A/N: yup, Damon being the one to recognize that "Katherine" was different while Stefan remained clueless: completely intentional ;)

CHAPTER 4: GREED

When the blinding light receded, it took Elena several moments to get her bearings. Once the jolt of being pulled into new surroundings had faded, she blinked and slowly spun around on the spot to take in the view.

She was standing in an expensive looking kitchen, filled with shiny state-of-the-art appliances. Elena was just wrapping her head around the fact that she had apparently been popped back into the 21st century when the kitchen door swung open and Bonnie hurried in, looking frazzled.

"Elena!" she hissed, "What are you still doing here? You know how Mr. Salvatore gets when he's forced to stay with them too long!"

"Huh?"

"The drinks!" Bonnie jabbed a finger at the tray sitting on the countertop, "Take them out there!"

Elena stared at the tray and then happened to look down at what she was wearing: a maid's outfit.

Oh god…did she work for Damon?

"Hurry!" Bonnie ushered at her urgently, "The sooner those business partners of his are out of here, the better!"

"Yes, of course," Elena tentatively lifted the tray in her arms and sidled cautiously out the door. It wasn't that she didn't have waitress experience (she had worked at the Grill during her freshman year), but she could feel her nervousness blow into full effect as she stepped out of the kitchen.

The dining hall that she entered was exquisite. A table that could easily seat fifteen people stood in the exact center of the room, covered with a gorgeous red velvet table cloth and fancy China that Elena knew she would never be able to afford. It appeared that dinner had just finished—some sort of catering service was currently occupied with clearing off the dishes.

Elena was wondering where exactly she was supposed to be taking the drinks when she heard raucous laughter coming from an adjoining room. Taking a deep breath, she strode confidently across the hall and let herself into what looked like some kind of lounge area.

Immediately, all the voices ceased and heads swiveled around to look up at her. Elena's eyes widened as her gaze darted around the room, recognizing all five of the men seated there. Damon, who was sitting in the corner, spread his arms out dramatically. "Finally! Don't you know it's a crime to keep a man from his alcohol?"

She took a deep breath and stiffly walked towards him, holding the tray out. Once he had taken a glass, he gestured for her to serve the rest of the people in the room. Elena determinately didn't make eye contact with the person sitting to Damon's right: Mason Lockwood.

"Wow," Mason smirked appreciatively as Elena bent down slightly in front of him, "Remember, Elena, if you're ever looking to switch employers..."

"I have a loyal staff, Lockwood," Damon raised his glass in Mason's direction, "So your little tricks won't work."

Elena glared at Mason as he ran his gaze over her body again, and she stomped over to the next person—who happened to be Elijah. Unlike the two men before him, he treated her to a genuine smile. "Thank you," he said graciously as he selected a glass off the tray. "By the way," he gently touched her arm as she began to move away, "Elena, you are looking especially beautiful tonight."

"Hands off the help, Elijah," Damon called out, watching the scene shrewdly. "She's here to do her job; that's it."

"Yes, we know," Elijah glanced up at her with an amused twinkle in his eye, "That doesn't mean I can't give credit where credit's due."

Elena smiled back, relaxing slightly as she turned towards the last two gentlemen in the room: Matt and Tyler. Unlike everyone else, these two were sitting somewhat separated from Damon. She had the feeling that perhaps they weren't as high up the ladder in Damon's company or business or whatever he was running.

Once the tray was cleared, Elena quickly whirled on her heel and slipped out of the room. Exhausted, she took a seat at the dining table and slumped over, trying to think. From the familiar way that both Elijah and Mason had greeted her, it would appear that she had been working for Damon for quite some time...but what was this trial about?

"Hey," Damon suddenly appeared before her, taking a seat across from her at the dining table. "What's the matter with you?"

Startled, Elena could only stare at him. "I...didn't hear you come in, Mr. Salvatore," she finally said in a polite voice, "Forgive me, I was just resting my—"

"Cut the bullshit," he leaned towards her, his eyes narrowing. "Is this about tomorrow? You're getting cold feet about the plan?"

"Um..."

Damon drew out an exaggerated breath. "Honestly, Elena. I only chose you to do this because you've been one of my most loyal workers for the past three years now...I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't have complete faith in your abilities to pull it off."

Elena tried to nod in agreement.

He rolled his eyes at her expression and pushed a glass of wine in her direction. She gratefully took a sip as he continued, "Look, it's really not a big deal. When my brother gets here tomorrow with his lawyers, all you have to do is seduce him—"

She choked, sputtering, "Ex-excuse me?"

"What?" Damon looked annoyed, "You agreed to the plan before, Elena...there's no backing out now. Just convince him to not sign those papers...then when I have full control of the company, I'll be able to cut him out once and for all." He leaned back in his seat, a ruthless edge taking control of his voice. "Stefan will have nothing, and I'll have it all."

Elena gaped at him in disbelief.

"I should be getting back," Damon jerked his head towards the lounge, "I'll go get rid of them. Stick around so I can give you the dress for tomorrow." He nodded to her and disappeared into the next room, apparently not noticing the look on her face.

Bonnie found her ten minutes later, sitting in the same spot. "Elena? What's wrong? Did something happen with Mr. Salvatore?"

"His brother..." Elena began, but then stopped. "I..."

"Oh yes, Stefan is visiting us tomorrow," Bonnie said, pursing her lips in distaste. "Is the plan still on, then?" When Elena nodded wordlessly, Bonnie reached over and patted her hand in a reassuring manner. "Don't worry, Elena. You'll do fine. You're smart, pretty, assertive—just the sort of woman that Stefan would fall for." She grinned maliciously, "And when the plan works, Stefan will be left with not a cent to his name. And Damon will finally have everything he's worked so hard for. About time, am I right?"

