Chapter Twenty-Six
See You See Me
"I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself."
It was eerily fascinating how time sped by in summer. Meteorologists keep reminding us how days last longer, but nobody dares mention how seconds tick by with incredulous, unnatural speed. Now imagine that speed combined with the whirlwind of time one finds themselves in when anticipating something that evokes utter fear and dread; an oral exam, dentist's appointment, a meeting with special someone after they text you 'we have to talk'.
Blair and Chuck spent every moment together, from early mornings to starry evenings, enjoying summer haze. They walked through Central Park, fed the ducks, went window-shopping in Fifth Avenue, ate ice creams and stole kisses. Chuck once mentioned Hamptons, pool, sunbathing and bonfire parties with Nate, but she was aware they'd maybe never make it that far and gave some stupid excuse that wouldn't matter next week.
Morning before his birthday party came and she showed up at his penthouse earlier than they agreed. Tiptoeing in, she proudly held the strawberry cream cake which she made herself. Janice the maid helped her light the candles and Blair entered the bedroom to which she had gotten used to already as if it was her own. Nevertheless, she was careful never to leave any item of hers behind. She stopped mid-stride and admired his sleeping face with dose of anxiety and affection.
Chuck stirred from his sleep, hugging the soft sateen pillow and opening his eyes.
''I overslept, didn't I?'' He groggily murmured, not moving from his position, looking at her through bleary eyes.
''Happy birthday,'' She sang and sat next to him on the bed, presenting him the delicious goodness. At those words, at the sight of the cake and burning candles, he sat up, rubbing sleep away from his lids.
''Make a wish,'' She whispered with a melancholy smile, silently begging for him to wish for their love, for their forever. Chuck closed his eyes and blew on the flames, small wisps of smoke rising in the air. Blair set the cake down and fed him a strawberry with an easy familiarity - a comfort we develop with someone over time, a comfort of a home within another person.
''Nobody's ever made me a cake before.''
''Did you like it?'' She asked, licking the cream off her fingers. She looked at him under the lashes, taking in his white Calvin Klein cotton shirt and the toned muscles underneath it. God, he was so sexy with his sleepy voice and messy hair.
''It's good, but,'' Chuck said half-smiling, his eyes soft and liquid amber. ''Not as good as my favorite one.''
He kissed her, pulling her onto him and she surrendered willingly, tasting strawberries and cream.
Georgina climbed up the steps that led to Millennium hotel and she paused at the newly added sign at the gates.
TROPIC.
Something electric passed through her body and she grinned as the hired workers passed by, carrying the chairs, tables, lamps - finishing up on the business deal her father recently made. A business deal that probably did her more good than to the company. Finally, she had her chance at conquering the famous Chuck Bass - Prince of Darkness - a chance at her own shot at bliss. It was true, she would admit, she had certain kind of infatuation with him that may or may not have her end up on meds and be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Borderline personality crap, that was it. Just another stunt of her greedy shrink to squeeze out more money.
But that was months ago, she was a different person then.
Georgina was now a reborn person, someone with friends and perspective future. Someone who was to win over Heir's heart, because she knew - deep down - she knew they were meant to be. The chemistry was undeniable and all-consuming, only he didn't realize that yet. They didn't have a chance to meet. But now they had one because this, Tropic club in her hotel, was a sign from heavens.
''Oh. My. God. '' Her eyes widened at the sight of two men in business suits, casually chatting in the lobby of the hotel.
''Daddy!'' She squeaked, clinging to his forearm and interrupting whatever he had going on. ''Tropic!''
''Oh,'' The man, she recognized him from the news pictures, was Bart Bass. The famous father of The Heir. She stared at him, trying to devour him, restraining herself from hugging him because she felt elated, she felt blissful, having someone that important here - someone that may very well be her family one day. ''I see we have a fan here.''
Her grip on her father tightened and she beamed back at Bart Bass ''Georgina. Nice to meet you.''
He shook her hand and smiled at her father. ''It looks like your daughter is one of the night birds too.''
Georgina's grin grew at the compliment, but it quickly died out as her own insufferably serious father said, ''Absolutely not. Georgina rarely goes out-''
''But I love Tropic,'' She quickly interjected, suddenly dropping his arm and shooting him a menacing look. ''It's my favorite club in New York! One and only.''
