Bonnie opened her eyes and smiled seeing Stefan gazing at her with a small smile on his face. He kisses her twice then pulls away, but she pulls him back in and he moves on top of her. They keep eye contact as he pushes his hips into her and out her rhythmically. He holds her face as her mouth slightly drops before telling him not to stop. He follows her command, hitting her spot continuously until they came. He kisses along her neck then her lips.
"Good morning,"
She smiles. "Good morning,"
"Last night was amazing. I've never had that much sex in a night."
"That's what I was going for,"
He shakes his head then kissed her. "Mrs. Salvatore?"
She bit her bottom lip. "Yes, my husband?"
"I have my news interview today and I want you to be there. So come shower with me, please?"
"So polite. That just earned you a blowjob." She pushes him to his back before sliding under the sheets.
...
Stefan took a deep breath as he inspected himself in the mirror of the dressing room. He had his wife, mother, and friend with him and he knows that he would've been more nervous about this if he didn't. When he agreed to the interview he didn't realize how it would be, it is his first time ever doing something like this and he's nervous but he needs to get the truth out there and he needs to bring more awareness to domestic violence for his mother and for everyone else our that had gone through or is going through the same things.
"How you feeling, man?" Mason asked.
"Good, good," he exhaled. "Not gonna lie, I'm a little tired though. Bonnie and I fucked at least ten times last night and again this morning."
"Damn."
He drank some of his coffee. "So you askin Caroline out? We can make it like a double date or something to make everyone comfortable,"
"Yeah, that may be better than just asking her out of the blue."
"You should still invite her though so she has somewhat of an idea that this is a date and not her just tagging along."
"I'll call her now,"
Stefan nodded then grabbed his shoulder before letting it go so he could make the call. He smiles seeing his wife in the mirror stand behind him and turned his head to kiss her softly. His heart slowed and he wished that he could hold her hand throughout this but makes a mental note to just look at her if he ever stumbles.
A knock on the door caused heads to turn and shortly walks in Nancy who will be interviewing him. She introduces herself and shakes hands with everyone and Stefan is the last.
"Nice to meet you, thank you for doing this," he smiled.
"Thank you. How are you feeling?"
"Honestly a little nervous since I've never done an interview like this before but it's necessary and I'm ready."
"That's great, Stefan. I'm here to help you cool those nerves even more by telling you how this interview will go. I want your answers to be genuine and authentic so I'm not going to give you the questions to the test so to speak, but I'll have you tell your story and then I'll go back and nitpick certain things, and ask about certain people and how you feel about certain people and get a nice conversation going. Someone informed me that you wanted to speak more on domestic violence so I will definitely give you your minutes for that, it's a subject that runs close to home so I was happy to hear you want to talk about it." He nodded. "Is there anything that's off-limits so to speak, I have my questions that I do need to ask but I'll try to ask them differently if it's something you don't feel comfortable with."
"I'm pretty much open about the situation, like you, I want to be authentic and truthful so ask your questions and I'll try my best to answer them."
"Alright, perfect, thank you, I'll see you in a bit."
"See you soon," he waved.
"She seems nice," Bonnie hugged him once Nancy left.
"Yeah thankfully. She really did ease my nerves."
Bonnie chuckled then kissed him twice.
Shortly they made their way down being led by a PA into a room. The setup was two lights hanging above their heads, and two chairs placed across from one another. They were told that his mom would join him at the end of the interview to give her insight when he asks why there weren't three chairs there. He nodded then was led to a chair and sat down having the makeup woman powder his forehead and nose. He cleared his throat multiple times and drank out of a water bottle that was handed to him then places it at the front right leg of the chair. He opens his mouth, stretching it out then cleared his throat again. He looked over seeing Mason make his way over and narrowed his eyes but listened in as he whispered into his ear. He exhaled then nodded.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah,"
"Are we ready?" Nancy asked the director who nodded. "I'm Nancy Ryder here with actor Stefan Salvatore, how are you, Stefan?"
"I'm doing well, thank you,"
"How was your holiday, did you do anything, go anywhere?"
"Well I spent Christmas with my wife, we had an amazing time together then the next day we flew to her hometown Mystic Falls to be with her family for a little bit then we came back here."
"That sounds nice,"
"Yeah, it's always nice to have moments of peace especially as an actor where it feels like all you do is work so I never take moments like that for granted."
She smiled. "So let's jump right into it, a month or so ago you were tragically shot in the back of the head by the hand of late Franklin Cobbs who was your mother's husband, is that correct?"
