Happy belated 2013! here is chapter 13!
She wanted to be strong when she walked towards the living room, but she was uncertain, still confused. Not exactly resentful, but ashamed that their secret was forced to be this public. Never in her life would have she wanted for her family to know what had happened.
Jenny emerged from the kitchen and her eyes immediately found Lily. The expression of anxiety on her face deepened as she opened her mouth to speak, "I think dad needs your help with something… in the kitchen."
Lily understood that this was her way of saying that they needed privacy. The lawyers weren't actually there, but were returning later with the results and paper work. She was grateful for having this little time to talk to Chuck. Even though she only managed to get a few grunts and mutters as answers. Lily got on to her feet quickly.
A gentle smile spread across her features, "I'll go and check on him."
Soon as they were left alone there was silence for a moment, but he did not pretend not to understand, "What?"
Jenny was facing him, her back straight, eyes calm.
"I thought we could talk," She said the word cautiously, unsure of what his reaction would be, "like really talk about everything."
Chuck tilted his head towards her, " We've been doing nothing else than talking lately."
She searched for the right words, "I know, and I know that you don't care what I have to say or what's on my minds but," Her voice was very soft and timid, "I just need to know everything before we completely cut all ties."
Jenny expected him to jump up and leave without giving her a chance, but instead he was getting comfortable- he tossed the gray suit jacket he had been wearing aside. He straightened his light purple dress shirt and they looked at each other for a long time, "Talk then."
She would have voluntarily chopped her own arm off before sitting next to him, so she settled for the old bastille lounge chair in the corner of the room.
"You told me I didn't need protecting," Jenny approached the subject, asking about that night in the bar when they had met up, "You said I was grownup and you saw it even if Nate didn't."
"Ok, now refresh my memory…" Chuck felt a stab of irritation, his chin resting on his hands and they were staring intently at one another, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Why would you say that?" She asked, no uncertainty in her voice.
"I never lie," His eyes flashing grimly, "I told you the truth that's it. If you think that was my way of making an effort to do some groundwork before doing the dirty with you, it wasn't " He leaned forward making her feel small under his piercing gaze, "girls like you only need two or three words and you're willing to do anything."
Jenny snorted, showing a blank face not letting him get to her, "I never thought it was about…you know. I don't know why it bothers me… but I guess there isn't a particular reason why I remember it."
He paused for a moment, "Says a lot if you still remember a meaningless conversation like that."
"Almost nine months alone with your thoughts is a long time," She swallowed hard, "I guess after everything… you end up hoping maybe it wasn't as meaningless as it really was."
Now he looked uncomfortable which was rare from Chuck. He hastily composed his features and drawled lazily in a nonchalant voice, "I gave you a chance to leave and you chose not to take it," he inhaled slowly and continued, "Let's not pretend you weren't asking for it."
Jenny opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her face contorted with frustration and distress, "Yeah well Chuck I was lonely and fucking messed up."
"Not my problem."
"True it wasn't, " There was still confusion and wariness in her expression, but she didn't flinch as she held his gaze, "I made my choice that night and I dealt with the consequences later on my own. I take full responsibility for that."
Chuck scoffed quietly like he could care less, "You could have handled it differently."
Her eyes burned brightly, "That's what you would have wanted, but I couldn't do it."
"What I want," he repeated her words mockingly and then his eyes traveled over her in a way that made her shudder, "Do you actually believe you know what I want?"
"What? You think if I had told you earlier you would have supported my decision?" the young girl was suddenly filled with overwhelming hatred because he was making her feel guilty, "I am not Blair. The only person who maybe would have gotten a supportive gesture in that situation would be Blair- That's not me. It was not Blair that night and it might kill you to think that it could have been, but you have no right to make me feel guilty for my decisions because in the end they won't affect your life. They affect only mine and Charlies."
Chuck stared silently and solemnly at her. It was the first time that he had seen Jenny with that mix of rage, determination and downright hatred on her face. There was a long, unpleasant silence and it seemed like this would really be the last time they spoke.
