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Monday part II:
Elena pov:
Oh my god I just kissed Salvatore. What the hell is wrong with me?
As I stand outside the restaurant my brain is in over drive trying to figure out what the hell just happened in there. One minute I'm laughing at his ridiculous idea of a male skincare range... well Bonnie's idea and the next he had me pushed up against the wall. All I wanted to do was go to the bathroom, get back to the table and chuckle some more at the weird lunch date I found myself at. But no Damon has to fuck things up and make my life difficult.
Of course I lied to him after the kiss telling him he got what he wanted so he could back off. Truth be told I lied because I'm scared; scared that I liked it as much as I did. He was so close to me, I could feel his hot breath on my face. Then when he pushed his body to me I could feel his dick pressing up against me and well I lost all fucking control... who wouldn't? In that moment I was willing to probably go all the way and let him screw me there and then. But again in true Damon style he ruins the moment by informing me that after all the heavy breathing and intense looks; that he ain't gonna kiss me. So I took matters into my own god damn hands because no one leaves me high and dry.
I was a panting mess... just sayin!
That was a stupid thing to do people. I regret kissing him now, not because of what he thinks but because I want to do it again. You see that's why I had to lie to him and be a smart ass. I didn't think before doing it and there lays my problem.
Must start thinking, must start thinking.
"Elena" I hear Jer say.
"Yeah," I say as I turn to face him.
"Why are you out here? Everything ok?"
"Everything is just fucking wonderful Jeremy, I'm just getting some air," I say sarcastically.
"You wanna talk about it," he smiles "I'm your brother you can tell me."
"Damon's a jackass and that's it really," I start pacing "No in fact he is infuriating, self obsessed, tactless and I wanna choke him most of the time but..." I trail off.
"But what?" Jer pushes.
"But nothing alright, whats up with you and that agent girl, Bonnie?" I quiz hoping to get deets.
He laughs "Nothing is up with us. On Saturday when we went to the diner and bumped into Damon, as we were leaving I went to talk to her and we exchanged numbers." he grins "I like her shes cool."
I nod "Cool? Ok so was she the one... you know... this morning" I ask sheepishly.
"MmmHmm" he mutters.
Well that's just fan-fucking-tastic, not only have I got to deal with Salvatore and his arrogant ways I now have a brother who has decided out of every female in New York to fuck, he chooses the agent. My life is seven shades of fucked right now.
I tell Jeremy to go back inside and tell jackass I ain't going back in there and to enjoy his fucking foie gras alone cuz I'm going home. I cross the street and holla for a cab and just as one pulls up I see Salvatore running out of the restaurant. What the... I open the cab door... I need a quick getaway.
"Elena, wait" I hear Damon bellow across the street.
I ignore him, jump in the car and tell the driver to "just drive". I sit back and laugh at myself, I feel like I'm in some kind of movie making the great escape. I peek out of the back window and Damon is standing on the sidewalk, his hands on his head looking at my cab, that is now moving away from him. I feel a bit bad for just leaving him there but I can't deal with this. I need some time alone away from Salvatore, he clouds my judgement.
I decide against going home he will only go there looking for me I just know he will. I opt for somewhere that sells alcohol and no I don't give two fucks if its one in the afternoon I need a drink... a strong one at that. I pay the cab driver and exit the car outside some bar and make my way inside.
It's a cute little place with nice furnishings the back wall is full of wine shelves hence the name of this place "Wine spot" and what a coincidence my favourite drink is wine. I walk to the bar and order a large glass of white wine, not fussy which kind. The bar tender brings me my drink and I down it in one. I know full well that your not supposed to drink wine like that but half an hour ago I kissed the Salvatore so I'll drink it however I want.
I motion for him to get me another glass and end up just taking the bottle and handing him some bills. I know this is going to sound weird but I want to talk to Stefan, hes the only one who really knows Damon for who he actually is. He hasn't been a celebrity since birth so Stef would be able to tell me if hes being genuine. I can honestly say that Damon Salvatore confuses me but I can't blame him for all of it. I know I have trust issues I can't help that but I wish he was always the man from this morning, when we were at Johnathan's the Tailor. He was sweet and kind, why can't he just stay like that?
I pour another glass and sip it ladylike this time as I sit at the bar all alone like some lush. I'm just pouring my third glass when I see me walking through the door. Damn... what percentage is this shit? As I'm looking on the bottle to see what proof it is I feel a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey sis" I hear myself say.
I turn in my seat "Kat?" I question.
Thank god I haven't lost my damn mind... yet. A few more days with Salvatore and it will be gone with the fucking wind.
