He wasn't used to this. Had not been for a long time. Jonathan's mansion was decorated in rose gold themes. Everything shimmered with elegance, from the chandeliers to the vast staircases, stars dulled in comparison to this place.

It was clear Jonathan wanted to tell everyone that there was an engagement party. Damon had promised Elena he would not cause a scene, but he was regretting that now. Loosening his tie a bit, he made dead conversation with one of Jonathan's business- friends.

They were all rivals in some sort of way and Jonathan had called them to flaunt this union.

Elena finally showed up after hours in hair and makeup.

She looked like a goddess, chocolate brown loose curls flowing down her shoulder, a shimmery asymmetrical cape extending from her right sleeve, a elegant slit in that peach-pink dress, golden high heels.

She looked regal.

He was staring, he knew, not even realising when Jonathan came to stand aside, also facing Elena coming down the stairs, he handed a box in Damon's hand

Damon looked down at his hand and noticed the golden velvety box.

He muttered, "I can buy her a ring."

"I doubt it would be worth her hand." Jonathan said, his fake smile plastered as he said it.

Elena resisted rolling her eyes as she put her golden gloved hand in Damon's when he put his hand forward on her last stair.

Jonathan tapped a spoon against his champagne glass, "Good evening everyone. We're very pleased to have you all here, our closest friends."

Elena kept her head straight as Jonathan started giving a speech about family and relationships.

She felt Damon squeeze her hand, a bit of tension left her at his effort.

Finally, Jonathan concluded, "Elena is lucky to have found her fit. Even though they are engaged, we wish to share this special moment with all of you."

Elena faced Damon now, as he held up her hand, holding it softly, Jonathan opened the box for him. Damon plucked out the diamond ring that was made to be flaunted and wore the tear shaped diamond ring to her finger.

Elena smiled wearing his ring to him, she gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

He could hear the rounds of claps when he gave her a chaste kiss on her lips, she was a bit startled but she accepted his mouth on her and cupped his jaw, when their lips parted, her hazy eyes looked back at him.

He mouthed, "Initiative." It made her laugh as she remembered their first night at Caroline's club.

Apparently a whole bunch of people were eager to congratulate them, they had to divide to talk to them, tell them their 'stories', in the meanwhile network a bit.

Alaric was also invited as 'Damon's guest', his friend tutted, "That was fast."

"Well when its true love." He trailed off, Alaric chuckled, "The ice queen really has you wrapped around her pinkie, though it does seem like a very well-manicured pinkie."

Damon's eyes followed Alaric's stare, only to land on Elena talking to someone.

She looked so goddamn elegant and beautiful. Her hair fell perfectly, her lips were the freshest rose colour, her skin unblemished, but what he absolutely loved about her was her smile.

The way it was so sweet, yet a bit mischievous like she was up to no good.

And the way she laughed, it brightened up the whole room when she did, it had been a while since he had heard it.

Alaric made a whipping sound.

Damon rolled his eyes, "It is well manicured."

Just then he saw her excuse herself, and go out the door

After a few minutes of waiting, he followed her outside.

She was in the garden, sitting on a bench.

He cleared his throat when he reached her, "Hey."

"Hi."

"You okay?"

She nodded, "Why wouldn't I be?"

He sat down on the bench beside her "For one, this is a sham."

Elena pursed her lips, "I just really miss someone."

Her murmured words caused a flame of jealousy to ignite instantly and burn inside him, he kept his composure.

She looked up at the sky, "I mean this is as fake as it gets, I've been engaged twice before this, why would I want my dad to be here?"

Her dad?

Thank you God, he felt like burning the world down a second ago.

She continued, "He always used to say that I was very suspicious of everyone, even as a kid, that I didn't trust a lot of people. I wanted you to meet him, to see whether his eyes light up and he'd say that I finally found a friend."

While he was hanging on to her every word, feeling the very sound of her voice as a caress against his ears, the word sting a little.

Friend.

"Is that what we are? Friends?" he tried to sound casual, but he failed miserably.

"Yes."

He bit the inside of his cheek, "What if I don't want to be your friend?"

She narrowed her eyes , "You wouldn't do that to me."

Obviously she misunderstood, he wasn't talking about abandoning her, all he meant was if they were more. If they could be more.

"How are you so sure?" he grinned, Elena sighed, "It's a feeling, a strong one."

For a while after that, they kept quiet and he appreciated the garden lights and moonlight glow on her body, the sparkle on the train of her dress was more prominent here, she looked like a fairy.

