Disclaimer: We own nothing "The Vampire Diaries" every thing belongs to L J Smith, we just enjoy playing around with the characters.
This is a collaboration with myself and my bff KTCM who is awesome btw, we both work on each chapter and merge are ideas into one.
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Monday:
Elena pov:
To say I'm surprised would be the biggest understatement of the fucking century. Yesterday I had more fun than I've had in months, and it was with Damon Salvatore, the man I'd convinced myself that I loathed.
Who'd of thought it? Cuz I for one did not expect that ladies and gentlemen!
Why?
Why you ask... well I couldn't not stand his arrogant ass only days ago.
I was expecting arguments and snotty comments, from the both of us, and instead I got to see a side of him that I had no idea existed. Playful, modest, down-to-earth and...
Hot!
And then he'd easily agreed to going with Caroline and I to Kat's show on Thursday. I still can't seem to get over how nice he was about it.
Did I say he is hot?
I was expecting him to throw a hissy fit or something, complaining that this week was about him. Maybe I was too quick to judge him?
Or maybe I'm too quick to let my guard down... yes maybe that's it. I have to stay focused on the reason I'm doing this... work!
Oh did I mention I'm fucking delusional?
Only time will tell. I'm still convinced that all of this is nothing more than some plot just to get me into bed with him, but I'll be damned if I let that happen. I mean I may find him incredibly hot and I maybe warming up to him a little, but I still can't fall for his game.
If he's playing a game!... Ohh fuck, I'm screwed.
Right now it's six in the morning. I have no fucking business being awake right now, since I'm to meet up with Damon at Nine, but it would seem that my mind and body have other ideas. Oh, well. At least I got in a good six hours.
Anyway, there's only one person who could talk some sense into me at a time like this. I grab my phone, press the speed dial number and wait for them to pick up.
"Ughh, I hate you," says the groggy voice that sounds much like mine on the other end.
"I need to talk to someone," I say to Kat. She's so blunt, and she doesn't beat around the bush. She's perfect for situations like these.
"It's... six. In the goddamn morning, Elena. How much of a conversationalist do you expect anyone to be at this hour?" she complains.
"Shh, it's about Damon."
"Ooh," I have more of her attention now. "Sexy superstar," she says.
"Damon." I correct her.
"Isn't that what I said?" she says with a slight chuckle, she is such a hoe.
"Whatever." I tell her of my time spent with Damon yesterday, the way he acted, the things he said, and last but not least... our little photo shoot session.
She gasps. "You were all over him, you dirty little thing," I can practically hear her smirk over the phone. "But I don't get it. What's the problem exactly?"
"How the hell do I know if this is all an act or if he is being genuine?" I say almost frantically.
"You know, I don't get you sometimes, Elena. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your position right now? Following around that hot piece of ass all week?" She sighs wistfully, "If I were you, I'd hop right on that and ride it straight to O town ba..."
I cut her horny ass off. "But I'm not like you or his fans. I take shit like that seriously."
"I know that, Elena. Hell, anyone would know after talking to you for more that a minute, so don't you think he does too? You've got to stop assuming the worst in people," she says through a yawn.
I didn't know what to say to that. I mean what exactly could I say?
Then she says, "Maybe it's not his goal to get into your panties."
"What the hell else could he want?" I say, confused.
She sighs. "I'm going back to sleep. The next time you call me this early it better be so urgent that you're dead."
I shake my head and chuckle a little. "Bye," I say.
"See you Thursday... and Elena, give the poor guy a break," She hangs up.
Can anyone remind me why I bothered to call my sister? Because she was no fucking help to me what so ever, and has only left me with more questions.
I just can not think of what else Damon Salvatore would want from me, if it wasn't to get me in the sack. Not to sound vain or anything but I am good looking, but nothing in comparison his movie A-Lister friends. I just find it strange for him to be so interested in me when he could have Nina Dobrev or Kristen freaking Stewart hanging from his arm.
At around Seven I decide to drag my sorry ass out of bed, push my inner reservations aside and get ready for the day. After I shower, shave and brush my teeth, I peruse my closet and decide whether or not to go with something to tempt Damon again.
Am I kidding? Why do I even need to think of it? Of course I am, silly!
