Chapter Thirty-One

On The Other Side

Those who hate most fervently

Must have once loved deeply.

Those who want to deny the world,

Must have once embraced

What they now set on fire.

''You beauty,'' Murmured Dan as he traced his hand over the beautiful, glossy front. God, she was so gorgeous. So perfect. Nothing could compare to the smooth touch under his fingertips. Shiver went down his spine as he thought of riding her. If only he could have her. He'd know how to treat her right. So far he'd seen her only in magazine pictures. ''He doesn't even deserve you.''

The car, brand new Audi R8, was majestic, to say the least. The engine was a beast, Bugatti was nothing compared to this princess. How could someone not appreciate this perfect masterpiece and still have no shame to drive it? It should be illegal. Why did people who deserve nothing always get everything? Why does the world keep pleasing fools and rewarding greedy bastards?

''He'll use you...'' He slurred, his vision hazing after downing whole bottle of vodka with homeless man down the street. ''And after he gets bored, he'll throw you away like you're nothing to him!'' With those grudging words, he kicked the tires and alarm turned on, blaring through the desolate street.

''Chuck Bass!'' Dan shouted over the alarm, looking up at the tallest window. All of the lights of the building were out, it was past midnight, but he didn't care. ''Your Majesty! Can you hear me, Bass?! Get out!''

He staggered while looking up, almost tripping over his own feet. ''I'm wa - waiting for you!''

Alarm still went on, a violently loud noise that could be heard couple of blocks away, and Dan marveled in the chaos because that's how he felt. The turmoil inside of him couldn't be quenched, it grew and grew, eating up every good feeling he ever felt. That's how he felt thanks to this greedy son of a bitch.

Dan watched as the lights turned on one by one, curtains set aside to see what was going on. Look on, rich idiots!, he thought scornfully. Enjoy the free spectacle! Pretend to be revolted, pretend to hide your entertainment! Laugh at us poor fools, as you always do. Laugh at us, but don't you dare pity us.

''All hail, the Prince of Night!'' He bowed mockingly after devil himself came down, exiting the front doors. They faced each other and Dan couldn't contain the surge of disgust and loathing that ran through him. This guy had everything; money, girls, good cars and zero gratitude for anything. Did he ever work for anything in his life? Entitled rich brat who liked to bully them poor mundanes. ''Your Majesty came down to spare a visit to us poor peasants.''

Chuck said nothing. He merely looked at him, seeming bored, hands stuffed in pockets.

''Dan,'' Blair came out only few second after, still in her pajamas. She glanced between them, overwhelmed with great sense of panic. She was scared they would start another fight. Jessica paused at the doorway, her eyes widening at the sight of famous Chuck Bass. ''What's going on?''

''Look,'' Dan slurred, swaying where he stood. His smile was broad and twisted. ''The rest of your subjects came-''

''Let's go,'' Blair pulled him by the hand, noticing how drunk he was and impatient to end this scandal as soon as possible. Right about then, the rest of the family came, horror etched on their worried faces.

''Good night,'' Chuck quietly said. He threw a glance at Blair before turning the alarm off with his key and driving away.

Right then, Mr. Sparks came up to them, still in his suit. He obviously worked until late and was up when all of this happened. Whatever he was feeling, couldn't be explained by his face because it was perpetually set into stern expression. His eyes were always guarded, but words that he uttered spoke volumes.

''These apartments,'' He said in cold, collected voice. His posture was straight, a sign of a man with complete authority. ''Are not to be associated with reckless, disrespectful behavior such as this. Is that clear, Mr. Bob?''

Blair's father tightly nodded, wrinkly skin flaming with shame. He was shocked, disappointed, angry. His own son, his pride and blood was making a drunk circus, in front of people who had them under their heels.

''Be so sure that myself and the rest of the residents will discuss this incident on our next council meeting. This is my final warning. Have a good night.''

