When she woke up her eyes felt heavy and her head was throbbing, the light from the windows was filtered with some blinders, she sat up in her bed and ran a hand through her hair, this bed was so comfortable that she might have over slept, she was expected by her bosses, but she really didn't want to be out today, reluctantly , she made it out of the bed and walked on the soft rug towards the slippers outside the bathroom, she quickly put them on and went inside the bathroom to make herself somewhat presentable. Just looking at herself in the mirror was enough to bring back all the memories from last night, her cheeks turned crimson red and she could feel the warmth of it in her ears, quickly she splashed her face with water, "God, what have I done?"

She had to face him, she didn't know how many times, how could she let herself do that? Had she been too much vulnerable? Could she blame it on vulnerability? No – it wasn't that, entirely something else, she wanted to, after said he hated her? She shook her head, but he was trying to tell her she was special in a way, right? And even though his words were twisted and rough, she had seen some intention behind it which wasn't entirely bad, he wanted to comfort her. She could clearly see it in his eyes, he didn't want to break down that wall between them but he so wanted to make her feel better. A smile formed on her pink lips and she didn't know she was simpering until she saw the mirror and practically cringe at what she was doing, maybe some alcohol was left in her system. Clutching the towel- she left the bathroom now, she will never have a soft spot for him, that was like submitting your soul to the devil. He didn't care about her, he can never care about anyone! Her mood swings were making her insane. A second ago she was smiling because of last night and now she was fuming. When she got ready and headed downstairs, she saw Elijah in the elevator, taking a sigh of relief for some distraction from her thoughts, she greeted him, "Good morning Mister Michaelson."

"Good morning Elena, I hope you are all better today."

No she wasn't.

She forced a smile and nodded, "Good as new. Have you had breakfast or should I arrange some, sir, where are you headed?"

"I haven't had breakfast, I was just headed towards your room to check on you, what are you doing here?" he asked a brow raised, "Were you staying with someone else?" she shook her head urgently, "Absolutely not. I was just checking some arrangements for some shareholders, one of them on this floor, let's go downstairs for breakfast Mister Michaelson."

When the Elevator door opened, he gave her the way, like the gentleman he was, "Please."

"Thank you." She smiled and got out, however her smile short lived when she saw Damon in the dining hall. He was having his breakfast right now. she was definitely surprised at the suit he had on, she had rarely seen him in anything so formal, she saw him in something similar yesterday but she was too busy to notice much and yes yesterday she hadn't had such an encounter with him, but today- the change of an outfit did things to her, she was already getting sweaty palms already just looking at him from across the room, he completely didn't notice her, Elena sat down opposite to Elijah and blocking her face from Damon's view by placing her bag on the table, but she knew it hardly did anything, yet she just wanted to protect herself in a way. She gave a formal smile to Elijah as he ordered for both of them while she sat back, ready to take notes about what he had to say, "Elena, I know we've been worrying you with excessive work."

"Job's a job." She shrugged.

"Yes that is one way to look at it, however, from the past few days, the things going on in the company with the other shareholders, I wanted to give you a warning beforehand." He pursed his lips, and looked around for a second, "It would be in your best interest if you resign from the company."

"Why would I ?" she waved her hand in front of hi, Elijah turned his head down in disappointment, "Elena, I don't want to lie to you, I've seen how hard you work and despite Giuseppe Salvatore's personal grudges with you, there is something much more grave- and that is the project Elena, it's a sham to an extent and I have a bad feeling about this, I am thinking about disassociation myself and I know, I don't have the evidence to put in front of you but you're a hardworking girl, you are an honest girl and I don't want your career to be doomed because of a start like this."

He stopped talking as they were served with their pancakes, the whole time she was confused about how and when Elijah had pledged to protect her because he seemed so adamant over it. He sighed, "Basically they are going to screw-over the investors and blame the actual owners of the company."

"What about the occupied land?"

"It would probably be sold and used to pay the investors who would have lost their money, but you're going to stay in town." He raised his eyebrows at her, "That'll be something."

"But aren't you involved in this?"

"I was, until coming up to this place." He moved forward and added a spoon of milk to his tea, "Elena, it's extremely reckless for my brother to commit something like this while he cleared his name just a few years ago. Giuseppe is using Klaus's greed, and no matter how much I try to tell him this, he isn't going to understand, I was forced to work on this project because my brother had some records of me trying to contact and contacting my ex-girlfriend, who at the time was chief investigator for our case, if any information had leaked, she'd be in trouble." He drank a sip of his tea, Elena was a hundred percent sure he was talking about Katherine, it was crazy to what extent Klaus had planned and manipulated everyone around himself for his personal gains. "I didn't want that for her, she's an honest woman."

Elena saw how his face relaxed talking about her, but there was conflict in his eyes, he truly looked worried about Katherine, she gave a genuine smile his way, "She's very lucky to have you looking out for her."

he gave a light nod and gestured her to eat her breakfast, "A judicial procedure is long and tiring Elena, but what's easy is to grab the irrelevant elements in the case and completely ruin their career, in this case you."

