Chapter 2:
This night had been exactly what Blair and Serena both needed. A night of fun. A night to be carefree. Their night started with dinner at Butter. Followed by a dessert tower at the Elements. Then celebratory cocktails at the Plaza.
The girls were exchanging stories. Serena informed Blair about all the new and cool places opening in town. Blair informed Serena about all the places that she would have to visit the next time S found herself in Paris. That was until a voice interrupted the girls. "Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that the real Blair Waldorf in the flesh?" A familiar voice asked.
Blair turned around and got out of her seat. She lit up at the sight of another childhood friend. "Nate!" Blair screamed, pulling him in for a tight hug. After letting go, she turned to the man he walked in with. "Brooklyn." She greeted Dan with a fake smile.
"Ah, good to see you are back in town. I do miss you constantly reminding me of the city I grew up in. I knew you secretly cared. Truly, I am honored." Dan said sarcastically. He put his hands over his heart and whipped a fake tear from his dry eyes.
"Come, join us." Serena smiled. Patting the empty space next to her.
"I want to, but we already have plans. We are heading over to the Blind Rabbit for a masquerade party." Nate said apologetically.
"Yea, we are just waiting for-" As if on cue Eric came running towards the group. "Your brother." Dan finished his sentence.
"Blair!" Eric screamed. He embraced her in a tight hug. "Eric!" She mimicked. Returning his hug. The petite brunette was always a bit more smiley and friendly with alcohol in her veins.
"Serena! The sister who will not be letting her baby brother go to a party." She said using her authoritative voice. Serena could only imagine what would happen at this so-called party. Chuck owned the Blind Rabbit and she only could imagine the type of tomfoolery that went on in one of his lounges.
"Mom, I'll be fine," Eric said sarcastically. He knew Serena had always hated when her brother referred to her as a matriarch, but he really wanted to go to the party. Attempting to reassure his sister that he would be with Nate and Dan; therefore nothing bad would happen to him. "I am not a child. I am going to go to that Party even if you don't want me to."
She gave up. Realizing this was not a party Serena could prevent her brother from attending. "Fine."
Dan tried to reassure Serena that everything would be okay. They would take care of him and make sure no harm would come to the younger Van Der Woodsen. That wasn't enough assurance though. She knew what went on at those types of parties.
Serena waited till Dan was finished to speak again. "I know my brother will be safe because I am going. Blair, I think it is time for a venue change. We just need to pick up some masks on the way there."
Blair was just about ready to spit out the martini she was sipping. "You promised me a girl's night?"
"And it will be. Just with the addition of Dan, Nate, and my brother. What better way to end the night than at a party?" Serena defended.
"I guess the more the merrier?" Dan questioned.
"It will be fun." Eric tried reassuring Blair. Knowing well that Serena was already set on trying to babysit him at the party. Maybe with Blair there his sister would forget about him and let him enjoy his night out.
"Someone has to keep us out of trouble and I mean all of us." Nate teased. Her so-called friends gave a small laugh.
Then started going on about all the times Blair was babysitting everyone at parties or when she called it an early night because she had to study or do a school assignment. How many times did she take care of Eric, Nate, and Serena when they were drunk, high, or cross-faded?
Blair felt her insides drop. Was she the fun police? She drank just like the rest of her friends. She had partied with them too. She was ambitious, driven, and someone with impeccable taste. Did her friends and Dan just see her as an uptight heiress?
How could Serena be acting like a helicopter parent and still be seen as carefree by their friends? Yet Blair who was barely doing or saying anything was seen as uptight.
Her insecurities were screaming at her. You aren't pretty enough. You aren't the smartest. You aren't nice enough. You aren't skinny enough. You aren't enough.
She was beginning to do what she always hated and started comparing herself to her best friend. Blair was not tall like Serena. She wasn't a ball of sunshine and charm. She didn't look like a goddess.
Blair shook her head. 'No, this isn't about Serena. This is about me. Years of overpriced therapy will not let these thoughts suffocate me. We are friends, not rivals. I am more than enough. I am Queen.'
She chugged the rest of the martini. "Actually, carefree Blair is coming out tonight. S, you did mention how we never partied together since high school. Time to rectify this." If Blair wanted to be carefree, she could be. She was just going to need some more liquor.
What could go wrong? Everyone would be wearing a mask after all. No one could judge her. A night to feel free is just what she needed. No more thinking, just action. Tonight would be a fairytale. One for the books.
XOXOXOXOXO
After arriving at the Blind Rabbit, the group checked in with the bouncer and they were escorted inside. He gave the group a mini tour. Showing them the private rooms with mini-stages and couches. "Compliments of the Boss." The man said as he stamped each of their hands with a silver rose. He informed them that the stamps gave them access to bottomless drinks, food, and allowed them to enter the VIP private rooms.
The 5 of them were now standing in front of the bar. Eric was the first to speak and leave. He mentioned that he was going to go find some guy named James.