"Yes, it is,"
"How did that come about?"
He took a breath, "Well I'm just gonna kind of start at the beginning, um, Franklin and my mom got married about three years ago and a year in I started to notice signs of abuse toward my mom."
"Signs like what?"
"My mom- I remember one day I went to visit her just casually and she had a black eye. I asked my mom what happened and she didn't really have an excuse for it, but before she could say anything he- Franklin stood behind her and I noticed a look on her face and from then on, I admittedly hated him ever since."
"Did you ever confront your mom on it?"
"All the time. She wouldn't listen to me so there was a point in time where I couldn't be around her without getting upset. I would always push her away constantly."
"What was your relationship like with Franklin?"
"Nonexistent. He didn't really have much interest in me when they were dating so I didn't bother to care back. After I realized that abuse was going on if it was even possible I stayed away even more. When we would talk we would always argue."
"So walk me through the day this happened, what was going through your mind?"
"Yeah, well I don't remember much from that morning, um I think I was- oh I was going over there to talk about Thanksgiving. My wife's family and her best friend were visiting and then my mother's boyfriend Tim would be there and I thought that I should rent a place for us to make everyone more comfortable. She refused, wanting to do it at her place I didn't put up a fight. I tell her that I'm leaving and she asks me if I was sure that I wanted to leave and I look at her and that's when it all registered. I tell her to hide in my car and lock the door. I go looking and as I was opening my mother's bedroom closet I feel a gun to the back of my head."
"What were your thoughts at that moment?"
"I just remember being angry. I don't think I was scared or anything. We exchanged words, I don't really remember what was said honestly and then it was nothing."
"Let's talk about the moment or the day you wake up, what was that like?"
He chuckled then looked over at Bonnie. "I can't really say exactly what I saw but um I saw my wife and um later on my mom—"
"Sorry, why can't you say?"
"It's just a little personal that's all. But my mom and my friend and publicist Mason. I didn't remember any of them at that moment. My mom made these two giant poster boards with faces and names and descriptions. I was somewhat studying them then in walks Elena. I look at her and I remember her."
"Let's dive into yours and Elena's relationship, past and present,"
"Sure,"
"Did you first meet her at a party or some function or was it on set?"
"Yeah, it was on the set of the movie we did together. We played love interests."
"There were rumors of you two dating while filming is that true?"
"Yes and no, um, my girlfriend at the time had suspicions that Elena and I– that I was cheating on her with Elena and I wasn't honestly, and I told her I wasn't but she didn't believe me so we broke up. I had a mindset of 'okay I just got dumped for supposedly sleeping with Elena so why not sleep with Elena'. She was single."
"So you two never dated?"
"She never called me or asked me to be her boyfriend and I didn't call or ask her to be my girlfriend. Though I didn't see anyone else while we had our relationship I honestly wouldn't say that we dated."
"So it was like a no strings attached situation?"
"Yes. Though through this whole experience I realized that I had deep feelings towards Elena that I guess I suppressed during our relationship I'm assuming because of how it started."
"So how long after seeing her for the first time since the hospital did you two start dating?"
"It was the day after Thanksgiving, I asked for her to be invited because she was a familiar face and I knew more about her at the time than anyone else that was attending. After we got back, Bonnie asked me if I wanted to continue with our relationship or if I wanted to start one with Elena and I chose Elena." He shrugged.
"I can tell you're a little upset by that?"
"I am. I'm upset with myself. But in the back of my mind, I can see why I chose her. It's like," he thought for a few moments, "it's so hard to explain. Just imagine being surrounded by people who know you on a deep level and you don't reciprocate those feelings back. It's like you're in a foreign country and you're the only person to speak English and then all of a sudden you meet someone who does speak English and you cling to them because it's familiar. So I started dating Elena... And I say that meaning no disrespect to or towards Elena."
"So why did Bonnie give you the option of choosing?"
"I think it's because she saw that I was clinging to Elena, so to speak, and saw that I was more comfortable around her and that wasn't how our relationship was so she gave me the option."
"How was that relationship like? With Elena?"
"It felt easy. I didn't have to pretend to know certain things. I didn't remember everything pertaining to her but I remembered most of it."
"Press just got released about Elena writing a tell-all book, did you hear about that, what are your thoughts?"
"I just heard about it before we actually started the interview um Elena has her right to share her story just like everyone else, I don't think I feel a certain way about it. I'm sure it won't be all about me, I don't think there's enough of that to write a book."