''Looks like we've found ourselves an enthusiastic assistant for my son here.'' Bart Bass smirked, a strangely genuine smile and she briefly wondered why did he gain reputation of a merciless megalomaniac. The man looked like a delight! ''Only, Chuck doesn't know yet about this deal. I'm keeping this as a surprise for him.''
She beamed at her father, that electrifying feeling once again passing through her body like a train at the mention of Chuck and she reveled in the fact that this would be not only Heir's utopia of hedonism, but also a place where he would work, where he would have to regularly come. And they would meet and they would chat and he would ask her out and they would fall in love and oh - she'd make that Blair eat her shriveling heart out!
''Georgina will start classes soon,'' Her annoying insipid irritating father sternly said, looking down on her. ''So I don't think that will be possible.''
''Education comes first,'' Bart Bass nodded, ''Well, then I at least expect you to stop by in the original Tropic before classes start.''
Georgina laughed, showing all her pearly whites and vigorously nodded back.
''As the matter of fact,'' Chuck Bass' father continued, looking at Mr. Sparks. ''Do you want to come today because-''
''Because your son's birthday is today!'' She finished for him, beaming and Bart's smile somehow faltered. But she didn't see that, she was proud of herself, she had memorized that date from the magazines, would have tattooed it if her brainless parents didn't block her credit cards after that time she took too many pills and some vodka and they were stupid enough to thinks he wanted to kill herself.
Mr. Sparks inhaled a sharp breath and put a hand on his partner's shoulder. ''I'll walk you out.''
''Georgina, why don't you take a look at decorations inside and see if everything is by your liking?''
She nodded and laughed with glee, skipping to the section of the hotel that was now another Tropic club. But instead of going all the way, her grin dropped as she hid behind the wall, intent on listening to their conversation.
''My son's friends are preparing a birthday party for him tonight,'' Bart Bass offered, putting his hands in pockets. ''Your daughter would be most welcome to join.''
''Unfortunately, she can't make it,'' Her father, the asshole, said. ''We're having some guests over today.''
They weren't having any guests, she thought and grit her teeth as they walked away. What was he trying to pull? Did he want to keep her away from Chuck? Why would he do that when he knew how much he meant to her? What was wrong with him?
That night she exited the cab with her hair curled and glossy, nails done, make-up perfect. She was dressed in tight black dress with ruffled sleeves and red Louboutins. Paparazzi lined the entrance and they snapped pictures of guests. Georgina fed on the fact that she was one of the invitees, on the fact that she would come in, take in the gasps and admiration of everyone.
She knew Chuck would somehow recognize her, come up to her and be shocked by the fact that their fathers knew each other, but funnily enough they themselves never met before. He would politely kiss her cheek and invite her to his table, wanting to get to know her. She would sing happy birthday with his friends and they would all want to get to know her too - and she would tell them where she lived, she would tell them her father owned hotels, that she was just like them and she would tell them she would be attending Constance Uni on the fall.
They would gasp, welcome her with a note of jealousy, and they would all be sorry they didn't meet her earlier. She would smile, catch his eye and he would hail them a cab. Chuck Bass would whisk her away and paparazzi would take pictures of the romantic stunt and it would all end up in papers tomorrow, big headline: WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS BEAUTY?
''Your name, Miss?'' Bouncer on the door asked her for the second time and she snapped out of the daze.
''Georgina Sparks,'' She peeked through the doors, lightly swaying to music, dazzled by the lights.
''I'm sorry, but your name is not on the list.''
She suppressed a frown. ''Mr. Bass probably forgot to put my name on it. I'm daughter of Jason Sparks.''
He studied her intently and said something in his mouthpiece.
After few seconds, she noticed the row behind her strike her with impatient glances, but she didn't care. The bouncer turned back and nodded, ''Very well, Miss Sparks. You may enter.''
She grinned and rushed through the doors, ignoring queer looks. Georgina gripped her Dior golden clutch and entered the long red-carpeted hall that led inside the main room. People were swarming towards the lights that came from the other end, except a couple standing in the middle.