I grab a black mini skirt with pleating on the front and the back. Then I threw on a white short sleeve button up shirt. The thinness of the shirt allows the black La Perla bra I'm wearing to be seen vaguely. After looking in the mirror, I decide to unbutton another button.
Fuck it!
I look fucking delicious.
By the time I finish my hair which is down with a few loose curls and my makeup which is light but I have put red lipstick on which looks surprisingly good by the way, it's Eight Thirty. I sit at my small dining table with a cup of coffee, tapping my foot waiting for Salvatore to turn up so we can go suit shopping. Bravo to him for getting his shit ready, the premier is in two days... two motherfucking days and I don't even know what movie it's for let alone what the hell I'm going to wear or when I'm gunna have anytime to shop for something.
I decide I'll wait for Damon out front, sitting here alone is making me panic about shit that I don't need to stress about right now. As I'm in the elevator I remember what Damon said yesterday about inviting Jeremy out for lunch and me being me totally forgot to phone his ass last night, caused by the thick Damon Salvatore fog I find myself living in these days. I pull out my cell and dial Jer's number.
"Hey Jer." I greet him.
"Elena, hi is this important? I'm kinda busy." he says and I hear a woman giggle.
"Jeremy Gilbert, have you got company of the female species?" I tease.
"Hmm... none of your goddamn business sis. You are calling why?"
"Touche much, okay. Damon wants you to join myself, him and his agent for lunch today. He says he has a proposition for you," I hear him choke or cough "are you okay Jeremy?"
"Ohh... yeah sorry everything is fine. Why does he want me there? What proposition?" he asks high pitched and all freaked out.
"I don't know he didn't tell me, look I know your busy so I'll text you with a time and place when I know myself okay?"
"Yeah that sounds good see ya." he rushes out and hangs up.
"Yeah see ya... douche." I say as I exit the elevator, kinda pissed at the way my brother ended the call.
As I'm trying to put my cell back in my bag I hit something hard. I thought it was the wall at first but then I got hit with a scent of mixed spice, liquor and a hint of Jean Paul Gaultier. Which only means one thing people... Salvatore.
"Oh my God Damon, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going" I apologise as I look up at him.
He smirks "Gilbert don't apologise, I kinda like it when you run into me by accident," he runs a finger down my now blushed cheek "How are you this morning beautiful?"
"Salvatore, don't play your fucking games with me this early in the morning. I've only had one coffee and believe me if I don't get more soon... it will not be pretty." I huff out and start walking towards the exit.
He grabs my arm delicately and turns me around to face him again "Okay okay" he holds his hands up, "Starbucks?"
Stupid man... of course Starbucks.
"Like music to my fucking ears Salvatore." I say giggling to myself like a fucking mental patient.
"After you mi lady," he says putting on some kind of accent.
As I stand against peeling striped wallpaper, I marvel at how Damon is able to stand stark still, yet run his mouth non stop. I think he's nervous. Why, I have no idea, but in the time I've spent with him I've never seen him ramble so much about nothing.
Right now we are in Damon's tailor, Jonathan's house. His basement, to be exact. I sigh. The man brings me to the strangest damn places and expects me to follow him, and for some reason I do. Must be the reporter in me.
Damon clears his throat "Elena," he chuckles "Are you even listening?"
"Um, no. But are you talking or rambling?" He laughs sheepishly.
"Sorry." he says. I shake my head telling him not to worry about it.
The tailor, who has this fuck-awesome British accent by the way, tells Damon that he can step down from the platform. Then he goes up the stairs leaving Damon and I alone together... in this small, confined space.
This is not good, and it does nothing to help my restraint. And neither does Damon Salvatore looking deliciously dashing in a dark suit.
"What do you think?" Damon interrupts my ogling. He's staring at me with a smug smirk on his face and I just want to kiss it off.
Wait, kiss? What! Fuck!
I shake my head of those less than appropriate thoughts. "You look good, just like a movie star." I joke.
He smiles his famous perfect, pantie dropping smile, all traces of smugness gone from his face. He's staring still, fuck I'm staring too, but I want him to stop, because I'm not going to be the one to look away, for some reason I just... can't. At that moment Jonathan makes his way back down stairs, and in my head I silently thank him as Damon and I snap our heads round towards him.
I furrow my brow as I notice that he's carrying a garment bag. It looks like a dress bag.
