Chapter 15 : 'Not a lost cause'
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Damon watched Elena from a safe distance as she moved with grace toward the kitchen. She was taking extra care of her diet. It wasn't a surprise to him. She was a medical student once. A doctor to be exact. She knew exactly how to take care of herself.
He noticed she wasn't being rude to the lower staff like kitchen staff or the cleaning staff. She was still the old Elena around them. She smiled at them. Talked to them. It was only the guards, Rose and other people who were linked with him that got her disapproval looks and her tantrums.
Bonnie made better progress with her than he or Rose had. Somehow, that made him jealous because Bonnie was as much as liar as he was. She deceived Elena as much as he did but Elena was somehow kinder to her. She still got Elena's stink eye and short replies but at least Elena didn't push her away like she did to him every time he approached her or break down into heart wrenching sobs when he touched her.
"You're staring again," Rose snapped him out of his trance.
"Hmm…I probably shouldn't. Next thing I know she will be throwing a tantrum for looking at her," he replied breaking his daze and looking at anything but her.
"CAN I HAVE ONE MINUTE WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE SWARMING AROUND ME?" Elena shouted.
"and here we go again," Damon said, taking a deep breath.
Calm down. She is hurt. She is lashing out because she is mad at him. She is scared. He thought to himself.
"I was just trying to help you. You looked like you were going to pass out or something," Sage said holding her arm.
" I AM FINE. GOD! What's with you people? There is always one who is following me, can't you all give me one moment to myself?" Elena hissed.
"Sage! Leave her alone." Rose ordered. She really couldn't take another tantrum from Elena. Somehow in the end, she will blame it all on Damon. She didn't like Elena much now. Even though she knew that Elena's hate toward them both was logical. They threatened to harm her family. They have been lying to her from Day one. They deserved her hatred. But, she didn't like it when she hurt Damon like that. Elena had the capability to wreck him and so far she had been successful.
"but Miss Brown! She looked like she was about to pass out or something!" Sage replied.
"Are you okay?" Damon asked, rushing toward her.
Rose face palmed. "Whipped Asshole," she murmured. Here she was trying to defend him, but he just had to butt in.
"Don't pretend to care." Elena spat at him.
"I'll talk to her." Bonnie said, blocking Damon. None of them wanted another tantrum. They were all tired of her screaming and shouting. He nodded in approval.
"Quick."
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"You okay?" Bonnie asked her when Elena came out of washroom after a big session of vomiting.
"Yeah, just usual morning sickness."
"happens with pregnancy thing," She added.
Bonnie smiled. "So, what do you think? Will it be a boy or girl?" She tried to start a conversation.
Elena ignored her as she paced around the room trying to find her jacket. Bonnie felt a little upset. Even though Elena's behavior with her was far better than how she treated Damon, Rose or Enzo. It still wasn't exactly her usual Elena behavior.
"Elena! Please talk to me. Get it off your chest," Bonnie said softly.
"Don't, Bonnie, I really don't want to go there now." Elena said as she pulled on her black blazer on her button up blouse paired up with skinny jeans and boots. She picked up her purse, throwing her credit cards and phone in it. She walked out of the room.
Her eyes scanned for Damon. He wasn't in the living room. That meant he probably left for work or whatever fucked up stuff he did. She thought to herself.
Good. It was time for plan B.
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They were in the meeting room. Damon sat, silently listening to Rocco as he propositioned another offer. Rose rejected his offer again. "Your cut is too much." Rose said huffing.
"Zach won't like that. It's 25 percent or we offer our deal to Kaci. He is more than willing to import our stuff in between the cut range we suggested." Rose said confidently.
"Kaci's sources aren't as reliable as mine are. Miss Brown! I give you hundred percent security too, along with delivery of imported products." Rocco insisted.
"Mr. Salvatore! You have got a call from bank. Something about a car purchase." his secretary said as she came in, without knocking.
His eyes narrowed. "Transfer it to my cell. I don't remembering ordering a car purchase," he replied after a second when he noticed everyone staring at him.
"Hello!"
"Is this Mr. Damon Salvatore?"
"Yup"
"Mr. Salvatore! We just received purchase order done by your credit card of about €281,626.00 done at Centro Porsche. The purchase in question is Porsche Panama S E-Hybrid 2015. In addition to that €18,825.30 of clothing were bought from Alexi Palace (Mall). This kind of purchase is not regular. Credit card payment had been declined, since transaction had been picked up by our computerized fraud detection system as being unusual and outside the normal pattern of spending on your account." The man said mechanically.
"What? Who did all these transactions?"
"These transactions are made by your wife Elena Salvatore. She insists on transactions to be passed. We just wanted to verify since the account belongs to you and the credit in question is quite large?"
"Wait up! Let me check," he said as put the call on waiting.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked.
"Elena bought a Porsche," he said as he called Elena.
Ring.
Ring.
"Hello honey!" he heard her voice filled of fake sweetness. Although, he knew it was fake it still manage to send tingles of pleasure down his spine.
"I bought a couple of stuff…"
"Yes! I got the call from bank. Mind explaining, what's going through that pretty head of yours?" he asked, in a low tone as he got up and went out of the conference room.
"Can't I buy stuff I like without being questioned" she added.
He smirked. She was so childish. Did she really think, her spending his money mercilessly would upset him? "You're trying to max out the credit cards I gave you?" he asked.
"I already did,"
"Is Kevin with you right now?"
