Disclaimer : I do not own the Vampire Diaries or any and all of the characters and settings used.
Author's Note : This is my second story. Post 3x07. Enjoy reading. Reviews, suggestions and comments are very much appreciated.
THE PERFECT CHOICE
By Veronica Bali
Chapter 2 : Jealousy Strikes
A day ago
"You're worrying a little too much." Caroline took a sip from her coffee, swinging her crossed legs in impatience.
I was instantly defensive, "I'm not. It's just weird." I looked around the café and everyone was too busy to even mind anyone else. The roadside highway was even busier, with people probably late in their 8 a.m. appointment. I looked back to Caroline who was still staring down at me, waiting for a detailed explanation.
I let her in on my thoughts, "It's just not Damon to leave town and dodge my calls overnight, especially when everything could not get any more complicated."
"Speaking of complications, how's Stefan and Rebekah?" she asked and I was partly relieved that she didn't comment on how I just spilled about Damon. I told her I saw Stefan yesterday, and that I'd rather not dwell into particulars. Rebekah had been MIA, and we both agreed it was good news. At least there was good news. Bonnie had been hung up with Jeremy and Tyler had disappeared right about the same time Rebekah left. Everything was just falling apart bit by bit.
"You do know you have no hold on Damon right?" She quickly changed the topic, using her way with words, "I mean, it's not his responsibility to always talk to you, save you, protect you all that, he's not your boyfriend and he's not going to –" Caroline stopped, seeing my eyes were widened in surprise.
"I'm sorry. I just – I'm sorry Elena." She said, and I managed to curve my lips a little. I perfectly understood what she meant, and for the weirdest reason, it made me feel uncomfortable. It would be a lie to say that I haven't been reliant on on Damon. Because I have and I am.
As if on cue, my phone rang. I immediately rummaged through my purse, took it and answered in breathless relief. "Hello?"
But the voice was not Damon's.
"Hi." It was a woman's voice, "You called Damon a couple of times yesterday, I was worried it might be an emergency."
I gripped my phone so hard, I was surprised it didn't break. "Is he alright? Where is he?" I asked. I took a second to look at Caroline, who was listening intently, ready to take note of my reaction to what the woman was about to say.
"He's fine," I heard a smile through her voice, "He's out but he'll be back. Do you want to leave a message?"
"Just tell him Elena called and tha – " before I could even fathom the surge of emotions coming to me, I heard a door's hinges creak and a familiar voice say, "Who is it?"
"It's Elena," I heard the woman say before she turned to the phone, " Damon's here."
After a while, Damon's deep voice settled all the worries I have been trying to conceal, "Hey Elena, you okay?"
"Can you come back now?" It was all I could muster to say. And it seemed selfish in my point of view, but it made me feel better. Caroline gave me a questioning look. Surely, I will not be easily let off after.
"Yeah. I'll meet you at the house in an hour."
I finally came through to a real smile before I hung up, leaving Caroline more intrigued. I sipped from my coffee, it was almost cold, much like the palm of my hands. I didn't know why I still had a certain feeling of anxiety. I didn't want to find out. But Caroline thought she had it all figured out, she commented "So… I was wrong, maybe you do have a hold on Damon, but the more important question is," she paused, "does he have a hold on you?" It almost caused me to fall off my chair.
I was an hour early when I arrived at the Salvatore's. I wanted to go see Stefan, but I decided against it, instead I sat down at the living room and waited. The phone call with Damon kept replaying in my head. I wanted to deny that I didn't feel a hole form in my gut when I heard a woman answer his phone, but I can't. I'm not jealous. I tried to convince myself. But somewhere inside me, I knew that at some point, I was. Luckily, before my train of thoughts turned into a train wreck, footsteps over the wooden floor caught my attention.
"Damon," I stood up upon seeing him, threw my arms around him, drove my head into his chest, and decided damn to morals.
"Whoa. Easy tiger," he smirked.
I slowly let go and pressed my palm firmly onto my forehead, "You weren't answering my calls, I didn't even know where you were." I saw Damon's brows meet, seeing how stressed I was about him. Normally, I wouldn't be too candid about things like those. But sometimes normal just won't work, especially after a talk with a friend who has subtlety issues.
"I missed you too, Elena." He mocked, closed his lips a little bit, and did his thing with his eyes. I rolled my eyes and let out a little laugh. I was trying to conceal that he almost set me off. It had been happening more often recently and it had been getting harder to suppress whatever feeling it brought, a feeling I refuse to realize. Suddenly, the smile in my face dropped. Damon noticed it, and looked behind him. Clad in black dress, a woman of her twenties stood by the archway, her features molded into a promise of beauty, her brown curls settled near her perfectly shaped bosom.
A feeling of uneasiness ran through, and it was probably hinted in my face. Damon took my hand, and I held it back, firmly. We passed her, and headed to the door. Up-close, she looked more striking than fragile, more glowing than pristine, she was beautiful, and the thought made me even more restless. Damon opened the door, and I heard her say something, but both me and Damon disregarded it.
Outside, we headed to the car. I realized I still had his hands on mine, perfectly intact. I immediately removed it from his hold, what am I doing? I was at war with myself.
Author's Note : I think it's my habit not to make things progress too fast without reason. But surely, much more intense Delena scenes to come. Also, I hope you guys liked the future flash I worked on the first chapter. :) Reviews and comments are love. :)