A/N: A little late, but its here finally :) Don't forget to follow STRiNGS_SCFic on twitter for cut scenes from chapters, unedited conversations, and lots of behind the scene photo edits. Catch the conversation between Stefan and Caroline at StefanStrings and CarolineStrings on Twitter, and the so called flirts of DamonStrings. Catch up on Stefan's diary which might give you spoilers for upcoming chapters. Now enjoy and don't forget to comment down below :)

Life is beautiful, and when you see the intricacies hidden in every corner of the streets. Bonnie is feeling the same today, and why wouldn't she? After all, it's her first day of work in the Big Apple. Walking into the seventy floors building doesn't feel real to her, but she is standing in one of the biggest building after Empire State and Rockefeller buildings. The ecstasy is rushing through every inch of her bone, awestruck with people walking by around her. Everyone looks busy and fast, so fast that her eyes couldn't keep the track of every single person. She takes a deep breath and steps forward with the hopes shining in her eyes. However, she walks into something bigger and bumps her head.

"Ouch." She whines and put her right hand on the bump on her forehead.

"Are you okay?"

She still had her hand on her forehead when she heard the voice from her left.

"Hey, are you okay?"

The guy asked again. On any other day, she might have just smiled and walked ahead, but since it's her first day, and the anxiety was speaking louder for her, she almost gave him an angry look. Almost. However, instead of her eyes glaring at him, they went wide in shock.

He was extremely gorgeous, and the crooked smile wasn't helping her to think otherwise.

"Wh-what?" she stuttered weakly.

"I asked if you are okay?" He asked with a concern.

"I-uh, yeah I am fine. Just don't want to have a bump on my head today."

"Well, don't worry about that, no one will notice the tiny bump over the beautiful face like yours." His smile widened as he squinted one eye and winked.

Whatever the effect the guy was making on Bonnie disappeared in an instant. Flirting at first meet is something she was never able to digest. But, damn the guy was hot.

"Yeah… right." she started slowly. "I should be going now, or else I will get late." she rushed passed him without giving him any chance of talking further.

Since it's her first day, she didn't have her I.D. card created. So, she took the visitor's pass and entered through the gate. Take the elevator and go to the 40th floor where the main office of Strings was located and where she had to report. The only problem was it was a maze of elevators.

"First right and then take a left." The same voice spoke to her. She raised an eyebrow at him. "For the 40th floor, you have to take a right and then a left. The elevators for that floor are situated in that direction."

Bonnie figured since she wasn't saying anything, he kept explaining himself.

"Oh. um, thanks." She was intrigued and calm at the same time. First, she didn't remember if she said anything about which floor she had to go to, and second, she wondered if the guy was a psychic like her.

"Pleasure is all mine." He smiled crookedly and started walking with her.

"Sooooo, are you following me or something?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oooor, maybe we have the same destination to reach at." He answered back, and she couldn't help but smile due to the way he talked.

"You have a really beautiful smile by the way."

"Do you flirt with every random girl you meet?" She shot back.

"Well not EVERY random girl." He stopped before pushing the elevator button, and answered after a pause, "Just the ones who are gorgeous."

She didn't answer him back, but shook her head with a smile on her face.

"Are you still going to follow me?" she asked once the elevator stopped at the fortyth floor.

"That depends… on where you heading for!" The guy turned to face her, keeping his hands deep under his grey colored suit pant. "I am Damon, by the way… Damon Salvatore."

He brought his hand in front of her and in a reflex she took it to shake.

"I am Bonnie.." before she could complete her sentence, she was interrupted with a big "Hey" from the corner.

It was Caroline Forbes, her new boss. She was waving at her with a broad smile. However, in between the walk from her standing point to Bonnie's point, her smile started to disappear and was switched with a frown.

"Hey, Bonnie." Caroline shrugged her shoulders slowly staring between her and Damon, the mysterious guy who was still standing beside her.

"Hi, Caroline. Am I late? I hope I am not, because I was totally inside the building before time." Bonnie started to panic.

"No, no, you are all good. I was wondering if you didn't get lost or something. The maze elevators in this building are confusing. So, I was just coming out to check if everything is fine." Once she was finished, Caroline turned her head to Bonnie's right. "Damon." Caroline smiled at him.

"Caroline." Damon mimicked the same tone as Caroline's.