"Well, it's saying that she's going to dedicate a whole chapter to you and then one to Bonnie."
"Oh okay, I see,"
"Does that change anything?"
"Honestly as long as Elena and her ghostwriter or however she's doing it stay truthful then I'm fine with it. I hope that she doesn't say things and then not admit her fault or influence or enabling. Make everyone seem like they're the bad guy."
"Let's say she doesn't admit to her personal faults, would you respond to a particular story or stories to share more insight?"
"I think I would, yeah. I mean the last thing I want to do is start drama or whatever, but if I see it affecting my life then I'll definitely speak up."
"Is there anything specific that you're nervous about getting out?"
He nods, "There is one thing that comes to mind that I'm ashamed of doing but I did correct myself before things escalated. Everything else is just the drama that comes with life and relationships."
"Any kind of clue you could give to those who will read to know what you're talking about what you're ashamed of?"
"Um...Milan."
"Milan,"
"Yes. I don't know if she'll mention it or not but I guess you have to read it to find out." He chuckled.
"Will you read it?"
"I would hope that she sends my wife and me a copy, I feel like that's the etiquette to these things. I would definitely read my wife's and mine chapter and anyone else, I personally won't involve myself in, I don't want to, but I'd see why others may."
"If she doesn't send a copy will you buy one?"
"Well we share the same publicist so I think I can get my hands on one," he laughed.
"I didn't know you two share the same publicist,"
"Yeah it's pretty new, it happens." He shrugs.
"You've mentioned your wife several times throughout this interview and you're referring to Bonnie, correct?"
He smiled. "Yes, my beautiful wife Bonnie who I don't deserve."
"Congratulations, by the way,"
"Thank you so much."
"When did you two get married?"
"Yesterday, actually,"
"Wow,"
"Yeah, the thirty-first," He lifted his left hand to show off his ring. "We had a nice intimate wedding with her parents and their partners and my mom and her boyfriend and our friends Caroline and Mason. I think we're gonna do something bigger in a couple of months from now with more of our family and friends."
"Can I come?"
He laughed. "Of course!"
She smiled. "Will we see any pictures?"
"Absolutely. I'll try not to post too much when we get them back because I wouldn't want to annoy anyone, but I'll definitely share a couple." He nodded.
"So while we're on the subject, let's talk about your relationship with Bonnie, so waking up from the hospital you say that she's the first person you see and you two share a personal moment what was that like?"
"I remember waking up and she's there and moments pass and I ask her who she is and she says 'I'm Bonnie your fiancée' and I felt like I hit the jackpot. This beautiful woman in front of me is my future wife."
"So how did it get from you feeling lucky to you choosing to be with Elena?"
"So when I was discharged from the hospital we tried to get things back to normal, we slept in the same bed together every night, I wanted us to do activities that we used to do to keep things normal to keep her happy because I could tell she was sad. Especially when I would bring up Elena. She felt me slipping away and I was. Looks aren't everything you know and as I said Elena was familiar and Bonnie was always the best toward me but I- I don't know I guess I would rather go to the familiar instead of taking on something more challenging at that moment. I also felt like when she asked me to somewhat chose I would be releasing the both of us if I just left. Relieve her by not hurting her and myself by not having to strain my brain and force memories or fake like I knew what she was talking about."
"So how did you two reunite?"
"After weeks of dating Elena, I started having visions of Bonnie. I would hold Elena and she would turn to me and she would have Bonnie's face. Then minutes later I would walk into an empty room and I'd see a vision of her there and then I'd see us together and I tried to shake it off. I ignored it and later that day, this all happened in a day, Mason calls me and shows me my Instagram page which I hadn't bothered to look at or remember and I see videos and photos of us and everything just hit me like a train." He shook his head. "I asked Mason to take me to her and the moment we lock eyes I kiss her and carry her back into the room and I apologize to her and she forgives me. I break up with Elena that night- in person and Bonnie and I have a few conversations over the days and thankfully we're at a healthy, loving place."
"How did that breakup go?"
"Um, probably as anyone would imagine. I told her that my memories and feelings for Bonnie had come back to me and I apologized for ever looping her into this and she asks for space so she could pack her things and that was that."
"How did Bonnie feel about your relationship with Elena?"
"Um, I don't want to talk for her but through our talks, it's my understanding that she didn't like it obviously but she accepted it, she wanted me to be happy and at the time that's what Elena provided so she let me go." He chuckled, pointing. "I'm getting a nod from her so I guess I can speak for her after all." He laughed.
