The Golden Age
Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or take any credit for it.
A.N:
Thank you for all the reviews
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A close shave?
Chuck Bass had a brush with death, this week. Witnesses' say that right after the shooting, he visited the restaurant where Golden Boy and B, were having lunch. Will a near-death experience compel B's gangster, into impulsive decisions? We sure hope so. Rumour has it, Nate couldn't stop staring at our favourite movie star- Serena Van Der Woodsen.
OMG!
You'll never guess who one of our sources saw, Golden boy was seen sneaking into S's apartment, after S's date with New York's hottest new author; Dan Humphrey. What could this mean? We know he can't keep his eyes off of her, what do they know that we don't? Don't worry my gossip hungry readers. Your faithful Gossip Girl will find out for you. If you receive any details, don't be selfish and do your civic duty, by sending them to my address.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that" Serena responded bitterly, "Now, please leave"
"You know I can't do that" Nate told her, "I meant what I said, and I'm not going to pretend it never happened. Listen, I know Blair is going to be hurt, but I think-"
Serena was stunned, when Nate told her, that he loved her. That was so beyond inappropriate! He was dating her best friend, Serena loved Blair and didn't wish to hurt her. There was also Dan, Serena could never do that to him. It was true they'd only known each other for a few days, but she really liked him, and wanted to make it work. She wasn't sure how she even felt about Nate, so she would never charge into a relationship with him.
"No" she interrupted him, "Blair, will never find out what happened, that night. You should go back to her"
"I understand, that you need time to process this" Nate reasoned, "I will come back in three days for your answer"
With that, he turned around and left.
"I've already given you an answer" Serena explained.
Nathanial turned around, and looked at her with a very determined expression.
"I will see you in three days" Nate confirmed, before leaving.
Serena let out a sigh of frustration, she just hoped Nate wouldn't get in the way, of her blooming relationship with Dan.
…
"Who is Charlotte Rhodes?" Dan wanted to know.
He decided that he would help Vanessa, even if they were just friends. Vanessa, was visually shaken, and scared. She knew that Bart Bass wouldn't hesitate killing her. That's why she had to go somewhere, somewhere where Bart Bass has no influence. She knew it was wrong putting her oldest friend in danger, but Vanessa had no one else to turn to.
"She is Serena Van Der Woodsen's cousin" she told him, "Charlotte managed to anger the Bass family. She used to work for them, as a secretary. The family began to trust her, Bart asked her out one evening. Charlotte told me, that she politely declined, but Bart wouldn't accept that. He practically ordered her to go out with him. What Bart didn't know, was that Charlotte, was already dating someone else, but she knew that she couldn't say no twice. So, she went to dinner with him, he made it clear what he wanted from her, that he wanted her to be his lover. Charlotte was too terrified to refuse him. The next day, it appeared in the local paper that she was his girlfriend, but later on, a photo appeared in a newspaper, of her and her real boyfriend kissing. This enraged Mr Bass, Charley knew he was onto her, so she stole some money to get away. I was already friends with Charlotte, so I helped her escape"
It took few moments for this to sink in. Vanessa was in serious trouble. He wondered where this Charlotte Rhodes, was now.
"Where is she?" Dan asked Vanessa.
"I can't tell you, for your own safety" Vanessa refused, "All I'm asking, is a place to stay until my ship docks"
"Where are you going?" Dan wanted to know.
"Somewhere far away, where they won't find me"
…
Chuck Bass was waiting inside his sports car. He was right outside Thorpe's hotel, it was the middle of the day, and he was waiting for the opportune moment to kidnap Rania Thorpe. He was completely, and utterly bored. The gangster's mind kept wondering to a certain brunette. He'd much rather be stalking her, instead of this Rania person. Rania Thorpe, was a socialite and an author, some kind of feminist themed self-help books. He'd been there for the last five hours. He wished this woman would just show her face, so he can get back to winning back Blair.
After what seemed like forever, Rania Thorpe finally came out. She went straight into her car, and the driver started driving her somewhere. Chuck immediately followed them, at an average pace- he had no wish to draw attention to himself. They drove for about 20-minutes before, stopping at a funeral parlour (that was a speakeasy run by her father). Chuck thought that was an odd place to go, at midday. He figured, that the place would be full Thorpe's men, so he decided to wait, but then Chuck, suddenly had a brain wave.