"You look stunning, if it isn't obvious.", he gave her a sideways glance, she rolled her eyes with a small smile tugging at her lips, "Thank you,- You all dressed up in a suit I selected- just proves my theory."

He chuckled, "Which is?"

She shrugged as if it were obvious, "That you clean up really really well."

Elena stood up, sighing and about to go back when he held her wrist, stopping her.

"Are we going to talk about Paris?"

Her ring glinted in the moonlight as she turned around and shook her head, "I rather not."

"I didn't think you put a deadline on it."

"On what?"

He got frustrated by her response, "Us- that morning, it was the only thing that mattered." He got up, cupping her face.

How ridiculous, he was urging his fiancée to share the feelings he had.

She stared back into his eyes, her own somewhat vacant.

"That was great but-"

"But." He hissed, causing Elena to look down, "Look, we don't even have to pretend for Jonathan anymore."

"I didn't pretend any of it.", his held her face up, pressing his lips to hers. He felt her body shudder against him, contemplating to continue or let go, she pushed against his chest, still kissing him back, but when they parted she shook her head.

"No, that's over."

"Doesn't have to be, Elena." The back of his hand brushed against her cheek.

"But it is, you didn't want to get engaged, you don't want to get married ever- I don't want those things right now but someday I might. Maybe one day you'd change your mind, but I don't want to wait for that day or live in the possibility- gosh I don't even want to pursue this, because the dead end is in my face."

She swallowed thick, "The worse we could do is business partners, the best we could do is friends." She moved his hands from her face.

He held them there, his fingers curling around hers, "You don't mean that, you know I am not him, I'd never hurt you." His forehead rested against hers, breathing her in, she allowed it.

"Damon please."

"What?"

She was pulling her hands away, "Don't ruin this."

Elena stepped away, this time he let her.

Fine, so he couldn't reason with her, not now.

But he would. She wanted him, he felt it.

When he went back after her, his eyes searching for her around the place, landed on someone else.

The man he hadn't seen in years.

Damon strode to him, the man's mouth curved to a smile as he begin leaning in for a hug. Damon held his arm at distance and bit out, "What are you doing here?"

His father stood there, not surprised by Damon's hostility.

A few more greys in his hair than Damon remember but he still stood tall and fine in his designer suit. A champagne glass in one hand, still smelling like old money and cigars.

"My-My, Ace, some would be happy to see their father after a half decade." His voice a bit strained, his hand still on Damon's shoulder.

"Well I am not some, get the hell out of here before you get escorted out." He pulled his father's hand off.

"Ace- you're still holding that big of a grudge?"

"Exactly, I resent you with every breath I take." He couldn't help but snarl, "This is my new life."

"Denial and nothing more. Come home, son." His voice a bit softened.

He frowned, "I am a grown fucking man, I am not going anywhere I don't want to be."

That was it, his father's patience was exhausted, his face hardened, "Is that so? Then stop throwing a tantrum like a little girl and get back home."

"Father-" he had only grumbled when Jonathan interrupted them.

"Excuse me, do I know you?"

Damon palmed his head as Jonathan looked at his father, "No bloody way- Giorgio Maxim."

Correction, his father's actual name was Giuseppe Giorgio Maximiliano Salvatore.

Though, typical of his father to hate sharing, he was called as Giorgio Maxim in the business world.

And he wasn't hard to recognise.

"Last time we met, twenty five years ago, in London, the first man to beat me in chess."

His father laughed.

Damon loathed that sound, once he had thought his father was a good man, but all this aura of hospitality around him was a show.

He was as ruthless as they come.

"And you were the first to give me a hard time in that game." His father shook Jonathan's hand.

"You know my son-in-law?" Jonathan asked clearing his throat.

Damon bit the inside of his cheek, well his father and him looked nothing alike, he had taken after his mother and his younger brother after his father.

"Why yes- he's my son, my eldest." Giuseppe patted Damon's back, who itched to step away.

"Your son? Is that right?" he looked at Damon, who nodded, "I am afraid so."

Giuseppe laughed covering it up as a joke, "Ace just cracks me up."

Jonathan gestured for Elena to join them and Damon wanted to stop her but it was too late she was there, standing a deliberate step away from Damon, her cheeks reddening a bit.

"Elena, Damon has hidden a criminal secret from us."

