Title: Two Beautiful Strangers
Chapter 8
Author: Ellibells
Summary: Chuck Bass is a womanizer, Blair Waldorf is a powerful women. When two complete strangers meet in a bar, it can surely only be the buzz of alcohol that causes the tingling sensation when they touch? AU. Chuck and Blair have never met. T rated initially but will turn into an M in future chapters. Happy Ending.
A/N: Guys! You are still with me! Thank you for everyone who gave in to my demands and reviewed without fail! Mwahaha! I must stress though! Reviews let writers know that people are enjoying it! It's useless otherwise! Love you all! Eek! So much so that I am updating with a long chapter…bit more action coming…stay tuned!
GG TOMORROW! OMFG! I think it's true to say we have been waiting so long for this! Can't believe it has been 99 episodes so far! 5 years…wow! It's like a relationship we have going and I wouldn't honestly trade it for the world…even when the writers are being shitty but I want and do believe Chuck and Blair will always be destined for great things together! Only time will tell I guess! *squeals!*
*deep breath* Enjoy this and thank you! :D
Disclaimer: I don't own GG unfortunately for me :)
The tears clung to her eyes as she dropped the file dead on floor. Trailing her body to the window she had found him stood at only moments ago, she looked out of the window.
She saw him go; still not looking back he slipped into his sleek back limo as Blair felt her breath hitch as she held to her now shaking body. She began cry. It was as if he had just walked away with a bit of her heart.
When he was out of sight, she stiffened up, wiping the tears that had stained her cheeks and walked away.
xoxo
For the rest of her weekend, Blair had debated whether to seek him out and give back what he had given to her.
With all the will she had, she wanted to read every ounce of the folder, to spite him and discover every dark secret he ever kept, but she couldn't.
She buried the folder deep into the back of her wardrobe, hoping the image of him would fade but when it did, she pined for it more than she knew she wished to.
The regret of denying what happened that night was eating away at her and as much as she lied to him and to herself, the way he held her, the way he looked at her, no one else compared.
Her phone rang, snapping Blair from her reverie. She looked up to see Laurel waiting expectantly.
"Your mother is on line two." Laurel called with a pleasant smile before Blair nodded and went to pick up the phone.
"Mother, how are you, Cyrus?" Blair answered the phone sweetly, for once actually wanting to speak to her mother.
"Blair, Darling! We are great as usual. How are you?" Eleanor exchanged, Blair almost feeling warmth in her voice after not hearing it for so long.
"I'm good. But why are you ringing? Did your flight get in early-" She frowned, wondering why she was calling when she should have been on her way from Paris as they spoke. Glancing at the clock on her desk just to be sure.
"There has been a crisis here so I've had to cancel my visit. I'm ringing to let you know I am obviously unable to make it home and I need you to do me a huge favour", Eleanor explained.
"What's the crisis that is so important you can't come home and see your daughter?" Blair asked, somewhat upset at the news.
It had been almost four months since she had seen her mother and Cyrus.
Since they had moved full time to Paris, home felt empty and most of the time, Blair found herself eating alone and having no one but Serena and Dorota to amuse her. She wouldn't admit it to her mother, but she missed her more than she cared to imagine.
"Material mishaps and my creative director decided that during preparation for fall that she would resign- I've been left in the lurch!" she exaggerated dramatically.
"I am sorry, Darling, but I will make sure I take time out in a few weeks to visit." she promised as Blair took a mental note to organise some time off.
"What's the favour?"
"I was supposed to be attending the New York Charity Gala tomorrow but I can't make it and wondered if you and darling Serena would go on my behalf?" she asked politely.
"I'm sure that won't be a problem. Who's hosting it this year?" Blair asked, half expecting it to be the same, old money business as it was every year.
"Bass Industries-"
The moment the words echoed in her ear, Blair felt herself panic. She couldn't turn up to his event, it would look intended; she couldn't put herself in such a vulnerable situation. Not after what had happened, especially.
"Blair- are you still there?" Eleanor called after getting no reply.
"Erm- yeah, sorry. What were you saying?"
