~*Two*~
"You're already looking for houses?" Elena squeaked as she held the phone to her ear.
"It's really for fun, But if I see something that I really like, I'll tell Tyler."
"Where is he?" Elena wondered. Why couldn't he house hunt with Caroline?
"He's in Tennessee for business." Caroline sighed. "Come on, Elena. It'll be fun!"
The idea was sorely tempting. As Elena considered it, she could hear Caroline's hope seep through the phone.
"Alright," Elena surrendered.
"Yay!" Caroline squealed as if she were a little girl. "I'll be there in ten minutes."
Without exchanging goodbyes, Caroline hung up before Elena could say so.
Looking at her clock, Elena pulled herself off of the couch and began to get ready.
"And there's a back patio over here," the realtor, called Britney announced. Elena followed in tow behind Caroline past the foyer and into the back yard. For the last half hour, they had been occupied at a very expensive-looking mansion. Elena really had to wonder whether or not Caroline was being serious anymore. The first couple of houses, she knew that Caroline had liked as she had made a note to tell Tyler. However, as they toured the finest of Atlanta, it had began to seem less serious.
"God, this house is gorgeous," Caroline said in awe, and Elena was drawn back into the present.
"I quite agree, Miss Forbes." Britney smiled. "How long have you two been together?"
What?
Elena immediately shook her head in realization. "Oh, we're not-"
"It's not like that-" Caroline intervened.
"There are no judgements." Britney smiled in what seemed to be an encouraging way.
"Now, if you'll follow me into the backyard."
As Elena trailed behind Britney and Caroline, she noticed a stranger not far out back talking to a blonde woman. She would've brushed the thought off, but when the stranger turned around, Elena got a glimpse or the man who had practically run her out of the coffee shop.
What the hell?
And just as Elena made to leave, she heard that voice.
"You again," the smug voice whispered, and as much as Elena desperately wanted to keep walking and not turn around, her mind had other ideas. When she got full view of the man, she suddenly felt her heart rate pick up as her skin heated. Damn, just being under his gaze was hell enough.
"I'm Damon." The man introduced himself. "I never learned your name."
Elena sighed, feeling like offering any sort of remark would encourage him and he'd enjoy it. "Elena."
"I'm Caroline," a bubbly voice came from beside. Elena glanced sideways at Caroline who was smiling.
"Nice to meet you, Caroline," Damon smirked, and Elena had to look down to avoid flushing, but when she heard his voice again, Elena was forced to look up.
"Are you stalking me, Elena?" he smirked, and Elena would've been lying to herself if she said she hadn't been affected by his award-winning smile.
Elena sighed. "Nope. My friend Caroline and I were just looking for a house."
Damon's eyebrows raised. "You're together."
"No," Caroline and Elena both nearly shouted. "It's for my fiancé and I," Caroline clarified.
"Then you're single?" Damon asked, turning his gaze back on Elena.
Elena tried not to give his question much thought as she contemplated a reply.
"What's it to you?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing." Damon shrugged. "Merrily curious."
"Well, this has been fun, but I really should be going." Elena said suddenly. She couldn't be around Damon for any longer or she would say something. Something she didn't want to.
"Wait, Elena-" Caroline scoffed in disbelief.
"It's fine," Elena hollered as she walked toward the house. "I'll walk."
And Elena felt two pairs of blue eyes on her back as she entered the house.
As Elena entered the shop, she let out a sigh the size of Russia.
"Rough day?"
Elena glanced upward toward Vanessa, who looked concerned.
"You could say that," Elena nodded as she took a seat at the office desk. "Where's Matt?" She wondered as she glanced around.
"You know, I get why you turned me down," the ever familiar voice of Matt rolled into the main room. As his words sent a whirl of confusion in her mind, Elena rolled around in the chair as she addressed Matt.
"What are you-?"
"It's fine. Because apparently, you already said yes to someone."
Before Elena could as what he meant, Matt disappeared into the storage room. She shot a look of confusion toward Vanessa.
"Could you translate?" She asked jokingly.
"Oh, right. Some super-sexy sounding Damon called a few times. Wants to know if you're free this Friday night."
Whoa.
Wait.
"What?" Elena squeaked. "But how did he-?"
Then, it hit her.
Caroline.
"You've got to be kidding me." Elena sighed as she closed her eyes. She knew Caroline liked to wither her way into other's business, but she didn't think that she'd go and give her number to a near stranger.
"What's wrong?" Vanessa wondered nervously. "Is he stalking you or something?"
Elena immediately waved her hand dismissively. "No, I just didn't know he had my number. Caroline gave it to him."
"Oh," Vanessa sighed with relief. "You had me worried there."
"Sorry," Elena apologized. "Nothing's wrong. Just me annoyed at Caroline."
"Oh," Vanessa said sadly. "What are you going to do about Damon?"
Elena shrugged. "I'm not sure."
Once Vanessa dismissed herself, Elena threw herself into work as she scheduled a consultation with a young bride.
Three hours later, Elena sat at her desk with her head in her hands. So much as going on with the shop, and she needed Caroline and Bonnie back in as soon as possible. She wasn't good under stress.
The sound of the familiar chime resonated as the front door opened, and Elena would've glanced up if it hadn't been the headache that taken residence in her head.
"Are you ignoring my calls?"
The only thing that had caused her to look up into the familiar baby blue eyes.
"What are you-?" Elena blinked.
"I'm here to find out if and why you're ignoring my calls." He repeated. Elena sighed tiredly.
"Listen, Damon, it's been a really tough night. I'm sorry if I didn't make time to return your courting calls." She said as she scrolled through her email. She needed a distraction. He was too close and she needed to forget the fact.
