Hello readers,
The fourteenth chapter is finally here. Enjoy reading.
I do not own TVD nor the characters, but the story is mine.
"Elena, Bonnie is here." Jenna called out from outside my door.
"Send her in." I replied, keeping my diary back.
"Hey! You still journaling about the bitch who has set her eyes on your date?" Bonnie said entering my room.
"Bonnie! Don't call her that, we don't know anything about her yet, I mean I don't know anything about her. Damon didn't introduce us... and for whatever it's worth, it's me who has set her eyes on 'her boyfriend'!" I said making a face.
"Did she tell that to you herself?"
"No, but I figured... the way she said it and you should have seen them with each other, they hugged too." Now I was full blown sad, it was like reliving those moments from the morning.
"But Damon agreed to go with you, right? Why would he if he had a girlfriend? I don't think there is anything serious between them, maybe just a casual hook up." She said shrugging.
"I don't know Bonnie, he seemed to know her well, not in a casual kind of way... But you are right. I will not be sad, I will concentrate on the fact that Damon is going with me to the ball, and that we are going to enjoy the evening thoroughly." I said flaunting a confident grin.
"That's my favorite girl! Okay now let me get Jenna and your dress, then we can start getting ready soon."
I nodded happily and she rushed out to summon Aunt Jenna. Maybe she was right, Damon would tell me if he had a girlfriend, right? But why didn't he introduce Lex to me? Maybe after all, it was casual. Maybe they were friends. But did that mean he was good friends with everyone? Obviously excluding Kai Parker, he was his sworn enemy.
However that was another thing to worry about, I hadn't yet told Damon that we were going to the Mikaelson house for the party. Would it matter? After all it was a masquerade ball, how would anyone recognize each other? Moreover who would think that I would go with Damon?
Okay maybe I should have told Damon already, actually I should call him right now...
"Okay Elena, now let's get you dressed up." Jenna said entering my room, rubbing her palms excitedly. Bonnie quickly came forward to help me get up from my wheelchair, so I thought, maybe I could give Damon a call later because it was only dusk, and we still had a lot of time to go.
Bonnie had arrived at my house a bit early so that we could have a lot of time to get ready. It felt just like our prom day, when we had dressed up together and went to the school with two of our classmates. Bonnie with Jessie whom she was dating at that time and I with Matt, my ex-boyfriend and the quarterback of our school team, whom I had dated all throughout my high school days. It was a very fun evening, we had danced and made a lot of great memories. But one that I would never forget in my life was, when by the end of the night I discovered Matt in the girls' washroom, with his tongue stuck deep into the throat of one of the mean cheerleaders of our school team, Amber.
That was my first heartbreak. No, not because he was my 'one true love', but it kind of sucked to understand how little he thought of me, how easy it was for him to just kiss someone else. Despite his betrayal, I had forgiven him, when he said that it was a mistake and I should think about giving him another chance, I did. But he never mended his ways, so after a month I broke up with him finally. Huh... It still amazes me to think how naïve I had been, how I had never seen it coming.
Anyway, that was a part of the past. Today wouldn't be anything like that, it would be a great night. I was looking forward to go to the party with Damon and have an amazing time. Bonnie and Jeremy would be there too and even Caroline, which meant that I would be surrounded by all the people I loved and cared about. I felt happy and excited about tonight and wouldn't let anybody or anything ruin it.
After two grueling hours of helping me to get ready, which included helping me to the bathroom so that I could take a bath and shave my arms and legs. Dressing me and curling my hair, which I insisted on doing myself but Jenna does what Jenna wants! Another task was applying makeup, courtesy of Bonnie, who never agreed with my opinion on 'minimal is best'. Finally, after helping me to sit on the wheelchair (because with the dress it was more difficult than usual) and also getting herself ready, both Bonnie and Jenna were exhausted and sat down on the bed with a thump exhaling loudly, when it was all done.
