me when you make up your mind."

He picked up his blazer and threw it over his shoulder, sending her a cheeky wink and disappearing somewhere in the crowd.

Huh... so he did buy her that drink after all.


A/N: So, what do you all think? :) This is my idea for a new story, but I want to know what you all think and if it's worth taking further. I've still got to finish up 'Home Is Where You Are', but just thought I'd share this with you all now. Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy this one! xx