Saved by a Salvatore

Chapter 1

Meeting Stefan Salvatore

Chicago May 27, 2006

My days are lumping together. Everything is as dull and drab as the day before. My head is fuzzy, but then again it always is. That’ll be the alcohol. I have yet another shift at the Pink Panther, the strip club I work for. Nomie, my boss, finally bumped me up from dancer to center stage. I have my own choreography. I pick my music. I get paid big, although not nearly as much as when I sang for RCA. Stage shows are where the big money is. I think I’ll wear that hot red dress Nomie showed me last night. Yes, the red dress is perfect and it’ll have the patrons eating out of the palm of my hand. I like that idea. I really should get in touch with Jay; he’s always trying to get me to try a new “product” he’s come up with. He’s so annoying, but his stash is to die for. I’ll most likely see him tonight.

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Where am I? I think I’m being carried, but I’m not sure. I strain to open my eyes ever so slightly. A man is carrying me, but he doesn’t seem to want to harm me. I’m way too weak and out of it to fight him off either way. What happened last night? I remember buying some of Jay’s new product. It seemed fine enough. I mean it did give me quite the high I was looking for. Maybe I should listen to Jay more often. That guy is a freaking genius when it comes to drugs.

May 30, 2006

Seriously, where am I? Did I make some kind of arrangement last night? I do remember being carried. I hope he actually paid unlike the last loser. There’s some movement in the room.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” says the stranger. I don’t answer mostly because I’m wandering why he stayed. Seriously, don’t do me any favors. You staying is only an inconvenience that I do not want.

“How are you feeling? Anything injured?” he says. I haven’t really looked at his face, comes with the territory. Seriously, leave the money and go on about your business.

“I’ve ordered you some ginseng tea and food. I got room service to bring one of everything on their menu.” Is this guy for real? Please tell me he’s not one of those guys who feels they have to do something “nice” in return?

“Can you speak at all? At least look at me. I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of cleaning you up. Please look at me so I know you can understand me?” he continues.

I blink up at him. Wow, he’s so handsome and young! Please tell me not an adolescent. I take a second longer than I’d hope to look at him. Then, looking down at my own disaster, he’s bathed and clothed me! I’m laying in a bed and I'm dressed in satin! What world did I step into?

I can’t resist any more, “Where am I? Who are you? What happened? How--” I force out more rushed than I’d planned when he cuts me off.

“Calm down. You’re safe and in a hotel. I found you on a park bench. You were completely passed out. There were men around you with ill regards etched on their faces. But, you didn’t look to have been in any struggle, or come to any harm. I picked you up and brought you here. The hotel wasn’t far so I carried you.” he says as reassuring as possible.

So, I’m safe and he bathed me. But, he didn’t touch me? Come on, that’s just not possible!

“Wait, so you bathed me?” I ask

“Yes I did.” he says calmly

“You ordered food? For me?” A little too forced and unbelieving. But, he only nods with a small smile on face. He really is handsome. Seriously, who is this guy?

“What’s your name?” I ask. If he’s going to these lengths, I had better get a name.

“Stefan. My name’s Stefan.” he smiles.