Chapter Forty-Four
Set The World On Fire
''We must accept the end of something in order to begin to build something new.''
There was an eerie silence in the air and her lids fell droopingly as if just woken up from a long, laborious dream. A nightmare she could but distinctly remember. Her head hurt. Her throat was parched. Looming cloud hung above and she thought it was trying to warn her. Turn around, it whispered. For some reason, she was afraid to see what was waiting behind her back. An impending phantasm.
''Can't you hear me?'' the rasping voice said, like a nail sliding over chalkboard, trying to gain her attention.
She rolled her head at the sound, still staring at the wall. Goosebumps crawled over her pale arms, purple veins forking out like a lightning.
''Turn around and look what you've done to us!''
The venom in the tone, she could recognize it anywhere. Upon seeing him on the floor, Georgina's face gradually turned into a horrified grimace.
''Chuck,'' she gasped, her body beginning to tremble with unknown fear. ''I didn't want it to turn out like this.''
Her eyes caught the motionless corpse on the floor next to him, colored in yellow.
''I just wanted to be loved. I just wanted Blair to be my best friend, forever.'' She wiped a tear that slid off her cheek, surprised to find it there. ''But she has betrayed me too many times. I didn't kill her. I really didn't, she did it herself! She did it. Not me.''
Shakily, she knelt by Chuck and, despite his groans of protest, took his head onto her lap. She gently caressed his raven hair, damp with sweat. ''I wanted to save you.''
''Help us,'' he rasped, his throat burning and with a final, sudden burst of energy, laid his hand over Georgina's. Before falling unconscious, he had seen the glint in her eyes, a sign of warmth.
How strange it was that a single act of kindness, of love, was all it took to get her back from the grasp of flickering shadows.
''I don't understand what is the police doing here,'' Serena bit her nails as Nate wrapped his arm around her shoulder. ''I don't understand anything.''
She eyed Blair's brother and her gaze traveled over to closed doctor's office, where Georgina sat - speechless, eyes glazed. The stunned girl hadn't spoken a word since calling for help from her apartment, regardless of the countless questions directed at her way.
''Doctor said it was food poisoning,'' Nate ran a hand over his face, filling her up on the details for he was the one to come in here first. Dan was already there, though, hunched in the corner the entire time, darkly staring at the floor. It appeared he rode here with the ambulance.
''Poisoning?'' Jenny said behind their back, hearing the last part of the conversation. She was holding her puppy tightly, eyes darting from one person to another. ''Food poisoning?''
''Since when is police dealing with food poisoning?'' Serena wondered out loud after greeting her friend, lost in thought. ''Unless...''
''Chuck and Blair took the hit, but Georgina remained unharmed.'' Her boyfriend caught on, everyone mulling over the same thing, a thing which nobody dared to speak out loud. An accusation.
Why hadn't Georgina ended up poisoned as well?
Jenny gasped, clutching a hand over her mouth in horror and ran out. Like an abrupt shift of the tide, the waiting hall immediately filled up and soon everyone that mattered was gathered in a small space. There was tension in the air as two families warily watched each other, but questions hung over everyone's head. What happened? Why did it have to be my child?
''It was her!'' Evelyn lashed out in misery and anger, while Bart clasped her to restrict her taking another step closer to the cursed family. ''It was their daughter that did it!''
''What are they doing here?'' Bob asked his son, cloud low over his brow as he regarded arrogant, devious people. ''What do they have to do with our Blair?''
Dan hid his face into the palm of his hands, not wanting to be the one to break the news of Blair's secrets and lies. His sister has asked to go to dinner with Georgina, but still ended up with that idiot of a guy that only used her and threw her away. Dan had seen them as paramedics rolled them out of the apartment on a stretcher, their hands linked. She had broken her promise to her father. Once again, she betrayed her family.
''Is the family of Blair Bass here?'' A nurse came from the operating room and effectively startled everyone in the waiting hall. Disbelieving, tense silence ensued.
''What?'' Bart spat in disgust, being first one to speak up. Someone as common as that lying idiot, to bear his grand last name - even as a joke? It was an outrage.
''I'm sure you got her last name wrong,'' Bob spoke up awkwardly as the nurse, fed up with waiting for the family of Blair Bass, impatiently approached. ''I'm her father.''