Each of them felt the same way. Each of them was well aware of how dire the situation turned out to be. It didn't matter that Chuck didn't stay and furthered the humiliation, for whatever reason. They were too stupefied to fully appreciate it. Residents had the power to fire them and replace them with someone else. Not everyone needed to agree, only half of the heads of the families living here. If that happened, they would be kicked out on the street because this little apartment was bound with the service job. They would be homeless.

Blair didn't even notice when their parents went back inside with their heads bent down. Why didn't dad yell at Dan? Why didn't he put him into order? Maybe he wanted to avoid another scandal. She stared at her brother who still sported shadow of a twisted smile. Nausea overcame her at the sight of it.

''What's going on?'' Jessica asked with high-pitched voice, still holding her distance.

''Get inside,'' Blair ordered, not averting her eyes from her brother. If his fiance didn't know already, maybe it was for the best.

''Excuse me?'' Jessica sneered, taking a step towards them. ''I have every right to know what's going on-.''

''Do as she says,'' Dan's hard voice cut her short. With an upturned nose and great huff, she went back in.

''Hundred thousand dollars,'' He spat, his eyes glazed.

''What?''

''Chuck Bass ordered me to pay a hundred thousand dollars by the end of this month,'' Dan dug back of his palms against the lids. ''The whole amount of the rest of the debt.''

Blair only then noticed the buzzing in her ear, the constant pressure at the back of her head. ''What? When?''

What when why, were the words that burned on her lips. What, when, why? What, when, why?

Why, Chuck? Why?

''Does it matter,'' Her brother growled and she saw the pain in his eyes, the sick fever he held inside that spread through like a disease - turning words, actions and thoughts to rot. ''He called me to his club a week ago and told me if I don't pay, he'll take everything we have.''

Hundred thousand dollars? The amount was so big it seemed surreal, virtual. But it was real, every dollar of it. How could anyone not crumble under that pressure? Under the pressure of ruining your own family? Except this wasn't Dan's burden. This wasn't the consequence of his was the aftermath of Blair's lies.

If she didn't lie to Chuck that day when they met, if she brushed his advances away, he would never had driven her home. His car wouldn't break down near Dan's mechanic shop. Dan would never get to take the car for a drive. Car would be intact. Her own family would never meet Bart Bass and there would be no debt to pay, no stress, no knife perpetually hanging over their head.

Most of all, Chuck would never get to know her. There would be no revenge.

''He can't do that,'' She finally found her voice and it trembled, trembled at the realization that all the steps she thought led to forward turned out to lead backwards. ''He can't.''

''And why not? Because of my pretty eyes?'' He snorted, using humor to deflect the guilt she knew he was feeling.

''You would be all better without me,'' He added with thick voice, shaking his head. ''Don't tell our parents about this. I don't want them to worry for nothing. It's not like they can do anything.'' With that he disappeared into the night, leaving her alone on the street.

''A worried mother is always right,'' Her ex-boss advised wisely after hearing what happened with Evelyn, his vibrant blue eyes now murky on cold rainy day. The air was salty and humid, messily throwing stray hairs across their faces. ''But that doesn't give her any right to say stuff like that.''

''As if I would be obnoxious to contradict her,'' She pointedly looked at him.

''Oh, really?'' Edward leaned towards her, linking his fingers. ''So you are just a lying social climber? A gold digger? Are you going to accept that, Blair? Are you going to let them label you as such?''

She shifted in her seat, still uncomfortable at the use of her name. Somewhere along the way, he stopped calling her a kid and she started calling him Edward. When they talked, time passed by like it did when spending it with a friend and Blair found herself coming to him more often. Surprisingly enough, there were no more lipstick stains on champagne glasses nor did she see Diana Sparks here again. Her neighbor still threw her dirty looks every chance she got.

''Stop worrying about what other people see,'' He said after she made no reply, wind ruffling his sandy hair and a single lock fell across his forehead. ''What do you see?''

What did she see?

Blair always let others define her. They would make assumptions and she was stubborn in knocking them down. She was so resolute in destroying other people's conjured images of her that she never stopped and considered - what was she like underneath the shield and armor?