"I told you guys, this was totally unnecessary, no one is going to see me there, it's Caroline and Klaus Mikaelson's wedding anniversary. People will come to see them, to enjoy the ball, not look at me... I am a junior editor now, not a model." I said looking towards the mirror where I could see both their reflections.
"Oh, don't beat yourself up for this Elena! Just think about how long it has been that you have been a part of any grand event such as this one and also that, this was necessary to complete the look. But you are lucky I went subtle on your makeup." Bonnie said quirking an eyebrow.
Jenna chuckled and placed her hands on my shoulders, "I don't know about Bonnie, but your hair would have a better chance if Miranda was here."
"You did good Jenna, mom would have been proud." I smiled up at her holding one of her hands.
Just then we heard a rap on my door, Jeremy pushed it open from the other side and Bonnie gasped. He was looking very handsome in a tux, so much that Bonnie couldn't control herself and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. So Jenna and I quickly covered our eyes, giggling.
"Okay, Jer and Bonnie you can take your time to give all the... ahem... finishing touches... and then join us in the hall." Jenna said pretending to cough and I placed a hand on my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. Then we went out to the living room, to give the lovebirds some much needed privacy.
It was almost time for us to leave and I was completely ready, now only Damon had to arrive soon and we could be on our way.
Shit! I had completely forgotten to call Damon... Actually now that I thought about it, it seemed like a good thing. Now I could tell him in person and their would be lesser chances of him cancelling on me. God... when had I become so selfish?
Just then Jenna peeked out of the kitchen and said, "Hey Elena?" I looked up and she continued.
"So I figured why the name 'Salvatore Boarding House' sounded so familiar to me earlier... When we were children, there was a boarding house by that name in the outskirts of the town, at that time it was quite famous, run by the Salvatore family. They were a founding family just like us, but after that there was a controversy regarding something for which the family had to flee out of town, the boarding house was also shut down, people never heard of them again. I was too young so I don't remember what it was that had happened, but I hope you won't need that from me, you could ask Damon now."
I opened my mouth to say otherwise but chose to nod instead, "Thanks Jenna, I will ask him about it." She smiled and got back to her work. So that's why Damon's house was so grand and exquisitely decorated? If they had been a founding family why did they ever have to leave Mystic Falls? There were so many things I wanted to ask Damon and it seemed as if the list kept growing everyday.
But the main question was that did he really owe me any answers at all? Just a week ago I was a stranger to him just like he was to me, so wouldn't he think me to be creepy if I kept poking my nose into his business?
The sound of a blazing engine coming to a halt and some steady footsteps on the porch alerted me on Damon's arrival. When he knocked on the door Jenna opened it, and my breath got caught in my throat.
If I had thought Damon Salvatore looked sexy then it had just gotten multiplied by a thousand more times. He was wearing a black tux with a bow tie and I realized that I had never before seen a man so ravishingly seductive. He looked like a model straight out of a runway, the bow tie complementing his perfectly angular jawline, his usually ruffled hair was gelled but loosely brushed making it look almost a shade darker and silkier.
When I saw him roaming his eyes from my head to toe and back, a blush crept up to my cheeks, I felt as giddy as a teenager going on her first date. Finally when our eyes met, his striking blue eyes were almost glimmering, with his lips curled up at one corner to signify that he approved of what he saw, or so I thought at least.
Smiling, I glanced up at him and Jenna left us to call Bonnie and Jeremy.
"Are you ready to head out?"
I nodded and wheeled ahead, "Yes I was just waiting for you." He gave me a dazzling smile and moved aside motioning with his hands for me to lead the way.
"Just a minute, Bonnie and Jeremy are also supposed to be going... but in the meantime would you like to come inside?"
His smile kind of dampened, he peered inside the house for a moment but shook his head swiftly, "Maybe some other time."
"Fine... Anyways it's almost 7 so I guess the party is about to begin."
"Yeah, that reminds me... which party is it that we are going to? I think since I am the driver I must know the location, you know?" Damon was smirking at me, but I was quite nervous in anticipation of what would happen once he heard about our destination.