Damon bit his lip as Jonathan added, "Meet his father- Giorgio Maxim. "

Elena's eyes widened as she shook Giuseppe's hand, " Mr. Maxim of Giorgio Corporations, god- I am such a fan, I just read the piece on Giorgio Dynamics on the weekend. Its such an honour meeting you."

Damon was incredibly rattled at the man holding Elena's hand now, "You're as lovely as I'd heard."

"Elena isn't just all looks- she brought in tough clients from Europe this month." Jonathan declared proudly, of course he had to show off in front of the guy who was his equal.

"Well maybe Ace might learn a thing or two about carrying the legacy, making the family proud."

"I am perfectly fine with how proud you already are, you could take it down a notch." Damon said with a fake smile as well.

His father laughed, "He's just full of zingers, this one.

Jonathan shrugged, "Well, the world is full of surprises, Giorgio Maxim's son worked a cubicle job in my company."

Damon interrupted, "I had an office."

Giuseppe ignored him, "My boy is passionate to a fault, he told me he didn't need me to succeed. And now I believe him, which is why- I might need him back."

Damon clicked his tongue, "Excuse me gentlemen, I am getting a call." He lied as he escaped the suddenly suffocating room, he didn't miss how Elena's eyes met his in question before he left.

dededede-dededede*

It was 1 in the night when Elena came back home from Jonathan's house, seeing Damon's cark parked, she was infuriated.

She grabbed her clutch and walked in.

Upstairs in the bedroom, Damon had a bottle of whiskey and a glass on the table, while he was pouring himself one when Elena walked in.

"How does it look on the newspaper headline: Elena Gilbert, gets engaged- the couple comes back home in separate cars, the groom- 4 hours too early."

He shrugged.

She threw a cushion at his shoulder, "Dick."

"Ow." He rolled his eyes and then continued drinking.

She took off her heels, "And by the way, you could have told me you were rich."

"I am not rich, my father is."

She groaned, "He's been calling you his golden child for the past few hours, you are rich."

He shook his head, "I've not seen a dime of that money, not since 7 years ago."

"Doesn't mean you don't have it, are you trying to escape who you are?"

He lied down back against the sofa.

She walked closer, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't think it was important." He murmured with closed eyes.

"And now?"

"Still isn't any of your business."

"Your father was at our engagement party, it is my damn business."

He stayed quiet.

Elena asked again, "Is this because I turned you down, is that why you're acting like an asshole?"

He opened one eye, "You're scared I don't need your deal now that my father is begging me to come back, don't worry I am not backing out of our deal, now shut up."

She flinched with his tone, "If you're going to be like this, then we won't stay friends."

He finally got up, "Good because I don't want to be your damn friend. You know you want to keep this facade, being so oblivious to what I feel, to what you feel."

She tensed up, "You're no better than me, tonight is proof of that. You kept your whole identity a secret from me, I haven't even processed that. I do see what you feel, but its confusing, its hard to believe- you don't want a future, no marriage, no children, no fucking next step, you said you'd never hurt me like Elijah, but you're just like him."

"What the hell did you just say to me?" He slammed his glass down.

"Its true isn't it? You want me enough to make this real, not enough to want a future with me, how selfish." She gritted her teeth, "At least Elijah stood up to Jonathan, you can't even give yourself what you want- you're a coward."

A gasp left her when he held her arms yanking her forward, till she ended up in his arms, his other hand fisted her hair at the back of her head, not pulling- just making her look at him in the eye.

"He cheated on you, mislead you for years, I was only ever honest about what I could give you."

"Well I don't want it." She spat.

He shook his head, "Too bad you're engaged to it."

"Fake engaged." She reminded him.

"We are engaged. You're not gonna get away with saying another man's name in front of me." He pulled her up till she was on her tiptoes, her eyes glaring back at him.

"What a caveman." She pushed against him.

He held her there tightly, "Well this is what you're marrying into, princess. Or pretending to marry into." He grinned.

She elbowed him and pushed him back, "Take another room. You're not sleeping in here."

De-de-de-de-de-de-De*

It had been months, if she was counting- a good six months to her 'fake relationship ' with Damon.

5 and a half, they shared a bed.

She had gotten used to him.

Especially after the break in earlier this year.

There had been some tension between them ever since Elijah confessed to Jonathan but tonight it just exploded.

She touched her lips remembering the kiss in the garden, then she turned on her back, shaking the thought away.

He was an asshole tonight. She wasn't going to break the ice between them, he had already peeled back a lot of her layers when it came to being emotional.