He left his car, and crossed the busy street. Chuck walked straight to the car, and opened the door. The driver inside has a large moustache, and was in one of those strange shapes. It would've been comical, if he had the time. Instead, he reached into his pocket, and took out more money then the driver would earn in five years. The man's eyes, practically bulged out of his skull.
"Take this, and walk away" Chuck suggested.
The driver didn't even have to think about it, he took the cash, without hesitation. He did as instructed, and walked away from the car. Chuck took his place, and waited for his victim to come back. He didn't have to wait long, because Rania came back, within ten minutes.
"The Carter Hotel, please" she ordered him.
Chuck had no intention, of driving her to the hotel. Instead, he started to drive her to more abandoned location. Rania, seemed so ingrained in the document that she was reading, that she didn't even notice. Chuck had drugs in his pocket, it wouldn't take much just to kidnap her. They drove for another half-an-hour, before he found the perfect location. They'd reached an abandoned building that was well out of sound and mind of New York.
"Where are we?" Rania, suddenly clicked.
He didn't answer her, instead he grabbed the drugs from his pocket. Sensing what was going on, Rania quickly ran out of the car. Chuck wasted no time in running after her, he thought that, she was fast for a broad! He eventually caught up with her, Chuck wrestled her to the ground, and she kicked and punched, trying to get away. It took a great deal of effort (more than he was expecting), but he eventually, managed to pin her down. At this point, the needle was between his teeth. He quickly came down and injected her with the drug.
Rania Thorpe was out cold.
"Well, aren't you a feisty one" Chuck commented, as he tried to catch his breath, "Now, where did I put the car?"
...
"Let me go!" Rania screamed, a few hours later.
Rania, was currently tied to a chair, she didn't look scared or frightened. Naturally, as a Thorpe, she wouldn't give the Bass' the satisfaction of seeing that she was terrified. Her, Bart, Jack, Georgina, Chuck and some of their henchmen; were in the Bass Tower. The Tower, had an 'interview room', it's where the Bass' questioned people for information, (torturing them for information is more like it). It looked a lot like a police interrogation room, with a table in the middle, with chairs on either side of it.
"Good work, Chuck" Bart, smiled an evil smile, at Rania Thorpe.
"Thank you, father"
Rania spat at Chuck, square in the face. He merely, got a handkerchief out of his pocket, and wiped it off his face; his eyes never leaving hers.
"You're a cold man, Chuck!" Rania yelled,
"Your father, ordered our deaths, and killed 50 people in the process. If anyone is cold, it's your father"
Rania, had no response to that, so instead, she just glared at him. Bart decided to cut to the chase. Torture was definitely on the cards, for Rania. He would never admit it, but this was the bit of the business that he hated. His father, Jack and Georgina, loved torturing people for information. Chuck, knew it was something, he has to put up with. It was a tough business after all. Rania, looked too strong, and determined to show her fear. He respected that. It was very soon that the screams started coming, they weren't torturing the usual gangster, this time, they were torturing a woman, who has nothing to do with her father's business.
Maybe, Rania was right- he was a cold man.
…
Blair Waldorf, had a tea appointment, with her future-mother-in-law. Truth be told, she was absolutely dreading it. They'd arranged to meet at an expensive restaurant (of course), at four in the afternoon. Mrs Archibald, was already there, looking very impatient. Blair was only two minutes late. Blair was starting to get worried, about Nate, he seemed to be in another world, most of the time. She breathed deeply, as she approached the table.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Archibald" Blair greeted, as she sat down.
Mrs Archibald, really didn't like her (since the Chuck incident), and Blair had no idea why she was inviting her for tea. The place was packed, filled to the brim with New York's richest people. If it wasn't, Mrs Archibald wouldn't degrade herself by going there. Blair, was about to take a menu, but Mrs Archibald, took it away.
"I've already ordered for you" she informed her.
"Thank you" Blair said, confused, "What-"
"I need to talk to you" she interrupted her, "I want to make certain things clear. If you ever embarrass our family again, there will be consequences. If I get so much as a whisper that you've returned to your old ways; the wedding will have to be cancelled. Are we clear?"
Blair was amazed, at how frank Mrs Archibald was being. She was practically calling her a slut, to her face. Her mouth was practically hanging open. How dare Mrs Archibald talk to her like that? She was about to tell her where she could go, but she remembered her own mother. Her mother would be so disappointed in her, so she bit down her tongue, and held in her pride. Before saying:
"Of course, Mrs Archibald. You have nothing to fear anymore" Blair tried to reassure her.
