It's been too long. I wanted to update really bad, so here it is! :D I'm excited. This is one of the biggest chapters ever, and it's one of the best. :DD
lexosmolderhalderx dot polyvore dot com; you can find Elena's two outfits :DD
CHAPTER 4; Who could ever love a beast?
As Elena's obnoxious alarm went off the next morning, she was shaken by a dream. She sat up straight in bed and sighed. She leaned over, to hit the off button on her clock. Running her hand through her thick brown hair, Elena scratched the top of her head. It was only 6:30, but today that was too early for Elena to start this day.
Elena reached for her iPhone that was plugged up nearby on the end of her side table. She pressed down on the top, turning it on. She switched it to unlock, and viewed her text messages and missed calls. Most of them as she soon discovered were from Caroline.
She read the text messages and swiftly called Caroline. She heard the phone stop ringing and Caroline's perkiness woke Elena up completely.
"Caroline Forbes."
"Caroline, what is up with the text messages and missed calls?" she muttered, rubbing her cheek with her hand.
"He's here," Caroline whispered in a secret voice.
"What?" she murmured.
"Damon Salvatore is here, and demands to see you."
Elena's eyes widened with a short blink. "What?" she said in disbelief.
"I told him you don't get here until 7. He won't take no for an answer, and your office is locked so he is at my desk."
"Well ask him what the hell he wants!" she demanded from Caroline, as she quickly got up and searched her closet.
"He is here for business," she replied after a few moments of silence.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Why the fuck does he insists to do this while I am trying to get ready for work? I took his stupid offer… I'm going to the dance with him, but no. He has to be at my office doorstep at 6 am.
"Caroline. Tell him I will be there in 20 minutes," she yelled, hanging up the phone.
Elena rushed in the shower in and out, trying to hurry. This wasn't the idea of her waking up at daybreak. She slid on her blazer and grabbed her purse, not even stopping for her morning coffee. Although in the back of her mind, she was mutual about seeing him. It was love and hate, and it was a very fine line to Elena.
Elena went in complete business mode, rushing into her office building. Before she knew it, she had already arrived at her office. Her heart was racing a mile a minute, which made Elena out of breath.
She arrived at Caroline's desk. "Good morning, Car-"
Caroline's eyes peaked down quickly at her paperwork, as Elena was interrupted by a velvet voice.
"Good morning, Ms. Gilbert," he greeted.
He was dressed sharply with his dark gray business suit.
"Good morning, Mr. Salvatore." Elena stared into his bright blue eyes; they were captivating – bright and blue.
"I bet you are wondering why I am here. Well, I thought maybe, if you like, we can start early so you could get ready for tonight," he replied to Elena.
"Sure. That sounds great," Elena shrugged.
"And I'm moving into this building at least until we get this company back to where it should be," he added. Elena's felt her mouth drop.
"E-Excuse me?" she stuttered, "Moving in where?"
"Somewhere on this floor," he shrugged. Damon was acting like it was completely nothing.
"And this is why you wanted me at my office?" she contradicted.
"Of course, this is your building, so doesn't it make since for you to be here?" he questioned.
She had completely forgotten she owned the building in that moment. Elena softly sighed in frustration. "Right," she breathed. She flew passed him, heading towards the front desk where Caroline sat sipping her morning coffee.
"There's not a room available on this floor or anywhere is there, Caroline?" she glared staring at her sharply.
"Uh," Caroline twirled around seeing almost every office room filled. She then turned the other way, finding one room open. "That one is," Caroline pointed to the last empty room on the business floor.
Elena suddenly realized that the office was located by hers. Elena rubbed her face with her hands in disgust. "This can be your office," she muttered in an angry tone. She turned to Damon and smiled forcefully.
He grinned with his infamous smirk. "Is something wrong Miss Gilbert; or is it the fact we are neighbors now in your building?" He put emphasis on the "your"; which made Elena furious with his actions.
"Nothing at all, Mr. Salvatore," she cringed walking back to her office and slamming the door behind her. Elena sat down at her desk and clenched her fist in anger. Why did he have to stay in her office building? What was the big deal? Doesn't he have his own million-dollar office?
She heard a peck on her door, and yelled viciously, "Come in."
