Black Velvet

Chapter 31- The 3 Types of Men

R-M

Some of you have asked for a couple flash backs regarding Bonnie and Damon's night in Vegas. I already had a couple chapters written, but, I have started a chapter where I incorporate a couple flashbacks for you guys. Not this chapter, but upcoming chapters. Please Enjoy!

Bonnie sat at her desk Monday morning. She was reading over Oliver's emails, and decided to call her attorney about it. With the cases having such a close connection, her lawyer, thought it was worth looking into, to combine evidence for Bonnie's counter claim. After all her lawyer was a shark, and this has become more than a divorce. The knock at her door sounded as she looked over the claims against Damon, thoroughly astounded at Andie and Kol, as if they could keep surprising her.

"Come in."

"Well hello there, worker bee. I know you wanted to meet here, but what do you say we have lunch. After all, I'm still young, and I can't be confined to a desk all damn day girl."

"Ugh, Girl. Kat is gone for two weeks, so, I've got this case, this office, and no time to go to lunch."

"Listen, I get it. My life was this way about four years ago, when I first got put on. But, I had to learn to make time for a social life. So, last year, I started making meetings a mandatory lunch date. I don't have a social life, so that's as social as it gets for me. Plus, I heard about the new Bistro that opened a month ago. I've been dying to get my appetite there for the wine. I hear, they have their own vineyard down in the valley." Her lawyer was a different breed of woman from other women. She was a lot like a perfect mixture of Bonnie and Kat. A bitch when it counted, a force to be reckoned, with a smile for days, and probably one of the youngest lawyers that for some reason Bonnie trusted. She came from Bonnie's alma mater before she went to law school. Bonnie was big on supporting women from her alma mater.

"Ms. Pratt, I hear the place gets packed during lunch."

"Perfect. I like a crowded place. It's a great way to kind of, let loose."

Bonnie was skeptical. She knew she needed to focus, but she'd be lying if she said, Damon wasn't heavily on her mind form the day before. "Ehh, I'm not sure."

"Girl, I'm buying. And, I'll make sure to include alcohol. You look like you need it."

"This is, unprofessional, isn't it?"

"Very." The young woman smiled, and Bonnie knew she was a certain level of crazy.

"Okay. We can go. Let me send the staff home for the day. I haven't actually reviewed this Bistro yet anyway. So, I guess I can kill two birds with one stone."

"Perfect. And we are taking a Lyft, because I need a drink too."

Bonnie huffed lightly, and tried to remove the dress from her body as her entire stance showed her need for a tension massage. "Ahhh. This ought to be fun."

"I used to be ALOT like you."

"What do you mean?"

"Let myself be consumed by the little things. A perfectionist."

"You call divorce, little?" Bonnie chuckled sarcastically.

The young, beautiful, chocolate skinned woman grabbed Bonnie by the arm, gently. "No. That's not what I mean. I mean, life is short. Tomorrow isn't promised. Don't let Kol drain this energy out of you. I feel a vibrant woman inside of you. My ex... Asher, we'll call him. He, was an amazing guy. But... not meant for me. And it took years for me to see it. So, we drained one another, because we were two totally different people. And instead of walking away, we wasted energy trying to change each other. Now, I got it, your situation is different. But what I'm telling you, is don't let what's happening now, which is out of your control, dictate your outlook on life. The variable is unpredictable. But you have to live your life regardless."

"You're right. I'm just... whew, I need to take a deep breath."

"Okay, do it with me." She placed her hands on Bonnie's shoulders, and counted to three. "Inhale... one, two three. Exhale...one, two, three." She smiled at Bonnie, and Bonnie she'd a half grin. "Good. And, I promise, you're in good hands."

"I hope you're right, Ms. Pratt."

"Please, call me by my first name. I'm not that kind of lawyer with someone from my alma mater. Not everyone knows the all female collegiate experience."

"I know, you keep telling me that. Okay. Michaela."

"For you... Micky."

...

A perfect sun gleaming vision at the hot spring forced the smiles on two people's face who couldn't take their eyes off of each other. Alaska in the summer was far different from Alaska in the winter. There was no trace of snow, and the sun never set. It circulated in the sky leaving traces of lighter blue and darker blue over a twenty-four-hour period of time. It was the perfect scenery for a man who never wanted the day they got married to end. It almost last two weeks.

"Look at that rainbow, settling over the end of the hot spring in the water sprinkles."

"Where keeper?"

"Just beyond that large boulder, around that corner. See it?"

