A/N: This is the longest chapter I've ever written for anything! Nearly 3000 words! Anyway, thank you to CharlSmith and Miss Light Bright for your reviews! I really appreciate it :)
Special thanks to MelTheGreat, as she's my best friend in real life but wrote a review regardless! Thanks for all of the favourites and follows.
I really don't think that I'm a good writer so this chapter makes me nervous. HAHAH. Don't judge too harshly! ;P
BIG THANK YOU to my friend that helped me overcome a serious roadblock I came to with this story. THANK YOU!
Important notes:
Elena is an only child.
Characters might be a tad OOC, but that's not intentional. To be honest I find it hard to write Elena. Even Stefan is a bit difficult. But i'm trying :)
Elena's diary entry is mostly quoted from 1x01 and the song 'Belle' from Beauty and the Beast. Hopefully it isn't too random
Grayson is Elena's dad's name..right?
I love Damon. He' so fun to write!
I think that's all. If you have any questions, advice or suggestions PLEASE WRITE THEM IN A REVIEW!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Enjoy my lovelies xx
The Curse of the Beast
Chapter 1-Decisions
Elena Gilbert was your average 18 year-old do-gooder. She was, not only sweet, but compassionate and charitable. Elena founded fundraisers to help out her hometown, Mystic Falls, as well as her school. She was a preppy cheerleader that always saw the good in everyone. Nobody could hate such a kind soul.
Although despite all this, Elena found it difficult to fit in. After her mother died a year ago, Elena lost interest in the things she used to love. She no longer had the heart to be a cheerleader, simply continuing it because she was expected to, and her Mystic Falls patriotism became almost nonexistent. Elena only continued her charity work because she knew her mother would of wanted that.
And so life went on, oblivious to her dejected state.
Elena had always wanted more in life. She wanted to leave her small town after graduation and go out to explore the real world. She wanted passion, danger and to fall in love with a man that consumed her. But her duty to Mystic Falls was tying her down. Elena was expected to marry her current boyfriend Matt Donovan. She was expected to have kids and settle down for the typical small town lifestyle. After all, wasn't that what the head cheerleader and heir to the Gilbert council position was supposed to want?
But she didn't want it.
And so Elena was stuck to live the life that she had never wanted. Her only weakness, if it is even accountable as one, was her compassion. Elena knew that by leaving Mystic falls she'd be hurting her father and her friends. She couldn't let her father lose yet another loved one, even if she was still alive. It was her own compassion that stopped her from leaving her father.
Her own compassion that made her continue to lead Matt on; she knew he would be heartbroken if she ended the relationship.
And her own compassion that ultimately tied her down.
xx
Dear diary,
Today will be different. It has to be.
I will smile, and it will be believable.
I will start fresh, be someone new.
I have graduated but I will be mature. Dad needs me; Matt needs me.
Mystic Falls needs me.
It may be a little town, a quiet village, where every day is like the one before. And it may be full of little people.
But I, Elena Gilbert, am not going to hurt anyone for my own accord.
xx
(Mystic Falls)
"Morning Dad," Elena exclaimed as she made her way into the kitchen. Her father, Grayson Gilbert, was currently submerged in papers. He was a handsome middle-aged man with dark features and a tall stature.
"Good morning Elena. There's some fresh coffee in the pot," her father replied without looking up from the mountain of papers that surrounded him. Elena could tell he was worried by the tone in his voice.
Her father was a doctor. He owned his own practice in town but lately a large New York based company had expressed interest in buying the practice's land rights. Elena had trouble fathoming why a company of such apparent prestige would want to own a branch in Mystic falls, but her opinions were redundant. The company kept on pressuring her father into selling, but he was adamantly against it. After all, he lived to help the lives of others, and he was not willing to let his family business go. Recently, however, the company had become even more persistent and insisting. With continued pressure, Elena's father would have to travel to New York to reach a solution with the board.
Elena just hoped that it wouldn't get that far.
"Is everything okay dad?"
Grayson looked up at his daughter, giving her a meek smile. By the look on his face, she knew that bad news was coming.
"They are a persistent lot I'll tell you that," he started, failing to hide the slight waver in his voice; she knew he was nervous. "Look Elena, I'm going to have to go to New York."
And there it was. She knew that even if he went there, there was no way he would be able to win the case. The company would have brilliant lawyers and her father would not be able to afford one of even adequate standards. Even though he was a doctor, working in a small town like Mystic Fall's didn't ensue a high income.
It was useless. But Elena remained her ever-optimistic self.
"Maybe they will have second thoughts! Dad, what big company would want to have a branch in Mystic Falls? I mean, let's be realistic here"
"I know Elena, but they do. And they won't stop until they get it. So this is my last chance to save the practice," her father responded defiantly. Elena was the dreamer; where as her father was the realist.
