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Chapter 10.
Dan never really was a fan of business meetings wherein you sit in a chair in front of these businessmen who all look like they want to kidnap you or kill you even. Sure, there were times where he met up with his editor and publisher but by now he's pretty sure he could consider them friends now and besides, Georgina always goes with him at those meetings, ready to bark at them - and sometimes even at him - if ever needed.
It started as a normal day for Dan. Breakfast with the Humphrey's (and Vanessa, who came back to the city about five months ago, this time for good - at least, he hopes so), then a walk around Central Park. At around ten-thirty, he gets a call from Nate wherein they agreed to meet up to play basketball. They played for about an hour and a half before Nate gets a call from his secretary, something urgent that he needs to get to the office as quickly as possible. They bid their goodbyes - agreeing on playing some other time - and pretty soon he's alone once again, so he decided to head home.
He was only a couple blocks away from the loft when he receives a call from Jenny.
"Jen."
"Dan, where are you?" Jenny asks, and by the sound of it she's got her phone wedged between her neck and ear and she's probably sewing again. Dan swears sometimes he thinks that's all Jenny does.
"I'm only a couple of blocks away. Why? Are you gonna ask me to buy you something, maybe some sequins or something because I don't really have - -"
"Dan." Jenny snaps, cutting him off and making him stop walking. "Seriously Dan, you're rambling again."
"Sorry." Dan mumbles, rolling his eyes even though she can't see him. "But, seriously, I am not picking up some sequins or whatever sewing materials you need."
"Dan! Not that, I still have those."
"Then why are you calling me?"
"Well, umm... You need to be home soon."
"What? Why?"
"Just, please." Then the line was cut off before he could even utter another word. He shook his head in disbelief. His sister can be so... Annoying sometimes.
When he gets home, the first thing he sees is his sister, chatting with Vanessa while sewing something, probably for the Waldorf's. And Georgina, who was sat in the couch, shooting his sister and his best friend annoyed looks. He's actually surprised that she isn't shooting sarcastic remarks at Jenny and Vanessa, whatever their topic was. Jenny glances at him as soon as the door closes before going back to her work.
"Your little girlfriend is here, Dan."
"You know, you should treat me with more nicely. Not ignore me while you do that junk you're doing. I mean, I am your brother's girlfriend, little Jenny." Georgina scoffs, before walking over to Dan and giving him a sloppy kiss. She hears Vanessa pretend to gag but ignores it instead deepening the kiss more before pulling away.
"And you know what?" Jenny drops a piece of cloth she's been holding on her table before turning to Georgina. "I would do that, if I actually like you for my brother. But I don't. In fact, I don't even like you in general. So, get used to it."
Jenny starts gathering her things, stuffing them down her oversized purse from Chanel that Eric got her as a Christmas present last year. Then with one last glare at the couple, storms out of the loft, calling for Vanessa and slamming the door behind her.
"Vanessa..."
"No! Don't drag me into this. I cannot talk to Jenny and convince her to like something - -"
"Excuse me?!" Georgina says, slightly offended, but not really. "I am not a thing, I am a person!"
"Yeah, whatever!" Vanessa waves a hand, dismissing the thought. "Anyways, I can't convice Jenny to like that, I don't even like her. Sure I tolerate her but she's just lucky you're my best friend, otherwise I'd scratch her eyes out already."
"Uhh... Hello? In the room, here."
"I gotta go with Jenny, Dan." Vanessa says, grabbing her bag and phone before saying a quick bye to Dan and quietly leaving.
"Some family and friend you have there, Dan."
As soon as Vanessa was out of sight, Dan turned to face his girlfriend, who had immediately wrap her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her.
"What're you doing here, Georgina?"
"I just missed you, that's all." She growls sarcastically and Dan rolls his eyes. "No, stupid. Your publicist called me since he said he couldn't reach you and he said that The New York Times wants to meet with you at three."
"What? What did - what did they want?"
"I don't know. I would've told you if I knew."
"Well, it's almost two now, I better get going." Dan said, pulling away from Georgina's embrace. He started gathering his things, Georgina watching his every move.
"Aren't you gonna ask me to come with?"
"You're not my editor, and you don't work with the New York Times."
"No." Georgina grabbed his arm and pulled him to her. "I am your everything. I'm your girlfriend Daniel."
