7: Inconvenient Truth

Abby was late for lunch with Chuck and she knew it; that is if Chuck considered midday lunch... maybe he thought mid-afternoon was lunch; she hadn't bothered to ask him.

To make matters worse; the elevator was out of order; so Abby had to walk up the stairs. A lot of stairs. She'd always considered herself a person in good shape, she played tennis and baseball for her school back in Memphis, but that hike up the staircase really pushed her to her limits. She was sweating, panting and her muscles were screaming at her when she finally reached the penthouse floor. Thankful she always carried a bottle of water in her handbag; she took a long drink and caught her breath before letting herself in. The door led down a hall to another door; one which Abby had a key for, so she silently entered the apartment desperate to flop onto the couch or her bed.

"I expect her home shortly..."

Chuck's voice was low, and it made Abby stop in her tracks. She felt like she was overhearing something private; and didn't want to barge in.

"She's not what I expected. And I doubt she'll ever be back to the city." He sighed. "But it was father's wishes, and I have to follow them to the letter or I don't get to keep the company."

Abby's brow furrowed in confusion, her brain whirling a million miles an hour; what the hell was he talking about?

"No, she' hasn't asked for anything." He laughed lightly. "I almost believe her innocence; but anyone with ties to Evelyn has to have an agenda, but at this point I don't much care for what it is."

Agenda? Abby couldn't stand Evelyn! What did he think; she was a mole working for their estranged birth mother?

"The Gossip Girl blasts are getting to her, Jack, I'm seeing to that."

Not wanting to hear anymore, Abby reopened the door and slammed it shut, trying to make it seem like she had just come bursting in. By the time she walked into the living room, Chuck was off the phone and gesturing to a table covered in lavish food and drink. There were at least half a dozen types of pastries, fresh fruit, a green salad and a tray of luncheon meats.

"Hungry?" Chuck said with a smile that Abby could tell was a fake.

"Starved." She grinned back with a smile just as false.

xxx

Abby didn't know what to do. Was Chuck the one behind all these Gossip Girl notes about her? Was he pushing her away? And if so, why? Why bother contacting her at all? Surely he could have just pretended she didn't exist... but what he'd said about keeping the company... maybe there was some clause that said he had to meet Abby before he could take over the reins of Bass Industries.

After their lavish lunch filled with small-talk where Abby basically just chatted about Ezza and Robbie, she was holed up in her guest room pacing back and forth. She was thankful she'd brought her own laptop with her, because now she was paranoid about everything in Chuck's house. Maybe his computer was wired to track websites so he could trace her every move... man, why did he have to be creepy as well as a stranger? She sent an email to her mother, full of smiling emoticons and happy words, not wanting to let on that something was awry, but she wanted to talk to somebody, but whom? She hardly knew anyone in the city, and everyone she did know was somehow connected to Chuck.

Maybe it was best just to play along for the rest of the week, be the sweet girl from Memphis and then just go back to her life with her family... on the other hand, how dare he suggest she had an agenda? Had she asked him for anything since she'd been here? All she wanted to know was information about her father; yet somehow in his head he'd invented this story where she was completely against him.

Who could she talk to? Dan would be good; but she didn't have his phone number, and she didn't feel comfortable asking Serena for it... Serena? Perhaps... they'd had a great first meeting... but what if she was 'in' on whatever Chuck was planning, and divulging what she'd heard would just get back to Chuck somehow?

The only person she could think of to contact was the easiest one to find a phone number for. Chuck had address books all over the apartment, and there was only one Nate that she could find. She added the number into her cell and told Chuck she was headed out for more sightseeing. He was head deep in paperwork at the coffee table and didn't even really seem to register what she said; but he did wave goodbye. Well, he raised one finger off of the pen in his hand in her direction.

Abby wandered for awhile until she found her way to the Guggenheim museum. It was there that she phoned Nate and asked him to meet her. She was eying a strange sculpture of a donkey when Nate found her; and they retreated to a quiet section of the museum with comfortable couches. The need to actually sit and stare at art never really made sense to Abby; but the chairs were always comfy.

"So, what's up?" Nate asked.

"I think I have a problem, and I think you're the only one who can help me." Abby said. "I mean, I don't think I need help exactly but... I dunno..."

"Chuck's done something." Nate stated.

Abby sighed and then relayed the conversation she'd overheard. "I don't even know who this Jack is." She finished.

"Chuck's Uncle – your Uncle, too, I guess." Nate explained. "Not a great guy, a lot like Bart but more money-hungry, desperate to take over Bass Industries; he was so cut when Bart's left the bulk of it to Chuck. He almost gave it away, too, until he let Lily be his guardian; then he got to keep it all."

"Why does he think I want any of it?" Abby asked.

Nate shrugged. "Most people who come into Chuck's life have an ulterior motive. Money, status, revenge," He sighed. "He's not used to honest people, he pushes them away."

"Should I do anything?" Abby wondered out loud. "I mean... I'm guessing telling him I don't want anything from him will be what he's expecting..."

"Look, I've known Chuck forever. So I know right now, dealing with his dad's death and all, he's not thinking clearly. I mean, this actually sounds like vintage Chuck," He laughed a little. "But he won't listen to reason."