Kat searched for nearly fifteen seconds until she saw sunlight glistening through water droplets spread out over the atmosphere. There it was, plain as the nose on someone's face. A rainbow about five feet wide. As people swam around the natural hot water, Elijah leaned against a boulder and Kat leaned into him.

"Uhhh, oh. It's... right there, literally feet away from us. Please, just let me touch it."

"No. You know, a rainbow disappears the closer you get to it."

"Baby, I just want to feel it. I want to see what a rainbow feels like. I know, it's not real. But... I want to touch it. I'm like a kid in that way. I've never seen one so close."

Sometimes, when it was just the two of them, there was no outlandish behavior of hers. These are the moments Elijah lived for. Seeing her be polite, and almost Doe-eyed, allowing him to baby her and take care of her. As her face genuinely tilted to the right, glancing over her shoulder at him, he pulled her hair from one side of her face to the other shoulder, and pulled her closer to him. She quivered, feeling his wet lips brisk her shoulder, making the droplets on her skin, draw goosebumps in the gentle seventy-seven degree weather.

Elijah peppered her right shoulder with his loving lips, feeling everything from her radiate, his energy. Her eyes closed, reveling into his soft kisses, and imagining them doing much, much more, in the hot spring. Without conscious effort, Kat, pushed her backside into Elijah's crotch, and before he let her make him hard, he grabbed her jaw lightly, wrapping his large arm around her.

"Ah, ah. Kitten, this isn't the time nor the place. There are families here. Children, and adolescence. The behavior you are exhibiting, is best suited for the hot tub in the room. Besides, there is no television, or reception, and I plan to destroy you when we get back to the room. Now, to fulfill, your little innocent, and sweet desires, head over there, where the water fall is. When it disappears, just turn to me and smile."

Elijah had gotten good at playing a role of a man who made Kat rethink her moves. He'd say some wild, inappropriate remark, then go back to being sweet. Kat took what she got, allowing him to lead her in their lifestyle, and help her to become the best submissive she could be, while she helped him become the perfect dominant for her.

Her legs allowed her to glide across the water, and once the rainbow disappeared, she turned to him and smiled. He reached over the side of the spring, grabbed his phone, and took a picture of her, at the right place where the sun hit her, the water, and the rainbow hung over her head, from his view.

SNAP!

He took several pictures. "Perfect My kitten."

A sweet smile spread across her lips, and she floated back to him. When he turned the picture to her, she smiled like a child seeing magic for the first time. "I love it, thank you baby."

"When you hit the moment, that the rainbow disappeared, and you turned to me, what went through your mind?"

"Uhh, I felt weightless, and warm, the water, the sun, the peace. Why?"

"That my dear, is what a rainbow feels like. You felt a rainbow."

Astonished by his findings, Kat blushed incredulously towards him, before pulling him into a kiss. "So, a rainbow feels like being in love?"

"I suppose. But, as a man deep in love with the woman of his dreams, I can say, I feel untouchable." She shook her head, unable to respond. But her smile was all the response he needed.

...

The two women sat over a couple of glasses of wine discussing Bonnie's options. Bonnie with a glass of Malbec, and Michaela with a glass of Merlot. "Your case is solid, but with you and your exes combined evidence, I'm not sure Kol stands a chance."

"Really? Michaela don't play with me." Bonnie insisted.

"Hunny, this man is lazy. He'll do anything to not work. But, what I find fascinating, is how you can, excuse me for intruding, but-"

"Then don't." Bonnie said seriously, giving her matter-of-fact look.

"Listen, Bonnie... I was serious when I said we need to get personal. How else will you trust me?"

"I just... I don't like people judging me."

"Tough. I'm a lawyer. You will have a judge and a jury judging you. I'm the least of your worries and your current best friend, for the moment. I'm drilling the shit out of you, like Kol's lawyer will do, when you are on that stand testifying. Now, I'm gonna need you to put those big girl, crotchless panties on, and fuck the shit out of this case."

The statement caught Bonnie off guard, causing her to spit her drink out a bit, in shock. "What?" But she laughed, because it's something Katherine would say.

"You heard me. This case should be your dick. Ride it. Now, are you ready to be a grown up?" She asked seriously.

"Okay. Fine. What do you want to know?"

"Well, you've got this husband threatening to spill all your dirty laundry, for a man he says was not only his therapist, but abused you, abused this other woman, and assaulted him with a deadly weapon. Then you've got the woman throwing in rape charges. A lot of signs point to him being an aggressor. Did he ever hurt you?"

