Through Rivalry Comes Love

Chapter 3

It had been a long week at work and the last thing Stefan wanted to do was go to some social event at the Cascade Palace where he would have to socialize with other business men and women who he had no interest in being around. They would want to talk numbers and Wall Street. All Stefan wanted to do was sit in his chair with a cold beer and watch the Seahawks game. He hadn't been to a live football game in years.

But, no. Damon told him it was important that the Salvatores show up at this gathering to make sure everyone knew they were still up and running rather than facing the loss of their family company.

Damon and Bonnie had come to pick Stefan up. Damon had taken a call while Stefan finished getting ready. "What's the frown for?" Bonnie asked, leaning against the doorframe of his room.

Stefan lifted his eyes and saw her in the mirror. He shrugged. "I don't want to go" he said, fumbling with his tie. He hardly ever wore them to work unless he had an important meeting to attend. An open collar was much more his style.

Bonnie smiled as she made her way into his room and turned him towards her. She grabbed for his tie and began helping him with it. "That makes two of us" she said, straightening out his tie and smiling again.

Stefan knew Bonnie was uncomfortable at these types of events. She couldn't talk numbers or business, yet she was so much more intelligent than most of the trophy wives that hung onto their husband's arms. She just really didn't fit in anywhere. But she loved Damon. And for him, she would suffer through another social gathering. "You look nice, by the way" Stefan said, silently thanking her for helping with his tie.

"You look pretty handsome yourself" she said, smoothing out his jacket at his shoulders. He looked down at his feet, never being that great at accepting a genuine compliment. "You're a real catch, Stefan. You should put yourself out there. There's got to be a woman out there who deserves you" she said, smiling one last time before leaving his room.

Stefan sighed. That was the other added bonus to going to these social gatherings. He was single and everyone else had someone to bring with them. "Stefan! We're going to be late!" he heard Damon shout. Stefan sighed again and adjusted his cufflinks once last time. Three hours. He could survive three hours at this gathering.

XXXX

Stefan pretended to listen to half of the conversations he had within the first 15 minutes he was inside the room. Waiters boasting trays of champagne every time he turned around were his saving grace. Alcohol was definitely needed.

Bonnie and Damon were making their rounds and every now and then, Bonnie and Stefan would make eye contact. Bonnie would make a funny face or point out a big fashion mistake and Stefan would laugh quietly. He really liked Bonnie. They understood each other.

Stefan grabbed for a new glass of champagne when he saw her from across the room. She had just walked in, holding on to that sleazy arm belonging to that scumbag Gregory. Stefan felt his hand tighten around his glass. That man across the room was making his life hell. And to make matters worse, he had Elena. He had it all. Therefore, taking it all away from him was now going to bring so much more delight to Stefan's life.

Gregory grabbed glasses of champagne for both of them and Elena was all smiles as she accepted a quick kiss from Gregory. It made Stefan sick to watch it. It was so fake and obviously for show.

But she looked amazing in black heels that accentuated her long legs. The dress she wore for the evening was appropriate in length and cut, but to be honest, she could have looked amazing in anything. He was sure of it.

It didn't take long for Elena's eyes to settle on Stefan. She seemed somewhat surprised to see him, but quickly recovered by holding up her glass to him and smiling with a slight tilt of her head. He smiled, doing the same. Maybe the night wouldn't be such a waste of time after all.