CHAPTER 11

Ring Of Fire

''Winston'' she said with eyes transfixed on sparkling mass in left hand. The diamonds were rich and glossy. A hand that mastered them lined them up in in such fashion that it looked like raindrops caught in motion. They were larger near the end and framed with tiny rubies.

On the other hand was thin golden chain with diamond flower resting in the depth between collarbones. It was delicate and minimalistic. It went along with every outfit, refreshing it in it's unique way. Blair cocked her head, ''Or Cartier?''

''Both''

''Cartier''

''Winston'' her minions replied at the same time, bickering under their breaths.

''This is useless'' she sighed, putting necklaces back in velvet boxes. Her dress once again flew to the floor, dropping with a soft plop on the carpet. Dorota was quick behind her to pick it up, for the umpteenth time that afternoon. ''There will be thousands of paparazzi. It is essential I look my prime.''

''B'' Paige cooed with wide eyes, ''but you always look the best.''

''I know'' she sighed, spraying some Chanel behind ears, the sweet taste of creme brulee still on her buds. Lunch with Adrian was surprisingly pleasant. That is, if she forgot Mother hanging over her head with a sharp knife. Not admitting it out loud, she actually did want to know more about him. His background was still questionable, his character undecided. Blair had a need to store people into neat little personality boxes. But that boy kept so much to himself it was baffling.

She browsed the dresses on freshly arrived rack. A dull pain was throbbing in her shoulders, reminder of this morning. Kiyomi didn't finish her job. Blair will have to appoint another meeting, this time making sure nobody intrudes.

''I heard Chuck Bass is coming to the show'' Penelope said, her voice seemingly bored. She was flipping the pages of magazine, but her eyes ever so often flickered towards Blair.

Blair gave away nothing. She continued to dress, perfectly calm, despite the warm tornado in stomach. The memory of him touching her most private parts flashed in her mind. It was only this morning, if she let her mind wander, Blair could vividly recall the sensation of his hands on her tender skin. She could almost feel his gaze on her as she dropped the towel and revealed everything. A blush spread over her cheeks. ''That's impossible. Show was over-booked three months ago.''

''Maybe someone canceled-''

''Doesn't matter. Max&Co have their own long unique list. You can't just give the ticket to whoever you want. It's not a rodeo show. And trust me, Chuck Bass is nowhere on that list.''

She was sure because Blair payed an expert to breach into Max&Co system and make her a copy of it.

''To him it is the rodeo show'' Iz joked. ''If you know what I mean.''

Everyone snickered loudly at Chuck's promiscuity and his well-known thing for models. Blair somehow couldn't bring herself to laugh about this. She sensed a roll of thunder in her chest. As Blair was putting on black mid-calf sleeveless dress with golden embroidery, her hands shook. It was trembling so hard she had a hard time zipping it up. An urge to burn Iz alive overwhelmed her entire being. Dorota was silently dusting in the corner. Nobody noticed it but the maid who quickly came to rescue. She took off Blair's small hands from the zipper and pulled it up.

''Be calm, Miss Blair'' she whispered in her ear. ''We made sure he cause no trouble today. The limo is waiting for you downstairs.''

Blair nodded silently, not bothering to correct Dorota. It wasn't his presence that was disturbing her mind so much, it was something else... Not having time to dwell on the lurking darkness inside, it disappeared as quickly as it came.


She stepped out of limo gracefully, her mind clear of all worries. Blair gathered the dress in both her fists and walked across the red carpet to the entrance. Her minions followed in taxi, scurrying around behind her, making sure she stayed flawless. Photographers didn't know her name, but they shouted for her to pause anyway. She didn't. Superstars don't pause for anyone. Blair lifted her chin up and walked with straight shoulders, sharply looking at camera here and there. There was a sense of glamour about her, a glow in her eyes that made everyone turn their heads.

Her feet halted in front of the bouncer in suit that politely asked her name. It was a formality, his pen was already set on the paper list the moment he saw her.