Elena could tell exactly who it was. The way he walked was spellbinding, and the way his icy glare was hypnotizing. "What do you need, Mr. Salvatore?" she tried to fight her feeling of screaming in his face.
"I was just letting you know I was going to get some of my things out of my car, and I'll be back in a little while," he shrugged.
"You could have informed Caroline," she opposed.
"But, I found it much better if I went straight to the source," he smirked once again.
Irritation grew on Elena's face.
"Why don't I help? Need some fresh air," she volunteered getting up from her seat.
"That's very kind of you Miss Gilbert," he complimented.
"Yeah, yeah," she grumbled to herself.
They walked in silence down the hall, and through the elevators. She had absolutely nothing to say to this ruthless jackass. He had been on her last nerve for the last couple of hours. As they finally made it to his car, he popped the trunk, as Elena stood there in stillness.
Elena watched his movements, catching herself in a daydream. She watched as the veins in his arms popped out, and suddenly found herself hypnotized.
"Here, while you are here, carry this," he said dropping a couple of boxes in her arms, and knocking her crudely out of her daydream.
She looked down at the boxes overflowing with what she categorized as crap.
"Alright, that's it," he said slamming the trunk, then proceeding to walk away.
Elena stood there for a second, and looked over at him. She coughed.
"Oh, you got that don't you?" he pointed at the boxes.
"Yeah, sure do," she answered in a sarcastic tone.
She walked behind him up the stairs, and through the revolving doors. She dragged her feet into the elevators as they stood in silence once again.
Why was she carrying his boxes of crap? These were not her things. What happened to chivalry?
Elena followed close behind Damon. Elena felt her equilibrium fall out of proportion as she found herself falling into Damon. They tumbled slightly in the hallway. Enough for Elena to be on top of his stomach, but sending the boxes down the hall, dumping as they go.
The goose bumps on her arms formed quickly as his blue eyes met her brown eyes. She felt tension in his eyes, but she sent off the same gazes.
"Do you enjoy the position you are in right now, Miss Gilbert?" he seductively whispered.
"What? That's preposterous!" She defended herself quickly.
"Then why are you still lying on top of me?" he retorted.
She jumped up quickly and dropped the things back in the boxes. She hurried down the hallway, trying her best to not fall again.
"What's the big hurry, babe?" he yelled rapidly getting up and headed down the hallway.
She dropped his boxes on the empty desk, and hurried out of his office. She was stopped, and turned around by someone gripping onto her forearm. "What." Her voice was stern and her teeth gritted together in anger.
"Ah, someone has developed a temper around me, huh?" he chuckled looking into her eyes. His stare was almost like a compulsion. It hypnotized Elena as much as she tried to fight his ruthlessness.
"If you have nothing to say, please let me go," she said trying to fight him to let go of her.
"I just wanted to let you know, I will be picking you up at 6. You will be here right, or is this just a set up?" he asked in a harsh voice.
Elena walked back to her office, as he followed. She bit her lip, as she heard his snide remark. "Don't you patronize me, Mr. Salvatore! I will be here, I promise," she nodded finally escaping from his tight grasp.
"What are you wearing tonight?" he chuckled changing the subject.
"I don't know," she replied in an annoyed tone.
"Well, I bet whatever it is, you will look gorgeous," he cooed.
"Don't you have work to do?" she rebutted.
"I sure do! I must get to that," he said obnoxiously with an added smirk to the end of his sentence. He walked out of the room and shut the door behind him.
Elena was home by 4 pm. She was disgusted by everything that had happened today. She walked straight to her bedroom to find something to wear. This was Bonnie's big night, and she wasn't going to let this coldblooded man take over her evening. She stared into her closet, finally finding something decent to wear. Elena pulled the blue Maison Martin Margiela dress off the hanger, and laid it carefully on the bed.
As for her shoes, she picked Jimmy Choo Anouk patent-leather black pumps with a pointed toe. She took a quick shower, and dressed herself in her beautiful dress. Elena quickly tied it in the back, thinking about how she had never worn it. The dress draped softly off of one shoulder. It flowed beautifully. She stared into her long full body mirror and sighed.