''That's what it says on her ID, Sir.'' the nurse testily flipped, shrugging as if it wasn't her concern. Pencil poised over a paper in her hands, she asked, ''Is your daughter allergic to anything? Unfortunately, since her husband is still unconscious, you'll have to provide us with whatever information you have. I have several questions for you.''
''A husband?'' Serena gasped, looking up at her boyfriend. Nate raised his palms, eyes wide in bafflement.
''My son has gotten married?'' Evelyn's mouth was left open in shock, as tears slid down her red cheeks. ''He married that liar!''
''Let me go!'' she fumed, perfect chignon on her head turning into a mess the more she evaded the restraining hands. ''Bart, let go of me!''
''Congratulations,'' the crying woman shook off her ex husband, fiercely staring down at the dumbfounded other half of the people which were mere dirt of this world, hiding behind their rags and fishing for pity. ''You've finally succeeded in saving your daughter! Nothing but a liar! Ashamed of being janitor's daughter! She was always ashamed of you!''
''What are you saying?'' Bob, enraged by the obscenities and confused by the accusation, pushed the glass of water away which his son brought him. He could feel his heart painfully hammering.
''Give me a break,'' Bart glared, grabbing his ex-wife by her forearm with gentleness nobody knew he was capable of, and steered her away. ''As if you didn't know about your daughter's lies.''
''What?'' Bob snapped, breathing heavily. His mind turned into a whirlwind as the reality hidden behind a curtain of skillfully made-up explanations and broken promises came crashing down.
''She's been trying to do that for over a year,'' Bart scoffed, narrowing his eyes viciously. ''Even lied to my son that her father owns a hotel. Ridiculous, right? All so she could trap Chuck with a marriage and suck him dry to get out of that hellhole.''
''Gentlemen,'' one of the police officer came by as he heard the ever-growing commotion. ''Please calm down, or I'll be forced to take precautions.''
Blair had woken up with a pounding headache. It only worsened as latest memories broke drug-induced haze and drifted to the surface of consciousness. Her former best friend tried to kill her. Her former best friend tried to kill the love of her life.
Remembering the searing pain of her abdomen, she clutched her stomach, calling for only one person that was on her mind. ''Chuck?''
Had he survived? Was he okay?
Dozens of haunting scenarios played over her head as she detached tubes from her arm with shaking hands.
What if something happened to him? The fear was all-consuming, gripping her body into a tight fist. Her legs almost gave out as her barren feet hit the floor. Resolved to find him, she stumbled to the doors, opening them up and calling his name once again, ''Chuck?''
She was growing desperate to find him, turning hall after hall, every second of his absence as painful as being slowly killed again.
''Miss,'' a nurse had met her, firmly taking her by the hand. ''You shouldn't have gotten out of bed.''
Blair flinched from her grip, flashing her a glare. ''Where's Chuck Bass?''
''You have acquired your covert goal?'' A velvety, but bitter voice came from behind.
Turning around, she saw Evelyn exit a room similar to one she was in just earlier, closing doors behind her. Was he in there? Judging by his mother's calm, but furious face, he must be alive. Her heart marveled at the fact, aching to be in his arms once more.
''Get out of my way,'' she hissed as Evelyn put a hand on the door frame to block her entry, staring down at her with disgust.
''What else will happen to him because of you? Your sick friend had nearly killed him because of lies you spewed. Everything that happened to my son is your fault.''
''I said,'' Blair curled her upper lip, smelling his perfume from just outside of the hall, everything in her burning to be with him. ''Get out of my way.''
''Don't be so sure of yourself,'' his mother continued on with her fiery speech. ''Your marriage means nothing to us. It's worthless.''
Fed up with demeaning words, not even caring that she knew about their marriage, Blair roughly removed her hand from the frame and entered the room. What she failed to see was a shadow of a man, worriedly following her, wanting to protect her from all the bad things that circled her like a vulture. Yet, Morelli thought to himself, drawing back to where he came from, he might be overstepping his welcome. Blair was a married woman now.
