Chapter 7:
Blair gave the address of the shop she had planned on picking up the samples. Truthfully, the shop was supposed to deliver the sample to Eleanor directly, but Blair could go there and make up an excuse for why she would have to stay. Then continue with her Chuck cleanse.
Most of the ride was silent. Chuck just peered at Blair, seeing if she would say anything. While Blair was determined to look anywhere, but at Chuck.
"What did I do wrong?" Chuck genuinely asked. Blair turned to look at him. He was staring at her with intensity. Hoping that if she couldn't verbally give him an answer, maybe her eyes would. The saying does go eyes are the windows to the soul.
Getting uncomfortable, the brunette looked away. Desperate to stare at anything but him. "Arthur, how many more minutes till we reach the shop?" There was no reply. Blair looked out the window. She noticed they had already passed the little shop. "We are going the wrong way." She yelled. "Get him to turn back." She pleaded. Since no one was paying attention to Blair please she resorted to violence. The girl lunged at Chuck. Throwing repeated mini punches at Chuck's chest.
"Ouch! Look, I know you like it rough, but can we save that for the bedroom." Blair let out an angry huff and stopped. She moved to the opposite end of the limo, crossing her arms in frustration. Chuck rubbed his chest. Hopping the pressure might make the pain go away. "For somebody so small in delicate looking, your hits actually hurt." At this comment she just rolled her eyes, refusing to say anything else to him.
This whole morning had been beyond frustrating and annoying. She wanted to go back to the way it was when she and Chuck were on nonspeaking terms. The car eventually came to a stop. Arthur informed them they had arrived.
Chuck got out of the limo first. "Let's go for a walk." It wasn't a question. More of a demand.
Blair poked her head out of the vehicle. She was relieved to at least still be in New York. Deciding that maybe a walk would either give her a chance to escape or at least run away from Chuck. "Kidnapping is a crime. Two-thirds of my fathers are lawyers. Do you see the issue with this whole scenario?"
Chuck rolled his eyes at her. He walked towards the back of the car and pulled out a basket from the trunk. Chuck had tried giving Blair the woven basket to hold, but she refused to take it. He removed the gingham blanket covering the basket. The only thing inside was a loaf of bread.
"They are for the ducks." Blair gave him a questioning look. "You still like feeding them right?" He asked. "I remember as kids you use to make Dorota bring you to feed the ducks. Something I think about relieving your stress. Free therapy some might call it."
She was touched. He had remembered all these. She was about to say as much but shook her head. Reminding herself not to be persuaded by his kind gestures. He had just kidnapped her and is only using the ducks so she will open up or forgive him.
Regardless, Blair finally yanked the basket from Chuck's hands and started walking, trying to locate some ducks in this park. When she finally found some, she started ripping some pieces of bread and began feeding the little webbed feet creatures.
To her surprise Chuck didn't say anything, He just watched her and the Ducks. Giving her a bit of distance which she did appreciate. She couldn't help wondering as her eyes traveled from the Ducks to Chuck, maybe he hadn't seen the issue. Boys could be ignorant sometimes. It took years for her own father to figure out why a certain time of month Blair wanted chamomile tea and a heating pad.
Deciding that she may have to spell this one out for him, she relieved the reason for her new behavior with one sentence. "You didn't ask me to the ball."
It didn't take a genius to understand what she was referring to. "I didn't think I had to ask?" Chuck questioned. He had assumed that the two were going together after all.
"You did. You do. It doesn't matter." She wanted to feel special. Not for him just to assume. A girl wants romance. To be swept off their feet. Not just assumptions. Especially so early in their relationship. Friendship? Friend with benefitsish? Whatever they were. This all was just getting Blair more frustrated that the ducks were no longer calming her down. "Just please take me back." Blair asked, preparing to walk back to the car.
Chuck grabbed her wrist in order for her to stop. "It clearly does if that's the reason why you've suddenly decided to avoid me like the plague. Stay let's figure this out. I miss waking up to you." Blair sighed. Thinking maybe she was overreacting. Then Chuck decided to be, well Chuck. "Waking some tourists feel the same."
That was all Blair heard before she took off running as she had originally planned. Using her hands to cover both ears. Determined not to hear anything else he decided to say.