"Yes,"
"Tell him to send Rin to pick up your platinum card from my office. BTW, that means by the way, I love it when you spend my money on you…" he added grinning.
He heard her huff in annoyance. "Besides I did promise you the world, Anyway, Enjoy Shopping! See you later, Baby! I love you."
He heard her snarl before she hung up and he was left grinning. He put the call from the bank on line.
"Yeah! Confirm all the purchases and next time refrain from blocking on payments when my wife is making purchases." He ordered.
"Actually Sir, this present transaction was flagged because it was very irregular. We stopped the retailer from passing the transactions because we wanted to check if the transaction was legitimate."
"She shouldn't be inconvenienced again. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir," the man on the line replied immediately. This right there was one of the plus points of being so fucking powerful. Everything he wanted was on the palm of his hand.
"Good,"
"Thank you for your cooperation sir, Have a nice day."
Damon hung up, huffing. "So where were we?" he asked as he came back.
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Damon couldn't help but peek in her room. The door wasn't exactly closed. She was resting on bed talking to someone on her iPad, probably her mum. She looked more like his Elena now, not the bitch that had been throwing nothing but fits.
He had called Mrs. Gilbert beforehand and informed her about Elena's pregnancy. He also instructed her not to tell Elena about Tyler. She didn't need to be stressed furthermore. Mrs. Gilbert wasn't very comfortable with hiding something so important from her daughter but she caved, when he insisted.
"I am okay, Mum. Everything is perfect." Elena lied with perfection. Nothing in her tone gave her away. Except for those sad doe eyes.
"When I heard-,I was so happy. Your dad and I, are going to be grandparents from both you and Jeremy's side at the same time. This is so exciting." He could hear Miranda chatter.
"I know,"
"How is Jeremy doing?" she added.
"You know how attached he is to you; he wasn't himself after he came back. He locked himself up in his room and didn't come out until the next day. I guess he misses his big sister too much, even though he just visited you," Miranda replied.
"He will be okay, just take care of him," Elena replied taking a deep breath.
"Yes Ma'am," her mum replied.
"He is at Anna's right now. They are trying to work this out. Anna might have a terrible past and the fact that she hid it from Jeremy was wrong as well but I firmly believe, there is a story behind everyone, there is a reason why they are the way they are." Her mum said.
"Some people are too far gone, Mum. They can't be saved. I use to think just like you but now I don't think that's in question. Not everyone can be saved."
"Elena, my Baby, everyone may not be good but there is always some good in everyone. Never judge anyone before you know their story. Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Not everyone is blessed with a loving family who are there to protect them through thick and thin. Anna had been through stuff that you can't imagine. She had her reasons. She didn't have anyone to protect her. And she is choosing to change, she wants to become a better person, all for Jeremy. That gives her brownie points."
"but, mum, she can hurt him with the type of people she was associated with. I am just scared for my little brother,"
"Elena! Need I remind you that, people like Anna, people with dark past, people who pretend to be dangerous and extremely strong are actually the most scared. You have to put in a little effort and pull them out darkness. Anna needs love and support."
"I understand mum, but what if someone is too far gone, what if they can't be saved?"
"Everyone is worth saving, Elena. Keep searching for the good in them, hold on to that reason and pull them out," Her mum taught her.
Elena took a deep breath.
"You're amazing mum,"
"I know,"
"I love you so much mum, I miss you a lot,"
"I love you too, my Baby,"
"I got to go mum, I have to get ready for…for a party,"
"Yeah…The party in honor of Baby Salvatore,"
"How do you know about that?"
"Who do you think told me about your pregnancy? I have never seen him so happy and proud. I am so glad that you have him. Your man is so in love with you," Miranda said giggling.
Elena pressed her lips. She gave her mum a tight smile.
"Elena, Is something wrong?"
"No, everything is perfect," she lied through her teeth.
"Great, I got to go now,"
"Sure."
"Keep in touch, Baby. Never disappear on me again," Her mum warned in a firm tone.
Elena nodded.
"Love you, my Baby,"
"Love you too, Mum. Bye."
Once the call was discontented. She let her tears fall again.
Everyone is worth saving Elena. Keep searching for the good in them, hold on to that reason and pull them out.
She could not possibly find good in a killer. A killer that held her captive. A killer that had no regrets for what he did. Anna had regrets. She wanted to change for Jeremy. Would Damon change for her? He didn't look like he wanted to change anytime soon.
Stupid! He was a killer. Killers can't change. This had been in his family for ages. This is what his father did. This is what his uncle do. And she as hell won't let her child continue this fucked up family legacy. Damon was a lost cause. There was nothing good in him.
He watched her break down into sobs again. Covering her face with her hands. He wanted nothing but to comfort her. She had cried so many times in this week. He wanted to wipe away those tears. He was the reason of those tears. Because he was so weak, he couldn't let her go. He hated himself even more so.
Shaking his head, he moved towards his room.
"I understand mum, but what if someone is too far gone, what if they can't be saved?"
He knew she had been talking about him when she said.
She was right. He wasn't worth the trouble. He wasn't worth saving. He wasn't worth her love.
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"I don't want these dresses. I don't want any of this stuff," Elena spat at Rose.
"This is for the party. You have to look your best" Rose said, ignoring Elena's venomous tone.
"I am not getting dolled up for some criminals. Unless your brother wants to pimp me out for money and power too?" she spat.
Damon was at a distance working some deal details with Enzo. His head shot up when he heard her. He snarled.