''How long have you let others walk all over your pride?'' He went on, somewhat passionately, as if what they were talking about was a most important thing on the world right now. As if this was more to him than just another bad spin off episode of The Hills.

''I could never stand Chuck's eyes on other girls in the past,'' She mused, gazing at the storm brewing at the edge of the gray horizon. ''Now I couldn't care less about my pride.''

I only care about him, the rest of the words hung in silence and Edward Morelli didn't need to hear them to understand them. His eyes dropped down to the floor and his voice sounded much more somber. ''Okay, forget about the pride. You got rid of your lies. You're growing into your reality. It will be a hard journey, but it will be true.''

''Is that why you stopped calling me kid?'' She couldn't help but ask, staring at him under her eyelashes. Did he stop thinking of her as a child since she came clean with her lies? Does he think she is an adult now, someone who could handle the truth and not escape to false comfort of lies?

''Did I?'' He slowly raised his head up, smiling crookedly. ''I wasn't even aware of it. Come on, let's get inside. I'll make you some coffee.''

''Well,'' Edward scratched his neck after setting the cups in front of them, sitting on the couch opposite of her. Today's newspapers were spread out in front of them on the table, coffee spreading delicious savory scent thought the warm interior. She felt serene and mellow here, lounging on the white leather.

The arrangement was to clean Vero yacht only until classes start, but Blair still found herself coming here, usually after class or on weekends. They just talked and on good days would sail into the ocean. Sea gave her peace, the light swaying of the boat always put her at ease. ''You know you'll always have your job with me, but... How are you going to pay that amount of money?''

''There must be some kind of other solution,'' He added gravely, staring gloomily at the wisp of smoke rising from the cup.

''I don't know,'' Blair sighed, looking away from his toned muscles. When she came here, he wore nothing but blue stripped boxers, his six pack visible in it's glory. Ed said he would go and get decent, only to return with added white cotton shirt. Apparently, just a little bit less naked was his idea of decent. ''We've been paying back bit by bit. Now that things escalated, I have to get a job too.''

A job with schedule like hers, being a full time student? Her grades would have to suffer, but if she didn't sleep at all, she might even be able to keep the scholarship. This whole thing was getting messier and messier and she was glad she could at least talk to someone about it. Edward Morelli was like a beacon in this night and she was ever-grateful for his support and council. For whatever reason, he stopped being her annoying boss and became precious friend.

''I'll talk to Chuck,'' She declared firmly, sure of herself.

''Like that would change anything'' He dryly commented, taking a sip of the coffee. ''You are his problem. Nobody else, no matter what he says.''

''And that's exactly why I can't sit down and casually watch as he makes my family pay for my mistakes.''

''What if your plan fails?''

''It won't'' She said because truth be told, Blair didn't know what to do if her plan failed. ''I know Chuck is miserable. I know this is making him even more so. I'll explain-''

''What if it fails?'' Edward repeated more forcefully, his lips set in a grim line. ''What then, Blair?''

She held his demanding sky blue eyes, unable to look away. What if she couldn't get any sense into Chuck? What if he refuses to listen to her? Recent events told her that he just might listen to what she had to say.

He stopped threatening her, stopped insulting her every chance he got.

But Edward was right, what if he didn't care about what she had to say? What if he was just bored? Bored Chuck was dangerous Chuck, even more sadistic than when he was angry.

''I'll make sure it doesn't,'' Blair murmured, both knowing full well what would happen. They would lose everything.

The doorbell rang.

He knew it was her. The apartment had more traffic than brothel in Upper West Side, yet somehow, he always knew when she came to see him. Lights were out and gloominess of the space was intimidating. Not even scotch offered any consolation.

The picture in his hands was crumpled with constant folding and unfolding. Couple on the photograph had everything; they were happy, they were in love and nothing seemed to measure up to them. Didn't they know how lucky they were?

Chuck and Blair, Blair and Chuck. That's how it was. Obviously it was too good to be true.