"Michaela-"

"Bonnie, I'm your lawyer. I've got your back no matter what. You give me a story and I will sell it, but are we okay, with defending this man... this, on paper, predator, Damon?"

Bonnie sighed. "You sound like my friend Kai. Listen, Damon, he'd never hurt me. He's... we, have a particular relationship. I keep my private life private. But if you must know, no... he's never hurt me. He never hurt the other woman either. She's a jealous bitch."

"Then what is it, that you're relationship consisted of, because sweetie, in court, we have to be clear the difference between what you call abuse, and what you call...?"

"Pleasure." Bonnie joked.

"Okay. Let's start there. You and Damon, have particular sexual tastes. Is it at all possible, from what you know of him, that he'd rape a woman?"

"No! Absolutely not. He... he barely liked sex when I met him. His thing is control. He loves control-"

"Stop right there."

"What?"

"You tell the court that he likes control and he looks like a rapist. What do you mean control?"

Bonnie had no idea what it meant getting her and Damon's private life out there. What it meant for her career, his career, and what it meant for public records to indicate the life she lead. Her parents would find out, her colleagues, and... the life she cherished as her private life, would be... open for the public to judge. "Let's start with I love my privacy. And I loved what Damon and I shared." She took another heavy drink. "Kink. Fetish, you could say. He's a dominant. He was, my dominant. He was also her dominant. Which is why she's jealous." It made Bonnie cringe to remember Damon was once Andie's dominant.

"There, that's a start."

Bonnie was surprised Michaela didn't stick her nose up at her. "Soooo, you're not surprised, or disturbed by this?"

"Girl, if you and your man like to keep it spicy. I'm all for it. I have no room to judge."

"Well, just because you're okay with it, doesn't mean everyone will be. Let alone a judge, or Damon's business peers, and colleagues."

"This is a different era we live in Bonnie. Not the 1950's. Hell most of these judges have prostitutes, and side-pieces. Men and women. Half of the men are down-lows. So, you'd be surprised."

"But, Michaela-"

"Micky, please. Trust, Bonnie."

"Micky- I can't let that out. I'm not ready to tell the world this very personal part of me."

"Then tell me, what are you willing to give up, about Damon's control issues to help your case?"

Bonnie took a deep breath, grabbed her wine glass and downed it. The Bistro was crowded, and no one could hear them speak. The way Micky liked it. A crowd, and enough people to be so loud they didn't compromise their privacy. Michaela, waived down another waiter. "Two more." She said tapping her glass, then Bonnie's. She looked back at her client, bound to make her a friend by the end of the day. "Well, let's sell a story."

Bonnie took a deep breath before speaking again. "To understand Damon's control issues, you have to understand, that Damon, trusts himself more than anyone. He's careful, and he doesn't like disorder. He prefers..." she began thinking about her words, "... he prefers being the reason women smile. His sexual escapades always lead to him, giving women the pleasure and attention they didn't feel in their lives. He never asked for or wanted pleasure in return, because he just had to know, he was enough, to make a woman feel good. To the point, his body became a tool. He had no control over the way women used him. But he never realized it. I did, with this woman Andie, and I hated it. She was the submissive, to the untrained eye, but the way she spoke about him to other women... like he was a paid for piece of ass. He was numb to it. It's..." some emotion started to hit her, when she realized Damon's need to please women, came from the loss of Lily at a young age"... it's as if, making women feel good, came at the cost of his own self-esteem." Bonnie paused.

"What, BB... talk to me?"

"BB?"

"Your initials. It's the first sign of friendship. Nicknames. Now, keep going. What's wrong?" Bonnie had to get used to her lawyer's style of interrogating.

"It's just... I'm realizing some fucked up shit, as I speak. I- I think, I over analyze things so often, to decide how it did and didn't effect me, that I forget, how it effected Damon." She started realizing more about him in these moments.

"Well, see, that's why, having a totally unbiased set of ears helps. Listen, I know I'm not a conventional lawyer. Trust me. But, I do what I do for a reason. I'm fucking good at it." She nodded to herself, smiling cockily. "Now, follow my lead, and we will eventually tell a story that, no judge can barter."

