"Stefan here wanted to do a short piece for the paper on his return to Salvatore Corporations. He was directed to me and I'm glad he was." Caroline cooed and wrapped her arm around him. Her eyes were dazed, but dreamy. Elena feared she was being compelled. She felt the bulge of her phone in her pocket and desperately wished for any sign of Damon right about now.
Mr. Salvatore, you do know how to keep a girl waiting and impatient, Elena thought.
"I was smitten with her and had to ask to see her again." He added and tapped her delicate hand.
This was beyond awkward and appalling. She wanted nothing more than to throw a drink into his face and curse him out. How could he sit here acting all calm and collected after what he did to her? He had put poor Caroline in the hospital, which was still better than dead, but it was enough to make her loath him. Despite his slight charm that was a clear trait of the Salvatore's, Elena knew he was much different from his brother. Unlike Damon, Stefan lacked control and she knew he was bound to dive into Caroline the first chance he would get. She had to warn Caroline to run while she could, but how? The thought of exposing him was dangerous though not only for him, but for Damon too. Her mind began to drift again as she wondered how much Stefan knew about her and Damon's relationship. Judging by his surprise appearance a few days ago, she could only assume he knew little about her and what she was doing with Damon.
Once again so many questions left unanswered.
"Caroline," Elena said smoothly and smiled. She turned to face her still holding on to Stefan. "Could I talk to you, privately?"
"Sure. Be right back." She winked at him and followed Elena to the other end of the bar.
Glancing back at Stefan as he drank his scotch and shook hands with a man who was sitting next to him, Elena grew cautious to the idea that he would be listening in. She had a funny feeling he would be and knowing his vampire senses it wouldn't be difficult. She had hit a roadblock. Shit.
"Isn't he yummy?" Caroline squealed quietly.
"Are you okay?" She asked avoiding the real conversation she wanted to have with her.
"Yes! Why would you ask that?" Shaking her head, Caroline seemed confused.
"I don't know, I just…" Elena bowed her head and searched for the right thing to say. "Be careful. Don't do anything stupid."
"You're mad that I'm with him because he is Damon's brother." Caroline turned on her bitch mood that she really ever used toward her. "Look Elena, do what you want with Damon. You know how I feel about him, but let me at least get the other brother. Anyways, he is way sexier than Damon."
"Caroline," She struggled to tell her the truth in a way that wouldn't be too revealing. The fear of losing her friend to this man scared her more than anything. In fact, Stefan scared her. When she looked at him she saw a monster. She barely knew him, but after what he did she couldn't look at him any other way. As for Damon who wore the same mask, he was…different. A gentle, sometimes rough, confused man underneath his true identity.
"Whatever." Turning on her heel, Caroline went back to Stefan and sat down. She took her martini and downed it within seconds. This wasn't going to be a good night. Elena already felt a headache coming on and she knew it was only going to add to frustration of tonight.
Quickly serving a customer who approached her, Elena made sure to keep her watch on the two of them. The moment they left she would surely need Damon here. There was no way she was going to let Caroline leave with that traitor. Patting her pocket again, Elena darted to the back room and pulled out her phone, still nothing from Damon. She was beginning to worry why he hadn't responded to her yet. Damn you Salvatore answer me!
Elena scurried to type out a new message to him that read: Red Alert! Screw work Salvatore. My boss was right about Mr. Salvatore showing up. Your brother is here and with Caroline. You need to get your ass here now. The message sent instantly to him and she hoped he would get this message right away. There was no time to wait, Stefan was closing in and she had no control over the situation. She wished now she had the power to compel Stefan to go away or to compel Caroline to run.
The metal of the cooler as she pressed her body against it sent her body into a calming stage. She had been so worked up since she became aware of her sticky situation that she realized she was forgetting to breathe. This feeling of no control was really irritating and now she understood Damon's need for it a little better. With control comes power and right now she lacked both. As she closed her eyes and prayed that tonight would turn out better than expected, she felt two hands pushed up against the cooler on either side of her. Springing her eyes open she was met with two icy blue eyes staring back at her with great concern.
Chapter 28: Mixing Business with Pleasure
Two bright blue eyes glared at her with such great intensity as she felt her back press harder against the cold metal cooler. He was suffocating her as she felt his undeniable rage building. Without saying it Elena knew why Damon had shown up and why he was so angry. It was Stefan.
"Took you long enough Mr. Salvatore," Elena said in a hushed voice. "I see my last message finally did the trick."
"I will not have any sassy comments from you right now, Miss Gilbert." He replied failing to hide the evident smirk smearing his face. Changing his emotion as quick as the flash of light, he became serious. "Where is he?"
"At the bar…with Caroline." She told him struggling to say Caroline's name. Just the thought of that monster, that man who nearly ended her life made her anger peak. "What do you think he's up to?"
"I don't know." Damon said through clenched teeth.