"As I was saying...you do remember Bart Bass? Well his son now runs the company and since Bart and I were old acquaintances, I felt it important that we make an effort to attend."
Just as Blair was about to pick a panicked excuse, Eleanor cut in.
"I knew I could depend on you, Sweetheart. I have to dash. I will forward you the details and send my love to Serena and Dorota!" she chirped, not giving Blair chance to even wish her goodbye before the long distance line went dead.
"Goodbye, Mother..." the brunette muttered as she sunk back into her seat.
"Motherchucker."
"Who was that?" Serena stepped into the office a few moments later with a skip in her step.
"My mother. Why are you so happy? And so late?" Blair eyed suspiciously as Serena grinned wildly.
"Nothing! I'm just happy! And well... Nate and I may have decided to make things official...!" Serena cooed as she shyly confessed.
A few moments of jealousy shot through Blair's chest but from the look on her best friends face, she allowed the feeling to pass and a little happiness seep through her interior.
Blair stood and met the blonde in a hug, congratulating her courteously like a best friend should.
Serena recognised the over exaggerated happiness in her friend but chose to ignore it, knowing full well that if she approached the situation it would only come back and bite her in the arse.
"What did Eleanor say? Isn't she supposed to be on her way here?" S frowned and waited for an explanation.
"Fashion crisis. She wants us to fill in for her at the Charity Gala tomorrow."
"Oh, Nate already asked me but absolutely. Any excuse to buy a new dress!" she laughed excitedly as Blair contemplated what came next.
"You do know it's a Bass Industries function-" Serena began before being interrupted by the presence of an unwelcome visitor.
"Ladies! Good morning to you too!" Carter welcomed as he sauntered into the office.
"Who let you in?" Blair shot, shaking her head at his audacity to turn up uninvited on most occasions but thankful of his timing; she wasn't in the mood for Chuck Bass lecture from the loved-up blonde.
"Your lovely assistant...I think she's called Laura?..." he smirked.
"Laurel. What do you want Carter?" Serena demanded with crossed arms.
"Can't a guy just pop in to see an old acquaintance or two without reason other than wanting to catch up?" he mused as Blair studied him, the wheels moving in her head.
"You always have a reason, Carter. You're like a rodent." Serena smirked at her own comeback while Carter laughed lightly at her efforts.
"I was just in the city and thought I'd see how my favourite girls are...I overheard something about a gala? Anything I can do?" he smiled optimistically as the pair looked on skeptically.
"No-" S was about to announced before she was cut off by Blair's hand in gesture.
"Actually...I need a date. Tomorrow, pick me up at seven. Don't be late and wear a black tie." she told him.
"Not what I expected but I can agree to those conditions. Anything for Queenie..." Carter winked.
"Feel free to leave. Now."
And with a flick of the wrist she dismissed him to the dismay of her best friend as she shook her head in disagreement.
"I'll be there." Carter smirked before leaving quietly while Serena stood in silence scrutinising Blair.
"What?" Blair shot, knowing exactly what S wanted to say but devising better ideas of tomorrow in her mind.
Serena merely shook her head with raised eyebrows.
"Carter? Of all people you could have picked, you chose Carter?" she announced rhetorically as she walked through the arch to her desk.
Blair smiled in satisfaction and called out behind her.
"It's Monday. Tell Zoeey I expect those ideas by noon!" she echoed with a smirk as S muttered something back.
xoxo
"Are you nearly ready Nathaniel?" Chuck called from his place next to the bar where he nursed a scotch.
"I thought we were meeting you there?" Nate called back, stepping into the room dressed in a grey suit with matching tie.
"I decided to hold back. Besides... the dreary conversations with people I am suppose to remember seems far to much effort when I could be sat enjoying a scotch and the sickly sweet image of you and Serena cooing all over each other." he answered gingerly.
"How sentimental, I've never seen this side of you..." Nate added sarcastically, titling his head with a cute smile.
"...refreshing!" he chirped which allowed Chuck to smirk and down his scotch before he joined Nate with a smack against the shoulder before leading him to the elevator.