"How did you two meet?"
"Mason had hooked us up, he thought that I needed a lady in my life since I was single for a year and a half or two years and introduced me to her. She, of course, didn't like me at first but thankfully she eased up to me." He smiled.
"Well, you seem very happy."
"Honestly this whole experience made me appreciate life so much more, I try not to hold back when it comes to certain things now and I'm not afraid to try new things, I embrace life so much more. Life is so sort and if I would've died that day I would not have been happy with the way I was living my life."
"I think that's a great breaking point."
"Yeah," he reached for his water and took a sip before standing and held out his arms seeing Bonnie walk up to him and held her tight in a hug. He moved his head back and met their lips and kissed her twice, moving his hand to rub her ass.
"You're doing great, babe."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. You're so calm and cute."
He chuckled then kissed her again before taking her hand. They walked over to his mom and Mason. "You still want to do this, mom?"
"Yes, I'm ready." He smiled then hugged her before they took her to makeup.
Mason took a call so he turned back to his wife. She smiled looking into his eyes and pressed her front against his and his hands traveled south. She moved her arms around his neck and stood on her toes, meeting their lips. "I love you."
"I love you more."
He moved his head to rest on her shoulder and swayed softly feeling himself growing calm.
"I love hearing you call me your wife."
He smiles. "I love that you're my wife. My beautiful, beautiful gorgeous wife."
She held him tighter and he moved his hands to her lower back to hug her closer.
"You ready, Stefan?" Someone softly spoke.
"Yeah," he slowly pulled away from her then kissed her one more time before walking back towards the chairs. He closed his eyes as makeup was applied then held his mother's hand once she was seated next to him. He smiled over at her making her smile back.
"Are we ready?" Nancy questioned the director and after receiving a nod she started. "Stefan, before we really start, I must admit I was watching you and Bonnie during our little break over there and you both seem so comfortable with one another and in love."
He smiles. "She completes me, honestly. I never really understood when people would say that but I get it now one hundred percent. I'm a very lucky guy."
She smiled. "So we're joined now with your mother Lily,"
"Yes,"
"Lily could you maybe run through that day, what was going through your mind,"
She exhaled. "Yes, my boyfriend, Tim, was out, he was working a job, he's a bodyguard who Stefan had actually hired for me to protect me after we had filed a restraining order against Franklin, Tim was there to just ensure my safety. Months had gone by and there were absolutely no signs of Frank, I didn't see him, hear from him, nothing so we felt comfortable and safe to not be around each other twenty-four seven, Tim and I."
"So what was that moment like opening the door and there he is of how did that fold out?"
"Yeah, exactly like that, as I was saying I was comfortable and didn't check the peephole and I open the door and it was like the life was drained out of me."
"If you don't mind, let's rewind a bit when you both were dating and married how was the relationship?"
"Everything was perfect at first. Stefan's father had passed close to ten years ago now and maybe five years after was when we started dating and shortly married. The abuse didn't happen immediately and the first time it happened I was confused. I'm an older woman and it felt strange in a way that it was happening to me. I was embarrassed."
"When Stefan knocked on your door that day and you had a black eye, was that something that you wanted him to see maybe by not covering it up?"
She thought. "Maybe. Maybe a part of me Yes. I didn't know that he would be coming over so I can't say it was purposeful but I didn't cover it up mainly as a reminder to him at how he hurts me. It would happen then he would apologize and it felt genuine, like a genuine apology every time and he seemed hurt so I didn't cover it up hoping that maybe he wouldn't do it again."
"W—"
"Then my bruise healed and it happened again."
"What was it like having your son be less in your life because of this?"
"I felt like a horrible mother, I really did. He would push me out every time and I don't blame him, I understand, I understood but it hurt."
"Is that what ultimately prompted you to leave him?"
"Yes. It was when I first met Bonnie, Frank and I paid a visit to Stefan and Bonnie was there and I wanted to take everyone out for lunch at this Chinese place. We walked there and once we got there I could see how upset Stefan was. He was so angry it was hard to ignore. He wouldn't make eye contact with anyone at all not even Bonnie. I remember she asked how Frank and I met, trying to get a conversation rolling and Stefan cleared his throat loudly kind of dismissing the question in a way. Frank snapped at him, he snapped back, I can't remember the dialogue, I was honestly afraid that an altercation would break out, I just remember crying. Stefan gets up to leave and I beg him to stay and he agrees only if Frank left and he reluctantly did. I believe I asked him why he couldn't let me be happy after the passing of his father, I don't know what prompted me to even mutter those words because in no way was I happy. He told me to drop it basically and I remember he hugged me and I asked him what I could do for him to be in my life again and he tells me to leave Frank so I do. He's my only son."