He didn't understand her naïve and weak character. If she would have just had an abortion or given the kid away there wouldn't be a problem now and they wouldn't have to stare at each other in the eye. She was still the same girl who was a mess inside, but outside tried to look as if she was on top of her game. He saw through that and it was maybe because that mirrored his own behavior sometimes. Though Jenny was still a complete nutcase in his opinion, he had noticed how she reacted whenever it came to the kid. She didn't seem to shy away from defending him whenever there was a chance and honestly it looked like she wanted to scratch Chuck's eyes off when he had seen the baby earlier.
He tried to handle this situation rationally, but he kept feeling anger boiling up inside whenever Jenny even opened up her mouth and he would have to immediately suppress it. For a few seconds he toyed with the idea of simply taking off and not coming back. Instead once again even surprising himself; he simply looked at her, and said something he thought he would never in his life say to her.
"Sorry."
Jenny stared at him, perplexed, "For what?"
Chuck seemed to be gathering strength. And then, finally, he spoke, "Not seeing that you weren't ready for it."
To her he seemed sincere. It really was strange to see him admit something like that so humbly.
"I know what it's like to grow up without one parent or well two, my father wasn't… he and I, we were never really on the same page," he admitted honestly, "He will probably struggle with that..." Chuck sighed in exasperation – he never had any trouble telling someone off, but whenever he wanted to say something meaningful the words simply wouldn't come," Just don't give up on him."
For a moment she didn't trust herself to speak.
It was true that she had been deeply affected by Chuck in a lot of ways. Their first meeting wasn't exactly a good experience for her. The only thing she could remember from that night was the way he had touched her unlike anybody else had before. He was her first real kiss. Then suddenly they were sort of half siblings. During this time she had no problem with him.
He was there, but in her world as a jackass who maybe sometimes saved her from her idiotic decisions. Her whole world had been revolving around Nate, then Damien and then Nate again. So it was still a mystery how in earth her mind had worked that night. She had insisted to herself not be like other teenagers and make her first time count. It was supposed to be special. Her brains didn't seem to get the memo though.
One night they wallow in their despair together and the next thing she knows he is telling her if she stays they won't be playing video games and watching movies like she would have with Nate. She stayed and lost her virginity to him.
Bad as her life was she didn't know it would get worse. She had his baby on January 12th the following year.
Suddenly Chuck Bass, the person she had ignored and thought was irrelevant would be a part of her life forever.
Her life had come into a full circle.
From the night he had tried to take advantage of her to the night they took advantage of each other's misery.
Now they were sitting face to face and he was apologizing. This had a sense of unreality, as though he was giving a performance, and she half-wondered if he would pull a rabbit out of a hat as an encore.
The tension and control faded from Jenny's face, "I think we will be alright."
"Yeah that's what you say now." He chuckled back a laugh.
She felt relieved to hear the humorous tone in Chuck's voice. The way he had turned serious all of a sudden made her uneasy, "What do you want me to say to him when he gets older about you not being there?"
"That's up to you."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded, "Anything else?"
"I can promise he won't hear anything from me about you being his... biological dad, but I can't speak for… other people."
Chuck considered this for a moment. He knew she was right. Blair would have a field trip humiliating the kid in the future if he ever visited Rufus and Dan, "Don't worry about Blair. She won't say a word, and if she does then it's not going to affect our contract."
Stillness and silence descended once again, broken only by the constant ticking of the clock, and the occasional rumbling from the kitchen.
"For a second I thought you were one of those people," He cast a critical eye over Jenny and stated hastily, "who leave and don't return."
She flinched, his words slicing through her mind like a steel blade.
"Sometimes I wish I was." The girl met his gaze and he was struck, by how hollow her eyes looked, "And I could have been one of them, but I'm glad I wasn't because I wouldn't have him now." Her voice sank until it was barely above a whisper.
"This place usually leaves you empty inside. Go figure- you didn't." Chuck continued in a tone laden with sarcasm.