"Shut up." he sniggered as the doors of the elevator closed.
xoxo
"Can I ask you not to draw attention to yourself tonight? I'm here on behalf of my mother." Blair shot suspiciously at Carter who sat politely next to her in the town car.
"Why did you ask me to be your date?" he asked, ignoring her previous statement.
"I needed a date." she replied bluntly.
"I don't know who you think you're fooling but I know Blair Waldorf and she never needs a date to prove to a room full of people that she deserves to be there."
"Why did you come back, Carter?" Blair casually changed the subject.
"Who's the guy?" he cut in, not allowing her to change where their conversation was going.
"Why does there need to be a guy involved! Maybe I just wanted a date for once!" she shouted, surprising Carter a little.
"Blair Waldorf never needs or wants a date! If you want me to be your jealousy toy, I'd love to play with you." he grinned with raise eyebrows.
"I don't need a toy."
"...and even if it kills me, Carter, I will find out why you came back. S may think this is an unpleasant coincidence but I know better." she finished as the car stopped and she helped herself out. Anticipation started to build as she thought of him.
xoxo
"Mr and Mrs Walters. Always a pleasure. I hope you're enjoying the evening so far?" Chuck greeted as he was approached by the elderly couple with smiles and all.
Even the buzz of having a little too much scotch before he made it to the event, Chuck still managed to hold himself reputable as he blathered his way through the evening. It truly was a boring state of affairs when the only vaguely interested interaction he had had was with the attractive female bartender only moments earlier; almost throwing herself at him the moment she clapped eyes on him.
"Mr Bass! How could we not! It's always a pleasant event when organised by Bass Industries. Your father certainly would be proud. We've been hearing great things from the board." The older gentleman babbled while Chuck nodded with as much enthusiasm and politeness he could muster.
"It's very kind of you to say so-" Chuck responded nicely as he drew his eyes around the room only to but stunted when his sight landed on a beauty wearing a rich teal chiffon gown, the only woman in the room that mattered.
"Sorry. I hate to interrupt but I just realised I need to inform security of a few arrangements. I hope you continue to have a good night." Chuck said abruptly as the couple looked at him in slight surprise.
"No, of course not. Please do carry on. Have a good night yourself, Mr Bass. We hope to see you again soon." Mr Walters agreed with a quick handshake before him and his wife watched the young Bass depart.
As Chuck walked away from the couple, his eyes stayed fixated on Blair and almost tempted himself to approach her but he stopped himself when he saw a gentleman join her; his hands claiming her waist, almost too comfortably for Chuck's liking as he watched from afar.
He felt a burning urge to go right up to him and pull her away. He looked up from her waist to see the man's face. An all too familiar face.
"What the hell is Carter Baizen doing here?" Chuck rasped, approaching Nate from behind as he stood near the bar with Serena.
"Baizen's here?" Nate turned in question, scanning the room for some sort of evidence.
"Wait. How do you two know Carter?" Serena cut in, confused as to why Carter was so familiar with the two men.
"Boarding school. For a few months at least...until he disappeared. Not to mention the dealing he had with Bass..." Nate explained vaguely as he eventually spotted the suspect.
"How do you know Carter?" Nate frowned back.
"Childhood. Our parents run in the same circles. Him and Blair dated for a while..." S added innocently as Chuck's sight quickly shot to the blonde's.
"How long is a while?"
"A year...not that it's any of your interest..." The blonde smirked as she saw Chuck grow more uncomfortable by the second.
Just as Nate was about to say something, Chuck slipped back into the crowd and even as Nate called in protest he didn't answer.
"What sort of dealing did Carter have with Chuck?..." Serena dared to ask but Nate only shook his head.
"We should stay out of this." he finished, pulling her away from any temptation to intervene.
xoxo
She could feel him watching her from afar and part of her was thrilled. Those deep knowing eyes seeking her.
She couldn't help it but she hated the fact that Carter persisted to place his grubby hands on her waist. She was Blair Waldorf for goodness sake, not an animal that needed to be pawed.
Even though she failed to admit it, she knew Carter was aware there was a man involved and although it thrilled her to know Chuck was watching her with agitation, she still didn't appreciate the petting.
