Chapter 6:

Blair turned around. She came face to face with Chuck. These sleepovers were becoming more and more frequent after their night of vodka and hot takes.

A small smile made its way to her heart-shaped lips. He truly was beautiful. He had long eyelashes and a tiny dimple on the right side of his cheek. One might miss if they weren't looking at him closely. Awake, he looked mysterious and alluring. Though when he was sleeping, he looked so innocent. There was such a contrast of looks that Chuck wore awake versus when he was asleep.

She slipped out from under his arm that was slung around her. She carefully slipped off the bed, trying to her best go unnoticed and not wake him from his slumber.

As she was slipping her brown Mary Jane heels back on when she heard him speak. "Leaving me again?" Blair turned around to look at him. His arms were now behind his head. His eyes were taking her all in. "What can I do to convince you to stay and help me keep this bed warm?" He asked seductively.

Her brain was conjuring up all sorts of replies. In the end she just shook her head, knowing that she had to get her day started, or else she would never leave the Empire. "As much as love to stay in, I'm meeting Serena to go dress shopping." She replied as she headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and fix her morning hair.

When she came back into the room Chuck wrapped his arms from behind. "Stay. I'll have someone bring over dress options. Or just have one of my men buy Saks and they can bring you all the dresses in the store." He nuzzled himself in her neck.

"I don't doubt you could. Though they do say distance makes the heart grow fonder." She responded. Enjoy the kisses he was placing all around her neck. She supposed she could spare a few more minutes. She turned around. Pushed him onto the bed and straddled him. Bending down and proceeding to begin another heavy make-out session. His hand held her up.

Chuck never thought he would enjoy making out so much. He felt like a teenager again. As an adult, he always viewed kissing and making out as foreplay. The step before his favorite athletic activity. Though, with Blair it was different. It always had been. He was content with kissing her. He could do it for hours.

Blair was the first to pull away. "Now, I really have to go." Blair gave him a smile and one quick peck then made her way toward the elevator. A shriek escaped her lips as soon as she looked up.

Nate gave Blair a questioning look. To be fair, this wasn't the first time he had seen Blair come out of Chuck's place in the early mornings or the late evenings. Before he could even say a word, Blair was already defensive,

"Nothing happened!" Blair explained, hoping to stop Nate's imagination from getting the best of him.

"Never said anything." Nate raised both hands in defense.

"You didn't have to. That look on your face says it all." Blair glared at him. "Chuck, tell him nothing happened." She demanded

"Nothing happened." Chuck obliged in monotoned voice. Blair gave Nate a look that screamed duh. Thinking this was the end, she opened her mouth. Prepared to say goodbye, but was stopped when she her Chuck continue to speak. "Well, nothing except me ravishing every inch of her body."

"He's lying," Blair responded.

"She's right. I've just been testing my stamina and figuring out how flexible Blair is." Chuck corrected himself.

Nate couldn't keep in his laughter.

"Liar!" With that being said, Blair stormed off to the elevator refusing to look at either of the boys.

The young Bass watched her leave. A genuine smile was on his lips. "So, I guess the world has her to thank for your sudden happy bug?" Nate asked. Chuck didn't say anything he just smiled. Though Nate knew that look all too well. He'd seen it way too many times before. "Have you been stung by the love bug?"

This seemed to make Chuck ponder some things, "Maybe Nathanial." He responded in a low voice.

XOXOXOXOXO

"What do you think about this?" Serena asked. The girl had on a floor-length coral dress. Seeing as she wasn't getting any type of response, she tried again. "Do you think color washes me out?" Still nothing. "What if forget the dress and just go how I came into this world? I think me wearing my birthday suit would certainly be the talk of the town."

Desperate times called for desperate measures. Serena took off one of her heels and flung it at Blair. Making the brunette peel her eyes away from her phone.

"Serena, didn't your mother teach you not to throw your shoes at people? You could have killed me. I'm delicate." Blair said making sure to throw the pump back at her best friend.

"Well, I was running out of options since your face has been glued to your phone all this morning."

"I was just messaging some of the buyers about my mom's design. Never too early to start selling the spring collection."

"Sure, I let us pretend that is the truth." Serena replied sarcastically. Blair had returned to texting on her phone. "How are you and my so-called stepbrother?" No response. Serena continued her interrogation. "Nate told me he saw you leaving Chuck's apartment."

