Ch.7
The night of the Party...
Elena had never felt more alive. She stood in a floor length strapless mermaid gown that sparkled like diamonds. The black lace material formed her curvaceous body, and for the very first time, she felt beautiful. She'd spent her whole life waiting to go to a Salvatore party, and now she was invited. Not just by anyone but by Stefan himself. Her mind almost couldn't process the joy she felt in her heart. Since meeting him yesterday she'd been giddy with happiness. She knew he was engaged, but she couldn't help herself. Somewhere along the way hope had sprung up within her chest that he might finally want her back too.
Although he didn't know who she'd been when they met, he still seemed interested. Their entire encounter had been him digging to find out who she was. He'd called her beautiful, something she never thought he would say to her. When she'd stated she knew of his engagement he had said, "Well we're both very busy people and we haven't exactly set a date yet. Besides she's out of town at the moment."
She took this to mean things weren't as serious as they seemed. Finally when they'd arrived at the mansion he'd discovered her identity, but not by her. Damon had taken one glance at her and knew who she was.
The simple realization haunted Elena, for she remembered very clearly their last encounter at the pool. She thought about that moment almost every night, but she did her best to stuff it down. Reminding herself that it was Stefan she wanted, and not Damon.
Shaking her head free of these thoughts she strode forward towards the lights and music in the courtyard. Tonight she would arrive to the party unaccompanied. However, she didn't seem to stay alone for long as Stefan instantly materialized at her side.
"Elena you look breathtaking." He said, hooking his arm with hers and leading her into the party. Hundreds of noisy people stood around them, and yet she only seemed to hear the beating of her own heart.
"I'm so nervous." Elena stated as Stefan continued waving and saying hello to everyone around them. Elena wished she had paid more attention to their names, her mind was a complete and total blur.
"Here have some of this, it should help." Stefan said grabbing two champagne flutes and handing her one to drink. She hastily grabbed the glass, tipping it back and appreciating the smooth cool liquid as it filled her body with warmth.
Soon she was dancing with Stefan and he was whispering sweet words into her ear. She could barely remember ever feeling so desired.
"I don't think you realize what you've done to me." He said pulling her closer.
"What have I done?" Elena asked, hanging on his every word.
"You're dazzling. Suddenly back in my life and dazzling. Don't you see? You're changing everything." He said leaning down and gently kissed the nape of her neck.
Elena's body shivered as goosebumps appeared on her skin.
"Oh Stefan, I wish we hadn't lost so much time."
"Me too, I have so much I want to know about you.I want to see you. I feel like I never really have. Let's go somewhere else where we can talk."
Elena looked at him saying, "We are talking."
"I meant alone. I want to talk to you where we can really talk."
Elena, having watched him for years knew what he was doing. He would somehow talk her into a one-night stand. Deep down she knew this idea should have been revolting, but she had convinced herself she wanted this. Soon she found herself saying, "The rose garden, it has to be the rose garden. You'll go get a bottle of champagne and put the glasses in the back pockets of your jacket. Then you'll join me and we'll slow dance to a song from the orchestra."
"I don't think I have back pockets to my jacket." He said smiling, "You were paying attention."
With that he left her hurrying to the drink stand, while Elena muttered to herself, "You'll get the glasses, we'll dance all night and then…I'll wake up."
Although Elena seemed to be having the night of her life, somewhere in a not so distant window stood Damon Salvatore, and he was very put out.
This night had not gone at all according to his plan. He'd just spent the majority of his mother's birthday party selling the idea of the merger to countless business associates. Only to discover that his brother was hitting on the chauffer's daughter right in front of his prospective future in-laws. Seeing as how this was a billion dollar deal, he wasn't too keen on Stefan throwing away his chances at success. The idea that it was Elena was just the cherry on top of this hideous sundae. Apologizing to the businessmen gathering around his merchandise he had called Stefan inside.
Luckily, he hadn't been alone in the intervention, Laura also had a few choice words to say to her youngest son.
"Stefan what are you doing?" she demanded striding inside the study and locking the door behind the three of them. This conversation was the last thing their guests needed to hear.
"What are you talking about?" Stefan spat.
"You're future in laws are here, and you are hustling the Chauffer's daughter." Laura cried.
"Oh come on." Stefan said scoffing and reaching for the door handle. "I don't have time for this."
"Stefan you're like my own son."
"I am your son mom." He stated.
"Exactly. I worked twenty one hours of hard labor to get you into this world, and this is how you repay me?"
"I think you're over-reacting, we're just dancing."
"Stop dancing!" she exclaimed.
Damon interjected. "Stefan we can't afford for you to be dancing with other girls. Especially when your prospective in laws and business associates are standing right on our doorstep."
"I don't care." Stefan stated moving towards the fireplace and looking into the flames. Damon noted that he seemed pensive, and for the first time fear gripped him as he heard Stefan's next words uttered.
"I think I'm falling in love with her."
"Who? Elena?" Laura asked in shock.
"I know it seems crazy but she stirs something in me, something I've never felt before."
Damon's fists clenched as he heard Stefan's words. What gave him the right to suddenly swoop in and take her now? He'd been the one to be there for every other girl, to tell him to strike when he needed to strike, but this was ridiculous. He wouldn't stand for this kind of behavior anymore. Too much was riding on this business deal, and for once it wasn't just about his feelings for Elena.
