AN: Wow! Thanks for all the reviews and follows and kind words. As I said, I am not sure which way I will go. I am a DAIR shipper, but I liked Chair pre-hotel-sale thingy and since this is going back to the start I could go either way. If I had to pick right now, I'd probably say Dair because I like them more but I tend to change my mind as I write so I really couldn't say 100% right now. I'm sorry! If you would rather not wait around then I understand and thank you for your reviews thus far.
Please don't fight with each other though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and their favourite ship and I respect everyone here! I almost forgot how passionate GG fans and shippers are. Almost lol.
I sincerely hope you like the latest update.
Kissing Frogs and Catching Princes
Dedicated to ever-faithful and loyal GG shippers and fans out there.
x~X~x
Chapter 3: RSVP Waldorff
"Blair, I believe this is what they call above and beyond."
The latest wine-coloured Louboutin's glided across the darkly stained hardwood floor in quick succession, Serena arriving beside her best friend in a matter of seconds. Reaching down to give Blair a kiss on the cheek, the two girls embraced before the brunette began to smile adoringly, happy with the way her darling and sophisticated Penthouse had been transformed in just a few hours. Cheerful bodies floated all around them as the obvious chatter of happy guests filtered throughout the noise spaces that opened up between the melodious tunes played by the DJ and the barking orders of an enthused and highly-organised hostess. Although it was well known that Blair Waldorff was the best when it came to social gatherings- people fought with determination and perseverance for months just to get on the waiting list- this one had outdone them all. Ice sculptures glistened in the corners, illuminated by the disco lights that sporadically flickered across the crowd. Sharp streaks of pinks, blues, greens, yellows and purples projected throughout every room and danced over the party-goers, no expense spared. Waiters carried out an endless array of hors douvers, specifically designed to match the tantalizing taste buds of the man in Blair's sights. Anything she could find out about his preferences was on prominent display in her home. Artists and artwork he enjoyed, music he listened to, the brand of scotch he liked- she had gone all out. But she knew it was worth it. A man like Chuck Bass didn't come around very often, and Blair was determined to call him hers.
And she very rarely didn't achieve what she set out to do. In fact, she couldn't recall a moment where she had actually failed.
"It is one of my better accomplishments," the brunette agreed, turning to smile at her stunning friend with complete elation. "And when he walks through those elevator doors he's going to see that not only do I have amazing taste, but I am also the perfect match for him in every way."
Serena chuckled, reaching out and grabbing a glass of champagne as the waiter walked by. He smiled as she took it from him, the skin-tight black dress accentuating her enviable frame. "Blair, how could any man refuse?"
"As usual, you make a good point S."
Reaching for another champagne, Serena plunged the crystal refreshment into Blair's hands and laughed. The two girls clinked their glasses, eyes landing on them as they held onto one-another and glanced around the room. Penelope wandered throughout the crowd and stopped before them, chocolate eyes alight as she pulled out her phone to display an illuminated message from Kati Farkas, the message received with anxious eyes.
"Bass out of water.
Get your reel ready.
5 minutes and counting.
Has won an Archibald prize."
"He's with Nate," Blair announced excitedly, Penelope smiling triumphantly as she slid the iPhone back into her lime-green Birkin. Fixing her chocolate locks behind the silken headband that adorned her head, the young girl waited patiently for her next round of orders.
"Penelope, go and make sure that the Macallan 1939 is ready. With ice!"
Penelope nodded and disappeared back through the crowd, Serena grinning at Blair as she witnessed her friend's cheek flush a slight rouge. She reached out and touched her hand, the blonde beauty giving it a slight squeeze for support. Her luscious locks fell over her creamy, bare shoulders and her husky voice was of comfort, as usual.
"See B, he came. Now all you have to do is be your ever-charming self and there is no way he could resist." Her smiled beamed down onto the smartly-dressed social queen beside her and it served to further demonstrate just how genetically blessed Miss Van Der Woodsen really was.
Blair swallowed hard, her eyes darting between her friend and the elevator door as she felt her heart beat ever-so-strongly in her chest. Her mind ticked over with all the ways she was going to respond when she saw him enter. Her poised stance; her devilish smile and her tilted head that revealed a sweet yet seductive side were all definitely a must. If only she could figure out what to start with first when he came in-
Ding!
