Blair's POV -

I take a couple of deep breaths, and lean my head against my silk pillow stuffed with only the softest of feathers, but it doesn't offer the slightest bit of comfort to the pain I'm feeling. Glancing around the room, I take in my surroundings. The only clue to the awful incident that happened last night, the only indication that it hadn't just been the worst nightmare of my life was the long expensive gown that I had worn to confront Jack, thrown carelessly on the floor. I had felt so conflicted yesterday, I had seen how distraught Chuck was over losing the hotel to his Uncle even though he had tried not to show it. I couldn't let him feel that way, knowing that I could put a stop to it, even though the price was sleeping with Jack. When Jack told me that Chuck had chosen his hotel over me, it was like I couldn't even comprehend what he was saying, I refused to believe it. It was just Jack lying, to try and cause a rift between Chuck and I. But when I saw Chuck, and he admitted it, acting like it wasn't even that big a deal that he had sold me for his hotel, I felt my heart just break. I had cried myself to sleep yesterday, but now the tears wouldn't come. I just felt numb, empty. I sit up and am about to pull myself out of bed, but then I think what's the point. Once I leave my room, I'm just going to have to face my problems. At least my bed offered some refuge. But before I can contemplate it further, I hear a tentative knock at the door.

I turn around to see Nate step out, Chuck probably sent him. Or Serena. "Great. He sent good cop," I mumble.

Nate shakes his head. "Chuck didn't send me."

"Serena," I retort, it's not like I can tell her what happened. She wouldn't understand. She and Nate have it so easy. Besides she wouldn't know what I'm going through, no guy would ever dream about trading her for a hotel. Everyone she ever met immediately adored her; Chuck wouldn't have waited months and months before telling her he loved her. It was just me, it seemed. "Look… we're concerned about our best friends and whatever he did… I'm sure you can find a suitable punishment for him." Nate explained.

"There is no punishment for what he did." I reply.

"You're Blair Waldorf, punishment is your middle name," Nate says dryly, sitting down on the bed next to me. "Just tell me what happened," he continued softly.

"I can't tell anyone, it's too awful."

"There's no such thing as too awful between friends. We don't judge, remember? We can forgive anything." Nate says, looking at me.

I look down, wincing. "You can't tell anyone, especially not Serena.

"Not a soul," Nate declares. "I promise."

"What did Chuck tell you about how he got his hotel back?" I inquire, looking up at him again.

"He didn't, he just said money solves everything." Nate shrugs.

"Well, he didn't use money… He used me. As a trade"

Nate looks confused for a second, and then laughs', thinking it's too crazy to be true. I would think it too crazy to be true as well. "Come on, no way."

"He set me up to sleep with Jack in exchange for his beloved Empire," I spit out bitterly. "So now do you see why I couldn't tell anyone?" Nate just stares incredulously, taking it in.

"Oh my god," he utters under his breath.

Nate's POV

Blair and I walk down the stairs, as I send out a quick text to Serena. "Thank you for keeping my secret," she says. "Hey, no problem," I say, and I mean it. I'm glad Blair confided in me, I missed her. And even though she was with Chuck… or wherever her and Chuck stood right now and I was with Serena, I still missed having her in my life. "I'm just going to tell Serena to hold off on the interrogation of you and -"

"Chuck," Blair interrupts. I look up, to see Chuck staring back at us.

"MISS BLAIR, I AM GETTING MARRIED!" Dorota squeals.

"Of course you are," she says back.

"I mean tomorrow!" Dorota explains excitedly. "Mister Chuck is throwing us traditional Polish Russian wedding. He said you two back together."

"He did?" Blair grimaces, staring pointedly at Chuck.

"Which is best news ever, traditional wedding must have happy couple escort bride and groom into chapel." Dorota continues, beaming. "It's necessary for good luck in marriage. Please Miss Blair, Mister Chuck; will you be happy couple for Vanya and me?"

"Well, uh, I can't speak for Blair, but it would be my great pleasure."

I watched the scene unfold in front of me, seeing the conflict on Blair's face. She obviously didn't want to escort Dorota and Vanya to the chapel with Chuck, but she didn't want to let Dorota down at the same time. Seeing Blair bite her lip, I feel a strong sense of protectiveness over her. I feel angry at Chuck, for what he did. I can't believe I felt sorry for him, but most of all I can't believe he could hurt Blair like that. Before I can object however, Blair nods reluctantly and murmurs that she'll do it and then Dorota, Chuck, Eleanor, Cyrus and I watch her turn and leave the room.

Blair's POV

I watch the wedding planning chaos, with my Mom bossing everyone around and Dorota's frantic excitement. Usually I love weddings, but it's different today. I should be happy for Dorota and Vanya, but I just feel horrible for myself, I know that probably makes me selfish, but right now all I want to do is escape back up to my bedroom. Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me and Chuck's voice lilts into my ear. "You look like you need a task."

"What I need is a Zofran. All this disingenuous generosity is making me want to vomit." I retort.

"There's nothing disingenuous about it. I'm happy I can give Dorota and Vanya the dream wedding that they deserve."

I roll my eyes. "The only reason you're giving it is so you can spend time with me. You know weddings are my weakness."

Chuck smirks. "Really? It never occurred to me." I want to wipe that infuriating smirk right off his face. How can he think all this is amusing? After he hurt me like that? "Everything occurs to you, Chuck." Chuck reaches out to grab hold of me.

"Blair, you and I are magnetic. You can feel it. The pull is as undeniable as ever."

I stare back at him, wanting to believe him. To forget about all of it, but as much as I want to, I can't. "It's different this time."

"It doesn't have to be. I love you. Saying it was hard but I did and I've never looked back. So now I'm asking you, please do this for me. Please forgive me."

I pull away. "I'm sorry, I can't," and walk off.

Nate's POV

A waiter walks up to me, with a tray laden with pastries. "Would you like a croissant?"she asks politely. "Yeah, thanks." I say, taking one. Blair walks up to me, "Hey," she says, "What are you doing?" I look up at her, and smile, gesturing to the croissant in my hand. "Just eating. What about you?"

She shrugs. "Just watching the wedding planning."

"Why aren't you helping? You love planning weddings!" I say, smiling.

"I guess I'm just not into it right now." I give her a sympathetic smile and give her hand a squeeze. She smiles back. "Thank you," she whispers. "For what?" I ask. She shrugs.

"For this. For cheering me up. You know talking to you made me feel a whole lot better." She keeps looking at me and then lets go of my hand.

"I should probably go see whether my Mom needs any help."

"Okay, I reply," watching her leave. And as I watch her retreating back, I realize that talking to her made me feel a whole lot better too.