It was a normal morning for Chuck Bass. Except from the fact that he had the whole day to himself. For once there were no meetings to attend or anything. He had decided to spend his time with Blair, they hadn't seen each other for a week and needed some time together.

He was on his way to meet her now. They would have a romantic dinner together and then back to his room at the hotel. It sounded like a simple date really, but Chuck was looking forward to it so much.

It was while he was thinking all this over that Blair called him. He smiled as he answered.

"Blair. Everything is going to be perfect for tonight." he said, happily.

"No, it's not." answered Blair. She sounded as if she had been crying. This alerted Chuck at once, Blair never cried.

"What's wrong? Where are you?"

"Chuck. I'm sorry but I… can't come tonight. I just have so much work to do and…" explained Blair, breaking into tears. It killed Chuck hearing her cry like that and not being able to be there with her.

"Why are you crying so much?""I miss you."

"Oh, Blair." he laughed. "You are a drama queen, you know that?""What?"

"Just do you're work tonight and then we can see each other tomorrow."

"But you have meetings…"

"I'll move things around.""You can't… you need to be there…""Blair. I am Chuck Bass. I can do what I want."

"I love you.""I love you too. Now get to work." Chuck joked, he heard Blair laugh at the other end and then he hung up.

And that had ruined Chuck's plans for the night. He understood though. Blair was at college after all, she had to do some work. He made his way back to The New York Palace, his hotel. He went to sit at the bar, with nothing better to do. He watched all of the people coming and going, and that was when he noticed Julie Stafford. She looked a lot more older since the last time he had seen her. But then again he was only about 10 years old. Well, around that age. Julie had been his Father's very close friend for the majority of Chuck's childhood, but had stopped visiting after his 10th Birthday.

He quickly got up to see her.

"Julie?" he asked, as her got closer.

She looked at him for a moment or two before saying "Chuck? Oh my goodness, Chuck!" and pulled him into a hug, which definitely surprised him.

"How are you? I haven't seen you since my 10th Birthday."

"I'm very well thank you, how are you?""I'm great. What are you doing here?""My daughter has just moved to New York, I'm visiting her.""I knew you'd have a family by now. How many children have you got?""Just the one. My little Alex, well she's not so little anymore."

"How old is she?"

"16".

"Wow. I don't remember her though." said Chuck, thinking back and trying to place the little girl in his memories.

"No, you never met her."""Why not?" he laughed.

"Whenever I visited you and your Father, she was always visiting… her Father.""Oh right.""I'm so sorry to hear about your Father, Chuck. I wish I could have been her sooner."

"That's alright. I blame myself for not inviting you to his funeral."

"Don't you dare blame yourself! No, no. It was my fault. Are you alright though?"

"Yes. There was a rough patch, but my friends got my through it." he smiled.

"That's good." she smiled.

"So how long are you in town for?"

"Only today and tomorrow."

"We should have dinner, I'd love to meet Alex."

"That would be perfect. When are you free next?"

"I'm actually free tonight if you want?" he said.

"Oh good. This is brilliant. Well, I must go freshen up and call Alex. She'll be so excited." smiled Julie. She gave Chuck another hug, and then hurried off to her room.

Later that day, Chuck arranged for Julie and Alex to be picked up in his limo and driven to a little restaurant. It was one of Chuck's favourites. It was small and private and served excellent food. It also held a wide selection of drinks. When Julie walked in, Chuck immediately looked to the girl that was with her. She looked nothing like her Mother. She was a little bit shorter than her, had long brown hair and dark eyes. She looked at Chuck too, with a puzzled face.

"Chuck." smiled Julie, waving at him.

"Julie." said Chuck standing and helping her into her seat. Then he turned to the girl and held his hand out. "Hello, I am Chuck Bass."

The girl shook his hand and said "I'm Alex Stafford."

Chuck smiled and helped her into her seat as well.

Throughout the rest of the dinner, Chuck couldn't help but stare at Alex. She looked familiar but he knew she was a complete stranger. He found out that Alex would be starting at Constance Billard School on Monday, and would be in the same year as Jenny. What a small world it was.