''Blair Waldorf.''

The bouncer nodded, lowering his pen over the list in quick motion. He paused, narrowing his eyes and repeated the action again. ''I'm sorry, Miss. You're not on the list.''

''What do you mean?'' she snapped. There was a row of people behind her, waiting for their turn to enter. Her minions curiously strained their necks from the crowd to see what was happening. ''I was invited personally.''

''Then there should be no problem, Miss. Just give me your invitation ticket, please.''

Blair's voice went up an octave. ''I don't have it with me. It's in my apartment. ''

''I'm sorry. I can't let you in. Next-''

''No!'' she commanded, getting nervous. There was a whole bunch of dressed up impatient people behind her and they were all staring. ''I promise I'll have my maid bring you the ticket and you can kick me out later if she doesn't.''

''Miss'' the bouncer said coldly, his patience was running short. ''Have your maid bring it and then I'll let you in.''

Blair huffed, opening the purse. A bundle of green paper caught her attention. She reached for it slowly and discreetly offered to him, looking around innocently.

''Miss?'' he asked with raised eyebrow. ''What are you doing?''

''Nobody needs to know anything'' she whispered conspiratorially.

''I'm going to have to ask you to step away.''

Blair groaned in frustration. There had to be a way to get in. She couldn't risk being late. ''Snickers bar?'' she asked in last attempt.

''Trying to bribe him with Snickers bar?''

The voice was like a cold splash of water over her face. Blair slowly turned around, swallowing hard. Chuck arrived, freshly shaved and in pristine navy suit with bordeaux bow-tie. His eyes were dark as night, his voice more cold and less amusing. A pain in her shoulder seemed to increase with the stress.

''What are you doing here?'' she spoke through gritted teeth.

''Just came to scout fresh faces. I heard about these new Russian models. Bet they can handle vodka really well.''

''Don't bullshit me, Bass. I know you weren't on the list.''

''Oh'' he smiled wickedly. ''But wasn't I?''

He approached closer to the bouncer and in the way brushed shoulder with hers. An electric shock ran through Blair's body and she quickly took a step back. Chuck paused for a nanosecond and continued forward to the bouncer, retrieving something out of his pocket.

''Name?'' he asked him, already bored with the show.

''Bass, Chuck Bass.'' As he spoke, his hand transferred something out of his pocket to the doorman's list. In that moment, it was as if world slowed down. Blair's sight seemed to sharpen and zoom on the tiniest purple stain. It was a print of her own personal stamp that accidentally caught the edge of the ticket, weeks ago.

He stole her ticket. That motherchucker stole her ticket.

Her manicured hands quickly clawed out towards it, a gruesome growl escaping her throat. Her head was swimming in fever, her chest full of rage. The pain in shoulders was easily ignored with the help of madness that took over body. She was fast, but Chuck was faster. His reflex was pristine, swatting her hand away as if it were a mere straw. Blair never made it closer, a bouncer lifted her off the floor and carried away from the entrance.

''Enough with you drama, Miss'' he said. ''Go back to your street fashion blog.''

''But that's my ticket'' she struggled .

Propped up on bouncer's shoulder, rocking left and right as he took heavy steps, Blair met Chuck's eyes.

''I'll kill you'' she screeched. ''You stole my ticket! I'll kill you, Bass! You hear me? I'll kill you!''

He responded with a devilish smirk. His hands retrieved another thing from the pocket. His cellphone. Chuck lifted it and a flash blinded her eyes. It happened few times. That idiot had the nerve to take pictures of her in this state. She fidgeted under strong bouncer's grip.

''Let me go!''

He surprisingly did as she commanded, throwing her on the floor of back alley. She was going to land upright, but the shoe caught the edge of her dress and she slipped with a yelp.

''Don't let me see you cause any more trouble.'' With that, he left.

