Chapter Two
Roman Holiday
We might kiss when we are alone
When nobody's watching
We might take it home
We might make out when nobody's there
It's not that we're scared
It's just that it's delicate
So why do you fill my sorrow
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place you've know
And why do you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why do you sing with me at all?
Mackenzie's first week at Constance's went well. Jenny was right when she said that people would be talking about her for a while. She was even surprised that Blair hadn't tried anything on her yet. They were both sitting on Jenny's bed, trying to figure out what clothes she should take to Monaco.
"So, I can't decide on the bikinis I want to take," Mackenzie mumbled dumping all the swimwear she brought in the duffel bag onto Jenny's bed.
"Do you really need all of these swimsuits?" asked Jenny.
"No," she laughed. "But most of them are a few years old and they probably won't fit."
Jenny held up a Diane von Furstenberg one piece with a plunging neckline. "You have to take this one, it's amazing and I'm sure it will knock Nate's pants off," she winked.
Mackenzie immediately blushed at the mention of Nate. "First of all I don't like Nate and second he has Blair. I probably won't even see him that much. Oh and did I say he was dating Blair?"
"Aren't you staying at the Bass Hotel?" Jenny asked shaking her head. "Trust me, you'll see him…I'm pretty sure the hotel isn't that big. And don't worry about Blair…I can tell already that your going to have an amazing time. You better keep me updated."
"I will, I'll probably be texting you most of the time anyways," said Mackenzie. She pulled out a ruffled Juicy Couture bikini. "How about this one?"
Jenny squealed in delight, "I love that one!"
Seconds later the garage door in the middle of the room flew open revealing Jenny's brother Dan. "Jenny, do you think you could keep it down a bit, I'm trying to study."
"Sorry, Dan. But I thought you were hanging out with Serena tonight."
Dan sighed, "We were but she had to go to a last minute dinner thing with her mom and Eric therefore we had to put the plans on hold until tomorrow night."
He glanced at Mackenzie and Jenny realized that they hadn't been formally introduced. "Dan, this is my friend Mackenzie," Jenny announced. Dan hoped down to Jenny's side of the room and shook Mackenzie's hand.
"Ah yes. You're the girl that's got Blair shaking in her boots…And Jenny has been talking about you non-stop, all good things," Dan added.
Once again Mackenzie blushed and rolled her eyes, "Blair has nothing to be afraid of, and I wouldn't want her spot if my life depended on it."
A knock on Jenny's door interrupted the silence, and Jenny's dad appeared, "Dinner's ready, kids. Mackenzie you're welcome to stay, I made my famous Chili."
"As tempting as it sounds, I have a few things I need to do before I leave for my trip but thank you," Mackenzie smiled and began to pack up her things. Both the Humphrey men left Jenny's room. She gave Jenny a big squeeze. "Thanks for helping me out. We'll hang out when I get back, okay?"
"Sure…I'm going to miss you and don't forget to text me as soon as you land."
Xoxo
Mackenzie got into the car and gave her driver the address of her next location. Her watch read eight o'clock, it was probably too early but she'd give it a try anyways. The car ride was long due to the insane traffic which gave her enough time to figure out what she was going to do.
"We're here Miss Warren," her driver told her. "Would you like me to wait here for you?"
"No thank you, Henry. I suppose I might be a while."
She entered the place without forethought. She may have been slightly underdressed though at Victrola it probably didn't matter. Mackenzie shrugged off her leather jacket and took a seat at the bar. She order a shot of tequila, nobody should ask Chuck Bass for a favor sober. Four tequila shots later she was about to get off her stool and leave.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here," Chuck whispered in my ear. Mackenzie involuntarily shivered at the sound of his voice.
"I need a favor, Bass," she said bluntly. She brushed the hair out of her face and sat back down.
"Why don't we take this up to my office?" Before she could say anything else Chuck was leading her up a spiral staircase in the back. He opened the last door at the end of the hallway. The room was a dark red and the furniture was a deep oak. On one wall was a huge window which over looked the entire club.