"That's it Elena," he said as walked toward where she was standing with Rose.
"Don't." Rose warned him
"You're driving me nuts," he shouted. "So stop with the fucking tantrums."
"Then maybe you should just let me go." Elena said, smirking.
"Let you go? Haven't we been through this for fucking million times already, Baby girl! You're not going anywhere. You're never going anywhere. You're mine and you're going to stay mine until I am dead in dirt."
"Then you should know that this is only the start. I am going to make your life a living hell," She seethed stepping closer. Tempting him with her delicious lips. At least that's what he thought.
"Watch with the attitude Elena, you don't know who you're messing with me," he replied smirking.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"I will lick it out of you," he said eyeing her lewdly.
Blood rushed to her face.
She looked startled.
Rose pressed her lips hiding her smirk.
"You're di-disgusting." Elena spat after she regained her courage.
"You didn't think I was disgusting three weeks ago. In fact, you loved it so much. I knocked you up don't forget that."
"I HATE YOU."
"I love you."
She gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"And this party isn't for you. This is for our baby. I want the world to know we are having a baby," he added.
"This is not…" He cut her off.
"No, this is mine. This baby is mine and so are you, Sweetness. All mine. Only mine." he said, smirking, grasping her forearms.
"Ugh!" she huffed pushing his hands away. "You're impossible"
"Start listening to me then."
"Go fuck yourself," she shouted.
"I rather fuck you," he replied.
Elena glared him, her ultimate death glare. "I rather die in a pool of acid,"
"You know why, because the thought of you touching me disgusts me. You're repulsive, revolting and I don't just hate you. I loathe you." She spat harshly.
Crush. Shatter. Break.
"Elena…Come with me," Bonnie said holding her from her arm, dragging her.
"What is the matter with you?" Bonnie said, once she shut the door.
"Don't start with me Bonnie."
"The Elena I knew would never hurt anyone like that, let alone one person who loves her so much. You're not the Elena I remember."
"You're not the Bonnie I remember either" she spat back. "The Bonnie I remember wouldn't even steal from the cookie jar and here you are, part of a mob," Elena added.
"Yes! I am not that Bonnie anymore Elena and did you even bother to ask me why I choose to be this?"
"There is no excuse in the world for…"
"No Elena! There is. Nobody wants to live like a criminal. Nobody wants to be like this. We all have our reasons. We all have a terrible past that made us what we are now. Not everyone gets a loving family like you did Elena. You got adopted by your aunt and uncle. They treated you like a princess. I mean, your mum still calls you daily. None of us have that." Bonnie said.
"Do you think we like what we are? We hate ourselves. Every fucking second the guilt is eating up our hearts. Nobody loves us. People are scared of us. To people we are lost causes. Even if we want to change, people like you, people who are a little too high on their moral values, push us back in darkness."
"Are you defending him? He killed Mason. I saw him kill him mercilessly."
"Mason was ordered by Klaus to kill you" Bonnie replied.
That knocked the breath out of her.
"He was a traitor Elena," Bonnie said.
"And let me tell you something Elena. We never shed innocent blood. At least our base never did Zach's other bases might but not ours. We brawl with the ones who are equally as bad as us."
"That doesn't make it right,"
"So, instead of hating us. Stop us. Weren't you always the one who always preached to hate the sin not the sinner." Bonnie reminded her.
Elena pressed her lips.
"As soon as I turned 18, they kicked me out of orphanage, Lena. I was just a high school graduate. I was all alone, Lena. I got a job at a local grocery. I didn't have a place to live, so I used the storage room of the store as temporary place to live for a while."
Elena heart dropped, imagining her best friend in such vulnerable state.
"After a month to that, I…One day, just after we closed down the store. The store owner called me in to his office for a meeting to discuss my living accommodations. All the workers were gone and we were all alone. I knew something was off about meeting. He offered that he will allow me to use the storage room permanently, free of charge, if I sleep with him. Of course, I refused. He insisted. He was a married man, had a daughter of about my age, anyway, when I flat out refused. He forced himself on me. I was raped."
"Oh my god."
"I threatened him that I would report him to police but the son of bitch was quicker, he accused me of stealing from the store and had me arrested. no one believed my story, Lena."
"Oh no,"
"He was powerful and I was weak. He had me arrested for a year," she added.
"Now I was a nineteen-year-old with no family, no quality education and a crime record. I lived on the streets. I starved for days. It gets worse."
"Please, No," Elena said, crying now. She couldn't hear it.
"I was trying to sleep, curled up near a trailer when I noticed some college boys eyeing me. I knew the look. They were high and I was an easy victim and of course I have seen that exact look on Scott's face before he assaulted me. Scott, my boss. I tried to run but they had me cornered. That's when Damon came in. He was there with Enzo probably doing some shit for Zach. They saved me. I was hell scared and I was shivering. They took me to their warehouse. Somehow I knew I was safe with them. I knew what they were the second I stepped inside the warehouse. They were quite famous in our city. I stayed there for a while. Damon went back to US leaving Enzo behind to work out a deal."
Elena stayed silent, listening intently.
"He gave me self-defense classes. I decided to join them. I learnt how to properly use a revolver. I can't put on a nail paint like you can but I know how to use 11 types of different guns," Bonnie said smirking.
"I am so sorry, Bonnie." Elena hugged her.
"What other choice did I have, Lena. I was all alone. No one hired me because everyone considered me a criminal-," Bonnie broke down.