Her world stopped as she saw him, asleep on the hospital bed. She tiptoed around his bed, not wanting to wake him up. As if he could feel her presence, as if his soul detected hers, Chuck woke up, rubbing his lids. Their eyes clashed and world regained its colors. The darkness finally faded out.
''Finally.'' He murmured, spreading his arms as an invitation. Blair hurled into his embrace, burying her head into the crook of his neck. She could feel his lips on top of her head, showering her with a selfish affection of a lover. Thousands of different emotions went through her, but all she thought was how blessed they were to still be together, despite the countless, almost relentless storms.
After they were sound enough to give official statements, police moved out of their room and once again met at main doctor's office. Georgina sat on the chair, motionless, eyes like two bulbs devoid of light.
''Miss Georgina will await trial,'' a senior officer spoke, trying not to stare at smooth, silky looking legs of kids' mother. ''After reviewing her medical files, and discussing the options during an extensive consultation with the main doctor and head judge, it's been agreed that Georgina Sparks, the accused, will have to defend herself from the psychiatric department at Grace hospital.''
''I'll always be next to you,'' Diana softly spoke, putting her hand over the stiff shoulder of her step-daughter. The role she had been assigned to was played to perfection. The caring, worried mother. ''Don't worry, everything is going to be alright.''
After hastily signing few papers, they had foregone cuffing Georgina, and Diana watched her go, the orchestra of victory and power playing inside of her dark, rotten heart. The medical file, which she so carefully constructed with switching the pills with vitamins, was her finest work of art. With every ounce of strength she possessed, Diana fought smile not to break on her face.
''Don't you think a private clinic would be a better option?'' Allison interrupted her smug musings, worried about the poor kid and her mental health. Wouldn't something private ensure better medical help and aid Georgina's recovery?
''We can't choose, Allie.'' Her neighbor replied with feigned sorrow, perfectly aware of the lie. She would be damned to spend a penny on that crazy murderer. The chips have fallen, but much more turbulently than she had planned. Finally, Millennium was hers. ''The judge decides. I'm sure it's a decent hospital.''
Grace hospital, the lowest form of America's public health - crawling with corrupt doctors and careless nurses. Everyone on the underground knew, for everyone with low status was forced to go there. Diana knew, yet her neighbors were clueless.
''I never thought,'' Jenny stammered, twiddling her thumbs, feeling guilty. ''I mean I saw the poison, but I never thought she would do something like this.''
''Honey,'' Allison brushed the blond hair from her face with motherly affection. ''Who would have thought? Don't blame yourself.''
''What does that mean?'' Diana archly asked, flaring up with a rancid feeling that was rolling in her stomach, growing bigger. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, silently accusing, silently judging. ''Am I to be blamed?''
''I never said that.'' Jenny's mother shook her head, momentarily caught by violent reaction.
''But you were hinting at it! Who else is here supposed to be blaming themselves?''
''If you happen to feel guilty,'' Allison's eyes flashed with irritation, annoyed by a lack of respect and candor. ''I'm sure you have your reason for it.''
''Darling,'' she turned around to her daughter, ignoring evil eye her neighbor was currently giving her. ''You gave your statement, you did what you had to do. Let's go home now, you need some rest. ''
''This is it,'' Blair dejectedly said, though the words were supposed to be spoken with excitement, and would have been, if only the situation had turned out differently. ''They know we're married. They know of my lies. Jessica told me before she left. They didn't even bother to wait until I was awake.''
Somehow, she felt nothing. The fact didn't bother her nor please her.
''I'm sorry it didn't go as we planned it,'' Chuck kissed the palm of her hand, effectively dispersing the indifference. His kiss was nothing but magic, his touch something from another world. ''But, I'm pleased that everyone finally knows.''
A knock interrupted their conversation and a nurse peeked her head in. ''Miss, could I please escort you back to your room, the doctor will come see you shortly.''
Though unwilling to part from him, Blair nodded and rose. Chuck pulled her in for short, sweet kiss. His eyes gleamed as he said, ''Don't worry. Today we got a clean slate.''
The optimism he seemed to radiate bounced off her skin, leaving her inside stirring with a strange feeling. His smile was infectious and she tightly smiled back, but as she opened the doors to go out, Chuck's parents waited at the other end. Wanting to avoid another fight in front of him, she proudly stalked past them and went back to her own room in silence. There had been enough rough sensations today to last them a lifetime.