Everyone went around them, careful not to touch them, but not able to glue their eyes away from the embrace. They emitted energy, an aura that demanded everyone's attention, an energy that burned with power of the sun and exploding stars. Party-goers admired the bare pale shoulders of the girl, the handsome grin of the boy, her long bordeaux gown and his bow-tie of matching color. There was something about them that made your breath stop, something that made you want to be like them.
Georgina froze, looking at Heir embracing someone that wasn't her, someone who was as glamorous as the girls on cover of magazines, beautiful as the actresses on TV shows. They looked like something out of a book, something that belonged in fictional world. The girl even had the same dress Georgina used to own! Only, it never looked this good on her. With jealousy brimming in her stomach, she watched them smiling, laughing and kissing.
He had a girlfriend? Her guts twisted unpleasantly, wave of nausea passing through her body.
Suddenly, her own dress felt wrong, inadequate, her up-do messy and ridiculous. Georgina felt small, miniature and invisible.
''I heard her father owns hotels,'' She caught a whisper of of one of the guests as they passed by. ''He has business with tourism.''
''I heard her brother is studying abroad,'' The other said back. ''I wonder if he's hot?''
''Who cares if they're this rich,'' The third girl giggled.
With a shock that couldn't be put into words, that Atlas himself would have difficulties carrying on his back, Georgina saw the girl turn her head and the girl, the model, the actress, the rich socialite kissing Chuck Bass... was Blair. Blair the housekeeper's daughter. Blair the nobody, dressed in one of Georgina's discarded gowns, taking everything that wasn't hers to take.
Hotels? Tourism? Her low-life brother Dan was supposedly studying abroad?
What the fuck was going on?
Blair, the housekeeper's freakin' daughter, was kissing Chuck Bass, a son of billionaire, stupid grin on her stupid face.
''Blair?'' Georgina whispered, mortified, crushed and she saw him kiss her hand and take it, leading her to the club - to sing happy birthday, to kiss her and for his friends to admire her. World coiled around itself and something in Georgina snapped. She slowly turned around, exited the club with uneven steps and walked out on the street.
In the morning, Blair was woken up by a phone call.
''Hello?'' She answered after an unknown number flashed on the screen.
''Did you tell him?''
The terror passed through her body at the cold feminine voice and she shot up, making herself dizzy with the movement. Blair rubbed her forehead and took a deep breath, ''No, I didn't. I -''
On the other line, Evelyn threatened. ''I'm coming back to Manhattan tomorrow. When I get back, if you don't tell him - I will.''
The silence ensued. Shame scorched through her as she remembered Evelyn's face, a woman that seemed to adore her, that cried on her shoulder and laughed together with her. A woman thats saw hope in her, now only saw something repugnant. Her heart constricted and in the kitchen, someone was doing dishes. They opened the tap, the sound of water loud and steady.
''It won't be pretty, Blair.'' Evelyn hung up, dialing noise sharp and brittle.
She grabbed the ruby ring from the nightstand and fingered it, her thoughts racing a mile per second. Why couldn't she just confess? Why was her tongue refusing to cooperate whenever he was near? Last night was amazing. They danced all night, shared a cake, shoved it in each other's mouth and everyone laughed. Blair didn't mind Serena or Nate, she joined them in laughter and somehow, just for that night, past seemed forgotten.
Chuck whispered I love you's over and over again until it all blurred into one word, into one kiss and they celebrated the night as the pagans celebrated it; with freedom, smell of flowers and movement of body, bowing to the moon and the stars.
If she confessed to him, maybe, just maybe, she'd still have a chance. This wasn't just a simple lie - this was whole web of deceit and imaginary life. It wasn't something that was easy to come clean with.
But last night, she gained a courage that wasn't there. If she told him, maybe he would forgive her. There was no other choice. This had been dragging on far far too long and her soul ached, needed a break, her soul needed some weight lifted. Because if she kept this on any longer, her spine would crack and she would fall down without ever going back up.
''Good afternoon,'' Chuck politely greeted, nodding to his father and offering his hand to the girl sitting opposite of him. He was supposed to meet his father for lunch, but Chuck wasn't surprised when Bart dragged one of his girlfriends to it. This one seemed younger than usual and he felt himself inwardly cringe with disgust.
