Can you believe it, dear readers?! I've finally updated something! I swear that the desire to write is there it's just been a time issue. Work is kicking my butt. My downtime is scarce and the demands on it are many. I feel a bit rusty but hopefully you'll forgive me that. This is something I discussed with my friend, Sabi, on Twitter. She was wondering whether Chuck would've had a hard time deciding on Blair's engagement ring. I felt strongly that he had known the minute he had seen it so this is my take on that missing moment. Enjoy it! Feel free to leave me a review and share your thoughts. Also, I promise there is a "Global Ecstasy" update coming. I also promise that it is well worth the wait. I'll give you a one word spoiler…Australia. Thank you all for reading! You guys are the best.
Chuck Bass stepped through the doors of 701 Fifth Avenue letting the cool of the interior wash over him. The security guard, just inside the foyer, inclined his head in recognition of one of their best clients. As soon as Chuck had crossed under the marble archway and stepped onto the plush carpet a sales clerk approached him.
Her hand was outstretched as she stopped in front of him. "Mr. Bass, it's a pleasure to see you this morning. How may we help you today?"
Chuck shook her hand firmly. She would never be able to tell how incredibly nervous he was standing in the front showroom of Harry Winston's. If there was one thing Charles Bass was good at it was bluffing.
He searched his memory quickly remembering her name as he released her hand. "Andrea, I'm in need of a ring."
He noticed her brow crinkle before she quickly corrected her shocked reaction and replaced it with one much more amenable.
She gave a soft smile. A ring was the one thing the young Mr. Bass had never purchased from them. There had been cufflinks, tiepins, necklaces, bracelets and the occasional set of earrings but never had he requested to see their wide selections of rings. The woman, at least she assumed it was for a woman, must be extremely special.
Andrea rarely read the gossip pages but there was no way of not knowing that Mr. Bass had recently broken up with his girlfriend. The beautiful Ms. Waldorf and Mr. Bass had been splashed all over the newspapers for the better part of a year. They had made a gorgeous couple and they had made several stops in the shop. Mr. Bass had been more than generous with the young lady much to the delight of the sales staff. Their commissions had been very good the past couple of quarters.
As she led him to the back room, reserved for only their very best clients, her mind was going over the pieces she'd have brought out for him. There was one emerald and diamond piece that was one of a kind. The commission from that would pay her rent for a year.
She gestured towards the couch. "Have a seat Mr. Bass. Can I get you coffee or tea?"
Chuck unbuttoned his jacket and straightened his tie as he took the seat offered to him. "A scotch would be much appreciated."
If Andrea was shocked at the request for scotch at ten-thirty in the morning she didn't let it show. "Excuse me one moment and I'll be right back with your drink."
Chuck eyed her retreating back as he let out a breath. He ran his hands along the tops of his thighs. He felt as if he was going to jump out of his skin. This was the most important purchase he would ever make in his life and he was feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him.
He ran a hand over his face as his mind raced. Why had he given her an ultimatum? Why hadn't he just gotten down on his knees and begged her forgiveness? Why did he always let his pride get the best of him? He was sure she'd show up tonight. He was sure of their love. They could get through anything. They were Chuck and Blair, Blair and Chuck. What couldn't they overcome? There was absolutely not one thing he could think of that could sever their connection completely.
Andrea reappeared with said drink in her right hand and a bottle of Macallan 18 in her left. She handed him the glass, which he thanked her for, before she placed the bottle on the mahogany end table next to his chair.
Chuck took a deep swallow from the glass and was thankful for her generous pour. It wasn't as good as the Macallan 25 but it would do.
"Before I go and pull a few rings for you may I ask what the occasion is?" She had remained standing with her hands clasped in front of her.
Chuck took one more sip before looking up at her. "I'm going to propose to the woman I love tonight. So the ring needs to be one of a kind and absolutely spectacular. It has to be worthy enough to be placed on the hand of an unbelievably, incredible woman."
This time Andrea was incapable of hiding her shock. Charles Bass, New York City's playboy bachelor, was going to marry and settle down? It was the last thing she had expected him to say.
She regained her composure before speaking again, "I think I have several pieces that might fit the bill." She began to turn away before pausing and facing him once again. "Congratulations, Mr. Bass. I'm assuming the lucky lady is Ms. Waldorf?" Her eyebrows raised at the question.
He nodded. "It is and thank you."
She inclined her head slightly. "I definitely have a couple of rings in mind that would certainly be to Ms. Waldorf's taste. I'll be right back."
Thanking her again he watched her disappear into a back room. He drained the glass and debated pouring himself a second but he decided that he wanted a completely clear head for this errand. He had a feeling he would know the right ring the moment he saw it. Just like Blair, it would be unique and completely breathtaking.
