Blair sat enjoying her solitary brunch at La Gaule amongst the richest and most pretentious of the Upper East Side population. She surveyed the room as she sipped her second espresso of the morning, smiling as she did so knowing that she was probably the richest of them all. She had married into one of the most powerful and wealthiest families in Manhattan after all. Her smug daydreaming was rudely interrupted as the waiter appeared at her side.
"Mrs Bass how is everything with your meal?" he asked as he smiled falsely. Obviously hoping for a big tip from the billionaire's wife.
Blair sighed, "Above acceptable I suppose, French toast is hardly a culinary marvel."
"Well you've certainly lost none of your charm."
The words which came from behind the waiter were soon revealed to be the cool drawl of Chuck Bass. Blair sat absolutely stunned staring open mouthed at Chuck as he lowered himself into the chair beside her.
The waiter greeted him with the same robotic smile, "Would you like a menu sir?"
Chuck shook his head, "Just a scotch...and a menu for Mrs. Bass." He said emphasising the last words. Blair rolled her eyes.
"It's barely eleven."
"What's your point?" Chuck said turning back to the waiter before she could even think of a witty reply. "We're done here." The waiter quickly scuttled off and Chuck turned back to Blair. "So where were we?"
Blair stared at him dumbfounded. "Where were we?" she asked incredulously. "Are you really just going to sit there as if nothing has happened?"
"How exactly would you like me to sit? Perhaps you could try my lap?" he said grinning.
Blair ignored his comment. "I haven't seen or heard a word from you in almost seven years Chuck!" She snapped. "...nothing, not since the day of Bart's funeral..." Chuck's grin disappeared at the mention of his late father's name, he became instantly serious.
"I had things to do Waldorf...or I suppose I should really call you Bass now." (He said taking Blair's left hand in his, surveying the huge diamond ring that decorated it. "How is my dear uncle Jack?"
Blair shot him a disgusted look and tugged her hand away.
"Don't...don't you dare..."
Chuck grinned. "I'm not doing anything, merely inquiry after my favourite uncle." He said laughing. "I suppose I really should call you Aunt now. Would you like that Auntie Blair?"
Blair continued to scowl at him. "You're sick."
"I'm sick? What about you? Talk about keeping it in the family!" he said laughing harder before waving his hand dismissively. "Look we're getting a little sidetracked here, I didn't come here to fight with you Blair."
"Then what the hell are you doing here?" she asked
"I'm back." He answered simply.
"Why now?"
Chuck shrugged, "Why anytime really. Besides I told you I had things to do...and I think I've deprived you all of my presence for much too long as it is."
Blair's mind was racing. "So you're back for good then? Have you seen anyone else?"
"You were my first point of call." Chuck replied before adding seriously. "I thought I owed you that much."
Blair would have been touched had she not been so confused.
"So..." Chuck said returning to his lighter tone, "Tell me all that has happened in the land of Blair Cornelia Waldorf-Bass since I last had the pleasure of you..."
But Blair still said nothing.
Chuck rolled his eyes; he was starting to get frustrated now. "Come on Blair tell me something. How was Yale? I want to hear all about the parties and debauchery...I'm particularly interested in the blonde Swedish roommate that you felt so compelled to experiment with."
Blair couldn't help but grin slightly.
"Sorry to disappoint Bass but Yale's a slightly more sophisticated environment that you're used to. But is that how I'm to assume you've spent your time?" she asked.
Chuck's smile grew, "Some of it."
"Well what have you been doing to occupy the rest of your time?"
"You know me Blair, I manage to keep myself busy..." he said very nonchalant.
Blair nodded, she could only imagined what or who Chuck has employed to keep himself occupied all these seven years. Not that she could say anything.
"...but not as busy as you." He continued. "In these short years you've graduated Constance, then Yale, managed to bag yourself a Bass billionaire and become one of the most powerful business women in Manhattan. Well played." He said sarcastically, lightly clapping his hands together. "If the waiter ever comes back with our drinks I'd raise a glass to you."
Blair did not respond. She didn't want to rise to Chucks bait. But it seemed he wasn't done yet.
"So tell me how is married life?"
Still Blair didn't answer.
"Well?" he asked again.
"Chuck..." she began but he cut her off.
"No I'm serious Blair I'm interested. Tell me how you two lovebirds got together?" he said with the slightest hint of malice to his words.
Blair took a long breath. "Do you really want to know?"
"Desperately." He whispered in the way that only Chuck Bass could.
"My third year at Yale." She began. "I went with Serena to the Bass Industries holiday gala. It was the usual drab crowd of self-important socialites and businessmen. I was bored out of my mind as always when I bumped into Jack. We had a couple of drinks and chatted, finding that we really enjoyed each other's company. It just went from there." She said very matter-of-factly.
"How very romantic." Chuck said in a bored voice as Blair shot him another look. "Oh come on, Upper East Side socialite and billionaire share a drunken grope under the mistletoe and a few years' later head up the aisle. You read it every Sunday in the Times, it's hardly Romeo and Juliet it is? Although 23 is very young to be hitched nowadays, Jack must have wanted to seal the deal quickly."
"It's hardly any of your business." Blair snapped.
"Fair enough." Chuck replied before asking. "Are you happy?"
"What?" Blair asked completely dumbstruck.
"Are you happy?" Chuck repeated. "It's a simple question, yes or no. Are you and Jack happy?"
Blair looked up at Chuck, she could see in his eyes the words he wanted her to say, the words she wanted to scream. That she hadn't been happy for almost seven years, not since the day he'd turned away from her in the limp and never come back. But instead she looked him dead in the eyes and lied.
"Blissfully."
Chuck grinned wryly, "Well I'm happy for you...truly."
Blair shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "What about you Bass?"
"What about me?" he replied playing dumb as if he had no idea what she was asking about.
"Are you still screwing anything and everything that moves, or is the one particularly unfortunate girl you've decided to focus all your heinous affection on?"
Chuck sniggered, "Wouldn't you like to know..."
Blair said nothing, she wasn't sure if she really did want to know but finally Chuck shook his head.
"...truth is I've never found anyone who was quite enough..."
Blair cut him off, "...to handle you?" she added with a snigger.
Chuck grinned, "No, well yes actually but what I was going to say was no one's ever been enough to compare to you."
Blair continued to stare at Chuck. She was utterly dumbfounded by his words. Slowly Chuck reached for her hand again and gently stroked her arm with his fingers.
"Blair...there's so much..." he began to whisper.
But Blair didn't let him say another word she jumped up out of her seat snatching her hand away.
"No!" she yelled so loudly most of the restaurant turned to look at what was causing the commotion. Looks quickly turned to whispers once the diners realised it was Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf-Bass together.
"I have to go..." she murmured. "...late for an appointment."
She quickly rushed away from the table. Chuck stood up to follow but she was already at the door.
"Blair!" he yelled after her.
But she didn't turn back, she couldn't bring herself to. Chuck watched her go as the waiter finally wandered back toward him balancing their drinks order on a tray looking slightly confused and wary.
"Will Mrs. Bass be returning?" he asked.
Chuck turned to the waiter and grabbed both drinks. He drained Blair's martini in one before sitting back down and sipping his scotch and mumbling.
"Don't worry she'll be back."