'The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity' Ulysses S. Grant
As I lay awake in bed, I can't help but wonder what Sage is up to? Knowing our history, I shudder to think what she has up her sleeve. I'm also certain that since she saw Elena and me together, she'll try to involve her somehow. Shivering, I pull Elena closer to me, draping my arm around her middle. I press a few kisses to her hair then close my eyes. Before long, dreams invade my subconscious.
Oh my God, Damon that was amazing," she says breathlessly just before I roll off of her sweat sheened body. I raise up and plant another kiss on those voluptuous lips of hers. I don't know for sure but she must 'Botox' those lips. They're so full and plump. After she catches her breath, she raises up and straddles me. "Are you ready for round two?" she teases. Smirking, I raise my hips so she can feel how ready I am.
I lurch up in bed drenched in a cold sweat. Thank God it was only a dream, no a nightmare. The mind is a strange thing. Why on earth would I dream about that? I reach over to grab the bottle of water sitting on my bedside table. I glance over at Elena, grateful that I didn't wake her up. I don't want to lie to her but as insecure as she is, I can't tell her I dreamed about my past with Sage. After setting the water bottle back down, I lean over and press a kiss to her temple then settle in to go back to sleep. Unfortunately my mind is once again overtaken by dreams of my past.
"Take a seat Damon," Finn says harshly as he motions for me to sit down. I don't know what's wrong. He and I have always been on good terms. We grew up together. Nik, Eli, Ric and I were always together. Finn is four years older than us but he would play basketball and football with us. He'd take us to parties as we got older. It's a good thing my mom never found out about that.
"You seem upset. Is there a problem with my department?" I ask, anxiety coloring my voice.
"Yes Damon, there most certainly is. As you well know, we've been losing account after account because someone is stealing our plans. The information is being leaked from your home computer Damon. We had a forensic computer technologist go through all the computers both here and the satellite ones that aren't on site. Damon, the leak is coming from your home computer."
"Wha.. wha.. what? No Finn." I say shaking my head back and forth. I jump out of my chair, my mouth gaping like a fish put of water. "I wouldn't betray you like that. You're practically family. If whatever you found implicates me, then someone has set me up. C'mon Finn. You know me," I plead, collapsing into my chair.
He tosses me a file. I rub my sweaty palms on my jeans before taking a look at the incriminating evidence. "It's saying that all this information was lifted from my home computer." I can't explain it... Then it hits me, Sage. She's the only one who's been in my bedroom where that computer is located during the time the information was stolen.
"It was Sage." I utter. "We've been seeing each other. She's the only one who's had access to that computer. There's no one else it could be." I tell him with as much conviction as I can summon.
"If you're sure, you better come up with a way to trap her because I will lose my business if this continues."
"I'll get my team on it. Maybe we can plant some fraudulent information. If lady luck is on our side, she'll run with it. Thanks for believing me, Finn," I say as I walk out his office door in a daze.
Elena is still asleep when I wake up. I grab my robe and slippers and head downstairs to get some coffee and talk to my mom. I need to find out if Finn still in town among other things.
"Good morning," she says handing me a cup of coffee. "I have bad news Damon. You're going to have to go out with Sage if we want that five thousand dollars she bid. You have to follow the rules. I'm completely in your corner Damon but if we want to buy that elevator for Elena, you're just going to have to bite the bullet and do it," she says sadly.
"Mom, I'll donate the five thousand dollars myself. I don't have to go out with her. I don't ever want to have to breathe the same air as her again."
"Do you have that kind of money laying around?"
Exhaling heavy, I bury my head in my hands, "no, of course not."
"I'm sure Elena will understand. She knows how you feel about her. She'll understand."
"I don't want her to have to understand. I don't want to go out with Sage whether it's for five minutes or five hours," I say firmly.
"You have to follow the rules. It'll be over before you know it," she scolds gently.
Deflated, I exhale again, "Fine, but it's going to be short. No more than a couple of hours," I warn.
"I don't have a problem with that," she says taking my hand and squeezing it.
"Is Finn staying at home or is he staying at the motel?"
"He told me he's staying at the house. Do you need to talk to him?"
"Yeah, I want to find out if he has any idea of what Sage has brewing in that twisted little mind of hers? He might have some idea of why she's here. I know I'm grasping at straws but I have to start somewhere. She'll try to hurt me using Elena, I'm certain of that," I tell her, my voice filled with conviction.
"Yep," she says before getting up to pour another cup of coffee. "Here, give this to Elena. You should probably get back upstairs."
Nodding, I take the cup from her and go back upstairs.
"You're awake," I say, handing her the cup of coffee. "Mom said to say hi." That beautiful blush erupts all over her face. "Don't be embarrassed. Mom knows we're seeing each other."
"I know but it's your mom," she says softly with a smile on her face.
"Elena, she's incredibly fond of you," I say, raising her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to every knuckle.
"You ready for some breakfast?"
"Damon, come on in," Finn says, gesturing me inside.
"I bet I know why you're here," he says seriously as he leads me into the family room.
"Sage," I utter. "Do you have any idea why she's here or what she could possibly want?"
"You know that she resigned in disgrace from her old job. I know she's been dipping her toe in the water, trying to find a position with another advertising agency. She finally found a job working for Liam Davis. Have you heard of him?"
"Yeah, the name sounds familiar. Didn't you butt heads with him some time ago?"
