Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Author's Note: This is going to be a twist of Little Red Riding Hood…though I suppose Red: Werewolf Hunter has a bit more influence. It will be different because in this world there are three basic fractions, Werewolves, Sorcerers and humans and everyone knows about Werewolves and Sorcerers. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this.
I apologize; I didn't have much time to write over Christmas and this was supposed to go up last week and it totally left my mind. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Sp; supernatural will appear…there's a bit in this chapter…there will be more in this next chapter. I'm glad that I was able to explain the supernatural stuff. Thank you for your review and comments. I enjoy reading them.
Thank everyone for reading and reviewing; I do enjoy reading the reviews!
Control
Jenny walked down the cobbled street glad to be away from the apartment for a bit. After her Father and she had left the city they had traveled to Europe and now were staying in a small city. A big city could cause issues where as a small town would cause problems. And besides for some reason Jenny felt that here was the right place to go. She really didn't understand why but she just felt it in her bones.
She knew her Father was worried about Dan but honestly Jenny wasn't worried. She didn't think he was in a situation where he wouldn't be able to safely get out of it. Had she and her Father stayed there now that would be a different story. To add to the worry he felt for Dan she knew that he was also still feeling Eleanor's death. It was something that she would never, thankfully, have to worry about.
She came upon her destination and entered the small café. It was just perfect here; it was quiet and people generally left her alone. There was one girl that she had befriended and so they would talk when they both were able to. Apparently the girl, Lisette, was being smothered at home and needed freedom. Her Mother was overbearing and protective which felt very much like her current situation.
She quickly spotted the table she frequented and sat down. She took out her journal but before she could open it a young man came up to her and to her surprise he spoke to her in English, "Would you mind if I sat here?"
She looked up at the dark stranger. He had dark hair but light eyes. He looked dangerous and yet at the same time like someone she could trust. Nodding she gestured to the seat, "No one else is so sure."
He smiled at her and sat down. He looked over his shoulder and then back at her, "Am I interrupting anything?"
"I was just sitting and I was going to get something to eat but nothing else."
He gestured to the notebook, "I just wasn't sure if you were in the middle of writing or drawing or…?"
"Oh…no. No. I just took it out to have something to do." Jenny couldn't believe that she just admitted to this handsome stranger that she was pathetic.
Instead of pity or disdain or any of the other looks he could have given her he grinned, "I know exactly how that is."
Feeling a bit more at ease she decided to bring the attention onto him for a bit, "So is there a reason you were so insistent on sitting at a table already occupied?"
"Well I could tell you that I just really enjoy this café and there was nowhere else to sit or I could tell you that I wanted to sit at the table that had the most beautiful girl or I wanted to speak with someone who looked like they might know English."
"I was surprised that you spoke English. But…if it's not those reasons then why?"
He looked over his shoulder again, "I owe some money to a rather large individual and I came in here hoping to lose him…of course upon seeing you in here it has made my decision a good one."
She could feel a slight blush but instead continued the conversation, "you don't have the money to pay him?"
"I'll get it tomorrow. My name's Damien by the way."
"Jenny."
"Nice to meet you Jenny. Just visiting or did you move here?"
"I have moved recently. Not sure if here is more a visit or permanent. You?"
"I moved here a while ago…but I still leave occasionally."
The two continued talking and Jenny found that she was enjoying herself more and more. She took a sip of her drink and then when she placed it on the table she found herself in the dark. She looked around hoping that she would come across something that would be familiar. Moving forward she bumped into something. She started feeling it and figured that it was a chair. As she started to move forward she heard a scream.
All at once light came on around her. Startled she moved against the wall that she quickly located. She appeared to be in a basement. The room was basically empty except for two chairs. Then there was someone walking down the stairs. An older man came into view carrying an unconscious girl. The man wore a dark business suit while the girl wore a dark blue glittering dress with a red choker.
The girl was placed in the chair Jenny had bumped into and then tied in place. The man then sat down in the chair across from her and waited. Jenny had no idea for how long they waited but the girl woke up. She looked around the room and then her eyes fall on the man in front of her. She could sense the fear from the girl but she held her head up.
"Now must you really behave as such?"
