Chapter 2:

I slowed my jog into a brisk walk and admired the setting sun as it lowered down the horizon. The light played across the river idyllically, casting a cool breeze over the water and causing a ripple affect in the small current. The smell of muggy trees assaulted my senses, and I closed my eyes, revelling in the feelings that washed over me. This was my favourite time of day -whether it was because of the looming sleep that awaited me or because of its striking mixture of vibrant colours, it didn't matter.

I readjusted my headphone strap that held my phone to my forearm and tightened my hair in the confines of it's hairband until it hurt. I was sporting a white sports bra, that revealed my toned stomach and accentuated my breasts, and black three-quarter length spandex sport shorts that showed off my tan calf's. My hair was also tide back in a slick ponytail, or at least it was.

With a sigh, I continued my routine-like trek through Mystic Falls until I stumbled upon a lively area with people bustling about.

I came to a complete halt when a dull cream building with dark wooden beams came into view. The cosy restaurants sign read 'Mystic Grill' and besides that was a poster haphazardly stuck to one of the windows that read 'staff needed' in a scruffy scrawl.

The detail in the brickwork was picturesque and breathtaking. I was staggered by its beauty for a moment, and as I padded towards it, I noticed something -or someone- that caught my eye.

Caroline was leaning over an outdoor table with a dishcloth in hand, scrubbing at the tables as tendrils of her hair flew around her face in the fierce wind, "Elena!" She called out to me, waving the ragged cloth in my direction once she identified me.

I smiled easily at her and made my way towards her.

"Hey, Caroline."

"What brings you here?" She questioned blithely, her eyes roaming over and taking in my attire.

Caroline reminded me of some sort of crazy, eccentric detective or something. Given I'd only known her but a day, she'd been monitoring everything I did as if she was expecting something from me. She was persistent, but erratically caring and, for now, she was in my metaphorical good book.

"Well, I was just going for my ritual jog," I explained, glossing down my hair which I suspected was a messy disarray, "and I noticed the sign in the window." I gestured lazily to the sign behind her with a fling of my arm and she followed my gaze to the luminous green poster.

"Oh," She mumbled when she realised what I was babbling on about, "you're looking for a job?"

Was I? I hadn't set out on applying for a job after only moving here so recently, but as I thought about it, the idea progressively grew on me. It would give me a chance to interact with Caroline and meet some new people, and it would get me out of the oppressing gloominess that hung over the house since mum was out either working in the hospital or dating, and Jeremy was locked away in his bedroom with his headphones glued to his ears. He'd evolved into such a little punk over the years...

"Not intentionally, no, but I figured about thirty seconds ago that it wouldn't hurt to apply." I shrugged indifferently.

"I'll make sure to put in a good word for you." She winked proudly at me, smug with herself.

I nodded with a small smile on my lips and excused myself before manoeuvring my way past her towards the intricately carved entrance.

Upon passing the threshold of Mystic Grill, the distinct smells of different assortments of food invaded my senses and I very nearly inhaled the orgasmic fragrance with my eyes closed.

The keyword in that sentence being 'nearly'.

Gathering my scattered thoughts together, I advanced towards the young man behind the bar serving a customer. Every so often, he'd cast a dumbstruck glance in my direction as if he didn't have a clue what I was doing here. Frankly, neither did I. I waited patiently for him to complete his order before approaching him cautiously.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked politely, turning the charm on. I recognised his blonde locks, blue irises and baby face from one of my classes, but I couldn't put a name to the face.

"Umm, yes," I muttered awkwardly before clearing my throat, "I couldn't help but notice the sign in the window out front. Do you still need new employees?"

An infectious grin now enveloped his face and he nodded his head vigorously, "We're desperate. Did you want to apply for the job?"

"Sure," I nodded my head and wiped some perspiration off of my forehead. I could feel beads of sweat slowly trickling down the back of my neck, but I ignored the urge to swipe them off and just smiled numbly as he held up one finger to indicate that he'd return within the minute. He disappeared behind the 'employees only' sign and returned shortly after with a lanky man in tow.

The man in reference was tall with a slender build and perfectly styled brown hair. He roughly looked in his mid-thirties at earliest and early-forties at latest. He was an attractive man to say the least, but only to someone around my mothers age. Just by looking at his pristine, unwrinkled suit, you could acknowledge that he was a well groomed man of high importance.

I gulped at the sight of him, but stepped forward with my hand outstretched despite this, a placid smile plastered to my face. "Elena Gilbert." I identified myself, shaking his hand firmly.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Gilbert. I'm formally known as Mr Salvatore, but you may call me Giuseppe if you wish. Mr Donovan, here," He gestured to Mr Donovan politely before continuing, "has informed me that you'd like to apply for a place here at Mystic Grill?"

"Well, Mr Donovan is correct."

I spotted Caroline over Giuseppe's shoulder, scrubbing at one of the unoccupied tables. She was staring at me intently as she cleaned, and, upon realising that I had caught her, she grinned widely at me and put two thumbs up on either side of her face reassuringly. I chuckled softly to myself and shook my head as if to clear it, my grin dispersing when I noticed Giuseppe had one eyebrow raised in question at my unexplained actions. Smiling timidly up at him, I cleared my throat.