She hated that he had seen her cry.

And she had really liked him.

He was so normal, not like Elijah, he was simple.

But that was also a lie, he was an heir to an empire, though vehemently ignoring the fact.

Jonathan called him a hippie.

Elena called him a coward.

She turned again to press her face against her pillow, hand reaching to his side, feeling mad at herself for missing him.

He didn't deserve it.

Just then she heard a tap on the glass, "Damon?" she sat up in urgency, embarrassed how soon she said the name.

But there was no one there.

Was there a break in again?

Elena reached into her drawer and got her gun, she got out of bed, and walked to the door, no one was there.

"Damon?"

No answer.

He was probably in the guest room downstairs.

She got in bed, still holding the gun, a sweat starting to break on her forehead yet shivering slightly in fear.

At last, she crushed her pride in the face of fear and got her blanket and pillow, rushing downstairs.

There were guards outside, she shouldn't be scared, but guards had been there before and someone had broken in. Damon had saved her then.

He could be an emotional coward but he was brave.

Elena opened the guest room door and sighed of relief noticing it wasn't locked. He was asleep inside, shirtless- she noticed. She put a pillow between them and put her head on his outstretched arm, pulling the blanket on herself.

He seemed to have woken up, yet he didn't sit up, just holding his head up, he said, "Lena?"

"It's too quiet up there I can hear every pin drop, can't sleep." She explained in a rushed whisper.

He nodded, "Come here." He seemed to have gathered her shivering body in his arms as he pulled her closer until her head was on his shoulder.

She sighed of relief, he seemed to be in a semi-sleep state, maybe if she got up early, he wouldn't even remember she was here, but then his lips brushed against the top of her head, "Its okay, sleep."

She still glared at him, his eyes were closed, he was already back to sleeping.

And in minutes she was out too.

dededede-dededede *

Damon was sitting across from Elena in the morning meeting, she made her effort to distance herself, but last night she was there in the guest bedroom with him, no matter how embarrassed she was of it now.

Every time their eyes met, she tucked her hair or looked elsewhere instantly.

The morning had been a bit awkward for Elena, he had thoroughly enjoyed her throwing her leg and arms over him last night like he was her teddy bear or something.

But when she woke up...

She attempted to get out of bed, detangling her legs from his, "Good morning."

She squeezed her eyes shut as her cheeks turned red, "Oh hi."

"Slept good?"

She was getting out when he held her wrist, when she glared at him, he raised a brow, as if saying, 'answer my question first.' Elena nodded, "Yes, good."

"So are we doing this daily or should I come back upstairs?"

She shook her head, "I'll think about it."

He didn't let her hand go, she pulled but failed.

"What? Aren't you suppose to be mad at me?" she mocked.

He shook his head, "Can't seem to, you're too fucking beautiful. I can't even remember what we were fighting about."

She pulled her hand, "Its stupid and cheesy stuff like that." She got out of bed, "Wanna have breakfast, fiancée?" he asked

Elena did her best not to stare at his chest and abs, if only they made body pillows like that.

Elena cringed at the word 'Fiancée', "I have a morning meeting, I am surprised you don't remember, you have one too"

"Oh right." He got out of bed, "better get a shower." He made sure he got in her way, as he walked to the bathroom and pulled down his boxers near the door.

Elena's jaw dropped but she quickly looked away.

She was clicking her pen, glaring at him, imagining things she'd never do- like if no one was in the conference room, she'd definitely tear his shirt off, kiss him like there was no tomorrow, order him to fix the ache he put between her legs.

Her skin was getting hotter, Damon was staring back shamelessly.

As if telling her 'game on'

Like he knew exactly what was going through her mind, and he'd deliver much more than she was anticipating.

She squeezed her thighs together trying to think of much non-sexy things.

Paperwork, pens, Jonathan.

The last one did it.

After the meeting ended, Jonathan asked her to stay back, she did.

"So what does he say?"

Wow, Elena had completely forgotten Damon's father had asked them a favour last night.

Jonathan said he would help.

Why? Because they were going into business together.

"We didn't talk about it?"

"Why didn't you? Its not like there is much to talk about in a sham relationship, please tell me you're not one of those things- friends with benefits." He cringed.

Elena groaned, "Ugh, Gramps, Never say that again. Besides, Damon and I aren't friends." She seethed, "He's merely a fiancé prop."

"But he's not, I mean- come on Elena, sooner or later he will get the family business, we both know that's profitable."