"We were having fun together and now here we are and I'm tied up. Explain that."
"You really shouldn't have let me behind you. I saw your mark. I know you're a Huntress."
The girls' eyes widened, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do. I can tell you're lying. You lie about so much so let's get down to it. Where is the head Huntress."
The girl closed her mouth and didn't say anything. Jenny watched as the man took out a knife and began slowly carving into the girl.
"Tell me and I'll stop."
"I tell you, if I knew, and you still won't stop."
He leaned forward and moved the knife down her arm, "You're right, but your death will be quicker."
"I won't talk."
Her screams started when the knife went deep. He moved around causing her to scream more and more her tears long since gone until finally he plunged the knife in her heart and Jenny watched the girl's light disappearing from her eyes.
Jenny felt herself being shaken. Looking around she realized with a start that she was back in the café with a very worried Damien in front of her. She felt her strength leave her as she sighed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm…fine. I'm…I have to go."
She stood up and then immediately sat back down. Damien stood up, "If you need to go, please allow me to get you back to your place."
"I'm fine thanks."
"You can barely stand. Either that or let me call someone for you."
Jenny really didn't feel like having her Father come here so she nodded, "Alright. I need to get home."
Damien nodded and helped her up. Getting all the things he walked her out.
Blair held up another dress and looked in the mirror before putting it away. She knew that she shouldn't be anxious about this dinner tonight and yet she was completely anxious. Not only was she running short on time but she was worried about how things were going to go. She hadn't been able to get him out of her mind ever since that night but she was able to put it relatively out of her mind simply because she didn't know his name and would never see him again.
Now she did know his name.
Charles Bass.
Chuck.
The one who was after her Mother's company.
The one that she knew would go nowhere.
After her 'meeting' with him she had looked him up and berated herself for not doing it before. She could have saved herself so much had she known who he was. Though considering he would only talk with a face to face she still would have had to meet with him sooner rather than later. It was not something she wanted to deal with.
She remembered that night.
Very clearly.
And truth be told even though she was still reeling from the aftermath of her Mother's death there was something…magnetic about him. She had felt drawn to him. And being in that office with him she felt the pull stronger. She wouldn't deny that he was attractive. She wouldn't deny that he was intelligent. But it wasn't as though he was a white knight. And after reading up on him she discovered that he was more a dark prince.
Shaking her head she looked at the dress again.
"That's a great dress."
Blair turned around and smiled, "Serena! I'm so glad you're here. You can help me out."
Serena gave Blair a hug and then went and sat on her bed, "What do you need help with?"
Blair set the dress down and then went and sat on the bed with Serena. She was very glad that they were both at ease and their friendship seemed to flourish even though they had only physically seen each other so many times since Blair's return. And though she did feel comfortable she didn't feel as though she was comfortable enough to talk about him directly especially after finding out that Chuck was Serena's new step brother.
"I have a meeting tonight with someone who, in the way he said things, seems as though he wants it to be a date. However it is a meeting for work."
"So you need a dress that says as such."
"Correct."
Serena stood up and picked up the dress Blair had been holding for a minute before placing it back in the closet, "Definitely not that one." She began shuffling through the clothes before she stopped on one, "How about this one?"
Blair looked at it. It was a black dress that definitely said business and it fell to just below her knees. She could wear her hair up and it would definitely look like business attire. She nodded, "That's perfect."
"Great! So is it tonight?"
"Yes and I'm running out of time. Did you come over for something specific? Not that I'm not happy to see you that is."
"I did actually. My Mom wanted to know if you'll come over for brunch Sunday."
"Sure. Of course I can."
"Great…cause I think she already has it planned out."
Blair nodded, "Of course she does."
She pulled on the dress and looked in the mirror; the dress was business but elegant just something she appreciated wearing. Serena got up off the bed and went into the closet and rummaged around a bit, "We're definitely going to have to go shopping more."
Blair laughed, "I know. My clothes are a bit on the low side. I suppose that's what happens when you live in a small town."
The blonde paired out a pair of black shoes and handed them to her, "This will go well together. And how about you spend the night before brunch and then after brunch we go shopping!"