"As much as we dislike each other at the moment- I can only end this all by saying thank you for not making this hard for us so that we can move on." A slow smile spread over Jenny's face as she realized there wasn't actually anything else to address, "I guess that's it."
"That's it."
"What are you doing here?" She had walked right up to him after seeing him standing in the hallway of her mother's rented luxury penthouse while everyone else had already found their seat inside and were chatting away. The brunette already knew the expression that would be on his face. That maddening stupid smirk that had always driven her crazy. He always though he was better than the rest of them and Blair had a problem with that.
"You can blame Serena," Dan muttered, but felt that he was fighting a losing battle. Whenever Blair decided to be spiteful she always knew the right buttons to push, "Your ex-boyfriend is at my house. I really didn't feel like seeing him today or any other day for the matter of fact."
Glancing down, he saw her thoughtful, slightly worried expression; but she said nothing. He was leaning against the wall, observing her with a sad glint in his eye, "I don't like this any more than you do."
"Well you couldn't be more wrong." She retorted.
"Yeah right I forgot you've moved on."
"I don't need to explain myself to you Humphrey," Blair replied through gritted teeth, "I don't know what Serena sees in you, but frankly seems like you're no different than your sister. Desperation reeks from you."
Dan snorted. "Look, you don't like me and I don't like you. But that's fine, because I'm not here for you; I'm here for Serena who invited me. So why don't we just stay out of each other's way and everything will be fine."
They were still glowering when Nate and Serena appeared next to them.
"I hate to put an end to your fun," He looked at Blair, "but one of your mom's friends is being way too touchy for my taste and it's getting weird."
Blair glared at Dan one last time then turned and walked away with Nate.
Serena watched him apprehensively for a few minutes, but in the end the tension was too much, "I didn't think you would come."
"Yeah, well…" he answered gruffly, "I already promised to be your plus one and I kind of knew this would cheer me up. There is nothing better than watching old ladies use a 'charity' event as an excuse to get drunk and gossip. Oh and Blair is just a bonus in all of this."
She was leaning against the doorway and watching him with a half-amused, half-concerned expression, "I figured so," she replied with a slight smile, "It's a charity brunch actually."
"Why do I get the feeling you were sent to watch after me?" Dan asked eventually.
"I was not sent. I'm the one who invited you remember?" Serena replied, with a tone that implied that no one would dare send her anywhere, "Your dad might have slightly implied that you need something to do today because he doesn't want you to run off and do anything reckless."
"I see…"
Serena advanced toward him and rested her hands lightly on his shoulders, looking anxiously into his face, "Are you still mad at me for what I said? I never meant to hurt you."
He sighed impatiently, running his hand through his hair, "This is one of those things we can't agree on because we were raised differently. You think I should speak my mind completely to Jenny and tell her how bad I feel for her. I almost did it, but then I found her grumbled with fear and shame in her bedroom and I realized no matter how much I despise her decisions she can never know that I don't see her the same way I used to."
She had not tried to interrupt him during this outpouring and now they stood facing each other, "But don't you think she should know? Jenny can't live in a bubble believing everything is okay."
"I've kept things to myself because I'm trying to do what's right, because I don't want her to be hurt any more than she has been already. And even today when I know that Jenny is getting herself mixed up in God knows what with Chuck," Dan shook his head in disbelief. "I need to step back and say I'm proud of her because she is my sister. I'm pretty sure she knows everything isn't just fine and dandy in our family right now. I don't need to remind her of her mistakes."
A wave of disappointment consumed her. Serena closed her eyes and turned away slightly, her shoulders drooping, "Holding secrets can ruin you. I know burying this will make you slowly miserable."
"Are you sure that's not just how you feel yourself?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Dan let out an audible frustrated groan, "We need to finally talk about us."
Chuck waited on the sofa. He felt as though he was hitting his head against a wall and it was because he knew that Jenny had, somehow inadvertently, said something that distressed him. He had finally succumbed to exhaustion of everything. His eyes swept the room, and he felt painful disappointment that this is where he ended up.