"Well then I'm coming with you," Elena replied, momentarily shocking her father into silence.
"Elena, I'll be fine. Besides you have duties here. Don't let me stop you from living your life"
Oh, if only he knew the irony behind such a sentiment.
"Dad, at the moment you're my priority. This trip to New York could not take any longer than a week. I'm coming, okay? You need support". And it was final. Whenever Elena made a decision on something, she became very stubborn and determined to go through with it. Her father knew this and therefore knew to not even bother questioning her. He simply gave her as best a smile as he could muster at the moment and began booking tickets for them online. They'd leave as soon as possible.
Dr. Gilbert would never admit it, but he was thankful that his daughter was accompanying him for support.
"So," Elena started, pausing to bite into an apple she had picked up from the fruit bowl, "Where abouts in New York is 'Salvatore Architecture co' located?"
xx
(7 hours later. New York City)
Damon Salvatore was relaxed, to say the least. He lay in bed with his arms behind his head, smiling smugly to himself. He was remembering last night's events that had carried on to the early hours of the morning. Now he had a sleeping girl next to him as a memento. Too bad he couldn't remember her name.
A loud, obnoxious ring sounded through the room, and Damon hastily answered the phone as to stop any further disturbances. He didn't want to be here when the girl woke up. This was purely an anonymous one-night stand, like they all were.
"What?" Damon exclaimed into the phone. He was obviously annoyed. Whoever it was that rang has disturbed his peaceful state and nearly woke the naked girl in his bed.
"Damon! Come to the bar, I need some company" Stefan replied. Damon wasn't at all surprised that it was Stefan who had interrupted him. Typical behavior of him really. However he did raise an eyebrow at the fact that his little bro' was at a bar. Stefan was hardly one to drink, not unless he was really depressed. Or wanted something.
"Trouble in paradise?" Damon questioned, even though he knew it wouldn't be the case. Stefan and Caroline had only been married for a few weeks and were still in their honeymoon phrase. Nothing could deter them at the moment.
"No, just work stress. Besides, maybe I just want to catch up. I haven't seen you in a while Damon," Stefan replied.
Damon had hypothesized correctly. There wasn't any trouble in paradise so that meant that Stefan needed a favor. Damon didn't bother being blunt and just asking him what he needed because he knew his brother would feign innocence. Stefan was an open book, and he was oblivious to it. Damon knew that he wasn't one to go out and just bond without any ulterior motives. But Damon cared for his little brother so he played along.
"Bonding. Only if you buy me a drink. Okay I'll be there in 20"
With that, Damon hung up and checked the clock. To his surprise it was 5pm, meaning that he had slept all day. He didn't have work today, so it was no harm done, but he didn't understand how his lady friend was still asleep. He quickly went to check the brunettes pulse to see if she was okay. It wasn't like he had harmed her or anything, but perhaps someone had drugged her. He pressed two fingers to her wrist and relaxed slightly when he felt a pulse. He shook his head at his theatrics. Of course she'd be alive.
Although he'd never admit it, Damon was indeed a caring person.
He moved over to his wardrobe and dressed quickly in a simple black shirt and jeans combination. He liked wearing darker shades.
With that, he left his penthouse. On the way out he told his maid to help show the brunette out once she was awoke. The maid cringed slightly and gave him her usual look of disgust and disapproval but nodded anyway. She knew better than to argue with Damon Salvatore.
Damon mentally noted to himself to hire a new maid. The current one was too judgey for his likings.
xx
(40 minutes later)
Damon arrived at the bar late, as per usual. He was rarely ever punctual, unless he truly needed to be, and he knew it would annoy his brother. He had taken the long way to the bar and had got stuck in traffic.
Damon saw Stefan immediately. He was sitting by the bar glaring at him with an annoyed expression. Damon just smirked at him and came over to sit beside him.
"Hello, brother"
"Damon you're 20 minutes late. But I guess I shouldn't have expected anything better," Stefan replied, somewhat condescendingly. Damon just rolled his eyes. It was a mystery to him how Stefan had always been so serious where he as was the complete polar opposite. Damon was only ever serious a work.
Stefan called over the bartender and ordered them both drinks.
"So, how have you been?"
Damon had to refrain from rolling his eyes again. Was Stefan seriously trying to have small talk?
"Okay, here is where you cut the brotherly bonding act and tell me what you need. I'm here, so you don't have to pretend," Damon replied bluntly. He had a limited patience, especially when it came to Stefan.
Stefan sighed; he knew he had been caught out. Damon as amazed that Stefan was even surprised. Damon could always read Stefan. Although, Damon could read everyone.