"Scott and his workers ruined my reputation," she added.
"I had no one Elena."
"You have me; you will always have me," Elena cooed.
"Don't hate us Elena."
"I can never hate you."
"We all have tragic pasts Elena. No one wants to be hated. No one wants to live like this."
"Hey! I am here for you," Elena soothed her.
"but I have Enzo now. He knows everything. Sometimes, it's difficult but he is it for me," She completed in between sobs.
"You shouldn't hate Damon, Lena."
"I don't hate him,"
"but you…"
"I know what I said, Bon. But can you blame me. Bonnie! I told you what happened with Matt right?" she said dropping on bed.
"Yes…"
"He lied to me. So did Damon. He used me and so did Damon,"
"Damon loves you a lot. He doesn't love anyone more then he loves you Elena."
"I have a baby on the way. I have to think about him now. I can't bring him into a world, where his father hurts people." Elena said.
"So, you think this will be a boy." Bonnie said looking at her flat stomach.
"I have a feeling." she replied shrugging.
"You don't need to be scared."
"I am not scared. Not anymore. But, I don't want my child to grow up like him. I don't want him to become like-," Elena trialed off.
"Like us." Bonnie completed.
"You don't understand Bonnie. I know, I-Just a week ago, he threatened my brother's life. He is unstable." Elena said shaking her head.
"Damon wanted to run away with you, far away from all this." Bonnie whispered.
"What?"
"Way before you found out. I heard him talk to Rose that he didn't want to do this," Bonnie informed.
"Oh!"
"Maybe, he will leave this all behind if you help him pull out of this."
"I…"
"Elena! Just like me, He has a terrible past too. Something that made him the person that he is, I know what it is, but it's better if he tells you," Bonnie argued. "Just tell me something, do you still love him? If he dies tomorrow, will he matter to you?"
Elena bit her lip. Looking up at Bonnie. Yes, yes she did love him, yes he'll matter.
"It's okay. You have a lot of thinking to do," Bonnie said patting her back.
"but don't shut him out Elena." she requested. "He is a human Elena. Treat him like that."
"And what about him? He treats me as if I'm something he must own. I… don't want to talk about this anymore."
"Sorry, I am pushing you…it's just-,"
"I miss mum," Elena said falling back on pillow.
"Yeah, but it's for the best, Lena. You're safe here. We won't let anything happen to you or our little nugget." Bonnie said lovingly.
"As much as I was happy that your family found you. I was really sad when you went away with your uncle," Bonnie added.
"Dad." Elena corrected.
"Yeah, how did they track you down anyway?"
"Oh. that was a pure miracle. Do you remember I use to have terrible headaches?" Elena said looking at Bonnie.
"Yeah, your eyes would get all red and you would faint and all…" Bonnie said narrowing her eyes.
"Well. It was not just a migraine. I actually, due to the car accident you know the one in which my dad, John, died. I had this traumatic head injury. It was left untreated for a long period. You already know that our orphanage had zero funding's. We didn't get any type of health insurance till you know 2002, I use to have these severe headaches that used to kill me and I couldn't ever explain them nor could the nurse in our shelter,"
"Yeah, I remember,"
"When I was about 13, my symptoms worsened and finally after a detailed checkup, they found out that the head injury had developed benign tumors that is non-cancerous cells in subarachnoid space of my brain."
"Oh God!" bonnie gasped.
"My case study was sent to different doctors. Being a child from an orphanage, no one particularly wanted to treat me. No one except Doctor Grayson Gilbert. My uncle or as I like to call him dad. He didn't know I was his niece when he came to visit me. He was handed my documents. That's how he found out about me and Kat. He adopted us as you know and brought us to States. I was admitted in hospital immediately and after a lot of CT scans, MRIs and Craniotomy, it's like a surgery in which we remove the tumor portion of the skull. My dad performed that surgery," Elena completed.
"So you're okay now?"
"yeah, I'm. I was lucky my tumors weren't cancerous. That is the reason I decided to become a neurosurgeon. I wanted to save lives just like my dad saved mine."
"I am so proud of you, Lena," Bonnie said hugging her.
"but I have heard tumors grow back. Are…you…I mean-,"
"Yeah, they do but I have been healthy for the past ten years. Besides they were non-cancerous. There is like a very small chance of them growing back ever. I am going to live a long healthy life with my little nugget over here," Elena said wrapping her arms around her stomach.
"You still get headaches and you still pass out a lot."
"that's just because of stress. I have studied them yes, Benign tumors can grow back and turn cancerous too but there are a lot of symptoms to looks out for. I am a neurosurgeon. Well, at least I was. I know how this stuff works…" She said, fast, she didn't want to acknowledge it, but she did feel the symptoms. She kept quite though.
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Elena checked herself last time in the mirror. Black and gold floral lace dress that went down to her knees. Her hair was styled in curls. She loved curls. It reminded her of her sister.
She enjoyed her talk with Bonnie. She finally felt like someone here was on her side too. Bonnie had suffered a lot. She understood why she was a part of mob. It wasn't right but she understood. This made her wonder whether Damon also had a tragic story to back his reasons up for being the person he was. Bonnie did said, that there was.
And speak of the devil. He was behind her, staring at her with those half crazed eyes like she was the most precious thing to him.
She looked like she just walked out one of his dreams. She looked like an angel. He loved black on her. She ignored his gaze and went over toward the dresser.
