!Content Warning! If you have a high sensitivity to dealing with characters of a volatile nature, and harsh depictions of sensitive subject matter, please be warned this story is one of mature content and adult themes such as abuse and language. Subject matter will get heavier as the chapter's progress. Also I do not own these characters.
Forbidden fruit. A strong desire or craving for something all the more because it is not allowed.
Master. A man in a position of power of people working for him, typically servants/slaves.
Slave. A person who is legal property to another and forced into obedience.
Chapter 5 Her Master Adores Her
Rating M
A/N re-edited with help from lovely Bamonlicious on the French!
Damon and Bonnie didn't do cordial these days. She spoke when spoken to and only of things of a working nature. Their last heavy conversation did not sit well with her. She was forced to look at their relationship and deal with it. Maybe she and Damon were good for the first few years, as best friends. She thought maybe, just maybe, they could go back to that. He was a difficult man to get to, but even as she was starting to crack his shell, his revelation of having loved a slave when he was in college had angered her to her very core. She felt violated that he would touch her in ways that made her respond, all the while loving someone else. Or having loved another woman before her.
(Flashback – Damon comes home from college sees Bonnie)
Bonnie didn't understand that when Damon left, she was merely a girl. She was not of an appropriate age to look at or even have thoughts about. He always respected Bonnie. Bonnie meant everything to him. He had no idea he would come home and she would be every reason he lived for. He came home to a young woman, educated, sophisticated, wide-eyed, clean of impurities, and more beautiful than anything he had ever laid his eyes on. He remembers the day he got back home from school, He came home on the train, and his father and brother picked him up from the train station.
"You look good boy. Damn good." Giuseppe said. "You look like a man."
"I am a man father. I'm a man and I'm ready for the world."
"Stefan, you need to hurry up and formulate some happenings. You have yet to go to college." Giuseppe said.
"I'm sure Stefan has plan father. I'm certain he is working on something right now."
Stefan rolls his eyes. Stefan wants to Farm, and start a family. He could care less about business or wealth. He wants to make money off of his farm, and live a happy quiet life with his future wife and away from city hustle and bustle. They know he chooses a different path than Damon, so he has opted to take over all business regarding the family farm.
"So I take it you learned the ways of the world, the ways we do things. This is the college I went to, and your grandfather. We learned a lot of what we needed to learn as business men from there. I hope you are ready to come home and put your foot down. Make some changes in the business, and take control of your life."
"Of course. I am more than ready."
"Every aspect son. Your life is your control. People work for you, you will run a business, you will keep these servants in line. I am getting old."
"Yes, of course." Damon says wondering about how his role of responsibility in the house will change his dynamic with everyone. But he was confident and ready for the world.
They draw carriage and ride home, speaking of all of his school activities, and endeavors. Giuseppe was pleased to know that Damon had a servant in school, and learned how to deal with and handle her the way a master was supposed to handle his slave. He knew Damon would have his hands full with Bonnie. The servant they had, who had all of the freedom in the world, thanks to Lilian. The daughter Lily never had, happened to be their slave.
"Well, son, good to have the experience. You will have your hands full with little Bonnie,"
"Oh you don't say?"
"Lilian gives her too much freedom."
"She always has father." Stefan says, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, but I suppose it has turned her rotten?" Damon asks.
"Well, she is too damn smart I would say. Vocal, opinionated. I wouldn't mind, as long as she doesn't get the others riled up. You know that would be bad for business." Giuseppe says. "Bonnie is family."
"Yes, I suppose. I can't have her disturbing my money." Damon says. "I will make sure to keep her in line."
"Damon, I can always keep Bonnie to myself. I never mind having her around. She and I are good together." He smiles at his brother.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Stefan." Damon says. "She is family."
Stefan looks at Damon humorously, thinking to himself, 'If only Damon knew this Bonnie that he knows.' Maybe he wouldn't be so quick to judge.
"I suppose you will want a second servant then, to tend to your needs?" Giuseppe mentions.
"I, uh. Well, not right now. I will need to get settled in, then I will focus on that. Right now I am anxious to get into work and begin increasing revenues. Say, has Bonnie been, courted or approached by suitors? Do I need to worry about those types of dealings?"
"Absolutely not. You don't have to worry about her, Lilian has kept her on a tight rope. She has been offered many of luxuries, and proposals. We turn them all down, she knows nothing of the sort. I get several offers a week for her. They won't give up until I sell her."
"They understand she is in no way up for sale, now or ever, right?" Damon asks.
"Son, believe me, they all know they have to go through you."
"Well, she isn't for sale. She is family to me. She will never be for sale, so if I have to keep her forever to keep her safe, I will."
"Suit yourself my boy. Here, we have arrived."
Stefan awaits Damon's response to Bonnie. He has no idea what type of woman she has grown to be.
Each gentlemen's servant is outside awaiting their arrival to welcome them. Stefan's new servant, Sarah, Giuseppe's servant Astrid, and there she was awaiting Damon. Bonnie. His Bonnie.
As he stepped out of the carriage, she was almost unrecognizable. Of course she was still very beautiful, but she was a woman now. Her green eyes, still green, had settled into an earthy green color with golden undertones. Her braid that hit her shoulder blades was now to the middle of her back. Her hair had also darkened. Her skin was flawless and he was afraid to approach her. He stood for a few moments taking her in. The shock on his face was evident. He was feeling anxious to touch her, and feel her pressed against him. He hugged her as if she might break, her body was delicate and although covered with heavy fabric from her dress, he could tell she grew into her body. Her breast were so supple for her petite frame. She seemed to have bloomed like a growing wildfire. Sporadically and out of nowhere, but a force to be reckoned with. Then she smiled and his entire being collapsed within itself, because he could tell she was still that sweet-faced, innocent girl he loved so much.
"Jeune Salvatore." She said with Elation. She speaks French now. "Bonjour mon bel ami, il est bon de vous voir. I am pleased to see you again." She repeats in English since he doesn't speak very much French.
Damon was so taken by her beauty and maturity he had no idea how to address her or what to say. Her French was beautifully spoken, and she was breath taking.