"Do you think that if Stefan wasn't distant and pushing you away, you would still be with him?"
"Absolutely. And that sucks."
"Stefan, did you believe that your actions toward your mother would be the push she needed to get out?"
"Honestly no. Maybe at first but when no action was taken I thought my mom would be with him until she died. When I told her to leave him, I remember thinking 'what if she actually does this time' but then I just knew it wouldn't happen."
"What was that moment like when you found out?"
"My mom had left Franklin and came to my place, my wife had answered the door, I was out working on a project at the time. I get a call and Bonnie tells me that my mom was there. I was confused and questioned why then I was told she left him and he didn't take it well. They were acceptably scared or worried knowing that my place would be if not the first, one of the first places he would check for her so I dropped everything and hurried home. I actually have a firearm hidden at my place and told Bonnie the location and combination just in case he broke into the apartment and they feared for their life."
"Did he come looking for you at Stefan's place?"
"He did." She nodded. "Stefan did not yet arrive home and thank God Bonnie was there, he started banging on the door calling out my name, Bonnie told me to lock myself in a room and I didn't want to leave her but I knew I would put her in more danger if I was there than not so I go. I hear her say that there's no Lily here, that he got the wrong place like she didn't know it was him. I assume he asked to come in but she says that she just mopped the floors and asked what he wanted and she told him that maybe I was out with Stefan and hoped that he'd find me."
"Wow,"
"Yeah. She's my hero." Lily looked over at her.
Bonnie places her hand over her heart.
"So the restraining order is issued, you think he's finally got the message and has moved on but one day you open the door and there he is. You say you felt the life got drained out of you,"
"Yes, I was terrified. I was used to having someone protect me from him whether it was Tim, Stefan, or Bonnie so being alone and so exposed in my house I wanted to vomit."
"What happened before Stefan showed up?"
"He- he wanted to talk. He told me that he's been watching from afar and he knew about Tim and waited until he knew he was gone before showing up. I felt paralyzed."
"Did you see the gun?"
She shook her head. "I didn't. I had no idea he was armed, otherwise, I would've warned Stefan about it."
"So Stefan knocks on the door,"
"Stefan knocks and we both stiffened. I knew it wasn't Tim because he would've used his key to get in so I had no idea who was behind the door. He threatens me to get rid of whoever it was and hid and I felt a sense of relief and terror when I opened the door."
"Why terror?"
"Because I knew I had to tell him that Frank was in the house and I really didn't want him to get in the middle of it again. As he said before he asked me about renting a place for Thanksgiving I didn't want to and we talk just for a little more and he stands to leave and I question him if he really had to go. I wasn't sure where Frank was but I knew that more than likely he was listening in so I couldn't come right out and say it and luckily he got what I was trying to hint."
"Do you still live in the house?"
"I did, I just could never go into my room again so I had Tim move everything into another room and just stayed there because in a way I wanted to prove a point to Frank and myself but now I am in the process of moving so I won't have the house much longer."
"I see. So you've made it successfully in the car and locked yourself inside, what emotions are you feeling?"
"I was just nervous. I was nervous and worried and I heard the gunshot I jumped back. My heart was pounding and I wanted to run in but something told me to just stay in the car so I did and called the police and shortly I hear another gunshot. I jump again and at that moment I'm confused as to why there were two so spaced out. I was seated on the floor of the back row of seats so I sit up and peer over to look out the window and I don't see any movements and that's when I assumed that somehow Frank had shot Stefan then himself because no one was running out of the house to remove themselves from the scene and I knew that if Stefan had pulled the trigger he would've come for me and he didn't. When the police got there I got out of the car and told them the situation, the EMS workers rushed in and I badly wanted to follow after them but I'm glad I didn't, I probably would've fainted or worse. They bring Stefan out first, he has this mask on to help him breathe and I felt all my weight drop to my feet and I fell down and cried out. I rode with him to the hospital, I didn't care what else was happening all I cared about was Stefan. I'm so thankful that he survived, I don't know what I would do with myself if he didn't."
"Do you at all blame yourself?"
"I did. A part of me still blames myself, I would be a liar if I said it didn't but through the time I was able to see that this was Franks doing and not mine."
"Do you have a message for women or men in domestic violence relationships right now, something that you've learned and would like to share?"
