After a morning of shopping and an afternoon of classes, Blair and Serena decided to go out for dinner. The unanimous choice was Serafina purely because of their fine cuisine; plus it was the place Damian took Blair on their first date and she had a soft spot for it.
"What better way to top off our fabulous Blair/Serena Day than to eat out at a fine restaurant?" Blair said as they were being led upstairs to a secluded table. They passed the table Damian and Blair shared their first meal together at, and her heart grew with warmth for Damian. Serena noticed Blair's extra bounce in her step and had to bring her attention to it.
"You seem to be very happy today, Blair. Did you get the best mark in your French History class again?" Serena asked as they took their seats. The waiter handed them a pair of menus and murmured something about coming back later, while Blair fought the urge to sing from happiness.
"I am happy; because it's been a good day. I love this restaurant because Damian and I had our first date at that table right there…" she said, pointing a dainty, polished finger towards the table behind them, "…and, he asked me to The National Business Awards Ceremony tomorrow night! I can't remember a time when I was happier than I am now." She smiled and began to read the menu while Serena processed her words. Of course Blair couldn't remember a time when she was happier than right now, but Serena sure could. She made sure it didn't show on her face though, and instead smiled at Blair.
*
"This Salmon Terrine dish is absolutely wonderful, Bertrand." Lily declared as she took a tiny bite off the end of her fork, "Very well done," Rufus added. The two were enjoying their hearty, home-cooked meal that evening when they were suddenly interrupted by the sound of the elevator arriving at their floor.
"Oh, I wonder who that could be." Lily said, dropping her fork and looking up to see who would emerge from around the corner.
"Oh, my goodness!" She cried when none other than Chuck Bass materialized in front of her eyes. She stood up to greet him; he had a smile on his face.
"Charles! It's so good to see you!" She said, hugging him affectionately. He returned the favour, "It's good to see you too Lily. And, of course, you, Rufus." Chuck replied and shook Rufus' hand firmly once he was able to unravel himself from Lily's grasp.
"I presume you're here for the…"
"Award? Yes, I got the letter this morning and Nathaniel convinced me that I should come back and accept it."
"Well, of course you should accept it! You've been working so hard lately, you deserve the award." Rufus acknowledged. Chuck smiled to himself as he thought of all the hard-work he did while partying in various nightclubs across the globe; but he would never admit that to Rufus or Lily.
"We've just started dinner, and I'm sure there's plenty left over. Would you like some?" Lily offered, gesturing to an empty seat between herself and Rufus; but Chuck shook his head, "No, no. I only dropped by to say hello. I'm going over to my room at The Palace. Have a good meal and I hope to see you both tomorrow." He bowed in typical gentlemanly fashion, and then headed back towards the elevator to exit.
*
"Have a good night, Blair. Get some beauty rest before the big night tomorrow!" Serena told Blair as they exchanged their goodbyes in the taxi parked out the front of the van der Woodsen's building.
"Thanks, love. Make sure you look out for every newspaper the day after tomorrow, because you can be sure that Damian and I will be on every front cover looking absolutely fabulous!" Blair cried excitedly, and Serena just responded with a smile. The taxi drove off and Serena entered the building as Vanya, the doorman, held the front door open for her. The person she saw coming out of the elevator was the last person she was expecting to run into today.
"Chuck!" She cried as he exited the shaft, looking tanner and fitter than she'd ever seen him before in her whole life.
"Hey sis." He greeted with an edge to his voice. Was she with her? His heartbeat quickened as he looked out for the brunette vixen; but she was nowhere in sight. He was safe; at least for now.
"What are you doing here?" She asked with the conventional greeting hug.
"I've won some kind of award for tomorrow night. I'm going to the ceremony, but I'm not going to stay in New York for very long after it. I've got to get back." He confessed. Serena looked at him apologetically, "It doesn't have to be that way. You don't need to be inconvenienced because…." She trailed off as she noticed the look on Chuck's face. Perhaps it would be best if she didn't mention that subject at all.
"So…have you got a date for tomorrow night?" She asked trying to brighten up the atmosphere with a lighter subject. Chuck snickered.
"No, not yet. Why; are you willing to be my date?"
"Well, if you insist! I mean I think I have an opening so I guess I can squeeze you into my incredibly busy schedule tomorrow night." Serena chimed. Chuck nodded.
"Alright, I'll pick you up 6.30. It's an early start." He finalized, "I've got to get to my room now. I'll see you tomorrow." Chuck concluded as he exited the building and Serena took her place in the elevator. This could be very good, or very bad…Serena pondered as she tried to imagine how tomorrow's events would play out.
*
Dorota pulled the last roller out of Blair's beautiful brown hair and then began to formulate an up-do out of the mass of curls she had just created.
"Finally, a worthy event to be seen at, Dorota! Only the crème de la crème of society will be attending tonight. What's better is that Damian's father, Artemis Butler, has won 'The Marketing Strategy of the Year' Award; which is probably the one of the most prestigious awards one can win – second only to the Entrepreneur award. But I'm sure it was unjustly awarded to some nobody again – as it was last year." Blair huffed as she sat in front of the mirror while Dorota played the role of hairdresser.
Once Dorota had finished styling Blair's hair; Blair slipped into the dress Damian had purchased for her as a gift.