He let his mind wander a bit as he waited. He mentally went over the list of things he still had to do. He had to meet with his florist to pick the perfect bouquet of peonies, chose which suit and tie to wear and make sure the penthouse was stocked with Dom '95 for their post proposal celebration. He thought about how they would make love all night before calling her mother and Serena with the good news in the morning.
His mind then fast forwarded a bit to the future. Their wedding was a vague thing in his mind. Blair would plan that and it would be perfect. Instead he was picturing her pregnant and then the image faded to a little brown haired boy running down the hall calling "Daddy!" He was imaging weekends in the Hamptons, Christmas mornings, beach vacations and birthdays. He was thinking about being loved and complete with her by his side. He was picturing a family of his own for the first time ever. Something that he could be a part of and know that he belonged. He could see himself being truly happy.
The image disappeared as Andrea entered the room and brought him to the present moment. He leaned forward as she slid a tray of rings in front of him. He scanned them all very quickly hoping one would stand out but from his perusal there wasn't a single ring that seemed right. He was beginning to shake his head.
Andrea sitting in the seat next to him reached out for a gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring. She knew she had to pitch this correctly. Her commission depended on it. "This is from the 1940's very elegant. It's similar to the ring Charles gave Diana."
Chuck shook his head. "That is not a selling point."
Andrea placed the ring back onto the velvet pad reaching for an art deco ring with rose cut diamonds. "This is 1926. Classic, clear stones. Mr. Winston himself redesigned…" she could see that he had no interest in it. She set it back and took the emerald and diamond one she had been thinking about earlier. "This is one of a kind. We have nothing like it in our inventory. Emeralds are considered to be the sacred stone of Venus and they are a sign of love and faithfulness."
Chuck reached out for it taking it from her. He examined it from all angles. It was beautiful but it just didn't feel right. He was convinced that he'd know the minute he saw that right one.
He handed it back to her shaking his head. "None of these are the ring."
She picked up the tray realizing she had her work cut out for her. "Let me consult my colleagues and see what else we have. Just give me a couple of minutes."
Chuck was worried for the first time that he might not find what he was looking for. Maybe the perfect ring didn't exist? Maybe he'd have to forgo the proposal altogether and have something custom made? Maybe this was all a sign that the timing was all wrong?
Twenty minutes later they were examining a third tray of rings and still he hadn't seen "the one". Chuck glanced at his watch knowing he had limited time and maybe he should head to Bvlgari or Cartier.
He stood up. "Look, I'm going to go. Clearly what I'm looking for isn't here."
Andrea was starting to panic. If she lost this sale her boss would have her head. "Let me take one more stab at finding the right piece."
He consulted his watch again. "You have five minutes."
She rushed back to the vault while Chuck began to stroll around the room. At the back, a jeweler was examining some pieces.
He glanced up at Chuck and smiled. "Hello, Mr. Bass."
Chuck didn't respond. His attention was drawn to a gorgeous ring laying on a midnight blue velvet pad between a diamond and ruby bracelet and a pearl necklace. It literally took his breath away.
He pointed at it and asked the jeweler, "May I?"
The man nodded. "Of course."
Chuck lifted the ring and knew immediately it was Blair's ring. It was a cushion cut diamond in a tapered baguette setting and it was perfection. He could already picture it on her finger.
"The center diamond is eight carats set in platinum. It's a custom, one of a kind piece. It literally just came in from the workshop this morning," the jeweler explained.
Andrea had returned. "Mr. Bass?"
Chuck didn't take his eyes off the ring. "I found it. This is the one."
Andrea came over sliding the tray in her hand onto the counter as she glanced at the custom piece. This was the first she was seeing it. Her breath hitched a bit. It was beautiful.
"I'll need to speak to my manager. I'm not even sure about the price."
Chuck shook his head. "The cost is unimportant. It's the ring."
Andrea felt a breath of relief slip from her lungs. She'd get her commission and keep her job.
Chuck set the ring reverently back onto the counter and reached for his wallet pulling out his black card. "Wrap it up."
The jeweler and Andrea exchanged glances before jumping into action. She took his card rushing out to speak to her manager, while the jeweler polished the ring and boxed it.
Chuck left five minutes later with the biggest purchase of his life contained in a small, chocolate brown bag. It wasn't the price that made it so invaluable but what it represented; their future together. All the nerves he had felt earlier had dissipated. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he had the right piece. But as gorgeous as it was it paled in comparison to the woman who would wear it.
He smiled as he exited the store and slid into the back of the limo. Now everything else would fall into place. It was the beginning of a whole new chapter for the two of them and nothing or no one would stand in their way.