Disclaimer: I only own the story specific characters I created. The originals belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
"Too busy to take your mother's calls," Blair tapped on her daughter's office door, "So I stopped by with lunch. Is this a bad time?"
"No," Charlotte gave her mother a grateful smile, "I'll take any excuse to take a break."
"Your dad said you've been working pretty hard," Blair handed her a container of food, "Compliments of your brother."
"I've missed Aiden's cooking," Charlotte dove into her food with gusto, "I forgot how much over the past few weeks without."
"I hope your dad isn't working you too hard," Blair observed the dark circles under her daughter's eyes, "I do have considerable pull where he's concerned. I'm sure whatever deadline you're on can be pushed if I ask sweetly."
"You're powers of persuasion are atypically strong where Daddy is concerned, but it's coming along," Charlotte snickered, "I shouldn't have any trouble meeting the deadline."
"If you change your mind, let me know," Blair smiled, "How's the work? Are you learning a lot?"
"It's been an adjustment," Charlotte admitted, "There is a level of distrust between me and my co-workers because of my last name. I should have started under a different identity like I did during my internships."
"You know why that wasn't a good idea," Blair reminded her.
"I know, but it's hard," Charlotte sighed, "They don't talk to me. They don't include me. They think I'm just some goodie-goodie doing her daddy's bidding."
"You'll win them over," Blair assured her, "You always do. You have your mother's charms and your father's business sense."
"I hope you're right," Charlotte bit her lip.
"If it's too much, you can move to a different department," Blair offered, "CB Fashions could be in the market for a business manager."
"No offense, Mom, but that's a giant step down," Charlotte replied.
"I just want you to be happy," Blair played with a curl of her daughter's hair, "I hope you know that."
"I'll figure it out," Charlotte stated.
Eddie popped in abruptly.
"Oh, sorry, didn't know you had a visitor," Eddie backed out of Charlotte's office almost as quickly as he popped in.
"Hi, Eddie," Blair greeted the young man. Her voice and face showed mild surprise.
"Oh, hi, Mrs. Bass," Eddie's eyes were awash with relief.
"Blair," she quickly corrected him, "How are you? How is it being back in New York?"
"It's been a bit of an adjustment, but it's good to be home," Eddie stepped back into Charlotte's office.
"I know your mother is happy to have you home," Blair smiled.
"She's made that quite clear," Eddie chuckled.
"Did you two need to talk shop?" Blair looked between the pair, "I can certainly bug the big boss."
"No, I was just seeing if Charlotte wanted to have lunch," Eddie shook his head, "Maybe tomorrow."
"Sorry," Charlotte replied, " I can't pass on Aiden's cooking."
"It smells great," Eddie replied, "Talk to you later, Char."
Charlotte nodded while Eddie left her office.
Blair saw the blush crimson her daughter's cheeks. "So you and Eddie are..."
"Friends," Charlotte finished the sentence quickly.
"That's not what the twinkle in your eyes said when he entered the office, without knocking, I might add. That suggests a bit more familiarity," Blair observed her clearly flustered daughter.
"Honest, we're just friends," Charlotte replied, "Nothing more has happened."
"Yet?" Blair added with a question in her voice.
"I don't know what happened," Charlotte confessed, "I hadn't seen him in a long time, and when I saw him on my first day...I'd forgotten how good looking he was."
"You're smitten,"" Blair's eyes shined in amusement.
"We're both busy right now with the merger stuff," Charlotte stated, "We agreed after to go on a date to see what happens."
"Charlotte, be smart," Blair cautioned her daughter, "You know how protective your father is."
"That's why I'm not going to tell him unless there is something to tell him," Charlotte replied.
"Good girl," Blair patted her knee with a maternal smile.
"Does Daddy still have his private investigator on speed dial?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes," Blair snickered, "He won't use him unless you give him a reason. You've outsmarted him before. I'm confident you can do it again."
"He still doesn't know Devon and I had sex, does he," Charlotte concluded.
