If only | Damon Salvatore

021. YOU CAN'T TRUST EVERYONE

Chapter twenty one

"You can't trust everyone."

The next day, the town square was buzzing with anticipation for the 150th Founders' Day parade. Beatrix had gotten ready in a beautiful white gown, her hair falling in soft curls with the top half pinned back to perfectly accommodate her Miss Mystic Falls crown and sash. The other pageant contestants wore matching white dresses, each with subtle design variations. As Beatrix wove through the crowd toward her designated float, she spotted the Salvatore brothers standing near the staging area.

Damon noticed her first, his eyes widening in appreciation. Stefan turned around a second later, his brow furrowing as he took in her complete look. Beatrix stopped in front of them and dropped into an elegant, dramatic curtsy.

"Mr. Salvatore," she said with a teasing smirk, addressing them both.

Stefan chuckled, stepping forward to close the distance. "You look..."

"Like I'm currently being courted? Because that's exactly what my grandmother told me before I left the house," Beatrix cut in smoothly.

Stefan laughed genuinely. "Yeah, actually, you do."

"Well, then..." Beatrix murmured. She lifted her arm, and Stefan smoothly linked his with hers.

As they began walking away from the staging area, Damon's intense gaze followed them closely. Stefan let out a quiet sigh, his tone turning serious. "So, you should know... we found out who Elena's biological father is. Or, at least, we have a very solid idea."

Beatrix looked over at him. "Who?"

"Her uncle, John Gilbert," Stefan shared.

Beatrix huffed, her jaw tightening. "God, Elena must be absolutely crushed!" She stopped walking, her brows furrowing. "That is assuming you actually told her. Because if you didn't, I am going to find her right now and—" She tried to pull her arm away to march off.

Stefan quickly pulled her back toward his side. "No, no, no! I told her. I broke the news right before you showed up. She's struggling to process it, but she's glad I was the one to tell her."

"Good," Beatrix replied, relaxing her posture and strengthening her grip on his arm. "Which means it's only fair that I fill you in on what's going on on my end."

Stefan furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

Beatrix took a deep, steadying breath, leaning closer to him. "I mean my family is completely convinced that Bonnie didn't actually neutralize the Gilbert device. We are setting up a contingency plan for the exact moment it goes off. We need to be ready to rescue whichever one of us gets taken to whatever makeshift church the council plans to use for the round-up, just like they did back in 1864."

Stefan's eyes went wide as the pieces finally clicked together. "That's what your grandmother spoke to Damon about in the other room. That's why he handed over the device so easily."

"They filled me in the second we got back home," Beatrix shared, her voice low. "I knew it wasn't something to say over a text or a phone call, and it was way too late for you to come over."

Stefan shook his head quickly, completely understanding. "No, no, you have every right to have kept it to yourself last night. I'm just glad you told me now."

The two finally made it to the side of the grand Miss Mystic Falls float. Stefan stepped up beside her, placed his hands on her waist, and effortlessly lifted her up onto the deck. Beatrix chuckled at the sudden boost, immediately turning around to extend her hand down to him to help him climb up after her.