Outlook on Life

Elena

Although Elena knew what was going to happen when she showed up late at the Electric Pony that night, it was the right decision. Loosing her job at the Salvatore bar was not an option if she wanted to get herself out of Tyler's apartment. Elena didn't afford herself and sliver of hope as she made her way to the Electric Pony, knowing full well what Seth's punishment would be. While she wasn't naive enough to think that she could prevent it; she had done her best to avoid it happening again.

When Elena walked into the dressing rooms to find Seth sat in her chair next to her outfit for tonight, she'd already accepted her fate. "You know what you have to do to make it up to me" it wasn't a question; it was just the way things worked. With a slight nod Elena started undressing herself without saying a word. If she wanted to keep her job she would have to have sex with Seth, it wasn't something she particularly wanted to do - the guy was a creep - there just wasn't any other option.

This wasn't her first time working under such conditions and it most certainly wasn't her first job stripping. It had become quite obvious how attractive she was when she went into foster care. Being a female put you at risk and being an attractive female meant you were doomed; it certainly didn't get any easier when you were sleeping out in the streets alone at nights.

Elena had been attacked more times than anyone should be in her short life because of her attractiveness; It's the reason she knows how to defend herself so well and the reason she has a switch blade on her at all times. Sure it's probably an extremely unhealthy way of thinking -always expecting an attack - but, 'you've gotta do, what you've gotta do to survive' and if Seth is someone Elena has to do, in order to keep her job than that's what she'll do.

After Seth left, Elena got dressed into her stupid Santa costume hyping up to Christmas; the closer major holidays get, the worse the costumes get.

"Lena" Kat smiled at her and the girls hugged "You can take one of my clients" Kat offered and Elena thanked her friend for being so generous. Kat wasn't rich but she did have enough money to live on even if she gave away a few clients every now and then. These clients would pay up to $500 in cash for 50 minutes of illegal 'services' that pretty much were chosen by the client; although there were a few rules. They can't leave marks or physically harm any of the workers and they especially couldn't photograph or video the service.

Elena was grateful for the easy cash in hand, that night alone she made $2000 in 'extra services' for clients with thankfully straightforward demands.

Before she knew it, it was midnight and she was ready to go home and crash. When she got to the apartment she was happy that Tyler was already asleep and so she was able to go straight to bed without having to interact with him. She continued to make herself clear that he didn't own her and that they aren't in a relationship but Tyler had more of a twisted mind than she had remembered.

She remembered when they were younger and the cops came and tried to pick them up and take them back to child services. Tyler had fought tooth and nail to get away; Elena knew she could handle whatever hell they sent her to next but Tyler wasn't like her, he didn't know how to pick his battles, he wouldn't have survived. So, she had punched the cop in the face and told Tyler to run.

He hadn't wanted to at first; he'd become quite attached to her during their time together, after all she'd protected and stole to make sure he survived. She remembered having to fight harder against both cops just to give him enough time to run after he hesitated. He ran like she'd told him too with a promise to find her again. Funny thing was, that little stunt had landed her in Juvie for 2 months. True to her word he was the first call she made when she was out and he tried to get to her before she was moved again but it had been too late and she was sent to another family.

Elena had always liked the kid but never anything more than a friendly way, although when she move din and he was in the mood for sex, she didn't say no and it was only because he was convenient.

In hindsight she wish she had said no...but much like now, she seriously doubted he'd have taken no for an answer.

The worst part of Elena's job was the day shifts at the Electric Pony. It was full of business men who just sat around and watched the dancers on the poles. All us girls could tell they each wanted to stare but didn't want to be the only ones not focused, especially in a business meeting. It was smart, bringing the guy you want to screw over in a contract to the place he's least likely to pick up on the details your trying to hide in the contract.

In all honesty even though she knew she wasn't supposed to, Elena knew a serious amount about Banking, investing, stock exchange and law from listening in on conversations. She just couldn't help it when she got bored and although she had no money to invest, if she ever did she'd know exactly how... though she doubted she'd ever have enough money to invest.

Her shift felt like it went on forever as she stood dancing for a bunch of guys who were purposefully trying to ignore her while they talked business. The business men never left tips or asked for extra services so it meant you didn't get any cash in hand which majorly sucked.

"Giuseppe Inc. Boys are back" Katherine giggled knowing that Elena loved to torment the lawyers. She stealthily made her way over and listened to the conversation while dancing seductively. Elena was always a good read of people, you had to be when you grew up the way she did... she could see the bluff from a mile away and the lawyers had a tendency to be major ass-holes to the dancers, which only made it a sweeter revenge.

"...Our client is admitting full responsibility for the damages done to the homes and if your clients family wants compensation you have to sign this on behalf of them" The older lawyer in the black fancy suit smiled condescendingly at the opposing lawyer who was dressed in a simple suite obvious to anyone looking at him that he was freshly out of collage.

