This chapter is a bit of a twist, I wanted to try out writing a chapter from a first person perspective, so we see this chapter from Elena's POV. I also wanted to point out that I am sorry for the lack of Delena scenes, but don't worry, they are coming really soon!
"Baby, why don't we do this more often?" Mason whispered into my ear just as he came down from his release. My parents left to New York for the weekend, my dad said something about a conference he needed to attend. So, it was only fitting that Mason uses the opportunity to have sex. Not that I am complaining, we haven't had that much free time since we are staying at my family's home.
"I need to get ready" I leaned in to peck Mason on his lips and pulled myself up from the bed.
"Where are you going?" He asked, a confused frown evident on his brows.
"Caroline asked me to go shopping to Richmond with her" I answered, grabbing the outfit, which I picked out last night.
"Finally, you're giving her a chance. The poor girl thought you turned into a raging bitch." A small laugh followed his answer.
"I've had enough of pretending. I spent five years acting, lying. I think It's okay for me to finally let go of that mask." I replied softly.
"What about Damon?" He pressed on with his questions, I could see a hint of bitterness in his eyes, as I looked at him through the reflection in the mirror.
"What about him?" I responded confused. Why would he bring up Damon?
"You looked pretty comfy in his arms at the fundraiser." He muttered.
"You are such an idiot sometimes Mase, I love you, We're getting married in a few months. My relationship with Damon ended when I left. You know that." I said with a soft voice. It was true that I love Mason, it wasn't the same connection I shared with Damon but it was enough for me to spend my life with him. What I had with Damon was passion. Mason makes me feel safe, loved and most importantly, he can't break my heart. Our love isn't deep enough for him to shatter my heart like Damon has, Mase is the safer option.
A few hours later, me and Caroline where sat in a small Starbucks inside a mall. It was tiny compared to what I'm used to in Chicago but it's good enough. Taking a sip from my cinnamon latte I prepared myself for the question I was about to ask.
"Has Damon.. Is he seeing someone?" I just blurted out. I wanted to know wether he really moved on, if he found the closure I wasn't able to give him when I left so abruptly.
Caroline seemed surprised by my question as she nearly choked on her caramel frappuccino.
"Um, he is dating Rose. For a while actually, a year or half." She responded awkwardly.
"I didn't mean to put you in a awkward situation, sorry. I just needed to know if he moved on from me." I told her, she sighed at my response.
"To be honest Elena, I'm not certain he has the closure he needs. He spent months carrying on his life like normal after you left, thinking you just needed a break and will come back soon. When your mum came by his apartment to clear out your stuff, he went into a full blown tantrum, threw her out because he believed you would come back. It was your birthday when he realised you're gone for good. He waited all night for you at your favourite restaurant, where you always went for your birthday meals, got so drunk the bartender had to call Stefan to pick him up. When Stefan saw the state his brother was in he shouted at him. Finally got him to understand you really were gone, he was never the same after that." I wanted to cry at her revelation. He waited for me. I didn't give him the closure I gave myself, it made me feel ten times worse.
"I should've told him I was leaving. " It was all I could respond with.
"Well, what's done is done you can't change the past. " she reminded me. "Anyway, enough of the sad talk. I want to invite you to the Lockwood lake house trip! Just like the old times!" The Lockwood lake house was our ultimate holiday destination when we were younger. It was filled to the brim with happy, embarrassing and funny memories. There was just one problem.
" is he going?" I cringed slightly as I waited for Caroline's response.
"Yes" I was about to decline her offer, deciding I didn't want to interfere anywhere where Damon was involved but Caroline cut me off. " Don't worry about him though, there are a ton people going. You won't even have to interact together."
"I don't know Caroline, I don't just want to show up and make him hate me more for ruining his vacation." I told her.
"You're not ruining his vacation, besides I want you to come and so does Bonnie and a lot of old friends will be there. Come on, we all missed you!" After a short moment of deep thinking I made my decision.
"Fine." I breathed out. Caroline squealed in excitement and I laughed but not before managing to roll my eyes at her antics.
Now, let's talk weddings" caroline spoke, a comical sparkle lighting up her eyes.
"I'm sure she will agree to the new design. Just call her up for a meeting, no it's fine, you can use my office." I spoke into my mobile. My laptop laid out on my lap and multiple sketches surrounding it. It was impossible to escape work if you have your own firm to deal with. A problem just arose when a furniture company declined an order we placed, meaning I have been bombarded with at least 20 phone calls since this morning. After a 20 minute conversation with my assistant I could finally hung up and the whole mess was solved.
I closed my laptop with a sigh, letting the swing I was sat on sway lightly. This was my favourite place to think.
"Elena." A tense voice spoke out, I tore open my eyes. At first I didn't recognise who she was, but then it clicked.
"Lily" I breathed out, it sounded like I just ran a marathon because of the breathless way I spoke her name. And damn it felt like I did. My heart sped up in my chest, making it harder for me to breathe.
Her hair was still the same length and a raven black colour, although you could see the delicate wrinkles that frame her face. She was still a beauty, even at this age.
I was apprehensive to meet her eyes but once they accidentally locked with hers, I couldn't help the build up of tears in my brown eyes. Her expression looked torn; on one hand she looked tense but her eyes were as soft and warm as ever. She fought out her inner battle for another few moments before stepping towards me and enveloping me in her arms.
"I missed you Lily." I whispered.