"Yes it's me, good god woman how much of this have you put away?" she takes a seat next to me and fingers the bottle.
"Oh Kat, I'm so glad your here... wait... how'd you know I was here?" I ask suspiciously.
"Well Jeremy called me and then Damon called me... and well just call it a twins intuition. I put myself in your position and came to where I would go, you being the wino you are and this been the nearest wine bar, it wasn't really that difficult" she shrugs.
"Everything is fucked." I state bluntly.
"Are you going to elaborate or should I start guessing?"
"It was all going so well this morning Kat, he was being nice. He gave me a dress to wear on Wednesday which I guess I have you to thank for that" I give her a small smile " and then in the car he goes to kiss me and I pulled away obviously because I felt uncomfortable. Then I was horrible to him in the restaurant, laughing at him and his fucking skincare range idea. So I excuse myself to the bathroom, I come out of the bathroom and he pins me against the wall" I sigh remembering it "it got all intense, serious and fucking hot" I'm babbling "I kissed him Kat and now I don't know what to do." I finally just say it.
She goes to speak but I cut her off "Oh.. and Jeremy is screwing his agent" I nod.
Kat gasps "Whoa, first of all... you kissed Damon Salvatore?" I nod "And second of all Jeremy is doing Damon's agent?" I nod again... fuck, I'm nodding a lot "So why exactly is Jer fucking around with the agent? How'd that happen?" she asks amused.
"Ask him, I don't care about that right now... well I do, but I need to figure out what to do about Damon." I say filling up my now empty glass.
"Well getting wasted is not the answer, come on I'll take you home." she takes the glass away.
"One more drink." I take back the glass.
"Elena, you're a bit of a lightweight, sweets." She chuckles and reaches for my glass, I hold on to it for dear life "Let go of the glass Elena" she says struggling with me, she finally pries the glass from my fingers "Come on lets go."
I roll me eyes, but follow anyway.
Katherine is the only person I know who uses her car as much as she does. I mean, in New York everything is pretty much in walking distance from everything else and if not you take the subway or a cab.
"Why is he so infuriating?" I mutter as she drives.
I hear her chuckle. "Because you're fighting it." she says.
"Fighting? Fighting what? Kat, I'm not really in the riddle solving condition right now. I mean, look at me." I look at her to make sure she's looking- oh wait, she should probably keep her eyes on the road.
"What I mean is you like him, but you don't want to. I just don't understand why. Is it because of Matt? Do you still, you know, love him?"
"Ughh, no. Matt hasn't been on my radar in forever." I say and I fucking mean it. Me and Matt were never gonna last. He's all weird and possessive.
"Good. You know, Jeremy told me that he called him asking for your new number." she says sounding a bit amused.
I looked at her in disbelief. "Jeez, I can't believe that guy. I changed my number for a reason."
"Say the word and I'll send some people to take care of him."
I look at her. "Who are you? Tony Soprano?" I laugh.
"Listen, I deal with crazy fans all the time. Just.. if you need help with that let me know." she says with certainty.
I nod. "I think it's fine for the time-being, but thanks." I say through my foggy mind.
"So how's Stefan?" Kat asks curiously.
I sigh. "Why? You wanna screw someone close to Damon too? Ugh! Everyone sucks.." I pout.
She rolls her eyes. "You suck!" she retorts maturely "And calm down. It was pure curiosity."
"Hmm, whatever." I look outside the window.
When did we stop?
"Alright. Come on, you." she helps me out of her car.
Now I'm out in the fresh air I am feeling the effects of the wine and I'm a tad light-headed. I make a start for my building but realise Kat ain't walking with me I turn to see her leaning up against her car.
"You not coming in?" I shout to her.
"I got stuff to do sis, I'll call you tonight, maybe you should take a nap" she advises me and I think she maybe right.
As I'm turning back around I see she is smiling at something so I follow her eyes and low and fucking behold Damon is walking straight towards me. I shoot Kat an "I'm gonna kick your ass" look and scurry towards the doors. Just as I reach the handle to open the door a hand comes over my shoulder and shuts it again.
"In a hurry Elena?" his deep raspy voice asks me.
"Yes as a matter of fact I am, so if you don't mind-" I look at him, he looks pissed.
"What is wrong with you? I don't get you at all. Your always blowing hot and cold with me. Have I done something to upset you? 'Cause if I have please tell me and I'll try to fix it." He takes a deep breath. "All I wanted to do was prove to you that I'm more than what you perceive me to be." he hangs his head pinching the bridge of his nose.