Tonight, he didn't want the true.

Why did he still have that picture? Why didn't he throw it away?

He stared at the damned thing.

She had pretty eyes, didn't she?

Chuck crushed the picture and threw it in the corner of the bedroom. It messed with his head. The doorbell didn't ring again, but he knew she was waiting for him. When it came to her, his body and his mind seemed to be two entirely different notions, completely independent of each other. In fact, they were constantly at war.

It was past midnight and he knew she sneaked away to come. Blair looked up with those wide doe-like eyes, rich brown, shade of his favorite truffles. Blair was always like chocolate; sweet and dark, beautiful in her twisted lusciousness.

Before she could say anything, he left the doors ajar, heading straight to bedroom. Tonight, he wanted her for himself.

It took some time for her to follow. When she came, he was facing away, looking out at the storm.

''Leave my family alone,'' She firmly demanded. The anger sizzled at the mention of her family. At the though of her brother. He glanced at the hideous gray curtains. Who was blind enough to pick them? He hated this apartment. ''They did nothing to you.''

Chuck always thought there was something regal in the way she carried herself, in the way she spoke. It was something that couldn't be bought with money, something you came across a handful of times in your life.

''We can't pay you that much in a month.''

Everything always revolved about money in New York. Even when you thought it didn't, it actually did. What was money to him? Just a weapon to coax her out, to hurt her as much as she hurt him, to dangle it in front of her. Because everything that happed between them was because of money. Because of her pining for a lavishing life. And now it had all come to an end.

It was eerily calm outside, but the shifting mass of clouds was a threat enough. For a split second, lightning illuminated the night and he finally turned to look at her. She stiffened as their eyes met. He glanced at her hands, his jaw imperceptibly clenching.

Blair was standing in the doorway, not being in the room, but also not really out. As if she was prepared to flee, always having an exit in the line of her vision. There was always sense of middle ground with her, a caution of not going over-head with anything and he always hated that. But then again, it now made sense.

''You can pay me,'' He quietly suggested as he strode over to her, looking at her from under his lashes.

She wanted money? She wanted fame? She wanted to save her family? She could take everything, he was willing to give it all, without so much as batting an eye.

''Tonight, you can pay off the debt.''

Wasn't that her goal from the start? To make him fall in love with her, to make him forgive the debt and adorn her with most expensive jewels, to give her fame and glory?

Smooth as a puma, he circled her, seizing her up. Blair didn't dare move, even as he came to a stop right behind her. She refused to be shook. And Chuck seemed to want to test that self-control.

He gently brushed her hair from her shoulder, shifting through curls, and inconspicuously inhaled. She never wore perfumes, but there was always a hint of flowery fragrance on her skin. His fingers traveled down her spine.

Her gaze sharply cut into him as she sharply turned around, eyes wary. ''What are trying to do?''

He glanced at the king-sized bed in the middle of the room. ''How would you like to save your family tonight?''

The lightning rumbled in the distance and he saw the blazing inferno in her eyes. The abomination of the suggestion. Yet, seconds ticked by and she didn't say no. Tentatively, Chuck brushed his finger down her slender neck and across pale shoulder, tracing the curve. His finger slowly pulled the strap of her shirt, giving her time to back away, and finally letting it fall down her arm.

''Or have you promised your fidelity to Morelli?''

She gasped, meeting his darkened eyes. Rain fell hard against the windows, the sound of drops hitting the glass. The room was stuffed with tension, laced with turmoil.

''Is he the only one for you now?''

He glanced at the pink shade of her lips as she pressed them together. Blair stared at him as he closed the distance between them. In the darkness, he couldn't see the blush of her neck. She stared at him, but didn't push him away. Tonight, after what they had been through, it was invitation enough.

Holding her gaze, he leaned in to press his lips against hers, to get a taste of that sweet fragrance. But just as they touched, Chuck was suddenly shoved back.

The sting of her hand on his cheek was acute.

''I will never forgive you this,'' She spat, pulling up her strap and leaving him alone in the dark, empty room.

