"Are you sure you're ok?" It was the tenth time that morning that Dan's eyes had found hers and given her a puppy dog look as if she would burst into tears at any moment. He had been hanging around the gallery all day bringing her coffee and helping her place new pieces along the walls and his clinginess was really starting to drive her crazy.

"Yes Dan, for the millionth time…I'm fine. You really don't have to baby-sit me. So Nate and I broke up; I'm really ok. It was for the best.
" Though her voice sounded sure Dan didn't look convinced. She should have known that she wouldn't be able to fool him.

"Ok…" Instead of pushing it he simple rolled his eyes and gave her arm a squeeze before reaching for his jacket that was slung over one of the chairs in the café.

"I really can stick around if you need help.
" Pushing against his arm and picking up his backpack to give him she gave Dan her best smile and shook her head. "Seriously go; have a good day. I'll see you later.

Reaching for the cold cup of coffee that was sitting along the bar she watched as Dan threw her one final glance before disappearing behind the door and out into the city. Now that he was gone she finally felt as if she could breathe. She normally didn't mind the presence of her best friend but at the moment she was finding it hard to fake being happy. The truth was she was taking her breakup with Nate harder than she had let on. She just didn't understand what had happened. One minute he's accusing her of flirting with someone else and the next moment she reads on Gossip Girl that he's spending time with his beautiful ex girlfriend Blair. Reaching for the papers she had been about to file she headed back into the office trying to forget about her blue eyed ex.

Just as she was pushing the filing cabinet door shut her phone began to ring. She reached for it and frowned when she saw that it was an unknown number. Usually she screened calls but today she was expecting a certain phone call.

"Hello?" She answered with her best professional voice and reached to empty the coffee pot into the sink. "Yes this is Vanessa.
" As the dark liquid washed down the drain she felt her body tense and she leaned against the sink in frustration. "We didn't get the landmark status.
" It wasn't a question; she knew the answer before it even slipped through his lips. "No it's ok. You tried.
"

What was she going to do now? It would be out on the market by the end of the week and then it would go to the highest bidder. With a sigh Vanessa nodded as she was once again apologized to. She was out of options.

"Wait…there is one more thing I could try. Just give me a day.
" Of course, why hadn't she thought of it before? Chuck Bass had just inherited part of his father's company; it had been all over the news. He was now the richest kid in New York.

Of course as soon as she had thought about it she regretted it. After her last encounter with the young millionaire she couldn't believe she was actually considering asking him for his help again. Maybe she was going crazy. But before she could stop herself she was grabbing a cab and heading over the bridge and into Manhattan.

-o-o-

She couldn't believe she had actually come here; she seriously had sunk to new lows. It wasn't as if she had any other choice though. Maybe this would work, it had to. She was running out of options. Despite how things were with his family Vanessa began to hope that he would surprise her once more. Deep down she knew there was something deeper to the young millionaire. She had caught a small glimpse of it earlier that year but she hadn't dared to delve further. Now she wasn't even sure if he would even want to see her.

Stepping through the gates of Bass Inc. was quite intimidating she wasn't going to lie. Her large blue eyes glanced around in awe at the glass doors and plush furniture. She headed upstairs after being given directions to Mr.
Bass's office, nervously playing with her hands. She still couldn't believe that he now held a portion of this company. His office did not disappoint and as she walked along the hallway she let out a gasp; it was one of the nicest office's she had ever seen. Outside what she could only assume to be his office door sat another desk with a dark haired girl behind it. Of course Chuck Bass would choose a gorgeous woman as his secretary. Vanessa secretly wondered if the girl could even type.

"Hi; I'm here to see Ch- Mr. Bass.
" She threw a smile at the young girl who didn't smile back and Vanessa felt her eyes surveying her appearance.

"Do you have an appointment?" Nodding her head slowly she bit her lip and clutched her purse tightly. "No…could you just tell him that Vanessa Abrams is here?"

Still not smiling, his secretary asked her to take a seat before offering her an assortment of beverages. She kindly declined but sunk into one of the seats along the wall. The deep leather was surprisingly comfortable and Vanessa leaned back against the wall trying to calm her nerves. She was about to go head to head with the devil himself she was going to need to relax. Giving her another look the woman grabbed the phone, calling into her new boss.
"Mr.
Bass…a Miss Abrams is here to see you.
"

-o-o-

"So you couldn't stay away could you?" The sarcasm dripped from his voice and Vanessa rolled her eyes expecting as much from him. Holding a glass of scotch in his hand Chuck moved around to sit in his chair and indicated that she should take a seat across from him. Slipping into the seat she gave him a small smile and bit her lip nervously.

"In all seriousness. What do you need?" His eyes narrowed and he eyed her suspiciously. Feeling self-conscious she brushed her soft brown curls away from her face and cleared her throat.

"We lost the landmark status. They're going to be putting it up on the market…" Before she could say any more Chuck interrupted her.
"You want me to buy it…like I promised.
"

A silence fell over them as Chuck turned away from her slightly. He placed his glass back up to his lips and he seemed to be frowning as if he were deep in thought. Vanessa sighed and played with her hands absently wondering once more why she had come here. She should've known it had all been apart of a game.

"I'll do it.
" Her face shot up in shock and she could tell that he was amused by her surprise.

"You will?" She let out a dry laugh and shook her head in amazement. She certainly hadn't expected that. She had at least imagined that she'd have to do some convincing but he had agreed without an argument. "Yes; I'll have the paperwork drawn today."

Standing up from his desk he reached out a hand to her and she reached out to shake it slowly. Giving him a smile she stood up and moved to pull her purse over her shoulder.

"Drinks tonight at The Palace. Seven. I'll send the car.
" He didn't smile and his tone was in no way asking permission. He was telling her of their plans for the evening. She nodded slowly knowing that despite everything she didn't quite dread having to spend time with him. It was a business deal after all; they might as well make it official.

Leading her out the door she watched as Chuck followed her out and Vanessa's stomach tightened at the sight of a very annoyed Blair Waldorf waiting outside his door. Her eyes connected with Blair's curious brown orbs and the dark haired beauty raised her eyebrows as her gaze settled on Vanessa.. Vanessa threw her a smile and raised her eyebrows before turning back to Chuck.

"See you tonight.
" Before another word was spoken she was walking down the hall towards the elevators trying not to smile at the look on Blair's face.