"Very well." His eyes roamed over me from head to toe as he took in my choice of wardrobe. There was nothing in his gaze to show me that he approved, which I highly doubted. I was a sweaty mess. He observed me like a petulant child for a moment, searching for something that he must have found. He heaved a sigh and shook his wristwatch free from beneath his suit jacket, eyeing it carefully for a moment. "Follow me." He turned on his heel and began to retreat into the back of Mystic Grill. I knew that he wanted me to follow him, obviously, but I was not prepared for an interview on the spot.

"Excuse me, sir, but I'm not dressed in the proper attire for an interview. I thought maybe we could schedule for a later date." I trailed off, fidgeting with my fingers nervously.

He studied me for a moment, his lips pursed tightly. "Unfortunately, Miss Gilbert, I am unavailable for the remainder of this week and partially next week -I have a lot of business to attend to- but you are more than welcome to come by any day of the week for an interview with my son. I understand if you'd prefer to wait since he can be a little... Intimidating. We could always schedule for a later date."

"No, that's fine. I'm sure I can handle your son, Mr Salvatore." I smiled, running a hand through my hair, "How about Thursday after school?" That would give me a few days to settle in and get a suitable outfit in order.

"Perfect. He'll see you in three days. Good luck, Miss Gilbert."

I smiled thankfully at Giuseppe and shook his hand a final time before making my way towards Caroline.

"How'd it go?" She asked hopefully. She had now referred to mopping and was leaning against the mop, her chin resting lightly on the tip.

"I've scheduled an interview for Thursday."

She squealed exuberantly at my words and tipped her head back in laughter. Whilst she animatedly babbled on about the pros and cons of working at Mystic Grill and the timing and blah-blah-blah, I took my time in inspecting my surroundings.

It was luxuriously decorated and perfectly polished, which I applauded to Caroline. The colour theme consisted of pastel colours -homey browns and caramel creams. The decor was mostly dark wooden booths, stools and table sets, with crystal chandeliers dangling from the beamed ceiling. Around the bar were tiny blue spotlights embedded throughout the surface with thick plastic tree branches stretching across the bar wall. Mr Salvatore had exquisite taste it seemed.

I was wrenched from my thoughts at the sound of excessive giggling and boisterous banter from the other side of the restaurant. I turned on the spot and rather nosily observed the squad of teenagers playfully punching each others arms and whispering obscenities in each other's ears. I rolled my eyes at the cliché of it all.

Damon was sitting among the squad in his jockey uniform with his arm draped over a brunettes shoulder who was sporting a crimson cheerleading uniform.

Obviously, he's a member of the popular society, I thought drearily.

Despite this, I drank in his attire with greedy eyes. His crimson football jersey was taught to his chest and his matching white skintight Lycra shorts were hugging his thighs snugly to show off his tense thighs and calfs. I could see every curve and bend.

Damn.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Giuseppe leaned over the back of the booth Damon and his friends occupied and whispered something in Damon's ear, gesturing towards me. I froze as Giuseppe walked away.

What the fuck?!

When Damon caught sight of me gaping at him like a fish, he winked suggestively at me and wiggled his fingers over the cheerleaders shoulder in greeting. The girl besides him -Tessa?- strained her neck to glare at me from under his arm and placed her hand on his chest, whispering something in his ear -staking her claim on him.

Sweetheart, you can have him, I thought bitterly.

With a caustic smirk plastered to my face, I waved my hand once in mock salute and scathingly cast a glare at him. He chuckled at my reaction and, strangely, didn't tear his gaze from my figure as I turned to face Caroline again.

She'd just finished her not-so-little speech and was smiling sweetly up at me.

"I'm guessing this is the regular hangout for our school?" It sounded more like a question than a statement to my ears.

She rolled on the balls of her feet until her short stature was closer to my towering height. (Well, towering compared to her and most girls my age). "Yup." She said, popping the 'p', "Can I ask you something?" I nodded my head, bewildered. "Why is Damon staring at you?"

"He is?" I whispered, as if he could hear me from afar. I cast a curious and dubious glance over my shoulder and blushed when I recognised Damon -with his chiselled jaw and vibrant blue eyes- staring at me in the same stance as before. He hadn't moved an inch...

His penetrating gaze did wonders to my body and I shivered due to his open ogling of my frame, which only succeeded in widening his obnoxious smirk.

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms across my chest self-consciously. Facing Caroline, I sighed and shook my head, "I don't know."

She raised her eyebrow at my retort, obviously suspecting that I was speaking candidly. "What?" I jeered defiantly, "I'm telling the truth."

She stared intently at me for a moment, until her gaze softened and she nodded her head in affirmation.

"Look," I sighed after a moment, flickering my gaze down to my wristwatch, "I better get going. I'm late and I need to finish up on my evening jog before Jeremy calls -famished."

She frowned slightly at my comment, but nodded her head. "See you tomorrow?"

I nodded my head, "See you at lunch."

A grin now enveloped her face and she nodded her head hastily, pleased with my words.

As I absconded the small slope leading to the exit, I caught sight of Damon still gawking at me in my peripheral vision and ducked my head as I passed the threshold.

I silently prayed that this wasn't the regular hangout for Damon. It would be the death of me if it turned out otherwise -if I got the job, of course.


A/N- Your opinion is greatly appreciated, so thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed or favourited In Temptations Path, it really means a lot to me and urges me to continue writing for you guys. Although I have a general gist as to where I want this to go, if anyone has any ideas that they'd like to share and see in this fanfic, feel free to do so and I'll gladly consider the possibility.