She couldn't help but think how exquisite it was. The dress hugged her small body. Looking over at her alarm clock, she found it was only 5:30. She knew she needed to get back to her office quickly.
Elena grabbed her black patent leather clutch handbag, and walked out her door. Elena was nervous. She could feel it. She got into her car, and hurried down the road to the office. She knew Damon would have probably already been waiting for her.
Elena finally arrived at her office building. The lights next to the door were on. It was a beautiful evening. Elena loved nights in New York City. They made her smile, and made her feel good. As she finally arrived on her appropriate floor and headed to her office. She unlocked the door and sat in her leather office chair.
The only thing she could think about is if Damon was setting her up. It seemed like something he would do. It made absolutely no sense for him to not. Elena looked down at the clock. It had only read 5:45. Elena pulled out her iPhone from her purse, and played with it. She waited. Elena hated to wait on somebody. Why couldn't he have just let her go by herself? He was so difficult!
She turned her chair around and looked at the beautiful evening. It was gorgeous. Businesses were soon to close for the night, which lit the streets up beautifully. She crossed her legs and continued to wait.
Elena began to think of better times. She was only 22 when her father died. Her thought of running a large publishing company was nothing to her. It was always her Dad's thing. Her eyes swelled with tears. It hurt. Thinking about how she would never see him again. Elena knew she had big shoes to fill. She was caught in a trance.
"Ready to go, Miss Gilbert?" Elena heard a husky voice behind her. Damon Salvatore was dressed to her liking. He was presentable for this party. His dinner suit was tailored to his body.
She turned her chair around. Her smile was forced. "Yes, I am," she answered.
Her nod was quick as she gathered her clutch bag and her iPhone off the table and walked toward Damon. "We can take my car," he volunteered.
"You are driving?"
"Of course, did you think I couldn't drive?" he chuckled.
"What is this crap?" he asked flipping through one of the books on the large table.
"That is what you are trying to sell," she muttered.
"Ah, I see. Love conquers all huh? Is that the moral of the story?" he teased.
"What you don't believe in love now?" she muttered.
He cocked an eyebrow. "That's not the point. The point is next time we go to try to sell a book; we need to check it out."
"I already read the book for your information. This we stuff is you. You agreed, or were you too busy trying to take this company from underneath me?" she growled walking away from him as Bonnie appeared.
"You are a real dick," she roared to Damon.
"I've been called worse," he proceeded with a comeback as Bonnie flew passed him to another area of the room.
Damon looked around the room, he saw Elena meeting and greeting everyone in her perky voice. He checked his watch, and fidgeted with his hands. She was finally alone the second time he looked up. He felt his feet rush over to her. It was surprising for him. He was never one to run after a girl.
"I'm sorry, Elena," he apologized in a soft whisper standing behind her. She crossed her arms and looked away from him, sipping on her champagne.
"I'm not going to talk to you, Mr. Salvatore, you should have not done that," she snared.
"Please forgive me," he begged.
"Why should I?" she protested to his request.
"Because, I want to have one dance with you," he mumbled. She spun around and shrugged.
"Why me? Isn't there other beautiful girls that would gladly jump your bones?" she protested staring into his gorgeous eyes of blue.
"They wouldn't interest me, like you do," he murmured. Elena rolled her eyes in disgust toward him.
"Like I am stupid enough to believe that—speaking of that; how stupid do you think I am?" she questioned sternly.
He was quiet. "Just let me have one dance with you," he said changing the scheme of things. He was sorry. She wasn't in love with him. She knew that was true. Who could ever love a beast? It was unexpected; Damon being a kind giant.
Elena bit her lip. "Fine, one dance; it's not going to change anything. I'm still angry with you."
He smiled grabbing her hand. "I can live with that." He removed the glass of half-drank champagne from her hand and set it on an empty table top.
Damon looped his arm under Elena's guiding her to the middle of the dance floor. She glanced around. "Why are we in the middle?"
He shrugged, "so everyone can gaze at how wonderful you look tonight."
"Damon—don't," she scolded mildly trying to keep her composure. It slipped. It was the first time she hadn't addressed him as Mr. Salvatore. He was enchanting—everything about him. She hated it. He bowed gracefully in front of her, placing his hand out for her to grab. "Damon."
