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“Now this looks perfect.” Caroline clapped her hands together, she felt proud of what Elena, and she had accomplished.
“Caroline, you do realize that you’re saying this for the fifth time, right?” asked Elena.
“I know, I know, I’m sorry. But this time’s for sure. This is exactly what we want. Would you mind going through the checklist for the fourth time?” said Caroline with a pretty please face that she knew Elena couldn’t resist.
Both of the most hard-working and dedicated employees of The Salvatore Industries worked day and night to bring this event into place. They loved the scene in front of them. A big hall specially booked for the ‘Salvatore Industries Annual Corporate Event’.
The hall was decorated with every shade of white flowers, with round tables arranged flawlessly in front of the main stage. It was the first time that Elena had a chance to organize this big of an event and it was crucial for her job. Caroline and she made a good team together, Caroline kept everything in check and Elena helped with new innovative ideas. The event was about to start in a couple of hours, and they were equally nervous as well as excited about it.
The moment of truth finally came, their esteemed guests started arriving and the duo greeted them with their sheer hospitality. For the important evening, Elena decided to wear a black dress that stopped right before her knees, it was a lacey bodycon dress, and her hair was tied in a fishtail braid, to compliment her outfit she wore a pair of black heels. Caroline on the other hand wore a golden slit bodycon dress with her hair side parted and a pair of black footwear to complete her outfit.
The nervousness was taken over by the emotion of excitement as they could the event falling into place, they both felt delighted at the sight in front of them. The Salvatore brothers finally made an appearance, both of them were dressed in a tuxedo. Sure, both of them looked equally handsome but Elena couldn’t take her eyes off the green-eyed Salvatore.
Stefan looked classy, elegant, sleek, and attractive in a way. Perhaps it was wrong on Elena’s part to think of her boss in that way, but the man was so fine that it was close to impossible to not have a good stare. While Elena was lost in her thoughts, she forgot that her Boss was approaching her, she abruptly turned her back towards him pretending to be busy, and she heard the man say,
“I am not used to scaring people away.”
Elena let out a sigh realizing that her act had been caught, she closed her eyes for a second and then turned towards Stefan. “People are uncomfortable around Salvatores in tuxes,” she replied with a subtle smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Salvatore,” she greeted her boss.
“Good evening, ‘Lena,” Stefan smiled at her.
All the guests arrived on time and were seated in their allotted seats, Damon and Stefan greeted the crowd which was followed by an award distribution ceremony conducted to appreciate the hard-working employees of The Salvatore Industries. After the award distribution, the stage was taken up by the band specially invited to grace the event.
The energy in the room was aesthetically pleasing. The dim lights with some live music in the background set the mood just right. All the employees and clients interacted with each other while enjoying their drinks and other delicacies served to them.
Elena had to use the restroom, so she proceeded toward the ladies’ room but was stopped by the familiar noises from the alley.
“Why don’t you understand Stefan? This is important for our company. And I don’t care if you are with me on this one or not. With or without you, I’m signing this deal anyway.”
“You know you cannot do that Damon. We equally own the company shares and you can’t do anything without my consent. And we cannot turn our back on one of the oldest and the most important clients just because they are having a hard time. If you take up that deal, it might jeopardize our existing relationship.”
“Well, sometimes Stefan it’s better to let go,” yelled Damon and walked back to the party. Meanwhile, Stefan just stood there in anguish. The relationship between the brothers has never been smooth but Stefan had hoped that one day it would change, but each time he has met nothing but disappointment.
Elena realized that she was eavesdropping, and she had the urge to go and comfort Stefan but then she decided against it and joined back the party.
She saw Caroline wave at her as she waited for her with two glasses of champagne. Elena waved back at her and faked a smile. She took one of the glasses from Caroline and took a sip from it. “Isn’t it a wonderful evening? Cheers to us for making this happen,” grinned Caroline.
“Yes, it sure is Caroline,” Elena smiled subtly.
Elena was still lost in her thoughts; she knew how important that client was to Stefan. They were Stefan’s first-ever clients, and she knew how loyal Stefan was toward each of his clients he couldn’t stand the thought of signing a deal behind their backs. Damon was certainly wrong in this situation, but she knew it wasn’t her place to say anything, after all, she was just a receptionist.
Elena took out her phone to check the time and her phone screen suggested 11:03 pm. Caroline and Elena had wrapped up the event and fortunately, everything went as planned. But Stefan didn’t make an appearance after greeting the crown earlier that evening. Elena wondered where he was and was genuinely worried about him.
“I guess it’s time to go,” said Caroline but didn’t hear a response from Elena, “Elena?” she repeated.
“Yes, Caroline. I’m listening.”
“Well then let’s get going, it’s pretty late.”
“You know what Caroline, I think I should do some last-minute checks, you can go. I’ll take a cab home,” Elena suggested.
“Are you sure?” asked Caroline.
“Yes Caroline, I am sure. Goodnight, and have a good weekend,” reassured Elena.
Elena decided to take a look around the hall hoping to find Stefan somewhere. She looked everywhere but the bar and thought, ' Maybe he left for home’. Her thoughts were interrupted by the voice of glass clanking against the floor. She realized that the noise came from the bar and decided to check it out.
To her surprise she found Stefan sitting on the floor…drunk. The surprise was not to find her boss there but to find him in such a miserable condition. Instinctively she decided to help him.
“Mr. Salvatore? Is everything all right? Let me call a cab for you.”