"I hate to say this but this place is kind of amazing," she breathed. For a split second Chuck looked uncomfortable not knowing what to say.
"Thanks," he replied briskly. He motioned for her to take a seat on the other side of his desk. He took a sip of his scotch, "What is it you need?"
Mackenzie settled on the cozy chair and replied simply, "I'm not able to use the corporate jet…I need a ride to Monaco."
"And I thought you were going to ask for something much more interesting," Chuck's eyes twinkled. "What's in it for me?"
She almost snorted, such a Chuck like response. "Hmm, I'll do just about anything."
"I'll keep that in mind," he smirked. "The jet is leaving at six a.m. tomorrow morning."
Mackenzie smiled and kissed Chuck on the cheek before leaving, "Thanks."
Gossip Girl (Voice Over):
I hope M knows what she's doing…Every action has its consequences and the devil never forgets to collect.
Xoxo
Mackenzie neatly folded her clothes into her Louis Vuitton suitcases. There was something about packing that Mackenzie enjoyed. It was already late at night and she wanted to make sure she got enough sleep. She pulled out her cell to text Jenny.
change of plans leaving 4 Monaco at 6 am on Bass jet.
Her cell phone beeped a minute or two later she was surprised that Jenny was even awake.
what?!?
Mackenzie's fingers flew over the key trying her hardest to multitask.
: ) its a long story
What seemed to be seconds later she replied. Mackenzie had to force herself to zip up her suitcase layout her outfit for the morning.
ha, yea rite im sure you just want 2 see N again.
She scoffed out loud at Jenny's accusations. Sure Nate was cute but he had a girlfriend who hates her guts.
nope. i need sleep. ill txt u 2morrow.
Mackenzie snuggled under the covers mentally going over everything she needed for Monaco. So maybe Jenny was right, maybe she really wants to see Nate again. She drifted off to sleep, wondering what Chuck would want from her in the future.
Xoxo
Her eyes fluttered open as the alarm went off at exactly four forty-five am. She turned it off and stared at the ceiling, what in god's name have I been thinking? Being stuck in a jet with Chuck Bass for more than eight hours, its equivalent to signing a death wish.
She showered quickly and threw on her jet setting outfit which consisted of her True Religion skinny jeans, a black cotton tee, and matching Gucci ballet flats. She pulled her hair into a pony and applied minimal make-up. She bounded down the stairs and grabbed a muffin from the kitchen. Mackenzie was out the door by five fifteen and in the town car on the way to the private strip. When she arrived Chuck and Nate were exiting the limo. She mumbled thanks to Henry when he opened her door and took care of her luggage.
"Ah, our guest of honor arrives," leered Chuck as she walked up to them.
"Morning Chuck, Nate," she smiled, ignoring Chuck. She followed both of them up the small set of stairs and into the jet. It was almost identical to the one her father's company owned, same comfortable chairs with the small desks in front of them. Behind the chairs was a large sofa opposite of that was a large television set. Moments later she relaxed in one of the chairs and was off to sleep before they even took off.
4 Hours Later
Mackenzie's sleep was interrupted by Chuck chatting up a tall redhead who was probably a stewardess. Nate looked at her and rolled his eyes; he got up and took the sit directly across from her.
"Thank god you're awake," Nate whispered. He pointed at redhead, "She's been given strict orders not sleep with Chuck by Bart but for the past half an hour he's been trying to convince her to join the mile high club with him."
Mackenzie cringed," You know what I find incredibly scary is that I actually believe that Bart Bass would order his flying crew not to screw his son."
"You sleep alright?" he asked. She gazed at her hands not certain that she was entirely comfortable with what she was feeling.
"Yes, thanks," Mackenzie smiled at him. "You don't by any chance know how much longer we have?"
Nate checked his watch, "I think about four more hours…eager to get off the plane?"
She laughed, "Well I do believe, that my sanity is at risk being in the same room with Chuck Bass for too long."
"He's not that bad…you get used to it after a while," Nate assured her. She raised her eyebrow at him; Chuck was still talking to the stewardess probably using every pick up line in the book. I have got to end this, she thought.