"Absolutely, I want to say that it's never your fault. You're not stupid, or ugly or whatever names they call you, you are strong and brave and deserve to be in a better place. You deserve more. It's hard and scary to even think about leaving but even if your body is shaking keep going, it won't be something that you'll ever regret. You're not alone. Sometimes they'll manipulate you and isolate you from the entire world to make you feel like you are, but you aren't. The moment you leave and get to your safe haven is the moment you'll truly realize how much people care and love you. Keep fighting and stay strong and want better things for yourself because then things would start to get better. It may get worse but then it gets better."
Nancy nodded. "Now you both have teamed up with an organization,"
"Yes, my mom, wife, and I are partnering with RAINN which is the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. It's an American nonprofit anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States and we're going to do some amazing fundraising and volunteering to help spread the word about this amazing organization that touches base on multiple causes that majority of the people involved in situations like these are afraid or ashamed or worried to speak out about. So hopefully through this interview and through our work there, we can give women and men the courage to speak out and possibly remove themselves from these horrible assault situations."
"I think this is an amazing way to channel your energies, turning things that were negative in your life to something positive."
"Thank you, I honestly have my wife to thank for that, I came to her and she thought of the idea that I should get involved with an organization and spread awareness because everything that has happened to me stems from domestic violence. And when my mom was living with us for a bit after she left Frank, I know it could never compare but I was scared. Not only for myself but for my wife and for my mom so I can understand why people stay because out there in the world you have no idea what to expect next, the next time you'll see them and what they'll do to you if so, so staying seems like the easy way out but life isn't easy it's unfair, it's challenging, and sometimes you have to face it head-on and start making moves because once you reach the end of the tunnel there's light for you to bask in and be cleansed with so just keep moving toward the light, toward where you feel safe and comforted."
"I think talking is a big part of it, when I was going through it I didn't say anything to anyone and when I would be around Stefan I knew that was all he wanted to talk about it and I could feel the urge to cry out for help to him but I suppressed it. So I say tell someone, talk about it and maybe that will be easier for you to leave."
"I want to thank you both for spending your day with me, it was a pleasure."
"Thank you, Nancy,"
"Thank you for having us."
"Alright, that's a wrap," the director spoke.
Stefan stood to shake her hand and Lily hugged her. A man came up to take his mic off causing him to realize that maybe they heard his talks with Bonnie, but is relieved that they didn't say anything private. Once the mic was off, he grabbed his water and walked to Mason and Bonnie and hugged them both before they walked back to his dressing room.
"I don't think that could've gone any better," Mason spoke once they were behind closed doors.
"I agree,"
"Let's just hope that the editing team does their job right and keeps in a good portion of the domestic violence talk, they may trim it down but that's to be expected let's just pray that it's not only a minute long."
"What do we do if it is?" Lily asked.
"Well, I'll pitch the topic to a big writer and get them to make a piece on it, possibly another interview just talking about it. Don't worry, I'll make sure everything is handled."
She nodded.
"I don't know about anyone else but I'm ready to just go home and take a shower and go to bed and I don't even know what time it is."
Stefan laughed and shook his head. "It's one in the afternoon, babe."
"Fine, take a nap."
"I have to agree, everyone's ready to roll out, you got your belongings?" Mason asked.
Everyone looked around to see if anything was left behind and when it wasn't, they headed inside the black SUV that dropped them off to their homes.
…
"Babe…"
Stefan narrowed his eyes, looking over at her. "Yes…"
"Were you ever going to tell me about the supposed double date we're having tonight with Caroline and Mason or wait until we had to leave?"
"It was just supposed to be the two of them but last minute I made it a double date to take the pressure off. I wasn't sure if it was a possibility, I didn't know when Caroline was leaving." He shrugged.
"Well, it's tonight at seven,"
"Sounds good." He narrowed his eyes at the look on her face. "What?"
"Nothing," she laid on her side, her back faced him.
He was shocked. "Babe, what did I do?"
"Nothing,"
"I'm sorry I should've told you sooner." He frowned. "Babe," he moves his body to be in front of her.
"It's not that,"
"Then what?"
"It's," she sighed. "Just forget it, I don't even know why it affected me."
"What affected you?"
"You- you said "sounds good" and that was your response when I told you I was moving out." She watched his eyes fill with sadness as he frowned. "I don't want you to feel bad about it, I guess just hearing about everything today made everything a little fresher."
"I will never say that phrase again."