''Thank God you're okay,'' Evelyn trembled as she got in, sitting on the bed beside her son. Bart followed, glowering at the lying girl that had just left, gritting his teeth.
''I'm not going to say anything,'' his ex-wife clipped, clutching their son's hand. He was ruined, yet he could barely seem to realize that. That girl will be nothing but heartbreak and misery. She will crush his heart.''You made such a grave mistake that I can't do anything anymore.''
''Mother,'' he hissed, getting up, infuriated by their lack of understanding. ''I can fathom you're surprised. But please, hear me out and try to understand-''
''All that you wanted to say to us has been said with this - this - this marriage.'' Evelyn let out a sob, another stunt of self-victimized drama, as if the world had been hit with another plague and everyone would die except her. ''You don't even realize what you did to us and to yourself.''
''I didn't want you to find out like this,'' Chuck said calmly despite her interruption, buttoning up his new, crisp shirt. Weren't his parents supposed to heed his choices and love the people he loved? Wasn't it supposed to be like that in a normal family? Except, this family was anything but normal. He had nearly died and they jumped at his throat as soon as possible. ''Considering your behavior, you left us no choice.''
''Because it is the only way she could marry you,'' His mother forcefully whispered, eyes filled with disgust and ruined by expensive mascara. ''Secretly, so nobody knows.''
''Mother, I don't think this is a good time to talk about that,'' he clenched his jaw, picking up a blazer from a nearby chair - fed up with her disrespect towards his wife. ''I'm not going to listen to this.''
''I don't want to do it either,'' she shut her eyes. ''I don't want to listen how deluded you are, how you're destroying your life.''
''That's enough,'' Chuck snapped, quickly shoving on his blazer. ''Don't stoop to insults now. Look, Blair and I are married. You need to respect that.''
Bart, who had been watching the exchange silently from the corner, abruptly stood up.
''Respect!'' he snarled, livid at his son's countenance and careless attitude. ''As if you know the first thing about it! Where's your respect towards your last name? As if one of those filthy, nameless coattail riders is good enough for our family!''
''Father,'' Chuck threatened loudly, eyes blazing fire. ''Don't you dare-''
Doors clicked open and in walked the person of question, cautiously pausing at the doorway, getting the grasp of the alarming situation.
''You'll never be a true Bass!'' Bart spat, raising his clutched fist. ''I'll take back that last name you conned out.''
''Enough!'' His son roared, coming to stand next to his wife. His onyx eyes flashed ferociously, ready to fight the whole world for Blair.
His parents shared a look, frightened by the intimidating demeanor of their son. Both of them abruptly left the room, one with a broken heart and other with hot, furious head. In some form of unspoken, silent agreement, Bart held open the doors of his limo for Evelyn and she walked in - as if this was twenty years ago, as if they were still husband and wife, riding home together.
''I don't suppose you mean to continue that partnership?'' Evelyn closed Chanel compact powder after some moment of silence as she fixed her make-up, setting it back into her Birkin bag. ''You don't mean to do business with that insane lunatic?''
''I'll do something,'' Bart stated darkly, looking out on the gray streets, rain slowly starting to fall down against the muddy cement. The crease on his forehead only seemed to deepen.
''What are we going to do?'' she anxiously whispered, looking at her ex-husband for aid, the last person she would willing ask for help only yesterday. But these were dire times, times of abhorrence and absurd, times of need.
''Chuck will be punished for his insolence,'' he simply spoke, as if ordering lunch. ''I'll go overboard, just like he did. I'll disinherit him. We'll see how long will that floozy remain married to him.''
''I'll never forget the moment I heard that penniless witch with our last name.'' He grumbled, his mind far from his son, spotlight on the blemish that his last name carried now. He was dreading the moment when everyone on Manhattan would find out about this humiliation. Oh, how they will laugh at him. Big Bart Bass and The Heir involved with a mere nobody. A proper Cinderella story.
''Why aren't they happy?' Serena wondered, watching Chuck's parents storm out of the hospital. ''I knew Georgina was obsessed with him, but I never thought she would be crazy enough to kill him.''