"That Archibald has to learn how to keep his lips shut." Blair huffed in annoyance.

"It's not like you two have been discreet. Dan and I saw you two at dinner the other day holding hands and staring into each other's eyes. I think this whole city has seen you two together at this point. I am not judging I just want to know what's going on. We always share about boys we are seeing."

"It's not serious Serena. We are just having fun. Vivre dans l'instant. There is no need to put a label on it"

Serena did not buy that line for one second. She knew Blair was a fan of titles. Titles gave the girl a sense of security. "Come on B. I know you. Why don't you just talk to him? See where you both truly stand."

"Chuck is like one of those stray dogs. He wants to be loved and he deserves it, but if you just go up and approach then they will run away. You have to wiggle a treat in front of them. Show them you won't hurt them. Then after they will appreciate you, they will be putty in your hand. Loyal, faithful, the perfect puppy."

"I think I get your analogy. I just think this sounds too much like a game. I just don't want you excepting something and getting hurt in the long run because he can't commit."

Hoping to deflect the topic at hand, Blair started talking about Nathaniel's mom's charity ball. "So what is the plan?"

Serena gave Blair a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"Aren't we going together as a group?" Blair questioned.

"Well, I'm going with Dan. Remember my boyfriend, the guy I've been dating? The one you sometimes forget to acknowledge." Serena graciously reminded her friend. "Nate is taking some girl he met in Columbia. I think her name is Juliet. Or is Poppy? Doesn't matter. I main point is the rest of us assumed you and Chuck were going together since you've been- whatever you two are."

Serena saw Blair's face drop instantly. "He hasn't asked me."

Sure, she didn't need to be asked. Blair did get her own invite. But she could not just assume she was going with Chuck. It was never safe to assume anything when it came to a Bass. Her brain was beginning to wonder. What if he already had planned on going with someone else? Nate handed out invites when the two of us work on speaking terms. Maybe he thought she would be a boring date?

Serena could almost see the millions of questions begging to overcome Blair. She stopped her from spiraling by speaking and interrupting her thoughts. "Have you guys even talked about it? Maybe he doesn't even know you are going? He could have also thought it was going to be a group outing like you did."

"S, he knows I am going dress shopping with you for the ball. He never said anything. Don't you see, he doesn't care. I thought maybe we were getting somewhere. We just needed time. I thought we had something. I am such a fool."

"Oh, B." Serena wrapped her arms around Blair, pulling her into a tight hug.

Blair hugged her back. She promised herself she wouldn't cry for him. Not again. Blair saw her reflection in the mirror staring back at her.

She pulled apart from Serena. It was now time to serve one of Blair's favorite dishes, payback. It was sweet after all. One Eleanor had taught her at a very young age how to prepare. Don't let the world see your weakness. Never let them see that they hurt you. Instead, show them your strength. Show them what they miss.

Every great queen always has a plan and Blair knew what weapon she would be utilizing. Her mother did say beauty is a weapon. One Blair was blessed with since birth. A weapon she knew she could use to cut deeper than a sword. She could show up looking fabulous with a man looking happier than ever. Showing Chuck she is not someone to be played with. She could show him, he meant to her as much as she meant to him. There are plenty of fish in the sea,

The brunette turned off her phone and put it back inside her YSL bag. "Let's go take another look at those racks and find something that will make me the bell of the ball. As well as something that will make Dan writes sonnets or whatever that boy writes." Blair laughed.

Blair knew that she was going to have to go on a Chuck cleanse to be able to face him at the ball. This meant no more sleepovers. No more calls. No more texts. No more Chuck. Nothing related to Chuck. She would also need to find a date, but that was a detail that could be sorted out later. Right now she just needed the right dress, and to make sure Serena didn't let anything slip about her plan.

XOXOXOXO

Blair's sudden cold shoulder made Chuck very frustrated; not just sexually. His brain could not make sense of how they had gone from getting heavy in the back of the limo and romantic dinner dates to suddenly dead silence. The morning she left his place everything seemed fine. A little annoyed, but nothing that she wouldn't get over or he could undo.

If he and Blair were having a problem, he was positive it could be resolved. He was good at fixing problems. It was part of his job requirement. The biggest obstacle in his way was that the queen had built a wall around herself. Had he not been so frustrated, he would have actually praised her efforts.

