Chapter 4
A/N: So, in this chapter I take some liberties with the history of some of New York's most well known families and their family trees. Apologies to any who are offended...
"Bas," Blaine breathed, eyes widening as he took in the man who seemed to have been haunting him since their chance encounter in the night club almost two weeks ago. Sebastian's own eyes widened in recognition.
"Well, this is unexpected," Sebastian spluttered, taking in Santana and Blaine. He glanced over at them and then appraised Hunter. "They're – um – escorts?" he asked in confusion, his gaze once again going to Blaine.
Santana eyed them both wearily. "You know each other?" she demanded, a frown marring her features as she tried to place Sebastian. Realization made her eyes widen. "Shit," she muttered, as she realized that this was the man Blaine had been gushing over for the last week and a half; the one he had been flirting with at the club while on Kurt's time.
She knew that he figured he would never see Sebastian - Bas – again and had resigned himself to the fact. Santana also knew that Blaine really liked this man and didn't want the other to know that he was actually an escort. "Um, no," she replied to Sebastian's initial question. When Hunter opened his mouth to protest, she cut him off. "I mean, I am but Blaine was coming to the Gala anyway, and Hunter mentioned that you were a bit reluctant to use an escort service, so I figured I'd ask him to be your date like – um – a blind date."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow at the fiery Latina. "Blaine was coming to the Gala as well?" he looked between them again.
Blaine sighed, and held out his hand with a small smile. "Blaine Anderson," he offered quietly, watching as realization dawned on both Sebastian and Hunter's faces. "My aunt Marigold is responsible for organizing this benefit. She and Uncle Thomas like to ensure that one of us is here to represent the Anderson side of the family."
Frowning, Hunter took in Blaine. "Didn't you fall off the grid sometime back?" he inquired, studying the other man, suspiciously. "I remember them saying you were going to school outside the country and that's why the media hadn't seen you on your father's campaign trail last year."
With a strained smile, Blaine replied, "I was starting my freshman year of college. The family felt it was best if I dropped away from media attention while I tried to acclimatize to the city and college life. It is also the reason I'm not attending an Ivy League. Father and I felt it would draw unnecessary attention, especially after Cooper's rather –unprincipled – scandal a few years ago. It was a mad-house when he dropped out of college to become an actor; Father and Grandfather were most unimpressed with his acting debut being a pornography."
Sebastian studied his date for the evening, realizing that the person Blaine was currently portraying was unlike the man he had met for coffee last week. Wondering at the change in diction, etiquette, and action, he shoved down his questions for the other man and simply offered his arm to Blaine. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing for Hunter and Santana to proceed them. Hunter nodded, offering his own arm to Santana and leading the way into the Gala. At the security check, Blaine tried to remain undetected, offering Sebastian's name and adding with a smile "plus one".
The guard motioned them through and Blaine led the way to the coat check, smiling softly at Sebastian when the other man took his coat. Parting ways with Santana and Hunter, knowing they would work the crowd with Hunter trying to gain more business for the firm, Blaine allowed Sebastian to procure them drinks. Sensing Blaine's unease, he positioned them out of the way, on the fringes of the ballroom, allowing Blaine a clear view of the entire room and the people currently inhabiting it.
"So, were you lying about being Blaine Anderson?" Sebastian asked nonchalantly of his date.
"What?" Blaine turned his distracted attention back to Sebastian. Seeming to realize he was ignoring his date, he blushed. "I'm sorry, Bas," he sighed softly. "I'm a terrible date. I'm ignoring you when we should be having a good time. Really, I'm just trying to avoid - "
"Blaine Anderson," a voice broke into their conversation, causing Blaine to moan quietly. Sebastian chuckled at the other's reaction, taking in the elderly lady who had waltzed over and approached them. "Where are your manners, Nephew?" she demanded, ignoring Blaine's mumbled excuse and pulling him into a bone-crushing hug. She laid kisses on both his cheeks, leaving smudges of lipstick in her wake.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Marigold," Blaine apologized, shooting a dark look over her shoulder at Sebastian's quiet chuckling over his distress. "I was trying to stay inconspicuous."
She frowned. "Andersons, Montgomeries, Vanderbilts and Rockfellers do not stay inconspicuous, Nephew," she chastised withe a heavy sniff of disdain. She lowered her voice and glanced around. "unless there is a reason we do not want to draw attention to ourselves." Her gaze brightened as Sebastian stepped forward and handed Blaine a glass of champagne, taking pity on the younger man. Gratefully, Blaine took his glass and chugged half. "And who do we have here, Nephew?" she demanded, grabbing Sebastian's bicep in a vice-like grip. She pulled him closer for inspection while Sebastian sent a startled gaze at Blaine who shrugged helplessly.
"My date, Sebastian Smythe, Aunt Marigold," Blaine offered. "Or rather, I'm his date."
"Smythe, eh?" she studied the young man in her grip until he squirmed. Smirking at Sebastian's discomfort, she released him. "Good catch, Nephew," she complimented Blaine. "Handsome, smart, successful, and not newly rich. Impressive." She let her gaze wander around the room, waving to a few people. Seeing her husband beckoning for her, she studied Blaine again. "I expect you at tea on Wednesday at four," she ordered her nephew. "Bring your date from tonight. I want to ensure he won't bring any scandals on our family."
"Aunt Marigold - " Blaine protested, dread sinking into the pit of his stomach. His aunt was notorious for getting her way; she was a very good manipulator and wouldn't fathom not lying to get her own way.