"Um...we... it's at the Mikaelson house... I told you about Caroline right? So it's her wedding anniversary." I hesitated but spilled it out.
"So they are throwing a ball for it?" His eyebrows were high up on his forehead and lips parted, a dumbfounded expression on his face, that made him look like a cute child.
I chuckled, "Yes, they are a huge name, and the Mikaelson's parties are a talk of the town. And Caroline always likes to go a little overboard with her plans, so... they planned a masquerade ball... though I am glad about the masquerade part at least."
"And why is that may I ask, Miss. Gilbert?"
I sucked my lower lip between my teeth and started fidgeting with my fingers, "Because... we may have to come across Kai Parker..."
Damon's expression changed a bit, but he didn't look as shocked as I had expected him to be, this was the first time that Kai's name hadn't agitated him, and honestly I kept thinking that maybe I was missing something out.
"Do you think he intimidates me Elena?"
"No, why would I think that? It's just... you hate him, and I just thought you will be irritated by the thought of facing him tonight."
"Yes the thought of seeing that bastard's face makes my blood boil, but I don't want that to ruin the night. I would like to keep my hatred for that filth of a man away and enjoy my evening with you. After all it's the first time I am taking you out."
I was pleasantly surprised on seeing him in such a cheery mood, and shrugged smiling at him graciously, "Actually I am the one who asked you to come with me, so technically I am taking you out."
"You guys could go on and on about who asked whom for a date but then we will be late!" Bonnie said folding her arms in front of her chest, standing behind me.
I glared back at her for using the word 'date' but she shrugged casually. When I looked up at Damon again, he was giving me a mischievous smile looking extraordinarily incredible. I kind of captured that image of his in my mind, I would remember him like this forever.
Soon we were on the driveway where Damon's blue Camaro was waiting for us. Then he picked me up from the wheelchair to place me on the passenger seat, and also folded and put it in the back seat of his car. It was not the first time he was doing all this but tonight I felt like a princess. Okay! that was too melodramatic, but this man was making my heart melt with his every move. Bonnie and Jeremy were going by her car and I couldn't be more thankful for the privacy that Damon and I would have for some time, before entering the real world once again.
Driving into the rounded private path leading to the luxurious Mikaelson House, I looked out of the window to see a huge fleet of cars lined on one side of it and the scattered groups of people gently trickling into the splendid mansion through the glass doors which were opened wide giving a glimpse of the illuminated interiors.
"Wow! Isn't it magnificent?..." I exclaimed looking at the huge white washed pillars that supported the aristocratic building. "I have not been to such a grand party in over a year."
"Are you nervous?" Damon asked glancing towards me.
"I don't know... maybe? I have never had to be a part of any public event in my wheelchair before..." I looked towards him with unsure eyes. I didn't know why suddenly I wasn't feeling confident enough. It would be a room filled with so many handsomely dressed people looking prim and proper. Would I fit in among them or just be a piece of gossip or maybe worse? An element of ridicule?
Damon put his hand on mine and stroked his thumb along my skin, "You will be perfect, Elena, don't worry."
"Maybe it was a mistake to come here!" I said softly, feeling my palms getting moist due to anxiety.
"Elena, it's a party... Don't panic! Nothing bad is going to happen. So what, if you are on a wheelchair? This is not your weakness, this is just a means which helps you to move, nothing more than that. Don't let this be the center of your existence. Focus on your strength, your confidence, yourself and if you are still not convinced then at least go in for my sake... Because I hate dressing up formally, yet I did it for you."
I chuckled at his comment, he always said the right things to cheer me up. "You look good in formal."
"Yeah, tell that to my throat which is getting choked up by this thing." He said tugging the bow with an exasperated expression.
"Come here... let me see." I said lifting both my hands, motioning him to come closer to me.
He leaned in towards me and I held his bow tie with my fingers gently tugging on the knot so that it unfurls and I could tie it again.