She sighed, "I know."

"Get through to him, he's not going to be the fucking house husband here. Giorgio is the biggest fish you and I could ever catch."

She repeated, "I know."

"I am glad that we are on the same page. I don't care about your private life, but the public one-"

"I know." She said with finality, "But I already did ask him about the marriage contract in Paris, he didn't want to do it."

"Then I'll make him."

"I don't think that's the right thing to do."

Jonathan chuckled humourlessly, "Making a fool out of me, playing me, was not the right thing to do Elena, you did it. You'll do it again."

She walked out, looking around, she went towards his office.

However, he was already attending to a visitor.

His father.

Though they were arguing, she tried to get close to listen.

"I don't want to hear it, I am not coming back, father."

"You're making me force my hand-" his voice trailed off.

Damon was deathly quiet before he asked, "Are you blackmailing me? So what, you'll turn me in, I'll turn you in." He spat back.

"I'd never tell the authorities, just that fiancée of yours, she's why you wanna stay? I don't mind her."

"I don't care what you think, you'll not tell Elena a word."

He shrugged, "I might. You're stubborn but I am your father, imagine how stubborn I am."

Damon hissed, "You're seriously pulling this shit?"

"Ace, I really do apologise. But you're staying away from the legacy, I worked my blood, sweat and tears into."

"Not just your blood." Damon grumbled.

"Damon." His father never said his name, but when he did it did sound more grave.

"You'll come back, we will mend our relationship and you will take over." He said with finality, "and that's that."

"If I don't."

"Then you'll lose this place, the rough way- you'll lose the Gilbert heiress, you'll lose everything you set your eyes on, I'll make sure of it."

Elena hid when his father left, Damon paced the office, "Shit." He cursed running a hand through his rough hair.

Elena stepped in, knocking on the glass door, he was about to dismiss the person rudely but when he saw her, he took a sigh, calming down a bit.

She walked in, "Was that Giorgio?"

"Its Giuseppe actually. He's a fucking fake."

Elena smiled, "Reminds me of someone." She meant it playfully but that seemed to have the opposite effect on him, she walked to him, "So what did he want?"

"I am going back home with him." He shrugged.

Elena mentally thanked her lucky stars, she didn't even have to do much.

"Well- where is home?"

"Virginia."

"That's far."

He nodded then looked down at the floor, "You're not gonna stop me?"

"Are you gonna stop?"

He shook his head.

She knew why, his father threatened him.

"Does he have anything on you?"

Damon frowned before murmuring, "No. But I have to go."

"If you're not going to stay, Can I come with?" she asked, Jonathan did said she had to keep close to him, had to make him agreed on a marriage contract.

It wouldn't be possible from thousands of miles away.

She told herself that was the only reason.

"Your life is here." He shook his head.

"Jonathan would somehow make the transfer for me." She pursed her lips, "Wouldn't your father be alarmed that you left your fiancée behind?"

He leaned against his desk, "I don't want a fake fiancée."

She shrugged, "Doesn't have to be fake."

He narrowed his eyes, she continued, "Last night you said that we are engaged, that I don't get to say another man's name in front of you."

"Long-distance engagement could work." He tutted.

"And miles away would you be able to sleep peacefully thinking about me with other men?"

He clenched his fist.

She continued, "I've grown fond of sharing my bed, pillow wall or not."

Before she could say anything else he hissed, "Why do you have to be so difficult?"

She grinned, "I thought you loved that about me."

"Go pack your damn bags."

Before she could leave he held her hand, pulling her to face him, "A part of me knows you're fucking with me, that you're going to completely annihilate what's left of me, crazy thing is I am tempted to let you. But I will not fucking stand by and watch anyone touch or take what's mine."

"And what is?" her voice hardly above a whisper.

"You. You're mine, you know it, I know it." He brushed a few strands behind her ear, leaning down to whisper, "You shouldn't have picked me for your little game."

She took a deep breath trying to control her senses that were going into overdrivez when his lips touched her ear.

She jerked back, walking out of there, turning around to look at him. He winked to which she glared.

Did she ever the cards? Or did Damon Salvatore knew what he wanted from the start?

Authors note:

Helllllo thank you so much for such a nice response on the last chapter. I am super nervous about writing nowadays and I plan to write many more stories. I hope you like this chapter, I worked hard on it.

Thank you so much.

Next chapter: Elena and Damon go back to his town, he has a secret, she has one too.

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