Bonnie smiled towards the man who brought the drinks, and she took a small sip before speaking. "Well, he... is a very confident man, on the surface. He's, sexy, smart, smooth, seductive and very, serious. The five S's. But, deep down, he was... fighting this battle, of needing acceptance." Bonnie kept speaking about Damon, in ways that was opening her own eyes to parts of who he was deep down. So deep, he hid it from himself. She went on to define Damon's need for control, and how, in translation, he could never hurt a woman, purposely, with malicious intent, because, he pride himself, on making women happy, out of needing their acceptance. Before she knew it, she and Micky had spent two hours, just talking about Damon's control habits, and how, it translated to both she and Andie.

When they finally left, Micky had a good idea about Bonnie and Damon's relationship. That was just the beginning. Soon, she had to learn about Kol and Bonnie. But that'd be saved for a different day entirely. Kol wasn't casual conversation, over a glass of wine... he was more like a complaint over a bottle of tequila, for a later date.

...

Bonnie ended up at Lily's house to check on her, and to her surprise, Lily was walking.

"Oh... my god, you're walking. You... you look great!" Bonnie gave a happy laugh, and as Lily gently pushed it, Bonnie flung it open and hugged her. "You're... walking." She breathed into Lily's shoulder hugging her. The sigh of relief tugged at Lily's heart strings, how Bonnie loved her.

"Yeah. I started walking yesterday. You okay sweetie?"

"I am. I- just can't believe you're walking. How did this happen?" Bonnie asked as she pulled back.

"I... ate yesterday. I had food. Real food. Not broth." Lily laughed.

"That's... that's great. I'm so glad. What got you to eating?"

"The children. Julian and I had them, during the wedding, and I didn't want them to know, grandma was sick. So, I ate. Forcibly." She grinned. "But, it was delicious. Had a little pasta, with meat sauce, and sweet potato."

Lily watched Bonnie cry happy tears, and cover her lower face with her hands, trying to contain her emotions.

"Bonnie, sweetie... why are you crying. What's, wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm just so happy. This is amazing. And you look amazing." Bonnie's happiness was contagious. Lily couldn't help but to smile back at her. Even if she knew her fate, Bonnie helped to keep things relatively light around Lily, making the days, seem normal. Or as normal as they could be for a dying woman.

"It does feel good to walk. It's been almost a week since I last walked."

"I know." She pulled Bonnie in and shut the door. "You seem very, energetic. Compared to the last couple weeks."

"Sort of. I am tired now. But I'm glad you're here."

"Oh, go ahead and sleep. Don't mind me."

"No, Bonnie." She smelled the alcohol on Bonnie's breath. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Lily walked towards her kitchen slowly, and pulled out a bottle of water. "Here. Talk to me."

"I'm fine. I just...I wanted to check on you." Bonnie smiled, fidgeting with her hands.

"Bonnie dear, you come, everyday. You need a break from checking on me." Lily loved Bonnie coming over, but Damon's words affected her. She hated that his words resonated about her relying on Bonnie. He was adamant about not liking her relationship with Bonnie, and she started to feel she was bad for Bonnie. She didn't want Bonnie to deal with losing her when it came time to say goodbye.

"I'm fine, Lily."

"You've been drinking?"

"A little earlier."

"Driving Bonnie?"

"It was hours ago. I'm not drunk."

"I trust that you're not drunk. But I can tell you're tired."

"I'm fine... promise. I just haven't slept much since last Wednesday."

"Six days? Bonnie! Come on, let's go the bedroom. We can talk while I rest my legs. You can lay down, and watch tv with me."

"Sure." Bonnie smirked.

Bonnie helped Lily to the bed and sat her back against the headboard. When Bonnie sat next to her, Lily lay Bonnie down, putting her head onto her lap. "So, how was work?" She asked as she stroked Bonnie's hair.

"I'm, not sure. I spent most of the day with my lawyer. Had lunch and drinks while we discussed the case. Went back to my office to wallow in my anger, for not understanding men. And then, I came here."

"No one understands men." Lily laughed. "How was the wedding?" Bonnie's eyes started to close, as she spoke. It felt good to lay there and forget what she was talking about.

"It was great. Kat looked beautiful. Elijah was handsome. They were perfect, like Ken and Barbie."

"Any fascinating happenings?"

"Well, Elena caught the bouquet. Because everyone else was afraid to." Both Bonnie and Lily laughed. "Klaus... Elijah's "never gonna get married" brother, caught the garter."

"Gee, what an ironic moment. I'm surprised people still carry those traditions."

"Yeah. Well, I couldn't even catch the bouquet, because, well... I'm married, technically, mid divorce. And how embarrassing would it be?"

"You want to get married again, Bonnie?"