Sliding out from the mirrored elevator doors, Nate Archibald slid into the party like he was born into it. Soft brown tendrils hung loosely across his forehead, just grazing the tips of his elongated lashes that would make even the most beautiful of supermodels envious. Cerulean orbs danced across the party and fell back into the lift as a thick hand reached out and held onto the doors to cease their advance. Within seconds he was there, sauntering into the party like a Roman God and causing Blair to stop in her tracks and catch her breath.
Haaaah. Charles Bass.
His pixie-like darkened hair was prominent, combed loosely across his forehead and resting at the sides of his face. His trademark scarf was absent this time, his body flanked instead with a lemon, long-sleeved business shirt and bone suit pants. A snug V-neck vest sat across his chest, resting nicely at the base of his stomach and splashing his frame with a checkered colouring of red, blue and white. Even his shoes were shinier than anything Blair had ever seen on a man, charcoal like the night and sliding into her apartment with the greatest of ease. It was in that moment that she knew – Chuck Bass was the one for her. The dress sense alone was enough to rival even her. She smiled at the thought as Serena threw her delicate hand into the air, catching Nate's attention in a quick wave. Blair cleared her throat and composed herself, Serena squealing ever so slightly beside her as the boys approached.
"Blair, Serena- I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine, Chuck Bass."
Nate smiled as he presented his childhood friend with an open hand pointed towards him, Chuck gazing between both ladies in acknowledgment. He pursed his lips together with a slightly amused smile, a twinkle in his eye as he measured up the two beauties before him.
"Pleasure," Blair announced, her voice slightly high as she sent forth her most encouraging smile. "So glad you could make it to our little soiree."
Serena raised an eyebrow at Nate upon hearing Blair speak and he sent her a wink, the smile on his face growing even larger as his gaze lingered on the blonde for a moment. Serena didn't notice, instead turning her attention back to Blair and Chuck in an attempt to be interested in what was being said. No doubt, she would have to go over the conversation with extreme detail the minute they crawled under Blair's overpriced satin sheets that night.
"The pleasure is all mine," Chuck replied, velvety tones hitting the air like a melodic fantasy of Blair's own making. He noticed her eyes firmly planted on him and he loved the attention, Chuck tilting his head to the side as he gazed at her. "I can see you've gone to a lot of trouble and naturally I appreciate the invitation."
He smiled then, his lips pursing together and curling up at the edges ever so slightly. Blair mentally reminded herself to breathe as she gazed at his thick, plump lips, imaging how good it would feel to kiss him. She wondered how she had been so lucky as to have the one person she was obligated to watch over be so strikingly handsome and full of class. She knew she had to be on her game for there would be many-a-pair-of-eyes set upon reeling this Bass in. She flicked her wrist to signal that the party was no trouble at all, as if it were nothing more than a gathering she could organize at any point in time on any given day.
"Not at all," the fiery brunette announced, her cheeks growing a tinge of rouge as she gazed up at him. "It's customary that I throw a welcome back to school gathering at the beginning of the school year. I'm only sorry that it coincided with our get-together."
"You're who my mother organized as a chaperone?" Chuck asked, his eyes relaying his obvious surprise. "Are you sure?"
"Of course," Blair smiled, her eyes lighting up with her usual charm and beauty. She played innocent so very well. "I am always delighted to help out wherever I can."
Chuck's eyes glazed over slightly and he turned to signal to the waiter to bring him a drink. Serena noticed his sudden disinterest and swallowed hard, rattling her brain to think of what else she could do to help her friend.
"Blair is known for her amazing parties," the blonde jumped in, encouraging Nate to join her with a quick flash of her stunning eyes in his direction. She sent Chuck her biggest smile, her beauty a hard force to avoid. "It's one of the many talents she possesses."
"And one of the most useful," Nate agreed, Serena sending him a looking of humorous surprise because he couldn't think of anything better to say. She nudged him slightly, Chuck noticing the exchange between the two and trying his best to hide a satisfied smirk.
"Well come on, who doesn't like to party?" Nate replied, trying his best to still the slight look of dissatisfaction that was currently being sent his way from Blair. "Chuck here loves a good party."
"Indeed," the young boy agreed, turning to Nate and nodding his head. "But a dry party is never a good party-"
"-I think I can help you there," Blair smiled, turning on her heel and moving away from him. She stopped in her tracks and turned, sending Chuck a coy smile as she gazed back at him. "If you're game?"