As I stare at him I begin to feel like a total bitch now. I thought he was doing this to get me into bed and going to extreme lengths to do it because I was probably the only girl in New York not follow him around screaming and begging him to sleep with me. And now I find out that he wanted to prove to me that he is more than what I see in the papers and what people say about him. Prove to me? Why me, I'm nothing special and he shouldn't really give a fuck what I think of him anyway.
"Damon... I-I'm so sorry, I've been a total bitch. I thought this whole week was about you trying to get me into bed-" I admit reluctantly.
He slowly looks up at me "You're not a bitch Elena, I was just hoping that I could change the way you see me" he looks in my eyes "I like you, I won't deny it but I only realised how much I liked you this morning when I gave you the dress. You were so happy, and your happiness was over something that I had done..."
"Ok, you don't have to say anymore, I get it. Can we start over?" I say and he gives me the most gorgeous smile I've ever seen.
"Hello my name is Elena Gilbert." I hold my arm out in front of me "It's a pleasure to meet you."
He chuckles "Hi Elena, I'm Damon Salvatore" he shakes my hand "the pleasure is all mine, Miss. Gilbert." he says flirtatiously.
We both laugh and I slap his shoulder, I guess he's always going to be a big flirt. I must admit I feel a lot better now we have cleared up some of this shit. I was being too hard on him so from now on I'm gonna try my hardest to get on with him, I mean he ain't the worst company in the world... I could be stuck with Matt Donavon.
"Hey, you wanna come up and have a coffee, I got some questions I want to ask you for the article anyway, and seeing as were friends now-"
"I would love too." he says and we both make our way up to my apartment.
Damon pov:
Admitting to Elena that I liked her was much easier than I thought. I'm glad we are starting over because I need her to like me even if it's just as a friend. I can't explain why I need her in my life, I just do. Now we are starting over I'm going to make sure we have so much fun for the next week, I want to make her laugh and feel special, treat her the way she deserves to be treat.
We get into her apartment and I sit on the sofa while she is making coffee, I look around and notice all the pictures she has on show. I get up to take a closer look, I pick up the one that I saw yesterday, it's Elena, Jeremy, Katherine and their parents I presume.
"Hey Gilbert, are these your parents?" I ask holding up the photo.
"Yeah, my mom Jenna and my dad Rick, they live out in the Hampton's. We all grew up there but moved to the city obviously because of work commitments. We all try to get out there as much as we can though." she says smiling. I can't believe she is actually telling me about them. This morning she would have told me to get my dirty hands off it and mind my own business.
Could this be progress?
"The Hampton's-wow, I've never been there, I've heard great things about it."
"Ok enough of me Salvatore, the article is all about you baby!" she laughs "So my first question to you is... what made you become an actor?" I take a seat back on the sofa and she takes a seat opposite me in the armchair with her laptop at the ready.
"Well I didn't think I wanted to become an actor, it kinda happened by chance back in Mystic Falls, where I was born and raised. You see my parents died when I was young and it hit me pretty hard." I admit, there's no point holding that back if I'm gonna do this article I'll do it right.
Elena gasps "Oh my God, Damon I'm sorry to hear that."
"It was a long time ago now Elena but thank you. So anyway I got myself into some bad situations and some light drug taking. I'm not proud of myself for doing that but at the time it was the only way I could deal with my parents death's" I take a sip of my coffee "Stefan, even though he is younger than me, took it extremely well and focused on school and college, he still had expectations and goals he wanted to achieve even after what had happened, I envy him for that." I chuckle at myself the words seem funny when they're actually said. "One day I was reading the local paper... first time I'd ever read the paper and there was an advertisement in asking for small town new talent for a motion picture. I just went along to the audition for something to do, I was bored and had no friends... well not the right type of friend anyway. They loved my audition and I got the part and then everything just went fucking nuts after that."
"Wow that's some story, I think it was fate your whole career. The first time you ever read the newspaper and that audition advert was in there, I can't imagine there is many of them in the Mystic falls paper, remind me again where Mystic Falls is." she laughs.
"It's a small historic town in Virginia, I have to actually go there on Friday so you will be able to check it out yourself." she stares at me wide eyed "I was gonna wait to tell you seen as you were being so difficult with this whole thing, but what better research would you have than to actually go where it all began for me?"
"When exactly were you going to tell me this?"
"Probably at Katherine's show on Thursday, but seeing as were starting over... I understand if you don't wanna go-"
"No-no I'd love to go. What exactly do you have to go there for?"