"If you are feeling uncomfortable then just open the collar button and loosen the knot a bit. That way neither will you feel suffocated nor would it look improper." I said unbuttoning his collar, "See now you can relax." I said smiling, raising my eyes to meet his.
He was too close, looking towards me with hooded, darkened eyes and I couldn't stop myself from staring at his parted lips. Suddenly the atmosphere inside the car felt hot, I was afraid to exhale deeply because he would feel it on his face. I shifted my eyes back to his bow tie and started tying it. I could still feel his eyes on me, roaming across my face, my neck and my bare shoulders. My throat felt constricted and heart beat uneven, somehow I completed tying his bow tie without looking up at his face and lowered my hands immediately.
Looking down itself I said, "It's done."
Damon elevated his hand bringing it to my face and touched my jaw, brushing his thumb over my chin he lifted my face. When our eyes met, he said, "You look stunning, if it isn't obvious!"
His deep and husky voice, along with the way he had said that made my cheeks burn with color, and I bit my lower lip to hide my smile. His thumb ghosted on my lips now and he pulled it from between my teeth. I gazed into his eyes again and saw his icy blues filled with desire, so when he leaned in further I closed my eyes.
Just then a loud thud on the back of the car jolted us from our lusty haze and we swiveled our head in the direction of the noise. It was Jeremy, signaling for us to join them from the rear end of the car. Of course they couldn't see us, but we could see them clearly. When we turned back to face each other the moment had passed and it had become difficult to not feel awkward.
"We should go." He said fidgeting with the keys, I simply nodded, then he went out and unloaded my wheelchair from the back seat. Opening my door he smiled at me, "Ready for your ride Miss. Gilbert?"
I smiled at him softly still dazed by the moment we almost had, and he ducked to take me in his arms. I looped my arm around his neck and with the other caught his farther shoulder. He adjusted his hand under my legs and carried me out of the car. Then placing me on the wheelchair he went to get my coat from the back seat.
Bonnie saw me alone and treaded towards me, "I thought you guys were never going to make it out of the car." She was giving a sly smirk.
"It was nothing like what you are thinking." I shook my head to negate her doubts.
"Okay so what was 'it' like?" She asked wiggling her brows and smirking.
"Bonnie! Shut up."
She started laughing and Damon returned with my coat, "What are you girls laughing at?" He said wrapping the coat on my shoulders from behind me.
"Nothing special... Elena was just telling me something about her fantasies regarding a certain stranger..." Bonnie drawled and I struck her stomach.
"Ignore her Damon, she likes to live in a world of fantasy always."
"Hey just because I love all things supernatural, you can't make fun of me. Or you will not get these." She held out two fascinating feathered Venetian masks in front of me one black and one gold matching with Damon's and mine outfits respectively. As I reached out to touch them she yanked her hand backwards.
"Okay I am sorry Bonnie, now can I see them please."
"That's more like it, now wear these fast and come inside, we are going to head in." She handed me the masks and turned back, Jer was already waiting for her a few steps ahead, she strode towards him and looped her arm through his, then they advanced towards the mansion.
I handed Damon his mask and we too proceeded towards the glass doors, it was both intriguing and nerve wracking for me to be here, but I was glad that Damon was there with me tonight. He was now pushing my wheelchair forward humming in a low tone and I smiled to myself thinking how effortless it felt to be with him like this.
Would he really kiss me if Jer hadn't knocked? I only hoped I could find that out soon.
The hall was teeming with people. With a jazz band playing some light music in one corner, the ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that set a warm hue inside the majestic room and the twin curved staircases that were decorated with innumerable fairy lights which were casting sparkling reflections everywhere, it looked straight out of a movie set. All around me women were strolling around in stylish gowns and sparkling jewelry and the men looking extremely classy in formal tuxedos and suits.
