A.N: Thank you for all the warm reviews so far. They mean the world to me. I am not sure if this chapter is perfectly what I want it to be. I am still struggling with writing in the third person format.
To the reviewer who pointed out the similarities between this story and another call in "In Love and War" thanks for the call on that one. I had a chance to read the first two chapters and summary and it seems like that story is set in a dystopian future plus a marriage of convenience plot. So far they don't really seem that similar since my story is set in the recession that actually took place in 2008. Plus, another reason that will be touched on in greater detail is going to be the aftermath of the 2008 presidential election which opened up a Senate seat in New York and that was replaced but which caused in opening in the local NY politics. The political story line is centered around Nate and his family that is going to be affected in a way because of the Chuck/Blair deal. The title is similar and of course an economic crisis but beyond that hopefully the similarities end. I really would not want a completely unoriginal story. But let me know what you think and if the similarities continue.
Chapter Two- Around the Corner
Happy to have the holidays behind him Charles could finally enjoy his favorite pastime again. Women. He found if he spent the holiday casually having sex with a woman he risked them having the misconception that there would be a gift involved or some sort of feelings on his part. Plus, he did love spending the time with his family. It was the one time of year that he was not completely focused on work or women and could enjoy feeling like he belonged with his step family. New Year's he threw the biggest party and got right back into his favorite physical activity. A few days back in the game he had already had a blonde, a brunette, two red hairs, a girl with purple or was it blue hair later he was finally feeling energized from all the activity and was wishing everyone he saw a happy new year.
No doubt, the man loved women. Tall women, short women, women with curves and without, straight hair, curly hair, wavy hair, natural hair, fake hair, were all enjoyed by Charles. He loved women and while not religious always remembered to thank God for women whenever he was inside one usually while they were calling out to God themselves. He found women soft, strong, perfectly shaped Venuses that he worshiped. The only problem was he could never remember their names. The numbers he had in a black book with physical depictions and a rating of the encounter. Yes, some may consider him a douche, slut, whore, a pig, a womanizer, an ass, which of course he was but he never cared. He found in the arms of women what he could never find elsewhere. In the moments when he achieved his own sexual gratifications he found peace. A solace that was never there otherwise. Day to day there was always something more he needed something just around the corner it seemed that would never come. It felt so close in his dreams he almost knew what it was. However, at the moment he did not quite know what he was searching for. So he kept searching for it in the women he took to bed but to no success.
Another person rushing in a city of millions ignoring the world around her. The cold wind on a bright day, dirty slush that was once white snow wet the streets that Blair walked over. The whole New Year feeling was already feeling old and dirty to her. But she only had one location in mind. The van der Woodsen siblings and Lily lived in the Milan Condominium Building on 300 East 55th Street. It was in midtown and far from Blair's Upper East Side home but she walked in the cold her brain trying to remember if there were any signs that this was going to occur. Was there anyway she should have known. Her hands, with no gloves since she forgot hers in the foyer were cold and were beginning to feel dry and turn red. Her hands were tucked into her pockets but her face was unprotected and she knew her cheeks and nose were red. But her eyes were shining with determination and fear. Blair knew she had to figure this out. She walked on needed the fresh air to soothe and keep her tears at bay. The would never break down in public so she continued on stomping her way over the concrete jungle until she got to Serena's trying to formulate a plan. Nothing came to mind. Money did not grow on trees regardless even if it did she was a city girl. What was she going to do with a tree?
She hardly noticed that Charles Bass was behind her. Chuck as he was known to only his family and very close friends was a notorious playboy of the New York. He was almost five years her senior and for as long as Blair could remember she had a crush on him. For most of their life she hardly thought he looked at her. While hardly any of the polite UES society wanted nothing to do with him Blair knew he was not a bad man. She saw the ways in which he cared for his family and took over the large company after his father died. After joining their family vacations, a couple of years ago she was able to discover a sweeter and funnier side to the mysterious man which only served to increase her dreams of him. She admired him from afar never hanging on his every word or off his arm like she had seen so many women do.