"Would you excuse us, Lily. I think I just saw Serena." Blair addressed her best friend's mother with a pleasant kiss of the cheek.
"Not at all, Sweetie. You go. Carter." the older blonde nodded with uncertainty.
"Likewise, Lily. Always a pleasure." he grinned before he had chance to say much more and Blair was dragging away, out into a deserted corridor.
"Someone's keen..." he slurred, following the brunette into the lonely corridor.
He followed them. Little to Blair's awareness, he watched from a dark corner.
It had been far too long, he thought with a smirk as he let Blair push him in the chest.
"What the hell was that? I didn't ask you here so you could publicly grope and pet me!" she shot, slapping him in the chest but as she did, he caught her wrist.
"You were hardly resistant. Don't you remember how much fun we used to have." he laughed lightly as he spun so she was now with her back to the wall.
"Used to. Past tense, Carter. I'm pretty sure I made it clear that I regretted every once of our past." She spat, pushing him away.
"Now, now. Why else would you invite me tonight?Missed the good old days?..."
The corner of his mouth quirked as he watched her squirm.
"Why did you come back?"
"I have unfinished business...a score that needs settling." Carter drawled as she eased a little.
"Well I no longer need your help. You're free to leave me alone. S and I have no further interest in why you came back." she summed, pushing passed him but only to be caught by the wrists.
"I've seen him looking all evening... Chuck Bass? Seriously Blair?..." he whispered into her ear so only she could hear; watching from the corner of his eye as he sought out the dark haired man around the corner.
"I have no idea who you are talking about!" Blair burst, attempting to release herself.
"I think you do. Use me, Blair. Haven't you heard about the Notorious Chuck Bass? He loves using people." he stirred into her ear once more.
"What are you talking about?"
"Pristine, Queen B... tease. No wonder he's on for the chase..." he smirked, knowing exactly how to press her buttons.
His lips padded against her cheek bone and she let him. That was all.
The thought of his hands on her made her want to shriek. Since Chuck, since that night, all she was able to think about was how he had compared to anything she had ever known.
Maybe if she closed her eyes she would feel some sort of safety, like he was there. But when she felt tainted, unfamiliar hands creep to her clad waist, she clenched her jaw. Her eyes shooting open.
"Get off me, Carter!" she almost yelled in disgust. This time with a struggle as his lips reached her chin before everything was a blur.
She hadn't even meant to sound so panicked but she couldn't bear other hands tainting her body so she pushed back and before she knew it, all Blair was able to make out was a flurry of suits and Carter eventually slumped against the opposite wall.
"Get the fuck away from her!" she heard a voice yell.
Then she saw the anger in those lonely eyes.
"Chuck!" she screamed, hitting him away from his victim as Carter swallowed hard, blood dripping from his lip as he slumped against the wall.
"What the hell are you doing?" she shouted, hitting again with a shove for good measure.
As her hands collided with his soft but broad chest, her memory flashed back to the weeks before. God she wanted to hold him.
Snapping herself back up, she confirmed everything in her mind. He was still who he was, a liar.
"Saving you from this- this piece of shit." He justified, rubbing his fist.
"How courageous, Chuckie!" Carter cut in sindely, smirking as he wiped his lip and managing to straighten himself.
"You know him?"
"Unfortunately..." he spat, straightening his suit.
"Why am I not even surprised..." she uttered before shooting a death glare at Carter.
"Carter, leave. I will give you five seconds before I scream for security." Blair ripped back, with a stern pointed index finger and demand.
Carter laughed darkly as he watched them.
"You should know what you're getting yourself into, Blair. And Chuck…I'm sure we'll be bumping into each other very soon..." he sniggered as he disappeared away from the pair.
"Fuck you." he spat.
"I don't need saving for anyone. Least of all Carter." She spun on her heels and attempted to leave but only for his firm hand to grab her arm, spinning her back to him, nearly tumbling into his chest as her whole body shook from his warm touch.
"Why did you bring him here?" he accused, not letting go of her arm just yet.
"I came on behalf of my mother and I certainly don't have to justify myself to a stranger." She snap back, shrugging out of his hold.