Mrs Archibald, didn't look convinced.
…
Blair was in a bad mood, when she arrived back home. Dorota was out shopping, and her mother was visiting some friends. Suddenly, her home seemed so big; too big. She walked into her room and shut the door. Blair nearly jumped, when she saw who was on her bed, drinking her secret stash of whiskey. Chuck lying on her bed, drinking the drink, right out of the bottle. When he saw her, he just said:
"Join me?"
She about to refuse, but she felt a need to do something, Mrs Archibald wouldn't approve of. So instead, Blair just nodded and lay on the bed, beside him. Chuck handed her the bottle, she was in desperate need of whiskey, so she gleefully accepted. After taking a long swing, she put it back on the bedside table. They didn't say anything for a few moments, until Blair broke the silence.
"Do you ever feel, that you can see your fate, and there's nothing you can do about it?" Blair asked him.
"Everyday" was all he said.
"Mrs Archibald, was very clear" Blair told him, "She said that I had to behave myself, or I'd lose anything"
Chuck suddenly jumped on top of her, he was so close to her, Blair had to control her breathing. She just hoped Dorota and her Mum, won't be back for a while. He stroked her cheek, and started to slowly make his way down, reaching her shirt. Chuck started slowly unbuttoning her shirt, looking deep into her eyes.
"Do you really want to behave yourself?" Chuck challenged her.
"Yes" Blair said, weakly.
"I don't believe you" Chuck told her, as he started stoking her breast.
"Nate is my only future"
"He doesn't have to be" he argued, as he start licking them, as well.
Blair yet out a gasp of pleasure, but their moment was not to last long. The sound of Dorota singing a Polish tune, instantly shattered the mood. Blair let of a gasp of panic, instead of pleasure. They both got up, Blair pushed him into the wardrobe, just as Dorota came in, and she was still holding a shopping bag.
"You shopped there!" Blair yelled, "I said to go to Wendell's, you have to go and put all that shopping back, and rebuy in there"
Dorota was too well trained, to express her bewilderment. Instead, she just nods and leaves the room. Blair, breathed a sigh of relief. Chuck, came straight out the wardrobe, he gripped her hips in his hands, and held her against him.
"You don't belong with Nate!" Chuck explained, "You belong with me"
"I could never marry you Chuck" Blair told him.
"Why not?" Chuck asked her.
"I could never marry someone, who does what you do" Blair said.
Chuck rolled his eyes at her comment- so that was it?
"That's the real reason why you ended things?" Chuck wanted to make sure.
Blair, just nodded.
"You didn't seem to care, when we were dating" he pointed out.
"I came to my senses"
They both stared at each other for a few moments.
"I don't believe you" Chuck argued.
"Believe what you like" she shrugged, "You have to leave now"
"I'll leave" he agreed, "But this isn't over"
"I'd expect nothing less"
…
At 9am, a ship sailing to Britain, will be leaving the New York docks. That was the ship that Vanessa Abrams was hoping to catch, if she could survive the night that is. Once abroad, Vanessa was relatively safe, from the Bass family, as they have little influence there. The thought of leaving her home, her friends and her family, felt like a knife in her heart; but she knew she had to do it. Vanessa had no choice, but to leave. All she needed now, was a place to crash.
"Please, let me stay here" Vanessa begged him, "I'll be out of your hair, by 9 in the morning. I know, what I'm asking Dan, but I have nowhere else to go"
"Of course, you can stay here" Dan agreed, "You need some sleep, you know where the guest bedroom is, right?"
Vanessa, just nodded.
"I'll wake you up at half-seven" he promised her.
"Thank you" Vanessa smiled sadly at them, "I know the risk I'm asking you to take"
With that, she left Dan alone, with the roaring fire next to him. He felt sad, that she was going away. The thought of her so far away, made Dan sadder then he cared to admit. Suddenly, there was a knock at his door, his maid was now on her lunch break, so he got up and made his way to the front door. When Dan opened it, a gorgeous blonde movie star was waiting for him. She looked slightly nervous.
"Hey" Dan smiled at her.
Annoyance and panic hit him, what will Serena think if she saw a girl in his flat? He knew he had to get rid of her without sounding offensive.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" Serena asked him.