Wow, apparently no one around here liked Stefan...

Elena bit her lip, wondering how to find out what had happened without sounding too suspicious. "Is that really fair, though?" she ventured, "I mean, they're still brothers...and in the end, isn't family the only thing that really matters?"

"Honey, please. After everything that Stefan's done? He deserves to be left with nothing."

"But—"

"Besides," Bonnie continued with a shrug, "This is Damon we're talking about. He won't rest until he has it all...you know what he's like." She began to say something else, but the door from the lounge opened at that moment and Damon himself walked in. "Mr. Salvatore," Bonnie greeted, "Have our guests left the building?"

"Yes, finally," Damon shook his head and tossed back whatever alcohol he was holding in his hand. "I really can't stand any of them," he added in an offhand voice. "Well anyway," he looked at Elena, "Come along to my office when you're done. We can discuss the plans for tomorrow."

After he left, Bonnie turned to Elena with a smile. "Come on," she held her hand out, "Let's go downstairs and get you cleaned up. You're probably in for a long night."

.

It turned out that Damon apparently lived in some sort of luxury apartment complex. Elena learned that she and Bonnie were the live-in maids, but there were several other staff members that lived there as well. They each had their own floor on lower levels of the building, and Elena had to stifle a gasp as she walked into her own richly decorated 'home.'

"Just take a hot shower and grab some caffeine," Bonnie advised from the doorway, "And let me know if you need help with anything, alright?"

Elena agreed, and spent the next ten minutes exploring her place. Nothing in it (furniture, gadgets, or clothes) seemed exactly her style, and she had a feeling that Damon had probably hand-picked every single object in his building.

With a sigh, she came to the conclusion that this trial was going to be harder than the others. Damon had everything, and yet he wanted more—and he willing to cast his brother aside like a rag doll in order to get what he wanted.

Greed.

It wasn't until one hour later that she let herself back into Damon's apartment. Everything was eerily silent, and most of the lights had been switched off.

All except one.

She made her way towards the door that she had previously not noticed and knocked on it timidly. Damon pulled it open almost immediately, though he looked distracted. "Oh good, you're here," he waved her into the black leather sofa in the corner of his office.

Elena sat down on it, feeling herself sink down into its rather intimidating cushions. "You...wanted to speak to me?"

He nodded, reaching for a large white box on his desk and handing it to her. "That's what I want you to wear tomorrow when you meet Stefan." As she began opening it, Damon seemed to look at her clearly for the first time since she had walked in. "You look comfortable," he remarked, eyeing her sweatpants and purple tank top. "Not going out tonight, then?"

She frowned in confusion, "No." He only shrugged, appearing to lose interest in the subject. Elena finished pushing the tissue wrappings aside and eventually pulled out a strapless silk turquoise dress. It looked expensive, and extremely formfitting. "Wow, I..."

"You'll look hot in it," Damon interrupted, "Which is just the effect we're going for. My stylist, Caroline, will be here at 6 AM sharp to do your hair and makeup. Will that be a problem?" He didn't wait for her answer. "Great. Stefan will get here around 11 AM. I'll convince him that the deals should be drawn up and signed after dinner. In the meantime, I want you to offer to show him around town. My driver will take you wherever you want to go."

"But what if Stefan—"

"Elena," Damon loosened his tie as he finally took a seat next to her. "I know you can do this," he said in a softer voice, reaching over to place a hand over hers. "My brother may be smart, but you're smarter. You know his weaknesses—namely, that he tends to indulge in a beautiful woman from time to time."

She narrowed her eyes, recognizing that his tone had become bitter and angry. Elena bit her lip, hoping she wasn't pushing her luck. "Like he did to you?" she hedged, "That's why you're doing this to him?"

"Yes, of course because of what he did to me!" Damon snapped. "I worked hard for everything I have—and this company should have been mine 10 years ago. But he played me with Katherine...and I lost everything for that bitch." He stood up abruptly, "And I know that no one out there in the business world understands why I still want this company even though I have money to burn...but you understand, don't you?"

Elena did her best to look supportive.

Damon apparently bought the act because he flashed a rare grin at her. "I knew I could count on you, Elena." Then his expression sobered, "Just remember, I want you to seduce him..not sleep with him, alright?"

"Oh," she nearly sagged with relief, "You don't?"

He frowned, "Of course not! You know I would never do that to you!" He looked disgusted, "Geez, Elena, I'm your boss not your pimp."

The way he said it sounded so ridiculous that Elena laughed out loud. "Well there's a sentence I thought I'd never hear you say," she quipped.

Damon shook his head, even as the corners of his mouth tugged upwards with amusement. He glanced over at the digital clock on his wall before turning back to Elena, "Okay, it's nearly midnight. Why don't you go change into that dress and we'll work on your skills for about an hour or so?"

She stared at him blankly, not comprehending, "I'm sorry, what?"

"Your seduction skills...hello?" Damon looked impatient, "You've been out of it all day, Elena, seriously."

"You..." she squeaked, "You want me to...practice...seducing you?"

"Yes, how else is the plan going to work tomorrow on my brother?" Damon rolled his eyes, pulling her into a standing position and placing the dress firmly in her hands. "We don't have all day, Elena. Hurry up and go change so we can get started."

Elena walked out of the office in a daze. Apparently Bonnie had been right—it was going to be a long night, after all.

*let me just say that I thoroughly enjoyed writing that cliffhanger =P haha so this trial will be a 2-parter since it was necessary to explain Damon's attitude in the first half. Next chapter we'll see if Elena is able to persuade him out of what he's planning ;)