Shortly after, the newly wedded coupled emerged and Serena threw her arms around her best friend.
''I'm glad you're okay,'' she murmured as he patted her back. Blond took a step back and offered her hand to Blair. ''Get well soon, B. I believe congratulations are in order too. It seems I've missed out a lot.''
''Thank you,'' Blair shook her hand, not having time to dwell on her issues with Serena, but a part of her was pleased by cordial meet. At least someone thought well of their marriage.
''How about we all go to my place?'' Nate offered, looking inquisitively at them.
''No,'' Blair quickly shot, mentally steeling herself. ''Chuck and I are going home.''
Half an hour later, they were in a lobby of their building. As if destiny wasted no time, Bob was hunched over the steps that led to the first floor, cleaning them with a rag. Dan stood next to him, trying to persuade him to give up on the errand and let him do it.
Brokenhearted, she watched her father toil when she knew there was no strength left in him.
''Daddy'' the word trembled out of her mouth and she let go of Chuck's hand, taking a step towards her family. Dan sharply turned around, but Bob froze, not daring to look behind.
''A kingdom built on lies. It suits you,'' her brother said with a dull voice before disappearing back into the home, back into the basement.
''Dad,'' she once again tried, brushing off the comment that stabbed her right in the heart. ''I came to shake your hand.''
Blair stared at his back as he said with a tired voice. ''May God bless your marriage, but I will never forget how you trampled on your family with your lies.''
''I'm ashamed of what I have done,'' her voice broke as she went on. ''I'll always be ashamed of myself. I can beg you to forgive me, but I'll never be able to justify myself. I know I made a horrible mistake.''
''But Chuck and I are in love,'' she smiled through agony, finally being able to say the words she so long wanted to shout at the world. ''I love him so much. I didn't want to marry like this, but we had to. I've paid for what I've done. I've taken the hit, hundred times. Can't we start over?''
She put a shaking hand on his shoulder, but her father recoiled. Her heart ripped at the seams at the motion. Still, he kept his back to her and with a grumbling voice said, ''I've already offered you my hand once. You belong to your husband. He's the only family you have now.''
With that, he went home, a home that was now closed to her. She was unwelcome.
Blair felt a comforting hand encircle her shoulder and she buried her head into his chest as he led them upstairs. In front of the doors of his apartment, lying on a doormat was a heap of clothes. With a breaking heart, she realized it was her very own wardrobe. Chuck carefully picked it up and placed it inside, on the couch.
As he turned around, as he saw agitated state she was in, Chuck gently brushed a strand of damp hair away from her downcast face. ''Love?''
She raised her head and tears poured out of her with that one word. Blair flung herself into his arms, the only sanctuary she had left. He had smoothly picked her up and carried her to bed, knowing she was exhausted and emotionally drained. His phone vibrated on a table, but he had ignored it, knowing whoever was calling was much less important than her.
Piece by piece, he had undressed her from the same clothes she came into the hospital, clothes that still carried the scent of death. Very gently, he laid her on the bed and, after changing to briefs, situated himself next to her. As if they were magnetic, her head snuggled on his chest, their arms and legs tangling together. Her tears fell onto his white Calvin Klein cotton shirt. Chuck caressed her forearm with the tips of his fingers, gently stroked her hair, did everything to soothe her, to calm her down.
After a while, after her breathing had subsided and tears dried up, she had spoken with yielding resolve. ''I'm fine. Really, I am. I've paid the price of what I've done. Everything may look bad now, but it can't get worse than this. It's all out in the open now, everyone finally knows everything.''
Her deep sigh spread warmly over his skin.
''The worst is behind us,'' she looked up at him, meeting his eyes and something in Chuck cowered under that stare. He hadn't told her about Elle yet. ''It can't get any worse than this.''
''Let's run away,'' she whispered in the dark bedroom and kissed him on the surprised lips before he had time to reply. ''Just for a day or two.''
Before his mind could form a coherent thought, as it always succumbed under power of her spirit, Blair had straddled him. She arched her back, chocolate curls dipping down her back as she flung her shirt away. Her naked presence stood tall and imposing, reminding him of a statue of goddess Nike - glorious in the aftermath of war. Like an approaching wave of a tsunami, she dipped down and took his mouth in hers. All he was able to do is stare in awe and let himself be carried by the current.