"I'm not a stranger, Blair-"
"Then who the hell are you!" She cried.
"You wanted jealously. You've got it." He confessed, keeping her gaze.
"I don't want anything from you! You have no right. A folder of your sordid little life doesn't substitute a relationship. You don't know me and you certainly have no right to be jealous of whom i'm with. Goodbye Chuck." She saw the hurt in his eyes but moved anyway.
The words still hadn't hit her properly. Maybe if they had, she would have stayed right there.
"You think I have issues. Take a long look in the mirror." He called which only made her freeze and turn to see his back.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"That as much as you want to believe that we mean nothing and what happened was a mistake, you're wrong." He forced, turning slightly so he could see the fear in her eyes.
"It was just sex! A one night stand. A stupid misjudgment." She uttered, her breathing becoming somewhat laboured as she saw his nostrils flair with anger, knowing she had hit a nerve.
"If you truly mean that, why are you finding it so hard to lie?" he pressed, watching her chest rise and fall in her dress.
"I have no reason to lie."
"Then why isn't your mouth matching your eyes?..."
"Don't think you can psycho-analyse me! You don't know me! Don't delude yourself into thinking that folder means anything!" she balled.
"I wouldn't know what you're talking about since I never read it. I wanted you, not a piece of paper." He snapped back, catching her unsure gaze but she said nothing.
"You may think that I'm the only 'lost lamb' but I see it in your eyes. You're shit scared. Someone wants you for you and you're scared."
"I'm Blair Waldorf. Not someone's possession! You're the weak one! The coward." She brimmed, tears rimming her eyes as he stepped closer.
"I'm weak?" He sniggered. "You can keep pushing people away but I won't stop... this smoke screen, I know better." He muttered with a heavy swallow.
"What do you want from me? I didn't ask for this…" She begged, feeling herself becoming weaker with each word, with each blink of her pure brown eyes.
"I want you…all of you…" he whispered as he reached for her, but when he did, she bit her lip and sunk away from him again.
The way the words dripped from his lips, the pure honesty in his eyes and body language. She felt and bleieved every word. She panicked. Not like this. Not again.
"I can't do this-" she whimpered almost as his hand lightly brushed her hot cheek.
"You will never have me." She struggled to bite out, casting the stray tear away as she ran. Ran from him… that lonely man stood in the empty corridor and herself.
A/N: Feel free to slap or throw things at me! I know this was an abrupt ending but good things come to those who wait! I know this is a bit depressing with all the anticipation for Monday but I have hope! Chair love guys!
Please don't hesitate to tell me what you thought; any thoughts, feeling, threats are always welcome and I love you all! You read, you review, and you make me happy! :D If you trust me, stay with me!
Sara – I didn't want criers' last chapter! Ok…maybe I did a little but i'm so happy it had an impact on you! Thank you for reading and I hope you liked this one too :)
Edlover – Yeah! Glad you liked what I did with the ending last chapter. Blair isn't at a place right now where she can give in to this stranger. She's scared for all the right reasons and materialistic forgiveness wasn't an option for B. Hope you enjoyed more Carter and I am also longing to see what happens tomorrow! A little apprehensive…ok a lot! Ahaha! Thank you for all your amazing reviews! Can't wait to hear your reaction for this chapter! :D
bfan – Yay! for sticking in there! Haha! Hope you enjoyed the update! Let me know :)
johanna – New readers are always welcome here! So happy you like it! :D
Kels – I would love more than anything for a quick reunion but I hope this chapter didn't disappoint! We are getting there slowly but surely! If it helps…I can confirm that I have written the near ending to this and it full or beautiful words! :D Forgive me? Thank you for always reading :)
Grace – Tomorrow arrived! Yeah! I hope this chapter was a good read! Can't wait to hear what you thought and thank you for reading and reviewing :D
Gellergreen – I think Chuck will always be a bit insecure about his emotions and even in season 5, the poor guy doesn't know whether he is coming or going but I am so happy you are enjoying what I am doing with this story and that you liked this chapter! :) look forward to your review!
