Disclaimer: I do not own/associate with Vampire Diaries nor any of the fictional characters. This is merely just a fanfiction.
A/N: Sorry for such a late update! Have been busy with internship, so I don't have much time to write! Thank you for being patient for the update. Hope you enjoy this chapter! Cheers!
- Chapter Six -
Drown with Tears
"Wait, my brain can't comprehend what you're trying to tell us!" Bonnie squeaked with anticipation and eagerness. "You're saying Damon brought a woman back?"
"And she's sleeping with him?" Caroline gasped and made a detested look, but almost immediately, she switched off her excitement. "But I'm not interested with Damon's story."
Elena sighed while resting her entire body onto the couch. She had been restating the encounter with Damon's new girlfriend to her two besties. She recalled the moment the woman walked passed her, her eyes were full of spurn and flickers. She felt as if she could have gotten charred if she had not looked away. There was no way Elena would like her, let alone allowing her to be part of her life.
"Aren't you supposed to feel relieved?" Bonnie asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, with that woman with him means he won't be bothering you and Stefan anymore."
"Yeah, and maybe he won't appear in front of my eyes anymore!" Caroline's eyes gleamed.
"You're right," Elena sighed again. "Anyway, Stefan would be back in any minute by now."
"Alrighty." Caroline beamed. "I'm going to Tyler's place."
"You've got any plans, Bonnie?" Elena asked.
"Uh, no, not really." Bonnie pressed her lips. "It's OK. You don't have to worry about me."
Both of her friends headed to the doorstep and bid her goodbye. Elena stood on the door while watching her friends leave. She turned her body to enter the house and to close the door, but someone grabbed her arm, which sent shockwaves to her body. She turned over and tried to defend herself, to realise the arm grabbing hers was Stefan's.
"Elena." He called softly. His arm did not let go. "Are you OK?"
"Stefan!" She wheezed. "I thought you were someone else."
"Like?" His lips twisted sideways.
"I don't know. I just wasn't expecting you to be the one grabbing me with such force, considering every supernatural incidents happened in Mystic Falls," she heaved a sigh and shaking her head lightly, "I have to be on guard all the time to stay alive."
Stefan stepped closer to tug her to his chest. He inhaled her scent while planting a kiss on her forehead. "I'll never leave you again, OK?"
She felt so secure whenever Stefan was here with her. Her fingers crept over his back. She looked over his shoulder and saw a familiar figure opposite of the road. She muttered, "Damon?"
"What?" Her mumble was so faint that even with vampire hearing, Stefan could not listen her well. He pushed her away slightly and followed her gaze. "What is it?"
She gawked at the bushes. Her forehead crushed with wrinkles. "N-nothing. I guess I just didn't have enough rest."
"Did you say Damon has a new girlfriend?" he asked nonchalantly, recalling the conversations through the phones.
"Yeah, you should meet her. She is the world's most wonderful person." She suggested sarcastically.
"Ironic." He smirked. "But you know I'm not really fond with his taste of companionship."
"I know," she spoke in a-matter-of-fact tone. "Sorority girls."
"Did he compel her?" Stefan looked at Elena in the eye, his brows puckered. He tried to massage his forehead in effort to loosen the frown.
"I don't know." There was an uncertainty in her voice, but inside of her, she doubted Damon needed to compel her. There was no fear, no terror, no dread shown in that woman. And the flames in her eyes were so tangible. It was quite impossible for someone who was compelled to have such aura. "But I don't think so."
"Are you worried?" Stefan asked warily. "For Damon?"
"No, of course not." Elena swiftly replied. Her tone was solid.
"Well, he is my brother, I can't just ignore his being." Stefan gently caressed Elena's face. "I'll find out what's going on with him."
Elena gave him an uneasy smile.
School was almost starting. Students were wandering around like lost sheeps. Caroline was busy making out with Tyler at her locker. Bonnie was getting ready for classes by looking for text books in her locker. Elena was still laying by the back on the locker beside of Bonnie's. She was invigorated, she did not have strange dreams ever since Stefan was back, or even earlier. She had slept through the nights well.
Stefan had missed out school that day. Elena tried to call him and text him, but there was no response. She intended to go to the Salvatore's boarding house but when she imagined she would meet up with that woman, that bitch, she just wasn't sure if it was worth it. In the end, she did not know how she ended up at the doorstep of the Salvatore's. Her heart was racing, in hopes of not encountering that woman. She pressed on the door bell.
Ding dong.
She waited. No sounds of heavy treads or rushing stomps. Nothing audible behind the door.
"Hello?" She called from the outside. "Stefan? Stefan?"
No response.
"Stefan?" She called again, before calling another name. She inhaled deeply. "Damon?"
This time, she could hear placid and lingering footsteps behind the door. Her heart skipped a beat when the door opened.
"Hi, I'm Maya Hart. You must be Elena." The woman behind the door smiled. She was wearing a white robe, which was recognisable as one of Damon's apparel. Elena was definite she was not wearing anything underneath the robe. "Sorry, Damon and I were busy just now."
"It's OK, you don't need to tell me." Something inside her stirred and riled. "I came over to look for Stefan. Is he home?"
"Stefan." The woman said dreamily. "Oh, that adorable brother."
Elena glared at her, feeling unbelievably. "Excuse me?"
"Having two brothers to love the same girl is quite pleasing, isn't it?" The woman flipped her hair. Elena swore to God she would cut those snake-like hair if she had a pair of scissors. Maybe a knife would do.
"What are you trying to say?" Elena was impatient. She crossed her arms under her breasts.
"This time, I will be the girl who gets to play with the boys." She replied with a fanatical chortle.
What's wrong with this woman? Elena had encountered with various types of supernatural but not maniacs.
"Honey," Elena could hear Damon's voice roaring from the first floor. "Who's that?"
It was bizarre that Damon could not hear their conversation. As though she could read her mind, she whispered, "I turned on the water tap."
She had planned this? She knew I was coming?
"Since Stefan's not around, then there's no reason for me to linger around." Elena turned her back to face that woman. "Goodbye."
"Bye, darling." She waved elegantly.
Elena squinted her eyes and walked away from the boarding house. She turned over to look at Damon's room, which was facing her. She could see an indistinct figure standing in the room staring back at her.
Mystic Grills were filled with customers. Waiters and waitresses were busy hustling around with dishes. Noises filled the atmosphere. The three girls were sitting at a table near the bar. Matt was working as a bartender that day, so he was involved with the gossip.
"I mean, she is a total lunatic!" Elena bawled, slamming the table.
"Slut," Caroline added.
"And Stefan missed school because he had to do some groceries for her! And he told me there's nothing to worry about her! And I quote, 'She is a fine lady'!" Elena slammed the table once more, this time which much force. "Can you believe?"
Matt was shaking his head lightly while wiping off the glass cup with a cloth.
"Now Stefan thought I was jealous of her," Elena hands clenched into fists.
"Maya Hart," Bonnie said while sipping a glass of juice.
"Does it ring a bell?" Elena queried, hoping her friend could shed some light.
"I'm not sure, but the last name does sound familiar."
"Is she the slut?" Caroline pointed over to the main entrance of the restaurant with her glass on her hand and another piece of French fries on the other. Damon was opening the door for Maya to enter. She was wearing a deep-V blouse which accentuated her cleavage. "She doesn't look much like how you had described to us."
Bonnie looked intently on Maya. Something in her told her she knew that woman's features, but she could not recall what was in her mind.
"She looks pretty," Matt shrugged. Elena shot a glare at him. "I mean, look at her, she is the centre of attention. With that body and hair and eyes, she is definitely the dream girl of all men's."
Elena rolled her eyes. She grabbed a cup of beer and shove it down to her throat.
"Where is Caroline?" Bonnie asked while looking around. Caroline had walked over to Damon and Maya's direction. Elena gawked at Caroline, her eyes and mouth opened widely. "What is she doing?"
Caroline started to talk to Maya and then pointed to their table. Damon stared at Elena for some time but Elena turned her sight back to the beer.
"Hair like flames, lips like cherry." Bonnie stated. "Of course, the Hart family!"
"You know her family?" Elena turned her full attention to Bonnie.
"I've heard gramps talked about the Hart family back in the days. They are known for their charisma, charms and appealing looks." Bonnie bit her lips. "Rumours said that they have spells to hypnotise and mesmerise people."
"Like Damon?" Elena rapidly reacted. "But I thought there aren't any love potions or love charms in witchcraft?"
"No, there aren't." Bonnie breathed deeply and whispered, as though talking about secrets. "But there are always spells to force in thoughts to our minds, like compulsion."
Elena did not reply anything. Her mind was in deep thoughts. She wondered what was thrusted into Damon's mind by that witch.
"Somehow I don't think she would have made the spell on Damon," Bonnie considered. "More like Damon compelled her. I mean, Damon is quite promiscuous."
"Look at her, how could she be compelled?" Elena stood up, speaking emotionally. Everyone stared at her for a moment before turning back to their food. Elena quickly settled back and shove another cup of beer. Gods know how much had she drank.
"Maybe Damon is fond of her," Matt finally talked. "Who is to know, right?"
"Elena," Bonnie called, her voice was sincere. "I think you're acting up because deep inside of you, you have feelings for Damon. But since you have chosen Stefan, don't you think it's unfair that you're holding back Damon as well?"
"Have feelings for Damon? No!" Elena corrected. "He is Stefan's brother. He's not… Of course I'd like him to be happy. But not with that woman!"
"Why'd you care?" Matt responded honestly. "He's just Damon. The 'everyone-hates- Salvatore'. If he deserves a woman, she will do."
"Hey guys, what's the serious talk?" Caroline returned to the table and sat down. "Maya is adorable! You've misjudged her, Elena."
Elena rolled her eyes and gulped another cup of beer.
During the whole night in Mystic Grills, Caroline had expressed her encounter with Maya. Elena started to ponder whether was she misjudging Maya because of her own justifications and feelings. Maybe it was unfair that she assessed her with her own feelings jumbled up. Gods know how much had she drank. She was quite intoxicated that night. Her friends had called Stefan over to fetch her home. While waiting for Stefan, Elena went to the back alley for a session of throwing up.
"Elena," a deep husky voice called. Elena who was facing the wall, trying to ignore the voice. The shadow form grew closer every time she blinked. Finally, his arm grabbed onto hers. "Are you alright?"
Elena swayed her arms to loosen his grip. "Go away, Damon!"
"You're so not a drinker." Damon asked while adjusting the wobbly-feet Elena. His arms around her shoulder. His heart felt heavy. She pushed his arms away from her shoulders and continued to sway away from the back alley. She followed the light of the lamp post.
"Elena!" He called again. She ignored his call and continued to walk with the feeble feet. Her whole body trembling. Damon returned to her sight at another blink.
"Why did you choose her?" she finally asked. "There are plenty of girls out there. But why her?"
"What's wrong with her? She's fun, she's cute, she's beautiful. Not to mention, perfect body." Damon whistled. "And the most important thing is, she likes me. She admits the feeling."
Elena rolled her eyes and walked passed him.
"I deserve the slightest happiness, Elena." Damon was still at the same position this time. He did not follow Elena. "Don't screw mine."
Elena could feel her tears rushing out of her eyes. But she tried to hold them back. "I won't screw it, Damon."
"Thank you."
When she could not feel his presence anymore, she bent her legs to the floor and wept.
"Elena!" Stefan emerged. He literally flew towards her and squeezed her tightly. "What happened?"
Elena could not speak. The tears were invading her cheeks. She grabbed onto Stefan's shoulder and dived her face onto his chest. Stefan gave fondled her cheeks and continue to embrace her firmly, not wanting her to slide off. His heart ached to see his beloved one teared like this. When they were back at the Gilbert's house, he tucked her to bed after she was exhausted from the weeping and sobbing. She did not mention anything that made her cry, but Stefan could figure out roughly about what agonised her. Inside, he felt another his heart crumbled. It was difficult to see someone you love so much to love you and at the meantime, loving another man.