She took bite of her pancakes and asked almost reluctantly, "The project is not in Giuseppe's name, Damon Salvatore is highly representing it, what does this mean for him?"

He shrugged, "I don't know why he is being set up for this by his own father, but Damon's his trump card, he has been making him lead his every situation- losing him means losing an arm, his relationship with his younger is not that good, but I've heard Damon is protective of his brother, if his father tried to get rid of him, Damon would protest."

"Could that be the reason?" she asked hesitantly, feeling Elijah might suspect her involvement in some investigation, "Who knows, I just wanted to let you know, I don't care about Damon or his brother, he can look out for himself."

Elena was confused because of this whole puzzle, why was Giuseppe agreeing to something that would trap both his sons in a designed contract for a company that will never exist. At this point, she could have the half thing, revenge on Damon, but what about her father's area? That was going to sold after the scam news and paid to the investors.

After breakfast, she got and turned around to see if Damon was still there, he wasn't, great! Now that she had a real thing to talk about. Elijah let her go to her room, and she was crazy confused trying to decide to either go in or change or just get herself new clothes, she knew if she saw Matt- she would have a sudden urge to kill him. He was just like the rest of them. She contemplated on the idea but finally got enough courage after a deep breath to go in, it was her room, and she did nothing to be ashamed of. When she went inside there was this sudden noise, with Matt emerging from the bedroom side, "Elena, where were you all night? I've been calling you like crazy, I was worried."

She took a deep breath and held her hand up when he was trying to get close to her, "Please Matt, I have a meeting in a few hours and I am tired."

"Where have you been?" he asked a little more strictly, she raised a brow, "Do I need to tell you that? I don't owe you any explanation." She went into the bathroom before he could say something and all she heard when she slammed the door was him saying, "Really Elena?"

She quickly took a shower and changed into a lavender color pencil skirt, a white ribbed shirt and a blazer matching with her skirt, she blows dried her hair and put on some make-up. Taking time so that Matt would give up and go away, which he did, she quickly packed her stuff and set it aside, if they were staying, she wasn't staying with him anymore. Why can she just go outside and shout at him, she didn't have the energy to, feeling so betrayed for the first time in her life. When she saw him come back to the room from the attached balcony, she avoided him and started arranging her hand bag, "Will you at least tell me what I did?"

She huffed and zipped up her bag , picking it up, "You should know, Matt."

"What do you mean? Stop playing games with me." he said palming his face, she chuckled humorlessly, "Oh right, I am playing games." She looked at him in the eyes, and for a second she saw his eyes widening in horror as if knowing he was caught, but quickly he tried to hide it, probably coming up with a clever excuse, she shook her head and went outside the room, taking a deep sigh, tears making their way back to her eyes. After a very formal and introductory meeting between the investors and the project managers, brunch was called and she finally got the time to just relax, they would probably go back tonight, she couldn't wait to get home and sleep in her bed, she grabbed a water bottle and gulped it down almost, her mind was going all sorts of crazy because of all these people, she wouldn't mind spending a weekend with Caroline and Bonnie, just do each others manicures and talk nonsense.

A gasp escaped her when she felt someone hold her arm, when she looked over her shoulder and saw Damon, she couldn't help but shake her head, he was undoubtedly the king of informality, "What are you doing?"

"Where have you been?" he frowned, "Back in your room?"

She pursed her lips, "Come." She pulled her hand from him and surprisingly let her arm go, as she gestured him to follow her, he followed her out of the conference room and they went down to the ground floor where she took him outside to a small restaurant there, "I've jogged enough, what is it?"

He was annoyed by the silence between them , she rolled her eyes at his impatience and asked him to sit down on the seat, "We have to talk."

"About?" he raised a brow, just a simple way of looking at her and her cheeks turned crimson, she didn't want to think about that, her trembling hands still reached for her bag, taking out her phone, "Elijah asked me to quit this morning."

"Why?"

"I recorded our conversation, this kind of has proof, he talked about the scam, he doesn't want me to get in trouble." She pushed the phone forward on the table, he picked up the phone and played the recording, listening to it, every word. While she watched his reactions, what she expected didn't happen, he wasn't furious or confused, he didn't even look betrayed in the slightest, maybe he felt- she couldn't tell, how could he filter his emotions like that? She was a bit impressed at how easy he made it look, obviously it must hurt to be used like this. She didn't know why, but sometimes she felt bad for him, he always looked a little lonely, immediately she stopped herself from feeling, why was she even feeling, was this because of last night? How did she even think that was a good idea?

He put the phone down, "Elijah seems frustrated with Klaus."

"He was, he doesn't want to be in this anymore." Elena stated reaching for her phone, she tensed up when he held her hand as if telling her not to touch the phone, "I'll need this recording."

"Damon, Elijah doesn't know I recorded him, I'll get in trouble."

"I am not bringing you into this, but this is a testimony in it's own, till I figure something out- I should have this as back up." He picked up the phone and sent the file to his phone number, "you haven't saved my number."

"Oh it's there." She said pursing her lips, he raised a brow at her after a good luck, "The Grinch." He passed the phone to her, "Well I don't remember stealing Christmas."