"No, that's not-"
"I mean it. If it makes you upset, I swear it's gone from my vocabulary. I'm so sorry,"
"Stefan, don't apologize. I forgave you."
He moved his hand to the side of her face. "I love you."
"I love you more."
He kisses her then holds her close to his body. He exhaled through his nose as she holds him back, wrapping her leg around his hip.
…
Bonnie hugged Caroline then Mason before sitting in front of her. She was a bit surprised that Caroline had agreed to this double date but maybe with herself being there it made the decision a lot easier.
"So how was the interview?" Caroline asked.
"It went really well, I didn't feel like she was trying to get information out of me or want me to talk bad about a certain person, it was a nice conversation."
"Oh, I'm glad."
"Yeah, it was really nice," Stefan looked over as their waitress stepped up to the table and took everyone's drink order.
"So, Caroline, how has it been dealing with Kely lately?"
She growled.
"I'm sorry, who's Kely?" Mason questioned the two of them.
"He's my boss from hell." Caroline describes. "He had it out for me day one,"
"Not defending him but I told you to keep your mouth shut on your first day." Bonnie defended.
"Wait so what happened?" Stefan leaned in.
"Well, I was starting my interior designing job, super excited, I had on my new wide-legged pink pantsuit, I was looking and feeling super cute." The guys chuckled. "So I get there and I head into Kely's office, this is only my second time meeting him, but I go in to ask him about where I'll be and yada yada yada,"
"Your drinks," their waitress handed out. "Are we ready to order?"
"I'll have the grilled chicken sandwich with fries please."
"Full rack of ribs with mashed potatoes and fries,"
"I'll have the shrimp tacos with just one more extra taco,"
"The bacon cheeseburger, medium rare with fries."
"Alright," she collected their menus before walking away.
"Okay so anyway," Caroline continues, "I'm in his office and he shows me around the place and tells me that I should sit in on a meeting happening later and I'm like 'of course, I'll be there' and he leaves me alone. I call Bonnie the second he's gone and we talk and I tell her how everything's going great and that absolutely nothing can ruin this day and tell her about the meeting,"
"And I told her to do exactly as she's told and just sit-in unless she had an idea that would blow everyone's minds,"
"Anyway, we eventually hang up and maybe an hour after that the meeting happens. I'm sitting in and Kely says something about the paint, I think he wanted this room to be painted all white but the furniture was this beautiful deep blue and black and gold so I suggested that we paint the room a light blue just to have everything pop out more and just to switch things up. When you're looking at houses all you typically see are white wall after white wall so I thought that this would get buyers' attention more. And literally, everyone in the room agreed. They tested it first by putting it in this 3D program where most of the designing happens and kept switching the wall color from white to light blue and people loved my idea. Everyone except for Kely. Now he hates me because I dared to disagree with him."
"That on top of Kely's boss was dialed in for the meeting so he heard every word."
"Wow," Mason shook his head. "So does he try to like block other projects from you?"
"He tries,"
He chuckled. "How did you get into interior design?"
"I've always been into planning things and organizing events so at first, I thought that I'd be a wedding planner or an event planner but I realized that I cared more about the look of things than the actual party itself. I would sketch up how I wanted the room to look and everything then I thought why don't I just be a designer. I practiced with my house and Bonnie's and her apartment in LA, during that time I was in school getting my degree, but it all just fell into place."
"That's awesome,"
"Yeah,"
They smiled at one another.
"What don't I know about you,"
He chuckled, "Uh, well, I started off as an actor and model if you will when I was young. Like from five to sixteen, I liked it a lot and I'm thankful for it because it helps me deal with what I do now, but in a way like you, I was always interested in the planning and scheduling. My friends would tell me they want to act and I would have them audition by reading a script I had," he chuckled shaking his head. "I liked that stuff then I would go back and tell my manager and let him deal with the rest."
"Did they actually get hired?"
"I think only one. I can't really remember. But I stopped acting and modeling to focus more on school and I got my degree in marketing."
"Nice. How did you meet Stefan?"
"Uh, he was already acting, we actually first met in a scene we both had together in this commercial we were playing brother or friends, I can't remember, but years later I had my degree, I had my job, I had my office, we bump into each other in Footlocker," Caroline smiled. "I was oddly looking at him from afar and once I realized it was him, I was like 'do I go up there, do I not go up there', but I go up to him and say 'excuse me' and he turns around, probably thinking I'm a huge fan of his, so he has this smile on his face and once our eyes met, it dropped and now he's looking at me oddly." They laughed. "I was like 'hey, I'm Mason, I think we shot a commercial together a few years back' and he's like 'yeah, I thought I recognized you from somewhere' then we catch up. Luckily for me, he was about to fire his manager and decided to give me a chance and the rest is history." They smiled.