For the past 30 minutes Elena had been reading the documents over the two 'Giuseppe Inc' lawyer's shoulders and from what she could tell this Newbie lawyer was about to loose these families a hell of a lot of money if he signs that document. So, Elena danced over to them and started rubbing the opposing Newbie lawyers shoulders.

"Don't sign, they're trying to screw you over, you can get those families twice what they're offering" she whispered into his ear making it look like she was just seducing him, as per her job.

With a deep breath the Newbie shook his head at the 'Giuseppe Inc' guys and she made her way over to them so she could read the documents they had on their laps "No, can do... I wan't you to double your offer" Newbie said firmly and she smiled briefly up at him before glancing back down to the documents they were trying to hide from him.

shit! she thought once she saw that they had a deal already drawn up for three times their first offer but with clear instructions to only present it if he mentions the damaging facts of the case, which she didn't know.

After going to both the two other men and kissing their necks and rubbing their shoulders she made her way back to the opposing Newbie lawyer "Contract for three times the original price in Lawyer number 2's hand but with instructions to only present it to you if you bring up the damaging information... i'd say that info would be whatever facts are going to hurt their rep" Elena whispered to him "Now tell me to go away because you have business"

"Listen" Newbie cleared his throat removing her hand from his chest "I'm trying to work here, maybe you should go find someone else to entertain" he smiled mouthing thank you to her and she left wordlessly but stayed close enough to watch the newbie lawyer get the deal.

Elena was about to leave at the end of her shift when she saw the newbie lawyer at the bar and she made her way over to him "You got it done?" she asked and he nodded with a sigh of relief.

"I don't know why you helped me but you just got a major company to compensate the families that their technology burnt down's home" the lawyer smiled at her and Elena was glad she could have helped.

In all honesty she probably would have helped him even if the deal had been about greed, because one thing Elena hated were people in authority. People who's power goes to their heads and they think they tower over everyone not as wealthy or famous as them. Those two 'Giuseppe Inc.' lawyers are two of the biggest jackasses, of all the other jackasses that take business meetings here. Although it's not just them, the 'Giuseppe Inc' guys, it's pretty much all the businessmen who frequent the Electric Pony. They sit there in their designer suits calling the dancers sluts and cheap whores, then use them as distractions for their benefit of screwing over someone else in a deal. When they leave they don't give tips or buy drinks, the only thing they pay for is entry to the club.

Those kinds of guys are hated by all the Electric Pony employees who have to listen to their judgemental comments with a smile on their faces when really you just wanna shove your stiletto heel up their asses. There is two other girls in the club, who like Elena, understand the basics of the business terms and rules.

Sometimes alone and sometimes with Katherine or one of the other girls, Elena will intervene in the business deals by tipping off the opposing lawyer or stocks analyst; but only if they too aren't the 'stick in the mud' types.

After helping some lawyer screw over the suits Elena was in a better mood than she had been expecting to be in - she had to work the day shift after all.

When Elena showed up at Salvatore bar ready for her shift at 5 pm she found Damon already waiting, he was an hour early today but she didn't mind at all. In fact, Elena quite liked his company while she worked and it helped her not to snap at the customers who got on her nerves. When she got behind the bar, she quickly put her stuff away and started mixing his drink "Hey" she smiled at Damon who was looking at her weirdly "What?" she questioned when he seemed to be staring.

"Your covered in glitter" he chuckled as she looked down at her skin and sure enough she was covered in glitter. At the Electric Pony she had used the body shimmer spray to stick the sequence to her skin and apparently, body shimmer is a bitch to get off. Making matters worse, the dim lighting of the bar only made her sparkle more.

Before Elena could give a lame excuse that she knew Damon wouldn't believe a blonde woman appeared behind him "Hey Damon" the woman chirped and Elena saw Damon instantly deflate when he heard the voice. The blonde woman sat down next to him, Elena went over to mix him another drink because if there was one thing she had picked up on in the past month and a half he had been a fixture at the bar, was his mood swings. And this mood told her he would need another drink.

"Caroline" he grumbled as Elena knowingly poured the drink in his glass and instead of sipping it like he normally does, Damon gulped it down in one go.

"How have you been going in finding a date for tomorrow nights Thanksgiving dinner?" Caroline asked him obviously oblivious to Damon's annoyance at her presence. Damon sighed an exaggerated breath at her question but she continued on "Come on Damon, you can't go alone or your dad is gonna be furious" Caroline reminded him and Damon rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah" he brushed her concern off but Caroline was having none of it and you had to admire the girls persistence "Damon" Caroline said in a serious tone "Do you need me to find a date for you?" Caroline asked and Elena let out a small laugh, the girl knew what she was doing - go for the ego!