She took out black ankle strips with four inch heels. His eyes narrowed.
"You shouldn't wear those. They gave you swelling last time you wore them." he instructed.
She ignored him again.
Out of habit, he bent down, helping her with the strappy strips.
"Don't."
"Please," he pleaded.
She gave up and sat still while he worked on it.
"Here you go, Cinderella."
She rolled her eyes. He offered her his hand and to his surprise she placed her delicate hands in his.
"You look really beautiful." he complemented.
She bit her lip. "Look! Stop it!"
"Can't I complement my own wife?" he asked, sighing.
She ignored him again.
Great. Silent treatment. Things couldn't get worse. He thought but then she surprised him by hooking her arm with his motioning him to lead. He smiled. Progress finally.
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Guests had already arrived and their entry was grand. Everything was so far perfect. Damon got separated from Elena when Bonnie took her from him. It looked like Bonnie made real progress with Elena. Good for her. Plus, side was, at least now Elena wouldn't feel all alone and scared.
"She is beautiful," Sara, Zach's daughter snapped him out of his thoughts.
"She was runner up in a beauty pageant," he replied, nonchalantly.
"I always knew you will go for someone like that."
"Nah. She isn't just beautiful. She is more than that. She is a neurosurgeon."
"Girl with brains. Since when do you do girls with brains?" she laughed.
"Since Elena. Only Elena."
"She knows about us?"
"She does."
"but Zach said,"
"She found out three weeks ago. Accidently."
"I am glad that she decided to stay, I mean you deserve it. After what Zach made you do all those years ago, I-I am glad that you're happy now."
"Let's not go there Sarah. She doesn't know anything about that and I don't want her to find out from anyone else but me. Are we clear?" He said looking sternly at her.
"You shouldn't hold secrets specially after she let this one slide." Sarah said sighing.
"She didn't let it slide, I am forcing her to stay."
"You should tell her Damon. Tell her what you have been through. She will understand." Sarah said looking down.
"I didn't. And look what that left me. I lost Paul because I kept too many secrets." Sarah said looking away.
"I don't know what to do as if we are immune to fall in love. You tell them they shower all hate possible if you don't they blame you for keeping to many secrets. Maybe there is no escape."
Sarah, the charcoal haired girl with black eyes sighed, seeing her brother stressed, yet she had no comfort, a positive motivation to offer. She had been through the same. When Paul left her she was devastated. She thought she'll never love again and she didn't. At least it made the family business easy.
She pulls out her puff powder looking into the compacts mirror, Damon knew she had always been mourning. She counted it as one of the reason Paul left because she wasn't pretty enough. Relationships just weren't for her.
He took the compact from her hand throwing it off to the near pot of Anthodium Plant.
"No way you are not going to spend the whole night checking your eyeliner in the mirror. You look fine,"
"Says the guy who married a beauty pageant runner up"
"I didn't marry Elena for her beauty," he replied, rolling his eyes.
"Girls like her get happy ending. She is so beautiful. Everyone is looking at her. I wonder what make up does she use."
"She doesn't look like this because of makeup," he said, annoyed.
"Yup! Forgot! Naturally beautiful. Just like Paul's wife."
"It's not her beauty that caught my eye, Sarah. It's her inner radiance. She has a heart of gold and so do you and someday some lucky bastard is going to see that and he will love you just like you deserve,"
"That's not going to happen anytime soon, Brother. Not until girls like Paul's wife and Elena are alive." she said smirking.
"Do I look fat?"
Damon sighed annoyed, "No! You don't. You are the skinniest one in the room. (whispers) Skinnier than Elena,"
She pouted, "No way. She is really thin but she does have curves in the right places."
He smirks "Well! You're at her pregnancy celebration so she probably won't be that skinny much longer. Happy?"
She finally gave a smile, "Works"
Elena saw him across the hall standing near the pillar as he made his cousin laugh.
Was there a human element in his morphology? His changing behavior was in question.
And a question popped up in her mind "Do criminals have a heart?" Of course, they do. Everyone had a heart and feelings but he was a killer. Killers don't have emotions, Right? But Bonnie was a killer too, she was perfectly fine in Elena's books. She was being a hypocrite now. She let Bonnie in but she refused to let Damon in. This was Matt situation all over again. Instead this time, Damon wasn't the good guy. He didn't have any logical reasons to why he lied to her all this time. Or did he?
And before she could think further, as if he sensed he looked up at her. She hurriedly looked away but she knew he was aware, his stimulus, when it came to her, was sharp.
He walked towards her making her think, whether to walk away or face the next cocky statement that probably would be.
"Staring is a bad habit. If you want me all you have to do is, ask!"
She rolled her eyes, "I wasn't staring. These are my eyes and I can use them however I want"
He widened his eyeballs, "You often use them-leaving them lingering on my irresistible body."
And there it was.
Rose interrupted them, "Voltaire is going to be here any minute Damon." Damon looked over, "Arrangements look fine. Don't they? Lena."
Elena spontaneously looks around per his saying. This was by far the highest ceiling hall she had seen. Golden lights all over with a huge golden Chandelier in middle. Eight pillars holding the ceiling wrapped in a pattern by dark red roses on the sides net red curtains descended.
There was a red spherical oval carpet under the chandelier and the rest of the floor was clear marble.
On a side were chairs and tables with roses in a vase and champagne bottles with ice, plates, glasses, spoons. A large table to the right had food in silver pots along with desert and drink seemed highly expensive. She sighed as he said "Oh! He's here "
She turned to look at the huge wooden open door from which a red carpet led.