"So… she looked happy," Lily's voice broke him out of his thoughts, "I take it as everything you talked about made her feel relieved."
It could not have been easy for Jenny, he knew that; her attempt, however well-intentioned, to do right by both them had failed from his part. Before it felt like this would not change his life in anyway, but the more he spent time around the problem itself it made him doubt everything. Those deep thoughts he did not even allow his mind to fathom were more on the surface and Chuck was not ready to dwell in them.
"She shouldn't feel relieved," He pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and concentrated on the fact that he had managed to squirm himself out of this without a bigger effort on his behalf, "That kid doesn't even have a chance."
The woman was rather taken aback by Chuck's cold, formal, tone. Her first thought was that something had happened to upset him and immediately felt concerned. Lily had learned that his only safety mechanism seemed to be shutting himself off completely. Often this was the side everyone saw- the empty shell of a man who was never taught how to express himself.
She could feel the muscles in her face begin to hurt with the effort of keeping her enforced smile in place as she yet again, tried to make him express some sort of emotion, "What makes you think that?"
He looked at her, and the beginnings of a bitter smile began to play over his face, "My genes- that itself makes him a lost cause."
Lily's eyes were suddenly alight with enthusiasm. He wasn't denying him anymore, or at least subconsciously he had thought about the boys future.
"You're being too harsh on yourself," She objected, "Even if you're not there for him… I can tell that he is going to have a bright future with Jenny. I hope eventually, maybe one day you can tell him why you chose this route."
"I am going to pretend that I didn't hear that," Chuck replied coldly, "Do you really believe all of that rubbish? As far as I'm concerned this never even happened."
"All I'm saying is that there will be a day that you will wonder what if and when that day comes don't be ashamed of it," She was using her most reasonable tone of voice, which only made him more on the edge. With a huge effort, she managed to sound convincing, "On paper this baby boy is Jenny's, but Charles a piece of paper won't change the reality that you fathered a child. I just feel obliged to tell you that it doesn't get better with time. He will always be here and that feeling of doubt will also be there."
"I appreciate the pep talk, but I can guarantee you that I will sleep my nights without a doubt in my mind," His smile had an edge of malice and continued, coolly, "She chose to play mom and I never agreed to play the dad- he wasn't wanted and will have to deal with it."
"Like you dealt with it?" Her voice held a trace of sadness.
They looked at each other for a long time, and Chuck had that feeling of calm that he always had when he spoke to Lily, even when the subjects were this heavy. Maybe it was because she seemed so calm, so strong herself.
Luckily for him his cellphone rang and he could leave the conversation with a good reason. He looked at the caller ID and sighed, "I'll have to take this sorry."
The woman looked at the young man in disappointment as she realized they wouldn't be continuing their conversation.
This was probably the closest she would get.
Chuck walked into the hallway for some privacy and finally answered, "I told you fools I'm busy all day. This better be important."
"I don't mean to interrupt," A shaky male voice explained, "but your uncle, Mr. Jack Bass requested certain files about Bass industries and The Empire which establish all money transfers from last year. He assured me that you are aware of this as well as the board meeting which is happening soon, but it's against protocol so as the owner you have to agree for me to hand these over…."
"Wait what? What board meeting?"
"Sir, he has rounded all the investors up and they were informed about this a few days ago. You yourself signed the papers for-"
"Forget it," Chuck rubbed his forehead in frustration and snapped, "Connect this call to William."
"Sir, there isn't a William working in our floor. Do you mean Wilson?"
"Yes! Whatever just connect me now you idiot." Chuck was no fool, he did not think that the past could simply be erased through good intentions and a willingness for tolerance. But he had, perhaps, forgotten how shady Jack actually was. This problem with Jenny had completely blinded him and he could only blame himself.
He waited as the phone beeped and heard a familiar voice on the other end, "Yes?"