"Here's your food,"
Two waitresses placed their food down and they thanked them before they started eating. Bonnie and Stefan sat and ate quietly as the two talked but looked at each other every once in a while with a smile, noticing that the two were hitting it off or at least that's what it appeared to be. Mason paid for the meal and they all walked out they hugged one another goodbye then the married couple let the two be but spies on them from Stefan's car.
Bonnie smiles seeing the two talk closely and shortly exchange numbers. They hug longer than a usual hug and she gasped, reaching her hand back to grab Stefan's arm as Mason's hand moved to the side of her face. She happy frowns as they kiss, squeezing her man's arm tighter once they pulled away and he met their foreheads. Caroline smiles at whatever he says and raises her chin to kiss him again. They shortly pull away then hold hands walking in the same direction.
"Babe!" Bonnie turned towards him and he laughs some. "Did you see that?! Holy fuck!"
"Come here," he holds her face and kisses her. "We're matchmakers now,"
"You called it from the beginning, I'm glad I support you."
He chuckled.
She moved to his lap and his hands immediately grabbed her ass. She kisses him again and he reclines the seat back as her hips start rocking.
…
Mason opens his eyes and smiled seeing her sleeping face. He combed her hair back behind her ear before caressing her back and smiled as her eyes open. Caroline smiles back and he pulls her body into his to kiss her.
"Please stay," he begs against her lips.
"I really want to, but I can't. I have to get back to work tomorrow," she moved her hand on the side of his face.
"Call in sick," he smiled as she laughed.
"Mase,"
"I know," he kisses her. "When can you come back? I'll buy your flight,"
"I don't know, actually."
"Well maybe I can visit you in Mystic Falls?"
She smiled. "I would like that,"
"Okay." He kisses her. "Let's get you to the airport then,"
She nodded and they got out of bed. Caroline reaches for her phone and saw that she got a text from Bonnie asking her to call her ASAP. She decided to wait until she was waiting to board her plane because she knew that Bonnie wanted to talk about Mason. She put on her pants and shoes before joining Mason in the living room. They drive to her hotel so she could grab her things before they made way to the airport. He took her as far as he could and kissed her goodbye, promising to call her tomorrow. Once she was seated at her gate, she pulled out her phone and called her friend.
"Tell me everything," Bonnie answered.
She chuckled. "Um, well, so after you and Stefan left, he told me that he likes talking to me and I tell him so back so we exchange numbers and he hugs me and in the hug, he asks if I'd be interested in going out with just him some time and I say of course and we pull away and he touches my face and gives me such a sincere look, it's hard to describe. And we kiss."
"How did it feel?"
"Amazing." She smiled. "He pulls away and apologizes for not asking to kiss me first and I just smile and kiss him myself."
"Oh, Care,"
"So he walks us to his car and asks me where I'm staying but I just asked if we could go back to his place."
Bonnie gasped. "So did you—"
"No, but we talked some more and took a nap together. I want to do things differently with him. The old me would have slept with him, no problem, no regrets, but I want to take things slow and actually build a relationship before bringing sex into it."
"I think that's a great idea,"
"So we wake up and he asks me to stay but I told him that I had to get back to work and he asks when I would be here again and I told him that I wasn't sure so he offered to visit me in Mystic Falls. He drives me to the airport and kisses me goodbye and I don't know, I feel all fluffy."
"I'm so happy for you, Care. I've never heard you talk about a guy like that, I really hope this works out for the both of you."
"Me too. I have to go, they're boarding now."
"Okay, text me when you land,"
"Will do,"
"Bye,"
"Bye."
Bonnie ended the call with a smile then rested her head on Stefan's chest. She wanted Caroline to have everything she wants and dreams for, but she's scared that once Elena comes out with her tell-all book that maybe it would ruin things. No one knows for certain what Elena would want to tell the world, but she's sure that her minuscule fling with Mason would be added. It's almost too good to not include. She's not sure if Caroline would even read it but if what she has with Mason grows, she would surely find out because she's sure everyone would be reporting on the book.
Bonnie sighed and pulls out her phone to text Mason telling him that they needed to talk.
A/N: What are your thoughts on Caroline and Mason? Good? Bad? Eh? Let me know!