"My little Bonnie. You look very well." Was all he could say, as he kissed her hand. The compliment was small, and not as grand as he should have given, but it made her happy just as much. Seeing him made her heart flutter and she wanted to hug him again. So she did, and this time she pressed herself so tightly against him, he felt every curve of hers, against his matured body, she then kissed him on the cheek, with her soft, pouty lips. After having several experiences with women in college, he realized her hugging in such a way was inappropriate for their relationship. He quickly pulled away from her and went in to the manor, without so much as a word. Bonnie felt embarrassed and hurt.
When he returned downstairs it was finally dinner. He did not have the heart to let her know he was attracted to her, and that she made him hard within literal seconds of having seen her. So he opposed his feelings and instead showed her no favor, nor special treatment. He treated her like his property from the moment he got back. The only exception was the initial smile and look he gave her when he stepped from the carriage, a look of being lost in her beauty. After that, he has battled with his feelings from her since his return.
When Damon went to bed that night, Bonnie made one more stop off to his room to see if he needed anything. He dismissed her, with no additional chores.
"Jeune Salvatore, have I done something wrong?"
"No Bonnie, I am just tired is all."
"Alright. I just wanted to say that I missed you, and I am glad you are home."
"Thank you Bonnie, I missed you as well." He said offering a small smile.
She left, he didn't say more than a few non work related words to Bonnie every day. When she went to take her nightly bath, she bumped into Damon on her way out. He held her for longer than he should have, with his body pressed against hers making him hard. She felt soft and full, and his body reacted to hers immediately. He stared at her long and hard before he let her go and disappeared into his room to relieve himself of the memories of her body that day. He felt like a jack ass for having indecent thoughts about her. And aside from his impure thoughts about her, he was fond of everything else about her. Her French, her happy demeanor, her hard working ethic, her ability to lead many of the house servants, her dialect, even her sassy attitude, did something to stir him inside. She has really grown up, his little birdie.
(End Flashback)
It had been a couple of months that Bonnie accepted the company of Jeremy. He visited her at the Salvatore manor twice a week, and brought Emily one of those two times. Lily fancied having Emily around with Bonnie. She saw a different side of Bonnie. A more carefree, loving side of Bonnie. It was Damon suggestion to allow the Jeremy and Emily over, as opposed to Bonnie going to the Gilberts.
Jeremy was close with both Bennett girls. It bothered Lily, that Jeremy has such a close connection with Emily, when he was courting Bonnie. She hoped he wasn't trying to take advantage of the two girls hearts. Some days it was hard to see whether he fancied Emily or Bonnie. But for some reason, he made his efforts for Bonnie much stronger. He was protective of Emily though; the way Damon was of Bonnie. No one noticed it much accept for Lily.
Damon watched the three young people every time they were together.
"Damon?"
"Yes, Lily."
"Does Jeremy seem awfully close to Emily to you?"
"He seems too close to Bonnie for my own comfort."
Lily looks at Damon watch Bonnie.
"What are your intentions?"
"What do you mean?"
"Bonnie? I know you shelter feelings for her."
"Stop Lily. She is merely my servant."
"You sure that is all?"
"Yes."
"Well, all I want is honesty. You know I raised her alongside you and Stefan, almost like a sister. It would be unlikely she looks at you as anything differently, then a brother."
He says nothing. Rather he snares a bit. She is angering him.
"Damon!"
"What!"
"I think you fancy her, am I correct?"
"Why do you insist on pressing the issue?"
"She is like a daughter to me Damon. You know how I feel about Bonnie."
"So? Why is everything about you?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"First it was Stefan, he was the flagship son. Everything about Stefan was perfect, you adore everything he does. He can do no wrong. He hasn't even decided on a College; he has finished grade school for almost two years now. I was forced to choose so young. You did everything to give him whatever he wanted. Whilst I had to work, at a young age. Then Bonnie came and you took to her immediately. She was the daughter you never had. You know it didn't bother me. To see you happy was all that mattered. Because we both know Giuseppe doesn't make you happy. But, I was always pushed to be the hard worker, the emotionless one, the get it done, no time for rest, son. She is the only one who noticed me."
Lily looked at Damon with heartache, she had never heard such emotion from him. He was always forced to be like Giuseppe. He battled with himself. It angered him to not be heard in all of his youth. To just be a fixture on the wall.
"Son, I had no idea."
"Of course you didn't. Nobody did. But she did. She saw me. She cared about me, right away."
"Do you not look to her as a sister?"
"Maybe a long time ago." He said, biting back his anger, trying to be calm. "Then not having spoken to her much in four years, aside from letters, and returning home, she was almost a stranger again. I had no idea how to feel."
Damon swallows his pride and opens up to his mother, for the first time in his life.
"I came back to a young woman, who I can't take my eyes off of, and I remember, the beautiful person she was on the inside, and how she adored me. And I her. She was my best friend. Now I can't even think straight when she is around."
"Damon, have you told her?"
"What? No. She knows I love her, but not in that way, and she doesn't have eyes for me in that manner."
"Why do you say that?"
"I hurt her in many ways, and she will never forgive me."
"How can you be so sure she won't forgive you?"
"I see it, every time I look in her eyes. She doesn't trust me. She fears me. She hates me."
Damon's eyes slightly redden and water. Lily noticing her sons heart break takes his hand. Softly caressing his hand in a motherly way. It made him calm down when she did this. It was rare, but she did it on occasions that she needed to comfort him.
"Bonnie has never stopped adoring you. She spoke of you all of the four years you were off to college. She kept your picture in her room. She spoke of her fondest memories of you. For instance, when you used to read to her. She admires your courageous efforts to leave home and educate yourself. More than anything, she looked forward to your arrival, all four years you were away. Give it time son, she won't stay angry. It's not in her heart to be that way."
"I want to let her get to know other men first. I suppose it is the right thing to do."
"Why do you say that, son? Are your intentions with her of the long term, permanent sort?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"You just need to understand you cannot do ornery things to sabotage her happiness."
