Adelaide sat by the dining room table, engrossed in her favorite book, when the shrill sound of the doorbell shattered her concentration. Letting out a weary sigh, she closed her book and made her way towards the door. Little did she know, she was about to face a situation she wished she had avoided.
As Adelaide opened the door, her heart sank at the sight of Tyler standing on her doorstep. "What do you want?" she questioned, her voice laced with frustration.
"I'm here for my mom. I was supposed to pick up a box of stuff," Tyler replied, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another.
Adelaide nodded, her annoyance evident, and left the door open as she hurriedly retrieved the small box from the dining room table. "Please be careful with it, Ty," she warned.
Tyler looked up at her, taken aback that she had used his nickname. Sighing, he reluctantly apologized, "Look, I'm sorry about fighting with Jeremy. It was in the heat of the moment, I was angry."
"Angry about what?" Adelaide questioned, perplexed by his sudden outburst.
"About you and Matt," Tyler confessed, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and hurt.
Adelaide raised an eyebrow, her confusion evident. "Me and Matt?... Wait. You think there is something going on between me and Matt?"
"Is there?" Tyler asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm not going to have this conversation with you," Adelaide retorted, her frustration mounting, and attempted to close the door. But before she could shut it completely, Tyler stopped her.
"Are you sleeping with my best friend?" he blurted out, desperation dripping from his words.
Adelaide's anger flared, and she snapped, "So, what if I am? What is it to you?"
His expression a mix of anguish and longing, Tyler admitted, "Because I love you!"
Before Adelaide could respond, Jeremy came running down the stairs, his face contorted with confusion.
"What's going on?" he demanded, standing behind his sister and glaring at Tyler.
"This doesn't concern you," Tyler dismissed, keeping his gaze fixated on Adelaide.
"You need to leave," Jeremy firmly told him, gripping Adelaide's shoulder protectively.
"Adelaide, please," Tyler pleaded, his voice filled with desperation and regret.
"I can't do this," Adelaide whispered, her voice cracking, as she turned and sprinted up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her. The room felt suffocating as she threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the pillows.
Adelaide lay there with her eyes tightly shut, the sound of Tyler and Jeremy's heated argument echoing in the hallway. She didn't know how long she had been lying there before the exhaustion took over, and she finally succumbed to sleep.
Adelaide dreams
Adelaide found herself sitting on a bench, the sun shining brightly above her. As she took a deep breath, the scent of summer flowers filled her senses. A gentle breeze caressed her face, making her hair dance playfully around her shoulders. She gazed out over the picturesque landscape, a sense of peace and tranquility washing over her.
Suddenly, a voice broke her reverie. "May I sit?" Adelaide turned in surprise to see none other than Elijah, the Lord of Dreams, standing before her. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly stood and bowed to him. "My lord," she stammered, feeling a mix of awe and excitement.
Elijah chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Please, there is no need for formalities," he said, a warm smile on his face. "Can I join you?"
Adelaide nodded eagerly, gesturing to the spot beside her on the bench. "Of course," she replied, her voice filled with genuine delight. Together, they sat down, the bench feeling suddenly more alive and vibrant in their presence.
"It's beautiful, is it not?" Adelaide murmured, her gaze fixed on the rolling hills and vibrant wildflowers that stretched out before them.
Elijah nodded, his expression filled with appreciation. "Indeed, it is," he agreed, his voice soft as a whisper. Then, he turned towards Adelaide, his eyes locking with hers. "So are you."
Adelaide felt her cheeks grow hot as his words hung in the air. She couldn't deny the flutter of her heart or the way he made her feel, but duty and reality quickly flooded her mind, reminding her of the impossibly vast divide between them. "You cannot say such words, my lord," she whispered, her voice filled with longing.
But Elijah was undeterred. A gentle touch on her arm stopped her from leaving, and she turned to face him, her eyes searching his for answers. "My lord, please," she pleaded, her voice filled with a mix of desire and apprehension.
He didn't respond with words. Instead, he moved closer, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into an embrace. Adelaide's breath caught in her throat as his warmth enveloped her, sending shivers down her spine. They stood there, locked in each other's gaze, the world around them fading into insignificance.