Abby huffed and sank back into the comfy couch. "All I wanted was to find out about my family. Honestly."

Nate fell back into the couch with her. "I believe you. And the truth is; you're a full-blooded Bass. So technically you should be entitled to at least the knowledge of your family."

Abby made a face. "I have no idea how to do that."

"What did your father's will say?"

"I dunno, a bunch of legal crap that made no sense. But I didn't really read it that well; I was kinda shell-shocked by the whole 'you have a twin brother whose rich' thing."

"You should go over it with a lawyer." Nate suggested. "I know a guy who owes me a favour."

Abby gave him a strange look. "You'd help me?"

Nate frowned. "You asked for my help."

Abby smiled. "Serena said you were a good guy," She slapped him on the knee. "I guess she was right."

xxx

Sidney Vartan, Nate's lawyer buddy, was very helpful and friendly, completely unlike any lawyer Abby had met in her life. Granted; she hadn't met that many. But he was able to take her through Bart's will without being condescending or making her feel like an idiot for not understanding what was written in there.

"It's quite a convoluted will," Sidney mused as he flipped through the papers. "Bart was a very influential man; and his assets are highly coveted."

"Look, I don't care." Abby cut in. "I really don't. I don't need money. I don't want part of the business. I don't want anything except information. I just found out that a whole city knows more about my birth family than I do." She laughed dryly. "I don't even know where my father is buried, my mother changes her name so she can't be found and my newfound twin brother thinks I'm out to get him – so far my family isn't coming off so great."

Sidney smiled at her. "Well, information is something you are entitled to. As a full blooded Bass you are privy to all the information that Charles is; including what's in the safety deposit box."

Abby gave him a puzzled expression. "Safety deposit box?" This was the first she'd heard of it.

"Yes," Sidney scanned one of the last pages of the will. "It's actually written here that you and you alone are entitled to its contents." He looked up to Abby. "I take it you didn't know about it."

"No, I did not." Abby replied curtly, because she was quite sure Chuck knew about it. He had good lawyers and had the will long before she had. "Where is it?"

"It's lined out here..." Sidney highlighted a portion of the will with a fluoro yellow pen and handed it over to her. "Just show them the birth certificates, adoption papers, and the will and they should allow you to open it. I'll call ahead and tell them to expect you," He took one of his business cards from the holder on his desk and handed it over to Abby. "Show them this."

Abby wasn't sure what to say, but she was glad she'd let Nate sit in on the meeting with her because he took over, thanking Sidney for his help, and gathering up Abby's paperwork for her as they exited his office and went back out onto the street. Feeling lightheaded, Abby sat on the nearest park bench and tried to catch her breath; she hadn't realized she was hyper-ventilating until then.

"I'm sorry," Nate said, putting a hand on her back as she breathed slowly in and out. "I guess you didn't expect to find out anymore secrets."

Abby could feel tears welling in her eyes, but she blinked them back. "I have had just about enough of the surprises." She said, annoyed that her voice was shaking.

Nate let out slow breath. "Look, I know where this place is," He was talking about the safety deposit box. "I could come with you tomorrow if you want?"

Abby smiled at him. "Thank you, but I think I should do it alone." She took another deep breath and got to her feet. "Thank you so much for helping me today, with everything. All this lawyer stuff," She shook her head. "I still won't be able to get my head around it."

Nate smiled warmly. "Happy to help. Do you need a lift home?"

"No, I can walk. I actually like walking through the city; it's a hell of a lot more interesting than back home."

"Ok, well, don't hesitate to call me if you need anything else." He squeezed her shoulder and then turned and walked away in the opposite direction. "Oh, and by the way?" He turned back to her. "Serena would be able to help you, too." He smiled as he backed away. "She's never been on Chuck's side."

Abby understood what he was saying, and smiled gratefully as he turned back around and walked off. She would ask Serena for help. Tomorrow. Right now; all she wanted to do was sleep.

xxx

Chuck's penchant for not being home, or at least not being around when Abby arrived, was working to her advantage; she didn't have to put on happy-go-lucky grin and fake-smile her way through chit-chat. Although now that she had overheard that phone conversation and knew Chuck was keeping things from her, Abby found herself wondering if the reason Chuck was gone all the time was because he wanted to keep away from her, because he really did believe she had an agenda and wanted to get back at him.

For the first time since she'd arrived, when Abby checked Gossip Girl she didn't see any pictures of herself or even a mention of her. She had half-expected to see both pictures of her with Nate and Dan and some story about a brewing love triangle, or at least her confrontation with Blair. But there was nothing, a note about Blair's mother's upcoming fashion show and the notable guests who would be attending; but nothing relating to Abby.

It hit her quickly; but it was the kind of thing that once she'd realized it, she knew it was right. All the Gossip Girl blasts about her had been sent by Chuck. They had to be. Every meeting she'd had with someone from Chuck's world, himself, Serena, Lily, had been documented; but her meetings with Dan, Nate and Blair had gone unnoticed. If this Gossip Girl was so interested in Abby; she'd have people following her or something, especially if she was seen rendezvousing with regulars from the blog; but the posts were limited to the few meetings Abby had had with socialites that she'd told Chuck about. He was the 'source' to Gossip Girl about her. Or he was sending information through someone else.

He really didn't trust her.

xxx