Looking at Stefan's back, Damon noticed two protruding shapes poking out of the bottom half of his jacket. Luckily, after studying Stefan's behavior for years he knew what this meant. Stefan had glasses for the Rose Garden in his pockets, but Damon was never going to let him get there.
"Just sit down Stefan." Damon said motioning for the chair next to him.
Stefan, thinking about other things had of course forgotten that he had the glasses in his back pockets. Looking at Damon he nodded, and went to sit down. The moment he sat instantaneous pain showed on Stefan's face as the sound of shattered glass filled the room.
"AARRRGGGHH" Stefan groaned out, "The glasses! I sat on the glasses!"
"What's happeneing? Stefan dear, how did glasses get on the chair?" Laura cried, trying to find an answer to her sons' sudden pain.
"Never mind how, just help me!" Screamed Stefan.
Damon hushed his mother saying, "Never mind how, just go call the doctor!"
"Damon, Elena…she's waiting for me." Stefan ground out through pain.
"Don't worry I'll take care of her." He said, and finding a moment through the caos went to go find the beautiful girl waiting for him in the rose garden.
Elena stood in the garden next to the fountain absorbing the beauty around her. Twinkle lights lined the vines, and the walkpath around the garden, while a fountain flowed beautifully in the center. She felt as though she were standing in a fairytale, just waiting for her prince charming to show up with the drinks.
Hearing footsteps approaching behind her, Elena turned around expecting to see Stefan. Instead she was shocked to see Damon, holding flute glasses in one hand with a bottle of champagne in another.
"Damon?" Elena asked, confused by the sudden turn of events. "Where is Stefan?"
"Oh he had a little mishap with some champagne flutes…he sat on them."
"Oh my goodness! Should I go make sure he's ok?" elena asked, panic lining her voice.
"Well he's on his way to the ER, I'm sure he'll be just fine. Come on, you shouldn't have to spoil the rest of your night just because of him. Don't make me drink alone."
Elena knew that she should be walking away, finding Stefan to make sure he was alright, but there was something about Damon's eyes. When she looked at him she could almost feel his need for her rush through the room, and suddenly she found she didn't want to be anywhere else.
"Alright I'll stay." She said, taking the glass from Damon, and drinking a sip of the cool liquid.
"I have a message from Stefan." Damon said taking the glass away, and pulling her close. "He wanted to make sure you had a chance to dance."
Elena gasped at his forward gesture but seemed to melt instantly as her eyes found his. Piercing baby blues looked into her soft brown ones, and his beauty transfixed her. She suddenly realized she'd never really looked at Damon before now. She was sure she'd seen his face a thousand times, but what was this chiseled jaw, and beautiful contrasting dark raven hair? Had she been so blind before now? Her body was tingling as his hand caressed the side of her waist, and his other held her hand in his. His hands were strong and firm, as if he could hold her there dancing with him forever.
"I almost forgot, the other half of the message from Stefan." Damon stated as he leaned in, and pressed his lips hard onto hers. Elena stilled, feeling his soft lips move against hers, she stood transfixed on the spot not knowing what to do. Damon sensing her hesitancy moved his hand up to cup the back of her neck, and slid his tongue across her lips, asking for entrance. Soon, Elena's resolve fell away, her mind went blank, and she was suddenly kissing him back. Her body became pliant against his and her mouth opened further, welcoming him in. She felt his body trembling under hers and slowly felt his hand creep south of her waistline towards her backside. This seemed to awaken her senses as she suddenly stepped back in shock.
"Don't worry, its all in the family." He said, as her hand lifted up and struck him clean across the face.
"Ahh!" Damon yelled as he stepped back looking into Elena's face in horror. He couldn't believe she's slapped him. No one ever had.
"Oh God! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have done that, its just that I wasn't expecting you to…" Elena spoke out, feeling vulnerable and confused.
"Its alright I can see you've changed quite a bit since the last time we met. At least this time I had some clothes on." He said smirking, and reminding her of the night at the pool.
"Oh please don't remind me, I was so embarrassed, I just wanted to die. Sort of like I do now. I'm sorry Damon, I should be going." She said turning to leave.
"Elena, wait." Damon said, grabbing her wrist and holding her there.
"Please don't go. I know I have your handprint across my face at the moment, and I've been a bit fresh tonight, but I really want you to stay. Believe it or not, I missed you." Damon declared, venerable and terrified he waited for her words.
"I wish I could but I really should be getting back. I'll come by tomorrow to check on Stefan." She said hoping to remind him who she was really there for. Damon nodded silently as if in understanding, and Elena hurried along back up the path towards the garage.
After she had gone, Damon stood there, his hands in his pockets waiting. He knew he should have been mad as hell, but he knew one thing was certain. Elena Gilbert had kissed him back tonight, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, she'd wanted him and he'd felt it. Damon smiled, knowing that after all this time he'd finally learned to love.
***********NOTE*****************
DELENA SCENE! Hope you enjoyed it as there are many more to come. ;)
Be good and review!
**Next scene to reveal Damon's sneak ploy to get Elena alone…and it is so good...