"You are here… with Bonnie." Caroline was smiling, but there was something weird about the way her teeth were gritting against each other.

"Oh, she met me downstairs." Damon said.

Before it was too late, Bonnie's brain started to add one plus one, and things were starting to clear in her head.

"Damon!" She said out of blue. "As in, Damon Salvatore, as in Stefan Salvatore's elder brother?" She had read in some article about Stefan, and in the family and friends the only person who is always mentioned is his older brother. Him and the friend who is also like a family.

"Usually people know STEFAN as MY younger brother, but it's nice to meet someone who knows him first." Damon replied. Bonnie couldn't tell if he was kidding or was serious. "I am glad that Stefan has friends other than chipmunks."

"Uh, what?"

"Ignore him." Caroline interjected. "He babbles and can't let go of his monologues, so just… excuse him." Bonnie saw her making the same fake kind of smile to Damon. "If you will go straight, you will see Stacy sitting at the reception. Tell her your name, she will show you your cubicle, and once I am free, I will meet you there."

"Sure." Bonnie smiled, and took a deep breath.

Fingers crossed for not messing things up for herself.

"All the best for your first day."

She heard Damon wishing her before she left them standing there.

[***]

Damon was still looking in the direction where Bonnie headed. She looked different from the picture Caroline tweeted, but in a good way.

"What the hell was that?" Caroline smacked him on his right shoulder.

"Ouch… Caroline, behave, this isn't the boarding house. People might think you are harassing me."

"Don't you dare think about it." Caroline ignored his joke and gave him a serious warning. Serious because her face was dead drop serious. Doesn't mean Damon was going to take Caroline seriously.

"Don't encourage me." He mocked her.

"DAMON!"

"Caroline… chill. Stop worrying about stuff so much."

"Look, I don't care what you do with your life, or how many girls you sleep with, just stay away from Bonnie. She hasn't even started yet and you are here already flirting with her. If she left, I am gonna murder you, I swear."

"Stop being feisty, and just tell me why did you call me here?"

"Oh, yes… follow me to my office room."

While following her, he looked around the place. Even though they know each other for almost their whole life, Damon have never been to her office. And he could totally see Caroline in every inch. It's vibrant and so colorful that it shrieked her name.

"Oh, nice office…. And cute picture." Damon said while taking the chair opposite to her table. He took the frame in his hand which was holding Caroline and Stefan's picture. Standing in a red cap and a gown smiling from one eye to another, it was their graduation picture. "I wonder whoever took the picture, is the best photographer of the world. I mean he knows the angles."

Caroline stared at him before saying, "And who told you it's a 'he'?" She grinned widely, the triumphant smile coming on her face.

"Very funny." Damon commented.

"So, as you know that my new column is going to launch soon in the next edition of our Magazine, we are throwing a huge launch party for that." she started while taking the chair.

"Okay, and how does it concern me?" Damon said while playing with the rubik's cube which was places on her table. "Look, if you want help in your mundane work then please contact the younger Salvatore. He will be available all the time for you, in fact he would be happy to be in your service..." Damon might have had continued, however when he saw the expression on her face, he stopped.

"Thanks for the advice Mr. Salvatore, but that is not the reason why I called you. In fact, if I need any help I would, as you have indicated so profoundly, call Stefan, who by the way will never complaint to help me or anyone in need."

"Theeeeen, why the hell am I here?"

He waited for her answer as he saw the change in her facial expressions. From the sarcastic face to a puppy face, it took her two seconds for the transformation.

"Spit." Damon narrowed his eyes.

"You know Rebecca right? Rebecca Mikaelson?"

"Yeah." He said slowly. "What about her?"

"Well, she is, like I said before going to work with me from now on since she is handling the Department in the Prada, and is also one of the sponsor for us, and-"

"Come to the point, blondie." Damon cut her in the middle. Her blabbers were one of the many things which Damon never entertained.

"I kinda said you are available."

"For what?"

"For the party. I sort of told her that you will be happy to go as her plus one."

"Aaaand, didn't I tell you before that I don't got with the same girl twice."

"Yeah, and I told you that THIS is important for me…"

"AND I told you, that I DON'T care."

"Come on Damon, it's just one damn event. I am not sending you on some war where you could die."

"What will I get if I go with her?"

