"Please call me Chuck."
"With her dark brown locks, her aristocratic features, her graceful dancing and her mysterious eyes, Blair Waldorf seemed to have tickled the Society's interest by her elegant appearance and her mysterious dance with none other than Mr. Henry Schoonmaker. The Society is at the edge of their seats, waiting to hear more scrumptious stories to tell."
- From the "Gamesome Gallant" column in the New York Imperial, Monday, June 21st, 1902
It was summer of 1902. It has been two days ever since the ball that the Hayes' hosted for welcoming and introducing the Waldorf family to New York Society. At the Hayes' mansion on Fifth Avenue, Penelope Hayes sat at the parlor, having a cup of tea that morning.
"Penelope why are you pale?" Mrs. Hayes said, sitting down on a velveteen chair a few feet away from where she sat. She looked at her mother with her sleepy eyes, for she just woke up.
"Oh I don't know." She said sleepily, "Probably because I sleep late at night."
"Why do you always sleep late?" Mrs. Hayes continued to ask. "I don't understand why you are doing poor routines every day. Don't you know that your health is the most important thing in life?" Penelope turned away and rolled her eyes, irritated. It was better to not see her. And she wondered why she and her father were even home. Probably too intrigued by the Waldorfs too – which was who that everybody had been talking about for two days, incessantly talking about them, and Blair Waldorf and their rich and luxurious life. It was rather irritating, might as well be deafening to the ears.
Truthfully, she couldn't be any more bored to the fact about the Waldorfs. She found them boring and nothing but a prissy. Even Blair was inexplicably boring – goody-two-shoes – still, she has to be friendly, even though it extremely annoys her.
"The Waldorfs are so nice. Yesterday I was at their mansion down the street, they have a lovely house by the way – full of European furniture and lovely paintings, and the architecture was just fantastic, you'll like it there." Mrs. Hayes tittered cheerfully and clapped her hands together. "They have offered me some of those delicious European chocolates that came from Bulgaria. Eleanor even offered to take home some of it, but I immediately refused!" Penelope raised her eyebrows in fake interest.
"Oh did she now?" She replied as she picked up her teacup and sipped.
"Oh yes." And Blair is just the sweetest girl. She gave me this feathered fan made from Paris, even made exclusively for her!" Mrs. Hayes continued gushing enthusiastically which only annoyed her more. Penelope quickly stood up.
"Excuse me mother, I shall go upstairs and get some more sleep." She said, faking an excuse.
"You better. Rest is the key to beauty!" Mrs. Hayes tittered again. Penelope turned and started walking out of the parlor, rolling her eyes at her mother's words. She sighed.
In the hall, she heard people talking inside her father's office. She heard it clearly when she passed by it, and she peeped to see her father was talking to a young man with fair skin, brown hair slicked neatly into place with pomade, wearing a crisp white button-down shirt, suspenders and brown trousers. Her father had his feet up on his office table, smoking tobacco, as the young man sat on the velveteen chair across the table, and was crossing his legs. She then continued to walk by without actually disturbing their conversation but it seems that it was already too late.
"Penelope" somebody called her. She turned to see no one until it called again. "Penelope," she then followed the voice which led her to her father's office. "Penelope" Mr. Hayes' repeated once again but softer this time. He was happy to see her, apparently.
"Yes father?" She asked, standing by the doorway. She watched her father put his feet down and stood up.
"I want you to meet someone." He said and addressed the man who also stood up and finally revealed his face. Mr. Hayes went by the young man's side and patted him on his back. "This is Mr. Charles Bass. His father was a late friend of mine. Bart Bass and I worked with each other, selling cotton blankets to the Union Army. Richmond said. Charles Bass smiled and went towards her. He held his hand and bowed courtly as he kissed her hand.
"Pleasure to meet you" he said with his bright brown eyes, glimmering with excitement and mystery. His features were rather handsome. He is a very good looking young man. And Penelope's sure that tons of women fantasize over him.
"A pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Bass" she replied with her eyebrows raised with interest as she watched him stand up straight.
"Please," he said. "Call me Chuck." He had a slight smile on his face. Mr. Hayes came up behind him with a great smile on his face.
"Chuck will stay with us, since he just came home from Milan." He cheerfully said. "He'll be staying in the guest house."
"I'll be seeing him around then?" Penelope said with a slight smile, returning Chuck's interest.
"Yes" Mr. Hayes nodded. "Now, could you please escort him to his room?" He asked, going back to his desk. Penelope nodded.
"Certainly" she replied. She then turned as her dress fluttered behind her and Chuck followed her. She heard him mutter his thanks to her father and caught up with her. She escorted him silently, only their steps can be heard and they climbed up the stairs. They then went to the hall, and at the second to the last door, she stood there and turned to face him. "This is where you'll stay." She said. Chuck smiled happily as he opened the door. He went inside, leaving the door open and Penelope stood by the doorway.
"Thank you for escorting me," he said, looking at her as he scanned the room. Penelope smiled back.
"You're very welcome." She said and she turned to go but then she was stopped. He held her hand.
"Miss Hayes" he suddenly said. She turned and faced him. "Do you mind if I invite you for a ride later on today?" He asked with a very plain smile that tickled her interest. His mysteriousness, softness, and his handsomeness feigned her interest. She doesn't really want to go but his eyes were full of determination, and interest, she wanted to – it was like her heart begged her to. She looked deep into his eyes, hesitating for a moment.
