A/N: Here's another chapter for you all.
Disclaimer: I only own Darcy.
Valentines Day
Darcy and Chucked walked into Lily's and she greeted them each with a kiss on the cheek.
"I hope hosting this brunch will prove I have the company's best interest at heart" Lily said then turned to Darcy "I'm really sorry for how I spoke to you."
"Well I wouldn't accept you to just not speak your mind" Darcy responded.
"Let's just focus on the Thorpes and not each other" Rufus replied.
"Charles don't let yours and Darcy's friendship with Raina affect your judgement. We have to be careful of the Thorpes."
"We know" Darcy said and heard the elevator ding "Here we go"
The Thorpes walked in.
"Welcome" Chuck said grabbing Darcy's hand and she gave it a light squeeze and he put it up to his lips and kissed it.
"So is anyone hungry" Lily said.
They all sat down and ate avoiding business. When it was all done they sat in the living room.
"Well Lily everything was delicious especially the eggs, Spanish tortilla. That's perfect after a late night or a breakfast in bed after too much Rioja"
"Thank you Russell" Lily replied "Um here in America we call them a Frittata."
"Mr. Thorpe" Chuck said standing up "We're all grateful we have a buyer for Bass Industries that we can all approve of. Though it may be your instinct to keep the company under the Thorpe umbrella. That might be a mistake. The Bass name has equity. I'd the chance to prove that. All in one night. Tomorrow to be exact. I've leased landmark mansion outside the city. With my partner in crime of course."
Chuck smiled at Darcy then looked back to Russell
"It's a destination. You travel to get there and the reservations are made before" Darcy added.
"And what is it that people get when they get there?"
"Imagine you're at a club. Forget the year, the continent. You don't want the night to end. In this case it doesn't have to. When the time is right you drift upstairs to a private room. Spend the night or just a few hours. It's up to you"
"What makes you think people will show up?" Russell asked. "Sounds like you need a big marketing push just to get the word out."
"No Marketing. I say where and when, people show up. If I can prove to you that the Bass brand has a quantifiable worth. Will you look at my business plan? It shows how you can keep the company together under the Bass name with my help."
Russell stood up and walked over to Chuck.
"I will put a pin in my plan for…let's say 36 hours. If this thing you planned succeeds we'll talk" Russell said than shook Chuck's hand then walked over to the elevator. Raina walked over to them.
"You nailed it" she said then turned toward the elevator. "I'll see you back at the hotel dad"
Russell got on the elevator as Serena got off.
"Serena we weren't expecting you" Lily said.
"I'm here to see Raina" Serena said then turned to Raina. "Hi we haven't met officially yet but our mutual friend Blair Waldorf wants to talk to you, she'll explain everything."
Serena handed the phone over and Raina took it and walked away.
"What's that about" Darcy said hugging her sister.
"Yes please explain" Chuck said putting his hand on Darcy's lower back
"Blair has to follow a socialite around on Valentine's Day. It's for work. She figured you wouldn't mind" Serena answered.
"Why does Blair think Raina has plans, she isn't seeing anyone." Darcy said then turned to Chuck. "Bass"
"I haven't heard her talk about anyone in our meetings"
"So I know that Gossip Girl isn't Darcy's normal reading material but Chuck, don't you get blast."
"I haven't paid much attention to it lately." He replied.
"Well she thinks you traded in movie premieres for business meetings" Serena said looking at Chuck.
"So Gossip Girl thinks that Raina and Bass are dating?" Darcy asked.
"Yeah I guess, and Blair being…"
"Understandable" Darcy said and turned to Chuck.
Raina came walking over and handed Serena her phone back.
"So ready for shopping Darc" Raina asked.
"You two have fun" Chuck said and kissed her.
"Can I come?" Serena asked.
"Of course" Raina said.
"Alright lets go" Darcy said then gave Chuck a quick kiss and they headed out.
They arrived at Ralph Lauren. Darcy wasn't even sure what she wanted to wear. This was her 1st Valentine's Day with Chuck and all her Valentines with Austin were super casual and not very romantic. She really didn't know how to celebrate Valentine's Day.
"So are you excited for tomorrow?" Serena asked her.
"She should be. Chuck has something very romantic planned." Raina said.
"How did you two become friends. Last time I heard you didn't exactly like each other?"
"Well Darcy did try tricking me into a friendship so Chuck could get to my dad but then we realized we had something in common."
"What would that be?" Serena asked.
"A mother that's no longer here" Darcy said not wanting to say the other part.
"Oh and our fathers. Can we trust them?" Raina added and the room got silent.
"S." Darcy said.
"You're okay" Serena said.
"I'm confused?" Raina said.
"Serena and I are sisters" Darcy replied "Same dad. He wasn't really in the picture for…"
"It's okay Darcy" Serena said.
"Oh I'm sorry" Raina replied.
"So I called ahead. Let's get you a sexy dress" Serena said grabbing her sister's hand. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. They tried on several dresses and Serena kept glancing at one.
"Try it on S" Darcy said.
"I can't"
"Why can't you?"
"Darcy's right you can wear it tomorrow night" Raina said.
"I have other plans tomorrow night" Serena replied.
"Serena Van der Woodsen missing a Chuck Bass party. Maybe he was over exaggerating the value of his so called brand."
"It's not that. It's just. I'm in this new relationship but were trying to keep things simple. You know how it is"
"Nate and I kept things simple. Look where that got us" Darcy said.