Smiling Blair nodded, "That sounds wonderful." She couldn't help all the excitement she felt. It had been a long time since she had a friend who was a girl and she kept being reminded at how wonderful it was and how much she missed even though she had Dan's friendship.
Blair looked over at the time and realized that soon enough he was going to be here. She looked at her friend and realized that either Serena was going to find out now or she could talk to her later about it. Sighing she knew what she was going to do, "Serena, as much as I love having you here would you mind making yourself scarce? I just…I already asked Dan to stay in his room and well…I need to be strong and for that I need for him not to have another opening."
"Alright, though I'm not really sure why seeing me here would be a problem."
"There are a few reasons. One that I will share with you right now and that is I don't want him to think of this as a date and if seeing a friend is over her helping me get ready he might assume more than he has."
"Fine. Though I think I'll go say hi to Dan while I'm here. I'll wait to make sure you're gone before leaving."
"Thank you." Blair watched as her friend left the room. She knew that Dan used to have a crush on Serena, and still might, and Serena…she seemed intrigued by him when Blair had brought him up again and who knew what would happen from that. Before she could fathom any further she heard the ding of the bell and went downstairs.
Chuck entered the room as if he owned it. This annoyed Blair but instead of letting it show she just made herself confidently move over to him. He smirked, "Eager are we?"
"Yes; I'm eager to get my Mother's business back on track and nothing more."
His eyes flashed so quickly that she wasn't even sure if she saw it. Nodding he gestured forward and together they headed out to his limo.
After saying good bye to Blair Serena went to Dan's room. She stood for a minute thinking about the last time she had seen Dan. They were both young and Blair and he were leaving. She didn't know where they were going only that Eleanor had said it was to help Blair become what she was always meant to be. Dan had always been sweet to her and she would occasionally ask Blair how he was. She was curious as to how he turned out. She pulled herself from her thoughts and knocked on the door. She waited until she heard a 'come in' before she opened the door and slowly stepped in, "Dan?"
The dark haired young man stepped out of the closet with an armful of books, "Serena?"
"You remember me?"
He moved to the desk and set the books down, "Of course I remember you." He closed his eyes, "I mean…you're Blair's friend…how could I not?"
"Right," Serena looked around the room and noticed that there were many books in piles all over, "so are you researching something?"
"What?" He looked to the books, "Oh…no…well…yes…I mean it's all just…so is Blair still here?"
"No. I think she just left. She didn't want him to see me and think she had been readying for a date or anything."
"That's probably a good thing. He's causing her too much trouble even if she won't admit it."
"I have no doubt that Blair will come out on top. I don't think there's any that can stand against her."
Well apparently this guy wants to."
Serena shrugged, "So…have you eaten dinner yet?"
"I have something in the fridge that I was going to eat."
Serena nodded realizing that he probably just wanted to be left alone. She took a step back, "Alright I'll just be leaving then."
"Wait!"
She turned back and waited while he set down a book that he was holding, "do you want to stay and eat dinner? We can talk some more?"
"What about your maybe research?"
He smiled, "I think it needs a break. I need a break."
She smiled, "A break it is."
Blair looked around the restaurant which was definitely something she approved of. She hadn't been eating in anything close to this type of establishment for years since she and Dan have been hidden away in a small town. She remembered going to places like this before when they had lived in big cities. Dan was fine with the small town but he didn't mind this kind of a life. This was the life Blair liked. She remembered it and was content to be back here.
Her eyes fell on the man sitting in front of her who was currently leaning back in his chair just watching her. He had escorted her out to his limo and helped her in and then helped her out and escorted her to the table. He was behaving like a perfect gentleman which was something she was quite certain he was not. Had he done all this to impress her? Did he think that she would just so very willingly sign over the papers to her Mother's company simply because of this?
Blair watched his face and the slight smirk that was on his face and she realized that he did not. He did not come here because he thought she would sign over her Mother's company. No. He came here because this was foreplay to the deal he still intended to make with her.
The waiter came up and poured them some of the champagne that he had ordered when they sat down. Blair smoothed down her skirt and sat up just a bit straighter. If anything the deal would end up being the same one. She needed to get things taken care of in order to keep her Mother's company going and he knew that. Right now she had certain individuals going through other ways to get things down that she needed to, such as getting the material from somewhere else. The stores were a different matter entirely.
"We've not even had dinner and already business is on your mind?"
Blair looked at him, "Is this not a business dinner?"
"Business dinners don't have to be completely formal now do they?"
"I think that's the very point of a business dinner."
He leaned forward, "Perhaps this is a bit more."
Since they had already ordered there wasn't much to do but sit and talk. And it seemed as though he was trying not to talk about the business. Blair frowned slightly, "Perhaps this is you trying to avoid the topic of business because you know you're going to lose."
He smirked, "I never lose."
"Neither do I."
They remained quiet only watching each other. Blair was unsure how exactly they were going to move forward. If he wasn't going to give in and she wasn't going to give in then how could they go forward? Unless…unless perhaps she was able to maneuver him into giving her what she wanted. She might be able to do that. A sigh nearly escaped her lips as she realized that wasn't the case with him. He was sure to spot it. Though he appeared more laid back than she it did not mean he was that way. In fact she would venture from the way he had even gotten her here that he was very smart and cunning.
So then perhaps this would have to be played differently than when she had interacted with others. She wasn't too worried, after all a little challenge was something that everyone needed in their life and if overcoming Chuck was something she had to deal with then she did. She would be over him and could get him out of her life. But as Blair looked into his eyes she knew there was a part of her that did not want him out of her life. Shoving that part down she knew that it was irrational and she needed to ignore it.
"Why don't you tell me what it is you want," Chuck gestured with his hand.
Taking a breath Blair began, "first the deal was already in place; the company is still there. Second it was a good deal, beneficial on both parts. Third businesses do not lightly take back deals. And fourth business men don't back out of a deal without at least first consulting the other party. Therefore the deal should remain the same."
Chuck stared at her silently for a minute. He then leaned a bit back, "The company is still there but the management is different. How am I to know if the new management is up to standard as the old one?" Blair bristled at the implication but did not interrupt as she was sure he thought she would. He minutely nodded and continued, "It was beneficial on both parts but things change. Times change and different things matter more than they did previously. There is nothing to say that this was done lightly…nor nothing to say that it wasn't. You only have to know that there has been some time since Eleanor's death and in that time much could have been considered."
She waited while the waiter came and placed their plates down in front of them and once he was out of sight again she looked back at Chuck, "So nothing to say on that last statement?"
"Perhaps a message should have been sent to your office. But I believed a face to face was necessary."
"Then make an appointment like anyone else."
"I'm not just anyone else. I'm Chuck Bass."
Blair inhaled slowly and took a sip hoping that would give her some time before she replied in a way that her Mother would not have approved. She set her glass back on the table, "I know that it was you who tried to buy my company."
He shrugged, "It was me. I made an offer to Humphrey in hopes of getting your company. I was not the only one there to buy that day if you recall."
"No but you were the most persistent. That also tells me that this whole negating the current deal is just because you didn't win and could not buy the company." A flash of irritation in his eyes was all that told Blair she had been correct. Before he could say anything else she leaned forward, "Surely there has to be something that we can agree to where we both would be satisfied?"
A smirk appeared as he leaned forward and she felt his foot brush against hers. She stiffened her resolve and waited for him to speak. His eyes roamed over her face and she began to wonder what he could come up with before he leaned back, "Perhaps we could."
Swallowing Blair nodded, "You have an idea?"
"Well perhaps I shall give up holding the stores from selling your items."
"And the materials?"
"We'll leave that up for negotiation for a while."
"How are the clothes to be made with no material?"
"I'm sure you already figured that part out and have worked or are working on other avenues. And while through my companies would be the best choice you could definitely come with a good back up."
"I can sell the clothing again in the stores for the same price as before?"
"Yes."
Blair tried to understand what he was getting from the deal. After all her Mother had in place the deal with the stores and the materials and while she could get the materials elsewhere the stores were what was needed right now. Unless…she raised an eyebrow, "What do you want from me? I will not…" she paused and looked around the restaurant to make sure no one was nearby and then leaned forward, "sleep with you if that's what you want."
"Although I do want you in my bed again...or your bed, I'm not picky, that is not what I was thinking of."