"I would love to" She finally said. It's been a while since she's been invited by a gentleman – other than her friend, Buck of course. He withdrew his hand, stepped back and gave her a grave smile.
That afternoon, Penelope came out of her room wearing a white dress with red roses sown onto the dress made with the finest fabric. Red was her favorite color. And so, she wore he favorite red, elbow-length, silk gloves. Down the hall, she saw Chuck Bass making his way towards her when he just went out of his room. He was wearing a gray coat with a black hat, and his exquisite leather shoes. She raised her eyebrows as she gave him a faint smile. She held her wide-brimmed hat when they go out for the ride.
They finally met, standing before each other by the stairs. Penelope saw his eyes smiling as the corner of his lips twitched upward. "You look stunning" He said with his smooth as silk voice, "Ravishing – if I can say that." Penelope gave a slight chuckle.
"Why, thank you Mr. Bass." She replied, smiling wide. "You look lovely as well." And that was the truth. He was very attractive – more attractive than one Henry Schoonmaker. Chuck offered his hand and raised an eyebrow.
"Shall we?" He asked, and Penelope nodded, taking his hand into hers, and let him escort her down the stairs. Chuck opened the main door for her and let her step out first. The coachman was already waiting by the carriage. It was a very nice carriage. It was a smooth mahogany, brown carriage and it shines as the sun shined bright in the sky. The coachman offered a hand and Penelope accepted, letting go of Chuck's. She held the coachman's hand as Chuck helped to lift her up into the carriage. She sat in it, waiting for Chuck to finally come inside and sit across from her. When he finally did, she looked out the window, staring right into the ground of Fifth Avenue. The coachman shut the door, and a few short moments, the carriage began moving to their destination. It was a hot summer day. The sun shined, revealing New York City beautifully. Penelope stole a glance at Chuck who was smiling and looking out the window, she frowned.
"What are you smiling about?" She asked.
"I'm smiling about today." He said, looking at her with that happy smile of his.
"Today?" Penelope continued to frown.
"Yes."
"What is so special about today?" She asked.
"Well, let's see…" He began wondering. "First, I am finally back home. And uh, oh yes, I'm out in the city to have a lovely afternoon with none other than Miss Hayes. I think that today is something definitely to smile about." He raised his eyebrows with a wide smile that is kind of foolish. His smile had that amusing mockery and mystery. Penelope narrowed her eyes, and then smiled faintly.
"I guess so." She said. "If you think so, then it is."
"Miss Hayes, tell me, how does it feel to live in such a beautiful city like this?" Chuck asked, leaning closer. Penelope sat up straight and began to wonder. How does it feel? Well, for the past two years her life had been terrible. It was full of grief, and rumors go around – adding insult to injury. To live in New York City is exquisite, enchanting, and beautiful. But to live in it without power is useless.
"It has been…" Penelope hesitated for a moment, raising her eyebrows and choosing her words carefully. "Dull." She finally said, nearly choking it really.
"Really?" He said with wide eyes. "How interesting…" Penelope chuckled all of a sudden.
"Interesting?" She blurted, mocking him. "I just said that it has been dull. How is that interesting?" Chuck smiled wider this time.
"My dear, it is dull if you don't explore and live your life the way it is every day." He said then she smiled.
"I bet your life back in Milan has been marvelous. So spontaneous and fun wasn't it?" She said, smiling wide too.
"I bet all the women fawned over you, chasing you around like dogs and you had fun with some of them. Not to mention all the alcohol, the delicacies, which you enjoy from all those parties. I wonder why you threw it all away for boring ole' New York." She said as she leaned back. Chuck chuckled.
"Women?" He asked, laughing. Penelope raised her eyebrows.
"Oh please, stop fooling yourself because you do not fool me Mr. Bass." She said crossing her arms over her chest and held her head up high. "I've met a man just like you."
"Just like me? Non… non… non…" He said that last phrase in French. "And what am I exactly?"
"Charming… Mysterious…"
"And?"
Penelope swallowed as she looked away and hesitated for a while. "Handsome" She finally admitted. She stole a glance and saw him smile wider. She looked away immediately to hide her blush. "Bu that man I met was a traitor. A terrible man he is."
"Am I like that?" He asked, blinking his eyes.
"No." She said, and Chuck smiled again.
"Then do not compare me to that terrible man that you say." He said, leaning back. "Miss Hayes, I know that you've had had rough years from these past few years, and I couldn't agree more to what you are feeling and what you think of him."
"How did you know?" Penelope looked at him. He smiled.
"It doesn't mean that I wasn't here, I wouldn't know what is going on in New York." He winked. Penelope smiled.
"You really tickle my interest Mr. Bass." She said, raising her eyebrows in delight.
"Really?" He said, but then the carriage stopped. He turned to look then back at Penelope. "We are here now." He said. Penelope looked out the window and saw that they were in Central Park. Chuck opened the door as he stepped out and stood to wait for her. She came out holding Chuck's hand as he escorted her. Once both of her feet were on the ground, she felt that he pulled her really close, put his other arm around her lower back as he continued to hold her hand. He pressed his nose on her head, and she blushed. Her cheeks burned and she felt her heart ache with excitement and delight. "You are so delightful." He whispered that tickled her ear. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Anything" she breathed in an almost inaudible whisper.
"Call me Chuck, Miss Hayes."