He hangs it on the rack that I'm standing next to.
"What's this?" I wonder aloud, intrigued much.
"Uh... it's for you. I thought you could wear it to the premier on Wednesday, because I know your gonna be busy... and I just thought it would help you out." Damon looks nervous again. He walks over, unzips it and reveals a gorgeous sleeveless satin cocktail dress. It is a black form-fitting v-neck with pleated layers of satin, in a cris-cross pattern at the bodice. It is absolutely gorgeous... it just fucking screamed me. "Jonathan has some connections with Max Azria."
I gasp. My favorite designer of all time, people.
"Damon-" I start.
"Before you protest about money or whatever you're going to protest about, I can afford it and maybe you can too but I'm happy to do it Elena," He pauses. "I want to do it."
I gape, half at the dress and half at what Damon has just said to me. Can I let him do this? Part of me is screaming to rock this dress at the premier and pay him back later.
"And this isn't one of those things where you pay me back. Think of it as a gift if you will." he says as if he read my mind.
As I struggle to wrap my head around this a thought occurs to me.
"How do you even know if this will fit me?" I gesture to the gorgeous dress in question. Because it sure as hell looked like it would fit. Is it just a coincidence that the dress is from one of my favorite designer's, and it is my size? But how the hell would he know that?
I cross my arms. "Who did you talk to?" I narrow my eyes.
"What?" He chuckles at my assumption.
"Don't 'what' me, Salvatore," I lean forward and the look on my face must make him want to spill.
"I may have consulted with your sister," he admits.
"Kat?" I ask, which is a stupid thing to ask.
"Do you have any other sisters?" he smirks.
Now is really not the time to be cute.
"Why? When? How'd you even get her number?" I quiz, arching an eyebrow.
He smiles like he knows some sort of secret and shakes his head. "It's complicated, but you'll know soon enough." he says.
How fucking cryptic.
I roll my eyes. And I spoke to her this morning! She never even hinted at her speaking to Damon.. maybe he told her not to tell me? I hate being in the dark.
Damon's voice interrupts my inner rambling. "So will you wear it for me?" He peers down at me.
For him? I run my fingers over the dress the dress. It's so amazing, I can't imagine letting it go to waste.
"You have to let me pay you back somehow." I say, still looking at the dress.
"Elena, sweetheart, having you by my side is enough for me," he says and rubs is hand up and down my arm.
Is he fucking serious?
I really can't get my head around his sudden personality change, don't get me wrong I am starting to like the new and improved Damon but I still have that niggling feeling that this is all just an act.
I agree to wear the dress because, let's be honest here, I ain't gonna turn that down. I also get the info about lunch so I text Jer telling him where and when to meet us. We are dining at Jean-Georges a five star restaurant located at one central park, I told Damon it's too expensive but yet again he told me money is no object and he is happy to pay for lunch. It wasn't so much that I was bothered about the cost... it's just too good for people like me I'm going to feel so out of place.
"Elena are you ok?" Damon asks me while we are in the car.
"Yeah I'm fine," I lie "why would you think something is wrong?" I look at him.
"I just get a feeling you maybe nervous or you've got something on your mind," he turns to face me.
Weird how he notices that.
"It's just-I don't think I'm going to fit in at this restaurant. Look at me," I gesture to myself. "I'm not good enough for places like that..."
He cut me off. "Gilbert you are more than good enough for this place, you understand me?" He palms my cheek looking deep into my eyes and I can't help but look back into his crystal clear, ocean blues.
"Have I ever told you that your beautiful?" he says as his eyes move away from my eyes and look at the rest of my face before they land on my lips.
In the name of all things holy, he's gonna kiss me. Shit I can't let this happen... look away Elena... move... ANYTHING.
He starts to move in at an agonizingly slow pace, but I can't do this. I have to say something. "Nice try Salvatore, I almost fell for it." I say and exit the car seen as though we are now outside the restaurant and I honestly have no fucking idea how long we've actually been here.
After about five minutes Damon finally gets out of the car and leads me into the restaurant. We walk to the front desk.
"Reservation for Salvatore," Damon says to the hot blond piece behind the desk.
She looks at a book and then back to him "Yes right this way Mr. Salvatore, your guests are already seated."
"Thank you" he looks at her name badge "Rose... what a pretty name" he says flirtatiously.
"Thank you Mr. Salvatore," she says giggling, her eyes lighting up like fairy lights on a fucking Christmas tree "Please follow me to your table."
Bitch!
What? No.
Oh my God I so did not just do that. Did I just hate on her for the whole flirting thing?
I shrug that shit straight of, I do not get jealous. All that stuff in the car has just got me wound up I suppose. As Rose is leading us into the dining room I spot Jeremy and Damon's agent holding hands kinda... well that's fucking weird! They must be shaking hands introducing themselves... Mustn't they?
"Hey Bon bon." he took her hand and kissed the top of it and I swear I was a little sick in my own mouth... what is his game? "Jeremy... how are you?" he asks my brother while giving him a firm hand shake.
"I'm really well thanks Damon, curious as to why you got me here though if I'm honest" Jer says.
"Well we will eat first and then talk" Salvatore says and pulls out the chair for me to sit.
I pull the back of the chair out of his grasp roughly so he knows I'm pissed off... why am I pissed off? Then I sit, Jeremy gives me a small smile then turns to look at... Bon bon was it?
"Elena, this is my agent Bonnie Bennett. Bonnie, this is Elena Gilbert reporter for the New York Times." Damon introduces us while he sits.
Damon starts making small talk with Jeremy and Bonnie but I'm not really interested in anything he has to say right now. The whole gazing into my eyes and staring at my lips while moving his big vain fucking head in for the kill has angered me so much, but what has angered me the most is I nearly let him do it... I think I wanted him to do it. I can't let my guard down even if I want too... after this morning when he showed me dress I realised that maybe he ain't that stereo type Hollywood, pussy hunting, egotistical playboy I thought he was. Either way I have to be strong and not fall stupid for his charm.
I pick up my menu and scan through the list, I mean what the fuck is "Fluke shashimi, floral enfused cherries and cilantro"? cuz I'll be fucked if i know what that shit is. I told you I am not cut out for places this I would of been happy with a freaking cheeseburger and fries... fucking movie-stars.
"Don't they have any normal food here?" I say interrupting them.
Damon scowls at me "Elena this is normal food, you should try the caramelized foie gras, black olive, lychee and brioche, it's exquisite."
Come again? Douche!
I just nod at him, I can not be bothered to even speak. I sigh and put the menu down and notice Bonnie looking at my brother she can't take her eyes from him and more to the point Jeremy is not doing much better. Great that's just what I need, the brother crushing on the Salvatore's agent.
Damon pov:
The twinkle I saw in Elena's eye this morning when I showed her the dress made me realise that I may like her a lot more than I'm letting myself believe. She loves the dress and I love the fact that something I did made her so happy. She wasn't even mad when I told her that I sought advice from her sister. That was easier than I expected. I asked Bonnie, who called Jeremy who then called Katherine.
The lengths I would go too for a dress size. It was worth it though when I saw the smile radiate on Elena's face!
Our conversation was... interesting, to say the least. Elena and Katherine may be twins, but they couldn't be more different personality wise. Well, that's not entirely true. They're both intimidating, Katherine, maybe a bit more. I got that impression after she told me that she'd 'gut me like a fish' if I hurt her sister. I was confused about that statement at first, but maybe Katherine was more insightful to the whole thing that Elena and I have going on, because up until now I didn't realize how much I actually like her. I thought Elena might feel the same way, despite her extreme reluctance to even work with me in the first place. I mean, she even went as far as to confide in me on the way here.
The idea of her not being good enough for any place is laughable to me, but it would seem the fact that she had a great job, and a great apartment didn't seem to be enough for her. So if she needs it, I'm more than happy to reassure her that she is, indeed, good enough and always will be in my eyes. She's beautiful, and I told her so... which brings us to the almost kiss.
We were so close, but then she had to go and ruin it, in true Gilbert fucking style. She stopped it before I could lean in any further, I was inches away people and she thought I was trying to fool her, and that pissed me off extremely. Not only did I not get the chance to feel those lips against mine... lips I've wanted for weeks... but her mood swings are seriously getting to me. It was obvious that she has some trust issues when it comes to me and I know she's in two minds whether to trust me or not. But so far I haven't given her a reason not to trust me.