"Easier said than done. I've gone four years without her, now every minute I don't have her is a minute too long."
They both look at the girl outside that he loves. The girl that was raised to be like a sister, the girl that was his best friend, the girl that hums in the garden, the girl that he would never let go. She was his slave, and he loved her.
"Don't mention this Lily. I would like to keep this to myself." Damon's heart sounds like it is broken.
He peers back out the window at her. "I suppose their time is up. Bonnie needs to get back to work." Damon mentions with irritability, watching Bonnie spend time with Jeremy.
"Sure, I'll tell her son."
Damon went to his quarters and didn't come back down. When Bonnie came in to begin working she looked for him to thank him, for insisting Emily spend time at the Boarding house. He was in his room asleep. She let him be.
Days later
The Frenchmen were very fond of Bonnie. Damon insisted on being with Bonnie every time she went to the market place. The only difference now is he and Giuseppe purchased the market place. The owner didn't give much of a fight when the facts and figures were planted in his face. He almost let the market place go to easily. Now he just managed it for them. In order to help with the language barrier for his French workers. Today Bonnie was getting ready to start her new teaching job at the market place. She would be teaching the immigrants English. Damon insisted it be a new endeavor to add to her list of achievements.
Once they arrive, she casually greets Marcel and Sabine. Damon was put at ease now that he realized Marcel was married. Although he couldn't help but to notice the way Bonnie looked at Marcel and Sabine. He had never witnessed Bonnie look glumly before. He had never caught her staring at he and Elena this way either.
"Everything okay, Bonnie?" He asks.
"Oui Jeune Salvatore. Why do you ask?"
"You look like someone stomped on your heart."
"Oh. Sometimes it feels that way."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"No." She said softly and looked beyond the situation happening in front of her. Marcel and Sabine being sweet with one another as Damon was with Elena.
She walked casually away from Damon, while he was checking some work of one of the markets.
"Bonnie, how do you like teaching English to the immigrants?" Marcel asks walking up to Bonnie.
"It is fulfilling. Helping others." She stared at him a few second, and then looked to Sabine.
"Bonnie, can you and I talk in private?"
"Certainly." She allows Marcel to lead her to a quieter area of the market.
"Bonnie, I think I should explain somethings to you."
"Of course." She stands looking into his honest eyes. Hoping to get some understanding on the differences between her and Sabine. Although she wouldn't press Marcel on the issue. She respected his life choices.
"Bonnie, you are a beautiful young woman. Everything about you has always captivated me. I cannot explain the way your life and mine intertwined. I could not possibly taint you. I am a good man, but no so good, if you know what I mean. I have businesses that I am ashamed of, and a lifestyle not fit a little queen like you."
"What is this all about Marcel?"
"When I told you I only saw you as a kindred sort, as you American say, I was doing and saying what I thought was right at the time. You are so fragile and pure."
"I wish everyone would stop saying things like that to me."
"No. It is true Bonnie. You are a woman who doesn't quite realize her potential yet. I would be lucky to have such a lovely vision to wake up to every day. But …" He paused as he watched Damon come closer to them as they spoke.
"But, what Marcel?" She asked as if she was getting somewhere with him.
"Never mind. I will talk to you later."
"Marcellus, wait, we have not finished speaking."
"Please Bonnie, keep this between us. I promise for another time." Her hands reach to grab his, and he turns around and bumps into Sabine. Who just walked to them and had not heard their conversation. "Sabine, my sweet. We should go."
"Okay Marcel, but first, I must say I admire you Bonnie. You have always been selfless with helping others. Stay courageous the way you are." Sabine interrupts.
"Mercie. I should get back I have a class to teach in a few minutes. Then off to my studies. I have a question and answer later this evening with Elijah, my tutor, I should head to work before I anger my Master."
Damon has never heard her refer to him in such a way, except the time she told him, she would vow to stop loving him, and told him never to touch her again. He didn't like her demeanor when she used that word. It felt hateful.
"Bonnie, may I have a word with you?"
"Oui." She says to Damon then turns back to the happy couple, "I must go. It has been lovely."
Marcel and Sabine say good bye to Bonnie and part ways. Marcel notices her behavior towards him lately and he needs to talk to her when she is alone. Right now he will let it be.
After Marcel has gone a way down, Damon addresses his Bonnie. "What did Marcel have to say to you?"
"Just catching one another up on how our newly acquired lives are treating us, is all."
"You wouldn't be lying, now would you?"
"No Sir."
"Bonnie," Damon look to her with a face of concern, "Why did you call me that back there?"
"What did I call you?"
"Master."
"You are my master. Sir."
"I don't like you calling me that."
"I apologize. I won't do it again." She says blandly.
"Stop that, what is the matter with you?" She is irritating him with her blatant indifference.
"Nothing. What do you mean?"
Damon pulls Bonnie into his office and sits her down, kneeling in front of her. "You are going to tell me why you are so frumpy today. What has got you in this down trodden mood?"
"You do not wish to know."
"I do. Tell me." He tries to be of comfort her. Dealing with emotions is hard for Damon since he was made to push his aside his whole life.
Tears fall down her face and she looks at him as humbly as she can. She decides to leave Marcel out of the equation for the time being, and focus on the one man who is pursuing her, unabashedly. "Jeune Gilbert, has asked me to request my declaration papers from you."
"WHAT?"
She jumps, he went from supportive and caring to angry in a second.
"Why on Earth would I do that? I hope you told him my answer."
"I did not."
"Why? Are you considering asking me for that, honestly Birdie?" He yells.
"Don't call me that while you are yelling."
"Why does Jeremey find it to be wise to ask me, for your papers? Unless… No. It can't be. Is this what I think it is about?"
She looks at him and nods.
"Bonnie, he has decided to be man enough to ask your hand in marriage? And not first come to me, asking for my permission? Has he lost his got damned mind?" He is so loud his voice echoes throughout the village.
"I didn't want him to ask you."
"Why?" He asks angrily. "He thinks he is a man, doesn't he?"
"Because, I know you will say no."