Guards surrounded the guest of honor.
Fifty-year-old harsh looking cold eyed man suited but had a fur cape like ting around on the shoulders that was fur white, he has a snake head top cane in his hand but he walked as if he didn't need it. A thick cigar in his mouth. Hair black brushed back with thick gel. A grey beard which wasn't long just rough patch. Three fingers trapped in rings he looked cruel to her in first sight.
"Who is that?"
"Our boss."
She turned to see Bonnie's arm across her chest huffing.
Elena roiled her eyes, "I suspected, he looked as if he ate someone before coming here."
Bonnie nodded, "Might have. That's not a human you see Lena. It's a body without a soul walking."
Elena was lost but the ache in her feet kept her alive. A mocking Damon came to her mind as she looked down at her itchy heels that were growing white and red at the same time. She couldn't take it anymore she sat down rubbing her skin. She heard Damon, "Bonnie, Go! Get Voltaire a drink there is thing called hospitality,"
She nodded obediently.
He leaned down to Elena, "I told you so!"
She swallowed the pain as she got up on her feet she was far too stubborn "I was just fixing the strap. You buckled it wrong."
Rose too came seeing their argument look. "Hey guys! Normal couple mode on please."
He groaned. "What did I do? She is the one who keeps throwing fits like a toddler,"
She turned to him. "I don't throw fits!"
He huffed. "Here it comes. Another fit for not throwing enough fits. I swear if our daughter gets a quarter of your attitude. I'll probably be needing a therapist."
Rose laughed. "How do you know it's a girl? Missionary much?"
Elena's jaw drops.
He rolled his eyes. "I bet on your virginity and love life it's a girl. I know my work okay!"
Rose growled awakening a whole crowd around them. "NO I AM NOT A VIRGIN AND I HAVE A LOVE LIFE."
Elena giggled as he said, "Oh please! The biggest action you get now days is that from purple dildo in your drawer."
He high-five's himself, internally, for making her laugh.
Rose choked out of words. "HOW DO YOU…. I mean I don't use a dildo, lair." She coughed uncomfortably, confirming his accusations.
He scoffed, "Well, you know what they say every cough isn't bacterial. Right Lena?"
"The ashamed blush says it all." Her hand on his arm as she broke in to giggles.
She laughed like she hasn't laughed in ages. Noticing his smiling face and dazed expression watching her she realizes her mistake. Why the hell did she talk to him? That too, kindly. Shit! Serious mode on! She removed her hand from his arm.
Rose sighed, "Can we do the traditional speech thing, don, I'm kinda hungry."
Damon nodded.
Damon looks over at her, offering her his arm, she huffed lacing her delicate fingers around his arm.
They stood beneath the chandelier. Rose brought them a corked bottle of champagne which he held in his free arm, "Ladies and gentlemen! Can I have your attention!"
Everyone is suddenly attentive, hundreds of people facing them as he spoke, looking towards her
"As we all know the prime reason to this occasion is celebrating and sharing our happiness with you. In front of you and standing with me is my beautiful wife Elena who is giving me probably the best gift a soul gifts to another. A little life, because that's what my wife is about. She is the brightest and alive person I see in a crowd of people." He stopped, looking at her adoringly.
"No offense, Of course but when she's in the room, there is no one else for me. She is all I see. Do I sound too sappy, well! She always complains I am."
Soft laughs and murmurs.
She whispered "Stop," faking a smile to him.
He looks over at her, "Don't stop me now. I have never been happier. You see, we are having a baby."
Cheers followed.
He stops, holding her knuckles, looking at her as if no one else existed. For a moment she forgot too. She forgot about last two weeks. She forgot about his harsh reality. All she could see were those blue eyes filled with love and adoration.
"Bearing you all witness, I want to promise something. I want to promise that this is not something for her to care for alone. I will be there whenever she or our bundle of joy needs me. I will love this baby and won't let a tear fall down its eyes."
He stops, confused.
"Wait babies don't have tears initially, Right?"
(Laughs)
"Sorry guy's doctor's husband and all." he said waving at Rose who was giggling but her eyes were filled with tears.
"I won't disappoint you or our baby. I'd be the best father. Even though, I couldn't be the perfect husband,"
Elena's eyes narrowed. What was he saying.
"You don't have to change the diapers or boil milk. I'll do that. We don't have to do shifts. I'll wake up the whole nights watching you both sleep and we can live that way. She'll learn to call me dad before she'll learn to say mom, that's how much I'm going to love her." He finished.
She smiles reflexively. Was he that excited? Maybe he did love this baby? Maybe he was capable of loving? If he could love her unborn child so much. Maybe, he could love? Maybe, he had that emotion?
This can work. The way Damon defines life could be beautiful, she hoped it'd be true. But the next dark second she brushed the thought of as Mason's killing scene spread across her eyes, the smile crawling off. Her brother's hurt and bruised face. Her brother telling her how Damon had hurt him.
He concluded by kissing the top of her.
There were as applause. Awes and people murmuring how cute they were.
Rose ushered the guests toward the buffet, leaving the couple in their bubble.
He looked at Elena. Her tears brimmed eyes were cold again. She looked away. Ignoring him. "I love you." he whispered when she turned around on her heels.
..
..