Right now, Elena is giving suspicious glances to Jeremy, who is in the middle of an animated conversation with Bonnie. I knew she hadn't witnessed them exchanging numbers when we ran into them at the diner on Saturday, but she had to be blind not to notice them staring each other down from their respective tables.
We are just finishing up our food when...
"So," Elena eyeballs Bonnie and Jeremy "what's going on between you two? And don't bullshit me I've seen all the star-crossed lover glances between you... so spill it!" she blurts out and I almost choke on my water, I swear that woman has more cheek than a baboons ass.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean." Bonnie lies and looks at me. I give her a small shake of my head -no- meaning don't mess with the Gilbert or shit will fly.
"Elena, do you have to be so blunt all the time?" Jeremy says.
"That was not blunt Jer, I asked a fucking question, if you don't want to tell me then tell me to mind my own business." she says with that sexy scowl now appearing on her face. Jeremy rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
It's clear to me now that Elena in no way shape or form is in a good mood.
I clear my throat "How about we get down to the reason why I got you all here?" I say and they all nod their heads.
"Ok, well Jeremy I know you are an exceptionally talented photographer I've seen your work. You specialise in head shots right?"
"Thank you, and yes head shots seem to be my forte" he replies.
"Well... Bonnie here thinks it would be a good idea for me to start a men's skincare range and I'm going to need some pretty awesome head shots for the ad campaign, so that's where you come in if your interested." I say and Elena starts laughing, I look at her "What's so funny?"
"Oh... nothing, just men... skincare... you know what it doesn't even matter. If you will excuse me I need to powder my nose." she says still laughing.
As she leaves the table Jeremy tells me he would be more than happy to do the shots for me and I tell him to arrange everything with Bonnie and name his price. I excuse myself from the table and make my way to the restrooms. I stand outside the women's door leaning against the wall, arms folded. I don't know what the fuck is wrong with Elena but I'm gonna find out. The door opens, I grab her and push her against the wall where I was just standing.
"Damon, what the hell are you doing?" she almost shouts trying to get away.
I put both my hands on the wall one at each side of her head "I could ask you the same damn thing."
"I don't know what you mean" she lies and tries to escape again, this time I press my body gently to her, essentially trapping her.
"You know exactly what I mean, all that shit with your brother. And then laughing at me... do you find me funny Elena?" I ask as I move my head closer to hers, I hear her breath hitch. She shakes her head-no "Then why laugh? And whats with the mood swings, have I pissed you off?" I ask moving my head in a little bit closer, she closes her eyes.
Fuck! she thinks I'm going to kiss her, god I want too but I know she will give me grief for the foreseeable future.
My heart starts beating, I feel like it's beating right out of my chest. I lean in a bit, I'm that close I can feel her breath on my face. Elena whimpers and grabs a hold of my waist, she wants me to kiss her.
Why am I not kissing her already?
"I'm not going to kiss you Elena" I whisper.
What?
I'm not.
Her eyes shoot open and they are full of determination. She is gonna kick my ass. "Well if your not kissing me, then I'm kissing you."
Before I could protest, she grabs me by the back of my head and crashes her lips to mine. Her lips are so soft and sweet. She opens her mouth to gain my tongue access, as our tongues dance I bring one of my hands down and palm the side of her face and the other one rests on her hip. She weaves her fingers around my hair pulling my head into her more. I swear I have forgotten my own name right now. All of a sudden she pulls my head back by my hair hard.
"Now you listen to me Salvatore, you got what you wanted so just stop with the act now. Your so fucking transparent" she lets go of me and smooths herself over "Oh, and as for your skincare range, I laughed because it's just one other way for you to get your fame hungry ass publicity and just another infomercial us lucky ladies get to see your big vain head." she says and storms off.
I am literally glued to the fucking floor right now, speechless. I really don't know what is wrong with that woman. I am trying everything in my power to prove to her I'm not what she thinks, and I honestly thought we were making progress this morning. One step forward, ten back remember. Well I don't give a shit what she just said because the way Elena kissed me just now was not to prove a point or think she has one up on me. She enjoyed it just as much as I did, she needed it even if she thinks she didn't.
Maybe this whole experience isn't about me after all, yeah I want to prove to her I'm more than what she reads in the news but I think some how I knew that Elena needs to learn how to trust people and give them a chance and I will not stop until I've shown her just that.
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