"I suppose not. But... I mean, I'd thought, maybe up until a point I'd get married again, to the right person. Then, I got a reality check that, my soon-to-be-ex husband is already engaged. And I realized what a joke marriage is."

"You're too young to think this way."

"You know what else?"

"What?"

"Your son, is an idiot."

"What did he do, this time?" Lily giggled.

"Lily, he came to me, in the middle of the dance floor, and ended things. Well, we were already broken up. But he gave me an entire speech about how he was sorry for everything. He didn't realize how much he'd hurt me, at first. He just assumed I was feigning anger."

"What?"

"It's a long story, I don't want to bore you with the drama."

"Please, darling my life, is confined to medications and rest. Spill the tea, and don't leave out a detail."

"Okay. Well, it started in Vegas. He was there. And of course, I had no idea. Kat thought to leave that tiny yet vastly important detail out. So, the plan was not to see him. But we ran into each other, and I was suckered back into that gaudy gaze and stupid smolder thing he does. And then... Oh God. I can't, this is wrong. You're his mother, and I hate to go there."

"Bonnie, it's okay. I'm here for you. Don't think of me as his mother. Think of me as your friend."

Bonnie sighed, rubbing her hands through her perfect hair pushing it back over her head, messing it up. But she didn't care. She stood up from the bed. getting her second wind. "Okay. So, I ran into him, and we... had another night of crazy make up sex. Please forgive me for this, but it was amazing, and mind blowing. It was everything I missed. And when I woke up the next day, I forgot where I was, until I saw him as I tried to do the walk of shame. Then I pretended to forget it all. I lied Lily. I acted like I forgot the whole night, because he's too addicting. I could never forget making love to Damon." Bonnie grit her teeth feeling more inappropriate every word she spoke. But she didn't care, because she couldn't tell her own mother this. She needed some maternal advice, and ears. "I'm sorry, this is awful of me to talk about." She started pacing the room, ands on hips. "It was... he was... everything. And we almost had sex again, right then, and I had to stop it."

"Why?"

"Because he asked me, 'when are we going to pretend to stop being mad at each other?' I mean, what the hell? Pretend? No, I'm mad. You lied to me about your career! You lied about how you knew my ex. You lied about a lot. You... made me trust in you. Fall for you, and you were a lie!"

"Oh dear." Lily didn't realize how much tea was in this little kettle, but it was spicier than she assumed it would be. She covered her mouth with her hand, taking a deep breath. "So, then what?"

"So, I had to lie, and tell him I have a boyfriend. Which I don't. But he thinks I do. To top it off, my friend, Kai, agreed to pretend to be my boyfriend at the wedding."

"Why lie? Why not be honest?"

"Because, I had to walk away from Damon, which is hard for me to do. Sure, I can stay away, and be angry, pretend he doesn't exist, and live my life." She shook her head hearing her ugly weakness out loud. "But the moment he's in my face, I can't. I love him so much. And he, wouldn't let me walk away, if he knew I was single. But, I can't trust him. I was with the same asshole for ten years. I'd been through a lot. And though, I realize, Damon's lie was to protect me, it was selfish and manipulative."

"Of course. And you deserve honesty. I'm sure, you give and give, and give. I know you by now. And I know he's hard to reach Bonnie. I know he's hard to reach. And I hate myself for being the reason behind it. I hate myself so much, for being the reason you're going through this. It's my fault he's this way."

"Lily, at he end of the day, Damon needs to address his emotions over yours and his relationship. He's an adult. He's a therapist for crying out loud. But, me? I can't. I just can't do it. I can't be his everything, while he keeps parts of himself closed off to me. I did that once. I lost my entire twenties because of it. I need to feel Damon's emotions, and understand his triggers, so I can help him. I want nothing more than to help him. But he won't give me that. He won't let me be his shield."

"In all fairness, Damon doesn't want to burden you with his grief."

"He could never burden me. He means so much to me. Besides, I'm not a baby. I can handle it, Lily."

"But, Damon is very protective of you. It's just his natural instinct to be protective, since he was a young boy, protecting me from his father. Plus, Kol really did a number on you."

Bonnie thought to dig into that statement about protecting Lily from Giuseppe, but she didn't want to intrude too heavily. "Why do you say that Kol did a number on me?"

"You were young and naive. He manipulated your will, and now you're a defensive woman when it comes to people tying to protect you. You like to prove to everyone your fine, to supplement how Kol took advantage of you. You refuse to be victimized. Trust me, I relate."

"I don't want the world viewing me the way Kol did."

