Chapter 5:
I dusted off my grey pencil skirt and smoothed down the front of my maroon jumper. The skirt belonged to my beloved mother, since my wardrobe consisted of jeans, sweats and not-so-formal skirts –no work material– and she wouldn't allow me to attend the interview in sweats, god forbid. We'd compromised that I would get the choice of the upper-body clothing and she'd paired it with one of her own variety of formal pencil skirts. I was somewhat taller than my mother and so the skirt stopped short just above my knees. Flat suede shoes adorned my feet, the exact shade of maroon as my jumper. My hair was pulled up into a messy bun –much to my mother's dismay- but it was Damon that would be interviewing me and it was only for a tiny job as a waitress, nothing huge to fawn about.
Sucking in a sharp breath of air, I brought my clenched fist to the door of Damon's office of sorts and tapped once, twice, three times. There was a shuffling of paperwork and the faint sound of someone clearing their throat before a husky, deep voice, filled with sensuality, rang from the other side of the mahogany door, "Come in."
And so I did.
Tugging on the door handle, I opened the door and superiorly strut into the confined room with a smile plastered to my face. As I approached his desk, I extended my hand to Damon as if I hadn't the slightest idea who he was. "Good evening, Mr Salvatore."
His gaze didn't miss a beat as he swept his eyes over me, from the messy bun atop my head to the shoes that adorned my feet. He gazed at me pensively, his lips pursed, "What are you doing?"
Put off by his calculating expression and unforgiving eyes, I frowned slightly, before replying imperviously, "I don't know what you're talking about, sir."
Toying with Damon had quickly become one of my favourite pastimes, and seeing his befuddled –yet undoubtedly attractive- face now formed a devious smile on my lips. Biting down into my bottom lip to supress the urge to smile and give myself away, I subconsciously tucked a non-existent stray strand of hair behind my ear.
"That," He admonished, taking in a ragged breath, "That right there. What's with all of the formalities? After all, I've seen you clad in a sparse bikini…" He trailed on, winking at my astounded expression, "But now that I think about it, I've got to admit that I rather like it when you call me sir."
Closing my mouth and shaking my head, I clenched my jaw, "Whatever," I sneered as he leant back in his chair and clasped his hands together in front of him, his blue orbs drinking in my attire for the evening, yet again. He was most likely used to the scuffed jeans I'd been wearing for the majority of the week, excluding the night of his party… "Well, are you going to invite me to sit down or are you just going to continue to eye-fuck me? Is that informal enough, sir?" I spoke nonchalantly, folding my arms across my chest and raising my eyebrows indignantly.
"Be my guest." He smirked deviously, ignoring my sour attitude and sassy tone.
Rolling my eyes, I headed over to his cluttered desk before plopping myself in the plush chair adjacent to him, propping my arms on his desk.
Awkwardly, I fiddled with my fingers as he just sat there –staring.
I gulped.
So much for getting a grip of myself last night…
After a couple of seconds, he leant forward, resting his head atop his clasped hands. He had that look about him; the one that makes a girl drop her panties for him, but I sure as well wouldn't succumb to him. I wasn't exactly oblivious to his charm and good-looks, but his snarky attitude ruined almost everything for me –almost. He had that same devilish smile plastered to his lips. His lips…
Damn!
"Resume?"
"Hmm…?"
"Did you bring your resume?" He asked, annunciating each syllable independently. His grin was growing like he knew what I was thinking.
I internally pleaded with the heavens that he couldn't read my mind.
"Uh, yeah," I muttered distractedly, reaching into my glossy black handbag to retrieve it.
Blushing despite myself, I handed it to him.
Oh God, I don't want him to know anything about me…
"So, you've worked in a restaurant before?" He enquired, flicking through the pages with a look of actual interest on his face.
I nodded my head impishly.
"And what unique attributes do you think you can bring to our business?" He pressed after a few moments. His eyes were alight as he continued to scan my resume, his interest piqued.
Taking a deep breath, I replied my rehearsed answer, pleased with his astounded expression once I'd finished.
"Why did you leave your previous workplace?"
"I moved to a different place of residency."
"Was there a reason for this?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.
I bit my lip, ducking my head.
There were a couple seconds of silence, the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner of the room ricocheting about the quaint office.
