Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl or Ed Westwick sadly. But I do own the ideas in this fic.
AN: I got tired of my old fic YDSM...because let's be honest it was terrible! But I'm in love with this idea & I knew I just had to write it so I hope you'll enjoy it! :) & If there's any confusion...Blair's about seven years old when this starts. :) Happy reading!
1. Desiderata
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"What?" the word was whispered in the still of the room. It was soft and filled with disbelieving pain. Dorota sighed as she looked upon the child she'd taken care of for so long and told her something she knew would change their relationship forever. Something that broke her heart every time she thought about it.
Dorota knew that the death of Blair's parents would be hard on the child, she just hadn't assumed that breaking the news would be this difficult.
"It'll be ok Miss Blair. A very nice man has offered to take care of you," she stressed.
Blair sat in the chair in front of her, slim arms grasping the arm of her chair in an excruciating grip. Her chestnut curls tumbled down her back and framed her suddenly pale face.
"What man?" she pleaded and suddenly stood with tears brimming in her eyes.
"A mister Baizen, he's very kind and will look after you," Dorota assured, taking the child into her arms.
"But—" she said in between muffled cries, "what about you?"
The maid looked at her sympathetically, and Blair only continued to sob. First she'd lost her beloved father, and now Dorota too? The thought was unbearable.
They clung to each other for a while, until the door opened to reveal a boy (who was about a year older than her) dressed meticulously in black. How odd for such a young child.
Blair swallowed and quickly wiped her eyes.
He looked at the scene before him and observed that he'd clearly interrupted a moment, but continued anyway.
"My name is Carter," he paused and extended his arm, "Carter Baizen."
Blair shockingly pushed his hand away.
"Blair…Waldorf," she responded coldly.
He only smirked in response. It looked to him as if this wasn't one of his father's usual charity cases.
"My dad just sent me up here to let you know that the limo's outside princess," he teased.
She scoffed at that, and walked straight past him out the door.
"What's her problem?" he asked the baffled Dorota.
She only shrugged in response, and ran after Blair carrying her suitcase.
. - . - .- . - . - . - . - . - . - . –
15 years later
Blair carefully tucked her pristine, white shirt into her high waisted skirt.
Sighing, she reached into her bag to pull out her favorite shade of bright red lip-gloss.
That was the last time Carter sent her to get everyone's coffee orders. Her heal had broken approximately twenty feet from the building, and anyone could have guessed what happened shortly after that.
Carter had only laughed when she stumbled into his office soaking wet, with her blouse practically transparent.
Blair was absolutely fuming by now as she smacked her lips together fervently. Scum, that's what he was…a rotten bottom-feeder.
She'd been working at Carter's pathetic excuse for a real estate firm for the past three years and was tired of his excuses for why she couldn't be promoted. She was obviously more intuitive and twice as observant as any of his employees. She managed his paperwork, helped him make decisions, and even assisted him in picking his attire every single day. ("Maybe you should help me get dressed too Waldorf." "Not even in your dreams Baizen.") Heck she practically ran the whole firm. She wanted to leave, more than anything. But each time she tried, Carter would always counter with, "What would daddy dearest say?"
Mr. Baizen had gotten her this job in the first place. It had been during her spiraling phase a while ago, and working there had initially gotten her back on her feet. However, she wasn't that person anymore. She promised herself that she would never stoop that low ever again. She had control over her life now. Carter on the other hand took every opportunity to remind her that she had nowhere else to go.
Cursing under her breath, she made her way out of the ladies room only to be intercepted by the black sheep himself on the way out.
He was leaning against the doorframe, with a childish pout on his face. It complimented the gray suit and pink shirt she'd chosen today.
"I came to apologize."
"I'm sure. That was terribly touching Carter, you've really outdone yourself this time," she rolled her eyes and made a move to walk past him.
He latched onto her wrist and spun her around instead.
"No honestly, I'm sorry."
Blair regarded him for a second, and noticed his unusual demeanor. He seemed almost…scared? Nervous?
"What do you want Baizen?"
"Nothing…really."
She arched an eyebrow, and his eyes lit up.
"Well now that you mention it…."
She knew it was too good to be true.
"You know how you always ask me if you can participate in other company stuff?"
"Don't tell me it's like the last time you assigned me to work with Jonathan on that single mother project, I swear-"
"No! I promise!" he winked, "I actually have a meeting today, and I was hoping you could join me, because you're better at calculations than I am."
"You're actually asking me to sit in on one of your 'exclusive' meetings?" She asked unbelievably.
"Well I wouldn't be asking if it wasn't a big deal. But we really need this guy on our side. You know our numbers are low, if we miss this opportunity we're doomed."
Even though she hated to, she had to agree with him. They hadn't been doing too well within the last year, their numbers had gone down significantly and they needed all the assistance they could get.
"Fine," she agreed.
"Thank you so much Blair! Just wait right here…"
She beamed at that, and wondered what would've happened if she would have said no. Making Carter beg would have been interesting.
