Exactly 9'o clock Monday morning, the familiar sound of red bottomed high heels sounded against the porcelain-like clean floor, graceful cat-like gait, the brunette walked into the building. She took the elevator to the eleventh floor, that's where her grandfather's office was.
Jonathan Gilbert was one of the leading names of California, and Elena Gilbert like a modern-day princess was his one and only heiress, after her father John Gilbert was removed from the will, placed in exile by the family.
Elena claimed she didn't even remember what he looked like.
She headed to her grandfather's office, determined that today she wasn't going to take no for an answer.
His secretary Anna stopped her before she could go in. Elena shot her a glare that sent a shiver down the girl's spine.
"Miss Gilbert-" she weakly started but Elena snapped, "Anna I am not going back today. Grandpa didn't go home yesterday and I'm done hearing you lie on the phone."
Anna stepped aside, as if finally choosing the less of two evils.
Elena went in and as expected saw her grandfather in his royal seat behind the grand desk of the company.
Of course his office was grand, he was one of the richest men in California.
His hair were more silver than dark, eyes brown like Elena's, an elegant face with a very good posture for a man his age.
Elena sat down without an invitation, putting her bag on his desk, "You can't keep hiding from me."
He snickered, looking at Anna briefly who was mumbling a silent apology from the crack in the door. He nodded at her to tell her to leave.
"I would never hide from you sweetie. I am just giving you space to cool off."
She groaned, "Cool off? I am never going to cool off after Saturday! How can you announce my engagement without ever telling me. And i had to stand there like some god damn woman from those medieval times in front of all the people we know."
The old man rolled his eyes, "Lena, this is the right choice. Mason Lockwood is rich, he's somewhat of our status. Besides you want to work in the company-"
"Yes." She hissed interrupting him, "Yes I want to work for you. I've been desperately trying to get in. Thats the whole reason why I went to Warton. Why do I need Mason Lockwood for you to finally let me."
He waved his hand as if telling her to calm down. Elena took a sharp breath.
He continued, "I need to see you get settled. I am not going to live forever." It was Elena's turn to roll her eyes, the emotional blackmail was locked and loaded with this man.
He carried on, "This is my condition, Elena. I am your only family and before I die-"
She snapped, "You're not dying, stop saying that."
He smiled, "Mason is a wise choice so if you want to call off the engagement and be a kid, you'll be treated as such. Go take a vacation with your friends. Its on me."
She huffed out a humourless laugh as she got up and picked her bag, "What happened to you." she didn't ask it as a question as she stormed out.
Anna was right outside the door with her ear attached to it, bumping to Elena, she apologised, "Miss Gilbert. I was just-"
"Leave her, she's in a mood." Jonathan called from inside.
Elena growled lowly as she headed for the elevator. The doors opened after a minute of waiting.
She came face to face with a man, blue eyes, dark hair, young- clear skin.
Of course she knew him.
The assistant manager of Katharos, her grandfather's company. Damon Salvatore.
"Good morning, Miss Gilbert." He stepped aside, Elena stepped in, and without asking her, he pressed the ground floor button.
He knew she didn't work here. Despite her best tries.
Elena planned on ignoring him but as soon the door to the elevator closed, he said the last thing she wanted to hear.
"Congratulations on your engagement. I wasn't at the party but I saw it in the paper."
Elena snapped her head in his direction already gritting her teeth, "You don't have to rub it in."
"Excuse me?" he seemed confused.
She put her hand on her hip, "All of you here are so happy that I never get to work here or be the boss, of course why would you want a young and talented woman to be your boss-"
He interrupted, "Miss Gilbert. I don't know what happened up there but I have nothing against you being the boss."
She walked to stand in front with her back to him to ignore him only for the elevator to jolt slightly, she balanced herself by holding the rail on the side, and gestured him to stop when he was going to help her.
"Hands back." She said as if it would be a crime if he touched her, "I can help myself."
She mumbled, "I don't need a man for anything."
"Miss, may I ask why you are suddenly showing blatant symptoms of misandry?" He asked by leaning forward.
Elena looked over her shoulder with a glare, "Mind your business."
"I can help you with anything." He shrugged.
"Help me by shutting up." She rudely replied.
Damon just shook his head. Normally she wasn't such a treat to be around but today she was being the bitchiest he had seen her.