Charles Bass was a mystery to not only New York but quite frankly to the whole world. After his father's passing at sixteen he continued to be educated at a boarding school for young men away from the city but technically remained a legal child of his step-mother Lillian Van der Bass nee Woodsen Rhodes. The business world was shocked when at eighteen after high school rather than only attend college decided to both attend school and begin to transition to take over the company, his birthright. The Bass board protested violently and the Bass Inc. stock dropped at the thought of a child controlling one of the largest American companies. Chuck received calls from prominent business men, politicians, and even opinion articles were written against it. He ignored them all and somehow received enough voice of confidence largely supported by Lily and a few other stock holders in allowing him to start the transition process. Within eighteen months he stunned the world with shocking deals and crazy investment ideas but somehow they almost all panned out. He was regarded as a business men of the times and was winning award after award all the while taking classes at Columbia. The school in a rare moment decided to award him a bachelor's degree in business only after two years citing his hands on experience and two years later he was close to receiving his masters. Yet, it annoyed him to no end that his stock market value of BI had not gone up in the way that it would have had he been a mature adult who did not have his eccentric lifestyle. Now with the market being the way it was he was worried the gains that he made were never going to truly reflect the true success he achieved. Even still as banks were halting lending money across the board they were still handle him multimillion dollar loans as he began projects in Brazil and Panama.
Besides being an extraordinary business man all the world seemed to know what that Charles loved women. The local media likened him to Bruce Wayne the playboy persona who was also Batman. Articles ran in magazine wondering when Charles would be unmasked and dozens of reporters attempt to find the edge in discovering who was the real 'BassMan'. Yet, no one really saw anything beyond the clubs, the drinking, and the women. The only other question people had was when did the man sleep? He was photographed in Bali on a Saturday night and suddenly was in China on Sunday in meetings. Conspiracy theorist even claimed he certainly had a plane that could travel at the speed of light adding that the press called his Bass Mobile.
But to the van der Woodsen's he was just Chuck. So, Chuck on his way over to drop his dog, Monkey over to his brother Eric for the weekend. He turned the corner and saw Blair walking into the building. He was happy to see Blair Waldorf still in the elevator and held it for him once she saw him in the lobby. They were the only two in the elevator since Lily's more modern building did without a liftman. He knew the Blair for as long as he knew Serena and he enjoyed her company far more than he knew he should. Around the time she turned seventeen he was shocked and angry with himself to find that he had developed at some point a desire for her. For so long his party life and his family life were separate. He was aware she had a crush on him for years but had thought nothing of it than a school girl crush. In his mind he thought the protectiveness he felt for her was similar to a sibling relationship but that was not so. Yet after the family vacation to St. Lucia the past summer he found the tension too much to bear but she was seventeen and he distanced himself from her. But now he knew she was eighteen. He sent her flowers every birthday or at least she was on some list that reminded his assistant to. Did he send her a Christmas gift, he wondered? Hopeful that would grant him some of her favor especially in light of his quest to have sex with her. The billionaire never knew a woman who did not eventually fall for his charms he was sure that she would be no different. He was sure she was mature enough to not cause problems with Serena or Lily so the charm was on full display for her.
Summer 2008
The family usually took a month vacation and Chuck joined them his last two weeks. This year he brought along Nathaniel who was two years younger but had went to high school with and then Nate followed Chuck to college at Columbia. The two had bonded over the death of Bart Bass one night at high school and ever since Chuck truly valued his friendship with the man. While the two could not be more different they were fiercely loyal to each other. The only thing they seemed to have in common was sleeping around with women.
They had planned to do plenty of women chasing in St. Lucia when they were not engaging in the 'family activities' that Lily had planned such as jet skiing, underwater deep sea diving and snorkeling. It was on one of those days that Chuck was shocked to see Blair in a brunt orange bikini that looked amazing with her new tan that made Chuck hope the water was going to be cold.