Elena sensed there was more to this mysterious brother of his than he lead on. From what she heard in the hallway of his home a few days ago it wasn't just the bloodlust, it was something from their past. She desired to know more about their relationship. She desired to know more about Damon, but that was going to have to come with time. All these questions and no answers was how their relationship was panning out to be. Snapping back to the current situation, she searched for any sign of what Damon was planning on doing next, but she received nothing.
"What are you going to do?" She asked quietly.
"I don't know." He responded the same as before.
"I just don't get why Caroline, after everything he did to her. What, what makes him think its okay?" Elena rambled at the thought of her best friend cozying up with a vampire. She knew she better bite her tongue before she let any of her other thoughts come to the surface. Warning her friend to not get involved with a vampire would be hypocritical. She knew the dangers of being with Damon and yet she was staying, so did she have the right to tell Stefan to back off and to tell Caroline to ditch him? Then the thought of a helpless, pail Caroline bleeding from the neck falling to the ground outside their home reminded her of why she had every right to break this off.
Damon placed his hands on his hips. He was still dressed in his business attire, a white dress shirt and grey slacks that hung from his waist perfectly. You look good now Mr. Salvatore, but you would look better naked. Elena's dirty thoughts probed her mind. Attempting to force herself away from her off track thoughts, she peered around the corner to look out at the restaurant. From the few minutes she had been gone trying to collect herself and being interrupted with Damon's arrival, the restaurant had a more significant amount of people in it.
"Shit. I better get back out there before I get yelled at." Elena cringed at her boss catching her not doing her job.
"Look," Damon grabbed her right shoulder drawing her to focus upon him. Even his touch could send her spiraling down. "Stefan can be functional if he is on the right track. He will be tempted, but if he is keeping a healthy diet then your friend is safe."
"And how do you know that he is?" She asked frantically.
"I don't. Trust me, I'll handle this." He firmly stated. "You just go out there and work. Keep Caroline distracted."
"Okay." Elena said quickly not knowing how she would distract her when clearly all her attention was on Stefan. Their
little quarrel moments before already proved that Caroline was in no mood to talk relationship advice.
"Elena!" A familiar voice belonging to Matt called from the doorway. "What are you doing?"
"I…" She stammered and noticed Damon was no longer standing next to her. He had vanished into thin air. Great timing he had too. His disappearing act left her all alone defending herself for her excuse to not being on the job.
"It's crazy out here and people are demanding drinks." Matt sighed.
"Sorry. I'm on it." Elena stomped over to him and found a hoard of people surrounding Stefan and Caroline looking mesmerized and slightly annoyed that they were not being served.
Caroline was all over Stefan. Touching his arm and his leg, like she was already committed to him. Maybe she was? Maybe she was being compelled to act this way and then again maybe she wasn't. Elena knew how she got when it came to attractive gentlemen especially ones who were worth a fortune. It made her want to throw up watching this unfold before her. She wanted to smack that stupid smirk off his face as he conversed with her and the people around him. He was nothing more than a low life to her.
A thousand shouting voices yelled at her with drink orders as she stumbled to pour them into glasses or pop off the caps of the bottles. This was ridiculous. She was the only bartender on call tonight and by the look of it Matt was feeling the pain too. Mystic Grill had never seen business like this before. She had to thank Stefan for that. Compulsion or no compulsion, him and Damon attracted flocks of people especially women. It was scary how closely they looked alike, yet studying them they were so different. Mindlessly taking orders, Elena's mind drifted to what they would have been like prior to the vampire life. Were they close? Were they having the affect on people back then like they are now? She could only assume that once they both became vampires any form of a good relationship that they had was torn. Something must have pushed them away or someone.
"Excuse me." The sound of Damon's voice boomed through the crowd. It startled her at first hearing his voice echo. He had a microphone in his hand, one that was rarely used unless a live band was playing. Immediately, the crowd turned to hush whispers and every woman's eyes were glued upon him. Her heart raced at the sight of him and at the displeased and curious look that swept across his brother's face. She wanted to watch him and wait for his every reaction to whatever Damon was about to do, but the handsome Mr. Salvatore too affected her.
Raising a glass in his hand, which Elena did not recall pouring for him he began to speak. "Thank you all for coming out tonight. Some of you may be here for pleasure, while many of you are here for a celebration. I am proud to say that Stefan Salvatore, my brother has decided to fully take on his role as co-founder of Salvatore Corporations again today."
A thunderous applause roared inside the grill and a few hollers were joined in as the eyes flickered from Damon to Stefan in unison. Caroline squeezed his knee showing her possession over him letting every girl know that he was hers. As she watched the greedy eyes of the women focus back in on Damon, she secretly wanted to do the same. They may not be exclusive, not yet, but he was all hers. His eyes found hers quickly and he gave her a small smirk reassuring her that she was the only girl in the room that he wanted.
"To you my brother," Damon raised his hand higher with the glass.
"That was sweet of him." Caroline gushed and sipped on her martini.