"Then what?"
"Every week we have a dinner, such as this."
"Is this because you think that you'll have a say in my business?"
"I'm merely suggesting that seeing as I do not have the same confidence in you as Eleanor that I should night lightly follow along when you could fail."
"I don't fail."
"Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. And if I see that you are meeting the bar like Eleanor or even raising above it then we shall go from there."
Blair thought through the different options and saw that he had come up with a fair enough deal but she still couldn't see what it was that he was gaining from all this and that was something that she didn't like. The thing was that Blair knew she could do well. In fact she would succeed and he would see that he shouldn't have even tried to bother her. She looked him in the eye, "Very well but I do not think every week is necessary. Perhaps just a meeting in my office or yours will suffice."
Chuck looked at Blair intently for a couple of minutes before he leaned forward to answer, "Alright. I can agree to that."
After their agreement they had finished their meal. Though Chuck had tried to get her to talk about herself she had remained with one word answers. She didn't want to give him any more ammo to use against her. Perhaps she would have to talk to Serena to find out more about him; though it wasn't something that she relished if it meant coming out on top then that's what she would do.
They made it back to his limo and after the driver shut the door Chuck looked over at her, "So shall we go to my place?"
"This was a business meeting. I don't mix business with my personal life."
"Or pleasure? I'm sure you would find it very satisfying."
His hand was on the seat in between their bodies so that his finger was touching her thigh. Slowly he began to make small strokes with it. Blair inhaled sharply at the heat that began spreading through her. She knew that she should move away but if she did then he would know with a certainty that she was affected by him and he would win. She needed to maintain a control over herself.
As she glanced out of the corner of her eye she realized that he was sitting there as though nothing extraordinary was going on. And she wondered how much it affected him. It was true that he said he wanted her again but did he want her in order to gain her company or to show that he was in charge? What was it that he was playing at? She was not fond of the way that he was able to completely invade her mind and senses and yet at the same time it felt absolutely wonderful and she would be lying to herself if she said otherwise.
"Where to Mr. Bass?"
Before Chuck could say anything Blair spoke up, "where you picked me up. I have much to do in the morning and therefore cannot possibly continue this night."
She could tell the driver was hesitant until Chuck nodded and he began driving closing the divide between the front and the back making the area that she was at much more quiet and Chuck's presence much more pronounced. Chuck then moved his fingers up and down her leg and she was quite glad that she had worn her tights because it was another barrier.
She looked at the window and figured that it wouldn't take too long to get back home and all she had to do was hold him off until then. She looked back to him when he began talking, "So I shall see you at your office next week?"
"Yes. That sounds good. Business is the best laid plan for this."
His fingers stopped moving and he moved to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. Leaning forward her whispered, "For now perhaps but I'm sure that won't last."
"My resolve is quite stronger than you seem to think so."
He moved back and seemed to study her for a bit before replying, "Maybe or maybe it's just as I imagined it."
Before she could even think about if he was insulting or complimenting her, the limo stopped. With a glance out the window she realized they were back, "That's my exit and here's where the night ends."
The door opened and Chuck moved out and helped Blair out. Once she was standing he pulled her closer to him, "Business it is." Blair nodded and turned and walked to the door but not before she heard him add on, "for now."
Once inside the elevator she breathed a huge sigh of relief. That was definitely one of the hardest dinners she would imagine having to go through. Chuck was clearly trying to seduce her into giving him her Mother's company. It would have been easier to push him away had she never been with him. If she hadn't known his company, not just intimately but simply in his presence; without that it would have been easier. Blair knew that Chuck was intelligent, now she knew he was a business man and understood deals and the like. He hadn't come into his office by chance. He was also calculating, weighing every option before taking the next move. He was charming. He was attractive more so than she had ever felt in her life.
There was also a comfort with being in his company. It was as though she belonged there. Shaking her head she knew that she needed to reign in her thoughts on him and leave them locked away. Her first attention was to her Mother's company and she would not let him win that in any way. She would find the way to get the materials. She could do many things and she would show him that she was not beneath him but much higher.
She was Blair Waldorf.
She was the Huntress.
She would not take anything from anyone.
She would win.