Blair woke up in a good mood. She whistled while putting on make-up and, for the first time in weeks, actually sat down to have breakfast. Not even Jessica's stupid remarks could put her off.

''What happened?'' Jane asked suspiciously, eying daughter's meticulous colorful outfit and fresh face.

''Nothing,'' Blair breezily shrugged, grabbing her purse off the couch. ''I'll be late to class. Have a nice day!''

The day was bright and bathed in warm sunshine. It hardly looked like September. There was a stark contrast to the stormy night, but the faint smell of rain still lingered in the air. The courtyard was almost desolate, only few students lingering around. She arrived earlier than usual.

Her heart involuntarily fluttered when she saw him. Chuck was leaning on the wall close to the entrance, looking around like a hawk, as if searching for someone. Something in her chest tightened as their eyes met and he walked towards her with quick steps.

Flashes of last night seared through her mind, both painful and pleasurable. Despite the surge of strange satisfaction at the revelation that he still wanted her, that he craved her even more than before, that he felt unreasonably jealous - the insult of the last night's proposition was still fresh.

''I've been waiting for you,'' He said as he caught up, glancing at her.

Blair pretended not to hear him. She would have slept with him last night. But not for money. Never for anything like that. If only he kept his mouth shut, she would have let him kiss her. That proposition, however vile, must have been a test or something.

''Your sweetheart still didn't buy you a car?'' He mocked and Blair rolled her eyes, but kept on walking.

Last night changed something for sure. He used to avoid her like a plague, but today he was the first to approach her, first to talk to her.

He pulled her by the elbow, wanting to gain her full attention and she flinched, surprised at his efforts. He seemed almost desperate, especially as he didn't give up on leading a one-sided conversation. There was a sense of urgency now, as if he was fighting against the time. Up until yesterday, he hardly spoke more that two words to her.

''Don't touch me,'' Blair growled, shooting him a glare, feeling slightly confused. Why was he so hung up on Ed?! Where did he get the idea that they were lovers? The jealousy was getting out of control. ''Don't you dare talk about last night. You should be ashamed.''

''Drop the act, princess.'' He warned lowly, pulling her closer to him.

''Get away from me, Chuck!''

''Don't you hear what I'm telling you,'' He pressed, eyes narrowed into slits. ''Your captain has obviously been wanting to cash out your love escapades. He offered to pay the debt of your family.''

The words were like cold water. Blair stiffened, taking a step back. ''Are you serious?''

Ed tried to pay her debt? Was this a joke? One of Chuck's schemes? A trick to have her fall into?

''Yes, I'm serious,'' Chuck carefully gauzed her reaction, but she didn't notice it. Her mind went blank. Blair elegantly made 180 turn, getting back to the street.

''Your lover came to my club,'' He went on tenaciously, catching up to her as she walked away, obviously doing everything to keep her here, to engage her into conversation. ''To see me. He wanted to pay off your debt and you tell me you didn't know about this?''

She paused and locked her eyes with his. His jealousy now seemed absurdly reasonable. Chuck did have a point, he barely knew the guy and Ed came to his club, looking pointedly to pay the debt of Blair's family. There was no explanation to give but most importantly, she couldn't be bothered to give one at the moment.

''Yes, now get out of my way!'' She snapped, shoving him aside and quickly hailed herself a cab.

The harbor was almost empty. Majority of the boats and yacht were cruising across the azure mass, leaving white foamy trails in wake. Seagulls screamed, flying through the fresh air or resting a top wires, catching sun on their white feathers. The day was too beautiful not to seize it, not to take full advantage of it.

That's why Blair was surprised to see Vero yacht anchored.

There was no sign of life, nothing to indicate that it was occupied. The deck was empty, it appeared nobody was inside.

Blair finally found Edward on a parking lot, a strange and surreal sight. She would have wondered at the reason behind him sitting on one of the benches, hidden behind cars, instead of sailing the waves. She would have wondered at his pensive, almost gloomy expression, so unlike his cheery mood. She would have wondered, but not today.