Elijah leaned in closer, his lips just inches away from hers. "We can," he murmured, his voice filled with a raw intensity that sent her heart soaring. "I know you feel it too."
"My lord," Adelaide whispered, her voice filled with both longing and caution, unsure of the path they were treading. She took a step back, breaking free from his embrace, her emotions swirling within her.
But Elijah was determined, his eyes blazing with a fierce passion. "Call me Elijah," he said softly, his voice laced with vulnerability.
Adelaide hesitated, her heart torn between the intoxicating possibility before her and the reality that awaited her beyond this moment. She opened her mouth to speak, but before any words could escape, Elijah moved swiftly towards her, pulling her into him once again.
"I'm going to kiss you now," he said, his voice a mere whisper against her lips. Adelaide's resolve crumbled, surrendering to the overwhelming desire she felt for him. Time seemed to stand still as their lips met, a blaze of passion and longing ignited between them.
Later that evening, Adelaide stood inside the bathroom alongside her sister, Elena, and their friend Bonnie. They were getting ready for the founder's party, a glamorous event hosted by the elite of the town. Bonnie was busy curling her hair, while Adelaide assisted Elena in straightening hers. As they focused on perfecting their hairstyles, the phone on the bathroom counter suddenly rang, startling them all.
Elena quickly reached over and answered the call, her voice filled with curiosity. "Hello?" she said. As she listened to the person on the other end, her expression shifted from curiosity to concern. She glanced at Adelaide, worry etched on her face.
"What do you mean? Is it true? But I saw it! Let me check... Mm-hmm. I'll find it and bring it. Okay, bye." With that, Elena ended the call and turned to Adelaide, ready to share the shocking news.
"What is it?" Adelaide asked, her curiosity now piqued.
"Come with me," Elena said, a sense of urgency in her voice. She walked out of the bathroom, and Adelaide, leaving the hot straightener on the counter, followed closely behind. They made their way to Jeremy's room, a sense of trepidation filling the air.
Elena walked into Jeremy's bedroom and, without hesitation, slapped the back of his head, causing him to jump in surprise. "What now?" he groaned, clearly irritated.
"The pocket watch," Elena questioned, her voice filled with apprehension. "Where is it?"
Jeremy looked at his sisters, seemingly perplexed. "What watch?" he asked innocently.
Frustrated, Elena sighed. "The one you stole from Mom's box. Mrs. Lockwood just called me, freaking out. It was on the list, Jeremy. She can't find it, and she thinks she lost it."
Jeremy shifted uncomfortably, trying to defend himself. "Maybe she did. Maybe Tyler took it."
Adelaide rolled her eyes at his attempt to deflect blame. "Don't blame this on Tyler."
"You're defending him after what he just did?" Jeremy retorted, his voice laced with irritation.
Elena, unable to control her growing worry, interjected. "What did Tyler do?"
Adelaide, trying to diffuse the tension, stated, "This isn't about me. Jeremy, did you take the watch or not?"
Jeremy's temper flared, and he responded defensively, "If I go online, am I going to find it on eBay? Is that how you pay for your pot?"
Elena glared at him. "Screw you, Jeremy," she hissed.
Undeterred by their bickering, Jeremy stomped over to his bookshelf, pulled out the watch from a hidden spot, and placed it in front of Elena. "I would never sell this, okay?" he growled.
Confusion washed over Elena's face as she examined the watch in her hand. "Then why did you take it?"
Jeremy's voice softened as he reluctantly revealed the truth. "Because it's supposed to be mine. Dad said it goes to the first-born son. His dad gave it to him, and now what?"
Understanding dawned on Adelaide's face. "And Dad was going to give it to you."
"Yeah," Jeremy mumbled, his anger dissipating.
Elena, the voice of reason, addressed her brother gently. "Look, Jeremy, it's still yours, okay? Mom promised Mrs. Lockwood. What do you want me to do?"
Jeremy, feeling a mix of emotions, simply muttered, "Just take it and get out." He placed his headphones over his ears, shutting himself off from any further conversation.
Meanwhile, in another room, Adelaide and Bonnie finished getting ready. Adelaide noticed Elena checking the clock on her desk and asked, "Is Stefan coming to pick you up?"
Elena nodded. "Yeah."
