Waking Up In Vegas

Chapter 24

Elena's P.O.V.

You know how every story...Every good story in a girl's life when you're in your 20s, usually starts with "That bitch"? Well. If you don't know..Then, you've never met my best friend Caroline Forbes-Mikaelson.

It's been two days since Stefan and I have been back home and just as he promised he went to go talk to the other magazine company..The LA times. Leaving me to fend for myself and try desperately to get my job back.

I exhale deeply as I pull open the door that leads into Caroline's office. Her curly blonde hair is bouncing everywhere as she shakes her head and yells into the phone. "That Bitch, stole my story!"

I want to laugh, I really do. But, I stop myself as I watch Caroline turn her chair around, feet planted up on her desk, her red and glistening patent Jimmy Choo's are like a blinding reflection of glitz and glamour as I take a seat across from her. Watching as she nods and gives me a saddened look, hanging up the phone in a huff.

"I'm sorry for being so mean to you! This place sucks since I told you to take a few weeks off. What the hell was I thinking, even telling you to go anywhere. Elena, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be so harsh." Caroline comments, looking up at me from a pile of articles and unfinished papers on her desk.

I nod at her. Silently praying and hoping that Caroline hasn't found out that Stefan and I have been seeing each other, after she told me not too. But, the funny thing about the media and paparazzi is how fast they work, spreading words across magazines and newspaper articles. So, as I stare at her, seeing that small hint of anger in her blue eyes. It's unavoidable and I feel myself sink down into the chair a bit when Caroline throws a magazine at me, the cover nearly shouting BUSTED! on it.

"Care to explain your little 'excursion' with Stefan Salvatore, after I told you not to see him anymore!" Caroline yells at me, watching as I give her my best smile, a sweet one..You know, the kind when you feel your eyes smiling with you too.

"Uhh...It's not what it looks like. I mean, My family gave me a ticket to Paris for a few days and it so happened that Stefan was there too." I tell her, hearing when she scuffs at my words. Crinkling her nose at me and looking disgusted.

"Liar! You and Stefan went there together..It's all over every single magazine and newspaper in the city! You can't really miss the picture of the two of you kissing on that empty street with the background of the Eiffel Tower behind the two of you!" Caroline informs me, watching as my shaking hands grab onto the magazine cover and sure enough, there we are..making out in the middle of a street in Paris!

"Oh my god! Stefan told me that he didn't know anyone in Paris. That we'd be fine." I tell her, hearing as Caroline lets out a loud laugh.

"That's cute. Honey..Have fun explaining that one to the media tomorrow!" Caroline tells me as my mouth nearly drops to the floor and I lock up at her, watching when she throws a piece of hair back behind her shoulder.

"Media...What are you talking about, Caroline?" I ask, hesitation in my voice.

Caroline smiles wickedly, handing me an invitation. My name is neatly written in cursive on it. I open the envelope up and read it out loud, my jaw tightening when I get to the point where it clearly reads 'LA Times invites Miss. Elena Gilbert & A guest to the 25th Annual Journalism Gala and Dinner. Hosted by yours truly, Ashlynn Peterson."

That bitch! She invited me and Caroline to a Gala and Dinner hosted by her! For the love of God! I stop myself from crumpling up the damn piece of expensive and thick stationary and, instead I place it back onto Caroline's desk full of papers. Staring intensely at my best friend as she smiles, leaning forward and placing her hand onto mine when I hear her speak.