"Well my family is one of the founding families of the town and every year they have founders day and I present a cheque to the town as a donation, but over the weekend they have a lot of things going on. It will be fun."
"Wow," Elena sits back taking it all in, and I hope it's not too much.
"Stefan will be there," I say, hoping that will make her feel better about it.
Her face brightens at the mention of his name "That's good. I feel like I haven't seen him in forever," I try to keep a neutral expression as a thought pops into my brain.
"Stefan told me the funniest thing last Friday," I start, playing nonchalant.
"Oh yeah?" she says distractedly as she stands to grab my coffee cup. I mentally add 'forgetfulness' to my list of 'Elena descriptive's' because she gave me that cup not too long ago and it is practically full still.
"Yeah, he... uh, said that the two of you had a thing going on once upon a time." I get up and follow her.
"Mhmm. What about it?"
"Nothing. It's just funny," I shake my head.
She snorts and shakes her head. "Why?"
I ignore her question and decide to stop beating around the bush. "Are you two still- do you two frequently-" I stop talking when I see the look on her face. She's staring at me with a curious and amused look.
"Are- are you jealous?" She snorts with laughter. "Oh wow! Well, sorry Damon, but Stefan and I have raunchy sex pretty fucking frequently." She shrugs "It helps that we work together too. Boy, if my office walls could talk..." she trails off.
I scowl, barely reigning in my anger which only sets her off again.
"Oh, I'm soo telling Stefan about this. Damon, I'm kidding! We kissed one time, but could you imagine though? Stefan and I going at it every chance we got?" She laughs and begins cleaning the few dishes in the sink "That's funny."
What the fuck?
So it would seem that telling her about my feelings brings out the teasing. At least she won't be seething most of the time anymore. Still, that little joke pissed me off.
"Where's my dress?" she asks suddenly. She's leaning one elbow on her counter and her other hand is on her hip.
She's so fucking cute.
"I'm having it delivered. It should be here, Seven at the latest," I inform her. I look at the time and see that it's almost four-thirty.
"Um, Damon," Elena starts as she dries her hands. My attention is automatically pulled back to her. "I just wanted to say thank you again. I really do love it, it's beautiful" She smiles sweetly at me.
"Anything to put that smile on your face Gilbert," I say and she giggles.
Wow. How many times has she giggled today? It's probably the sweetest sound I've ever heard.
"Hey, where's Jeremy and uh.. Bonnie?" She sounds suspicious.
I answer hesitantly. I know she didn't seem too thrilled with the idea of them fooling around earlier. I'm not too sure why. "Well, Jeremy was worried about you so.. they left and went back to his place."
She rolls her eyes "Poor Jeremy needed comforting, so your assistant... well... she assisted him." she says sarcastically.
"Hey! Don't knock young love!" I scold her.
"Jeremy's only three years younger than me." she remarks.
"Do you really have a problem with them dating? They seem to really like each other." I ask her, honestly I've never seen Bonnie this happy and chirpy and I've known her like... forever.
"I don't- well I did. I mean, I was really pissed at you at the time, then I found out about the two of them, and it was just my luck. I don't really care now, I guess. As long as Jeremy's happy." She shrugs.
Ah. There she is. The real Elena. The sweet, caring and selfless one. Not that I ever doubted that last one, I just never had the chance to see it until now.
She throws the dish towel at me and I catch it. "Stop staring at me like that."
I follow her out of the kitchen. "You excited about the premier on Wednesday?" I'm trying to take in as much of this new Elena as I can.
She sighs "Yes, excited and nervous."
"Nervous? Why?"
"Damon, I told you. I'm not used to the lifestyle you live I don't have tailors at my every beck and call, and who have connections to these awesome designers." she rants.
Oh no, not this again. "Elena, I just figured out how you can pay me back for the dress."
"Just because we 'started over' does not mean we're going to have sex, Damon." she says, using finger quotes.
"No, that's not what I meant, although it would be nice. Elena, I want you to stop selling yourself short" I tell her, all joking aside. "I'm serious. You don't see yourself the way others do. Not only is what you do for a living remarkably significant, but you're just as important, if not more, than most of the people I've ever worked with."
I'm rewarded with her beautiful blush.
"I'm still not sleeping with you." she mutters looking anywhere but at me.
I laugh loudly, finding the humor in her words and doubting them at the same time.
We'll work on that...
She sighs and plops back down on her sofa. "You're sweet, you know? Completely different than how I thought you'd be." Her turn of thoughts surprises me.