"That's different Darc"
"Suit yourself" Darcy smiled and went into the dressing room.
Later after shopping she arrived at The Empire. She had someone put her dress in the guest room closet so Chuck couldn't see it. She spotted him on the couch looking upset.
"That's not a look I like on my man" she said walking over.
"The Captain found something on Russell's deal"
"What about it?" she asked sitting down on the coffee table in front of him.
"Well one he isn't even gonna consider our deal. Two, he wants to break the company up and sell it in pieces"
"But Bass Industries is more profitable as a whole"
"You amaze me" he smiled then grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"My Ivy league business courses" she said moving to sit next to him. He put her arm around her and she leaned into him. They sat in silence for a moment and she thought of something. She looked up at him "Did Russell have something against your dad?"
"Do you and Nathaniel practice this?"
"Practice what?"
"He asked me the same thing"
"Well he is my best friend, I guess we just think a like sometimes"
"It's scary" he said.
"Call Raina. Maybe she has an idea"
"Brilliant" he said kissing her forehead.
"That I am" she smiled and kissed him.
The next night she arrived at the destination and descended the staircase. Chuck stood at the bottom. He couldn't utter a word.
"Speechless" she said taking his arm.
"You are normally the most beautiful woman in the whole world and tonight just proves it more"
"Keep talking like that and we may need to use one of those rooms" she said kissing him.
"I will be okay with that" he replied as Raina and Russell approached them.
"$2500 a head and it's filled to capacity. This place is a gold mine" Russell said.
"I know how to tap a vein" Chuck replied then Russell walked away.
"You look amazing" Raina said to Darcy.
"Thank you. So do you"
"This place looks great"
"Well when you have Darcinda Ellis as a muse anything is possible" Chuck responded putting his hand on the small of her back. Darcy kissed him.
"I'm gonna get a drink. You two have fun. Treat my new friend right Chuck or you'll hear from me" Raina replied then walked away.
Darcy turned to Chuck and put her arms around his neck.
"So far tonight is amazing"
"Anything to put that beautiful smile on your face" he replied. "Now I should probably be a good host and make my rounds"
"Most definitely" she replied.
"Meet me upstairs in let's say an hour"
"It's a date" she replied then kissed him and they went their separate ways.
She looked around the room for some cider and found some. She then located Nate and his dad and walked over.
"Resignation" she heard the Captain say.
"Archibalds" Darcy replied.
"Darcy good to see you" The Captain said.
"You too"
"I was just telling my son I'm turning in my resignation to Russell"
"That's amazing" she said.
"I'll leave you two" The Captain said and walked away.
"So your first Valentine's day with Chuck? How is it?"
"So far so good. I'm meeting him upstairs in an hour" she smiled.
"Oh yes, that" he smiled back.
"You know too?"
"I'm Chuck Bass's best friend, of course I know. Not to mention I'm also yours"
"That is true" she smiled "I actually already miss him so I am gonna go find my king"
"You two make me believe I can find love" he replied.
"There is someone out there for everybody Archibald. I use to think it was me and I was wrong"
"I'm actually glad you weren't because I have never seen Chuck Bass this happy" he replied "But I knew that you were perfect for him"
"Happy Valentine's Day Archibald" She replied walking away.
"Happy Valentine's Day Darc" he yelled.
She headed upstairs. She could here Chuck and Russell talking or perhaps it was yelling. She walked into one of the bedrooms to see it set up beautifully. It was amazing.
"Ellis" Chuck said walking in behind her.
"It's beautiful" she replied and turned to him "What's going on Bass?"
"Raina left"
"Why?"
"She heard me yelling at Lily"
"What? Why were you yelling at Lily" she asked.
"It was just business Ellis"
"I'm going home" she replied heading out.
"Ellis" he said grabbing her shoulder. She stopped and turned.
"We tell each other everything Bass. We have since our first rooftop. But lately with Russell, you've been keeping things from me such as tonight. That's not who we are Bass"
"Ellis"
"We promised all honesty all the time. In business and in our social lives" She said then walked out.
She got back to the Empire and walked into her and Chuck's bedroom. Rose petals filled the whole bed and the floor around it. A tear escaped and she quickly wiped it.
"Oh Bass" she said and sat down on the bed feeling the rose petals between her fingers. He always did know the way to her heart. She heard the elevator open and walked over to the door getting ready to open it when she heard talking.
"Lesson learned. Wall Street didn't need a sequel in the theater or in my life. Now I just have to find something between manual labor and high finance." She heard the captain say.
"Wish I'd been wrong about Thorpe" Nate replied. She went to go turn back to the bed when she heard.
"Wish I had a company I could put you in" Chuck said and Darcy opened the door slightly
"One good thing I realized tonight. I still got game. As soon as he fired me I had to turn in my keycard so I gave him one to the gym at The Empire. This is to Thorpe's office and this all the passwords you need. They change them weekly on Thursday."
"So that gives us 48 hours" Darcy responded and they turned to her.
"Ellis" Chuck said and walked over to her and grabbed her hand.
"The room is beautiful Bass" she replied.
"I get you hate me"
"I could never hate you. Actually quite the opposite. I was mad, we had a fight. It happens in relationships." She replied and he kissed her. She smiled against his lips and pulled away. "Face it Bass. You need me"
"Always will" he replied then scooped her up. "If you'll excuse us"
He carried her into the bedroom saving what was left of the night.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed.