It had been exactly 5 years, 6 months and 3 days since I last saw her. She was attending the graduation. She looked as beautiful as ever in her emerald green dress and her black hair pulled up in a loose bun. I always thought Vanessa was too good for Nate Archibald, though never actually said anything. It was never clear whether she was attending the graduation because they were an item again or whether she was merely there to support an old friend. Whatever the case may be, I saw her standing there and it took my breath away.

Of course, Blair appeared at my side and I, as the dutiful boyfriend, kissed her and told her how proud I was of her. I really was proud of her. Though, it all seemed so rehearsed. It was like my entire future with Blair had been mapped out for me. She always had a plan and I suppose I was lucky enough to fit into it, though it was not what I really wanted. Then again, do we really know what we want when we graduate college?

I ended things that night and left for Paris. It was on that night I dreamed about her for the first time. Nothing sexual mind you, but she looked even more beautiful in the dream than I ever could have imagined. I pushed the dream from my mind the next day and went about business as usual. I never allowed myself to think of her. She was out of my league and I knew it. So, I focused on things that weren't. I built my empire. It was even larger than my father's and I hoped that wherever he was, he was proud of me.

This really isn't the story I want to tell. The story I want to tell is much more complicated than this. It involves love lost and found, betrayal, and fidelity. The last one was something that I never thought I'd be able to accomplish. But, this is my story. This is the true story of Charles Bartholomew Bass, in my own words…