"What the fuck is going on?" Chuck let out a breath edged with distress, "Why did you not tell me what my uncle has been doing there behind my back!"
"As a man to another man I have to applaud you for being so blatantly stupid," The man, who Chuck had even threatened with firing sounded like he was lecturing him, "For someone who runs two huge corporations and doesn't read the papers he signs-"
"Get to the point!"
"I told you earlier what our situation is. The stock market has dropped and doing so- we had to sell bits and pieces of Bass industries to the investors. They basically own you at this point, but this is more of a temporary solution. They have helped us from completely falling down and since The Empire was combined with the Bass industries from your wishes- this also connects it to these shares we sold out."
"What are you saying? I still have the ownership don't I?"
"Last night you signed away 2 percent which means that this group of people have 2 percent over your head," He replied, calmly, "You own 48 percent and the rest of the investors own 52 percent, but it's spread out so individually they can't own more than 10 percent. Your ownership is safe this way."
Chuck wanted to give himself a huge smack on the face for not realizing what was going on. He hadn't thought much of it when he put his name under that paper. Now it made a whole lot more sense why they kept asking him if he was sure. He composed himself quickly and hated to ask what was on his mind, "The board meeting- Jack asked for financial files so I'm guessing he will make an attempt to buy them out. Is it possible for them to sell?"
There was a pause, "Ah – Err yes it's possible."
"Shit!" He cursed loudly, "Well can I buy them myself before him?"
"Unfortunately… you can't buy back these shares because under our company policy in this situation shareholders will eventually step down as the numbers increase and Bass industries along with The Empire make enough money. Basically you can't buy anything back with the name Chuck Bass because you own the companies. They are holding your name as an escape if something goes wrong, but at the same time they won't sell to you because they simply can't. In a sense the shares will have to be combined naturally when the time is right and honestly the way we have been going... it's not anytime soon."
The issues were starting to make his head hurt all over again. He looked at the ceiling trying to figure out what to do or say. There was certainly no time for complicated explanations and he had to make quick decisions, "What can I do? I need some good answers since you idiots have possibly completely fucked up everything I have worked for- what my father has worked for! And I promise you if Jack gets hold of these companies I will come after you personally." His loud voice registered his anger and frustration.
Intimidated, the man answered quickly, "Only possible way is that you have someone from your family to buy or a close friend you can trust, but personally I don't think you should worry about anybody buying or selling anything at this point."
Chuck stood, lost in thought for some moments. He didn't have anyone he could trust with this. Lily was possibly the only person, but he didn't want to drag her back to battle Jack and knew it wouldn't be right for him to ask anything like this from her.
He stifled these thoughts; he didn't want to drive himself mad this way, but then an idea crept into his mind, demanding his attention. Chuck wasn't too sure if he wanted to even approach the absurd solution, but he knew that he definitely needed someone else's help.
Relief swept through him. Even now, even in this mess, he still had the power to beat him at his own game, and if Jack wanted to play dirty he sure as hell wasn't going to sit back and watch him destroy his life. It just meant that everything he had planned was down the drain for a while at least.
Chuck smirked to himself and laid out his master plan, "If I would be buying a part of these shares back with someone else's name who happens to be under the legal age- In my understanding I would be in control of these assets until he is in fact over the legal age. There will be years enough to improve our income and eventually I get my companies back without any problems."
Simply genius.
"You can't control just anybody's life like that."
"I'm not saying just anybody."
"What do you mean?" he asked suspiciously.
"I'm saying my son will own Bass Industries and The Empire."
Once- this would have been his idea of hell.
Funny how things change.
see what I did there lol... oh pooooor Jenny what you got yourself into.
Don't lay with the wolves kids- you will have millionaires on your case for the rest of your life! LOL
Anyways thanks for the feedback :) keep it coming! I really love love love receiving your thoughts!
And sorry if this story seems slow..I want to keep it on point with the story line and make sure to capture every imagined moment in my head and pass it on to your screens!