"Um…I'm actually really busy right now, how about at 10 tomorrow morning?" Dan offered.
Serena could tell something was wrong, but she didn't know what. Dan was a bad liar, he was obviously hiding something. She wanted into burst into his apartment, and demand that he be honest with her. Serena, knew that would be a bad idea, they hadn't been dating long enough to do that, so she decided to come back tomorrow, and question him then.
"Alright, then" Serena agreed, awkwardly before leaving.
When she was gone, Dan let out a sigh of relief. Later on that night, he heard another knock at the door, but it wasn't Serena…it was Chuck Bass. As soon, as he laid eyes on him, panic and fear hit him hard. What was he doing here? He must be here for Vanessa. Dan decided to play it dumb, he would never turn her in. The man before him, was looking unbelievably smug. Dan was almost certain, that he knew Vanessa was there.
"Daniel Humphrey, is it?" Chuck smirked, as he let himself in without invitation.
"That's right" Dan confirmed.
The tension in the room was unbearable. Dan was terrified of the Bass' (every sane person would be), and the fact that one of them was in his home; was almost too much to bare. He hoped that Vanessa, would hear the conversation, and escape out of the window.
"I hear you're a famous author" Chuck grinned, "You'll have to forgive me, I've never read any of your books, but I hear they're amazing. You'd think a man with such a successful career, would be more careful, with who he socializes with"
Dan could detect the threat that was laced into that sentence. He knew about Vanessa, and he was trying to draw him out.
"If you're talking about Serena" Dan responded, "You don't have to worry about that, she may have a scandalous reputation, but she's a lovely and kind person, and I don't think it's any of your business who I date".
Dan knew Chuck was talking about Vanessa.
Chuck knew, that Dan knew, he was talking about Vanessa.
That was why Chuck, chuckled when he heard Dan's response. Dan was deliberately dodging him.
"Well just be careful of, Serena. She can be more trouble than she's worth. Maybe, if you left the flat, I can deal with your Serena problem" Chuck suggested.
"I've always loved a challenge" Dan refused, "And I'm quite happy with my Serena problem".
"Then, you must deal with the consequences of your actions" Chuck told him, with his voice oozing with menace.
Dan noticed, that Chuck had a way of saying so much, with so little. Chuck was glaring at Dan, with a cold expression. Suddenly, Dan heard a scream coming from the guest bedroom. Blind panic and terror overtook him. Chuck was now just smirking at him. Dan just realised what this was, a distraction. Someone was kidnapping Vanessa, Dan ran into the room and found the room in complete disarray, clearly there had been a fight going on. In the middle of the room, was Jack Bass, holding a knife to her throat. Chuck followed him into the room, and pointed his gun at Dan.
"Please let Dan go!" Vanessa, pleaded with them, "It's me you want, not him"
"We'll decide who we want" Chuck argued, "And, I warned Dan, to beware the consequences. Did you really think we wouldn't find her?"
Jack Bass, took out a drug, and injected it into Vanessa's neck. Chuck, turned his gun around, and hit him with the end. The next thing Dan knew, he was out cold…
…
At 10, the next morning, Serena Van Der Woodsen was knocking at Dan's door. She then waited for a reply…that never came. That was weird. She looked down, and noticed that all of his morning mail was still there. Maybe, he was out somewhere? But then she remembered, the doorman told her, that Dan hadn't left the building yet, and she saw his car outside, untouched. He'd been acting really weird yesterday, what could be wrong?
Fortunately, Serena knew of a way inside. Dan had told her, where he'd kept his spare key. She pulled up the doormat, and found what she was looking for. Serena let herself in, and immediately noticed that something was wrong. The lamp, next to a room, had fallen over. She opened that door, and was shocked at what she found. It was a complete tip, clearly a fight had taken place, the night before…and the window was wide open.
Did someone kidnap him?
Why would anyone want to kidnap Dan? Unless, he was involved in something, she knew nothing about. How well, do you really know people after all? Serena was worried, and frightened for Dan. Serena suddenly remembered his maid, maybe she knew something. It was at that moment, that Serena began to smell something, disgusting. Her nose wrinkled up, as she made her way to the source of the smell. There was a pool of blood on the floor of the living room, and in the middle of it- was Dan's maid!
Serena screamed, before she ran out of the building. When she'd shut the door behind her, she tried to get her breathing under control. Serena could not believe what she's just seen!
Her next stop, was the police station…
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