But the most enticing part of the evening was it's mysterious atmosphere. Everyone was wearing masks. There was no way to understand anyone's identity and that only increased the thrill in the air. On entering the hall Damon tugged on my coat, and I shrugged it off easily. Handing it to an attendant, we went ahead.
As the swarm of people made way for us to pass, more precisely for me to pass, I scored some prolonged stares and hushed murmurs from them but with Damon's hand on my shoulder, it didn't seem difficult to wheel forward and accommodate myself among the rest of them. I wouldn't back down or feel demotivated for the people I didn't know, because the person that I cared about most, was with me and the night had only begun.
After sometime, I was seated in the area where the tables and chairs had been splayed. Damon had left to get us drinks and I was carefully looking around trying to make out any familiar faces from the buzzing crowd all around me. I could obviously spot Bonnie and Jer from the halter-neck bottle-green gown that she was wearing, around the foot of the curved staircase talking to two women who could be Bonnie's colleagues. But the others looked all the same, which was a bit frustrating too.
In that moment I could hear a glass clink and followed by it the words, "If everyone could gather please." Instantly the hall fell into an eerie silence. Everyone looked towards the small stage on which the band of musicians were playing earlier. Though I was seated I was getting a clear view of the person standing behind the microphone, and without a doubt it was Elijah Mikaelson.
Looking as captivating as he always did in a three piece suit and a designer half mask around his eyes, Elijah greeted the invitees, "Welcome! Thank you for joining us. As you all know today we have gathered here for the fifth wedding anniversary of my brother Mr. Niklaus Mikaelson and his gorgeous wife, Caroline Forbes Mikaelson. So let's welcome the lovely couple among us." He said raising his glass of champagne towards the stairs.
Everyone turned towards the stairs at once and saw the ever glamorous Caroline wearing a marvelous ombre blue gown, the bust of which was studded with sparkling rhinestones that made her look like a true queen, her hair was artistically arranged into a bun leaving out some blonde strands that carved her beautiful face. Beside her was the daunting yet charming Klaus Mikaelson, wearing a tuxedo himself but with a white bow, that made him stand out among the others.
The hall roared with applause and Damon returned with two glasses of bubbling champagne in his hands. I smiled at him taking one from his hand as he stood by my side, "Thanks". He smiled at me and mouthed the words 'no problem' as Elijah started speaking again.
"Happy Anniversary Caroline and Niklaus. Hope you both have a wonderful life together." Again the roar of applause resounded the walls, and Elijah said, "Now to follow tradition we shall commence the evening with a dance, tonight's pick is a century old waltz, so if all of you could find yourself a partner please join them in the ballroom."
Klaus extended his hand towards Caroline to lead her down the grand staircase. She put her gloved hand in his and allowed him to escort her to the base. When they reached the hall the sea of people made space for them and cleared the ground. Finally the music started playing and Klaus pulled Caroline into his arms and started to sway to its rhythm.
One by one all the couples started joining them on the dance floor. Bonnie and Jeremy too had joined the waltz and were doing a great job at it. I smiled seeing how perfect the dance floor looked filled with happy couples. But still the fact that I wasn't being able to participate in the dance myself, saddened me a lot.
Maybe in an alternate universe, if I would not be stuck to my wheelchair, Damon and I would have danced all night in each other's arms and it would have been a perfect evening. But it was not an alternate universe and nothing was perfect here, so I tried to forget the pain that this thought had brought along with it.
I brought the glass close to my lips to take a sip but Damon clinked his glass with mine making me tear my eyes from the dance floor.
"Cheers!" He said giving a vibrant smile.
I nodded, "Cheers!" Turning my head I took a big sip guzzling down almost half the sparkling liquid, as I kept staring at the couples dancing.
"You look cute when pouty, you know?... But don't you think the atmosphere is too lively to be gloomy?"
Damon was right! It was not fair to feel sad tonight, we had come to enjoy ourselves... Oh my God! Lost in all my doom and gloom I had completely forgotten to ask Damon to find a partner and participate in the dance. Why should he miss the chance of enjoying the evening because of my limitations?