"Elena," Damon's soft voice broke the heavy silence, the gentleness in his voice made me jump slightly and I looked up at him with wide doe eyes, "why did you get all worked up and evasive yesterday after what I said in the parking lot?"
I chuckled internally. He was technically asking the same question that I was so intent on avoiding.
I shook my head, casting my eyes downwards.
It wasn't as if I was just going to spill my guts about dad; trust is not something you just handover, it needs to be earned.
"Did I say something wrong; something to offend you perhaps?" He pressed on, his brows furrowing in concern.
"It's none of your concern, Damon. It was nothing." I tried to reassure him, but my façade was probably transparent.
His warm, calloused, hand found mine across the table, enveloping my own with ease. My intake of breath was audible and my reddening cheeks were vivid. He squeezed my hand comfortingly, "At least we can add a terrible liar to your list of attributes." He winked, trying to lighten the mood.
I smiled unwillingly and he squeezed my hand once more before releasing it, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Okay, that's enough." He exhaled, casting my resume off to the side.
"Excuse me?"
Was he rejecting me so quickly? Was the interview that bad? An abundance of discouraging thoughts ran rampant in my head, causing me to frown dejectedly.
Noticing my dispirited expression, he was quick to reassure me, "No. No, not like that, Elena. All I meant was that I don't need to hear anymore; I'm hiring you."
My mouth popped open into a little 'o' of astonishment, "Seriously?" I grinned, jumping out of my seat exuberantly.
"Seriously."
I nearly squealed.
Nearly.
"I could kiss you right now, Damon." I squeaked, an enveloping grin spreading from ear-to-ear.
Damon's eyebrows shot up in surprise and I threw my hand over my mouth. Damn my lack of filter! "I-I didn't mean that…"
Fuck my life. Fuck my life…
"I'm sure you'd be a great kisser, Miss Gilbert," He smirked, puckering his lips at me and making obnoxious kissy noises, "but I'm not one for kissing."
I raised my eyebrows in shock, "Seriously?"
"Seriously."
I blushed and shook my head. My internal goddess was clearly disappointed, but I quickly dispelled this thought and retrieved my handbag off of the ground.
"I best get going then." I mumbled, zipping up my handbag before fixing it on my shoulder.
"Let me escort you." He said, pushing himself out of his seat. Within two short strides he was at the door, holding it ajar. Courteously, he gestured for me to leave. "After you."
Smiling up at him, I gingerly shimmied through the small gap and realised something. "Wait-" I started, but was cut off when I spun on my heel to realise that he was directly behind me. With his face inches from mine, I inhaled sharply before clearing my suddenly dry throat. I felt clammy all over, "Aren't you supposed to call me or something and not flat out tell me that I'm hired? Shouldn't there have been more interrogation and questioning? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but aren't you at least required to confer with your father about hiring me?" I breathed.
If I as so much as tilted my head forward a fraction of an inch, the tips of our noses would collide and our lips would be brushing slightly.
Too bad he doesn't kiss…
"This isn't some criminal investigation, Elena, I'm not interrogating you for murder," He chuckled softly. His minty breath blew across my face and I inhaled deeply, my chest pushing outwards. I immediately regretted my reaction to him as my breasts brushed up against his chest and I shivered involuntarily. He froze and inhaled harshly with clenched teeth, before distancing himself from me with a long stride backwards. I averted my eyes downwards, but flashed my eyes up to meet his slanted ones when he continued speaking with a clearing of his throat, "That would be normal adequate, yes, but I'm known for breaking the rules, Elena. And, besides, we're low on staff, so I'm sure my father would be more than pleased to have you aboard our colleagues." He spoke hoarsely, his voice raspy and sultry, and I was still blinking up at him with a dazed and lustful expression etched onto my face. Luckily, the straining material of my jumper was much too thick for him to notice my pebbled nipples and I sighed in relief. My chest concaved with my exhalation and I momentarily relaxed.
"I'll take that as a compliment," I breathed, averting my gaze to the polished, wooden, floor.
I nodded my head once in a farewell gesture before turning back around, skittering towards the door that would lead me back to the bar area.
As I pushed on the door, I turned my head back towards Damon to see that he was still standing in the same position as before. I smiled, "See you around, Damon."
