Chapter 16: Looks Like the Game has Just Begun

The room buzzed with an exciting and thrilling atmosphere. Waiters moved through the crowded room to offer champagne to the guests as they took it without hesitation. A chandelier hung down from the ceiling, the bright light setting the room off. A jazz band played in the background as a small crowd gathered around to watch. The room seemed to be split. You had the conversational side of the room and then the dance floor, where people were twisting the night away, enjoying the talents of the live band.

The brunette surveyed the crowd as she stood at the bar, ordering a few drinks for herself. Work events were extremely stressful and hard work when you were in charge. She looked down from the balcony of the second floor and down onto the first, the thought of the height giving her a shiver. The black dress hugged her curves in all the right places and the red fuck me heels completed the outfit as she had her hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Black emerald earrings dangled from her ears which added a delightful spark to her outfit. Downing a shot, she winced and returned to the elegant drink; champagne. She didn't want to upstage Damon tonight, another topic in mind.

Damon. It had officially been a week since she had admitted to Damon Salvatore that he had a place in her heart. Being honest, it should be very awkward between them, but it isn't. They had become extremely close again and were beginning to work through it. They were in a special kind of place, a place that Elena hadn't seen coming. They were lucky to have even got to the work event tonight because when he came to pick her up, partying wasn't the first thing he had in mind. It was more of a...how many times could I get you to come within a time period? Shaking her head, she bit her lip.

Looking across the room, her breath caught in her throat as their eyes met for what had to be the 20th time since they had arrived here. Butterflies grew in her stomach as she diverted her gaze. He was going to be the death of her with that lust stare. Spotting Caroline in the crowd, she smiled. Her number one guest that she invited, the A list star. She frowned when she seen her heading over to Damon and sighed. That was never good. Draining the glass of champagne, she grabbed another glass and began sipping at it as she moved to the edge and placed her hand on the gold railing. She would be drunk soon if she didn't pace herself.

"I didn't see beauty down on the list."
"Still working those old pick up lines I see." She swallowed, inhaling as she closed her eyes.
"You told me it was charming." He smirked, leaning next to her.
"Once upon a time."

"When you were crawling into my bed, I remember." He whispered into her ear.
"As I said...A LONG once upon a time ago Stefan."
"Ah, a man can dream. I mean, we could have that once again, just say the word Lena."
"Uhh-" She rolled her eyes in disgust as she sipped her wine, "I'm happy thank you."
"Yes, with my brother. That reminds me, I'll be back, don't go anywhere." He told her, walking off and downstairs.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her racing heart as she heard the shrilling of her cell. Reaching into her clutch, she pulled it out and stared at the caller ID. Katherine. She had the most perfect timing.

"Katherine, impeccable timing you have there."
"I'll take that as a...Stefan arrived to the scene of the crime?"
"Yes, being a bigger dick than usual. What the hell is the plan?"
"To beat him at his own game." Katherine replied, studying her fingernails.
"Easier said than done don't you think?" Elena frowned, sipping her drink as she watched the crowd.
"Well yes, everything always is. You should know that; being a PA to a well-known man and all."
"Yeah yeah, so what do I do?"
"Hit him with your best shot, good luck Elena."

The line went dead as Elena groaned and tucked her phone back away in her clutch. The woman was infuriating at times. Scratching her chin, she looked around for Caroline and seen her coming up the stairs. Ah perfect, run it by Caroline. Walking over, she grabbed her hand and led her over to a secluded corner as the blonde laughed.

"Reminds me of high school when I was dragged to the back of the bleachers for a-"
"Ah ah, no sex talk. We haven't got time, keep your dirty inside and then go get flirty."
"Yeah yeah, what's the matter? By the way, you're boyfriend is going to nail you later."
"Caroline!" Elena gave her a look.
"Whaaa? You guys were having fucking eye sex from across the room." She shrugged innocently.

"ANYWAY," shaking her head, she looked over her shoulder, "Stefan is here."
"Really? Where?"
"I don't know. I was talking to him and he went off...somewhere."
"So, what do we do?"
"Go with the plan."
"Right, should I give Damon a heads up?"
"I'd be truly thankful if YOU did. If I go over, like you said, I'd be dragged to a backroom and I really need to sort this out."

Caroline winked, blowing her a kiss and walked away, making her way back downstairs as Elena drained the rest of her glass and placed it back on the back, walking down the hall as she looked around at the rooms. Suddenly, she was pressed back against the cold marble wall as she gasped and looked up, her eyes meeting an emerald-green.

"Well hello Elena," Stefan smirked, "We need to have a little talk."
"Get off me Stefan." She struggled.
"I keep my promises you know, I LOVE promises. So much in fact that if I don't see the job getting done, I take extra precautions."
"What? Like murder huh?" Elena raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in her eye.

"What?" He stepped back in shock, looking at her.
"I take extra precautions too Stefan, I can assure you. But just so YOU know...you better watch your back because I can make your life a living hell with a incy wincy click of my fingers. Past influences you see, you shouldn't let them be, you should go and break them off or they ALWAYS come back and bite you in the ass. Believe me, I'd know a hell of a lot about that."

Elena glared at him as he glared back at her and pressed his hands against the wall on either side of her head, backing her up against the wall. Swallowing, she held her hands behind her back and stared up at him as he grunted in annoyance, punching the wall next to her head causing her to gasp in surprise.

"Bad idea threatening me Elena, you won't like what you will get. And YOU will be first on my list."

Grabbing her face in his hand, he kissed her roughly as she struggled, biting his lip hard as he pulled back, grabbing her neck. Gripping his wrist, she digged her nails in, trying to get him off as he squeezed harder, his anger bubbling up inside of him. The shrilling began from Elena's purse as he let go of her and she dropped to the floor, trying to catch her breath.

"See you soon Elena."

Walking off down the hall, he turned the corner as he joined the crowd once again. Rubbing her throat, she winced, tears edging near her eyes as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall. That was going to bruise a hell of a lot. Pulling her phone out, she seen a missed call from Caroline and texted her back.

Looks like the game has just begun.

A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed! :D The next chapter will continue from where this left off. :)

Shauna

xxx