"Damn right. No. No. And NO! He is merely a distraction Bonnie. You can't possibly love him."
"What does that matter, whether I love him or not, to you?"
"Do you?"
"It is the business of mine and Jeremy's how we feel about one another."
"Your business is my business. Period."
"You don't want me to be happy?"
"He won't make you happy. Stop forcing him on me! I mean yourself." Damon's fumbles over what he really meant to say, and had to quickly re-adjust his last statement.
"What did you say? You stumbled on another wording. Do you feel forced watching me and my fiancé?"
"Don't tempt me Bonnie to put you in line. He does not have my permission to have your hand. Number one, he did not ask me. Number two, lets me know he isn't man enough." Damon yelled.
"And number three you refuse to allow anyone to fall in love with me."
"Damn right! I forbid it. It is settled. Let that little schmuck know." He storms out of the room and slams the door.
She is left in a puddle of tears. She doesn't have time to cry or be angry with him. Bonnie has to get herself together for her next class. She wipes at her face in a hurry. Draining her skin of all redness if possible.
Someone enters the room behind her, hearing her sobs. "Pourquoi êtes-vous si triste, ma belle ?"
She turns around in shock at the Frenchman's voice she has never heard before? "Qui êtes-vous?"
''Lorenzo St John. Je suis l'associé de Damon Salvatore.''
He makes his way to the front of her. He is very handsome and foreign looking. She is embarrassed to have him catch her in such a state of mind, crying, and angry, and red.
"Une femme aussi belle que vous ne devrait pas se retrouver seule à pleurer." He then holds her and offers her something men don't offer her. Comfort. He wipes at her tears then he looks at her.
"Whoever it is, is not worth your sorrow."
"Well, unfortunately I am a slave. Apparently, even when I accept my circumstance, and try to be happy, sorrow is my middle name."
"This is unfortunately the environment, this country is trying to find its independence, therefore, the government is oppressive, especially to slaves. You have no idea which side to be on. America, or the Brits. It's a dark depressing age for your country, so the darkness has this effect on its people. It is very oppressive. You should move to France. You would love it there."
"Maybe one day. If I am ever free to do what I want."
"Sometimes, freedom isn't free, and sometimes, we can't ask for what we want or sit and wait for it. Sometimes we just have to take it."
"You suggest I leave the confines of my home, the only home I have ever really known, and abandon the one man who will never let a bad thing happen to me?"
"No. I simply said France would be happy to have a woman like you."
"Well, why are you here then, instead of your native land?"
"When France sent our troops here to help out, they also sent some of our people as a means to capitalize on financial gains. I can't help the fact the opportunity was too good to pass up. Plus, I have met you." As well as many other women, which Lorenzo would not admit to.
She smiles. He got her to smile. He kisses her on her cheek. "Now, how about you wear that the rest of the day." Speaking of her smile. "La plus belle chose qu'une femme peut porter est son sourire."
Once again she blushes. As they walk out he walks Bonnie to her next class. Watching her giggle and smile, makes him want to know her more. How could such a beautiful woman, be so sad?
"I would like to make you smile again sometime."
"Oh, I am taken. I apologize if I gave you an impression."
"No. You didn't. I merely saw that I wanted you and I spoke on it. But of course, you are taken. I would expect no less. American man, would be stupid to let you go, love."
He walks up to Bonnie kissing her hand softly and sweetly. She realized, this was not a boy. This was a man. He was not only beautifully put together by God, but he was more confident than anyone she had ever met before. She slowly pulls her hand back from him and backs away slowly.
"It was nice meeting you …?"
"Lorenzo."
"It is not proper for me to call a man by his first name, unless he is family or very close acquaintance."
"Considérez-moi comme de la famille."
But Bonnie did not want to consider him family. She wanted to consider him something, but family wasn't the word to come to mind.
"Jusqu'à la prochaine fois Lorenzo. Au fait, je suis Bonnie.''She says offering a smile.
"A la prochaine, belle Bonnie."
Bonnie walks to her class to begin teaching. Lorenzo watches her walk away until she disappears. Just as she disappears, Lorenzo sees Damon walking nearby.
"Damon. This teacher you have hired. Who is she betrothed by?"
"What? The young girl?"
"Oui. The beautiful brown skinned girl with the green eyes."
"You cannot have dealings with her. She is absolutely off of limits."
"You then? She is your maiden?"
"Not exactly."
"What does this mean, not exactly?"
"It means she is unavailable." Damon said losing his patience.
"Are you her suitor?"
"Who wants to know?" His face stiffens and he realizes this persistent man, is going to make him step out of a business-like behavior and into enemy territory.
"I do. I want to know her. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on."
"Listen, there are few things I am serious about in this world. My business, my family, and her. She is off limits."
"I See. So she is your personal slave? Your mistress. You bed her but you do not wed her?" Lorenzo's face gets angry. "She is better than being some personal property."
"You have no idea what she and my relationship entails. It is none of your business. But understand one thing, if you touch her, I will kill you."
"You Yankees are violent."
"Yankee? This is the South."
"I think you should allow your slave to be courted. She is much of the type of woman I would want to grow old with."
"Lorenzo, I have seen your dealings around here. With whores and such. Why should a man like you court a young woman like Bonnie? She is pure. Clear of impurities. Her mind, her body, her spirit, her heart. A man like you deserves nothing but a head nod from her. If that."
"Hmm. Well I guess we will just have to let her decide what I am worthy of."
Lorenzo walks away and laughs at Damon's dismay. He walks over to Bonnie's class and watches her teach a bit. He is completely captured by her. If Damon was unaware of the woman Bonnie was becoming, he was about to find out.
After a few days, Bonnie realized Damon had been distant. When she woke him for work, he was gone within minutes. When he returned later in the day, he kept himself busy until dinner, then after dinner he excused himself. He hadn't made space to speak with her or barely greet her.
"Supper is ready." She lets the family know.
Everyone is eating in a matter of minutes. Damon has not come to the table yet.
Bonnie goes to his quarters to get him. She knocks on the door for him. "Jeune, Salvatore?"
"Hello, are you in your room?"