He came back out of his office carrying a large stack of papers and dropped them thoughtlessly into her expecting arms.
She struggled carrying the large stack, but he made no effort to try and help her.
"Let's go," he motioned and started walking briskly towards the conference room. Blair had to practically sprint in order to keep up with him.
"With whom are we dealing with anyway Baizen?"
"Chuck Bass," he replied abruptly. It came out almost like a tick. Possibly even a flinch.
Blair was familiar with the name. She'd done her fair share of research. Charles Bartholomew Bass was a real estate tycoon. Every company's dream. In addition to that he was also a notorious womanizer, frequent scotch drinker, and brilliant chess player. The guy had it all.
She'd been introduced to him once at a charity gala and all he'd done was slightly curve his lips (out of disgust probably) and walk away. A more successful version of Carter, she thought to herself.
"Piece of cake," she replied.
"Sure…" he replied uncertainly.
Oh, so he thought she wouldn't be able to do it. She'd prove him wrong.
They entered the small conference room together, and were shocked to find Mr. Bass already there.
Carter spoke first, "My apologizes Mr. Bass, sorry to keep you waiting. My advisor and I were just getting some paperwork from my office."
Blair's head peeked out from over the stack of papers. "Blair Waldorf, pleased to meet you." She said, flashing him her best society girl smile.
"Your advisor is a woman Baizen? No wonder your business is plummeting…anyway let's just get this started."
Blair frowned at that, what an asshole. She angrily placed the papers on the large granite table and took her seat next to Carter.
"Mr. Bass I'm so pleased to have you here to-," he began.
"Call me Chuck,"
"Right so um...Chuck..." Carter replied unsurely.
"Look, Baizen...Carter is it? We both know that I'm highly credentialed and that you don't need to pester me with your worthless questions. So I'm going to give you ten minutes to convince me why I should sign a contract and not let your pitiful brokerage perish as it should."
Blair bit her tongue, and tried not to laugh at his bluntness.
Carter on the other hand was looking at her with fearful eyes because he was clearly at loss of words. What a fool, she thought. What a hopeless fool. He so owed her.
"Mr. Bass," she piped up, "are you always such a chauvinist?"
Chuck's eyes sparked with curiosity then and he regarded the brunette admirably. She was stunning; there was no dispute about that. She had an attractive figure, gorgeous hair, and wore a shade of lipstick that was designed to be kissed off. Such a pity she was wasting her days here.
"Not necessarily, and I told you to call me Chuck." He replied coolly.
"Mr. Bass," she began again and his jaw locked in irritation. Blair noticed that she'd hit a nerve and continued.
"Have you always wanted to be a property developer?"
"No. Have you ever considered it Miss Waldorf?" he countered. His eyes bore into hers but she looked away quickly.
"As you elucidated earlier Mr. Bass, I am a woman. And as a woman I would have preferred something along the lines of fashion. However, in this case real estate chose me."
He saw the surprise register in her eyes and he smirked. Blair on the other hand took a minute to reflect that no one had ever asked her what she wanted before.
"Pity," he replied.
"Yes well...what did you want to do before you entered the business Mr. Bass?"
"I was looking forward to a successful life as a dog trainer."
She scoffed at that, "Really?"
He cackled at her amusement.
"No."
She sighed (out of relief?) and he chuckled again.
"If you don't mind me asking Miss Waldorf, what is this supposed to be? A game of 20 questions?"
"Just answer the question Mr. Bass," she spewed, tapping her nails nervously on the desk.
"Fine, I owned a small club at the time and figured I'd be doing that for the rest of my life." He responded icily.
Meanwhile, Carter was casually playing with a button on his jacket, praying that Blair would figure this all out.
"I see. So what made you change your mind then?"
He gave her a look, and she only furrowed her eyebrows in response.
"I saw this building. The Empire. I'm sure you're familiar with the name, and I automatically fell in love with it. The place took my breath away. Then, the next thing I knew I'd made a few more investments, bought a few more properties, and you know. Here I am now," he summed.
How odd.
"Well Mr. Bass, you took some risks when you bought the Empire and made those investments, isn't that correct?"
"Yes I did."
"And they were all worth it in the end, weren't they?"
"Every single one," he stressed.
"Well, signing yourself up with this company would be taking a risk as well. And I can guarantee that if you do, you'll benefit greatly from us as you did from all those other risks you took-"
"Fine," he replied.
"Excuse me?" Blair stopped, asking for clarification. Did he really just?
"I said fine. Your argument was convincing."
"You'll join the team?" Carter asked enthusiastically. Leaning forward for the first time during that entire conversation.
"You have your advisor to thank Baizen. Now run along, we'll finish up the paperwork. You go do...whatever it is you do."
Carter was more than happy to oblige, but he left with a snarl at the other man's overwhelming arrogance.
"Thank god," Blair murmured under her breath once Carter slammed the door.