"Excuse me, Miss," Mackenzie motioned for the stewardess to come over. She smiled gratefully at her. "Do you think you could get me a bottle of water and if you get lost on the way back to my seat I wouldn't mind?"
"Thank you so much, he doesn't seem to notice the engagement ring on my finger," she whispered. Mackenzie shook her head as the stewardess scurried away.
"Not nice, M, I was so close to breaking her," Chuck murmured taking the seat next to her.
"Dude, she's engaged," Nate coughed.
"I know… it was just a minor technicality," Chuck scoffed. Mackenzie was beginning to become an expert eye roller.
"It's a miracle that your head even fits in this jet," Mackenzie shook her head. She rummaged around into her tote and pulled out the newest issue of Cosmopolitan with Hilary Duff on the cover.
"You wouldn't mind reading aloud would you? Its one of my favorite magazines," Chuck feigned innocence.
"I'm sure it is," she muttered dryly. She smacked his shoulder as he leaned over to read the red hot confessions. Knowing that Chuck wouldn't give up she tossed the magazine into his lap. She sighed, "I'm sure you need these tips more than I do."
Chuck puffed his chest, "I don't need them…For your information I lost my virginity when I was in sixth grade."
Mackenzie gaped at him, "Please tell me he's kidding."
"No joke, he lost it to Georgina Sparks," Nate chuckled.
"Don't remind me…she was a crazy psycho bitch," snarled Chuck. Mackenzie was still gaping at Chuck.
She finally tore her gaze away from Chuck, "You know that explains a lot but seriously you were what like eleven?"
"Yes, it was in that closet that I became a man," Chuck responded. His eyes began to glaze over as he remembered that night. "Come on don't tell me you're a virgin."
"Not like its any of your business but I'm not a virgin….Lost it when I was fifteen," Mackenzie blushed feeling uncomfortable since the attention was now shifted on her.
"Well we all know the story of how you lost your virginity, Nathaniel," said Chuck. Mackenzie furrowed her brows, she didn't know and she was pretty sure that Chuck knew that, too.
Nate's eyes flashed and he hissed, "Leave it, Chuck."
Chuck narrowed his eyes and replied, "Okay, Nathaniel."
Nate avoided Mackenzie eyes and she muttered mostly to herself, "I'm going to need a lot of alcohol."
Xoxo
Christmas Eve- Few Days Later
Blair paced her bedroom back and forth. She couldn't get a hold of Chuck or Nate, which worried her. Mr. Bass had told her that Chuck was in Monaco which was a surprise to her, in the previous weeks he hadn't mentioned anything about spending the holidays in Monaco. Seconds later her bedroom door flies open and Serena waltzes in.
"Where have you been?" Blair demanded as Serena took a seat on her bed. "I called you a half an hour ago and told you it was an emergency!"
"I was in Brooklyn believe it or not it's Christmas Eve and I was in the middle of preparing Dan's present," fumed Serena. Blair continued to pace back and forth checking her cell phone. "So what's the big emergency because I'm supposed to be meeting Dan in an hour."
Blair's lip curled in disgust, "Cabbage Patch can wait…this is a crisis. I can't get a hold of Chuck."
"That's the emergency?" Serena groaned in disbelief. "I love you, B, but sometimes you can be incredibly selfish."
"I wasn't finished…Chuck and Nate aren't answering their cells and I heard from a reliable source that Chuck is in Monaco. What if they are together?" Blair started to hyperventilate.
"Breathe, B," Serena replied soothingly while Blair sat next to her breathing slowly. "You know they probably aren't even together but if they are I highly doubt Chuck would risk his friendship with Nate just to get back at you."
"Yes, that makes sense, Nate is the only friend Chuck has and he wouldn't ruin that," Blair cried out. She slumped her shoulders, still worried because no matter what Chuck was a ticking time bomb.
"See, everything will be okay," Serena hugged Blair. "But…we both know that the truth always comes out. I really think you should tell Nate before he finds out some other way."
Blair nodded mournfully, "I know…Now get out of here! I'll be fine."