Nate already warned that Serena was off limits to him leaned into Chuck whispering "Bro, she is not your sister right," while looking at Chuck.
Chuck who was very much looking at Blair in a not so brotherly way turned to his best friend saying "She is off limits Nathaniel."
The venom in his voice was unmistakable to Nate. He instantly knew Blair was different to his friend. But he knew better than to push the point. So instead he made sure that his eyes never rested too long on the brunette because he was fearful of Chuck's attitude. So the boys surround themselves with local beauties instead on the trip. But there was one night, one of the last nights on the island when that all came tumbling down. The four-some were out clubbing when suddenly the joyous night took a turn for the worse.
"Happy New Year kid," he greeted with a dashing smile falling back on an old nickname he would use for her.
"Hey," she said never sure if she should call him Chuck, Charles, or Mr. Bass. So she stuck to simple greetings.
She was in awe of his persona and his person. She knew a bit of the man behind the myth and while intriguing it was his looks alone that had him sneaking in her dreams in the darkness of the night. He had brown hair that when he grew out had a slight wave to it the Blair always wanted to touch. His rich brown eyes that when he stared to too long at her made her blush. His eyes were under dark rich heavy eyebrows made him look terrifying whenever he was mad. Oh, and when he was mad his jaw would tighten into a strong line that made Blair's stomach tingle. His pink perfect lips edged out in the cutest of ways when he was stern and businesslike that reminded her of his late father. But his smirk was completely uniquely Charles Bass. But she did never fall to his feet the way Serena's other friends did. She used to ignore him only because she did not want to melt at his feet. As she got older however, they began to tease each other until they got to this full on flirty banter that they currently shared. However, sometimes like today when she had no expectation of seeing him he made her embarrassed at the thoughts in her head.
Blair was not the most beautiful women he met nor was she the most graceful, tallest, or petite. Yet, he always looked twice, trice, hell twenty times at her. There was something there. Maybe it was because when she smiled he smiled or because even when she frowned she still amazingly breathtaking. Or maybe it was because it was the way she looked at him with big brown eyes that screamed I adore you. Did she idolize who he really was? No, he thought, no one knew who he was neither did he. Even still it made him feel good about himself. He may not like who he saw in the mirror every morning but he liked who he saw in Blair's eyes. He wondered often how it would feel to have her look at him that way when they had sex. Which of course, in his mind they would someday. It was inevitable. She wanted him more than she even realized, he could tell. He wanted her too. Her porcelain skin that he was dying to touch, her straight wonderfully angled nose that wanted to run his finger down to her perfectly indented cupid's bow. God how he wanted to kiss her full lips.
She unbuttoned her coat to escape the rush of heat that hit her in the elevator after being in the cold for so long. Underneath she still wore her school uniform. He was surprised they were back in school already after the winter break. Her white button down shirt had the top buttons undone with her tie gone. When she leaned down to pet Monkey as she said her hellos to the dog. There is no doubt that having a dog is a chick magnet. Not only do women stop to pet his mutt they also always bent over giving him a wonderful view of their behind or down their shirts. This time was no exception as he took in Blair's white lace bra. She had no clue.
"I am bringing him over to stay with Eric," he informed her to fill the silence in the elevator. She normally was never this quiet. Pausing her petting she looked up at him realizing his gaze she shot up and blushed. He only smirked further causing her to roll her eyes.
Blair knew she was playing with fire the way Chuck and her had begun to flirt the past few months but it had never moved beyond that. She doubted that it will. She thought it was his nature to flirt that he never took it seriously. She would have loved for more but he doubted if he could ever give her what she wanted and she would never let a man close enough to earn her trust. After her father's betrayal she found it difficult to not only date but to even make new friends constantly afraid that people's love was fleetingly. The only person she really still let into her life was Serena. So she understood the need to keep people arm's distance away never having real conversations so she enjoyed the pointless banter that now existed between the two of them.
"Where are you going?" she asked as the elevator opened to the top floor.