Dinner was served. She shared a table with Bonnie, Enzo, Sarah, Rose and Damon. Everything was so luxurious and lavish. Elena felt so out of place. At least she had Bonnie.
Her best friend's continuous smiles and her encouraging comments stopped her from passing out every other minute when the thoughts of her house swarmed with world's top class criminals came to her mind. She could even recognize some criminals that were on the run.
"Baby, you haven't eaten a thing." Damon said, looking at her, pausing his conversation with Enzo.
She gave him a tight lipped smile, refusing. But ate when Bonnie asked her to do so.
For some odd reasons, this bummed Damon out a lot. This was unfair. How come Bonnie was in good terms with her and he wasn't? Bonnie was one of them too. But Elena didn't hate her like she hated him. But on the other hand he was glad Elena had someone she trusted.
He watched them from the corner of his eye as he talked to Enzo. "It's just your hair look amazing. What conditioner do you use?" he heard Sarah ask Elena.
Could she be more embarrassing? His eyes narrowed. "Herbal Essence, I just love it. I mostly use Arabica coffee fruit one but sometimes I use grapefruit and mint but my most favorite is Rosemary and Herbs. It smells good and it makes my hair soft." Elena gushed.
"and in addition to that, I use my mum's homemade conditioner's as well. My hair gets all frizzy if I don't use that every three times a week. I know that this homemade hair conditioner sounds disgusting, but it does really work! I mean look at my hair (beaming), all you need is, an egg, yogurt and mayonnaise. Whip them all good and you're ready to rock. It will drip which is totally nasty but-," she trailed off when she noticed the whole table looking at her.
"Keep going, Chirpy, we were really enjoying Elena Salvatore's tutorial of how to make homemade hair conditioners in five minutes" Damon said, smirking.
She blushed. What was wrong with her? She was sitting beside the man who kidnapped her brother just a week ago. She was sitting with a bunch of killers. Serious Mode On.
She took another bite from her steak. "Don't mind him, Lena. Men just don't get it" Sarah said, smiling.
"What did I say? I happen to enjoy Elena blab on about makeup and all that shit. In fact, there was this one time when I had to sit and listen to her talk two fucking hours about the positive and negative effects of that sticky thing-baby what's that called?"
"Peel off mask"
"Yes…whatever she said. I mean this woman, right here, is obsessed about makeup and shopping." He mocked her, lovingly.
"I will admit. I am very girly" Elena said sheepishly.
"And I love that about you" Damon said looking at her adoringly.
She ignored him again.
"She is supposed to be girly and pretty, I mean for fuck sake, she won a beauty pageant." Sarah said, slightly jealous of all the adoration Elena was getting. Somehow she reminded her a lot of Paul's wife.
"I didn't win it. My best friend did" Elena said proudly.
"you're still prettier,"
A small blush crept on Elena's cheeks. Damon was always like this. It was like when he looked at her the whole world faded and she couldn't help but feel same. Were his eyes always this blue? Were they always this full of love and adoration for her? How could he possibly love her after she clearly declared she hated him.
"I got to try the hair conditioner, if it makes me as pretty as you," Sarah interrupted.
Elena sensed some insecurity in the way Sarah was talking. "You are beautiful." Elena said smiling.
"No. I am not-at least not like you or like-" Sarah trailed off, looking down. Everyone here knew her story. Everyone here on the table with the exception of Elena knew how she fell for a guy. Everyone knew she loved him from her heart. They had been in a relationship. She had even cut ties with her father so Paul wouldn't know about her reality.
Unfortunately, Paul did find out. He dumped her and begged her to stay away from him. In about a month to their breakup, Sarah found out Paul was already in relationship with a girl so much more beautiful than her.
"OH, Sarah! Not again!" Damon huffed. Bringing her out of her thoughts.
"I am sorry." Sarah said as she rose up, taking fast steps toward the restroom.
"I'll check." Elena said when Damon was about to get up.
..
..
"Are you okay?" Elena asked as she went toward Sarah.
She was applying eye liner again.
"My liner was all smudged up. Why didn't you tell me? Oh God! This is so embarrassing."
"No one noticed."
"Of course! Why would anyone notice me?" Sarah huffed.
"Sarah! What's wrong?" Elena said looking concerned.
"You just remind me of someone."
"Someone you hate?" Elena asked.
"No! I can never hate her. She makes him happy. Anything that makes him happy, I can never hate that."
"Sarah."
"Do you know about Paul?"
"Uh, Bonnie did tell me something." Elena confessed.
"His wife is very pretty you know. Just like you. Very beautiful." Sarah said wiping a tear with tissue.
"Why did he leave you?" Elena asked.
"Primarily because I was a monster. I belonged to a mob. My dad is the leader of mob gang." Sarah said biting her lip. "Even when I tried to change. I wasn't that person anymore Elena. I really did change after falling for him. He was my perspective on life. He was my hero." Sarah said smiling with tear filled eyes.
"I tried to become perfect for him. I tried to change. He was bringing me out of darkness but then as soon as he found out he pushed me back in, deeper this time. The only wrong thing I did was hide this side of me from him but Lena what choice did I have. Who would ever fall in love with a girl like me, a girl that works for a mob, surely no decent guy with right state of mind. Maybe, Damon is right. We aren't worth love."
"Paul told me I was average Elena. He told me I wasn't quarter as beautiful as his wife. He told me I was impure and trouble. He told me he hated me."