"Wait… so you will go?" She was already jumping on her feet.

"Depends upon your offer."

"Okay… um, what about the most expensive armani suit."
"Are you kidding me? How much expensive can you get from THIS?" He gestured his hands hovering over the suit he was wearing.

Caroline sighed in exhaustion. She knows if there was a badge for having most expensive stuff, it would definitely go to Damon Salvatore.

"Then what do you want?"

"How about the Caro-token."

"What the hell is that?"

"It's the favour token. Which I can use anywhere, anytime without any expiration date OR without any questions asked."

Caroline started to laugh. "You are kidding, right."

He didn't join in her laughters.

"Right?" She asked again.

And again he didn't reply.

"No ways I am gonna do that."

"Why? You don't have any problem when you pull this trick from Stefan?"

"First, you are not supposed to know about that, and second, that's Stefan. Okay. He trusts me."

"Fine, then. I am going, apologize to Rebecca from YOUR side." Damon was standing up when she stopped her.

"Wait…. Ugh, I am so gonna regret it." Caroline muttered. "Fine, it's a deal then."

"Deal. Just… please keep her happy."

"Well, that comes as a second nature when you are Damon Salvatore." Damon smirked and finally stood up. "Now, if I may, I have a lot of work to do."

"As if you have anything to do other than one-night stands." Caroline muttered to herself.

"What?"

"Have a nice day." She waved him a goodbye.

"Give my love to Bon-bon."

"Damon don't you-"

He would have heard what she said afterwards, but he was already out of her office. Not that he needed to be present in her vicinity to know how that sentences ended.

[***]

It's March and in some places it already feels spring, the places situated in south side. New York is definitely not one of those places. Hanna has been waiting outside her school for just about fifteen minutes but she is freezing to death, even though she has like 3 layers on.

"How long is it gonna take?" She stutters on the phone, shivering from the cold.

"Five more minutes. You know how the traffic is in this city."

It was Stefan, and anyways, if she is in need the very first person she always calls is Stefan. It has always been like that since she met Stefan. The only good thing that came out of being Caroline's sister was to meet Stefan. He is kind, loyal and whenever she feels out of the place, he makes sure to make her comfortable.

"Can I come too?" Hanna asked her older sister who was busy preparing the room for Zoya's birthday party.

"What are you gonna do there? Don't you have homework to finish?" Caroline said while paying attention to the decoration.

"I already finished it."

"No."

"But-"

'What the hell are you gonna do with the bunch of high school students?"

"Better than being all alone." the little Hanna mumbled. She knows she might be way too young for the said group, but she didn't care.

"You are not coming, and that's final. It's not a babysitting party." Caroline wasn't in a mood of entertaining her baby sister, and riling up on this was just a waste of time for her.

"Who said it isn't?" Stefan walked into the room and went straight towards Hanna.

"Oh, no no no. You are so not gonna manipulate me into keeping her in the party." Caroline pointed at Stefan.

"I won't." Stefan said sincerely. "I will stay with her."

"You what?"

"Yeah, I mean I can stay at both places."

"They are high school students, Stefan. I mean what if someone gave her something weird to eat, or if she accidentally drink something."

Hanna could see them arguing, but she didn't get the point of argument. What could possibly go wrong from drinking something?

"Caroline… I will take care of her. Don't worry." He turned around to look at Hanna. "Besides, she would love to hang out with me, right Hanna?" He winked at her.

"Yes, yes, I would love to." Hanna said excitedly.

"But, won't you get bored?"

"I would rather get bored in the party. She will be fine, don't worry." Stefan whispered to Caroline.

"I am more worried about you, since she is the diva of tantrums."

But, Hanna never throws tantrums when it comes to Stefan.

To minimize the freezing effect, Hanna started to walk briskly on the periphery of the ground where her car was parked.

That's when a guy passed by her and knocked her into the shoulder.

"Hey, watch where you are going." She shouted.

"You should do the same." The guy responded back.

He was wearing all black colored clothes from tip to toe, with the hat on his head. By the looks, he was totally shady high school kid, holding the skateboard in one hand and the bag in other.

"Nice skateboard." She said before she could think of anything else.

"Thanks? You are interested in skateboards?"

"Please… I would never put my feet over that thing."

"Says the girl who reads cactuses."

"It's cacti."