"Aspen, a short weekend," he said with a wicked look in his eye that left no doubt in her mind that the only slopes he was interested in this weekend were surely on a woman's body.
"New girlfriend?" she said asked playfully smugly.
"Never. I quake in fear at the thought of having one," he said fulling serious but with teasing eyes.
"Oh course. Why settle for one women when you can sample them all," she said hoping the jealousy in her voice was not clear to him. She was unsure if she wanted to be another notch on his head board but she definitely wanted to appeal to him the way he did with her.
Laughing he said "Yes well some women are well valued over others." He was flirting and he only hoped she could recognize it.
"This girl from Aspen must be a very high price to spend the weekend with you," she said a flash of anger in her eyes that he could not understand. Unless it was jealously. This time he saw through her mask.
Taking his chance, he moved closer brushing a hair from her face. "I could always trade her in for you."
There was nothing teasing or sarcastic about his words. Instantly he knew he meant them and her stomach twisted and she suddenly felt hot. For a moment she thought of saying yes and letting him have his way with her. Surely she would be satisfied by him. But she had other things to think about maybe when she was poor she would let him whisk her away a sex filled weekend. Plus, she was not an item to be traded.
Backing up slowly she said "No thanks. But try not to dream of me when you lay next to her." The small smile on her face put them squarely back into their light teasing relationship that she was used to. Chuck smiled at her clever response. Eric came from his room and greet them both. Blair walked her way to Serena's room never glancing back. She thought of mother and her problems trying to force the thoughts of Chuck out of her mind.
He wondered if he took it too far too soon. A girl like Blair would need months of wooing.
Instantly Serena knew there was something wrong with her best friend since she showed her unannounced. Within moments Blair confessed all the problem her mother had mentioned today to her best friend. Serena and Blair were inseparable from the age of three and they had never not shared everything with each other. As close as sisters they fought as hard too but no matter what the two girls never let anything or anyone get in between their friendship for too long.
"So the mess with the line, the recession and the failing stocks, the Ponzi scheme, and your college fund might be gone," Serena summed using her fingers up once Blair had relayed the story.
Blair nodded wiping away a stray tear.
"Oh Blair don't cry we will figure this out. I am sure your mother's lawyers are working on it," the hopeful blonde encouraged.
"No. No. it's so bad. My mom sold her wedding ring to pay the bills for the past two months and for Christmas," mortified Blair hung her head in shame.
"Wow," Serena gasp finally understanding the full effect of the situation.
"That's not the worse part," Blair said as the full tears came running down her face. "they are taking the penthouse if we don't pay 20,000 owed. Even that would only hold the creditors off for a time. I think we have like five days," she mumbled.
"Blair maybe I can ask Chuck or my mom to lend me the money from my trust," Serena said willing to do anything for her best friend.
"I cannot ask you do that. You already do too much," Blair said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. There was only so much charity her pride could handle.
"Why not call your dad and ask him to open up the trust your grandfather left you?" Serena asked knowing the answer well.
"I am not asking that man for nothing. Nothing at all. I don't need him," Blair said with anger her sadness slipping away in an instant.
Unknown to the two women Chuck stood in the hallway listening carefully to Blair's sad tale. He had encouraged Eric to take Monkey for a walk and made up a lie about wanting to see Lily who was napping in her bedroom. He never lied to his brother before but he was eager to hear the conversation. He thought perhaps Blair would mention his advances to Serena and wondering how she thought about him. Instead he listened to her tears over her money situation. Money was something he had plenty of. Suddenly getting into Blair's pants seemed like child's play.
Blair excused herself to grab a bottle of water and wash her face. Understanding her friend needed a moment alone Serena stood in her room. She was surprised to find Chuck standing in the kitchen sipping a bottle of water himself alone. Not in the mood to be pleasant she said nothing to him as she opened the fridge to grab a bottle for herself and Serena. She could feel his eyes roaming over her. She knew her eyes gave away the fact that he was crying only moments earlier but she refused to blush under his gaze.