(Knock Knock)
Again no answer. She slowly opens the door. She hears a noise she walks towards. Sometimes, she had to peer deep into his large room to find him. His room was the size of a small house. There were days he would read in his study, which was the size of a small library.
When Bonnie was younger, Damon would read to her excerpts of Shakespeare in his study. This may be one of the reasons she fell in love with him when she was younger.
"Jeune Salvatore."
"In the study."
"Hello. Your supper awaits you."
"Oh. Yes. I will be down."
Bonnie nods her head and turns to leave his large living area. She walks slowly, hoping he will say something to her. Anything other than otherworldly silence he has given her the past few days.
"Bonnie?"
"Oui." She responds quickly.
"Remember when I use to read to you?"
"Oui. I cherish those memories." When she smiles, he smiles, because he is happy she still has some happy memories of him.
"Come, please. Have a seat."
He motions for her to sit beside him on chaise. She gladly shuffles to him and sits very near him. Her bosom rest firmly in his line of sight, but he will choose to ignore it.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream, Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth… Has Elijah read Shakespeare with you?"
"No."
"I would like to start reading Shakespeare with you as a part of your tutoring. What do you think about this?"
Bonnie smiles. "This would make me very happy."
"Really?"
"Oui. I would love to tutor with you whenever you have time for me, Jeune Salvatore. You have no idea how happy you have made me." Her innocent eyes looking into his with hope. The type of hope he needs if he is going to continue giving in to her.
Damon smiles. He lifts her hand to kiss it. Her cheeks become beat red.
She abruptly grabs her hand from him, "Supper, will get cold."
"Yes. Of course." He pauses as he looks to her, she has him smitten.
She rises and shuffles towards the exit of his room. Bonnie turns to look at Damon and smile, he smiles back to her.
She leaves him alone until he makes his way to the dinner table.
"Will Damon be joining?" Giuseppe asks.
"He was in his study; he shall be down soon." Her smile leaves everyone in wonderment. Bonnie gathers tea for the family and pours them all her new recipe.
"I made this. It's a recipe of my own. It is Jasmine tea. I did not contrive flower tea, but this is just my own recipe. It will make for a lovely experience. Relaxing."
As she poured everyone's tea, they all took a light sip. Damon trickled in and sat down.
"This is lovely Bonnie; we shall try this for the next tea time. Do you know any other flower tea recipes?" Lily asks.
"No, but I can work on one."
"Yes, having two or three would be lovely. No one else's tea time will top it."
Bonnie's excitement grew. She went to pour Damon's tea and he grabbed her by her arm, looked at her and said, "Thank you, Bonnie. For being the best thing to ever happen to this family."
She almost dropped the tea, her shock hit her instantaneously.
He went back to eating as if what he just did, and said was not a big deal. Her shock was prevalent and the family noticed, as they noticed his lack of realization.
"To Bonnie." Giuseppe says. Again shocking both Lily and Stefan.
Damon lifted his head and smiled. "I second that."
"To Bonnie." The table and the help all witness this.
Bonnie thanks everyone and leaves the room. Sarah follows after her.
"Bonnie? What is happening, the family just showed you praise. With great admiration from Damon and Giuseppe."
"Yes, I know."
"What is the problem then."
"Jeremy has proposed to me. He wants me to get my declaration papers from Damon, so he can ask my hand in marriage."
"What?"
"Bonnie it has been a mere couple of months. Tell me you are not ready for this?"
"I don't know."
"Do you love him."
"I love how he makes me feel."
"But do you love him?"
"I do not."
"Say no Bonnie."
"What if, no one ever wants to marry me?"
"Bonnie, my love, do not fear this. You shall find the love you need and want. Don't settle for the one you are obligated."
"I fear that if I say no, he will stop coming around."
"So be it." Sarah says with finality. Sarah was older than Bonnie. She was older than Emily. She was a woman of confidence, and always gave Bonnie honesty. "I know for a fact, he is not the man with your heart. Do not allow yourself to be weak-minded for love. Not for a boy you do not love."
"It doesn't matter; Damon has denied me."
"Good for him, you can't do this Bonnie."
Damon comes to check on Bonnie, startling both Sarah and Bonnie. "A minute Sarah, alone with Bonnie."
"Yes. Sir."
"Bonnie, what have you run off for?"
"No reason. My wrist was acting up. I feared dropping the tea."
He held her wrist in his hand. Rubbed it gently then kissed it. "I see your wrist isn't getting better, I will have a doctor here this week to check it out."
"No Jeune Salvatore, no need to-"
"Protector, remember? I will always protect you. I was away for many years, but I am here now. I am no longer a young boy, I am a man, and I will not let any pain you have go unresolved without medical attention."
Once again, he takes her wrist in a kiss.
"Thank you Jeune Salvatore."
His eyes find her lips in this moment. Her eyes catch his eyes, and they stare at one another for a few minutes.
"I should get my cleaning done."
"Yes. I suppose so." Damon says, and kisses the corner of her mouth before heading to his own room. Her eyes shut and her imagination took over. "Bonnie?"
"Oui, Jeune Salvatore?"
"I would like you to sleep in my quarters tonight."
Bonnie offers a face of shock but nods her head. She trusts he will keep his hands to himself.
Bonnie's room and Damon's Quarters later that night
Bonnie decides she will await Damon in her room. She is unsure how to go about showing up to his quarters, for such a reason, as to share his bed. When she takes a bath, she dresses in her white gown, and sits on her bed. Lily comes in to brush Bonnie's hair and braid it.
"Bonnie, what is on your mind sweet girl?"
"Ma'am, how do I know when I am in love?"
"You just know."
"How did you know, with Monsieur Giuseppe?"
"Well, if I am being honest Bonnie, between you and I, I was in love before Giuseppe. A man named Thomas Dickens. He was my best friend. We grew up together and were quite fond of one another. I knew I loved him, because, no one ever made me feel the way he could. Even at his worse, no one could make me feel the love for him, that I felt, at their best. We were somehow connected, spiritually. Emotionally."
"Oui? And did you know right away?"