"Okay," Serena smiled gratefully. "I'm here for you, B, no matter what…Merry Christmas!"
And she was gone before Blair could even say Merry Christmas. She slumped down against her bed, she wanted so bad to run into the bathroom and throw up everything she had for lunch. But she couldn't…
Xoxo
Mackenzie sighed in relief when the pilot landed at the private strip. She drifted in and out of sleep for the remaining few hours but when she was awake the air was tense and awkward. She slowly grabbed all of her belongings allowing Chuck to head off of the jet first.
Nate touched her arm, "I'm sorry if that made things weird, and Chuck really has no boundaries…And I really don't like talking about it. I'm not really proud of it."
"I understand," Mackenzie smiled weakly. They both headed to the unmarked black SUV. It was already night in Monaco and Chuck was leaning against the car. Mackenzie teased, "What? You couldn't get a limousine? I'm shocked."
Chuck scowled, "Apparently, there's this law that only royalty can drive around in a limo…bastards."
"That's a-amazing," Mackenzie giggled. She climbed inside the car last and sat in the back. "I'm sure they made it just to spite you, too. I almost want to take a picture of this moment and send it to Gossip Girl."
"So are we going to the hotel first?" Nate asked before Chuck could say anything.
"Yes. I've got everything all planned out," Chuck turned to Nate and grinned. Chuck's cell rang continuously as he ignored it. We both stared at him. Chuck knew exactly who it was. He smiled lazily, "I made the mistake of giving a girl my number and now she won't stop calling me."
Several minutes later we arrived at the Bass Hotel, standing right across from the ocean it was a picture of elegance with a resort feeling. The hotel itself was massive in size with an ancient look to it. It was simply one of the most amazing hotels Mackenzie had ever seen. The chauffer unloaded the luggage with the help of the bellhop and placed them on separate trolleys.
Mackenzie strode into the hotel and headed straight for the front desk. The woman behind it was typing furiously on the keyboard. "Mackenzie Warren."
"Un instant s'il vous plait," she responded while typing and pulling out three keys. "Ah oui, votre séjour dans la suite penthouse avec Charles Bass et Nathaniel Archibald."
Mackenzie shook her head, "Ce n'est pas de droite. J'ai réservé ma place ici, il ya quelques jours."
Chuck sauntered up next to her with Nate behind him. He snatched the room keys, "I see you've gotten our keys."
"Yes but they messed up my reservation, instead I'm suppose to be sharing the penthouse with you two," Mackenzie fumed turning her back to the receptionist.
"No, she's right," he replied easily. She stared at him, her face growing redder by the second. "You said anything, remember?"
"If I remember correctly which I do, I said just about anything. I think the just meant this. There is no way in hell that I will stay in a suite with you," Mackenzie grounded out. She turned back to the desk. Abandoning her French she spoke again, "I need a room, any room…I'll sleep in a broom closet if I have to."
She replied in English, "No, I'm sorry…we don't have anymore rooms."
"Fine, if I'm going to be staying with you guys…I have a one condition," she frowned. She grabbed a key from Chuck and led them to the elevator. "I want the room farthest from Chuck."
The mischievous glint in Chuck's eyes returned as he smirked, "Do you sleep naked?"
"Chuck, seriously man," Nate warned. She glared at Chuck for the rest of the elevator ride up to their floor. The bellhop had already left our luggage by the door. Nate let out a low whistle when he entered, "I guess they had to totally redecorate after last year, huh?"
The penthouse was painted in rich browns and gold colors. The furniture was luxurious and soft reflecting the style of each room. The living room area had a huge flat screen TV even though Mackenzie figured that with the unusually warm weather Monaco was having she wouldn't be inside much. She wandered down the hall and into the final bedroom. The canopy bed was in the center of the room opposite of the balcony that looked over the water. She peered in the bathroom to find a Jacuzzi tub. "I hope you guys don't mind but I think I'm taking this room."
She began to unpack her suitcases when she didn't get an objection. What seemed to be a half an hour later, Nate knocked on her door.
"We're going to head out; I've got to make sure Chuck doesn't get too plastered. You can join if you'd like?" He added the last part hopefully.