The move surprised Chuck, his eyebrows rising slightly as he looked her over. She was beautiful for sure and her clothing sense and style was impeccable. She was well-bred and she was seemingly at the top of the social ranking at school. Yet the fact that his own mother had sought Blair out to be his chaperone- a word he used lightly because it always made him feel like a child- was cause for concern. Not to mention that he was back in New York City now and he came with baggage.
That baggage could wait one night.
"Sweetheart, I'm always game." He smirked at her then, closing his eyes slightly so that her knees began to wobble slightly under his gaze. "I'm Chuck Bass."
Blair fluttered her eyes at the remark and turned on her heel, all eyes turning to watch as the pair made their way through the moving bodies of the school's student body. Chuck noticed each time Blair sporadically turned around to check if he was still there and it made him laugh a little inside. She was a good little girl, wasn't she? He had to admit, when his father had told him he was to be escorted out the first night at his new school, he was against it. He was more than capable of finding his way throughout the city and doing as he pleased. However, Bart Bass was a tyrant who seemingly didn't care for what his son wanted and so that was that. He could hear his father's voice now, disapproving in its tone as he spoke to him earlier today.
"Don't embarrass me today, son. I don't want to hear that you've pulled any of the same crap that you did last time or I will send you straight back to boarding school. Got it?"
Chuck had merely looked at him and returned to his morning paper, the eggs benedict going cold before him. He didn't care for his father's rules and he didn't care for being set up. Yet when he arrived at Blair's house, he had to admit he was pleasantly surprised. Clearly, she was wealthy. Or at least her parents were. Classics hung from the ceilings, rimmed in gold and depicting various eras. Hell, even the clothing the brunette wore could have been an art form in itself and he was rather fond of fashion. Now he could add excellent taste in liquor as she summoned a girl towards her, the raven-haired beauty smiling cheekily as she looked upon Chuck and handed Blair the tumbler. She turned and held it out to him, a faux-innocent look on her face as she spoke.
"I assume you drink the 1939?"
"Whenever I get the chance," Chuck smiled, bringing the ten thousand dollar whisky to his lips. It sailed down his throat, the smoothest of textures and taking him back to his happy place. He toyed with his glass, his finger dancing around the rim, flowing in circles as he looked at Blair. She was beautiful, there was no denying that – but was she the type to go to the same limit? There was only one way to find out.
"Blair, can I interest you in some fresh air?"
He held his hand to his mouth, pulling his fingers together and mimicking the action of smoking whilst reaching out and gently stroking the flesh of her arm. His touch tingled and Blair stopped in her tracks, round eyes falling slightly as she contemplated his request. He could tell in that instant that she wasn't the type to spark up and he breathed out slowly, nodding his head in understanding as her eyes began to light up with awkwardness.
"Of course," Chuck replied, holding his hands up as he stepped back. "It's not your style. I understand."
"No, I just-" Bair replied, scrambling to find something to say. "I just, um-"
The elevator sounded off in the background, Blair's eyes turning frantically towards the sound. An enthralled and obviously nervous Jenny Humphrey emerged, her large eyes gazing in awe at the penthouse she had just stepped into. She clutched a tiny white purse at her side, her ashy, blonde hair dangling loosely over the pink cardigan she had draped on. Even in flat shoes, she was remarkably tall and incredibly thin. Yet it was obvious that she was different to the people around her. Her clothes were unrecognizable, her floral dress wrapped in a plastic belt at the top off her waist. She was a pretty girl – but she was also clearly not in the same league as those around her.
All except the bumbling boy that stepped out of the elevator behind her, much to Blair's surprise.
"- I have to go deal with that," Blair replied, pointing towards Jenny and Dan as they awkwardly wandered through the crowd of people who stared in confusion at them. She turned before Chuck could reply, striding past Serena and Nate who had found a quiet corner to talk in and right into Jenny's path, her eyes alive with questions that the young blonde knew to expect.
"Why, hello Jenny," Blair spoke sweetly, although her faux-smile demonstrated she was feeling anything but. "What are you doing?"
Jenny stumbled on her words, the notoriety of the girl before her well known and established since kindergarten.
"I'm sorry, I thought you said it was okay that I come-"
"-I remember," Blair cut her off, pursing her lips as she stared at Kenny. "But I don't remember it being a plus-one?"