"I'm not sad Damon, just trying to enjoy my drink... you know, last year because of all the medications and therapies I wasn't allowed to drink... So I think I got a bit too greedy." I said chuckling.
"By the way, why don't you join the dance floor? Don't sit here and waste the opportunity to dance at a ball."
"Yeah.. No... I don't think so." He said shaking his head.
"Why Damon? Please just go and enjoy okay?"
"I am enjoying myself here with you Elena." He was gazing at me with an honest smile.
I smiled back, "And I am thankful for that, for you accompanying me tonight and sitting with me, but you must not have to sit out here only because of me, when everybody else is on the dance floor Damon."
"Trust me Elena I am comfortable here okay. I really don't want to dance."
"But why? Don't you know how to?"
He snorted, "Oh no.. not at all... You will be surprised to know that I am a great dancer. But let's just say the circumstances aren't ideal."
I furrowed my brows at his denial. What circumstances? The hall was filled with beautiful ladies but he was more interested in sitting? Fine by me! At least I wouldn't have to be jealous of anyone innocent now.
When the dance was over, people started to scatter around the hall once again, I saw Bonnie and Caroline walking upto us.
"Hey Elena, thank you so much for coming today." Caroline grinned, bending down to hug me.
"Of course I would come, I promised you right?" I squeezed her back smiling.
"Thanks for forgiving me, you don't know how much this means to me. I really thought I ruined our friendship forever." She said softly into my ears.
"Never Care! You were worried about me so you did what you thought was right. Please don't beat yourself over this."
"Okay, so now that the awkward part is over...Would you like to introduce your handsome date?" She said first smirking at me then turning towards Damon to get a better view.
"Yes ma'am..." I chuckled, "Mr. Damon Salvatore meet Mrs. Caroline Forbes Mikaelson."
Both of them shook hands and greeted each other, Caroline even complimented him for his dreamy eyes and I shook my head seeing him smirking cockily at me.
"Okay girls, you carry on... Meanwhile I will go check if I can get a real drink at the bar."
I waved at him as he left us, then turned back to look at the girls, Bonnie was smiling and Caroline had her arms crossed at her chest, "If I knew you had such a dashing date in mind, then I wouldn't have to lie." She said pouting.
"It's not like that Care, Damon and I are just friends."
"Yeah sure!" Bonnie muttered under her breath.
"Bonnie!" I said warning her to keep her mouth zipped.
"Yeah I think Jer is looking for me, bye Caroline, bye Elena." She almost sprinted away leaving me and Caroline laughing.
"Whatever it is I am really glad that you are here... By the way you look smoking hot in this off shoulder gown, and the color, it brings out your eyes." She said, smiling genuinely.
"You are one to speak, looking like a princess yourself... By the way where is Tia?"
"She is with my mom tonight, it's past her bed time right now. I should call my mom and ask about her, will you wait by yourself for while?"
I nodded and she went to the other side of the room... Looking around I spotted a waiter, so I grabbed another glass of champagne from him. "Do you mind if I join you?" I heard a deep voice from behind the waiter, and as he moved aside I saw Elijah Mikaelson looking down towards me.
"Sure." I nodded at my boss.
"I saw you drinking by yourself so I invited myself over... Hope you don't mind."
"Not at all... It's my pleasure Mr. Mikaelson. Actually I was with Caroline but she went to call her mother, so... " I shrugged smiling softly.
"Yes, she has already done that over hundred times since the moment Tia went to her grandmother's house."
That made me chuckle cause obviously I could imagine Caroline doing the same.
"You have a radiant smile Elena." Elijah said gazing into my eyes and I looked up at him, my smile forgotten. "Thanks."
He nodded taking a sip of the bubbling liquid in his hand, "So who was the lady in green with you and my sister in law?."
"She was Bonnie, my best friend, Caroline met her yesterday and they connected instantly, so she invited her too."
"And that must be her date?"