"Sarah, Listen to me. You're not average. Beautiful has nothing to do with looks. It's how you are as a person. You have a gold of a heart. And, I don't know why you do all this, you must have your reasons but you're not a lost cause. No matter how far you've gone you can always turn around."
"You really think that?"
"Paul isn't worth it. If he couldn't accept you the way you are. If he couldn't mend your broken soul, then he wasn't worth it. You deserve someone who accepts you with all the good and bad parts of you."
"I needed that." Sarah said hugging Elena.
"Give him a chance to Elena. He is just as scared of losing you as I was two years ago. Don't turn him into me." Sarah said after she pulled away.
..
..
"I told you so," Damon said as he noticed her swollen toes. He bent down unbuckling her shoes and sliding them out. The party was over, finally. She was too tired but her toes were killing her.
"Wait right here," he said as he disappeared.
He brought out a bucket full of water. "Put your feet in it, Cinderella."
"What's this?" she asked rising her eyebrows.
"Will you please listen to me for once?"
"I am fine. You should just go."
"Elena."
"Damon! For God sake I am tired, just leave me alone." She said annoyed.
"I'll leave you alone after you listen to me."
"Ugh!" she huffed.
She slowly slid her feet into the warm water. In about twenty minutes, when she took her feet out. He immediately dried her soaked feet with a towel and helped her with her socks. She instantly felt better. Her feet weren't hurting her too much anymore.
"Damon! What are you doing?"
"Pampering you."
"Damon!"
"Please! Elena! I swear I'll leave as soon as you fall asleep." he insisted.
She rolled her eyes but she fell back on bed, covering herself with comforter. She saw him take the bucket back. He came out a minute later and took the seat near her study table.
..
..
It was about two when she woke up. Her room was dark but she still felt comfortable which could only mean one thing. Damon was still here.
This was a strange thing. Elena had always been afraid of dark. She loved light. Even though she was a full on save energy supporter, she still left the lights on. The only time she was comfortable in dark was when Damon was close to her. Because only then she could feel a sense of security. She felt like nothing could ever harm her as long as he was present.
She looked up and just as she suspected he had fallen asleep on her study table. She rose up slowly walking toward him, preparing to throw another fit and kick him out of the room. But as soon as she approached him, her mind went blank.
He looked so innocent. Sleeping on one of her books. He was breathtakingly good looking she knew that. She had even been intimidated by that in the start. His features were sharp. He was beyond gorgeous. She smiled. Her hand involuntarily went to run through his soft hair. She almost giggled when he purred. Even in his sleep he could recognize her touch. A faint smile on his face.
She watched him for a while before she shook him slightly. "Damon! Damon! Wake up!"
"huh…" he said in a sleepy tone.
"You will hurt yourself. Come to bed with me." she said.
"Huh…" he was still half sleep. His eyes were hardly open. "Lena…" he murmured.
She helped him up and guided him to their bed. She didn't know what came over her but she wanted him to sleep next to her. Something was so innocent about him. She knew he wasn't aware of a single thing. He was a very heavy sleeper.
When she pushed him on bed, he grabbed her arm and dragged her to him earning a yelp from her. She tried to release herself but he held on stronger. He trapped her in his arms, dipping his face in her neck just like they use to sleep before she found out. She knew he had no idea what he was doing.
She didn't fight it. She liked being in his arms. "I love you." he murmured to her in a sleeping tone. Another habit of his, he would always tell her he loved her before he fell asleep.
He was asleep now. Her hands were on his chest. She traced her hands from his chest to his face. He looked so peaceful. So innocent. So perfect. He loved her a lot. He loved their child a lot. A child that wasn't even born yet. How could someone that had so much love in them be a monster? Obviously he must have very strong reasons. That wouldn't make what he did right but still he must have reasons.
He had so much love in him. He always made her feel special. Just his feelings about their baby stirred something inside her. He was impulsive and crazy and dangerous but he was hers. All hers. No! someone with so much love in them couldn't be lost cause. Her mum was right. There is always some good in someone. This was the good in him. He wasn't a lost cause. She could pull him out. She cupped his face, caressing his cheeks. "You're not a lost cause" she whispered. "I'll save you." She placed her lips on his forehead lightly.
All her tantrums, her declaration of hate, her pushing him from her swam before her eyes. "How could I hurt you?"
"How could I hurt someone I love so much?" she whispered.
"I'll save you Damon..." she whispered as she pressed her lips on his forehead again.
His grip on her tightened and she knew he was still asleep. This was his body's reaction to her.
She would talk to him. She would listen to his story. She will save him. With those thoughts she hid her face in the crook of his neck. For the first time in three weeks she had peaceful sleep.
..
..
Hello? Anyone alive?
Firstly thank you xDamonxElenax for reviews!
Another update. There is not much new in this chapter, but I'll make changes in the next chapters, here and there.
Review. If you like what you read. I like to read about your thoughts regarding these characters. Also, I like to see if DE fandom is still active or what.
I have another story in progress, for DE. 'In Love with the enemy (Bad blood). They are in Hogwarts, they despise each other and slowly fall in love, later to realize they have to face a great danger to be together. Hint. A law passes, banning pure bloods to ever be with muggle borns. It's like from hate to love kinda story. Do check that crap out too. And review. Because Reviews make me realize there are people reading and I'm not writing for ghost fandom. Lol
*A writer told me they wrote a story inspired by fatal attraction, it's called Day and Night by DaddySadist. Do check that out. It has the same theme and characters as this ut with a different plot*
Bye guys, love!