"I also came by to apologize for the way I acted when we met."
Elena glanced upward at Damon in shock for the second time in less than two minutes.
"No you're not." Elena raised her eyebrows in surprise. This new admission had almost surprised her more than the fact that he had walked into her shop.
"Look, I should've told you then, but my friend owns the cafe." He admitted, causing Elena's eyes to widen further.
Geez, he was just surprising her left and right.
"What?" She blinked. "Then why were you so rude about a silly table? Your friend could've given you VIP access." She retorted, which allowed her a quick view of the award-winNing smirk. Damn. She had to stop this.
"Because I had a pretty rough day so far, so I was annoyed at the wait. Plus, my friend doesn't do free passes. And when I saw you at the table, I wanted to talk to you."
"What?" Elena raised her eyebrows as her skin heated.
"I wanted to talk to you." Damon repeated softly, and Elena smiled so ridiculously that she was surprised Damon hadn't said anything on the matter; surely she looked like a fool.
"Well," she sighed, suddenly feeling embarrassed in front of him. "If we're being honest, I was attracted to you when I saw you, too."
Damon immediately smirked. "In that case, how would you like to go to dinner Friday night?"
Elena didn't hesitate to nod. She had terribly misjudged Damon and felt the way to make it up to him was to go on a date with him. No harm. Both of them would benefit.
"So, can I pick you up at six on Friday?" Damon asked, and Elena nodded.
Suddenly, Elena's phone rang and she said goodbye to Damon as she answered. On his way out, Damon let a wink escape. And Elena bit her lip as she glanced downward. Damn. Her cheeks were suddenly burNing and she didn't need nor want Damon to see.
"What's up?" Elena sighed as she put the phone to her ear.
"Elena! I need your help," Caroline whined through the earpiece. "I'm not a good cook at all. Your dad owned a restaurant-"
Immediately, Caroline paused and Elena knew that she thought shed overstepped the mark.
"Oh, my god." Caroline sighed."I'm so sorry for bringing him up. Rewind."
"It's fine." Elena waved her hand dismissively despite Caroline's inability to see the gesture. "Why are you cooking?"
"Tyler's return flight was changed to tonight. He told me he got promoted, and I really want to make him his favorite dinner as a celebration."
Elena nodded. "Sure. I'll be over soon."
"Thanks, Elena," Caroline let out a sigh of relief. "You're a lifesaver."
"I'll see you." Elena said.
"Bye." Caroline replied and the line cut.
The aroma of ginger filled the atmosphere as Elena knocked on Caroline's door. Instantly, she heard what sounded like a pan crash onto something hard.
"It's open!" Caroline hollered, and Elena stepped up onto the landing as she entered Caroline's house.
"What fell?" Elena called as she shut the door behind her. At her feet, Pickles greeted her, and Elena sank down, running her fingers against his coated back. Once Pickles fled once another noise emerged, Elena made her way into the kitchen to find out what the commotion was.
"Nothing, just the pan with the meat. Thankfully, it landed on the bottom." Caroline relief was evident. As she entered the kitchen, which was styled like a country home, she saw Caroline decked in a white apron, accompanied by pink oven mitts. her golden blonde hair was gathered up in as scrunchie, and Elena stifled a giggle as she observed her ever-neurotic friend.
"Here," Elena offered as she squatted to reach the pot. But when she got the scent of raw, uncooked meat, Elena felt her stomach flop backwards. Her hand clasped her mouth as a wave of nausea hit.
"Oh, god." She gasped, shooting upward. She didn't have time to say anything as she sprinted for the bathroom, her boots squeaking against the tile.
"Elena?"
As Elena burst through the bathroom door, she sunk to her knees, ignoring the shooting pain as she leaned over the toilet and deposited her stomach into the porcelain bowl. When it seemed like it was going on forever, it had suddenly calmed. God, what the hell was that? She hadn't even eaten anything today. What could she have thrown up?
"Elena, what's wrong?"
Once she felt somewhat confident that she wasn't going to throw up anymore, Elena mustered the strength to respond.
"Everything's fine," she called. "Just an upset stomach."
Knowing Caroline was getting antsy, Elena got to her feet and flushed the toilet. Once she made her way back into the kitchen, Caroline was eyeing her suspiciously.
"Have you eaten anything today?" She frowned.
"No." Elena shook her head. "The raw meat just got to me for some reason."
"Do you feel like helping or do you need to go home?" Caroline wondered.
"I can help," Elena shook her head. She hadn't come all this way only to leave after accomplishing nothing. "What happened to the food?" As Elena looked around the kitchen, she caught sight of the chicken and when another wave of nausea threatened, Elena turned away and let out small breaths, trying to only breath through her mouth.
"No, you don't need to. Go home. I got it." Caroline said gently.
"Are you sure?" Elena asked. "Because I can-"
Caroline shook her head firmly. "Elena, go home."
"Thanks," Elena smiled as she gave Caroline a quick hug as she was unsure whether she was contagious.
"No problem." Caroline said.
"Have a romantic night." Elena smiled, prompting Caroline to flush. "Tell Tyler I say hi,"
"I will. See you," Caroline responded, and with a wave, Elena exited Caroline's and as the fresh air struck her, Elena wrapped her sweater tighter around her. And as she walked toward her home in the evening, she couldn't help but wonder why she had gotten sick.
AN: Well, hope you liked it! Review for more! They're greatly appreciated and strongly motivate updates! :)
PS: Feel free to check out my other stories! They're all DE!
~*Songs that were mentioned or that inspired this chapter*~
THEME: Terrified / Katharine McPhee & Jason Reeves