''How could you do it?'' She demanded, feeling nauseous. It took a lot of mental effort to make herself start this conversation. It felt so unreal. Edward Morelli to pull a stunt like this? She would have thought he knew better. ''Did I ask you for your money?!''

''Can we talk about this another time?'' He tiredly said, cloud over his low brow.

''You had no right to do that'' She shook with anger, because this was not help. There were already sparks of hostility between him and Chuck and this incident just magnified everything, potentially ruining every progress she made with Chuck. He knew how important Chuck was to her.

This was claiming possession over her, this was tricking Chuck into thinking she was some kind of Ed's sugar baby, this was putting her in direct danger of her family. How could she ever explain to them that Edward Morelli tried to pay thousands of dollars out of his pocket just because of their friendship? What other explanation was there? As if they would ever accept his money.

The thought that he tried to pay her debt was ridiculous. Everyone would think she was his whore. Everyone. And they would be fool not to. Didn't he realize how this looked like?

''Blair,'' He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Only then did she notice his clothes weren't neat and pressed as per usual, but completely wrinkled. Were they from last night? There were dark circles under his eyes, as if he didn't sleep at all. ''Please, this is not the time.''

''Do you realize what kind of position you put me in?'' She went on, not caring where he spent his night. Blair stared in disbelief as he got up, completely unconcerned by her hysterics. It seemed like he didn't even hear what she said.

''If you want to talk about this,'' He murmured. ''Come by another time.''

With that he went past her towards the Vero yacht, his shoulders slumped. Did he just brush her off? Did he just completely disregard her? He might as well have flipped her off. She trembled with rage as the person she thought of as her only true friend turned his back to her.

''I'm bored,'' Paige groaned, dropping her head on the table. ''Chuck is almost never here anymore. There's no Penelope to bully. Nate stopped ditching lacrosse practice for us. Blair is super lame. Parties suck, there's hardly any drama anymore.''

''We can go out tonight,'' Serena offered, digging into her frozen yogurt and licking the spoon. ''Tropic will cheer you up. I heard Drake will pop a visit.''

''I have better avenue,'' Anthony smirked, winking at the brunette who just passed by their table in the yard.

''What?'' The girls said in unison. There was hardly better place to party than Tropic in whole New York state, if maybe even on whole East coast. Even more so that Drake, one of the most famous rappers and party people would come. The statement was not just disbelieving, but downright preposterous. ''No way.''

''Alright then,'' Their friend sighed dramatically, hooking hands behind his head. ''I guess you don't want to know where Chuck lives.''

Serena gasped and everyone froze with shock. The information of Chuck's current address was one of the biggest Manhattan mysteries, even bigger than who was responsible for death of Princess Diana. Serena dared not hire a PI to find out the location, only because she promised Nate she wouldn't sniff and because she knew she'd never find anything. If Chuck wanted to cover up his tracks, nobody would be able to find him.

''Yep,'' Grinned Anthony, enjoying everyone's attention. ''He lives in the same building as Jenny Humphrey, you know that chick I've been trying to nail for the past few weeks. So I went to see her the other day and she set a dog on me. One of those crazy beasts that look like a mop. I swear guys, she wants me -''

Paige pretended to stick a finger in her mouth.

''Let's go,'' Serena suddenly rose and everyone followed her. She threw her fro yo in a nearby trashcan. ''We're going to pay him a visit.''

She was sick and tired of waiting to be let in, of Chuck's isolation and Nate's secrets. Chuck was hurting, his heart was broken and she could see it. Was it so bad of her that Serena wanted to reach out and help him? Why wouldn't he let anyone help him? Most importantly, why was Nate stubborn in letting Chuck push them away?

That wasn't what best friends did. If her heart was broken, she wanted them to be there for her. And for that, she would be there for him - no matter what.

Chuck needed his friends right now and she would make sure he knew he wasn't alone. She would make sure he got back on the track.