"Why did you have that impression of me? You know, the whole egotistical, money hungry shit." I'm so fucking curious to know. "Did Stefan badmouth me or something?"
She smiles a little and shakes her head. "No, if anything he wanted us to be friends. You know, you're not the first star that I've talked to, I'm not so new to this for fuck's sake. And everyone that I've spoken to, I won't say any names, has been either a huge bitch or an asshole, you know? Always on their fucking high horse, it pisses me the fuck off. So when I met you I didn't think you'd be any different. Plus there was... never mind. Anyway, moral of the story is: 'When you assume you make an ass out of u and me', blah blah blah and all that jazz." she finishes quickly.
"Wait wait wait! What was that bit, before the last thing you said?" I backtrack.
She looks at me with wide eyes. "Nothing, I said nothing. All you need to worry about is that I changed my mind. Damon Salvatore has managed to change my way of thinking." she says a bit louder as if she's making some sort of declaration. "How does it feel Salvatore?"
She's trying to change the subject, so I decide to point out the huge ass elephant that's bound to make it's appearance soon. "You kissed me." I smirk. Either we talk about that, or whatever the hell she's trying to avoid.
She blanches a bit before getting her composure in control. It's obvious her brain is racking up something else to talk about.
"Come on Elena, did you honestly think it wasn't gonna come up?" I ask.
She narrows her eyes at me "The kiss or your cock?" she retorts.
"Both!" I say honestly. We both laugh.
After a minute she says, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
I don't even try to hide my disappointment. "You shouldn't be sorry. I liked it. A lot."
"Yeah.. me too. But the reasons behind it were just so... fucked." She rolls her eyes.
Hmm. Does that mean that, had the circumstances been different, Elena wouldn't have regretted the kiss? But she did say she liked it.
"Wipe that smug smile off your face, Salvatore. You do know we can't tell anyone about that, right? Not only will Lexi Branson be furious, but chances are she won't let the article within one hundred feet of the paper." she informs me.
I hadn't even thought about that. But oh, well. I can keep a secret.
It's obvious that right now in Elena's mindset she doesn't plan on anything like that kiss happening again. However, I can tell that she hasn't completely written it off.
"Your regrettable dirty little secret is safe with me Elena." I laugh "It's obvious you are not going to tell me what you were going to say so shall we talk about tomorrows agenda, or do you have anymore questions for me?"
"First of all Salvatore it's not a dirty secret ok," she scowls at me " and secondly I don't regret kissing you I just regret doing it for the wrong reasons." she shifts positions on the sofa "Tell me what the plans are for tomorrow"
"I am involved with some charities and tomorrow there's a nature hike to raise money for "The Children's Aid Society" that I will be taking part in. I will pick you up around Eleven in the morning, make sure you wear something comfortable. We have to travel about an hour out of the city and the hike will take place around lake Skenonto, its a beautiful place to walk."
"I didn't know you were tied to any charities, that's really cool Damon. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, getting out of the city and I've been slacking at the gym so some exercise will be good too."
"I'm glad your looking forward to it, well I better shoot I got some stuff I need to do" I stand up and head for the door, Elena follows me "I've really enjoyed this afternoon Elena, thanks for inviting me up."
"I've enjoyed having a civilised conversation with you Salvatore, who'd of thought it huh?" she punches me lightly in the arm.
"I'd say we were making some fucking progress" I state and she laughs "Your dress will be here tonight and I will see you," I tap her cute nose "tomorrow."
Elena giggles then wraps a hand around my back, stands on her tippy toes and leaves a hot, lingering kiss on my cheek which I was not expecting and my dick has now woken the fuck up.
"What was that for?" I ask her.
"Just for being you, the real you." she blushes "And I'm sorry again for being a bitch."
I lean forward and place a kiss to her cheek "That's for you, just being you. Even though I'd much rather kiss your lips." I whisper near her ear.
She giggles again "Get the fuck out of here Salvatore." she says while pushing me towards the door.
Elena opens the door for me and then nicely pushes me through it, I look in her eyes and I see hope for us or hope for me either way I know she doesn't hate me and there could be a possibility that something may happen between us once this article is wrapped up. I nod at her and she nods back and closes the door. Once the door is shut I lean back against it.
Today has been a good day. I think I'm finally getting Elena to see me for who I really am. Lets hope tomorrow I will be able to show her another side of me she hasn't seen before. I will strive to do everything in my power to make sure she giggles and laughs a lot more. She is a beautiful, professional, talented woman and she will think more of herself by the time I have finished with her.
So Elena gets to see Damon give back on Tuesday. I hope you're excited , cause we are!
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