He said pointing behind me with the glass still clad in the same hand. When I turned my head, I saw Jeremy sitting at the bar talking with Damon, "Yes, that's my brother Jeremy, Bonnie is his girlfriend."
"That's great, nothing is as great as being surrounded by the ones you love. Nothing is important than family."
I nodded sadly, and he apologized, "I am sorry if that hurt you... I just meant to say that I understand what you are going through... I have lost loved ones too."
I furrowed my brows but didn't ask anything, I was sure that whatever it was, Care would know what he meant and wouldn't mind to fill me in regarding the same, later on.
"You know what? Forget that I said this and let's toast to being singles at a party for couples..."
"She isn't single."
Before I could reply I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard Damon's voice behind me. I would have turned back but didn't have to bother because he bent down and kissed my head instead.
"Are you Elena?" Damon continued, sounding very different from the time he had left me.
"I... um... I" I kept fumbling with words, not sure what to say. Elijah kept looking back and forth between me and Damon, with an puzzled expression on his face. That's when Damon came to stand beside me and extended his hands towards Elijah. "Damon Salvatore, Elena's date, you must be..."
"I'm Elijah Mikaelson, the head of the Mikaelson Publishing House, and Elena's boss." He said standing up to shake hands with Damon. Suddenly he didn't seem confused any more, rather his usual air of confidence soared to a different level now, teetering at the edge of pompousness.
"Okay, Mr. Boss I think Elena needs to spend some time with her date now." Damon said almost ignoring Elijah's prideful declaration defiantly.
"Surely... I didn't realize you had a date Miss. Gilbert. Thank you for your time, please enjoy the evening." Elijah said gazing down at me with a hint of annoyance in his tone and left his spot immediately.
I really didn't like the way Elijah had retracted, he was my boss and he was just trying to make a conversation isn't it? What had happened to Damon? What was with him acting like a over possessive boyfriend all of a sudden?
"What the hell was that Damon? He is my boss... Why were you being like that?"
"Elena I was just trying to help, you told me that everyone thinks you are going to come alone and I just wanted them to think you are not alone, that you have someone with you."
"That's fine... but was it really necessary to say that I am not single?"
"Because... I don't know... It just felt like the right thing to say at that time..."
"Even after you heard that he is my boss, would it hurt to stop being such a caveman?"
"I didn't think okay?... I was just talking to your brother, then I turned to check if Blondie had left, but I saw you talking to that man instead and I just felt the need to be here... I didn't think Elena, everything just came out itself." he finished softly with an apologetic expression.
"God Damon sometimes I just don't understand you..." I felt so confused by his actions sometimes that it hurt.
Why was he doing this? Wasn't it enough that I already had overwhelming feelings for this man that he was now playing with my head? Trying to kiss me? Going all caveman on me? If this wasn't mental torture, I didn't know what was. So, I huffed and finished my drink. Then I took another glass from the waiter passing by, and gulped it down in one go.
"Woah... Elena, I would be careful if I were you."
"Please, it was just two drinks..." I said keeping the glass on the table with a thud, "I need some air so I'm going to head outside for a while."
" Let me come with you..."
"Stop treating me like a child Damon! I can handle myself."
Before he could say anything I turned around and wheeled towards the glass doors.
Finally I was outside, the air was cold, carrying a refreshing scent of the leaves and the moist grounds. It was very quiet outside, totally in contrast with the interiors, and just a low hum of the ball room was audible in the porch with some occasional musical tones.
But in between all the confusion, I had totally forgotten to bring my coat with me and was now feeling the adverse consequences of my stubbornness. My skin was covered with goosebumps and teeth almost chattering due to the icy-cold winds.
Suddenly someone wrapped a warm jacket on my shoulders, so I said, "Thanks but you really didn't have to do this..."
"It's not a big deal Miss. Gilbert."
I swirled my head back in confusion, not at all expecting the voice to be the one that I was hearing now.
To be continued...
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