"I understand, because I've been there. Your Kol, is my Giuseppe."

"Lily, I love your son. More deeply and passionately than I ever could imagine having loved Kol. Damon, was the only person, I ever let lead me. The only person, I allowed in my head. But I didn't realize he was a fucking therapist for nine months. So, yeah he was so deep inside of my head Lily, and he made me feel so needy of him. He was always listening to me talk, feeding off my loneliness. Manipulating himself in my mind to be everything Kol wasn't. Because he was Kol's therapist."

"Holy shit!" Lily grieved Damon's poor decision.

"Exactly. I felt so whole, and complete. And then..." she tossed her arms up in the air.

"Then what?"

"Then he ended things in the bizarre and thoughtless way at the reception. On the dance floor, after telling me how beautiful I looked, and how much he loved me. He told me, he had to let me go, to be happy. To be a better man."

"Wow. My son is an idiot! How could he think you wanted to be left alone, simply because you asked to be left alone? I mean sure you said it, but he's not that dumb. He's a therapist."

"Exactly. I just wanted him to fight for me. Be better for me, for himself. Open up, and share his pain with me. He told me you were dead for heaven's sake. When I saw you at the cabin, in Big Bear, I was confused. Instead of the truth, he lied. When I think about it, he's lied quite a few times just to avoid giving me his real self. He lied for Kol, about you, about his job... but... despite it all, I wanted him. I just wanted to be acknowledged, and validated. And he did that at the wedding. He gave me exactly what I needed on that dance floor. Then he told me, to live my fucking life, without him!"

"My poor idiot son."

"Right? Like what the actual fuck?" Bonnie said cry yelling. And Lily just accepted it and let her. "I mean, I guess I have to let it go and move on, right? Sure. I'll move on. But he'll regret it, one day. Because, I'm a great catch."

"Bonnie come here." Lily held her arms out. "Sweetie, don't cry." Bonnie walked over to Lily and sat on her knees net to the bed. Lily wrapped her arms around Bonnie.

"Men are idiots, Bonnie. It's scientific facts. Julian's done countless idiotic things over the past twenty years. He started fights, because he was afraid to lose me. So, he'd push me away. He was hardening his heart to the idea, that his luck would eventually run out, and I'd leave."

"How could he be so dumb?" Bonnie asked.

"Men are highly sensitive and insecure creatures. They are classified into three levels of insecurities. The men who weren't loved enough by their mothers, the men who were loved too much by their mothers, and the men who will never love anyone more than themselves. We will meet one of each in our lifetimes, and love one of each. And only one of them is for us. The one that fit the kind of nurturing or love we have to offer."

"Makes sense." Bonnie thought to the three men in her life, currently. Kol, the spoiled youngest son of a wealthy and privileged family, who loved himself more than he loved anyoneone else. Then there was Kai, the mommas boy, who was given plenty of love from his mother, throughout his life. And last but certainly not least, Damon, the one who was abandoned by his mother and had "mommy issues," Kai called it. It was a lot to take in, but it made so much sense to her.

"I was a sixteen year old docile virgin, with ivory skin, black hair, and blue eyes. A traditional Italian man's perfect idea of a wife in the seventies. Giuseppe feared my beauty from the moment he met me. It intimidated him. Instead of adoring me, he looked down on me."

"But why didn't he feel blessed just to have you?"

"No, not a man like Giuseppe. You see, Giuseppe is a lot like Kol. He was obsessed with himself. He was possessive and not in a doting way. He had the beautiful woman on his arms. I was like you, Bonnie. A young girl, part of a union I didn't understand. But, together, we made two families proud. He, like a Kol, was handsome, charming, smart, and manipulative. And he couldn't keep his dick in his pants. He was insecure and needed the validation of helpless, insecure women, who were worse mentally than him. The type of women who would cling to his name. Salvatore. A name with merit, and wealth. And I was like you. Virgin. Young. Intelligent but Naive. Beautiful, but low maintanance. Soft, but firm. Docile, but strong-minded, and strong-willed. A possession. He knew, I was rare."

"You are Lily. You're rare, I can see that. But, how did Giuseppe not expect men would look at you? You're gorgeous."

"Pft, it almost made him despise me."

"What did he do?" Bonnie asked wiping her eyes.