This woman was my second mother. Not just because she came close to being my mother in law but because I have known her all my life. She and my mum were very close, I had no idea that their friendship survived the blow I delivered to Damon, but since she is here I realise that nothing can break a bond that strong.
"Damon would kill me if he found out I just welcomed you with open arms." Lily chuckled, but I could sense that under the humour of that sentence was truth. He would be mad, I don't blame him.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. I'm not sure why, the words just slipped out of my mouth eager to be spoken.
"Oh honey, it's not me that needs that apology." She said comfortingly.
"I just can't bring myself to do that yet." I'm not sure I will ever be able to, i finish in my mind.
"You will, when the time is right." She said as she smoothed my hair.
In that moment I realised something, she shouldn't be speaking to me. She should be angry - hate me. Yet, here she is, comforting me. I don't understand why?
"Lily, why are you speaking to me? I hurt your son. I left him, I broke him!"
"You did. But deep down you know that you are the only one who can fix him. I'm not sure that he will want to be fixed, not after all these years but you are his only shot. I'm not saying you need to rekindle your relationship, but start by apologising. Giving him answers he needs for closure." It's the second time in one day that people told me I need to give Damon closure. It's a concept I dread because it involves me having to give answers I don't necessarily have.
"Thanks Lily, I really did miss you."
"I missed you too, little Lena." She smiled at me, a heartwarming smile that I couldn't help but give back.
"What were you doing here, are you looking for my mum?" I asked.
"Yes, me and Miranda are in charge of planning the book club's annual party. I thought we might start planning today."
"She actually left to go grocery shopping, but she shouldn't take long now. Would you like to wait?"
"Sure." She replied.
And so we headed inside the house where we chatted away over a cup of tea. She wanted to know everything about me, about my new job, about Chicago and eventually she started on the topic of Mason. It wasn't the most comfortable, discussing your new fiancé in front of the mother of your ex. However, not once did she give me any judgement, just curiosity that I welcomed with open arms.
When my mother returned she was stunned by the sight. Probably like me, she did not expect Lily to be so civil towards me, but She exceeded all our expectations. I left them to start the party planning and headed up to the guest room. I rested in bed, watching an episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills until Mason strutted through the door.
"Please stop watching that! It will give you unnecessary ideas." He joked as he changed from his shirt and jeans.
"Well I need some tips, who would give better advice than those women, most are very experienced in the marriage field." I said back sarcastically, which earned me a laugh from Mase.
"That alone should be enough to stop you watching that shit." He said, coming to join me on the bed.
"Have you heard about the lake house trip?" I asked.
"Yeah, I think it will be great fun." Of course you would, you don't have to spend it with your ex fiancé. " Can you remember that one time when we went and you girls decided to take the boat out by yourself?"
"Hey! Just because we are girls doesn't make us incapable if riding a boat." I shoved him playfully.
"You crashed it right into the dock. I think that proves your incapability of riding boats." He said back with a smirk.
"Oh shut up, it was our first time."
The days leading up to the trip flew by and before I knew it we were packing ourselves into a car, ready for the mini vacation.
The stereo was on high volume and Masons Audi was driving seamlessly across the the asphalt. That was until we saw a car broken down on the side of the road. We were in the middle of nowhere and a woman facing away from me was clearly distressed. Do we pulled up.
"Excuse me, do you need some help?" Mason shouted out of the open window. That was when a head oh black hair emerged from underneath the cars hood and the woman turned revealing Rose. Shit.
"Mason! Elena. Thank God, I thought we would end up stranded!" She spoke as if me and Damon weren't having a staring contest. Neither if us was letting our eyes unlock.
"What's wrong?" Mason surveyed Damon more about the condition of the car. Half an hour later and we were still stuck there with slim chances if their car starting up again.
"Maybe you two should just catch a lift with us, we can send someone for your car later?" Mason proposed. Spending another one and a half hour with Damon in the car didn't seem like the best option but it was time for me to be civil with Damon. So when he spoke "I'm not sure it's a good idea.." I just brushed him off saying "it will be fine. It's only a drive."
So here we are half an hour later, the Audi suddenly seemed very small as I felt the close proximity to Damon. I was avoiding his eye contact at all costs while Rose and Mason chatted away like the tension in the car was inexistent.
"Chicago seems like such a great city, no wonder why you left Elena. The career opportunities seem endless." Rose spoke what to her seemed like a harmless opinion but I didn't miss how the hurt brushed over Damon's features before he quickly masked it. I looked down at my hands before giving a reply.
"I had my reasons." I said softly, it was an answer more for Damon. Trying to make him understand that I didn't just give him up for a career but there were other reasons. No one spoke after that. We spent the next hour in complete awkward silence, no one daring to worsen the atmosphere that is already in our car.
When we finally arrived and I could step out the car, I felt like a bird released out of a cage.
"Elena! Damon?" My blonde friend didn't bother to mask her confusion and worry. She looked between the two of us looking for any signs of crying, or icy glares but when she couldn't find any she released a big sigh.
I turned my head to the side when I felt someone watching me. The blue orbs started right back at me but I had to stop myself from getting sucked into them so I turned my head back towards Mason who was taking out our luggage.
As Damon passed me I hears him whisper, "it's sad you can't even look me in the eye."
It was all I needed to realise that my icy demeanour is hurting him even if he is pretending to be over me.
A/N- This was by far my favourite chapter so far, what did you think? Please review to tell me if you prefer the chapters in third person or in a POV!