''Where are you going,'' Nate intercepted them at the parking lot, carrying lacrosse equipment in bag over shoulder.

His cheeks were flushed with exercise. He hadn't been ditching the practices only because he knew that when classes ended, she was waiting for him at the end of the day. They were supposed to meet at Nate's place, where majority of Serena's clothes were these days. They've been secretly dating for past few months, ever since Hamptons. Serena's attentions were only focused on Nate.

And begrudgingly to admit that, he actually liked that.

''If you want to know,'' She sang, glad that he couldn't stop her, glad that she didn't have to break anyone's trust to get the needed information. Last thing that Serena wanted was fight between Chuck and Nate. ''Follow us.''

''What are you trying to pull off,'' Nate asked the moment he got out of the limo, staring at the building in front of them. He left the equipment in the car, clutching at his hair in sheer panic.

''We just came to have a good time,'' Serena shrugged him off, curiously staring at the unfamiliar area.

''This place is so quiet,'' Paige noted, her upper lip curled. ''So residential.''

''Not a good place for a party,'' Anthony added, holding a bottle of champagne tightly clutched as if a cop might show up and confiscate it. ''No matter how fancy.''

''Just as I thought,'' Serena pouted after their friends went in, leaving them alone. ''You know where we are! You've been here before. You knew where Chuck lived. Why would you keep this away from me?''

''Serena,'' Nate pinched the bridge of his nose, not able to resist her puppy face. He glanced towards Chuck's window and then at basement - where Blair lived. No matter how much he loved Serena, he was still wary of her scheming. It once went over her head, would it go again? Would he lose her to it? ''Why are you doing this?''

''What do you mean?'' She asked perturbed. ''What are you two up to? You know it breaks my heart when you leave me out like this. And I've let you do it. I've been letting you shut me out from Chuck for past four months, Nate. I want my best friend back. ''

''I love you,'' She added quietly, leaning closer so nobody would hear them. ''I do, but Chuck needs us right now.''

''He'll be furious,'' He urged after he recollected himself, still overwhelmed by her expressions of affection. Her cooing and gentle touch of her fingers on his forearm were getting to him. Nate felt himself succumbing. Admittedly, he knew she was in a way right. But secrets that Chuck carried around weren't his to tell and this was a serious situation right now.

''Chuck already is furious,'' She persisted, her eyebrows knotted up.

There was worry etched all over her face and Nate wished he could somehow distract her, he wished he could make her abandon her plans - whatever they were. This was the dangerous ground they were threading now, a sole center of battlefield. Land was filled with mines and they didn't even know it. But once Serena set her mind on something, especially if it involved someone she cared about, there was no deferring her.

Blond girl rejoined Paige and Anthony in the lobby, a brilliant smile on her face. ''We'll just throw him a surprise, make him feel better. If he doesn't want us, we won't stay long. I promise, Natie.''

Nate followed them all the way to the last floor, ever so often casting nervous glances around. They were loud in their enthusiasm, laughter ringing thorough usually somber halls.

Shit. Shit. Shit. What if they saw Blair? What if they met Georgina and that girl told them everything? What if Chuck exposed Blair himself? Would he do that?

They rang the doorbell and shouted Surprise, holding up a bottle of Moët. Chuck's face couldn't be put into words. He froze at the sight, his skin paling while his friends pilled into the apartment.

Nate caught his eyes, met his furious gaze, and shook his own head in surrender to let his best friend know he had nothing to do with this.

''What am I supposed to do with you?'' Chuck quietly seethed after he slammed the doors shut. They hung at the entry, not wanting to join the group of joyful newcomers. The apartment was filled with laughter and squeals of delight, a sound that these walls hadn't heard in months. Paige drew back the curtains, letting the sunshine in. Serena turned on the music, throwing curious glances towards the whispering duo. Anthony busied himself with bottle and the cork. ''To kick you out or to go away myself?''

''He's crazy,'' Paige murmured under her breath to Serena, throwing bewildered looks at Nate and Chuck who stared at them as if they came here to spread the plague. ''It's just an apartment. Why the fuss?''