"No. Actually, it was hard to see past the years of friendship. It wasn't until I was being courted by other boys that I realized, none of them were Thomas."
"What about him did you love?"
"He challenged me to be better as a person. He believed in me, and he pushed me to be true to myself. Why Bonnie? Are you plagued by Jeremy Gilbert?"
"I do not know."
"Does he bring a burning desire within you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Does he ignite passion from your heart? Does he make you feel things emotionally that no other man can whether they be happy or sad?"
"No. Actually. He just makes me feel beautiful. And deserving. He would probably live to try to keep me happy though."
"Are those things enough for you to feel love towards him?"
"I wish I could. However, in these few short months, I still do not have romantic feelings for him. But I care for him. I care for him very deeply. He is a sweet boy. He makes me smile." She pauses for a few second. "He asked for my declaration papers."
"Bonnie, No? What did you tell him?"
"I said nothing, except I would talk to Jeune Salvatore. Who refused til the death of us both."
"Well, Bonnie. If you do not love Jeune Gilbert, do not marry him. Trust me. You will spend a lifetime trying to find something that was never there."
Bonnie looks at Lily with great sadness, understanding that Lily's great love was Thomas and not Giuseppe.
"Whatever happened to Thomas?"
"He was promised to another, as was I." Lily sheds a few tears.
"The thing is Bonnie, Love is not perfect. It makes us angry, sad, happy, elated, all in one. It is never perfect, but it is right when it is right. No one will make you feel the way your true love makes you feel. It is impossible. They will make you happier than anyone and angrier than anyone. But that is because the feelings are real and true."
"What if I love someone, who I am not allowed to love, and is not allowed to love me?"
"Who but God knows what is right and wrong? He is the creator and only he will stand before you on judgement day. Do not ever listen to me or anyone else Bonnie. Only you know, who is worthy of your heart."
"Thank you Mrs. Lily."
"Bonnie, I love you. I want you to be happy. You are like a daughter to me, and as a mother figure, I only want what is best for you."
Lily realizes, that Bonnie loves her son. She realizes, that Bonnie loves Damon. But she will not interfere. She will watch everything play out. She tends to mess things up. So she steps aside, and in her heart, knows she will support both Bonnie and Damon, no matter what. As a mother, this was a tough position for her to be in.
Lily kisses Bonnie on the head. "Goodnight sweet girl. I shall see you in the morning."
"Good night Ma'am." Lily looks on at Bonnie one more time as she sits on her bed near the window, staring at the moon. Her thoughts trail with her out the door. Closing it behind her.
Damon lie on his bed staring at the moon at that exact same moment. His mind trailed to Bonnie and how much he just wanted to make her understand. He would be patient for just a little while longer, with her and Jeremy. He would try to wait until she was mature enough to realize the positions they each played. He looked at the moon and waited for it to move to the center of the night's sky. It was almost time to see Bonnie.
"Maybe I should go to bed. I am getting awfully cold." Bonnie says to herself out loud.
Time is going by, and Damon has not made his way to her. She is beginning to think he fell asleep. She waits as the moon moves a quarter of the way across the sky from where it was when she came to her room. That would put the moon in the center of the sky. Her body began tensing with goosebumps pushing up the surface of her skin. She stood up to close the window, and made grab for her large wool blanket from her cupboard. It was a cold night tonight. The clouds came in rapidly and Bonnie didn't think it was going to be a rainy night but somehow it surprised her when she heard thunder. She hated sleeping alone when the thunder kicked in. Just as she pulled out her blanket and went to set it on her bed, a knock at her door surprised her.
"You may enter." She said lowly.
He slowly crept inside of her room. "Bonnie, what are you doing?"
"I was getting my wool blanket. It is getting cold."
"I told you that I was expecting you in my quarters tonight."
"I thought maybe you had fallen asleep."
"No. I know my mother comes in here to braid your hair most nights. So I just waited a while." He says patiently and calmly.
He looked at her and she looked nervous. She kept looking down at her feet. He walked slowly to her, grabbed her hands. "Bonnie, are you nervous?"
"Oui."
"Don't worry. We are just going to lay together. I will not make love to you tonight. I just want to hold you. Your presence, calms me."
She looked up at him. Her eyes looked relieved. He spoke to her, "I am happy you waited for me in your quarters. Don't ever walk to me, without me getting you. I am a man. It is customary that I lead you. A presumptuous woman would have showed up on my bedroom door. Don't ever be a presumptuous woman. Not that it matters, soon enough we will share quarters."
Her shock remained hidden. She didn't want to seem so naïve to everything anymore.
Damon lead Bonnie out of her room and over to his. Once they got inside, he quietly shut the door. The shut door was the sound of anxiety leaving the room. He took her robe, and hung it up. He walked to her to his bed and lead her to the center of it. He took his shirt off and climbed in behind her. He blew his lamp out and only the moonlight lit the space. He could see through Bonnie's white gown. Her young body was very supple awakened by his touch, but he remained calm about it. Her nipples peaked up, pushing at her white gown, the silhouette of her body through the thin cotton was making its way known to his line of sight. She wore knickers that had to be somehow fitting to her body, as he noticed no direct lining of them. She watched her chest heave up and down as he watched her breath. Her breathing patter caught his attention, as his heart began to beat to that same pattern. Her breast up and down in his periphery as he turned to lay on his back.
They both lay back and stare at the ceiling. The thunder grew louder and it frightened Bonnie. She gasped, and he immediately rubbed her wrist to notify her body of his body's presence. He felt her goosebumps and he pulled the blanket over the two of them. Suddenly the rain began falling down the window rapidly, leaving the sight of the moon a blurred vision, of thoughts and dreams holding their way in the night's sky.
Aside from the sound of the elements, the silence grew awkwardly, but neither of them would have it any other way. They had no one else they would rather lay with, but each other. Damon slowly reached his hand over to find Bonnie's in the dark. Once his fingers found hers, he intertwined them together. She squeezed his hand signifying her need for his touch. They still sat awful silently. He gulped a loud gulping sound. If a person didn't know any better, they could swear he was far more nervous than she was.