She kept running. More like fast walking. She just did not want to see his face anymore. In her plan to run away, she never saw the man in front of her. Causing her to collide with him. Which made the stranger drop his book. "Sorry." Blair apologized. Picking up the book off of the ground and handed it back to the stranger. "If you see someone who says he's looking for someone like me, ignore him. He's lying he doesn't know me. New York is filled with odd beings." Blair pulled out her monogrammed handkerchief and gave it to the stranger. "I hate getting my books dirty. Well, I must be on my way."
The man admired at the girl running. "What's your name?" He called out.
"Blair." She screamed, still running. "Let me know if I owe you a new book." She called out before he could no longer see her in the distance.
XOXOXOXO
Chuck had eventually caught up with Blair. The stranger in the park was no help.
Blair was seated on one of the park benches. "That's enough cardio for a lifetime." He said sliding into the spot next to her.
"What are we Chuck?" Blair asked. Not meeting his eyes.
"We are part of a wealthy and elite club in New York." Wrong answer.
"Not good enough."
"We are childhood friends." That answer was still incorrect.
"Still not enough."
"What do you want me to say?"
"I want a relationship, Chuck. I deserve it." She said, still not looking at him, but instead out into the distance. It was better to just get straight to the point.
He knew they were going to have to talk about this at some point. No jokes. Nate had warned him the other day. They both knew Blair. She was the type of girl who doesn't date casually. She doesn't believe in open relationships. She believes in soulmates. In true love. Everything those Disney stories try to sell you. The only answer he honestly give her was, "I know."
"So, you are just happy us being like this? No true commitment. Not true responsibilities."
"Why ruin a good thing that works?"
"We can't be like this."
"I am not sleeping with anyone else at the moment. That joke about the other women was just that. A joke."
"Are we ever going to be official?" Seeing as he did not respond she tried again. "To you see some kind of relationship with me. One where we leave stuff at each other's place. We go out to dinner. Not afraid of what anyone else might think or say."
"We already do that."
"Then why not make it official? I'll start. I want to be with Chuck Bass." Blair was finally looking into his eyes. Pleading with him. For some, it may have just been a silly title. For her, it was a step. A step towards getting her happy ever after.
After a few minutes, Chuck still did not speak. Blair realized she was not going to get any type of answer from him. Then decided it was time to end it then before she got hurt even more.
"I already called a cab. They should be here shortly. I will have Serena grab my things." Blair got from the seat and walked away.
He wanted to grab her. Tell her to stay. Tell her he wants to be that guy. But could he? By the time he realized it she was already gone. He knew their story could not end like that if they were just beginning.
XOXOXOXO
Blair stood in front of the mirror looking at herself. Not a hair out of place. Her satin crimson gown looked beautiful. It hugged the upper half of her body while the skirt was loose. The girl staring back at Blair was beautiful. She still couldn't shake the feeling like something was not right.
Eleanor came and stood behind Blair. "You look beautiful, darling. The hair crystal pieces in your hair make you look a bit cheap though." It wasn't a true compliment if her mother didn't attach an insult or critique to it.
Blair gently started removing the crystal hairpins. Making sure not to ruin her hair. She wanted to have fun. Enjoy the night. Arguing with her mother would just put her in a sour mood. She wanted to enjoy the ball.
Their maid knocked on the door a few minutes later. Informing Blair her date was downstairs in the lobby. Her mother started complaining about the boy's manners as if she was his date, not her daughter.
Though Blair herself was also annoyed by the mere fact the boy couldn't bother to ride the elevator and pick her up from the penthouse like a gentleman, she decided she would rather tell him that than her mother. Agreeing with her mother meant that Eleanor was right. She was being childish and should have just asked Chuck herself. Something she would rather not think about the moment, well someone.
She put on her best fake smile and said goodbye to the ladies and headed to the elevator.
One thing was for sure. Blair would never ask Dan to set her up ever again. Sadly, Blair was unable to score a date for tonight, leading her to ask Dan to set her up with one of his friends. Since this was all last minute, she knew she couldn't complain too much.
Steeping out of the elevator, she almost took a step back. To her surprise, he was there. Standing in the lobby dressed in a maroon suit that complimented her dress. "Chuck?" Blair questioned cautiously. Cautious of saying anything, she was still wondering if she was dreaming or was this reality.
"I do always love how my name sounds coming out of your mouth." He teased. "Shall we go? The limo waits." Chuck held out his hand, waiting for Blair to take it.
She warily reached for his hand. Then proceed to pinch his upper arm. Which made Chuck let out a yelp. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming." She stated. "We can go now" She batted her eye her doll-like lashes innocently.