''I couldn't do anything,'' Nate scratched his neck, feeling useless and stupid. ''They wouldn't tell me where they were going so I followed them. And then they came here.''

''I'm supposed to believe that?'' Forcefully whispered Chuck, angry that his best friend did nothing to stop this. His location was discovered, his cover blown. But that didn't matter. The trash collection went in an hour.

''Come on,'' Anthony hollered as the ladies passed on crystal flute glasses, holding the loosened cork in place and shaking the bottle. ''It's champagne time!''

And right about then, doorbell rang. Without a second thought, Paige went to open the doors and everyone could see the person on the other end, but hardly did anyone believe their eyes. The laughter died out in an instant, as if someone pulled out a plug.

''Do you have any trash?'' Blair inquired with forced twisted smile, not seeming surprised, not seeming perturbed by the fact Manhattan golden youth stood on the other end, gaping at her. The same group she once died for their acceptance, the same group she used to run with.

They ate at same restaurants, shopped at same stores and attended the same exuberant parties. People that sat on the diamond throne of Manhattan, who lived in the belief that she sat with them too. Blair wheeled the big trashcan, tapping her foot against the floor, knocking whatever they believed in into water.

The champagne popped off, but nobody paid any attention to the spilling golden liquid, ruining the polished wood of the floor. They all gazed in stupefied wonder at the Righteous Queen, Manhattan Princess, dressed in offensively plain clothes and doing a job of a staff, of a lowest service.

''Blair,'' Serena mouthed, petrified with shock.

''You don't have any trash?'' Went on Blair with raised eyebrows, looking at them, looking at anyone but Chuck. Nate felt even more stupid, he felt like he should have done anything to stop this. He cursed silently, seizing reaction of his childhood friends, knowing they wouldn't let this go anytime soon. When the shock wore off, there would be dire consequences.

''My mother is a maid,'' explained Blair with thick voice that tried hard at staying airy, even though nobody asked anything. For some strange reason, she seemed intent on sealing her doom. But all the while that ghost of a smile flickered on face pale face, as if daring them, fists clutching the trash so hard her knuckles turned white. ''That's why I'm here. To pick up the trash.''

How many times did she utter the word trash? That alien word hung in the air, playing around their earlobes, leaving an invisible slimy trail.

''How?'' Serena whispered to herself, but nobody heard her because they were in bubble of alternate reality, where fish swam in the sky and rain fell upwards. Where the impossible was possible and where people dreamed of reality and lived the nightmares.

''Do you have any trash or not?'' Blair finally looked at Chuck. She looked at him pointedly, challenging him with her spiteful eyes, as if this was another one of their battles and she was pushing a dagger in her own chest to prove a point.

They listened to the lively music, but not really hearing it. The floor was covered in sticky liquid that pooled around their feet, soaking their labeled shoes. His friends waited for him to flip out, Blair waited for him to outdo her own humiliation. But Chuck Bass had a hard time of looking back at her.

''Have a nice night, Chuck,'' Blair seemed to breathe out the words instead of say them and she turned around, disappearing into an elevator. Once the doors closed and the barrier between rose with a loud scraping noise, she let go of the trashcan as if it was fire, as if it was searingly hot all the while. Blair sank down on the floor, gasping for breath, wheezing as if something was painfully pressing down on her lungs.

Finally, she had done it. And it took everything she had in herself to go through with it.

She saw them from her window, lingering on the street. She realized Chuck's scheme, realized that he was setting her up. That he wanted to expose her to his friends when she was most vulnerable.

Blair refused to be caught off guard. Blair grabbed a trashcan and was stubborn in beating him in his own game. And secretly, deep down, she wanted to start all over again. This time, without lies.

A/N: To the person who asked nicely I update soon because they are going to Italy this Monday. Bon Voyage and enjoy! Let us know how your trip went :)

I don't know if you got it, but Edward didn't pay the debt, he just tried to. It will all be explained later.