"Is this what two people do, when they lie together?" She asks him.
"There is a lot more two people can do. But I am being respectful of your boundaries and your relationship with the Gilbert boy."
"I See. Thank you for being respectful."
"Birdie. There are things you need to know and understand. This 'thing" with Jeremy, I allow it. I simply allow something because it makes you happy. It does not make me happy to see you with him, but it makes me happy to see you happy."
"I understand."
"I am your master. But I am much more than that. One day you will understand. Once things are finished with Jeremy. And they will be because I know you do not love him, I am no longer going to share you. You are going to be fulfilling your duties to me fully."
"Jeune Salvatore. I want love. I want the kind of love that makes me feel desired, as well as deserving."
"Birdie, what you want is not impossible."
"But you cannot give this to me?"
"I never said that."
"Why do I always have to be property to you? Why can't I be your equal?"
"No woman is the equal to a man. It is not just about you being slave. It has everything to do with you being a woman."
"Two strikes against me then. This is not love."
"It is my love."
"Can you even love a slave the way you can love a wife?"
"I wouldn't know. I have never been married." He says looking at her. "Why do you ask?"
"What happened between you and Celeste?"
"She was my slave. She consorted with me, she served my needs. She tended to me, and did whatever I said. She was never defiant."
"She was okay, with you treating her like your property?"
"She was. She was more than happy to serve me." He looks back to the ceiling.
Bonnie never looked at Damon. She kept her eyes forward.
"I am not like Celeste. I do not wish to be the property of anyone. Especially never the man, I love."
"Birdie. Life isn't perfect."
"I know, but love should be honorable."
Damon turns towards Bonnie, and turns her to face him.
He avoids the last conversation for a few minutes and just acknowledges her.
"Look at me." She looks at him. "You are truly a sight for sore eyes."
"Do not ignore me, Jeune Salvatore."
"Stop being so defiant, Birdie. I am trying to connect with you."
"What happened to you and Celeste? Why didn't you bring her to the boarding house with you?"
"You are truly difficult, and hard to control. Celeste was far easier to control than you." He grabbed her wrists to keep her from pushing away from him.
"Then why, isn't she here, instead of me?" she asks him angrily.
"Because I do not wish to be here with anyone, except for you."
"If that is true, then tell me why you parted ways with Celeste."
"Because I left the University. She was property of the University."
"Or you would have brought her."
"No. I knew the deal all along I never got too attached."
"I don't know how to feel about that. Maybe if she were here, you and I would not be close."
"Bonnie, Celeste was my first experience. If you are to know she was a job. The university teaches us how to deal with our slaves. How to punish, and talk to, and handle them. She was a job. A grade for a class. Nothing more. Did I come to care for her? Of course. But never enough to neglect what I was coming home to."
"Which was?"
"You."
"How was she, you know... how well did she perform?"
"She did multiple tasks for me. She organized my quarter, she cleaned my clothes, she cleaned my quarter, she shopped for my food and necessitates." She did well for herself. Not as good as you. But she did well."
"You know what I mean. Do you miss her touch?"
"No. She performed well in that area. But I was not her first. She has had many student Masters. She gets paid well for her job, so she performed well above average." He said, looking for her reaction, knowing it would be less than accepting, and he was right.
Bonnie tried turning away from him. He kept hold of her wrists. "Don't Birdie. Do not turn from me. You asked me and I can only be honest."
"This is hard for me. I don't want this."
"Birdie, stop. You have no choice. You are mine. You will always be mine. So I have laid with other women! Oh well, they meant nothing to me. All together, they didn't mean half of what you alone mean to me. I will never desert you. You are mine. I will love you for as long as I am alive."
"Love me? Do you know what it takes to love me?" She asks calmly but filled with emotion.
He replied to her passionately. They were being honest with one another tonight. He was professing himself to her. Praying she could control her defiance and just listen with her heart.
"Absolutely, it takes a lot of work and patience. No man will ever be this patient with you. You are a pain in the ass. And it is my fault. Spoiling you. But you are mine. As I have said a million times and I will say it a million more. You will be molded to me and only me. Get the idea of other men out of your head. It won't happen. As soon as you see Jeremy for the low life he is, I will be there to pick up the pieces. Because no man will ever love you like I do. No man. And Jeremy is merely a boy."
"Love? Jeune Salvatore, why should I trust in you? Being as though you are who you are and I am who I am?"
"You have no choice." She looks away from him. "Look at me. You will understand." He kisses her lips softly. "I won't disrespect your relationship with Jeremy. I will be a gentleman. That is how you know you can trust me."
He pulled her all the way into him, they are face to face. "Bonnie Bennett, When the time is right, I will make you my wife."
"What?" She doesn't believe she heard him correctly. So she asks him to repeat himself. "What did you just say to me?"
"I said, when the time is right, I will make you my wife. All that is right in the world, will be when you lie in my arms every night. You understand me?"
"You are very tired Jeune Salvatore."
"Don't ignore me Bonnie." He refuses to let his passion go unnoticed. "Do you except that I want to love you forever? At my best and worst, at your best and worst. Can you accept this?"
"I don't know what I can accept. You are always changing, by the day."
"It's not my fault Birdie. I always have to move according to my circumstance. But when the time is right, I can't make a promise as to when, but when the time is right, I will make you happy."
"Will you give me my declaration papers then?"
Damon looked at Bonnie with crazy eyes. It was almost as if she was asking if she could stab him in the chest.
"Can you ever love a man like me? A man that is hard to love since the day he was born?"
"You are easy to love and hard to let go of." She says. "Please, do not heart my heart. You are a strong, personality to soften at times."
"One step at a time Birdie. We are moving slow. I will try hard to not shock you with the intensity that is me. I can be very intense." Damon holds her gaze so intensely. She wants to give in to whatever he wants right now. His emotions are turbulent.
"This is true."