"It's not funny" Damon frowned obviously hearing her snort and slight chuckle, Elena turned back to him with a stronger drink this time "Actually I think it is" she retorted smiling at him even though he shot her a soft glare "All I've been hearing for weeks is how smooth you are with the ladies" she shook her head at him "But now I'm hearing you can't get a simple date" Elena smirked knowing she was further hurting his ego.

"I don't think I like you anymore" Damon huffed "And for the record I can quite easily get a date" he clarified

"Then why don't you have one already? you've known about this for weeks" Caroline interrupted sounding a little annoyed herself but Damon just shrugged and drank the drink she had poured him.

After serving the other customers Elena returned to Damon with another drink that she knew he needed, the rambunctious blonde turned to her "I'm Caroline, Stephen's wife" Caroline held out her hand and Elena shook it over the bar "I'm Elena" she introduced herself

"Stephen told me Damon had been coming around to the bar a lot" she explained and something in her voice sounded as if she were suspicious of something, although Elena had no idea what that would be. "Is that how you two know each other?" Caroline questioned and both Elena and Damon nodded in agreement.

"So, Elena, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?" Caroline asked trying to make causal talk while there wasn't anyone else at the bar. Elena continued cleaning the glasses with the rag as she answered "I'm working, though I'm hoping I can get shift here instead of having to ask Kat" she sighed knowing holidays were the worst at the Electric Pony but the money was worth having to wear stupid costumes and listen to slutty Christmas carols.

"Your working through the holidays!?" Caroline screeched and Elena winced at the sound but nodded in confirmation nonetheless "Well the bar is closed on the holidays" Caroline stated and Elena sighed sadly knowing she would now have to ask Seth for a shift at the Electric pony.

"Great" Elena mumbled to herself just as Caroline gasped loudly letting out an excited squeal. Elena visibly winced at the noise and Damon nodded his agreement to her reaction with a smirk "you get used to it" he mumbled when the noise stopped.

"Elena can be your date!" Caroline announced making both Elena and Damon's heads snap to her "It'll be fun" Caroline continued ignoring both their glares "It's the families pre-Thanksgiving party and Damon's dad wants him to bring a date"

"Oh, I told you I was going to have to work these holidays, I can't afford not to" she tried to explain but Caroline cut her off "It will be fun and plus it's just one night" Caroline countered and she didn't know what to say to that, for the first time in a long time she found herself not wanting to be blunt and hurt their feelings. But Elena didn't do Thanksgivings' and besides, their idea of a family party was something she did NOT want to be a part of.

"Come on Elena" Caroline pleaded with her and Damon was yet to look up from his suddenly fascinatingly interesting glass. The multiple harsh ways of saying no filtered through her head as she tried to find the right words, but before she managed to say anything Stephen joined the conversation; wrapping his arms around Caroline he dropped a sweet kiss in her cheek "What is Elena doing?" he questioned obviously having caught the last part of the conversation.

"She's going to be Damon's date to the Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner" Caroline announced and Stephen smiled brightly at that... how was she supposed to say no now? "That sounds great, it'll be fun. Maybe you and Care can go shopping together tonight" he suggested and Caroline let out another screech practically jumping up and down in excitement.

"Oh, no, I really can't" Elena sighed shaking her head at them "I can't afford to purchase anything right now and this.." she said pointing to her outfit which was a red camisole top, ripped skinny jeans and a black leather jacket with black high heel boots "Is the nicest thing i own... I'm not the family dinner or fancy event kind of person" she let out a small snort at her understatement.

"Well then you can borrow one of my dresses, we can shop in my closet" Caroline supplied as a simple solution and Elena was pretty much out of excuses that wouldn't end up hurting her 'sort-of friend's?' feelings. "What's your phone number?" Caroline asked

Elena let out a small sigh not liking this at all, but what the hell was she supposed to say? Geez rich people aren't too in touch with other peoples emotions...well either that or they don't care. Both plausible, she thought to herself. "Here" she relented taking Caroline's phone and entering her own phone number in it before handing it back to the bubbling blonde.

"I'll call you tonight and we can work out the details" Caroline announced before waving goodbye and pulling a laughing Stephen along with her out of the bar.

"So, you really want me going as your date to this thing?" Elena questioned turning to Damon who just shrugged in response. A real confidence boosting answer she thought sarcastically as she finished packing up the bar to head out for the night.

"I hadn't arranged anything and I usually don't enjoy them too much... so if your willing?" Damon added with a small chuckle that suspiciously sounded like nervous laughter.

"No offence or anything" she started not sure if he'd interpret this as rude or not but deciding to say in nonetheless "Your gonna have to save me from your family" she told him seriously and he nodded in agreement as they locked the doors of the bar.

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