When Dorota brings her tea in her room, she is already in bed, covered with the comforter up to her chin.
"Here, a nice tea for calming Miss Blair's nerves. My mother's recipe." – Dorota smiles.
"Dorota" –Blair doesn't even notice the cup of tea that Dorota puts on the night stand.
"Yes, one teaspoon of honey and no lemon" – She smiles.
"No, no…I wanted to ask you a question." –She lifts on her elbows and rests on the headboard. – "I know that you will say all the nice words, but why Serena is always the better one? Why I'm always the unnoticed one? I know I can't compare my look to hers…"
"Miss Blair" –Dorota says it a bit louder and interrupts her. – "I don't want to see you like this. Miss Blair is smart and hardworking and pretty. Miss Blair no compare to Miss Serena"
"Answer me Dorota" –Blair smiles.
"There two types of people. The first type…life serve them with silver spoon. The others…they have to work for everything." – Dorota sits next to her on the bed. – "You Miss Blair must never compare yourself to nobody. I think very wrong that your mother did that too. You are you."
"Dan dates Serena. Again"- Blair sighs.
"Did you tell Mister Lonely Boy who are you?"
"No"
"I say you have to tell him. But if I know anything from working here, that is a good scheme. If Miss Blair can spend more time with him…he will fall in love with her again" – Dorota puts the cup of coffee in her hands. – "And he will remember faster." – The woman winks to her and leaves her alone.
Later in the evening, Chuck calls her. The conversation is dull and none of them tries to make it less boring or meaningful.
"Did Humphrey remember the love of his life?" – He asks.
"Yes, he's with her as a matter of fact" – Blair sighs.
"That was fast" – Chuck mumbles.
"He's with Serena, no need of sarcasm Chuck"
They keep talking and he tells her that he isn't in New York, mentions his crazy intention to bring his father down. Blair hardly listens. All she thinks about is how Serena and Dan are together.
….
Blair disappears. She doesn't call him and practically doesn't go outside in days and focuses on her work. Whenever she wants to check Gossip Girl she closes her lap top, even better, she deletes all the history and forbids herself to even type "Gossip Girl" in the browser. It's better that way she decides.
Serena takes him out for late lunch and although she kissed him several times, Dan isn't sure what is going on. One thing he knows for sure is that he doesn't feel anything for her, and whenever she wants to come over in his loft he finds excuses for her not to come over.
They are eating their food quietly when Serena breaks the silence.
"Is the food ok?" – She asks.
"Yes" – He replies shortly.
"You seem…distant, are you ok?" – Dan puts the fork down.
"I asked Jenny about this Blair girl and she kind of confirmed everything you said" – Serena can't hide her smile.
"Did you try to find her?" – She asks.
"Jenny showed me some pictures she found on the Internet. She has ginger hair and blue eyes…I swear I don't know her" – He gets his fork and continues eating.
Serena realizes that something is wrong in the whole picture. Why would Jenny show him fake pictures and what is she hiding from him. She rushes to find a picture of Blair in her phone but she decides to talk to Jenny first.
They are finishing their dinner and although Serena wants to take him to the movies he says that he wants to go home. When she tries to kiss him he turns his head aside.
"What's wrong?" – Serena asks.
"Nothing, I just…" – Dan steps back. – "I need to be by myself. There are so many confusing things right now…I have to figure out"
"Is this because I told you what happened between you and Blair?" – She asks.
"No…well yes. I mean if I loved her that much just a couple of months ago…"
"I told you that she is with someone else now. She hurt you badly, you almost died because of her"
"Let's put that aside. I really need some time alone Serena. Please don't get me wrong" – He says and leaves, while Serena remains standing on the sidewalk with confused face. When she loses him from her eyesight, she gets her phone and calls Jenny.
"What is going on here? Why did you show him wrong pictures and lied to him that this certain girl was Blair?" – Jenny doesn't reply. – "Jenny!"
"I don't want him to know who she is." – She replies.
"Well he needs to know!" – Serena yells.
"It's better this way Serena. Do you want him to go and find her? Who needs the drama all over again?" – Jenny convinces her.
"This will end sooner or later, Jenny."
"Let's just leave it this way" – Jenny says and hangs up.
Jenny's answers are sincere but they are more helpful for Blair than Serena can ever imagine.
…
It's almost midnight and Blair is resting in bed watching a movie when her phone rings.
"Can you come down please?" –Dan says and she can feel he doesn't sound good. With every phone call or meeting she is on the edge of a break down, not knowing if he remembered everything and how he will react. She always expects him to start yelling or accusing her for lying, but it never happens. She gets out of bed fast, puts on the first coat from her closet, that happens to be a long, black and furry one and she does look like a diva in it. Her conspiracy goes that far that she even told her doorman not to tell Dan that the Waldorfs' are residing in that building. Funny how everyone is cooperating with her, so before Dan calls, the doorman tells him that Miss Carlyle is at home but doesn't let him in.
She sees him, standing alone on the sidewalk and walks towards him slowly. Again her panic prevails and she is ready to take every accusation.
"Are you ok?" –She asks when he glues his eyes on her. She isn't looking perfect, she has no make up on, her hair is simply combed down and her bangs are a bit messy. He steps closer, puts his cold hands on her face and kisses her. It's so sudden and unexpected she forgets to close her eyes and enjoy the kiss. She has forgotten how it felt to be kissed by Dan, and seeing his dark long lashes resting down his eye lids and his calm and content face are waking her butterflies again. She stands stiffed and doesn't kiss him back.
"I'm sorry" – He says quietly, practically in her mouth. She is still staring at him as if he's a miracle. They share another long stare before Dan leaves fast. She remains alone on the street in her pajamas and fur coat, standing on the cold breeze, brushing her fingertips over her lips.
tbc