Mackenzie snorted, "Wow, almost sounds tempting. I think I'm just going to stay in tonight, the jet lag is getting to me."
"Fine," Nate shrugged his shoulders and pouted slightly. "Goodnight and don't forget to lock your door before you go to bed."
Xoxo
Mackenzie slid her head under the soft pillow. Light was seeping into her bedroom causing her to awaken from her sleep. She peeked her head our from under her pillow and stared at the small clock on the end table, it read 8:05. She could hear water running, she slowly got out her bed and moved closer to the bathroom.
"Oh god, what if I forget to turn off the water," she muttered horrified. She swung open the door to find a girl soaking in the bathtub. "What the fuck!"
Her eyes widened in shock, "Merde!"
"What the hell are you doing-," Mackenzie stopped abruptly and ran out the bathroom. She came to the opposite end of the hallway and flung open the door. "You mother chucker!"
Chuck was sleeping in between two blonds and lifted his head from the pillow. He gave her his trademark smirk, "All you had to do is ask if you wanted to join…though you might want to lose the tiny dress."
Mackenzie pulled at the bottom of her DKNY nightgown and yelled, "There's a prostitute in my bathtub!"
Nate chose this exact moment to enter Chuck's bedroom, "What's going on?"
"I'll tell you what's going on, Chuck lost one of his hookers and somehow she ended up in my bathroom!" Mackenzie seethed. By this time the two blondes had woken up, giving both Nate and Mackenzie a full frontal. "Seriously! Can you cover up for the love of God!"
"Ladies…get out," Chuck ordered. The girls sulked as they retrieved their clothes from off the ground and scurried out of the room. "M, I lend you my sincerest apology; it was completely unintentional usually they know not to wander off on their own."
She looked up at the ceiling and rolled her eyes, "I cannot believe this." And with that she stomped out of his room passing and then found her bathroom to be empty, obviously she got the message. She rummaged through her dresser, pulling out the Diane Von Furstenberg bathing suit and a matching cover up. When she looked up Nate was leaning against the doorway.
"Are you alright?" he asked taking a seat on her rumpled bed.
"I'm fine. I mean usually I like to save my heart attacks for after dinner and I never really like to find hookers in my bathtub using my shampoo but other than that I'm good," she rambled on, she glanced at him, under his eyes were dark circles. "Sorry. I probably woke you up! What time did you guys get in?"
Nate rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn, "Around five, I think. I practically had to drag Chuck out of the last club, not to mention that I'm sleeping in the room next to his."
"I feel awful," she frowned apologetically. She pointed towards the bathroom. "Do you mind if I change real quickly while we talk?"
"N-not at all," he cleared his throat. Mackenzie picked up her clothing off bed and shut the bathroom door. "So what are you planning on doing today?"
She shouted through the door, "I'm going to take advantage of this unusually warm weather: eat breakfast and then head to the beach, it's been a year or two since I've been back here, I want to see if anything has changed."
"Yeah, you wouldn't mind if I met you at the beach later, would you?" he asked. Mackenzie opened the bathroom door wearing her swimsuit. Nate let out a low whistle, "You look amazing."
She blushed slightly and pulled on her cover-up dress. "Thanks, and I would very much enjoy seeing you on the beach."
"I'm going to head back to bed…I'll meet you at the Larvotto Beach," Nate smiled. Mackenzie filled her tote with the rest of her things including a towel, sunscreen, and a book. Maybe she was wrong…maybe this vacation was going to be great.
Spotted: M, N, and C shacking up at the Bass hotel in Monaco. M is one lucky bitch…or not when B finds out, does anyone else see a cat fight in the future?
Author's Note:
Hi Everybody...this is just part one of Chapter 2. I figured I might as well break it up so that you dont get the entire thing in a week or two. I'd love to get feedback :) The spacing really bugs me on here! Agh. Anyways I'm going to start working on the part 2 of this chapter and at the end of that chapter there will be another flashback and what not. I don't own the song Delicate by Damien Rice. Thanks for reading!
