ELENA'S POV
"You're starring with... Stefan Salvatore."
The wine glass I was holding slipped out of my grasp. It shattered on the floor, the sound of breaking glass ringing in my ears like the words she'd just told me. Stefan Salvatore. Stefan Salvatore. Stefan Salvatore.
Memories flooded back. Memories of hate and vengeance, of embarrassment and shame. Because Stefan Salvatore - he was the cause of my problems, of all my troubles. He was the conflict in my life, the villain of my story. I dislike him so very much.
No, dislike is too nice of a word to describe my feelings for him. Something more like...
Hate. Yes, hate would suffice.
I hate Stefan Salvatore.
"Elena?" My agent asked when I didn't respond.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "I'm not doing it."
"You have to," she pleaded.
"No, I don't. I refuse."
"Please. We can't back out now. Plus, this would be the biggest movie yet, and you know it."
"I don't care," I groaned. "I don't want to act with... him."
"C'mon, Elena. I heard the end check would be more than you've ever made from a movie before."
"Like?"
She muttered a number to me over the phone, and my eyes widened.
"Seriously?" I said.
I could almost see her nod. "Yup. You can't reject this one."
But was it worth it? Was the money worth working with he-who-cannot-be-named?
"I still don't know, Emma. It was a kind offer, but-"
"Elena, I'm sorry, but I already made the arrangements with the director. You're starting tomorrow."
My mouth gaped open, even though she couldn't see it over the phone. "Emma!"
"I'm sorry, please don't hate me." I could hear her wince.
I groan loudly. "Too late."
The phone dropped from my ear and into my hand. I pressed the end-call button before she could respond, then grumbled as I stepped around the broken glass and blood-like liquid on the floor around my feet.
Grabbing a broom, I was brushing away the glass when my phone rang again. If it was Emma, I wouldn't answer.
But it wasn't Emma. It was someone much better.
I answered the phone with a grin, despite the past news. "Caroline, thank god."
She laughed, the sound melodic, even through a phone. "How are you, Elena? I feel like we haven't talked in forever," she joked.
And it was a joke, because we were together last night.
Doing things Emma wouldn't be particularly proud of.
"Long time no see," I chuckled, playing along. "And I'd hate to break the news over the phone - come to my place?"
Her side was silent for a second, then I heard a rustle of keys. "Already on my way."
I smiled and hung up the phone and got back to cleaning up the mess on my floor. I grabbed paper towels to wipe up the wine and poured myself and Caroline a new glass. I walked into my living room, a spacious area with a large TV and off-white couch, with colorful throw pillows and blankets strewn about. The accent chairs on the side and fuzzy area rug made for cozy, clean area, both inviting and beautiful.