Blair considered staying on the ground for some time, but this dress was too expensive to be cleaning the dirt of the streets. As she was getting up, her minions approached. Their faces seemed shocked and flabbergasted, but Blair knew better. They were enjoying this.

''Help me get up'' she ordered.

Paige's hand quickly shot out. Blair took it and searing pain went through her shoulder. She cried out.

''Are you okay?'' Iz asked with frown on her face.

''What happened out there?'' Penelope interrupted.

''Basstard. He stole my ticket.''

Everyone gasped and few mouthed profanities.

''What are you going to do now?'' Their eyes widened expectantly. She had to do something. She was Queen B.

''Someone give me their phone.''

Blair dialed Serena's number from Yuki's phone. She was bound to be inside, they'd let her in if Serena asked. Unfortunately, call went straight to voice mail.

''No answer'' she whispered defeated. She tried again, but with the same results every time. After a while, Blair dialed new number. Dorota's voice was heard on the other line.

''Miss Blair, is everything okay?''

''No'' her voice trembled. ''Call Kiyomi. I'll be home in 10.''

She hung up immediately.

''I'm going home'' Blair declared, rubbing her temple.

''What about Bass?'' Penelope pointed out. ''He can't just walk out of this.''

''He won't'' she snapped. ''Meet me at the Genius tonight, I'll take care of it.''

Chuck was definitely going to be at the Genius. He overheard her today when she was inviting Serena. Probably the time he stole her ticket. Probably when she was lying asleep on the chair.

She knew him well enough, he wouldn't miss a chance to come and gloat.


The pain in her shoulders was getting worse. It now spread out, spilling over her chest. Blair exited the elevator and into the penthouse with eerily calm face.

Dorota opened her mouth to say something, but she held up a hand to stop her from talking. The maid grew silent and fixed eyes on her. Blair approached the window, opened it up and threw out her phone with such force she surprised herself. It flew into the wall of nearby building and smashed in several pieces.

''Fix it'' she gritted through her teeth. ''Fix it, make the pictures disappear. I don't care how much it will cost, I don't care what it takes. Bribe every editor in town.''

''I did Miss Blair'' maid answered nervously. ''Only Gossip Girl and few others refuse to take them down. She say she frame them over fireplace.''

Blair angrily threw her purse on the table. She groaned in frustration. She didn't even arrive home when every online tabloid had pictures of her being thrown out of the show. Surprisingly enough, they were all matching with Chuck's pictures. There was no doubt, he sent them himself.

She headed towards her room to switch into robe. The pain in her upper body was getting harder to ignore. ''Let me know when Kiyomi arrives.''

Dotora stuttered awkwardly, something that made Blair pause.

''Kiyomi not answer her phone.''

''Try harder.''

''I did, it say number not exist. That's why I got you appointment at the spa in no time. I pulled some connections, it's private-''

''I don't care how you sold one of your cousins for this, just get me my Chanel bag while I dress.''

The spa indeed was private. It was secluded, hidden in one of the town houses. There was no name sign, not a thing that would give out it's purpose. The entrance was small door that led into the long dimly lit hall. At the end of the hall were another bigger doors made of hard steel. Next to it was small desk with pretty looking receptionist with a Betty name tag. She was very polite and offered a drink to await her before massage.

Blair refused and gave her name for god know's what time that day. Betty smiled at her and typed something into her computer that made doors open. It was strange how silently they opened considering their size and weight.

She entered the grand luxurious lobby. Unlike the hall, the light was bright here. The room was red and gold, with Roman and Greek statues scattered around. Walls were decorated with expensive looking pictures that looked too real to be fake. On every corner was a handful of bodyguards. They were dressed in suits with earpieces in their ears, tracking every movement in the room. Was president staying over?

A girl of Blair's age, dressed in red scrubs with black lining, approached her. The uniform looked slick on her, except the poking box in her pocket. Must be cigarettes. Her hair was curly and red. She looked familiar. The girl was studying her, her eyes narrowed, eyebrow arched haughtily. ''Waldorf, I presume?''