"I can help you with your problem," he said stopping her. She looked over at him finally.
He was leaning against the counter his elbow propped up on the island behind him with his feet crossed over each other. Her eyes drifted over his body from his navy pinstripe suit to his pink pocket square and matching pink and navy argyle socks with patent black closed laced shows that had pink side stitching that was so subtle she would have missed it if not for the lighting. He was in the center under the pendent light and where she stood shadows casted onto her face from the beamed she stood by.
"Yea and what problem is that?" she asked with some apprehension. Perhaps he overheard her conversation with Serena and would lend her the money.
"The money problem," he said. Her eyes blighting at the thought. She always thought the best of him. He was such a good brother and son and now he was an amazing friend. Yes, she would think him her friend after this.
Borrowing again and again from Serena was too much but she knew that Chuck would allow her and understand that she would want a loan not a gift. She would ask for it in writing and that she would want to pay him back as soon as she could. Handle this like a business arrangement made her feel older and more confident. She stood straighter.
"Oh that is amazing. I am not sure," she began to say but he silenced her when he placed a finger to his lips with a gentle shh. Suddenly a lecherous smile appeared on his face. This was not him being kind. No this was him being cruel.
"One night twenty thousand," he said. Chuck knew they would end of in bed one day from her looks and their flirting. This way it was easier and she got something out of it at least he figured.
Blair blinked away the tears she felt. Chuck was the first boy she ever had a crush, she thought herself in love with him when she was young and silly. He saved her once from a terrible situation and she felt forever grateful to him. But now she thought he was as horrible as everyone said he was.
Taking a deep breath, she thought of asking him for a loan. Begging him perhaps through Lily. Or maybe just walking out of room and anyway from his money. But then what Blair, she questioned herself, walk out right into a guest room at a friend's or right onto the street? But in five days she needed the money and she was tired of Serena and Lily's pity to her. She decided to approached this as a business deal. Women have done this for centuries, she thought. Sex for money. Her body for a night. Viewing the deal as separate from her feelings she began to consider it.
"Fifty," she said bartering hopping she looked more confident than she felt.
He smiled at her negotiation. He chuckled and she felt like throwing up but kept a stern face.
He had very clear rules for one night stands. Women were never to stay the night with him if it could be avoided. So he surprised himself when he said "For a night, the whole night. That means dinner, dessert, and breakfast the next day I'll make it sixty." Really he wanted to ask her to come with him to Aspen but two nights might be pushing it.
In Blair's mind that meant potentially helping for mother for 3 months. She could not be that selfish. If she would have agreed to visitation from her father, they would have had child support and they would not be in this mess. Where would they even live if they got kicked out?
Nodding she stuck out her hand to shake with him. "One whole night," she said.
"Sunday," he said to her taking her hand. He restrained himself to only a handshake knowing he would have so much more than in three days' time.
A.N: I hope I was able to convey the sense of the character I am trying to build up here. I want Chuck to come off edgier and more sure of himself since he is older. He is not supposed to be nice or understanding at this point but for anyone turned off my this his character will of course develop as he begins to have feelings for Blair. Blair, is young and very turned on by Chuck. She has a crush on him but I would not classify that as anything more. She does not really know more than his persona truly but the parts of him she does know she does genuinely admire and respect. Chuck likes that she looks him in that way but doesn't get that buying sex from her does not mean she going to continue to admire him. These two characters are not in love and do not really have feelings for each other besides lust at this point which is different than I have ever opened a story for them. I hoped I conveyed that.
The title of the story For Love or Money, as you might expect by now, will apply to multiple storylines in this fic. There is more than one subplot with Chuck and Blair romance anchoring the rest of the story. I anticipating this to be my longest story with many chapters - spanning from January 2009 to May/June 2009. I hope the twist and turns keep you entertained.
I hope every recognizes the chapter title and its significance. "Day to day there was always something more he needed something just around the corner it seemed that would never come." And then he sees Blair walk around the corner into the building.