"It looks lovely Miss Blair!" Dorota cried happily, tears sparkling in her eyes. Blair twirled around in front of her mirror. The deep purple satin dress accentuated her most womanly curves. It had intricate detailing at the front which brought attention to her cleavage; and was backless which brought attention to her fragile and slender frame. She decided to wear only one piece of jewelry to accompany the dress that evening – a diamond necklace given to her by her father many years ago. She placed it around her neck; where the diamond lay right between her breasts. Dorota was lost for words as she continued to stare at Blair with her mouth agape. The sound of the footsteps making their way up the staircase brought their attention back to reality.
"My, my, you do look absolutely wonderful, if I do say so myself." Damian's voice spoke before he even appeared from out of the doorway. Dorota stepped out of the way to grant him entry and Blair ran into his arms. She greeted him with a passionate kiss on the lips, but pulled away as soon as she realized she was wearing lipstick.
"Sorry, sweetie, I just spent an hour doing my makeup." She smiled, and he scoffed, "Come on, let's go. I'm afraid, if we don't leave soon, I lose all control and we'll never get to the ceremony tonight." He giggled, but Blair didn't. Why did she have the feeling that she had been told something very similar to that before? She racked her brains for the many compliments Damian poured all over her on a daily basis, but none rung true to what he had just said. But then why did she have this aching feeling of déjà vu? Confused, she shook her head to clear it, and then flashed a dazzling smile in Damian's direction.
"I love you so much." He confessed, kissing her on the top of her head.
"I love you too." She replied as they made their way downstairs and out of the building.
*
"Serena, you're great a many things, but getting ready on time if not one of them." Chuck complained as he leaned against the outside wall of Serena's bedroom while she got dressed on the inside.
"I'm sorry; I didn't know that by 6.30, you actually meant 6.30!" She yelled back, to which Chuck laughed out loud.
"What else is 6.30 supposed to mean?" And then he threw his head back in anticipation. After what seemed like a very long time, Serena emerged from her bedroom, wearing a brilliant red dress which went very nicely along with her naturally tanned skin. She had pulled her blonde hair up into a messy pony tail which, despite its messy look, appeared as if it would have taken her a while to assemble. Chuck looked her up and down quickly, and then nodded quickly before averting his eyes; having gotten so used to seeing Serena as a sibling as opposed to another one of his conquests.
"The limo is waiting. We're probably going to be late now." He explained, checking the time on his Rolex watch. It read 6.43pm.
"Well then we'll be very fashionably late." Serena smiled, and Chuck couldn't manage to stay angry for very long while being in the presence of Serena.
The ride only took around 15 minutes; to Serena and Chuck's surprise. They arrived right on time; as there were many other business men and their partners arriving at that same time. The chauffeur stepped out of the driver's seat to assist Serena and Chuck out of the backseat. As they stepped out of the limo, Serena linked her arm with Chuck's and he led her into The Town Hall.
"Welcome, Mr Bass, and your partner, Ms Van der Woodsen." The doorman greeted as he held the door open and gestured them to enter. The inside was set up quite nicely. Hundreds of white clothed tables filled the room. The many guests were taking their seats at their assigned tables, while others were catching up with acquaintances and friends.
"We're table 18." Chuck declared to Serena, and they started heading closer towards the stage where the lower numbers were situated. Serena searched the room for any signs of Blair or Damian. No doubt she would run into her sometime during the course of the evening – and no doubt once she did, Blair would get into a hissy fit over the fact Serena failed to inform Blair that she would attending tonight; let alone with her ex-fiancé whom she apparently can't remember. Maybe she could successfully keep Blair and Chuck from even seeing eye to eye? Serena could just say she was the date of another businessman Blair didn't know of, and as such didn't feel the need to tell her? Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a good enough excuse, until finally, she gave up.
"Serena van der Woodsen, Charles Bass." Chuck said as he noticed their place cards on table 18. He helped Serena into her seat and then took his own seat; and then waited for the night to begin.
*
At that same time, Blair and Damian entered the room.
"What an exciting night!" Blair cooed happily as she eyed the other guests and their respective partners – subconsciously comparing the way she looked tonight, to the way they did. Eventually, she concluded she was best dressed; and that was mostly due to the fact her dress was especially imported from France for her as a gift from her very own boyfriend.
"What table are we sitting at, Damian?" She pondered, as Damian retrieved the invitation from his breast pocket.
"Um, 18. Way at the front." He pointed across the room to the tables closer to the stage.
"Will your father be sitting with us?"
"No, actually. I'm not too sure what table he'll be at." Blair took a deep breath and smiled widely. Nothing could ruin her perfect night tonight. She looked fantastic, her gorgeous boyfriend looked almost as good as she did – plus he absolutely adored her – they were probably the youngest couple in the business industry attending tonight, and for once, she will be could taken seriously at a very important and elite event.
They crossed the room and began to approach their table when Blair noticed the other couple already seating at table 18. What struck her most unusual was not the fact that they looked just as young herself and Damian, or that the blonde looked just as good as she did; but probably the fact that she knew very well exactly who they were.
"Serena? Chuck?" She cried as they arrived. Serena gasped as she noticed Blair with Damian; which ultimately alerted Chuck, and as such the pair of chocolate brown eyes that matched Blair's perfectly looked up from the table, and met hers instantly.