Hey guys! So thanks a lot for all the reviews I've gotten and sorry that i haven't been able to respond to each and every one of them individually as i would like to. But between rewatching the Gossip Girl episodes in order to get a vibe on what to write for these chapters, actually writing the chapters, and also trying to write for my other stories while dealing with real life, my time has been limited. Anyway, so this chapter is pretty short and their isn't much interaction between Chuck and Blair to speak of. But there was zero interaction in the episode so at least i beat that :-D And also this hidden moment must fit the timeline and flow of the episode and so i had to make it only a brief encounter. Ok, well Reviews=Love. Thanks to all of you who keep reading and reviewing this fic. I haven't given up on you! You keep me motivated to finish up my stories and start some new ones soon. xoxo!
The Magnificent Archibalds
"Don't you dare answer that Blackberry Dorota!" Blair ordered roughly as she walked purposefully down the street, ignoring the offending screech of Britney Spears' I'm a Slave 4 U resonating down the city block.
"But it's your mother and it's Thanksgiving..." Dorota quickly reasoned, her hands itching to pick up the phone, but knowing her Miss Blair would likely have her head for it.
"And we have nothing to be thankful for! This is the worst Thanksgiving of all time and if we have to wander the Upper East Side like outcasts in a Jane Austen novel, so be it," Blair continued to huff dramatically, thoroughly offended that her mother had decided to cast her aside and only now- after an entire hour of aimlessly walking around the UES- had she bothered to notice Blair's absence.
Dorota scurried to come up with something that would calm Blair and maybe get her to think better of the situation and head back home soon. "Maybe we can go feed ducks at boat pond, like when you were little," she offered, knowing how much Blair loved going out to the pond in Central Park to feed the ducks.
Blair paused mid rant and turned to face her beloved maid. "Fine. I'm not a monster," she said more calmly, the idea actually pleasing her. "I won't deny the ducks their dinner. But if you look like you enjoy even one second of it, we're leaving!" she quickly added, not wanting to look too soft and appeased considering her mother had still managed to ruin her favorite holiday yet again. Feeding the ducks would only moderately help.
Hurrying to cross the street onto 5th avenue next to the park, Blair came to an abrupt stop as she spotted a car zooming through a red light and coming to a stop inches away from her.
"Miss Blair!" Dorota shouted in shock and fear as she watched Blair come close to being hit by the limo.
"It's OK, Dorota. I'm fine," Blair assured her as she stepped back and stared at the tinted windows of the limo with a furious scowl lining her brow. "That's more than can be said for the bastard driving this car."
"Don't worry, Waldorf. Arthur is an excellent driver and finds you endearing to boot. I was just trying to catch up with you before you got lost in the park..." She heard his voice and shivered. Cursing silently she stared up to the sky and sent a quick prayer their encounter today would not further ruin her holiday.
She looked to the direction of the sound of his voice and found his smug smile firmly in place as he ravaged her with his gaze. "Thank you for stopping, Bass. You always struck me as a hit n' run type of guy. Glad to see you have at least some common decency."
Chuck laughed dryly as he nodded over at Dorota, who wrapped her coat more protectively around her body and took a few steps back. "She doesn't like me very much, does she?" he smirked at Blair as he gave Dorota a wink which caused her to fluster even more so.
Blair turned and gave a quick glance at Dorota, not being able to help the smile that curved the corner of her lips at the sight of complete offense on her maid's face. "Now why would you say that?" she teased as she stared down at Chuck who had a matching grin on his own face.
"Why aren't you at home baking that famous Waldorf pie with your father?" Chuck asked, and it warmed Blair inside to know that he still recalled her Thanksgiving tradition, something that not even Nate recalled after all their years of dating.
"As per usual, no show," Blair answered casually, pretending that it didn't hurt to have been abandoned by her father on yet another Thanksgiving dinner. "Why are you not at home with Bart and the Van der Woodsens?"
Chuck shrugged his shoulders fractionally, "I have some business to tend to in Brooklyn..."
Blair's eyebrows rose and then her nose scrunched in disgust. "Chuck Bass, I hardly knew ye."
Chuck smiled, "It's not what you think."
"Doesn't matter what I think. Now, Bass, if you'll excuse me, I have a pond full of ducks awaiting me."
"Of course," Chuck nodded as he began to slip his head back inside his limo. "And by the way, Happy Thanksgiving, Blair," he said gently.
Blair stared at him and he could see a softness melt her eyes. "Happy Thanksgiving, Chuck."