He tried calling and texting but with no success. When he tried to step into her penthouse the doorman threatened to call the police. He even showed up at Waldorf studio with pink peonies. Hoping to speak with Blair in person. Though he was informed by Elenor's assistant that Blair is currently not accepting visitors. If it was anyone else he could have bribed or charmed his way in. Then again Blair's parents were never his biggest fan.

An idea soon struck him. If he couldn't get to her maybe someone else could?

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Ah, what a beautiful brunch assortment." Eric served himself some pancakes. "Blair, have you seen the recent exhibit at the Whitney?" The girl paid no attention to Eric's question. Blair was too focused on her phone. "Do you think she's going deaf?" He asked his sister.

"No, she's just been like this lately. I blame a certain billionaire stepbrother of ours." Serena explained. "Okay, new rule. No phones at the brunch table." Serena grabbed the phone out of Blair's hands.

"Hey!" Blair complained. Before Blair had a chance to take her phone Lily and Bart walked in.

"Ah, Good to see everyone here for brunch. Nice of you to join us, Blair." Lily spoke. The couple made their way to the assortment of food that had been set up on the island. "Look what a surprise. The caters made pumpkin scones." That was not the only morning surprise they would get.

A few minutes later Chuck walked in. Everyone, but Eric sent him a questioning look.

"Why are you here? You don't do family brunch." Serena questioned.

Though her mother was quick to remind her to be nice since they were all family now.

Chuck made sure to thank Lily for always being so kind to him. "Eric told me I must join. He mentioned there would be pastries. Something about scones. I do have a fondness for sweets. Right, Eric?"

Eric just nodded his head in confirmation. Truthfully, Eric didn't invite Chuck to brunch. Chuck called him to try to get answers about what happened with him and Blair. Eric explained he had no answer for him. He mentioned Blair would be at Brunch and he could get some entail then. Though Chuck took it as an invitation. He accepted and get told Eric not to worry. Chuck would get the answers he need in person. She after all could not avoid him over brunch, could she?

Blair was just focusing on her food. Trying her best to ignore Chuck. But it was becoming difficult when he took a seat next to her. Though he did say anything to her. His proximity to her was already bringing butterflies to her stomach.

After a few minutes, Chuck's foot touched Blair's. Begging to play a round of footsies under the table with her. Blair gave in for a bit. Then out of nowhere made sure to his foot with her 1,000-dollar red heels.

Chuck winced in pain silently. Making sure to avoid drawing attention to himself.

More moments of silence passed between everyone. Lilly could sense the odd atmosphere and hoped to derail it. "Chuck, did you try the pumpkin scones?" Lilly asked.

"Here, I can go grab you some." Eric offered.

"No, need I am sure Blair wouldn't mind sharing as she hasn't touched hers." Before Blair could protest Chuck grabbed the scone on her plate and took a bite."Delicious." Chuck licked his lips. Making sure not to stare into Blair's eyes. He knew she would get the message.

Blair snapped herself out of Chuck's trance. "Well, this was nice. I have to go. Busy day. I told my mother I would be running samples. I mean I would pick up the samples." Blair knew she had to get out there fast. Her cleanse seemed to have the opposite effect. She seemed more drawn to Chuck than ever. Blair was getting up from the table as fast as she could.

"Charles, why don't you take Blair" Bart offered, unaware that his son was the reason why Blair was rushing out of the penthouse.

Chuck couldn't help but smirk."Of course father."

"No" Blair screamed. Everyone sent her questioning looks. "I mean he's probably busy, and I'll be faster on foot." She corrected while sending a fake smile. Blair tried to signal Serena for help. Though her bestie just shrugged her shoulders. Unaware of how to be of assistance.

"In heels?" Lilly questioned.

Bart waved her off. "Just take Charles and the limo. That way you can also have someone helping you carry everything. I raised him to be a gentleman. What gentleman lets a lady go on foot?" He tried reassuring Blair.

This wasn't what Chuck had planned exactly. But he would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy all the chips falling in his favor. "Shall we go?" Chuck asked.

Blair sighed. Realizing this was a losing battle, she agreed.

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for all the reviews. I did see that you guys are asking for a bit longer chapter which I will try to do. I will make sure to make the next chapter longer. Let me know what you all think.