Chuck let go of the older man's collar and watched him as he slumped into a heap on the floor. He heard the audible gasp of the young woman. He signalled for Bernardo to halt his destructive activities and walked over to the shopkeeper's daughter.

He held out his hand and she laid the envelop in it. He took it and opened it up, inspecting the cash that was inside. It would do for now, just a little under the number the high end stores pay them normally. He softly kicked Harold Waldorf's side, the older man gave a painful moan as a response.

"Guess your daughter is the only one who knows how it works around here. Let this be a lesson."

Bernardo left the shop slowly and Chuck followed after him, but not before giving the shopkeeper's daughter a wink. She shook her head in disgust as a response.

The young woman hurried to her father's side and crouched next to him. "Daddy are you alright?"

"B-Blair," Harold stammered. "You shouldn't have given them the money." It took so much effort for him just to stay awake that he could barely form the words.

"Oh my God, Daddy. Come on, I'll take you to the hospital."

---

"I heard you finally got Harold Waldorf to pay up. Good work son, this is the kind of effort I was talking about."

"Sure father." He left out the part where the beautiful young woman handed him the money. Because he knew, even if he would've kicked Waldorf into hell, the shopkeeper wouldn't have paid up anyway.

"I won't be at dinner tonight. But I heard Paulie's daughter would be. Why don't you go and accompany her. I'm sure a lady like her would enjoy the company."

"I'll see what I can do, father."

He hurriedly left the office. Paulie's daughter, hah. The only thing missing on her was a wart, then she'd be a total witch. Down to the pointed nose and crooked teeth. The woman was a hag, he'd rather die a slow and painful death than converse with that dreadful being.

"Bernardo," Chuck called to his accomplish. "If anyone asks, I'm out exercising."

The accomplish smirked. "Sure, you're going exercising. Casanova."

---

A month later.

Blair Waldorf was alone in the front of the shop. All the displays had been restored to their original glory and all the shiny masterpieces were back glimmering in the boxes. Her father had healed fast and good after being assaulted by that awful dark-haired man. Such a crude way of dealing with people. Harold was currently out back restoring the golden watch of some society lady.

She was normally comfortable with being in the shop all by herself. But after last month's attack, she always felt a little on edge. She knew her father hadn't sent the money to the Bass' address. All she did was sit around and wait for another car to show up. Her father didn't know this, but she had another envelop hidden behind the counter - away from another envelop filled with money that her father had put there himself - and if he refused to pay, she'd pull out the envelop and pay the mobsters off. She wasn't going to let anything happen to her father again. He was much too important to her.

She picked up the needle of the record player and put a new record on it, she put the needle down and the soft sounds of the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra filled the shop. She softly hummed along with the Latin tunes of Green Eyes, her hips gently swaying with the tune.

"And eyes that promise sweet nights, Bring to my soul a longing, a thirst for love divine." She softly sung whilst running hand through her long brown curls.

Behind her someone clapped and she jumped, surprised by the sudden sound. She wasn't expecting someone to walk into the shop. She turned around to see who it was, customer friendly smile plastered onto her porcelain face. It fell away completely when she saw who was standing in front of the counter.

"You." It sounded bitter.

The man smirked. "Wow, what a nice welcome Miss Waldorf. Especially after the way I let you go the last time we met."

"I have no interest in being polite with you. You hurt my father and for that you will never find a place in my book."

"Well, well. Isn't that a little harsh?" Chuck laughed sarcastically, almost maniacal. "I was disappointed to see that we had not received a payment from your father. Will you go fetch him for me, dear?"

She opened the door to the back room. "Daddy, they're here."

Blair was hesitant, scared.

Chuck had walked over to the record player and had picked up the needle, stopping the music. Everything bored him so quickly, and now after he heard Blair sing the tune, he couldn't listen to it anymore. The record sounded awful in comparison to the shopkeeper's daughter's sultry voice.

She turned away from the back door, the frightened look still not gone from her face. "My father will be with you in a moment, he has one small detail to finish on a watch he is working on. Would you like to sit?" Chuck was not oblivious to the forged politeness that she carried with her, he suggested her father had overheard her before and had made a comment about it.

"You really expect me to be a patient man, Miss Waldorf? You can tell your father that I wish to see him now, or else there is more to the unfortunate events that took place last month."

"You wouldn't," Blair breathed.

"Try me."

She hurriedly went back to the chamber her father was occupying, he overheard parts of the hushed conversation she had with him. She sounded scared, afraid her father was stubborn and would get hurt like he did last time. Sure enough, Harold appeared in the doorway this time.

"Mr. Bass," he said angrily. "I see you've come to collect what is not rightfully yours."

"I'm merely protecting you, Waldorf. Now where is the money you owe us?"

Harold reached for the envelop under the counter, and held it out towards the mob boss' son. "Here, take your blood money. Now leave my shop."

"Of course, with pleasure. Have a nice day further, Miss Waldorf."

Blair moved her head in a small nod.

---

"Maria." Chuck kissed the small Italian woman on both cheeks. "It's good to see you, it's been too long, really."

The woman smiled. "Yes cousin, it really has been. You look great, real handsome." She had a sweet rich voice, almost enchanting.

"Thanks. I must say, Chicago becomes you, you look fantastic, Maria."

Her perfectly straight white teeth were framed by her bright red lips, creating one of the most sincere smiles ever to grace this planet. "Uncle must be so proud of you, you look just like your mother."

Chuck laughed, although it was to be debated if he meant it. "I hardly doubt it, cousin." He walked towards one of the mansion's sitting rooms. "My father has put together a party, it's kind of a 'welcome back' soirée in honour to you. It's mainly for the family and some of our most appreciated clients."

She clapped her hands in joy. "Great, I love a party. Is there any entertainment?"

"Not that I know of."

"Oh Chuck, all the wonderful jazz music in Chicago is fantastic. Even you would love it, do you think Uncle can arrange for a singer at my party? That would be wonderful."

"I don't know about my father, but I know just the girl."