"We'll call you shortly to discuss your schedule." He said in farewell, before swiftly re-entering his office.
Shaking my head at his eagerness to depart, I sidestepped Matt who was working the bar and strutted over to Caroline who was juggling an abundance of dirty dishes precariously on her arms.
"Hey, you." I smiled dandily at her, rolling on the balls of my feet sweetly.
After evading Caroline the previous day for her inquisition about being sour with Damon, she was all for evading me suddenly. It was starting to rub me up the wrong way, and what with me being overly unapologetic, I wasn't usually the type to apologise, obviously. But since Caroline was typically the only friend I had in this oppressive town, I was more than willing to mend our broken bonds for once.
Unsurprisingly, she blatantly disregarded me without even a glance in my direction, deciding instead to pad towards the bar with the plates and cutlery still wedged in her petite arms.
This insufferable girl is wearing my patience thin, I thought acrimoniously.
Exhaling, I tried again, "Listen, Caroline, I'm sorry for avoiding you lately. It's just, I've been… distracted. I know I'm not really good at this friend thing and that it's not an excuse, but I am trying my best here and I'd appreciate it if you…"
My incessant rambling was interrupted by Caroline's arms being flung around my neck, the stack of dishes piled high on the bar counter now. "Elena," She whimpered, "I'm so sorry for ignoring you. How was the interview? Did you get the job? Was he nice to you?" She inquired as she pulled back and stared at me contemplatively.
"Wow," I chastised, "slow down. The interview was interesting to say the least, yes he was partially polite to me, and yes I got the job." I smirked at the last part.
Caroline squealed exuberantly and flung her arms around my neck, yet again, "Tell me all about it."
After battling through another one of Caroline's incessant babblings, we parted ways with a hug and a promise to 'chillax' with one another after school the following day.
Her words, not mine.
And after I clambered out of the shower that night, I padded across the landing towards my room, clad in only a fluffy white towel. I tied my damp hair up into a knotted ponytail and fumbled in my pyjama drawer for something to wear for bed. That was when there was a knock on my bedroom door.
Pulling on my underwear and tightening the towel evermore securely around me, I called out for them to, "Come on in!"
Slowly, the door creaked open on its hinges, reminding me that it needed oiling. "Hey, Jer." I grinned when I saw my brother standing awkwardly on the other side of the door.
He smiled timidly in return and held up a scrunched black tee in his fisted hands. Not just any black tee…
Damon's black tee from the party the other night.
Fuck!
"Mum put this in my drawer; she must have thought it was mine, but I've never seen this in my life." He explained. His eyes were trained on me.
I gulped instinctively and reached forward to snatch it out of his greedy little hands, "Give it to me." I snarled when he swiped it back before my hands could gain purchase of the fabric.
"Whose is it?" He glared disapprovingly.
I scoffed at his remark and crossed my arms over my chest, "You don't get to ask that. Besides, don't think that I don't know for a second about your recent escapades." I warned, pointing my finger at him accusingly and giving him 'the stare'.
He knew immediately what I was talking about. He'd been lying to mum about attending woodwork class and he'd most probably been drinking with his 'friends' and generally getting himself into trouble.
His nostrils flared and before I knew it, he was stalking out of the room and the t-shirt was left sprawled on the hardwood floor in his wake.
Bending down stiffly, I retrieved it and brought it to my nose. It still had Damon's scent lingering on it. A divine mixture of aftershave, peppermint and leather. I closed my eyes, revelling in the feeling of it and debating whether to wear it.
What the hell, I thought resignedly.
Peeling the shirt open, so that it was no longer scrunched up in a ball, I brought the tee over my head and slipped my arms into the sleeves, letting my towel crumple to the floor. His scent surrounded me.
And I felt like a complete stranger to myself for my oddball behaviour, but I didn't care.
Sleepy and dazed by the feel of a part of Damon on my skin, I trudged towards my bed with a hopeful smile painted on my face.
I slept soundlessly that night, not subjected to visions of dad's accident.
A/N- Not exactly the longest update, but I just wanted to get something out there for you guys. Hope you enjoyed! Who else is literally counting down the days till season 6? Eeek, I can't wait!
