Blair gazed out into the Manhattan skyline and heaved a deep sigh. She couldn't remember when her life had taken a turn towards the mundane and spiritless. She was a Wardolf, more specifically Blair Wardolf, and Blair Wardolf was known for her creativity, her extravagant bashes, and her spur of the moment planning and concocting.
After graduating from high school and spending four years at Yale as planned, Blair thought she had taken life by the horns and was ready to face the world. She took a job at her mother's ever expanding fashion company, heading the offices here on the East coast. Not only was she successful and finally receiving the love and admiration she had always sought from her mother, but she was also engaged to be married to her high school sweetheart Nate. But for some reason it all felt so empty. Yes she loved being successful and having her mother proud of her, and she also loved Nate, but her life was not what she wanted it to be.
Funny. Life had turned out how she always imagined it would be, her idea of what was perfect and wonderful in her high school fantasies, but it was not longer what she wanted. Ever since her sex life exposé on Gossip Girl back in high school, life had turned sour. She lost respect and friends, she lost status and prestige, but most of all she had lost Chuck. After the abandonment on her way to Tuscany that summer, Blair decided to remain in Italy living with her father and Ramon. She had lost his friendship and the love that were newly starting to discover. All because he couldn't be faithful and committed. After that realization hit her while she was touring Europe of the summer, she decided that she needed a change. And so, she completed her final year of high school abroad and then came home for Yale.
She reconnected with Nate, purely their parent's doing, and they had decided to get married and fulfill that long ago dream. They had agreed that their marriage would be one of convenience and appearances. Blair knew that Nate wasn't in love with her, and if she was honest with herself neither was she. Her heart had been taken by a certain Bass man who had never given it back. Not that she still loved Chuck! Heavens no! But she no longer felt that passion and love with any other man that had come into her life since. And so in order to fill that void in her life, she had agreed to marry Nate, help him with his political aspirations as the perfect wife, and maybe a mom too later on in the future.
The ringing of the phone shook Blair from her sad thoughts. Mentally giving herself a shake, Blair reached for her phone.
"Blair?" Serena's spirited voice chirped through the phone lines.
Blair smiled to herself. Serena Van der Woodsen was the only friend she had kept in touch with since high school. Well her and Brooklyn, seeing as the two were still together and stronger than ever after all the rifts and rafts that had occurred between them. She sometimes envied the happiness her friend had found with Dan, they were a perfect couple in every sense of the word. Sometimes nauseatingly so. But Blair was happy for Serena. They had been through so much together, and if anyone deserved to be happy it was Serena. She only wished that the same fate had been granted to her.
"Hey, S, whats up?" Blair asked.
"Well Blair, Dan and I are planning a dinner at The Palace for my mom and Bart. It's their 7 year anniversary, and we wanted to do a little something for them considering all that they're doing in helping for my own wedding. It's this Saturday night at 8pm. Do you think you'll be able to make it? I know it's last minute and all, but we finally confirmed that Bart and mom would be coming in from London after all. Oh and of course Nate is invited as well, that goes without saying. So...can you make it?"
Blair thought about it for a minute. Sitting with two lovey dovey couples was not her idea of a Saturday night, but then again all she had planned was working until her eyes hurt and then heading home to the awkwardness of living with Nate. "Sure, S, of course I'll be there. Do you need me to bring anything?"
"No ma'am, we've got it covered."
"Ugh, Serena, don't call me ma'am it makes me feel so old!"
"Well we are 25 now Blair. Not exactly teenagers anymore." Serena giggled through the receiver.
"I am still as young and vibrant as ever!" Blair argued and smiled. "But listen Serena, I need to get back to work. NYC fashion doesn't create itself."
"Of course, of course. Well I'll just see you and Nate this Saturday then. Oh and one last thing, I hope you don't mind, but we invited Chuck. Ok bye!"
Serena had cut the call before Blair could say a word. Chuck! Oh God, she hadn't seen Chuck in over a year, not since Lily threw an engagement party for Serena. And that was awkward enough. Now she had to see him while on the arm of Nate. Chuck would mock them for the clear fallacy that was their relationship. Not only would he be rude and obnoxious with his comments, but she'd be forced to feel his gaze on her as if he was looking into her very soul, the way only he managed to do. And she'd just have to stand there grinning and bearing it.