She nodded with a sarcastic smile, "Oh it's just a metaphor for my very happy life." He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes, "You're still as dramatic as the day I met you." He sat back and let her hand go, feeling like he was missing her soft skin instantly. "Last night, you were drunk-"

"I wasn't drunk, I wish I could use that excuse, Damon, more than you do." she bit her lower lip and put her phone in her bag, avoiding his eyes on her, "I did what I did." this time she controlled her emotions, not letting her face go red entirely, he grinned with a shrug, "Well It takes two to tango." Her eyes widened slightly at his words, she got up from her chair, "I'll just go so you can stop making me feel better about myself."

"Is that a turn-on Elena? making you feel better, a little narcissistic I must say." He smirked, she narrowed her eyes at him, "Hmm says a ruthless narcissist.". He laughed at her tone which surprised her, he wasn't the kind to 'take a joke' "you are quite judgmental for an aggravatingly righteous person."

"Oh, did I miss some layers to your hollow mindset?" she faked a pout and shook her bad, he was completely relaxed which pissed her off, how was he so relaxed, he looked so pleased with himself, she frowned, "What?"

"You're so mad at yourself for being attracted to me." he simply said the sentence, setting her on fire with anger, why was she angry- it wasn't even true, he was just getting a rise out of her, but no- she was, she was attracted to him, that was the reason she was angry. "I am not attracted to you." She bit out each word. He stood up, still that satisfied smirk on his face which she wanted to wipe off this second, "Yes you are." He bit out the words, imitating her style, "I mean I wouldn't blame you; I am gorgeous."

Her mouth fell open, she didn't know what to say right now, but one thing for sure- he was way too confident to say things like that , she held back her smile, she wasn't going to satisfy him further by laughing at his stupid jokes, "Yeah right."

"Elena." Matt's voice interrupted their very rare friendly argument, and when she turned around, he was standing way too close to the table, "What are you doing here? With him." He looked at him Damon with gritted teeth, she frowned, "We have some work to discuss."

"Oh really, does that require you to tell him how attractive you find him." he said, still glaring as he clutched Elena's arm, She blinked in disbelief , looking back at Damon for a second, then whispered, "Matt, you're embarrassing me-"

"I am embarrassing you? You mean-"

Damon interrupted, "Yeah it started with the whole working for Giuseppe Salvatore thing Matt." He stepped ahead, holding his hand firmly and removing it from Elena's arm, pushing him back, "She doesn't want you around so pack up, pretty boy."

"Damon- what are you doing!" Elena said through her teeth seeing they were getting unnecessary attention from other people there. "You are too much of a coward to do it, just tell this guy Elena, you found out about his cute little part time job."

Color had drained from Matt's face and he looked at Elena's face for something, as if asking her to defend him, she swallowed thick, "Tell me Matt."

He sighed long and swallowed thick, "Fine, he paid me to be with you and tell him about your plans, Elena- it's nothing personal, it was harmless."

"to you." She gritted her teeth, "To you it's harmless to play with someone's feelings, manipulating people, siding with people who want to ruin me. even if you didn't love me Matt, I thought you were my friend, I trusted you."

"What do you expect Elena? Me to side with you, in this fucking crazy movement of yours against these guys, you aren't brave, you are stupid and gullible, this proves it exactly-" he closed his mouth, "I am sorry Elena-" she shook her head, "This isn't an apology at all." She looked at Damon then back at him, "I can't trust anyone I guess."

"Look at what you did Matt." She picked up her bag and ran out of there, Damon raised a brow at Matt, "Now you get out of here and I don't want to see you anywhere around Elena."

"So this is what it is then, being a fucking guardian angel, why don't you talk to your father Damon- he is the real problem, but you wouldn't do that, I know it. You are no better than I am, I wanted the money, you want to sleep with her, stop pretending like she's something other than that to you." Within a second, he had launched a punch to his jaw, throwing him near the table leg, "Get out of here, right now." he spat, holding his jacket collar and then leaving him there.

When he went outside, Elena was still there, holding the reeling, over-looking the outside of the Hotel, but he doubted she was 'enjoying the scenery' he didn't know why he cared about it, he didn't actually, that's what he thought, yet still his feet took him to her, he patted her shoulder, and even without looking back, she just nodded, he heard her sniffle and it broke his heart a little, as she silently sniffled and shivered in the cold, her blazer wasn't on, and he figured she forgot it inside, "Elena." he said softly. She shook her head, "Leave me alone."

She didn't want to cry in front of anybody, not him especially- he'll let her hear about it later, a gasp escaped her when he placed his coat over her shoulders, a blanket of warmth surrounded her, she turned around and looked at him, she mouthed a thank you, pulling the coat closer to herself and ready to go, he held her wrist, not too harshly, "He was just being a dick, why does he even matter?"

"I've known him all my life, I need some time to adjust to the idea." She took a deep breath and took a step back, "I'll be in my room. I'll send this over."

"No problem." He said as she started walking away from him.

(-TVD-TVD-TVD-TVD-TVD-TVD-)

A/n:

Sorry for not updating this one, but I've decided to complete all the stories before I take any serious breaks. I know it's a slowburn guys, any ideas for their relationship progress?