Serena was shocked. When did her sweet baby brother become so rebellious? It had to be all that time he was now spending with Chuck. She knew she would have to chase after him. If not for her, then who? Who knows what he would do? Before the blonde could run off, someone grabbed her hand. "Girl's night?" Blair reminded Serena. The whole reason they were here in the first place.
"We will. I just have to find my brother first. And if we don't then just meet me by the limo at midnight?" And with that, the blonde was gone. Chasing after her brother. Getting lost in the sea of people.
"I better go after her. Make sure she lets her brother have a little fun." Dan said. Following Serena.
"And then there were two," Nate said.
"I can't believe she left," Blair said in disbelief. "She was the one who dragged me out and she leaves faster than freshly baked muffins at Layla's."
Blair was pouting. It did always break Nate's heart to see any girl in pain or upset. Especially ones he has known practically all his life. "Look, I promised I would say hi to the owner." If you are still here by the bar when I get back, I promise to take you back home. But if you decide to stay, I promise to make sure you have an unforgettable night."
"Fine." Blair reluctantly agreed.
Nate had always been such a good guy. There was no denying that. Ever since she was little Blair always saw Nate as a Prince. Kind, and handsome, and he has the right pedigree. What more could a girl ask for?
No more talk of Nate. Blair came to have fun and prove to herself more than anyone that she was fun.
"Bartender! Would you perhaps have something sweet and alcoholic?" Blair waved her hand making sure to flash her handstamp.
XOXOXOXOXO
"Arnst, be a gentleman and bring some Dom Perignon '95 for the lovely lady." A man wearing a red demon mask appeared next to Blair. Her eyes were examining the new stranger cautiously. She could see he was well dressed in a black Dior suit and a silk-red vintage Gucci ascot. She could smell designer, and spot a knockoff from a mile away. This man seemed to be sporting the real deal.
The bartender came back quickly with two flutes of Champagne. Blair took a small sip of the drink.
Good taste in champagne. Check.
Good physique. Check.
Good looking. Well as much as can be seen through the mask. Another check.
Nice lips! Which meant he was probably a good kisser. Let's see if he will get another check.
Deciding that this gentleman may be the key to salvaging her night. It was official. Blair decided it was time to play and set the trap. She batted her eyelashes and flipped her brown curls over her shoulder.
"I'm-" Feeling bold Blair placed her finger over his lips. Preventing him from saying anything else.
"Don't care. You could be someone in New York with power and money or just someone who has none. Tonight, I want to live in a fantasy. I want to be free. No worries. No strings. No judgments."
The man placed a gentle kiss on top of Blair's hands. "Your wish is my command." He whispered. He put out a hand in hopes the mystery girl would take it. Blair whacked his hand away.
"Not so fast Romeo. I haven't known you for more than 5 minutes and I can already tell you like to call the shots." She didn't know if it was the alcohol or this desire to be free, but she wanted to be brave and in control. "Not tonight. Do you want to play? We play by my rules. I call the shots. Plus, you don't have one of these." Blair waved her hand for the third time today to showcase the little stamp that gave her a bit of power at this event.
The man let out a small genuine chuckle. She was very observant. "Let the games begin. Lead the way."
That is all she needed to hear. Blair led him back to one of the private VIP rooms. Once again waving her dainty wrist.
Once the two were inside a dimly lit room they both took a seat on the couch.
Her date was staring at her waiting for the tiny brunette to make the next move.
Blair was stump though. She brought him here. Showed him she was faux-confident. She showed him she was connected. Now what?
Her eyes focused on the stage. The music that was playing in the room reminded her of the burlesque she had watched with her maid. And that's when it dawned on her.
She walked on up to the stake and slowly started removing each piece of clothing. Starting with her necklace. Followed by her dress. Then her headband. Making sure to leave on her slip, tights, heels, and mask.
Chuck recognized those moves. She was performing her very own one-woman Burlesque show. Who was this doll?
She started scanning the room for some sort of idea to come to her.
"Who are you?" The man. He felt as if he had already been bewitched by the beauty in brown locks.
Feeling alive, desired, and powerful she replied, "The girl of your dreams."
"Can I kiss you?" He asked.
Instead of giving him a verbal confirmation Blair leaned in and entrapped his lips with her own. The kiss is full of passion and hunger. There was something oddly familiar about the kiss. Needless to say, she swore could see fireworks.
The two were getting lost in the lust of the kiss. Everything in the world seemed to disappear. Nothing else had mattered. Until Blair glanced at his watch.
"I have to go." Blair quickly put her dress over her head and slipped back into her heels. "Goodnight lover boy." She gave the man a peck on the lips before laughing and dashing off to the doors of the Blind Rabbit.
And just as quick as she appeared she was gone. Leaving a smiling and entranced Chuck. When he finally woke up from his daze, he exited the room. Though he soon noticed something sparkling on the floor. Bending down to pick it up he realized it was the mystery girl's mask. Cinderella left a shoe for her prince to find her. This girl left her black laced rhinestone mask on the floor.
And just like prince charming, he would waste no time. Chuck pulled out his phone. "Andrew, I need you to dig up some information on an enticing minx I just had the pleasure of meeting."