This year he was determined to get his promotion to manager. And if that meant bearing with the king and his bratty princess, he would do it. "As you wish."
When the elevator door opened, she walked off without sparing him a second look. He shook his head pressing the button to the second floor.
...
...
"That is such bull-crap." Caroline said in a screeching tone, Elena shook her head with a huff, "What can I do about it?"
"You should take Jonathan to court!"
Elena wanted to shout, "Care, he's my grandfather. He's my only family. I can't take him to court. Besides, it is his company and announcing an engagement isn't a crime or anything." She said as she sipped from her drink.
As usual Elena came to Caroline's condo to cool off.
"Mason Lockwood will never let me exist alone in that company. Grandpa wants me to settle with that first rate jackass." Elena bit out.
"That first rate jackass is the guy you dated up till 3 weeks ago."
Elena groaned, "He's a hot but I don't want to marry him. He's a fucking asshole." Caroline nodded agreeing, "He's going to completely take over everything. You introduced him to Jonathan and he got in sneakily."
"I won't let him. I am not going through with this." She announced.
"So what? Another vacation, because you can't cancel your engagement?" The blonde reminded her of her grandfather's challenge.
"Huh." Elena bit her lip.
"I can help you with anything."
The velvety voice just boomed in her head.
This was one of her impulsive thoughts. But maybe she could trust her first instinct.
"I have a plan." She smirked.
Caroline raised a brow, realising Elena was up to no good.
...
...
For the second time that week when Anna saw Elena from Jonathan's office window, coming out of her car and handing her keys to the valet as she headed for the building, the curly haired girl bit her nails with anxiety but she didn't tell Jonathan, she just rushed out of his cabin.
However Elena didn't come up.
Anna waited for the storm that never came.
...
...
"Miss Gilbert." Damon said a bit surprised when the girl stormed inside his office. He didn't even know that she knew where his office was.
Maybe she asked someone.
"Just the man I was looking for." She said gesturing for him to stand up and step away from his seat. Damon did as she said.
She sat down on his seat behind the desk, smirking up at him, "You said you would do anything."
He frowned, suddenly realising what she was referring to.
Before he could open his mouth, Elena spoke.
"I have an offer for you Damon, I can take you from what you are and turn you into a director." Her hand mimicked a wand.
His jaw fell open, "What?"
"Ahuh. I can give you all you could want." She said clicking her manicured nails together.
Damon narrowed his eyes, "I am not murdering anyone for you Miss Gilbert."
She rolled her eyes, "I would hire a professional for that. I need you for another task."
Now he was intrigued.
But if she was really claiming that she could make him an director, that was beyond his wildest dream. In his thirty three years of life, he hadn't heard another offer more enticing.
"What?"
Elena sighed, "You have to pretend to be my boyfriend."
Damon couldn't help but blurt, "What? Boyfriend?"
She nodded, unfazed by his baffled expression. "Yes. I need a boyfriend, who does and says as I want. You said you would do anything."
Damon rolled his eyes, "Miss Gilbert while I am flattered-"
"Don't be." She snapped, "I am not interested in you at all."
"Then what do you want?" he was confused and slightly offended.
"It's all going to be a ruse. Long enough to fool Grandpa Johnathan into letting me take over and getting rid of Mason. You are just needed as a prop." She said coldly, "But you will be compensated heavily."
He couldn't believe that a twenty-four year old girl had the power to even proposition such a plan.
Was he really desperate for that promotion?
Yes, it was a promotion of a lifetime.
Besides, how tough could it be to be a pretend boyfriend?
"Why me?" he asked.
She looked him up and down before saying, "Because I want a man on in the inside. My grandpa has seen you around, you stuck in this company for more than three years which shows grandpa doesn't hate you. One may go far enough to say he might trust you." She shrugged, "So what do you say?"
He bit his lip.
On one side was a great future, on the other hand was regret to lose this opportunity.
"Okay. I am in."
...
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Author's note: Hello readers! I've missed you.
This is a new story idea pitched by a reader, obviously with my own spin on it.
So what do you think so far. This is more of an idea chapter and the actual story will start from the next.
Are you excited (Aye Aye Capitan) i can't hear you!!!!
So what do you think of Elena, Damon?
How will Elena tell her grandfather that she has a boyfriend!!! How will she break it off with Mason? What is in the future for these two?
Let me know in the reviews!!
REVIEW PLEASE