She fought the urge. She wasn't giving up; she was just giving in to him. It wasn't that hard to give in to him. She had fought it. Elena accepted his hand. It was probably one of the worst decisions she had ever made in her life. People were watching though, which might make it easier on her job later. Suddenly, she felt him bring her hand up and place his other hand on her torso.
He swayed on the dance floor with her. He guided and took complete lead over the dance. The song couldn't be more wrong in this moment. It was like he had chosen it. She knew it well from her childhood.
Tale as old as time,
True as it can be
Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly.
"Keep your eyes on mine, Miss Gilbert," he muttered in a demanding tone. She raised her eyes back up to his blue eyes. "Sway," he ordered.
"Sway?" she questioned sternly.
"That's right. Feel the music. Make me want to sway with you," he explained in a soft voice. He moved his body next to hers in a smooth way.
"People are talking," she whispered through her teeth. She continued to dance with him. He twirled her and made her feel like she was the only woman in the room.
"Is that a problem? You seem to be having a good time, and Bonnie seems quite pleased with how it all worked out," he commended on her efforts on making this a wonderful night for Bonnie.
She shrugged. "People are watching us," she objected.
"And Miss Gilbert, does that bother you?" he quizzed.
"No."
"Good," he smiled as the song slowly stopped. Damon leaned in, and kissed her gently on her cheek. "Thank you for allowing me to dance with you, Miss Gilbert," he whispered.
"May I cut in?" a voice said from behind Damon, reaching for Elena. The mysterious man grabbed on to Elena's wrist and pulled her forcefully near him.
"Derek! What the hell are you doing?" she demanded trying to get out of his grasp.
"Pulling you away from Salvawhore, he's a dick to you isn't he? I've read things about him," he ignored her question.
"What kind of things, Derek?" she shrilled feeling Derek run his hand to grope her.
Derek ignored her answer. "What the fuck are you doing, Derek. Fucking stop," she said grabbing onto his hand from her back. He grabbed her hand and smiled.
"What? Has he not gotten into your pants yet?" Derek said bringing attention over to them.
"Derek, seriously, fucking stop," she yelled trying to escape his tight grasp.
Suddenly, her hero arrived speaking in his husky voice. "Is there a problem, sir?"
"Oh, I see how it is. Run back to your dickface, he probably appreciates that," Derek yelled as Damon pushed him away from Elena.
"Fuck off. This is not the time and place for this," Damon snapped back at Derek.
"Oh, Salvatore to the rescue; looks like we have a badass in Miranda and Co," Derek smiled cockily pushing Damon now with both hands. Damon backed away.
"If you want to fight me, just tell me," Damon smirked. "We'll take this fucking bullshit outside." Damon's eyes were full of rage as he stared at Derek.
Derek threw his hands up and laughed. "Alright, well, have fun with your little slut. I got her warmed up for ya," Derek grinned.
Damon had reached the level of not being able to control his anger. Clenching his teeth, he walked quickly up to Derek, and turning his body around throwing a punch in his jaw. "I said 'fuck off," he mumbled. "Do you understand me?" He glared at Derek, who was now on the floor. "Is your hearing bad? I said, 'do you understand me?"
"Yes," Derek slurred.
Damon threw Derek back on the floor and glared, "Have a good night." Damon moved his shoulders so his jacket would fall back in place.
"Who the fuck was that?" he snickered, meeting back with Elena. Elena was shaken up by what Damon had just done. It shocked her.
"He's a guy who works on one of the main floors. He's rich and powerful, and he wanted to be an editor. He controls that," she murmured.
"How the fuck does someone like him—"
Elena raised her hand for him to stop. "Dad—Dad trusted Derek with everything. He gave everything to Derek, the job, the power. Everything," she breathed.
"Have you tried to fire him or get rid of him?" Damon questioned kneeling down in front of her.
"He's one of those guys you can't get rid of," she shrugged.
"There's always a way," he muttered.
"Can you take me back to the office to get my car?" she questioned fighting back tears in her eyes. "I want to go home."
Damon's face was set in with grimace. "Alright," he mumbled.
Reviews are love :D
xo - lexi