[ Surprise, surprise -- he actually did mean Caroline. Totally noticed the slight defensiveness in the tone of her voice, but he doesn't comment on it. He's not entirely surprised that Elena would have found out a few things about this place. She can't ever just not do that princess warrior thing. It does make him feel slightly ashamed that all he did today was mope about, but he's blaming it all on the lack of a ring on his finger and his sensitive skin condition. ]
Were you planning on telling me? [ Damon realizes that he's probably lost her trust somewhat. Still, it doesn't stop him from asking (hoping). It's all he can do right now. Well. That and apologize. Except that last one's tricky. Apologizing tends to have the effect of leaving him too bare and open; it makes him feel all too vulnerable. His refusal to say that he's sorry has nothing to do with the fact that he thinks he's incapable of making mistakes or that he can't be wrong. He sabotages things on purpose for a reason. Apologizing is a choice to move forward from that point onwards; to be better, to be good, but he's not ready for all the expectations that might come from it.
He fills a pot with water and puts it on the stove. Time to make potato soup for two. He knows her well enough to know that she probably hasn't eaten much that evening. No need to ask. ]