"You loved me once , please just let me explain"
He watched as Elena fished for the right words to say as a small tear slipped down his cheek.
4 years ago life had been simple , it was fun and carefree . In fact it was actually epic when Damon thought about it .
...
"Hello brother! What do I owe the honours?" Damon smirked sliding on to the stool next to his brother , Stefan.
"Well seems you asked , I was wondering how you'd feel coming for dinner with me and my new girlfriend tomorrow ?" Stefan said smiling sweetly.
"Your what now?!" Damon asked shocked.
"My girlfriend Damon, she's called Caroline you remember her right? From college ?" Damon's brow creased in thought as he tried to pin a face to the name his brother was speaking of , college hadn't been the best for Damon he barely remembered most of it as it was spent in his dorm room dealing with hangovers and what not.
"Nope sorry brother , I don't have a clue who you're talking about ."
"Caroline! She's cute , blonde , bright blue eyes and she's friends with Bonnie Bennett? "
Damons eyes widened in realisation , no way! He knew exactly who she was now . Caroline was the best friend of Bonnie B ( a nickname Damon had given her ) the girl he had casual sex with now and again when he was in college.
"Please tell me it's not! Come on Stef you know how much Bonnie hates me, no doubt Caroline does too!"
"Well lucky for you I talked her round , plus she's not bringing Bonnie she's bringing her childhood friend Elena." Stefan smiled patting Damon on the shoulder .
"Is she hot ?" Damon questioned raising an eyebrow.
"She's okay, not really my type but as for you however, dark hair, brown eyes , she's the one for you brother !"
"Fine , seems as you may have just set me up with my new sex buddy , I'll come !"
"Yes! Thanks brother I owe you one" Stefan cheered downing the rest of his beer and placing some money next to Damon.
"Next rounds on me ! Help yourself laters"
"Bye Stef!"
"Hey Conor! I'll have two beers please I'm feeling very happy tonight !" Damon shouted to the bartender who he now called a friend.
"Sure thing D, what's got you all happy may I ask?"
"You may! My very special brother has set me up with a new female and I'm very excited .. who knows maybe she could be the one to change me ?" Damon smirked .
"Pffftt right ok and I'm going to Harvard Law, no one is changing you Damon !" Conor laughed passing Damon his beer.
"I take offence to that young sir! I will have you know I am very romantic when it comes to someone I love !"
"Yeah we will see about that buddy."
The next day was a blur , he had a little bit too much alcohol for his liking and now he was most definitely regretting it .
He had over 100 emails to check and 12 stacks of manuscripts to be checked and he just couldn't find the energy to do it all. God knows how he was going to get though this dinner , that Caroline chick was a lot to handle if he remembers correctly.
"Arrggggg somebody shoot me!" He exclaimed frustratedly.
"Now why would I do that ?" He heard a familiar voice chuckle.
"Ric? No way ! How are you man?!" He exclaimed jumping up to hug his best friend of 10 years.
"I'm good! I've missed you though man! It's been a long ass week" Alaric said rolling his eyes.
"Tell me about it! Don't get me wrong I love Stefan and Conor but you're my guy!" Damon said punching his shoulder lightly.
"Sooo need any help?" Ric chuckled examining the stacks of paper on his desk.
"It would be nice yeah.. god remind me why I chose to become an editor again."
"Because it's one of the only things you're good at ? Plus it gets you a pretty decent bank account balance." Ric pointed out smirking.
"Hey! I'm good at many things thankyou! Especially when it comes to the ladies , in fact I have a introduction to a lovely lady tonight !"
"Oh yeah let's see how long this one lasts" Ric shouted after him as he walked over to the bathroom.
"You'll see" Damon muttered.
By the time 7 o clock came around he was more than ready to escape this place he called his home . Even after spending 8 hours at the office he still comes home to more emails and work it's a living nightmare!
A sharp knock on his door cut his thoughts as he walked over to open it.
"Hey ! You ready to g-" before the words even left Stefan's mouth Damon had made a run for the elevator.