Damon puts his thumb to her lip and grazes it, back and forth. Then grabs at her chin softly, and pulls her in to him for another kiss. This time he kissed her the way he taught her how to. His kiss was made up of his tongue and her tongue, dancing as the heavy rain fall turned to a trickle and rolled down the window, softly with the tears of the broken hearted coming to an end. The moon shined on the loved and the loveless tonight. He pulled away from her and smiled. He was in a state of pure satisfaction right now, and there was no sex involved. It was he, Bonnie, and the truth between them.
"Jeune Salvatore?"
"Sì. Il mio bellissimo uccello."
"What is this language you speak? Why had I no clue, you spoke a foreign language?"
"Italiano. Bellissimo. I have my own secrets. Maybe I will teach you sometime, then you and I can engage, beautifully in conversation."
"I would love to learn another language, with you. It would be very intimate, to feel that type of closeness with you."
"More intimate than sharing my bed with me, while I hold you in my arms?"
"Maybe, it would depend on the context in which we spoke to one another." She smiles and he falls in love."
"Quel sorriso mi si indebolisce."
"Je pourrais vous écouter me parler de cette façon pour le reste de ma vie."
"Poi, per sempre io ti darò."
As they speak two languages to one another one thing is understood very well. The love they share is deeply embedded within their history. They are two people, fighting to find how to love each other, without being punished for it. They drown in these moments, and draw them out, because tomorrow, they may be as torrid as usual. The silence is filled with anticipation. Damon gently presses his lips to Bonnie's and holds them there against hers, pausing before drawing out his pucker. Bonnie opens her eyes to see the moonlight hitting his icy blue eyes, while she finds it easy to get lost in the love he wants to give her, she can't help but to see some of the darkness he possesses.
"Monsieur?"
"Si."
"While I am willing to endure, and build, and grow with you, I just want to say, please do not try to change me."
He looks at her. In his mind he needs to change her a little, help her adapt to the new life he wants to build for her. He wants to mold her to him, and she needs to lose her defiant behavior and trust him with her life.
"Birdie, for now, you have Jeremy, and I have Elena."
"I need to tell you something about Elena."
"I know about she and Elijah. He has told me."
"Oh. I am sorry I did not tell you before, it is just that I was sworn to secrecy."
"Trust is important to me. I know everything, when you do not think I do Bonnie. Fair warning. But, Bonnie, stop defying me. Do not lie to me. Do not make me feel as though I cannot trust you. If you do that, that will be the day that you will see a different side of me."
"Elena, says she loves you."
"No, she loves herself. Then she loves status, then she loves the idea of love. She has no idea what it all is. She has been a helpful distraction for me. Besides, I want you to know that, She and I do not engage in such salacious behaviors."
"Never?" She smiled on the inside. The revelation made her happy. Her selfishness, with him, was wearing thin. She refused to allow it to be the reason they were torn apart.
"Never."
"Can I ask why?"
"My eye is always on the prize, Birdie. Always on the gold, not the silver, or the bronze."
"The gold?"
"Something that is unattainable, to everyone except me." His gaze intensifies and she is cornered by his predatorial thoughts.
"Why me? Of all of the beautiful women, in Mystic Falls, Fells Church, and the state of Virginia, why me?"
"There are many other women, but there is no other for me. You are my best friend, and God created you for me when he took you from my rib."
Her heart stopped for a few seconds. She was breathless in his clutch, and she was not afraid or sad. She was hopeful. When he wasn't being a labyrinth of emotions, and wasn't in front of business or political figures, making financial gains, he was the epitome of romanticism, and he imposed his loving will on her in a beautiful way.
"Birdie, look out the window with me, at the moon."
He turns Bonnie's body the opposite direction so that he is behind her, then he holds her closely to him with his arms around her waist. He cuddles the backside of her, making her feel warm and safe. Nestling his face into her neck, they continue to embrace each other's closeness. They both stare of out the large window in his bedroom, Eyes searching for a twinkle of the moon. "Just having you next to me, eases my mind. Your smell, your feel, your warmth, and the beat of your heart, makes me feel happy."
"Monsieur, can I keep this moment, forever?" She asks him quietly.
"Only if I can keep you forever."
"Good night Jeune Salvatore."
"Good night, my little Birdie."
Within two minutes she hears his soft snores. He is asleep, holding her just as tight. She smiles and allows herself to fall asleep with her best friend.
(Translations By way of Google)
Lorenzo and Bonnie's conversation
Pourquoi êtes-vous si triste, ma belle ?/Why so sad, love?
Qui êtes-vous?/Who are you?
Je suis l'associé de/I'm a business partner of
Une femme aussi belle que vous ne devrait jamais se retrouver seule à pleurer./A woman as beautiful as you should never cry alone
La plus belle chose qu'une femme peut porter est son sourire./ The most beautiful thing a woman can wear is her smile.
Considérez-moi comme de la famille./Consider me Family
Jusqu'à la prochaine fois Lorenzo. Au fait, je suis Bonnie./Until next time Lorenzo. I am Bonnie by the way.
A la prochaine, belle Bonnie/The next time Beautiful Bonnie
Damon and Bonnie's Conversation
Sì. Il mio bellissimo uccello./Yes. My beautiful bird. (Italian)
Quel sorriso mi si indebolisce./That smile weakens me. (Italian)
Je pourrais vous écouter me parler de cette façon pour le reste de ma vie./I could listen to you speak to me this way forever (French)
Poi, per sempre io ti darò./ Then, forever I shall give you. (Italian)
A/N Ahh, so this was a chapter where Damon and Bonnie established some important feelings and expectations. They shared a lot of love with one another verbally. Also at the end you will have noticed they each made two declarations of things they didn't want. Damon said he didn't want to ever feel lied to or like he couldn't trust Bonnie or she would see a different side of him. Bonnie declared that she did not want him trying to change her. Here is where they will have some problems in the future. Just a note to remember. Lily realizes both Bonnie and Damon's feelings and she will try to stay out of it. Lorenzo is going to be trouble, or good? Marcel has a confession. Next chapter, another man tries becoming a dominate counterpart of Bonnie's life. Please leave your thoughts on things and I hope you all liked this chapter. You guys are the best (: