10 Brunch

Blair stood inside one of the banquet halls of The Palace, the luxurious hotel owned by the Basses, and smiled at old family friends as they passed her by. She was poised and elegant on the surface, but on the inside she was nervous. As though he sensed this, Chuck came behind her and breathed on her neck.

"You look ravishing," he commented.

She smiled faintly to herself, before sighing, rolling her eyes and facing him.

"I might, but I bet little Jenny Humphrey won't," she snapped, "I still don't see why we had to invite her!"

"She's one of us now-"

"One of us? She's a freshman from Brooklyn-"

"You're not afraid of that you're being phased out, are you?" he cackled, "You are getting old. It was bound to happen."

"Chuck!" she hissed, forcing a smile as another of her family's friends walked by.

"So, are Harold and his boyfriend coming?" Chuck asked cruelly.

Harold Waldorf Esq. was Blair's father and his coming-out was one of the most talked about subjects last year. Harold and Eleanor had been married for thirty years before Harold came out of the closet. The result was devastating. Eleanor drove herself to eat and soon doubled her weight. This image stuck with Blair forever and she promised she would never let herself become that.

Harold, on the other hand had blossomed. He got in shape, bought new clothes and found himself a younger lover. Even though few people approved of his drastic lifestyle change, no one could deny how great he looked.

"Ethan is not his boyfriend!" Blair growled, "He is a twenty-three year old gold-digging tramp!"

Chuck snickered.

"My, my, you kiss your mother with that mouth? No, wait, she's at a fat camp in Wisconsin, isn't she?"

"She is in a dietary clinic-"

"Whatever you say, kitten. Play nice, I have to go greet more guests."

She watched him longingly as he walked away. Even though a part of her resented Chuck for blackmailing her, another part was aroused by this. Chuck wasn't letting her go, he was keeping her around for his own amusement. Did he perhaps see her as more than just prey? He did take a lot of interest in her. Her attraction to him was unmistakable. He was a Bass, after all. He'd inherited his mother's good looks and his father's social grace. Arguably, there was nobody better than Chuck on the Upper East Side. Blair was taken back to reality when her boyfriend, Nate, walked in. His eyes were fixed on her as he made his way toward her. She contemplated walking away, but she figured now was as good a time as any to break things off with him.

"Blair, what the hell is happening?" he demanded.

She looked up at him and forced a smiled.

"I don't know what you're talking about-"

"No, no games," he insisted, "I want to know what you and Chuck are doing to Jenny Humphrey."

"If you actually spoke to me, you might already know the answer to that," she told him simply, pursing her lips.

"Blair, this isn't about us-"

"You're right, Nate," she agreed, "Because there is no us anymore."

"What?"

His eyes seemed to be full of hurt and confusion.

"What are you saying?"

"We're done, Nate. I'm moving on."

"Blair..."

"What? Are you upset that you weren't able to dump me first? Sorry, Nate. I wasn't going to wait around. I deserve better."

"Like who? Chuck?"

She scowled at him.

"I do not like Chuck-"

"Good. Because you should know, Chuck Bass doesn't love anyone."

"That hurts, Nathaniel," Chuck's voice boomed as he joined them, "I love many people, not the least of whom is you."

"You don't care about me, Chuck," Nate shot, "If you did, you wouldn't come to my house and insult my friends."

"So that's where you were?" Blair asked.

"Yes," Chuck answered, "I just wanted you to see that Humphrey is not a good match for you. He's nothing like us-"

"Exactly! That's what I like about him."

Chuck smirked.

"Look, I don't know what you two are doing to Jenny Humphrey, but I want it to stop-"

"Did your boyfriend send you to ask us?" Chuck jeered.

"I mean it, Chuck, I'm not afraid of you!"

Blair noticed tension between Chuck and Nate like she had never seen before. They were hiding something from her.

"I'll tell you what, Nathaniel. You ditch Daniel, Jenny can walk."

"What makes you think you can tell me who I can and can't be friends with?" Nate demanded.

Chuck gave Blair a look. She knew what it meant. She pulled out her phone and played the video for Nate.

"I had nothing to do with that!" he shouted.

People were looking. Blair glared at him, hoping her understood that he needed to lower his voice.

"No, but if Daniel knew that the only reason that video got out was because you wouldn't grant me one simple wish, I think he might think twice about you," Chuck mused.

Blair saw Nate's lip twitch. He wanted to say something, she knew it. Part of her hoped he wouldn't. If it meant Jenny would be out of the picture, she wanted it. Nate sighed and looked away furiously. Chuck smiled, he had won. Blair began to relax.

"I'm glad we understand each other, Nathaniel."

"Fuck you," he muttered.

"Now, now, no need for harsh words. We're all friends here, aren't we?" he asked cruelly.

Nate glared at Blair and then him.

"I have nothing to say to either of you."

"What's this? Is there trouble in paradise?"

"Not at all," Blair answered simply.

She wasn't sure why she felt the need to lie to Chuck. Even though she wanted to be with him, she didn't want him to know she broke it off with Nate just to get him. She reached for Nate's hand but he pulled away.

"No, Blair," he refused, "It's over, remember?"

Chuck smiled wickedly at Blair. She suddenly felt naked and not in a good way.

"Is that so? I'm sorry to hear that."

"Not likely," Nate shot.

Blair sighed and looked away. Chuck was staring avidly at her.

"You know, I'm going to miss Jenny Humphrey," he mused, "She reminded me of someone. Young, blonde, beautiful and wild. Who am I thinking of, Blair?"

Blair's insides tightened. Chuck was simply saying this to get a reaction out of her. She glared at him and his smile grew wider.

"Don't," she warned in a hostile tone.

"Oh, that's right," he chuckled, "She's just like a young Serena van der Woodsen."

"So, I've been replaced, have i?" a voice asked in mock offense.

Blair, Chuck and Nate turned and faced her. There before them was Serena van der Woodsen. She was tall, blonde and beautiful. Her hair was long and shone like the sun. She was flashing her flawless smile at them waiting for someone to say something. Nobody did.