"Definitely unexpected." Elena murmured to herself. His charming speech was a little too charming. What was he getting at? Was he trying to mend the rifts with Stefan or was he trying to show him that he was in close company tonight? Either way, Stefan gulped down his drink masking his brother's surprise speech.
Once again as she looked back up to where Damon was standing he was gone. She should have been use to him moving quickly unnoticed, but it still amazed her what he was capable of. "Hello, Stefan. Miss Forbes." He greeted them. A sour expression appeared upon Caroline's face as he stood next to her.
"Damon, that was quite an unexpected speech considering I haven't fully confirmed rejoining to the company yet." Stefan smoothly spoke not missing at beat.
"Word spreads fast little brother. Anyways, if you aren't I guess I just made myself look like an ass on my part." Damon returned in the same suave tone. "Shall I return to the podium and correct myself?"
"That's unnecessary." Finally the voice of Caroline piped in. She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. "Stefan has assured me he is returning to the business. He has asked to do a piece on himself for the paper much like yours. However, I must say his could top your piece Mr. Salvatore considering his twist on things."
"I'm sure." Damon replied agreeing with Caroline sending her in a bit of shock, which she clearly was not expecting.
Their conversation of quick wit and snarky comments was all unraveling before her. It was like she was invisible and not once since Damon joined them had he even acknowledged her. She was receiving so many mixed signals from him tonight she was beginning to grow agitated with him.
"Well thank you Damon for that lovely speech." Stefan nodded his head. "I have to say it is getting a bit crowded in here and all this excitement is tiring. I think I'll head home."
Panic ensued as he drew out a large bill from his wallet and threw it on the counter. So far he seemed to be leaving alone, but she was too quick to judge. He extended his hand out to Caroline, who looked eager. "Care to join me at home?" He asked her.
"Sure." Caroline stood up and flicked a strand of hair off her shoulder. She looked so pleased with herself like she hit the jackpot. Elena felt the urge to cry as she watched her fall right into his trap and had Damon just standing by not stopping them.
"Caroline!" Elena called out rushing over and ignoring the rowdy customers.
Turning around, she did not look happy with her. Elena hated that Caroline couldn't see what she saw. She didn't know what she knew and there was no use in trying to correct the situation, so she did what she could only do. "Call me if you need anything."
The tension in her face fell and she tilted her head to the side with compassion. "Of course." She replied genuinely and then gave her a quick smile and big eyes. Her hand slipped into Stefan's and they were on their way.
"How could you let them walk out of here?!" Elena yelled in a whisper at Damon and threw an ice cube at him. He took a seat where Stefan had been sitting.
"You should probably get back to work." He simply replied letting the blood boil even more inside of her. She wasn't angry any more she was pissed.
"Thanks. Some help you are." She growled and walked away from him. Ignoring him for the rest of the night, she put all her pent up rage into bartending. Thankfully, she was making good tips out of this crazy night, but all she wanted was to rest. She wanted to know that Caroline was going to be okay and it killed her not knowing if she would be.
The clock struck midnight and slowly people began to leave stumbling and shouting. As she looked up, Damon was still sitting in the same seat that he had been from earlier. Had he been sitting there the whole time? After his lack of cooperation, she had forgotten to even pay any attention to him. Now she wondered if he even cared about Caroline's safety at all?
"We're closed Mr. Salvatore." She muttered to him and took his glass away.
"Caroline is safe." He stated.
Freezing in place, Elena stared at him. "How do you know?"
"Because I checked up on her and Stefan. They seem to be getting along nicely." Damon informed. "And without any blood shed."
"When did you go? Haven't you been sitting here the whole time?" Elena asked.
"You be surprised at how fast I can get from one place to the next unnoticed." He smirked and leaned back in his chair.
"With all do respect, for someone with your stature how do you go unnoticed? People are always staring, wouldn't they notice if you just disappeared?" She slowly began to clean up as she pondered her own question.
Damon chuckled to himself. "People may
be fascinated with me, but that doesn't mean they look away every now and then. Trust me, I've had many years of practice at what I do now."
"I see. So Caroline is for sure fine?" Elena held her breath awaiting his answer.
"Definitely."
"Oh thank god." She collapsed onto the counter. The thought of Caroline going unharmed calmed her and even though she knew the possibility of something still happening was likely, at least she knew Damon did care and was looking out for her. She felt guilty for ever having doubt.
"I'll check back in with them, but I do have to get back to the office." Damon stood up and placed his hands in his pockets. "It seems a distress call from a beautiful woman distracted me earlier."
"I wonder who she is." Elena playfully responded. "I'm almost finished up. Can I join you?"
Pleasure met with confusion ran across his face quickly. "At my office?"
"I know we agreed to not doing anything until I made up my mind on the contract and you have thought things through as well," she rambled on, something she was good at. "But I just want don't want to be alone tonight. I promise to stay out of your way."
Fifty Shades Of Dark - Damon Salvatore Page 17