"Well, he feared that my beauty would make me cheat on him, because so many men looked at me, when we were dating. And when we got married, on our wedding night, he took advantage of my innocence. Every girls wedding night is supposed to be a beautiful experience. But robbed me, of my special night, taking my virginity. And, it was no secret. Anyone in the manor that night, heard my screams. I was no longer under my parents protection. I was his. I belonged to him. But not because he loved me, because I was what every man wanted. He feared I'd could have any man I wanted. And in his mind, that gave me too much power. So, to prove a point, he took the one thing I could never get back, or give to anyone else. And he took it in the worst way possible. All the servants, and manor staff heard my cries, begging him to be gentle. But, he was a man of a well protected sanction. No one dare stop him. From that night forward, he... reminded me, to whom I belonged. To whom I served. To whom I answered. He never told me he loved me. Not once, in our entire marriage. And because he hated me so much, when he raped me on our wedding night, I conceived Damon. And when Damon was born..." Lily began crying, "I loved my son so much, it made him jealous. It made him hate me more and more. It made him angrier and angrier. And he took advantage of me whenever he could. Because my inner being, and my beauty was so powerful and I was so strong-willed, he couldn't control my mind. Instead, he forced himself on me the only way he could. By overpowering me, physically. There was never any trying to please me or make love to me. It was just abuse, and pain, and pleasure for him. And the more I loved my son, the more Giuseppe hated him. He hated Damon, because I loved Damon so much."

"Oh my god, Lily. That's awful. I'm so sorry." Bonnie grabbed Lily and held her the same way Lily held her, while Lily cried. "What a fucking asshole. You didn't deserve that. Do you understand me? You didn't deserve it. And he didn't deserve you."

"Yeah, well, I knew the only chance Damon had of surviving Giuseppe, was if I left. He wouldn't hate Damon anymore. He'd stop hurting him, because Damon would stop trying to protect me. I wanted so badly to take my boys, when I fled. But I couldn't. I left, and went into hiding. I didn't even tell my own family where I was. But I had to leave my boys, the only humans I loved more than life itself, with their father. A man who despised me from the moment he met me. Because, he was rich and powerful and would give them whatever life they wanted. As long as I wasn't there."

"Are you saying, Giuseppe, told you to leave?"

"I'm not saying anything, except, I did what was best for my boys, because no matter what, I always loved them, and wanted the best for them. But I couldn't give it. I ran away from a contractual marriage, which made me a criminal. It was a business deal. So, I had to disappear."

"Damon, and Stefan don't know this do they?"

"No. I still couldn't make their father look like the monster he was. Because, if I did that, they'd hate him. And they had to love one of us."

"Lily you gave up your right to be loved by her boys, in order to let them lead a life, of privilege, and become successful? That's horrible. How could you hold onto all this for so long?"

"Well, the guilt, the stress kept me sick for years. I was mentally unstable. I beat cancer once before. I've had a couple benign tumors. The guilt, and pain kept me depressed, and sick. To the point I just, drove myself into a life of poor health sometimes. Heavy drinking. Partying for a long time. Numbing the pain with drugs, and alcohol. How Julian put up with me, I don't know. I guess he knew why I lived so horribly."

"You were punishing yourself for leaving your boys."

Lily nodded her head. "I didn't deserve to live. And this last time I got sick, I just didn't want to live anymore. They think I ran off to have this fabulous life, but I was living my worst nightmare most days. I was a mess. Times I made Julian run away from me, for months at a time, because I was angry and ornery, about my life. But in the end... he'd just keep finding me, and taking care of me."

"And you never married Julian?"

"No. Two reasons. One, I wanted to die a Salvatore, because my boys are Salvatores. And two, Julian deserves to live a long happy life with a woman who can live for him. I couldn't. I mean, I love him very much, but, I was broken for too long. Giuseppe broke me. He did the damage, the night I married him, and over the next fifteen years. And losing my boys, was the last thing I could handle. But, I did it for them. The first time I got cancer, was when I was still with my boys. I thought I'd die, and I couldn't let them see that. Giuseppe knew, and I asked him to never tell my boys. That's when I left. Then Julian found me. Helped me get better. Helped me fight, told me that I had to live for the boys. He vowed to help me find them. But Giuseppe, put a hit out on me. So, I left it alone. Thought, fate would one day fall into place."

Bonnie's eyes puddled with tears, and she just kept crying and listening. "So, how did you stumble across Stefan?"

"He's a marketing and sales manager for one of the biggest life insurance companies in LA. As I'd searched for life insurance, I had come across his company, and decided to go with them. It was a pure coincidence he worked for them. I happened to see him in the building. I knew his face. Damn near twenty five years later. He looked the same. Handsome, like his father. Strong jaws, and eyebrows. He knew me right away, because I look exactly like Damon."