They arrived in the Hamptons sometime the next morning. The best thing about the off-season was the peaceful desolation. Ghost city seemed empty, except for elderly locals. The kids were at private schools, adults were catching sun lazying around on crewed mega-yachts, anchored at Caribbean Islands.
''I like it here,'' Blair commented, marveling in the nearly deserted streets and the distant sound of the crashing waves. Fresh sea air seemed to do her good, thought Chuck as he regarded her. Her mood has improved greatly since last night. Memories of wild, sleepless hours easily made him aroused. ''You can escape and yet still get to see everything pass by from afar.''
''Let's sit there,'' Chuck nodded at nearby café, leading her by the hand. ''This was my favorite place to lounge during summers in high school.''
''How typical,'' she smirked, noticing the ostentatious decor - marble Ionic columns and golden frames around Renaissance pictures. Like a true gentleman, he held the doors open and let her in first. As she entered, Blair felt a smack over her behind.
''That's for your attitude,'' he whispered in her ear as the waiter approached them.
''Welcome back Mr. Bass,'' a man greeted them and Chuck ignored her blushing face that was currently glowering at him.
''Miss,'' the man addressed her, for a moment pausing in confusion.
''Can we get a table?'' Chuck asked impatiently as the staff stared at his wife.
''Yes,'' waiter shook his head, straightening himself and leading them to his usual spot. ''I apologize, right this way.''
''When we get back to Manhattan,'' she started as they sat down on white, plush love seat, putting her hand on top his.
''We'll get our own apartment,'' he finished, squeezing her fingers. It was a topic they had discussed this morning, drinking coffee and watching the sunset together, wrapped in sheets. It happened shortly before they decided to come here. Staying in the building where her family, who had made it clear they didn't want her, resided, was too much pain to bear. Blair still didn't deal with their rejection and possibly never will, but moving away might be the best option for everyone. After all, they were starting fresh. ''Our own home.''
''When we graduate,'' she beamed at him, ecstatic by the days to come, wondering how he would finish this thought for it was a matter they still didn't touch upon.
''We'll open our own club.''
''We're going to work together?'' She arched her brow, thinking all the times they worked on the same project. It was a chaos, but results always seemed to surpass everyone's standard.
''Isn't my wife studying management?''
''I'm this close to losing the scholarship, '' Blair bit her lip as real problems pushed their way into their bubble again, anxiety coiling in her stomach. ''May it be noted, I'll not suffer you ingenious antics just because the club and capital are yours.''
The waiter brought them two caffé lattes and dozen of smoked salmon canapés, bowing in respect. But still, his eyes lingered over Blair.
Oblivious to the attention, though her husband was far from it, she took a bite and chewed in delight, realizing there was no place on earth she would wish to be right now than here, with him. ''Look at us, '' Blair said as elation took her over. ''We're discussing our plans for the future together. This is really happening. I finally feel free, not having so many secrets to weigh me down.''
She kissed him, caressing his cheek, tasting coffee on his smiling lips, remembering the beautiful night they spent together.
''From now, on,'' she smiled back, staring deep into his onyx eyes. ''Everything will only get better.''
At that moment, his phone vibrated on the table and they both took a glance, wondering who was interrupting their precious moment.
''E,'' she read before he ignored the call. ''Who's E?''
''I can't even remember,'' he muttered, turning off iPhone and shoving it into the pocket of his blazer.
''Why didn't you answer?'' Blair asked curiously, setting down her cup. ''You're frowning.''
''You've panicked,'' a Cheshire grin spread across her face as she observed his stunned expression, amused by it. ''All because I asked.''
After he said nothing, after he darkly scowled at something outside the window, Blair merely rolled her eyes in humor. ''Relax. If I was crazy enough to think it's your Camilla Parker - Bowles, I'd give you hell.''
A/N: Don't worry so much, it's Chair. They manage everything ;)
It was my birthday yesterday. Despite having wide range of friends and flourishing love life, I always have the need to spend it alone, in a peaceful country. No grand party, no lavishing presents. It's the way I like it. Anyone as weird as me regarding their birthday rituals?
Soo what did you think of the chapter? Any predictions?