''Staff, I presume?''

Girl flinched uncomfortably. ''My name is Maya, I'll lead you to your masseur. Follow me.'' Maya didn't even finish the sentence when she started walking quickly.

Blair finally caught up, colliding with people that had important air about them. They all looked too good for their age, almost no wrinkles on their old eyes. They were marching out of the lobby now, through the macassar ebony room. There was a row of chandeliers at the ceiling, lighting it up. Blair passed doors after doors, wondering what was hiding behind them.

''Welcome to INRI'' Maya said solemnly, slowing the pace down. They were now in front of the marble staircases. A pair of staircases was leading up and another pair was leading down.

''INRI?''

''That's what I said.''

Between the staircases was a fountain. The crystal clear water spilled over and in. It looked magical. On the pedestal was a statue of a handsome man tightly holding up scared girl with gorgeous terrified face.

''It's Greek god, Hades'' Maya informed her.

''And Persephone'' Blair filled up, amazed at the beauty of it.''It's the abduction.''

''After the anger of her mother because of Hades' misdeed, which almost demolished whole humanity, gods made a pact. Perserphone was bound to spend one third of the year with her husband Hades. It was always during was the time her mother, which was the mother nature, expressed her saddness and grief by leaving the earth barren. That is until her daughter has returned to flowers bloom and spring knocks on our doors. Every year round.''

Blair's eyes went up and caught a sight of marble engraved with golden letters.

Igne natura renovatur integra.

''INRI'' she thought out loud.

''It means-''

''Through fire, nature is reborn whole'' Blair interrupted in hushed voice, her head swimming in wonder. ''I know.''

Something itched in her chest. The pain that she earlier felt slowly started feeling like something else, something much more disturbing...

''I need to go'' Maya spoke. ''You just descend these stairs, Giovanni will await you. He is handsome dark Italian guy, you can't miss him. Oh, don't bother talking to him. He doesn't understand a word of English, but he's very skilled with hands.''

Unsettling haze finally let go of Blair. Her eyes widened as she remembered where she met Maya. It was at Serena's party. She was outside on the balcony, smoking. She turned around, but Maya was already gone. There was nobody around.

Next hour was pure heavenly pleasure, Giovanni was nothing like Kiyomi. His hands were more gentle, his movements more sensual. Blair was having a hard time trying not to moan.

She was also wondering where the hell did Kiyomi disappear? Did her evaporation had anything to do with Chuck? That would come as no surprise.

Her eyes fluttered open at the sounds around her. Blair was lying naked on white leather massage table. The room was private, lit with dim candles and smelling of lavender.

Giovanni was leading hushed conversation with a woman that just entered room. Blair could only see her feet fresh off pedicure. She was trying hard to lift up her head, but it took too much effort. Woman left soon anyway and Giovanni was back on giving her massage.

After they were done, she was asked to join the exclusive spa pool by another girl in red scrubs.

''I don't know'' she said honestly. She really wanted to spend some time soaking in water, there was a party to host had no cell or watch. ''What time it is?''

Girl pointed at the enormous marble clock hanging over the biggest pool. It's golden hands pointed at golden numbers. ''It's past 6pm.''

She didn't want to go out and face reality. There were probably millions of pictures of her in tabloids by now. She'd have to deal with that and Chuck and everything else. She was enjoying too much in INRI to go out so quickly.

''I suppose I can manage another hour.''

''Great'' girl smiled nodding. ''Follow me, if you will.''

She was led to additional room, even bigger than 'normal' pool room. Only this one was far less crowded and the pools were separate. There was big one in the middle. Half of pools were empty, but reserved, she was informed. Girl, Blair found out her name was Suzy, showed which ones were free. After changing to swimsuit, Suzy brought her fresh towels.

''Here is our bar and some snacks if you're hungry'' Suzy said.

There were all sorts of champagnes and cocktails, fresh juices at the tables. Behind them was a guy in waiter suit with white gloves, who offered her some caviar. She politely refused.