"I sure did. You remember Abby? He tried to bribe her to give him some inside information about a big account of ours. Thankfully she's loyal and came to me immediately. I'm sure he's well aware of our history with Sage so I don't know what his plan is. I have all the dirt we dug up on Sage in a my safety deposit box. If she messes with me again, she's going to prison. I would guess she wants some revenge for your role in her downfall."
"I'm sure you're right. I'm just afraid she's going to mess with Elena. There are times she's really insecure about us given her paralysis so I don't want Sage anywhere near her."
"I understand. If you need my help, don't hesitate," he says shaking my hand before walking me to the door.
"Thanks Finn. I'll be in touch," I tell him as he shuts the door behind me.
It's Saturday evening. I'm meeting Elena at the Grill. Ric had some errands to run so he said he'd drop her off for me. Somehow I managed to get through my 'date' with Sage. I swear that was the longest two hours of my life. We barely said two words to each other. She took perverse pleasure watching me squirm because I not only had to be in the same room with her, I had to sit at a table with her. I spent the entire two hours trying to keep a lid on my temper. I told my mother that as long as I live, I'm never participating in a bachelor auction ever again.
When I walk inside, my mouth drops when I see Sage sitting next to Elena, grinning like the Cheshire cat. She raises her eyes and smiles from ear to ear when she sees me. I notice Elena wiping her eyes before slamming her hands on the wheels of her chair and backing up. I run over to her as quickly as I my feet will carry me.
"Elena? What's wrong baby?" I ask anxiously.
"Just leave me alone Damon. How could you? You promised you wouldn't hurt me. Let me be," she says angrily through clenched teeth.
Before I can even begin to sort out what Sage has poisoned her mind with, I'm reeling from a fist to the mouth, landing me in a heap on the floor. When I gather my wits, I open my eyes only to see Ric glaring at me. "I warned you about hurting her Damon," he says before slugging me again. Then he takes Elena's wheelchair by the handles and pushes her out of the grill.
"How does it feel, Damon?" Sage taunts when I open my eyes.
"What the hell did you do?" I demand, my voice seething with anger.
"This," she replies, handing me a copy of our local newspaper. My eyes widen in shock. Splashed on the front page is a picture of Sage and me with our lips locked, passionately. The headline reads:
'One of Mystic Falls most eligible bachelors has a very romantic evening with Miss Sage Green. Ms. Green bid five thousand dollars to spend an evening with the dashing Damon Salvatore', story continues inside on page 2.
"How did you do this?" I ask, utterly crestfallen.
"Oh Damon, You should know better than to swim with the sharks! I know someone who's very adept at photo shopping and having a little disposable cash helps as well," she says, her voice full of malice.
"You won't get away with this."
"I think I already have. Your little girlfriend left, clearly enraged. I don't think she'll want to be around you anytime soon if ever again. Revenge is so sweet," she snarls, clearly enjoying her spoils. "Do you really think your little girlfriend will want anything to do with you now?" she taunts, breaking out in hysterical laughter, sounding way too much like 'Cruella de Vil'.
I stare her down before running to my car to go straight to Elena. Ric comes out like gangbusters when I knock at the door.
"Before you lay into me again, this is a lie, Ric. You know I wouldn't do this. Sage admitted to me that it's photo shopped. I need to see her."
He looks over the newspaper for several moments and then stares deeply into my eyes.
"I promised her that I wouldn't hurt her."
"But you did, Damon. They don't look photo shopped. Explain."
"Gees Ric, we dated for awhile. Of course she would have pictures of us kissing. That pictures are real. She just had them superimposed onto Mystic Falls locations so Elena would believe her."
As if trying to decide whether to believe me or not, he stares. Several minutes pass before he speaks, "After seeing this, I realize this isn't your fault but I think you need to leave her alone tonight. Jenna is trying to calm her down. I will talk to Jenna and to Elena but you need to leave tonight."
"If you give me your word you'll tell her this is a lie, I will go for tonight," I tell him despondently.
"You have my word, Damon. Go home."
With that, I turn around in defeat to go home.
The first thing the next morning, I run over to Elena's house hoping she'll see me. Jenna answers then steps outside closing the door behind her.
"Listen Damon. I believe you when you tell us nothing happened. Please just give her some time. That woman completely decimated all the progress she's made. I don't understand why a complete stranger would do that to her?"
"Look Jenna, can I just see her, please?"
"Not now. It took me a long time to get her settled down last night. She's still sleeping. I'll talk to her. Why don't you stop over when you get off work, okay?"
Although disheartened, I reluctantly agree before walking dejectedly to my truck.
My mind just isn't on the job today. We're cutting trees to ship down river to the saw mill. I take a moment to wipe my brow and take a swig of cold water before heading back up the trail to join the rest of the guys. With my attention elsewhere, I don't even hear Jake yelling at me to get out of the way. When I hear the loud crack of a tree snapping, I look up to see that I'm directly underneath it as it begins to topple. I'm frozen, unable to move as it's coming down right on top of me. White hot, blistering pain is the last thing I feel as everything fades to black.
Damon? I hope you enjoyed this. Thank you Eva and thanks to all of you for your reviews. They really mean a lot to me. I posted the first chapter of 'Nothing Else Matters' yesterday. I do hope you'll give that a look as well as 'Pieces of Eight'. I have three stories in progress right now. They are all completely written so no worries about one or another being abandoned. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Until next time...