''Chuck,'' Bart said, gesturing towards her. ''I want you to meet Georgina. Georgina is the daughter of one of my business partners. I wanted you two to get to know each other.''
He opened his mouth and closed it, looking at his father with raised eyebrow.
''She is to attend Constance this fall,'' He explained, looking at his son from under the brows with the eyes that were impossible to refuse - eyes that were dangerous to refuse. This girl was obviously crucial for whatever business deal he was making, Chuck concluded. ''I thought maybe you could give her few hints, help her settle in.''
''Really?'' Chuck asked with a mocking smile. He found it absurdly hilarious that his father thought him competent enough to offer someone else advice on classes. It wasn't that Chuck was a terrible student, he had perfectly average grades. It was the fact that Bart went out of his way to present Chuck in light he never saw him. Nevertheless, Chuck would do his part of perfect son. ''Congratulations. Have you picked your major?''
''Management,'' She beamed, a strange glint in her eyes that he couldn't quite place. The girl looked like any of Serena's friends, but there was something about her eyes and the way she gaped at him that made him uncomfortable. ''I want to take my father's footsteps. He owns a hotel.''
''Who knows,'' Added Bart with tight smile. ''Maybe you'll be associates.''
His father caught Georgina's eyes and some silent information passed between them that was unavailable to his son. Chuck suppressed an exasperated sigh, thinking Blair would have a good laugh at the stereotype this girl proudly showed herself to be.
''Alright,'' Bart rose, straightening his tie. ''I'll leave you two kids to it then. I have to get back to work.''
Chuck was left alone with this girl and the way she beamed at him, it sourly reminded him of the fan-girls that followed him through the years of high school. It made him fidget in his seat, unable to meet her direct blunt gaze.
''Are you hungry?'' She eagerly asked, opening the menu.
''No, thanks. I just had brunch,'' He lied, looking down on his buzzing phone, ignoring her disappointed face. He wanted to keep this set up date as short as possible. Blair just sent him a message, saying she wanted to meet him. ''So, what do you want to know about Constance?''
Batting her thick dark eyelashes, Georgina asked all the questions she already knew the answers to. She didn't even bother to correct him when he provided with wrong information, but instead opted for showing her gratitude with enthusiasm. With a suppressed fury and infinite annoyance, she saw him subtly check the watch on his hand and ever so often glance towards the exit.
''Is that all?'' He said after some time, pushing his chair slightly back. ''Or do you have another question?''
''Oh,'' She said with perfectly composed face though her insides burned, churned with bitterness and anger. That stupid nobody had him twisted around her little finger. Blair had to pretend to be Georgina and have Georgina's life to get him this infatuated. Now that she herself showed up, he was too wrapped up in lies and crap she fed him with to notice the real deal. Not for long, though. ''It looks like you have something else planned today.''
''As the matter of fact I do,'' He replied, standing up and buttoning back his blazer.
''Yes, of'course,'' She jumped up, smiling widely. ''Thank you so much.''
He nodded with relief and rose when her words stopped him.
''I've been wondering,'' She said delicately, sweetest of the smiles on her pale face. ''If you're going my way? I don't have a car and hailing a cab at this hour is practically impossible.''
''No problem,'' He responded, a perfect gentleman. ''I'll drop you off. Where do you live?''
''Upper fifth.''
His eyebrows rose slightly and she marveled in that small movement.
That's right, she thought savagely. Where Blair lives. I bet you're going to see her now.
They walked to the limo and in the meantime, he had a brief call.
''Was that your girlfriend?'' She asked as they sat in the limo and it drove off.
''Was it that obvious?'' He dryly commented, obviously put off by the conversation he had with Blair. Blair said she had something to do, but when he proposed they meet tomorrow, she stubbornly insisted it be today - in half an hour, after she was done with an errand her parents bid her. Her voice was tense and she seemed strained.
''How long have you been together?'''
''A while now.''
''Ah, I see you like to keep stuff private.''
''Well if I didn't, it wouldn't be private anymore,'' He countered, somewhat annoyed.
