Until This Lie Do Us Part

Chapter 2

"I've got some work to do, but she'll come around" Stefan shrugged. "Come on, let's get back to the house. I need your help getting the furniture moved" Stefan said. Alaric stood and Stefan took out his wallet. Stefan took out three one hundred dollar bills and tossed them on the table. Alaric raised an eyebrow at him. "What?" Stefan asked? "The service might have sucked. But I think she's a work in progress" he smirked, pocketing his wallet and walking out of the diner.

Elena watched him go and she then made her way to the table to collect the payment. She froze when she saw the three hundred dollars on the table. The bill came to less than 20 dollars. Elena picked up the money and examined it. "That son of a bitch" she said, staring out the window and watching him get into his red Porsche. What baffled her the most was why he was so interested in her. She was a waitress in a small town who had turned him down. She could not understand why she would be worth his time and effort if she wasn't willing to put out right away. Whatever his reasons were, Elena sadly realized that she would probably be seeing him again.

And she was right. The obnoxious man came strutting through the door of The Grill early the next morning. The breakfast rush was already over, so two of the girls were on break. Elena sighed as she realized she would have to wait on him. "Just be civil" she told herself. Self-talk was never her strong suit. Elena grabbed her pen and notepad and made her way over to his table. Stefan put his menu down and smiled at her expectantly. She then noticed that a rather exquisite bouquet of flowers was sitting next to him in the booth. "Good morning" he said, grabbing for the flowers. "These are for you" he said, handing the flowers to her.

"For what?" Elena asked, crossing her arms. "Haven't I made myself perfectly clear that I want nothing to do with you ..." she paused, remembering that she had never gotten his name.

"Stefan" he told her, his smile never disappearing. "And, I don't believe you have given me a fair chance" he pointed out.

"What do you want?" she finally asked. "Just cut to the chase." She eyed him suspiciously and Stefan held back the urge to grin.

"I want the eggs, over easy, with a side of hash browns" he said, his smirk finally making a presence. He watched as she fought like hell not to blow up on him right on the spot. He was getting under her skin. His plan was working. "Please, do take your flowers" he said, holding them out to her once again.

Elena ripped them out of his hands and huffed back toward the counter. She threw the flowers in the garbage can as she walked by. "Stupid, arrogant, son of a ..." she mumbled as she placed the order for the cook. She busied herself with organizing supplies until his order was ready.

When it was ready, Elena groaned internally as she made the grueling walk back over to his table. She set his plate down with more force than was necessary. "Anything else?" she asked, her fakest smile appearing as she asked.

"No thank you" he replied politely, greatly confusing her. As Elena walked away, she turned back to study him. He was busy with his breakfast and did not acknowledge her.

"Hey Elena" her manager said, diverting her attention away from that Stefan guy. "One of the other girls just got back. Why don't you take half an hour and come back" he suggested. Elena just simply nodded, a little irritated that she would miss out on half an hour's pay, but knowing she had no choice either. Elena took her apron off and grabbed her purse, making her way out the front door.

Stefan watched her leave and hurried up to finish his breakfast, determined to catch up with her. As soon as he was out the door, he saw her cross the street and take a seat on the bench. It was a bit chilly out he noticed. And then an idea came to him. He ran back inside and ordered two hot chocolates to go.