"It's dad. He's trying to expand the business," Stefan admitted meekly. Damon instinctively tensed and his eyes glazed over, shielding him from emotion. He didn't want to talk about his father. He wanted nothing to do with him.
"So? Good luck to him. I don't see how this concerns me"
"Damon, just let me finish," Stefan snapped with a glare. Stefan was hardly ever curt but Damon obtained the ability to bring it out in him liberally. "As I was saying, Dad is expanding the company into small towns now. He's offering well below the rightful values of the properties and the people are accepting the offers because they don't know any better!"
Damon sighed. "And so I suppose you want me to stop him on his big bad wolf rendition?"
"Not exactly. You see there's one case, in Mystic Falls, where the landowner refuses to sell. He is adamantly against it and I don't blame him. I've read the arguments he sent. It's a family business and the property has been in his family's name since 1864". Stefan frowned, making the indent between his eyebrows even more prominent.
Damon's anger flared.
"Stefan, are you joking? You call me here to tell me Giuseppe's diabolical plan and then ask me to help out some random small town guy. Newsflash Stefan, I don't care. I'm a high-class lawyer. I don't deal with these civil disputes. Just tell the guy to accept the offer. He's an idiot for wanting to take on father anyway."
Stefan ignored Damon's rant and persisted on. "Damon don't you get it? You're the only person that can take on father and his lawyers. I know you don't care about the situation but I do. I don't want to see dad ruin any more lives and this is one I can actually put a stop to, but only with your help. Just think, if you beat father, he's bound to respect your job more. He might loathe you, but he'll at least respect you."
This clung at the carefully crafted guard that Damon had built up for himself so long ago. He had always sought for his father's respect, except somewhere along the line he began to see himself as a lost cause. However now it seemed as though he still had some hope. And so, he conceded.
"Fine. I'll help. But only to get back at dad," he lied smoothly. Damon would enjoy beating his father at his own game sure, but he'll relish in the respect he'll receive more.
Giuseppe Salvatore knew he was a hard man to challenge; therefore he respected anyone that even attempted to defy him. By Damon beating him, he may loathe his son more but he would definitely respect him. After all, the father Salvatore was unbeatable.
He'd never admit it, but Damon also wanted to help out his brother. He wasn't truly as selfish as he appeared to be.
"Thanks Damon," Stefan replied with a warm smile. He then looked down at his wristwatch and frowned slightly. Damon knew that was his brother's cue to leave.
"You have to go. I know. Can't spent too much time with the older bro cause' he'll corrupt you etcetera, etcetera" Damon replied flippantly. It didn't take a genius to tell that he was hurt. Stefan has essentially used this 'bonding time' to get what he wanted from Damon. Damon shouldn't have expected an ACTUAL bonding time afterwards, but, somewhere deep inside of him, he had. He wanted things to get back to how they used to be with Stefan, and he thought that maybe after his brother has chosen him to be his best man at his wedding, things would've gotten better between them. But it hadn't. And even if both the brother's wanted to repair their relationship, they knew it would never be the same. Damon could never trust Stefan again; never truly forgive him.
"I'm sorry, it's just that Caroline was feeling a bit sick today and I wanted to be there for her. But one more drink couldn't hurt I guess" Stefan smiled weakly. He knew his attempt to bond would be rejected. Damon wouldn't deny him of time with his sick wife. It wasn't that he didn't want to make amends with Damon; it was that he was genuinely worried about his wife. Unfortunately both brother's lived such busy lives that they had no time to bond nowadays. Stefan sighed softly.
"No it's okay go help Barbie". Damon tried to muster as genuine a smirk as he could. It still fell short.
Stefan laughed a little. "If she heard you say that.."
"I know she'd castrate me. Yada, yada, yada, now go"
"Thank you Damon, really." Stefan smiled candidly.
"Not one for these sappy moments little bro' so go," Damon lied once more. It was all a part of his tough guy act.
"I know, I'm just glad to see that you're doing something good for a change," Stefan admitted before slapping Damon on the back affectionately and walking out of the bar.
Good?
He was doing something good?
Damon frowned. No, he wasn't good. He used to be good, but that got him nowhere. Good people get hurt. Stefan was good, not him.
I'm only helping Stefan to get back at dad, he concluded to himself.
But of course that was a lie and, deep down, he knew it.
A/N: Damon is amazing! :3 Delena is coming soon. I don't know when I'll update next because I'm starting at my new school soon! Wish me luck in a review ;)
136 views and only 3 reviews..I don't know if that means my story sucks or what..AHAHA PLEASE REVIEW GUYS!
REVIIEWWWWW!
-Katie xx
