Dan's POV:
Fucking GG. The moment I landed back in the city, there were pictures of me all over her site. She even created a combined Dan and Blair spotted map, so people could know at all times how far away from each other we were. How thoughtful, saving UES the time of one more mouse click.
Everytime I set foot onto Manhattan my phone blew up. –and not because of GG blasts, I of course disabled them, but because of people who had posted my phone number on the freakin comments page. Strangers actually had the nerve of contacting me and asking if I was looking for Blair. One of the calls I got was from one of the girls whom had once approached Serena and I in the park years ago. I know this because she actually introduced her as "the mini-blair of my junior year" and proceeded to tell me how inadequate I was. Clearly she had now completed her development into a full Blair, bitch and all.
As I was considering entering the nearest Verizon store and changing my number, Alessandra called me "Dan, I just submitted your new novel for review, the board's gonna love it. Trust me, it's gonna be a hit. However in order to make sure that there are no surprises I think you should come with me tomorrow night to a charity event the board is hosting. Its gonna be a nice quiet scene, all you have to do is chat them up a bit and then all will be settled and…"
I knew something was up the moment she kept going on and on, rambling about how great it was going to be and how excited she was "Alessandra, whats going on? And don't tell me nothing, you're rambling and overly justifying; what is it?
"Well Dan, its co hosted by the newly reunited Basses. Now I know it's not the best working circumstances but you're going to have to see Blair sooner or later and remember if you want the proper amount of publicity and the board's approval for your book you have to attend."
"Hell fucking No"
"Now Dan just hear me out ok? this is the best way to get the board on your side. Introducing them to the living version of your characters, giving them even more insight into the dynamics of the UES, they are going to love it. I promise, you don't have to be there for long. When I spoke to Mrs. Bass earlier when finalizing the event's details, she personally asked for you to be there. Obviously whatever issues she has with your father have not been transferred onto you."
"Alessandra, have you ever heard of a little thing called loyalty, and besides that I don't want to be in a 10 miles radius of Chuck and Blair"
"Dan firstly, this isn't an issue about loyalty, it's an issue of the Basses have great influence with the publishing review board, she hasn't yet transferred her issues with your father onto you, we have to keep it that way. We don't want her badmouthing you at the event because you unintentionally insulted her by not appearing. As for being in a 10 miles radius of Blair and Chuck, I'm not even sure they will be in attendance. Last I heard Bass jr. wasn't exactly on speaking terms with his father. Listen we'll go there for an hour tops then we can leave"
"Wow, you really have thought of everything haven't you. I guess you can rejoice in leaving me with no choice really"
Dan could hear Alessandra squealing on the other end "yes Dan thank you, trust me it will be well worth it, I'll send a car at 7 to pick you up. See you later and wear your Armani"
To say my day up to that point was shit was fair, but then it got a thousand times worse.
I felt like I was to forever be trapped with these people. No matter how long I stayed away, no matter how hard I tried to avoid the UES somewhere somehow they always managed to find their way back into my life. There was no escaping.
The day of the charity event went as well as I had expected. I mean I got about an hour of sleep the night before which is an hour more than I had hoped. The anticipation of seeing Blair was eating at me, my every thought was consumed by her. I kept picturing different scenarios of how our reunion would go. The best ones were her begging me to take her back in front of Chuck, telling me how much of a mistake she made, how she would do anything for me, that we should move to Canada together…yes clearly that was never going to happen. Even though these were my deepest desires, I still feel like that shouldn't be enough. She can't just assume that apologizing would make up for everything. Furthermore, I can't be pathetic enough to allow her that. I promise, I would hate myself if I ever let her off the hook that easily.
The car promptly picked me up at seven and we arrived at the Empire at 8 after having made a detour to pick Alessandra up. I made a beeline for the bar. I decided that I'd rather talk with the "help" until I was forced to network. The bar tenders were pretty cool. They were all college students trying to make money on the side in order to pay off their student loans. I downed one scotch off the bat and ordered another one. I wasn't planning on drinking this one that quickly, the first one was just to take the edge off. This one was more of a buffer. This way if people asked me if I wanted to share a drink with them, I could easily answer "maybe next one" with a fake smile.
No members of the board were there yet. Chuck and Jack made what I presume was a surprise appearance considering Bart's reaction around 8:30. Blair was still nowhere to be seen. I knew Nate wasn't coming because he was still out of town and oddly enough I saw Damien talking to a couple of suits around 8:30. I have no idea what he's still doing around.
Around 8:50 I caught a glimpse of Blair. She was across the room with Chuck and Jack. I have no idea when she arrived. She was being driven across the room by Chuck's expert hand on her lower back. The sudden urge to kick the shit of him came back in full force. She looked absolutely miserable, but that was probably just my wishful thinking. Why would she go back to Chuck if it were to be unhappy?
At that point I had to divert my eyes cause I knew she was about to look my way. She was scanning the room and her head was quickly turning in my direction. I quickly downed the rest of my second scotch and called one of the bar tenders over for another one. two in one hour wasn't that bad.
Alessandra came to me at that point and started escorting me around the room, introducing me to Mr. and Mrs. so and so. At one point I caught a glimpse of Blair walking quickly out on to the balcony. She had tears in her eyes. I was about to throw all my resolutions away and go to her but was stopped by Alessandra who pointed to Bart who was headed in my direction. Chuck was with Jack nearby.
I could tell by the look in Chuck's eye that he had seen what I was about to do. He was daring me to make my next move. Unfortunately our little staring contest was cut short as Bart starting making small talk with Alessandra and then with me. He went on and on about how great of a cause this was all for and then said how happy he was that we could attend. He pulled Alessandra in for a kiss on the cheek and then he pulled me in for a manly hug. As he was pulling away, he softly said in my ear "tell your father that Lily and I send our regards and hope he will soon be able to find employment. Have him call me if he needs any help. Just please tell him no groveling." He then graciously blessed me with the famous Bass smirk.
Unfuckingbelievable. He actually started laughing at the expression on my face.
Chuck chose that brilliant moment to come up to me. He proceeded to say hello to Alessandra then told me that he was surprised to see me there. "I didn't think you could maintain a social calendar considering how poorly the Humphreys keep track of their affairs… and women. Maybe you came here to ask for some tips on how to network and satisfy a woman"
Next thing I knew Chuck was on the floor and Bart was on the receiving end of my fist. Security quickly grabbed me and Chuck as he was readily back on his feet and ready to brawl. I was furious. Fucking security threw me on my face next to the dumpster out back and Chuck whom had followed proceeded to jump on me.
Amidst the chaos, I could hear Blair's voice begging us to stop. I have no idea when she arrived on the scene. Damien was there too laughing. Blair's voice just made me even more determined to hurt Chuck and I could tell it was impacting him in the same way. The source of both our misery. I landed one good punch and turned to Blair. The look on her face was heartbreaking but I covered it up by laughing maniacally. This night had turned better than expected.
Chuck and I were soon separated. Blair was already gone at that point. Damien also gave me his number and told me that whenever I was looking to have a good time or if I was looking for a new crowd I should just shoot him a text.
I dismissed him with a roll of my eyes.
As I was getting ready to go to bed, I noticed blood all over my face. I was unrecognizable. The entire night made me absolutely ashamed of myself.
The urge to call Blair that night was the greatest it had been so we had broken up. I threw my phone into the toilet and drank everything I could find around the loft in order to dull any feelings in me.
Next chapter Dan and Blair are finally reunited : ) please review!