''Turn left,'' She called out to his driver, pointing to her street.
''Here?'' Chuck asked, as they pulled in front of the building, shock evident on his face. ''You both live here?''
''Who lives here?'' She repeated airily, playing dumb and purposefully knotting her neat waxed eyebrows.
''Blair, my girlfriend. Do you know her?''
''Oh, yes,'' She grinned and something at the back of Chuck's mind screamed alarm at the sight of that grin. ''Of'course I know Blair. Actually, do you mind getting in with me? Just for a second? My father sent me today to give you some document, but I completely forgot to bring it with me.''
Chuck didn't even think twice about it or about the fact that there may be a secret agenda hidden behind these words. He readily agreed, thinking he'd just stop by at Blair's after and followed Georgina to her flat, the area as familiar to him as his own home and his own street.
''Wait a second,'' He noted gravely as they exited the elevator and Georgina rummaged through her purse for keys. He remembered the day Blair's mother peeked from the window and called after her. This was supposed to be that apartment, that floor, that flat.
''Sorry?'' Georgina asked, unlocking.
''I thought Blair lived here?''
So the bitch lied she was living here? Georgina suppressed a curling of her upper lip, pressing her mouth to a thin line. ''Oh, no,'' She innocently said, opening the doors. ''She lives downstairs.''
Down in the basement, you poor blind bastard.
''I must have gotten the floors wrong,'' He muttered, looking around the apartment in mild confusion. Chuck leaned on the door-frame and put his hands in his pockets.
''I can't remembered where I left that document. I'll have to look for it. Do you mind coming in?''
Something in Chuck's guts twisted. He entered her apartment, for an inexplainable reason feeling on edge.
''Do you come here often? To visit Blair?''
Chuck nodded, sauntering around the room and looking around. What did he look for, he didn't know. Georgina pressed the intercom to call housekeeper's apartment, ''Jane? Jane are you there?'' She wanted to fetch Blair, she wanted her to come upstairs and have them meet each other - in front of herself.
Right then, a bell rang and she opened the doors.
''Do you have any trash?'' At the sound of her voice - at those strange, raw, alien words - Chuck snapped up his head.
Blair was wheeling the big trashcan, dressed as Georgina was used to seeing her dressed through childhood; in rags, with tired face and her hair put up in a messy bun - doing the errand of a housekeeper. Her parents must had been busy and left her to do their errand. Blair had no fancy make up, no fancy clothes and her hair wasn't curled to perfection. The mask was gone.
''Actually'' Georgina exclaimed with a cruel smile, her eyes darting from her to Chuck who was hidden behind the doors. ''I do.''
As she turned away, Chuck's whole demeanor seemed to change, his body seemed to tremble, seized with violent fit, and it stilled, stiff as a corpse. Missing piece of puzzle fell in place and it was as if the cover above his eyes - that fuckin' curtain - was lifted, forced open, and he realized all the things he was too unwilling to see. The over-protective parents, the secrets, the attitude towards poor people, towards money, the unanswered calls, unreturned texts, the mystery regrading every aspect of her life, regarding every question he ever asked her and the avoidance that followed it.
He opened the doors wider, wanting to see for himself.
''Blair?'' His voice was a choked whisper, his face set in a grimace that no painter could stomach painting on his canvas.
''It's your lucky day,'' Georgina continued from the kitchen, stifling laughter. ''There's not much trash today.''
She came back to doors, white smelly plastic bag in her hand, and relished in Blair's wide tear-filled eyes that didn't move from Chuck.
''Oh, Chuck stopped by,'' She went on merrily. ''When he told me you guys were friends, I rang downstairs but nobody answered.''
She waited for an answer, genuinely delighting in the devastation and complete destruction.
Karma is a bitch, you two-faced lying idiot.
Impatiently, she shoved a plastic bag in Blair's hand and cheerfully added. ''I told you it was your lucky day today.''
Silence ensued, broken by one wretched sound - Blair's sob. Chuck seemed to shake out of the daze he was under and he pushed past them, storming out of the flat without any word.
Georgina smiled to Blair and shut doors in her face.
