Guys your reviews are making me so happy! I'm so glad you've all stuck with me with this story and I hope the final reveal of Chuck's business deal lives up to expectations.
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Six on the second hand till new year's resolutions
There's just no question what this man should do
Take all the time lost, all the days that I cost
Take what I took and give it back to you
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Blair stepped out of her hotel dressed adorably in a floral Dior sundress and matching T-bar heels. She lowered her oversized sunglasses to get a closer look at the skank who was talking to Chuck Bass a few meters away by his limo. He, of course, looked ravishing with slightly rumpled hair contrasting his slick pinstriped suit and red bowtie. She however looked like a cut price call girl in a skin tight midi dress and platform heels which were so not appropriate for the busy Parisian morning.
"Blair!" Drat, he'd seen her. Chuck's face broke into a gleeful smile and he sauntered in her direction, pressing a kiss of greeting on her forehead. His eyes traced a line down her body, "You look, well, I'm lost for words."
She flashed a smile to hide her contempt, staring past him at the girl. Blair allowed Chuck to take her hand and pull her reluctantly over to the waiting limo, where the call girl was stood simpering.
"This is Marie Durand," Chuck introduce, gesturing to his guest. Blair forced another smile. He shot her a knowing look, "My estate agent here in Paris."
Blair let out a slight sigh of relief. She still didn't like Marie but at least she was business, and not pleasure.
"Ah, so nice of you to help my boyfriend with his latest business venture," Blair complimented forcefully, making sure the word boyfriend was the focal point of her utterance.
The girl bared her white teeth in response.
Blair directed her gaze back on Chuck, raising an eyebrow, "You're taking me to see property for our date?"
He laughed, "Very special property." Blair didn't like the look he shared with Miss Durand, it was too familiar for comfort.
The three of them stepped into the limo, Marie sat alone on the larger sideways seat whilst Blair cosied up to Chuck in a dominative fashion. Skank. Her hand slid torturously slowly down Chuck's arm, toying with his fingers for a moment before resting on his upper thigh. Marie huffed and looked out the tinted window.
Chuck leaned in so his mouth was next to Blair's ear, "Calm down. I only want you."
Blair felt elated and her hand continued its travels along Chuck's lap, now for his enjoyment rather than supremacy over Marie. Chuck caught her wrist quickly however, lacing their fingers together and pulling them to rest on the leather seat in a move which clearly said not now.
"Is this a hotel?" Blair asked impatiently, unable to bear the tension in the limo. Chuck had a nervous edge to his composure that morning which was quite unlike him. Since when was R rated PDA in front of strangers not his idea of a good time?
He shook his head, smiling a little.
"An office block? A shopping mall?" She continued, her eyes flickering to the beautiful French architecture outside. Her tone turned whiny, "Surprises clash horribly with my control freak image."
"I know Blair, I know," Chuck patted her chestnut curls in an attempt to appease the impatience in her eyes, "You'll see in just a moment."
Blair growled a little under her breath. Being the last to know something really grated on her, surely Chuck knew that? Her mother, the mysterious person on the phone, now even this skanky estate agent knew what was going on. Queen B was not impressed.
But soon enough they pulled up outside a sun drenched apartment block. In typical French style the building was spattered with artistic evergreen ivy and bountiful window boxed filled each ledge. It was pretty, but the whole building still seemed in order; there was no for sale sign and residents were milling around the doorman operated front door.
"We're here?" Blair questioned, as the limo door was opened by Chuck's driver. She slid out quickly so she could stare up at the whitewashed building. It definitely wasn't typical Bass Industries, it was only 5 or 6 stories high and appeared to just be an ordinary apartment block.
Chuck followed her out of the car, tailed by the estate agent. "It's on the top floor." He informed her, allowing the estate agent to lead them into the bright, airy lobby. They walked hand in hand behind her, Blair looking around with interest at the high calibre of residents. She felt like she was in the French version of the Upper East Side.
The penthouse apartment was just as lovely, if not more, than the rest of the building. With high ceilings and the best quality furnishings it reminded her of an apartment from old movies, it really was beautiful.
"Wow," Blair murmured. She released Chuck's hand so she could wander around, noting the large master bedroom, gleaming bathroom and spotless kitchen. It was as if it had been renovated in exactly her expensive taste.
Chuck watched her with an odd expression, smiling nervously. He stepped up behind her so he could pull her back into his arms and mutter, "You like it?"
She nodded happily, leaning back into his embrace. He pressed a kiss onto her temple and released her so she could continue to look around.
Chuck turned slightly to dismiss the estate agent with a little wave. Blair watched with a frown.
"You're allowed in here alone?"
"I'm Chuck Bass," He countered, with a smirk. Then he ran a hand through his already messy hair, "And I own the place."
Her brows furrowed but she didn't question him. Why would he pretend the whole way here that this was just an apartment viewing? Something wasn't adding up.
"What business does Bass Industries have with a little apartment in Paris?" Blair asked, walking out on to the sun drenched patio. She was surrounded by bright flowers of all colours, the most prominent species being peonies. A view of the Eiffel tower and the rest of Paris peaked over the high bushes, gleaming in bright technicolour.
Chuck's voice drifted out behind her "It doesn't."