"Cactuses."

"Cactus is derived from a Latin word and in Latin the plural of cactus IS in fact, Cacti." She pointed it out.

"Whatever, loser." He said and left before she could reply.

"Hey, come back. How.. how dare you." She was talking on the empty road now when she heard the honk of the car.

"So, are you gonna stand there and shout or are you gonna get in?" Stefan said while pulling up the car in the corner.

"You know there was this guy-"

"Yeah, that guy… he looked really shady to me."

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

"He was arguing with me… ME… I mean nobody argues with me."

"Caroline argues with you… and wins most of the time."

"Yeah because I let her."

"Yeah… riiight." Stefan rolled his eyes, with the hint of a smile on his face.

"Shut up."

"You probably won't admit but you both are so alike."

"No, we are not. I am cuter than her."

Stefan laughed at her.

"Although I am pretty sure you will counter me."

"What." He frowned. "Why do you think that?"

"So you don't think Caroline is cute?"

"When did I say that?"

"So, you DO think she is cute."

Stefan didn't reply. It was a routine, more like a habit for him to listen to Hanna's tease when they were alone. Caroline didn't know about it, or acted as if she didn't know.

"I will take that blush on your cheek as a yes."

"Hey, I don't blush."

"But… you are…. Right now."

"One day in the company of Damon Salvatore, and this is the result."

"Family hiking! what can you do, huh. But, I must admit, it was reaaally fun in having someone on my team for once." Hanna said while checking her fingernails.

"What does that supposed to mean? I am always on your team."

"Uh-no… you play double roles. On one hand, you take my side, but on the other you always manipulate me in giving in to Caroline. In fact, you secretly wish for her to win in anything, even if she is wrong."

"Hey, I do what I think is the right thing to do. And now if she asks for the car-"

"I will tell her I took care of it myself. Or else she will get another reason to pick a fight with me."

Stefan stayed till she went inside her house. Hanna never knew but in reality, Stefan always tried to convince Caroline to look through Hanna's eyes. When things are said and done, Caroline will be the first person to run to Hanna if she needed any protection. She is just good in hiding the emotions.

[***]

Stefan parks the car on the street away, and walked to wards I Tea Cafe which was situated on the Filbert street. He was done with the article for Vorb Magazine, but he got the last minute call about the interview, and since there were few questions the Editor wanted to discuss with him, he chose this place. Good for evening caffeine.

"I am so sorry to call you in such a short notice." Celine, the editor said.

"Hey, it's all good."

They took the table on right lane. "So, what's the matter you needed to talk about?"

"Just wanted to give you the news that, I have bought the firm and now you are sitting with the new owner of the Vorb Magazine." Celine's parent were from Philippines and she had struggled a lot to reach this position. Thus, hearing about her success, made Stefan very happy.

"Wow, this is such a great news. And you are telling me this in a coffee shop? I mean this needs to be celebrated."

"I know." She laughed. "And that's why I called you here. There is a success party tomorrow. You have to be there."

"Sure."

"Mmmm… and bring Caroline too. I would really like to meet her in person. After hearing so much about her, I am dying to meet her."

Stefan smiled to himself. "Yeah sure she loves parties."

"Then it's settled then. I hope she isn't like Phoebe assumed."

"What did she assumed?"

"Oh, nothing serious. A few months back, Caroline threw a charity fashion week, which sounded more like a shallow reason."

Stefan was about to say something when she interrupted. "Doesn't mean she is."

"Probably you are right… and she is a little shallow." Stefan started. "But, then who doesn't have flaws in them."

"Yeah… that's true."

Celine sipped her coffee before asking another question. "So, if you can change something about her, what would you change?"

"Nothing." He said instantly. "Flaws or not, shallow or not, that girl is my best friend, and the only person beside my brother to whom I can talk about anything and everything.

"That's very impressive of her, I must say."

Stefan chuckled. "Well, then embrace yourself, you are gonna get hella impressed tomorrow. You know what, you should totally do your next article on her."

"Let's see, impressing me is easy enough. Impressing Phoebe on the other hand…. Way too hard."

"Well you did it pretty nicely."

Celine laughed at the tease. Phoebe was the Vorb's photographer and her girlfriend.

"I can bet that Caroline will." Stefan said.

Maybe they need to wait and watch on that.