''Chuck,'' She screamed as she caught up with him out on the street. He wouldn't stop, but ran - away from her, away from this accursed building, this cursed place that held so many memories, a grotto of false treasure and blooded diamonds. ''Chuck, listen to me! You have to-''
With a force nobody knew she possessed, Blair threw her hands on limo doors and they snapped shut. At first, Chuck wouldn't even look at her. He heaved breaths as if something was gagging him, as if something lodged itself in his throat and he had trouble breathing. The air seemed toxic, everything around him acidic and he felt his bow-tie curling around his neck, choking him.
''Please, just-'' She whimpered, sniffling and his nostrils flared as he looked back at her. He was a picture of rage, oozing with energy and power that was brutal compared to how he was just last night. Worst of all, his wrath was directed at her and he had every reason for it.
''Listen to what?'' He spat, his eyes as dark as onyx. ''What the fuck is going on? Place where you said you lived is apparently not your home? That - that girl - Georgina - the trash -''
He couldn't muster oxygen enough to finish the sentence. Chuck shoved her away and opened the doors again when she threw her whole body on the doors, blocking it.
''I'll explain everything!'' Blair blurted out frantically, afraid to lose him, afraid that he would go and never come back. Because this was it, this was the turning point and if he left now, he would never ever return and she would die. Her heart pounded in her ears as he stared at the doors of the limo, as if he wanted to smash the car to pieces, his eyes weapons of mass destructions.
''Go on,'' He gritted through his teeth, forcing the words out as if they were something poisonous. He let go of the doors and turned towards her. He made mistakes like this before, especially with her; he didn't trust her, he walked away without giving her a chance to explain. Guts churning with acid, deep deep down, he wanted to her to prove him wrong. He wanted her to tell him this was all just another stupid misunderstanding. Because deep deep down, he knew it wasn't. ''Explain.''
His voice was cold and ice, it wasn't soft and reassuring, but he was giving her a chance. She didn't know where to begin, where to start, what was a lie and what was not - she barely knew herself. Color drained from her skin as larks flew away from trees and over their heads, listening to their conversation and still dared to sing. Blair stared at him, as if not really seeing him, and kept silent.
''Look at yourself,'' He seethed disgusted and livid. ''You can't even say anything!''
With that, he pushed her aside, shoved the doors open and got into the limo.
With a face devoid of any color, any emotion, she watched the car drive away. Something in her seemed to unplug and numbness took over. Blair didn't cry. Instead, she went back inside and forcefully knocked on Georgina's doors. The culprit all too willingly opened, smirking to herself. The girls, former friends, lifetime neighbors, warily watched each other.
''I realized everything once I saw you with him,'' Started Georgina, lazily leaning on the door-frame and inspecting her last night's manicure. ''You were so - unreal. How could you have possibly make it all happen by being yourself?''
''How could you do it,'' Georgina's lips were set in cruel grin, but her eyes were brimming with hatred and jealous and fury. She pushed herself off the frame and straightened, glaring at the girl in front. ''Unless you were pretending to be someone else? Unless you were pretending to be me?''
''I was never you,'' Hissed Blair with certain kind of conviction, her upper lip curled into a disgusted snarl. ''Never.''
''My house?'' Humorlessly giggled Georgina. ''My parents? Freakin' hotel? Is there anything else you haven't taken away from me?''
''I didn't lie because I wanted to be like you,'' Viciously interjected Blair, calm but feeling herself on fire, feeling her skin singe. How could Georgina ever understand? She who had everything she ever wished for? She who perfectly fit into the picture of Chuck's society, ready to accept her solely on the account of good fortune? Because that's how it went and that was the crude reality. Blair lied because she wanted to be accepted. Simply accepted - not loved, not admired. ''Believe it or not, it's true.''
''Oops, sorry. I forgot you're the expert at honesty. You believed it, didn't you? You made yourself believe in your lies?''
''I saw you,'' Georgina continued, lowering her voice to a deadly whisper and shadows danced across her face, making her look half-demonic. ''I saw you last night, at Chuck's party - next to him.''