''This is your own pool for the day. You won't be disturbed here.''

It was small with light blue tiles. On the bottom was a picture of a sun. It was made of yellow tiles. The water was steamy, sending thick fog into the vent in the ceiling. Suzy left the towels on pool chair and took Blair's robe. Blair was now standing in black swimsuit, tying her hair in a bun. She was aware of the eyes around her. She thanked Suzy and went to dip her foot in when Giovanni , who was passing by, yelled something Italian.

''Cosa stai facendo?'' he bellowed to Suzy. ''Hai intenzione di ucciderla, stupida! Lei non é baciata dal inferno!''

Blair was already knee deep in water, she paused as the commotion grew. Giovanni's hand was pointing at her, his face outraged. Her Italian was rusty, but she was pretty sure he just called Suzy stupid. Suzy looked at her scared, but as her gaze fell on Blair's legs, she turned terrified.

When was the last time I had wax? she considered. It was only days ago, she remembered relieved.. What are they bickering about then?

Suddenly, a figure from the nearby pool rose. Water light reflected on his skin, making his eyes look demonic, but his figure enchanting.

''Lasciala andare'' Adrian commanded with cold voice. ''Tornare al lavoro, Giovanni.''

He smiled crookedly as he approached Blair, running fingers through wet blonde hair.

''Wife'' he greeted. ''Are you stalking me?''

''Oh, please. You wish.'' she said.

Adrian turned around towards startled Suzy and told her to go back to work. As he did so, Blair saw a tattoo across his whole back. It was a mighty dragon with a moon in his mouth. She would have been repulsed by the enormity of it, but the art of it was surpassing every art of pictures in the lobby of INRI. It was majestic.

''Every time I step out of the house, you're right behind me.''

''Not only you're comical, you're also delusional'' she said sarcastically, entering the pool. Adrian's face seemed calm, but his eyes were tense. He was watching her closely as her skin touched the water, maybe expecting something. He seemed relieved as she sank deeper.

''You coming?'' Blair asked. ''Or are you going to keep ogling me?''

His shoulders seemed to relax. ''Is that an invitation?''

''Yes and it has an expiration time.''

Adrian snapped his fingers and a waiter showed up by his side. His voice instantly turned cold, taking on that tone when king talked to his peasants. ''A bottle of Perrier.''

''Are you trying to get me drunk?''

''Maybe only a little'' he said jokingly as he sat close enough to have private conversation, but far enough they're not touching. ''So what are you doing in this hidden heaven?''

''I think someone killed my masseur'' she said.

''I hate it when that happens'' he sighed. ''Or when I get thrown out by security.''

Blair choked on her drink. She started coughing loudly and Adrian was dying of laughter.

''It's not funny'' she choked out. ''It's not even my fault.''

''Honestly? Aw, I was really hoping you at least tried to kill Chuck Bass.''

''Well, that part is true'' she muttered frowning.

''So what happened?'' Adrian asked concerned.''You could have been arrested, you know. It wouldn't be easy bailing you out.''

Blair looked up into his blue eyes. They matched the color of the tiles. He really was beautiful in this surrounding. Maybe even outside it. Even with little thin long scars that seemed to cover his neck and went down his body. She wondered where else he had them and why, but the water blocked the view.

And he was also honest about bailing her out. No matter how weird he acted, Adrian did seem to care about her.

''He stole my ticket and somehow managed to get his name on the list.''

''That was Max Mara show?''

''Max&Co, yes.''

''I could have gotten you in'' he said nonchalantly. ''Ian Griffiths used to babysit me.''

''Let's not mention it again, please. I'm having enough trouble with these pictures of bouncer carrying me off like last criminal. ''

''Don't worry about it'' he said confidently. ''Have another glass.''

She obeyed without complaint. A glass of good champagne was exactly what Blair needed.

Hours later, they were both drunk and both at the Genius.