"I'll take that as a Yes then!" Stefan said to himself shutting the apartment door.
"So what time if this girlfriend yours joining us ?" Damon asked his brother fixing the collar of his black shirt.
"She should be here any minute , Elena was just finishing her hair when she text." Stefan explained .
Jeez he hopes this girl is worth the wait , he was desperate for a glass of bourbon right now.
"Care! Over here!" He looked up at the area his brother was shouting towards and in that moment his mind zoned out .
The small brunette walking along side Caroline was insanely beautiful! Her long brown hair shined in the light of the street lamp making the wavey curls seem almost perfectly in line , her big doe eyes shielded by long feathered eyelashes . His eyes traveled to her lips that were turned up in a small smile as they approached closer, the gorgeous red dress she was wearing hugged her curves perfectly and honestly he couldn't picture this girl being a one time thing, she was unreal.
"Hey babe!" Caroline chirped kissing Stefan quickly on the lips.
"Hey! Damon you know Care right? Care this is Damon incase you've forgotten " His brother said snapping him back into reality.
"Of course! Damon hi! You haven't changed a single bit have you ? I'm hoping your asshole ways have though right ?" Caroline smiled as she hugged him softly.
"They have indeed Blondie ! It's good to see you , who's your friend ?" Damon replied smiling sincerely.
"Oh ! Elena right , this is Stefan my boyfriend and this dark handsome stranger to you anyway is Damon." Caroline said pushing her friend forward.
"It's nice to meet you both ." She mumbled softly smiling at them.
"You too beautiful." Damon smiled .
He watched as Elena blushed and looked down quickly... god this girl really is going to change his world.
"So should we head inside before you two ladies get too cold ?!" Stefan chirped grabbing Caroline's hand gently.
They all made their way inside slowly as the door man grabbed their coats for them and a waitress guided them to their seats.
"So Damon, what is it you're doing now? I didn't really pay attention to people much in college." Caroline asked him laughing.
"I'm an editor down at Joulsburg Books , what about you blondie ? Still into fashion?"
"Oooo how exciting ! That's such a big thing Damon well done ! And yes actually I'm a designer for Billy Blush children's wear." She answered grabbing her glass from the now returned waiter.
"Awesome! What about you cutie? What do you do ?" Damon asked turning his attention to the girl sat next to him.
"Oh well ermmm right now nothing , I didn't get the chance to finish my degree so I just work in the cafe down town ." She said looking down ashamed.
"Hey it's cool ! Not everyone has their life handed to them , as long as you're working for it then who's to judge you ?" He said smiling at her.
"Wow ! Did Damon Salvatore, my big brother who couldn't even give me advice just offer a girl he barely knows some comfort?! Jeez Elena he really does like you !" Stefan exclaimed , laughing along with Caroline.
"Nice , thanks Brother for making me seem like an insensitive arsehole." He grumbled sipping his scotch.
"Well I think he's rubbing off on me to , I'm intrigued Mr Salvatore." Elena smirked turning to him.
"Well I'm glad , otherwise this date would be a waste wouldn't it ?"
"Cheers to that !" She said clicking their glasses together gently.
The night was everything he could of wished for , it was just what he needed after the week he'd had in work.
Elena was something else indeed she was nothing like he was expecting. He thought he'd be sitting with a classic money grabbing bitch the whole night however, the most intelligent, funny and loving girl had just walked into his life and he was so happy she did.
"I had fun tonight Damon, thank you !" Elena smiled grabbing his hand .
"Me too gorgeous , I honestly wasn't expecting to either normally I get set up for a disaster dinner !" He said chuckling softly.
"Well maybe you can take this number and call me tomorrow to do it all over again?" She smirked handing him a piece of paper.
" I sure will , thank you ." He said and pulled her in for a small kiss on the cheek .
"Goodnight Damon." He watched her as she slowly walked down the street towards Caroline and Stefan and he couldn't help but smile , she was truly the one and he knew his life was gonna be forever changed thanks to her ...
"Bye Elena ."