"I beg your pardon?" Chuck asked propping his elbow on the table and resting his head onto his palm.
"Nothing. Black or blue ink?" She asked pulling out the documents from a manila folder while reaching for a pen.
"Surprise me," he teased.
Blair turned to look at him. And then to really look at him. His hair, was dark and lustrous, and could have easily been mistaken for black. His jaw was perfectly sculpted, his eyes were squinted ever so slightly, and although his muscles weren't as defined as Carter's-
"See something you like Miss Waldorf?"
"Actually I was just wondering when all the smartass comments were going to cease?"
"Hmmm...you're smarter than him," he commented faultlessly.
"Than who? Carter? It doesn't take a genius to figure that out Mr. Bass."
"And you also continue to address me by 'Mr. Bass' because you know it aggravates me...Blair."
"So what if I am Mr. Bass?"
Chuck only smiled.
"You're intriguing, you know that right? You're witty, quick on your feet, and devastatingly gorgeous. So my only question for you Blair is," he drawled, "what are you doing in a repulsive place like this?"
Her eyes lit up, and the then flooded with dissapointment.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, I love it here."
"Liar."
"I wouldn't be talking so horridly about your future workplace Mr. Bass, your boss might hear you."
And then he laughed, an actual laugh. She grinned in return.
"She makes jokes too."
"That she does."
"Honestly though, what are you doing here?" he persisted.
"It's my job. I'm not sure if your familiar with the words commitment and monogamy Mr. Bass but I take them very seriously."
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that bullshit?"
"I can't."
"Can't what?"
"Leave," she whispered, losing her voice as she said it.
"Why not?"
"That's none of your business."
"Well you're the own who brought it up. Is it about the money? Because I'm sure I know call girls that make more money than you."
"You really know how to compliment a girl, don't you Mr. Bass?" she responded her voice oozing with sarcasm.
He only winked, and leaned in closer.
"Always," he whispered entrancingly. Blair on the other hand could not believe this was happening. Hadn't she'd just accused him of being a sexist a couple minutes ago...if he thought that she was actually going to fall for this then he was by far delusional-but maybe?
Her eyes sparked suddenly with curiosity.
"Well in that case..." she stood, moving to eliminate the space that separated them. Blair carefully took a seat on his lap, and gently threw her leg over the side so that she was now straddling him. Her hands spread over his chest to the width of his shoulders, and then circled them as she pressed her soft curves against his length. She heard the hiss of his sharply indrawn breath and he moved to grip her right above the hips.
Blair smiled slowly, certain now that she hadn't made a mistake.
"Maybe I was wrong about you Chuck?" She whispered seductively, "Maybe we could get along?"
Her hands slid skillfully to the thick brown hair at the back of his neck, and rising on her tiptoes, she touched her lips against the firm line of his mouth. Persuasively she kept on kissing him, tantalizing, lightly, until his mouth wasn't so stiff against hers.
It took Chuck a while to realize that it was indeed her who was kissing him and that it wasn't in fact a dream. It didn't take too long for him to cave though. He eagerly responded, coaxing her lips to open with his tongue.
The musky scent of aftershave still clung to the light skin of his smooth cheeks, which created an intoxicating combination with the slight taste of scotch coming from his mouth. Her heart began to race in an instinctive response.
Intuitively, she molded her body more firmly against his. By this point it was more than obvious that he couldn't resist her indefinitely. She deepened the kiss with uncompelled passion and he ardently responded. He groaned, gripping on tightly to her tiny waist. With a shuddering sigh tinged with regret, Blair pulled away slowly sliding her hands down from his neck back to his shoulders.
Through the curling sweep of her lashes Blair looked into his amber eyes. They revealed nothing.
"This could be fun Chuck. Just you and me," she purred and he held still.
Then spontaneously, her hand moved to strike his cheek, leaving him with a bewildered look and her with a satisfying sting in her palm. Her eyes blazed angrily and she twisted herself free from his grip as well as off his lap.
"You see Mr. Bass, I don't appreciate being underestimated for my sex." She almost hissed. "I will never fall for your tricks. I most certainly do not need your money. I'm going to stay here, and you'll see that I don't need your help. In fact I don't need anybody's help!"
"Don't you?" Chuck only countered with a low voice.
Blair's lips parted slightly in surprise. She'd expected retaliation, a witty comeback, another insulting remark, but not a leading question like that. Her anger evaporated with chilling swiftness as he turned away.
Stunned, she watched him sign the remaining papers, and make his way swiftly out the door.
Carter entered shortly afterwards.
"Don't tell me you messed this up," he asked annoyingly.
"Don't you fret your pretty little head Baizen, it's settled."
AN: YAY I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS! The rating might change, it's just the first chapter. But I don't know...I really like the idea of office!CB with Carter. Ahaha don't worry we all know who the endgame's going to be...but love triangles are always so much fun! If you have any questions/suggestions then you should PM me & PLEASE review so I know whether or not to continue.