"Okay. Then Bonnie and I will probably go ahead. I'll see you there, yeah?" Adelaide confirmed, awaiting Elena's response.
Elena smiled warmly. "Don't forget to lock the door," she reminded
Adelaide before turning to Bonnie. "You ready?"
Bonnie nodded, and Adelaide held her arm out for Bonnie to link with hers. As they descended the stairs together, Adelaide couldn't help but compliment her friend. "Did I tell you that you look beautiful?"
Bonnie laughed and playfully replied, "Shut up."
"No, really," Adelaide insisted, a genuine look of admiration on her face. "You do."
Bonnie smiled at her friend's words. "Thank you, and so do you."
With their friendship reaffirmed, Adelaide and Bonnie left the house, ready to enjoy the night ahead at the founder's party.
Adelaide and Bonnie finally made it to the front door of the Lockwood mansion after waiting in line for all the residents of Mystic Falls to greet the mayor of the small town. As they walked towards the entrance, Mrs. Lockwood greeted them with warm words. Adelaide thanked her, and Bonnie gave a polite smile before linking her arm with Adelaide's and moving away from Mrs. Lockwood.
As they distanced themselves from Mrs. Lockwood, Adelaide couldn't help but chuckle. "You really don't like her?" she asked Bonnie, curiously. Bonnie grinned mischievously and replied, "Nope. I'm going to find myself a drink. I'll catch up with you later." And with that, Bonnie left Adelaide to explore the party on her own.
Adelaide continued to mingle with the guests, striking up conversations and exchanging pleasantries. However, as the hours ticked by, a sense of melancholy overcame her. She found herself standing near her parents' photo, staring at their wedding rings with a sad expression on her face. Lost in her thoughts, Adelaide began to wander aimlessly around the mansion.
Suddenly, something caught her eye, and she turned towards the source. It was her Great-Great-Grandma Mary's wedding ring, displayed on a small velvet pillow. Adelaide was intrigued by the exquisite design and delicate craftsmanship. As she admired the ring, absorbed by its history, Stefan appeared beside her.
"Hey, Adelaide," he greeted her warmly, his eyes drawn to the ring. "That's a beautiful ring. Is it an heirloom?"
Adelaide smiled at him, appreciating his interest. "Yes, it belonged to my Great-Great-Grandma Mary," she replied. But then Stefan's eyes shifted towards the locket Adelaide wore around her neck, and his expression turned to one of recognition.
Intrigued, Stefan pointed towards the locket and asked, "And the locket? It looks old. Can I see it?"
Adelaide turned towards him, confused. "What?" she questioned. Stefan persisted, reaching out to touch the locket gently. Adelaide, overwhelmed by fear, quickly pulled away from him, her hand protectively clutching the locket. "It's mine!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.
Stefan, realizing he had upset her, tried to ease her worries, taking a step closer. "Adelaide, I'm not going to take it from you. I just want to see it," he reassured her. But she remained steadfast, insisting that the locket was hers and that he couldn't have it. The tension in the room began to rise.
Suddenly, Tyler's voice cut through the air, demanding Stefan to let go of Adelaide. Tyler, standing in the doorway with an angry expression, positioned himself between Stefan and Adelaide, ready to protect her. "Let go of her!" Tyler growled, emphasizing that Stefan should never touch Adelaide.
Damon Salvatore, entered the room with Caroline on his arm, confused about the commotion. Sensing the tension, he immediately questioned what was going on. Adelaide looked towards Caroline, her eyes filled with tears, and whispered that she needed to get out of there. Caroline quickly approached her best friend, enfolding her in a comforting embrace, and demanded answers.
Amidst the chaos, Damon's gaze fell upon the locket hanging around Adelaide's neck. He couldn't contain his confusion and blurted out, "Where the hell did she get that?" Turning to Stefan for an explanation, Damon was met with nothing more than a shrug. The mysterious locket seemed to stir something within both brothers.
Adelaide, overwhelmed by the situation, felt as though she couldn't breathe. The weight of everyone's attention suffocated her. Her mouth opened, attempting to explain herself, but before she could say anything, her legs gave way beneath her. She heard her name being called, voices mixing together, and then darkness swept over her as her eyes closed.