As Elena stood up to call a cab, she felt her hand being held by Stefan, he grabbed her hand and asked her, “Please sit with me Elena, will you?”
Elena knew that it was not the right thing to do, she could not repeat the same mistake as earlier. She did not want to live with the same regret yet again. But at the same time, she couldn’t deny him, not when he was drunk, miserable, and vulnerable. Elena decided to give her boss some company because it was her job to look after him. She sat beside him resting her back against the wall and placed her hand on Stefan’s shoulder to assure him that he wasn’t alone. Stefan gently held her hand and squeezed it once as a gesture to say, ‘Thank you’.
They both sat in silence, but this silence was not awkward at all. This silence was intimate and understanding. Elena was fighting with her feelings and finding the difference between professional courtesy and genuine care for someone. That someone was Stefan. She sure cared about him, she was Elena, and she cared about everyone, but she knew the way she cared about Stefan was…different.
“Come on Mr. Salvatore, let’s get you home. It’s almost midnight,” demanded Elena. She hated to demand her boss like that, but someone had to take charge as Stefan was acting like a stubborn little boy.
Elena helped Stefan to stand up on his feet, but it was difficult for him to maintain his balance, so Elena wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and held him by his waist to make sure he didn’t trip. It wasn’t easy for her to carry him to the cab as he was taller and stronger than her, but somehow, she managed.
At first, she thought of leaving Stefan alone in the cab but something inside of her told her that it wasn’t right. She had to make sure that Stefan reached home safely so she accompanied him to his home.
They reached Stefan’s place. Stefan lived in a luxury apartment that gave a perfect view of the serene city lights from the living room. Everything was neat. Elena could see that Stefan was an organized person. But this wasn’t the time to appreciate the interiors of Stefan’s apartment, she had more important things to take care of.
Stefan directed Elena toward his bedroom, and she helped him walk to his bedroom. Gently Elena helped Stefan sit on his bed, “I’ll get some water for you, Mr. Salvatore.” Stefan simply nodded while rubbing his temples firmly.
When Elena came back with a glass of water in her hands, she just stood there at the doorframe to admire the sight in front of her, Stefan lay down on his bed and was almost asleep. He looked so innocent and calm. All Elena wanted to do was admire him with awe. She slowly walked inside the room and placed the glass of water on his nightstand.
“‘Lena?” she heard Stefan call her.
“Yes, Mr. Salvatore.” She leaned in closer to him and sat on the edge of his bed to hear him.
Stefan’s hand searched for Elena’s hand, as he felt her hands in his he held onto them tightly and looked deep into Elena’s eyes, “I wanted to say something to you for a while now ‘Lena, I think I love you.”
Elena’s mind went blank at those words, a part of her wished to disappear but a part of her wanted to cherish the moment. Who would not want to hear these words from such a fine man? So lovable and respectful. But Elena had to make decisions rationally. She had a job, and she could not risk losing it. ‘Maybe it’s just the drunk him speaking’ thought Elena to herself.
“I think you should get some sleep, Mr. Salvatore,” saying that Elena left his apartment and decided to have a talk with Stefan on Monday morning.
Elena reached her office earlier than usual on Monday morning, she was still in fix about last Friday night and hoped that Stefan only said those things because he was drunk. Elena was in a file room arranging some important files, she heard the door open and turned her attention in the direction of the door and found Stefan walking towards her.
“Good morning, Mr. Salvatore.” Elena turned her attention back to her work.
“Can we…talk?” asked Stefan.
“Yes, sure. What is it, Mr. Salvatore?”
“About how I confessed something to you, and you just left without acknowledging my feelings.”
Elena felt a lump forming in her throat. She thought that he wasn’t fully conscious when he said those words to her. But on the contrary, Stefan remembered everything. It scared her a little, she didn’t know how to react to this, she was blank, again.
“Elena? I’m talking to you?”
Elena tried to gather her thoughts and rip off the band-aid all at once.
“Yes, I’m listening, but there’s nothing to talk about Mr. Salvatore. You were drunk and I helped you. That’s it.” she replied.
“And thank you for taking care of me when I was not at my best. I am grateful for that ‘Lena. But I meant what I said and look I don’t expect an answer, but I want you to know that I was completely serious about what I said.”
Elena was at a loss for words, she didn’t know what to say, “I…don’t know how to react to that Mr. Salvatore. Our relationship is professional, and I do not wish to go against professional conduct and be involved with someone from work. I am sorry but I don’t have the same feelings for you as you do Mr. Salvatore.”
Stefan was not convinced by Elena’s words, he asked, “No that’s not it. I know you have felt it too Elena. There is some other reason…”
“I don’t…” Elena cut him off and Stefan raised his eyebrow in question.
“I don’t want people to think that I got this job because the boss fell for me, I know I earned this job, this position I hold right now. And I sure don’t want to lose this job, Mr. Salvatore. I am desperate and I can’t let anything come in the way of that. So, it will be my humble request to keep our relationship professional.”
Stefan’s face had a hint of disappointment and hurt. He expected a lot of different reactions on Elena’s part, but this was beyond expectation. He did not want to believe the words he heard, he still wanted to believe in his feelings, but it was also true that he did not have any option.
“Okay, okay. I can completely understand how you feel and why you feel that way. So, I guess, have a nice day ahead Ms. Gilbert.”
With that, Stefan left the room and Elena just stood there in her spot, she was not the kind of person to hurt someone intentionally, she was compassionate and empathetic. But she knew this was the right thing to do, she knew it was an important decision.
@wiidestdrearms / @queenofstelena
