The Curious Case of Lily van der Woodsen and Bart Bass
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I've known Bart Bass for a few years now. Casually, of course. No one really knows much about him, the only people close to him are business associates. He doesn't have friends, at least not in New York. Certainly none he sees on a regular basis.
He is, of course, new money. Everyone on the Upper East Side knows that. Those with old money tend to be wary of outsiders, but Bart has a way of charming people. That is how he managed to get start-up money twenty-seven years ago. Of course, once he made his fortune, he bought out the investors so that he could have complete control of his company.
No one knows much about his past. We've all wondered about him, at least since our children began interacting with his son. We didn't even know the boy existed until he started school when he was eight. Word is, Charles was home schooled before that. But Bart Bass has always been a mystery to those who were bored enough to wonder about him. Most were only concerned about the now of the situation so they didn't give much thought about his past. That was their mistake. They didn't know where he came from so they didn't know what he could do, how capable he would be.
But Bart knew. He still does. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to him. He has a commanding presence. His stern expression softens ever so slightly when we're alone. We started seeing each other just after Klaus left. We hadn't been married, hadn't wanted to be, but there wasn't a future and the fighting was incessant. I only wish I had noticed what it was doing to Erik.
I left Erik to his own devices a few too many times and if the maid hadn't found him... I don't want to even think what may have happened. So, the Rhodes woman who I thought was non-existent in me hid him. Just as my mother would have done. I didn't tell anyone, not even Bart. I'm sure he would understand but I have no reason to think that. He has always acted liked a very loving father, no dysfunctional family whatsoever. Except for Charles' mysteriously missing mother and the wedding band resting quietly on his office desk. That is something he never wants to discuss. I don't press the issue except to verify that he indeed does not have a wife.
But I can tell that he has a good heart. It may be buried under years of pain and loneliness, but I can tell that he does have a heart. He tells me of the trips he takes with his son back to his home town in New Jersey. The old friends he never sees except on those random trips, his high school friends, old girlfriends.
I can't remember when we began talking about our pasts. This was all supposed to be a physical relationship. But it must have started very gradually because soon, I was meeting him for lunch, speaking to him in dark corners at various functions, escorting him to business dinners.
And just last night, I received a call from Serena telling me that she wanted to come home, to come back for her brother. Of course, I'll let her, I miss her greatly. And Erik does need his big sister. After the call from Serena I decided to tell Bart everything. I am still not sure what will happen when Serena gets off the train, how long it will be before Bart and I truly define our relationship, what will become of us.
Maybe I should call Rufus...