Blair didn't turn around but leant down to smell at one of the flowers. The patio relaxed her, she felt at home. His vague words only just managed to distract her from the chirping of songbirds, drinking from an ivory birdfeeder in the centre of the bushes.
"It's where I'd like us to spend our honeymoon."
Relaxation was gone. Her entire body froze up, standing stock still with her back to Chuck. Blair had to remind herself to breath; in and out, in and out. Slowly she reanimated her body, turning slowly towards the cause of her shock. Knelt on one knee was the great Chuck Bass; a smile on his face and a small, velvet box in his hand.
"Blair Cornelia Waldorf, will you marry me?"
His voice was quiet, nervous even. Blair could tell he didn't feel completely comfortable balancing on one knee in such a precarious condition.
Her automatic response was joy. Joy that she, Blair Waldorf, was the one to tame Chuck Bass. All she'd ever wanted was a sign he loved her and only wanted her for the rest of his life, and here her sign was; down on one knee.
But then indignation, did he really think they were ready for marriage? They'd failed so terribly at a functioning relationship for god's sake, no way could they deal with the next level.
But she didn't want to lose him. The look on Chuck's face was so vulnerable, so loving. She knew she wanted to look at that face and that face only for the rest of her life. Blair knew that Chuck was the only person she wanted, forever, and saying yes would be almost assuring that.
It was too much, way, way too much. The presumption that she'd say yes so easily and agree to their honeymoon destination all in the same moment, it was so naïve and so Chuck. Had he ever even been told no before, for anything? She couldn't do it. She couldn't give in.
"Chuck," She breathed, her head tipping to the side sympathetically. Just say it. Blair watched as Chuck's nervous smile wavered, he'd obviously been expecting tears of joy and maybe even some screaming. She couldn't give him the satisfaction. "I just-"
"Don't say no," He ordered, desperation all over his face. Chuck slowly rose from his bended knee onto only slightly more steady legs.
Blair sighed, running a shaking hand through her hair. She wasn't sure what to do.
"Please." His voice broke on the word. Chuck Bass begging for her, this was something Blair could get used to.
"I can't say yes," She whispered, reaching out a hand to cup his cheek. His breath hitched and she broke, "But I can't say no, either."
A stalemate fell over them. Blair wanted nothing more than to scream out yes, yes! To fall into his arms and live out their happily ever after as reigning monarchs of the Upper East Side.
But then again she wanted his comeuppance. She hadn't forgiven and she certainly hadn't forgotten everything he'd put her through. One amazing date and a diamond ring wasn't about to make up for months of torment and hurt.
Blair took a deep breath and pulled Chuck to his feet by his free hand. She looked down, "I love you." Blair's voice shook, "I do. And there's nothing more I want than to spend the rest of my days with you by my side."
Slowly Chuck's' expression filled with dread, he was just waiting for the inevitable but to crop up.
"The last few days have been perfect. Wonderful. They reminded me why I fell for you, why I've fought for so long and so hard." She sighed, "But I can't marry you."
A single tear slipped onto Chuck's cheek.
"I can't just forget everything just like that. You hurt me so much and I am beginning to forgive you, I really am Chuck." Blair's hand cupped his face softly and she wiped away the tear, holding back her own which were threatening to fall. "It's just going to take time, that's all."
Chuck nodded resignedly, his head beginning to droop in her embrace. Slowly he closed the box with a dull clunk, but her pale hand stopped him. She opened it again and admired the ring for a moment, before pulling it out of its velvet embrace.
"Aren't you saying no?" He choked out, his eyes feverish on the ring between Blair's fingers.
She didn't respond. Determinedly she undid the clasp on the diamond necklace around her neck and slid the ring onto it, it falling into place in the centre. Blair looked up finally, smiling despite her teary gaze, "Ask me again tomorrow."
Hope shone from Chuck's hazel depths. Blair turned and he reached out to fasten the necklace back where it belonged. He kissed the back of her neck softly.
"So," Chuck's low voice was full of concern, "What are we?"
Blair choked out a tearful laugh. He sounded like a thirteen year old girl, "We're Chuck and Blair." She responded firmly, turning to face him. "As long as we're together we're as strong as we can be,"
He nodded and allowed her to kiss him softly. Chuck felt something like pain in his heart region, but a glimmer of hope kept him warm. He still had his Blair and she had his Harry Winston engagement ring hanging around her neck. Things were on their way to being perfect.
Blair gasped suddenly, "Is this what you were talking to my mother about?"
Chuck laughed, a real laugh that broke through his hazy, resigned front. He smiled, "And your father."
She narrowed her eyes "He was the one on the other end of the phone! You asked for permission?" Her gaze softened and she felt warmed from the inside out.
Chuck pulled her in for a hug, inhaling her scent contently. He savoured the feeling of her small hands on his neck and her body flush against his, ready to spend his life fighting for her whether they were betrothed or not.
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All this time we were waiting for each other
All this time I was waiting for you
We got all these words, can't waste them on another
So I'm straight in a straight line running back to you
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Oh Chuck, so presumptuous. Will these two ever get a proper proposal? Will Blair ever forgive Chuck's sins?
As always, let me know what you think :)