''I saw you kissing,'' Her voice shook and Blair looked back at her with wary eyes, looked back at this obsessed girl that needed serious help. Was she taking her meds? Did her parents know about this? She peeked over Georgina's shoulder, but nobody was home. Is this the reason she purposefully ruined her relationship with Chuck? Because she was fuckin' crazy?
''So you were there,'' Blair stated, crossing her arms. ''Does your father know?''
Georgina laughed out loud, a twisted laugh that matched the madness in her eyes. ''You still act like you're better than me!'' She screamed, laugh dying out, raising her voice to a high pitch. ''You worthless lying bitch! You were holding Chuck's hand as if you were some kind of a princess! You're a liar! That's what you are, Blair - a liar!''
''Believe it or not,'' Blair resolutely said, serene despite the snarling assault, ''Everything that I've been through with Chuck was real. We are real.''
Those words that rang with strength and belief and hope only seemed to infuriate Georgina further. She pulled on her own hair, growling, ''You're not real, Blair. You're not real!''
''Blair!'' Jane called out, climbing up the steps and watching them with narrowed eyes. ''Enough.''
Georgina's eyes widened at the sight of her. ''Oh, you knew too, didn't you,'' She accused, hands on her hips. ''You let your daughter seduce the prince. You thought he would get you out of that hell-hole, out of that moldy basement-''
''Enough!'' Blair shoved Georgina so hard she stumbled back. Her heart burned at the false accusations of her mother, a person that was completely innocent, and who loved her despite everything. Jane had nothing to do with this! This was all Blair's fault and nobody else's.
''Blair!'' Her mother grabbed her forearm, steering her towards the other direction. ''Let's go! Can't you see the poor girl lost her nerves? Can't you see she's talking gibberish. She probably forgot to take her medication.''
''It's over!'' Georgina screamed at her, getting up from the floor. ''This pathetic fairytale is over!''
They entered their home, a small moldy flat and Blair ignored the heavy lead in her heart.
''Some people are moving out from the top floor, will you help me clean the place up? It's supposed to be up for a rent.''
That night, news were filled with renegade Heir, Prince turning back to his dark side and fighting with paparazzi, breaking noses and cameras. Nobody could reach his phone; not the worried mother, not the persistent lawyer, not the outraged father, not his best friends. His phone lay down on the bottom of Hudson river, carelessly thrown off the bridge. His car caused havoc on Manhattan streets and everyone rushed to Tropic, wanting to see the spectacle first hand.
Chuck didn't show up. He avoided the club and in the early hours of next day - he found himself in front of Millennium hotel.
This was supposed to be Blair's hotel, he darkly contemplated. Hotel where she once worked and he remembered seeing her parents - no, some people that she claimed were her parents. He remembered the feelings he felt then and shame took over; shame for being so easily fooled, shame that fed his anger, his resentment. Because people tried to fool him before, girls slept for his money, boys hung out with him for his parties. He was always step ahead and used them before they could use him. What was so different this time?
What happened that he bit the bait?
Whose hotel was this? Who were those people?
What else did Blair lie about?
''I'm surprised to see you here,'' Mr. Sparks said as he shook hand of Bart Bass' son. Dismissing the secretary, he gingerly watched the boy drop down on leather chair. ''I thought you'd be resting today.''
''What do you mean?'' He said, his aloof voice very much like his father's. There was maybe only one difference, Chuck took no regard of the usual formality and general politeness. Strangely, Jason Sparks heard very different accounts of Chuck Bass, but none of them claimed he was anything like his father.
''I heard you had birthday party last night,'' Mr. Sparks elaborated, putting some papers away and crossing hands on the table. Chuck's eyes were as equally cold and dark as Bart's. He never met the boy before and finally seeing an object of his daughter's obsession wasn't very favorable. What did she see in him? His eyes kept darting across the office, finally landing on a picture on the desk.
''My daughter and my wife,'' Mr. Sparks explained, noticing his interest, taking the frame and staring at it.
''The mother,'' Chuck muttered, his eyes burning intensely into the picture. Mr. Sparks looked up at him and, upon closer inspection, noticed the dark circles under his eyes, rumpled clothes and messy hair. Did this boy even sleep tonight? And his father wanted him to run the club?