"Oh gosh."

"Yeah. Fate, as I always prayed. I came to LA for my doctor. Who would've thought?"

"And you've been wanting to tell Damon everything?"

"I can only do what he allows me. But that's not the point here. The point is, I know what it's like dealing with men like Kol. And for the life of me, I felt the connection from you, the moment I met you. This beautiful girl. I mean, flawless. But you had this story inside of you. And when we started spending time together, I knew you needed to receive as much emotional support as you gave. And I had that story inside of me, and so many more along with a lot of pain I've endured. And yet, I'm here still."

"You are such a fabulous woman. Despite your mistakes, you survived a lot."

"Wow, this is the first time I've said any of this out loud. It felt good to let some out."

"Lily, I hope you and Damon can speak sooner than later, I really do."

"Yeah, maybe. But he has to want to. I won't force it. I left him some important information. I know he hasn't read it yet, and he probably won't until I'm gone. But, make sure Bonnie, please promise me, you tell Damon to open the gold envelope in his box."

"Of course." Bonnie sniffed her drying tears and couldn't believe all she'd heard Lily share after she trusted Lily enough to speak to about Damon. And some how, they felt even closer than before now.

"And remember, all men are idiots. And you will love or care for deeply, at least one of each of the three types in your lifetime. The types are: mommas boys, narcissists, and mommy issues. One of those, is usually never worth fighting for. The other two, have a fighting chance to learn from their mistakes."

"Okay." Bonnie agreed.

"But they will always be idiots. Even the good ones." She laughed, and Bonnie followed suit. "You have to decide, which idiot is deserves your patience, your love, and your time."

"You're right. I have a lot to think about."

"You also have a lot to protect. Any man who truly loves you will understand that."

"Thank you Lily. Thank you so much, for trusting me enough, to share such intimate parts of your life with me." Maybe the one thing she'd always wanted Damon to do, and somehow, she got a little of his history when Lily decided to share some things from his childhood. It helped her little by little to understand this enigma of a man.

"Thank you, for having loved my son, so that I could eventually meet you, and have you in my life, this way. I'm truly grateful for you."

"Ditto."

xXx

Micky sat up for hours reading Andy and Kol's lawsuits. She was noticing a pattern of violence, according to the reports. Damon was a man who looked like a manipulative, mental and physical abuser on paper. But, remembering what Bonnie had told her earlier about his private lifestyle, she knew their best bet to easily destroy Andy was to use Damon's lifestyle as the bait and switch, turning the tables on her sadistic behavioral patterns, and the commonality, that they all involved very well established and wealthy men with a lot to lose. Counter-claiming her as a predator and Damon as the victim. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try. Once Andy was out of the way, both lawyers could easily tag team Kol Mikaelson.

It was time Micky and Ollie met face to face.

To: Oliver Queen

CC/BCC:_

Subject: Bennett-Salvatore joint considerations

Good Evening Mr. Queen,

I'm up late going over these lawsuits, and I'm noticing a pattern, in Damon's behavior. This is a serious matter in which we are assembling evidence in assistance to counter Kolson Michelson, and Andrea Star's claims. My client, assures me Damon is not a violent man, and I believe her, but I also understand the merit of their positions in the community. And certain discretions are in place to accommodate and avoid the relegation of professional status.

I'd be much obliged, if my client and I could designate an appointed time and place to meet with you and your client directly, and as quickly as possible. I have a feeling you are more acquainted to your clients "personal" tastes, than you let on. And I am unable to help unless I know everything. We should gather evidence together, and discuss our options.

Your hasty response is appreciated.

Michaela Pratt

Civil Litigations Attorney at Law

Keating and Associates

Sorry for lack of Bamon this chapter. After the last chapter having them together the day after the reception "speech" Damon gave Bonnie, seemed unrealistic. Plus a lot of people are wondering about Kol and Andy, so I needed to incorporate some of the "legal stuff" this chapter, to begin that process. Also, I hope you liked the introduction of Bonnie's attorney, she should be very familiar to those of you who watch HTGAWM. I wanted a believable character to portray the type of lawyer Bonnie would have. A strong female who takes no shit. I added a bit of my own flair to her, to personalize her for this story. And Lily and Bonnie's heart to heart was kind of opening Pandora's box into her life, thus the unraveling of the layers of Damon Salvatore. Which matters for Bonnie's sake. Thank you for reading!