"Heavens no!" Blair gasped, "Your father made me promise when you started dating to never tell him if and when you started to have sex, and I've kept that promise. Besides Devon was a nice young man, I'd hate to be responsible for your father putting him into an early grave."
"He was," Charlotte gave a thoughtful nod, "If only our lives headed in the same direction, but I can't blame him for moving to L.A. to follow his dreams."
"Have you heard from him?" Blair inquired.
"He sends me emails every now and then," Charlotte shrugged, "He's had a few bit parts in but no big breaks."
"Acting is a difficult business," Blair replied.
"It was fun while it lasted in college, but I was never serious about it, certainly not as serious as Devon," Charlotte sighed, "It's always been about business for me."
"I know," Blair smiled, "You are your father's daughter."
Charlotte beamed in reply.
"The office needs a few personal touches," Blair looked around at the bare walls.
"I'll get around to it eventually," Charlotte shrugged, while closing the now empty container and handing it to her mother, "You'll compliment our chef for me, won't you?"
"Of course," Blair returned the container to her lunch bag, "He misses you...says he doesn't, but he does."
"I was thinking of taking a day off this weekend. Think I could talk Aiden into a picnic in the park?" Charlotte inquired.
"I think you can talk all of us into a picnic in the park," Blair replied, "Sunday work for you?"
Charlotte nodded in reply.
"I'd better get back to my loft, but I want to stop to see your father first," Blair hugged her daughter, "Don't work too hard."
"I'll try," Charlotte smiled.
"You know that no matter what, your father and I are very proud of you," Blair kissed her cheek.
"Thanks, Mom," Charlotte blushed while her mother erased the lipstick from her cheek.
"See you, Sunday," Blair stated.
"How's it coming?" Eddie popped his head into Charlotte's office later in the evening.
"Getting closer," Charlotte smiled up at him, "I think I have my cuts narrowed down. Now I just need to write up the proposal. It's harder than I thought, having to cut jobs when you see the names of the people affected by your work."
"You try not to think about it," he took a seat, "Sorry about earlier with your mom."
"It's okay," Charlotte assured him, "I had no idea she was coming. She just popped in with food. I couldn't turn down Aiden's quinoa creation. He's a culinary genius."
"So I've heard," Eddie chuckled, "Is the training at the CIA really necessary?"
"It's what he's always wanted," Charlotte stated, "He's soaked up as much as he could from our chef. Now it's time for the professionals to take over. He just started this week, so I'm excited to hear what he has to say about it. I'm hoping to spend some time with him this weekend."
"Taking time off?" Eddie asked.
"Just Sunday," Charlotte replied, "I still have a week to write up my proposal. It shouldn't be too involved. How are your recommendations coming?"
"Almost done," he responded, "Your father wasn't too keen on keeping many. He'll keep enough for the boards to give approval to the acquisition."
"I'm going to be finished early," Charlotte admitted, "Do I dare ask if anyone needs help? I don't want to step on anyone's toes."
"You also don't want to be the one who packs it up every day at five and leaves the office," he stated, "Feel them out. See which ones seem the most stressed. They might be glad for the help, but make it clear you don't want to step on toes."
"Yeah, thanks for the advice. Business school doesn't prepare you for the day to day office stuff. I can recite business tactics and the principles of macro and micro economics with my eyes closed, but these office politics…," she trailed off.
"You'll figure it out," he reassured her, "Charlotte Bass doesn't know how to fail."
"I wish I had your same faith in myself," she bit her lips and glanced towards the clock on the wall. Dinner was due to arrive shortly and everyone seemed to mill around the conference room just minutes before.
"Do you want me to come with?" he read her thoughts.
"No," she shook her head, "It's my job to win these people over. Wish my luck."
"Good luck," he gave her a reassuring smile. Just before Charlotte left her office, he reached for her hand, "Are you free for dinner on Saturday night?"
"What about our agreement?" she gave him a nervous smile.
"I don't think I can wait any longer."
"Pick me up at seven," she smiled shyly before leaving her office.
TBC…