Once the two were inside the limo Chuck began to speak. "Blair, I am not the commit type, but that doesn't mean I am not willing to try. I am a person who doesn't like to lose."
Blair took in all he was saying. "It sounds like I might just be an itch you want to scratch then when you get bored of me, you will drop me like you do with those other girls."
"You're the first girl that made me lose sleep. The girl that caused this odd fluttering feeling in my stomach."
"Butterflies?"
"Do remember when we were fourteen and we learned the difference between chemistry and connection? People can have chemistry but that is not enough for a relationship. It's a spark that draws you in. The connection is what makes you. You and I have chemistry and a connection. Something not everyone has. Something we cannot fake nor buy. I want to be the prince you dream of. The guy you deserve. I want to be your boyfriend and want you to be my girlfriend."
Blair kissed him as a sign of confirmation. No more words need to be exchanged.
XOXOXOXO
Blair and Chuck walked over to their friends who were gathered around the bar. "Blair! Chuck! Is it safe to assume you both are back on talking terms?" Serena asked tentatively. She then took two steps back, in case her answer somehow offended either of them.
Blair gave Chuck a quick kiss on the cheek. "Yes, S we talked it over." She responded.
"You know how the saying goes. Happy girlfriend, wonderful life." Chuck added.
"Wow, there big guy! You are aware of what the definition of girlfriend means right?" Nate teased.
"Come on Nate! These two are clearly smitten. We kind of all knew they end up together at some point after we saw them together." Serena said as she smiled at the two. They looked so happy together.
"I knew when we were kids. Remember when Chuck said that I couldn't marry Blair because he wanted to marry Blair and if I did not then he would make sure the Captain got fired. Then proceed to tell Blair that if she didn't go through with the wedding, all her teddy bear, named Flower, would need major surgery. Plus, all her storybooks would be miss pages. That wasn't his ego talking that was just jealousy."
"This is why you don't give children a huge bank account." Chuck joked. Then looked at his girlfriend, "You don't go asking to marry a prince of Manhattan and not expect to find Chuck at the alter."
"For the last time, I was talking about Nate. Ugh, I can't believe little me got you to marry her yet I barely go you to be a part of a monogamous relationship. Little Blair deserves a lot more credit." Blair said.
She was remembering that day. She once was so upset at him. She swore she would never love Chuck. But somehow over time, he found a way into her heart. Maybe it was that even when they were little Chuck would always help her. She would help him in any revenge plot he needed assistance with. In high school, he was her date cotillion and prom. They had gone together strategically to make sure that night was perfect, and their date was an embarrassment. She knew she was spending more time with him these months. Getting to know him better physically and emotionally. She wondered at what moment did he find a permanent place in her heart?
Serena's voice snapped Blair out of her thoughts. "For the sake of my insides, just please keep the PDA to a minimum I love you B, but I don't want to see you exchanging DNA with my brother." Serena shivered in mock disgust."
Blair just rolled her eyes. "Like your one to talk! I caught you and Dan doing worse. You don't hear me complaining."
"Actually, Blair you complain about it all the time." Dan corrected. "As a matter of fact, I believe you said something along the lines of ew, I don't need to see both your tongues. If I wanted to I would have asked."
"Must have slipped my mind." Blair said innocently.
Chuck just smirked. Deciding he had enough of his so-called friends, he decided to ask Blair if she would like to dance. Blair couldn't help but smile like a child on Christmas. She followed him to the dance floor.
The whole night had turned into one of magic for Blair. The two danced and laughed throughout the entire evening. No one and nothing in the world mattered except the two of them. No family drama, no worries, no insecurities, just about each other.
Chuck couldn't help but admire all the time they were dancing. "I love you." He said, not realizing the words had slipped out until it was too late. He was about to take them back when Blair put her hands on his face and looked him in the eyes. "I love you too." She replied.
And that is the story of how the two of them began dating officially. A well-deserved happy ending for these two. Well at least for now. Though nothing stays blissfully perfect forever. Careful now, I heard there is a storm up ahead and it is heading toward the Upper East side. Insiders report it's bound to bring some type of destruction. Enjoy the honeymoon period it is not going to last.
Author's Note:
I know I have already said this, but thank you again to all of you who have not only read this story but also have taken the time to review this story. So what do you think? One more thing, don't forget the stranger at the park…I think Blair just meet a real-life prince. Or maybe not? Guess we will find out soon. Till the next chapter. Thank you and have an amazing day/night!