''That's a common mistake people make. Diana is my second wife,'' He set the frame down. ''Georgina's mother passed away some time ago.''
Chuck Bass didn't seemed to be interested in this speech. He didn't say 'I'm sorry' like every person said after hearing this information and Mr. Sparks shifted in his seat, uncomfortable by the way this boy stared at the picture and prolonged awkward silence. He cleared his throat. ''Do you know my daughter?''
Bart Bass' son looked at him - long and hard - and then he chuckled, strangely sinister sound. Chuck got up, still laughing to himself, carelessly waved to astounded man and left the office with murmured ''Goodbye, Mr. Sparks.''
Later that night, Evelyn stepped into the Bass penthouse. Her hair was put in a handsome chignon and skin glowed with tan, all credits due to Hampton's sun and caviar diet.
''My darling,'' She softly smiled at him, setting her purse down on a coffee table, glad she found him home. In the past, it was almost impossible to get a hold of her son. He never answered his phone and only came home for a shower and change of clothes. Chuck spent his night partying, and if the party didn't go on to the other day, he would be on a plane to some exotic destination. Evelyn Bass didn't miss those days. ''How you've been?''
She approached him, putting hand on his arm and kissing both of his cold cheeks. Chuck stood still as a statue, glass of scotch clutched in his hands, shoulders unnaturally slumped. She waited for him to move, waited for him to acknowledge her, but all her son did was down the scotch and pour himself another glass.
''You look pale. Are you well?''
His mother worriedly gazed at him and at the nearly empty bottle, searching his impassive face and her heart stopped when she came across that old wall between them. The terrible barrier, the gruesome sense of rejection. The room went colder for few degrees and Evelyn suppressed a shiver. Her son took a sip of the amber liquid and she gulped heavily, praying her motherly instinct was wrong. ''You found out.''
At those words, Chuck's head snapped up and his nostrils flared. It was like someone threw a bucket of ice water over him.
''You knew?'' He seethed, an ominous feeling building up inside of him, a delayed reaction to whatever the fuck had been happening these past couple of days. Because this all still didn't seem real, it all seemed like one sick joke and he found himself being the center of it.
''Chuck, there's no need to be sad,'' She tried to comfort, to pull him back to her. ''That girl is hardly worth of it.''
''You knew,'' He grit through his teeth, flinching away. His reserved demeanor diminished and angry beast set into the place. He glared at his mother, fire burning within the circles of his dark irises. ''You knew about those lies?'' He shouted, feeling betrayed, feeling played by everyone and the thought of it made him sick, made him furious. ''That's why you tried to pull me away from her?!''
Evelyn cringed as her son raised his voice against her, cringed at the truth of his words, cringed at the hurt he felt. ''I'm sorry.''
''You-'' He growled, his voice breaking and Chuck sharply looked away. Evelyn noticed his lower lip trembled and she felt back of her eyes sting. He swallowed, trying to regain control. When he spoke again, his back was turned to her and she couldn't see his face, but his voice was accusing, ringing with bitterness and pain. ''You didn't say anything.''
''I couldn't, I didn't know what to do,'' She hurriedly explained, apologetic and devastated. She couldn't do anything without damaging her son and in the end, the agony was inevitable. ''I wanted you to hear it from Blair-''
The sound of her name was like trigger of a loaded gun and Chuck quickly turned back towards Evelyn, boiling with rage. ''But you didn't say anything!'' He screamed at her, flinging his glass of scotch at the wall in blinding rage. The glass shattered into million pieces, scattering over floor and leaving a big stain, drops racing downwards. Evelyn cowered, hiding her face into her hands, but when she looked up again - her son was gone.
Evelyn felt her eyes stinging with tears, because the bond had been destroyed and they were back to how they were before. She remembered those days and hated it, hated the alienation, isolation and loneliness. She didn't want that. She despised it.
In that moment, Bart Bass came into the room and wrapped his arms around Evelyn's trembling shoulders, shaking his head in dismay. Janice peeked out of the kitchen and disappeared again, muttering an excuse to fetch the broom.
A/N: I posted an update because I didn't have time to reply to reviews, but I READ THEM, ALL OF THEM AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR IT.