"I expect you at tea on Wednesday, Blaine Devon Anderson," she ordered again before smirking. "Or your father will be interested to hear you have been hiding out in the city this whole time."
"Wednesday at four for tea," Blaine repeated weakly, knowing that Marigold Vanderbilt did not issue idle threats.
"Good, Nephew," she patted his cheek. "And use some of your trust to update your suit, Blaine," she added in parting. "We represent our family, our fortune and you should only be wearing the latest trends."
Once she was out of earshot, Blaine let out an explosive breath, drained the remainder of his champagne before plucking Sebastian's from his surprised grasp and draining it as well. "Does that answer your question from earlier?" Blaine asked, depositing both empty glasses ona passing waiter's tray.
"Yes," Sebastian replied, chuckling. "Although I'm not quite sure what you just signed me up for with regards to Wednesday."
"I'm sorry," Blaine grimaced. "Aunt Marigold is a Vanderbilt and well, she can be a bit much at times."
Shrugging, Sebastian replied. "I like her; she tells it like it is." He leaned down to whisper in Blaine's ear. "Although this night is a bit surreal. I don't know how many people are going to believe I hung out with Marigold Vanderbilt and got invited to tea."
Blaine groaned again. "It's not over yet," he muttered quietly to Sebastian as he spotted another family member. His heart sank as his cousin came over escorting non-other than Kurt Hummel. "I'm sorry Bas," he said quietly as they made their way closer. "I'll make this evening up to you, I promise."
"Blaine Anderson, I didn't expect you tonight," Wesley Montgomery greeted, pulling his cousin into a tight hug. "Last I heard you were gallivanting around Europe for school."
"Cousin," Blaine greeted with a strained smile. He loved Wes; they had been especially close while attending Dalton Academy together for high school. He, however, knew that Kurt still wasn't happy about his flirting with Bas at the club and now being here with the other man would only rile Kurt up more. Turning, to indicate Sebastian, he introduced. "I'd like you to meet Sebastian Smythe. Bas, this is my cousin Wesley Montgomery."
Sebastian's eyebrows rose at the other man's name. "I'm impressed," he stated, shaking Wes' hand. "One of the youngest CEOs in the US, you were on Forbes' thirty under thirty list this year. You have quite the impressive business mind, Mr. Montgomery."
Wes preened under the acknowledgement. "Good schooling and a business degree from MIT does wonders in the corporate world, Mr. Smythe, however, don't think we haven't heard of you and your partner either. You do both your fathers' proud." He glanced over at Kurt with an appraising eye, the other man not even realizing he was being scrutinized while he was shooting a dirty look at Blaine. "Let me introduce my companion, Kurt Hummel," Wes said, trying to break some of the tension.
"Hello Kurt," Blaine greeted, not even bothering to extend his hand. He knew the other man was going to make a scene; Kurt's disposition just screamed he was angry.
"Blaine," Kurt acknowledged frowning. "How did you even get in here?" he demanded, eyes traveling to Sebastian in dark understanding. "Up to your tricks tonight, Blaine?" he asked innocently.
The two other men frowned, not quite understanding the underlying connotations to Kurt's words. "Actually," Blaine replied sweetly, looping his arm around Sebastian's waist. "I'm always on the guest list for these things, much like my cousin Wes. Unlike him, however, I rarely attend as it is not advantageous for me to rub shoulders with the nouveau rich. I don't play the game of politics or monopoly very well, unlike my cousin and have no desire to acquire companies."
"Blaine, you're giving away all my secrets," Wes whined playfully, once again trying to break the tension.
"Bullshit," Kurt cut in, causing Wes' mouth to drop open in surprise at the tone. "There's no way a whore is related to the Vanderbilts, Rockfellers, Montgomeries or Andersons."
"I prefer Escort," Blaine shot back. "I am of a higher breed, after all. And I do believe Wes did introduce me as Blaine Anderson, am I not right, Cousin?" At Wes' confirmation nod, he continued. "So, I would tread very carefully in the way that you address me, Mr. Hummel as if I'm not mistaken, my family does own a portion of your magazine and sits on the board of directors. Isabelle is also a very close friend of my aunt Marigold."
Without another word, Kurt stomped away in a huff of anger, and Blaine knew he had lost a customer. Releasing a breath he didn't even know he had been holding, he felt all his energy drain away.
"My, my Cousin," Wes murmured, raising his champagne glass in salute. "Did that reaction have anything to do with the man's arm you are currently on? I have never seen you react that way before."
"Can it, Wes," he responded tiredly, just wanting the night to end. This is not how he envisioned his first date with Sebastian to have gone. He gazed apologetically at his date, hoping he would be able to salvage Sebastian's reaction and convince the man to at least attempt a more normalized date.
Wes sighed, dropping the facade as he took in Blaine's slumped shoulders. "Take him home and put him to bed, Mr. Smythe," he said. "These functions always drain him." He patted Sebastian on the back before passing him a business card. "Call me and we'll chat. I'm looking for a new law firm to represent me as well as my assets and you may fit the bill nicely." He pressed a chaste kiss to Blaine's temple. "I expect a call, Blaine," he ordered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening "Because I want an explanation about the Kurt confrontation and why you've been hiding here in the city for the last two years." He smiled at the two and sauntered back into the crowd.
"Come on, B," Sebastian stated, pulling an almost lethargic Blaine towards the coat check. "Let's get you home."