Dan turned and looked at Blair then, a look of total disinterest and lack of enthusiasm sprayed all across his boyish features. Serena stopped her conversation with Nate and looked up at the trip, curious to see what Blair was doing. She gazed at Dan, an interest piqued as she watched his total lack of fear when speaking to her best friend, a look that was rarely seen on anyone.
"Well our father isn't like the parents of you and all your little friends so he actually cares that his teenage daughter gets home safely."
Jenny nudged her older brother in the ribs in horror, the chocolate-haired scholar flinching slightly at her touch.
"Dan-"
"Oh, you had to be chaperoned by your brother?" Blair smirked, a light scoff escaping her lips as she looked down on them both. It was clear she had a distaste for what was before her and she was making no effort to hide it. Dan recognized the look. He had seen it many times at St Jude's. "That is the lamest thing I've ever heard, Jenny."
Jenny held her tongue and lowered her head slightly, Serena jumping up from her seated position with Nate and floating across the floor to her best friend. She fell in Blair her and gripped onto her forearm, smiling infectiously at Dan who couldn't help but smile back.
"Come on, B." Serena smiled sweetly, pulling her friend on the arm slightly to encourage her. She knew exactly how to defuse this situation and she was going to use every trick she knew. "Jenny worked really hard getting you the information you needed tonight so I think you just focus on the task at hand and leave Jenny to enjoy herself."
"And what about this one," Blair complained, raising her eyebrows as she looked at Dan in distaste. "What am I supposed to do with him?"
"Do with me?" Dan questioned her, looking at Blair with a mixture of confusion and contempt. "I'm not a dog. I won't pee on your sofa or anything-"
"-We can hang out," Serena interrupted, Dan stopping mid-sentence at her rather amazing offer. "I'll be more than happy to get to know um-" She waved her hands and looked at the eldest Humphrey in expectation, Dan clearly his throat and giving her the information she needed.
"Uh, Dan. I'm Dan Humphrey."
"Dan Humphrey," Serena grinned, her perfect teeth glistening as she extended her hand out to him and said his name. "See , we're already friends."
Dan smiled and shook her hand, unaware of the wary pair of eyes that watched them from behind. Serena turned and shooed Blair away, nodding for Jenny to make a quick exit behind them as she turned her attention onto Blair.
"Now go," the beautiful blonde encouraged, pushing her friend backwards slightly to encourage her own retreat. "You've got a Bass to catch." Blair mouthed the word 'thank you' and walked away, her perfectly-designed body weaving its way through the crowd and out of sight. Dan cleared his throat and nodded in Serena's direction, pursing his lips together as awkward held his hands in front of him.
"Thanks for the save," he began, smiling slightly despite the fact that his voice was slightly dismissive. "You can go an enjoy the party now."
Serena smiled in confusion, her wavy, golden locks falling loosely yet in a perfect movement across her creamy shoulders.
"I just mean," Dan stammered, trying to get the words out correctly. It was strange, he'd never had a problem expressing himself before but something about this girl made him incredibly nervous. "You don't have to babysit me tonight. I know we're not friends and I know you were just trying to help my sister out- which I am actually really grateful for because she can succumb to pressure sometimes and I get the feeling that Blair can be quite dominant and I just want to make sure my sister-"
He stopped when he saw Serena smirking at him, clearly trying her best not to laugh.
"-And I'm clearly talking too much," Dan replied, taking a step back and nodding his head in acknowledgement. "Anyway, I'm just saying-"
"Would you like to have a drink with me?" Serena asked suddenly, cutting him short before he could stumble over any more run-on sentences. Dan looked at her in surprise, unsure what to say. He had never spoken to anyone from this social ranking before and he had never felt the need to. The trouble with that logic though, was that it didn't prepare him for a moment like this and because he was unprepared, he remained silent.
And he felt like a prize idiot.
"It's just a drink," Serena smiled, holding her hand out and giggling like a little school girl when he had trouble taking it. She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, pulling the shocked boy towards her so that her lips were at his ear.
"Come on," she whispered, the sweet smell of vanilla filling Dan's senses as her aroma invaded him. "I know where Mrs. Waldorff keeps the good stuff."
And without so much as waiting for a reply, Serena Van Der Woodsen was pulling Dan Humphrey, a social nobody, up the tall flight of stairs that lead to the bedrooms and away from the confused gasps of the crowd, Nate standing to his feet and watching them leave with a look of utter annoyance on his face.
x~X~x
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