"I know." Dan sighs, running a hand through his hair. He took hold of both Georgina's shoulders, squeezing her slightly. "All I'm saying is that you don't need to come. Take a rest, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"You'll see me tomorrow?" Georgina practically barks at him, hitting his arm. "What the hell is wrong with you Humphrey?"
"Oh, so we're back to last name basis again?"
"Ugh! Look Dan, you've been avoiding me. Yes, Dan, I've noticed, so don't you give me that look. You've been avoiding me ever since little miss perfect blondie showed up!" Georgina snorts, rolling her eyes as she watched Dan roam around the room, checking for things he might forget to bring.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you." Dan walks over to her after stuffing his things in his messenger bag, arms circling on her waist.
"You better." Georgina pouts, pecking Dan's lips for the briefest second before smirking slightly.
"How's dinner tomorrow?"
"Fine."
"Great! I gotta go." Dan kisses her quickly before exiting the loft hurriedly, leaving Georgina standing by the door.
"Yeah, Dan, bye!" Georgina speaks sarcastically to herself, grabbing her purse. "Stupid boys! Can't even escort their girlfriends outside their loft."
...
Dan fidgeted in his seat as he waited for at least fifteen minutes for the editor in chief of the paper to show up. The editor wasn't late, he was just early. He wanted to make a good impression, no one could blame him. The door suddenly opened and two men and a woman entered the room, sitting across him.
"So, Mr. Humphrey, do you know why you're here?" The man in the black suit, probably in his early forties, asked him. He looked so intimidating that Dan almost wished that he brought Georgina with him.
"No, actually. My girlfriend told me you called her when you couldn't reach my phone."
"Mr. Humphrey -"
"Please, call me Dan." He corrected, making the lady smile slightly.
"Very well, Dan. Can you cover a story for us?" She asked, looking at him almost pleadingly.
"Umm..."
"I know, Mr. Humphrey, you're not usually the type to cover a story. We know you're a novel writer but our client insists that you be the writer for the event."
"Can I meet this client of yours first before I could -"
"Sorry, I was so late. My apologies." A voice, so unmistakably familiar was heard from behind Dan. Hearing her voice, he sunk low in his seat, shaking his head ever so slightly.
"Ahh... Daniel." Lily van der Woodsen stood at his side, dropping her bag on the table in front of them. "I'm so glad you accepted the job."
"Oh, I haven't actually accepted yet." He answered, causing Lily to raise an eyebrow in disbelief. She took a seat beside him, making him more nervous.
"Daniel, I really wanted you to be the one to cover my wedding. I've read your books, Daniel and I must say, you have your way with words that makes everyone - myself included - believe in what you wanted to tell your readers." Lily stated, patting Dan's arm.
"So, what do you say, Mr. Humphrey?" The editor in chief asked, pushing a stack of paper in front of him, a pen on top. "Do we have a deal?"
He glances at Lily then at the editors before nodding. He grabbed the pen and signed on the contract. As he does this, he can't help but think about Serena. Now that he would cover the wedding, does that mean that they would see each other more often than not?
...
He stepped inside the elevator, headed for the penthouse. After the meeting, Lily asked Dan to come so that she could tell her kids about the plan. He went home to drop off some stuff first before going over to Lily's. He waited for about a minute or two before the elevator stopped at the penthouse. He took a deep breath.
And then the elevator open. "Oh, finally, here he is!"
"Dan?"
"H - hey Serena!"
"You're mom's -"
"Yeah."
"Mom!" Serena turned to her mother, wide eyed. She honestly couldn't believe her mom would do such a thing. Then again, it is her mother.
"Serena, you know how much I love Daniel's work and I want him to be the one to work on our wedding." Lily explained while Eric laughed behind the two ladies' back.
"Mom, you can't be serious!"
"And as my maid of honor, darling, I want you to guide Dan on the details, okay?" Lily, smiled warmly at her daughter, but her eyes had a mischievous look in them.
"You have got to be kidding me! Mom!" Serena groaned before looking at Dan. They held each other's gazes for about a minute or two before Serena turn to go to her old room, slamming the door in the process.
"Well, we have food testing next week, so be sure you're there for that, okay?"
Dan simply nods, watches as Lily walked up the stairs, leaving him and Eric alone in the room.
"So?"
"This is going to be fun, don't you think Dan?" Eric pats him on the back twice before following Serena to her old bedroom.
"Yeah." Dan sighs, frowning slightly, looking at the direction where the two sibling are. "So much fun."
.to be continued.
A/N: So, yeah... New chapter! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'll probably update again sometime next week. xx