"You're dressed early..." Blair questioned as Serena paced around her bedroom, taking back her shoes that Blair had borrowed earlier.
"Yeah, my mum just wants me to go check on Chuck."
"Why, what's wrong?" She asked, and Serena sighed
"Chuck told my mum some things yesterday and... she's just concerned and wanted me to help out."
"What things?" Blair played her innocent doe-eyed card
"Blair, I know that look. Nothing that concerns you."
"S... I'm concerned too. Maybe I'd be helpful."
"Blair, this is no time for games."
"Do you really think I'd sabotage Chuck's night? I want to see him succeed too!"
"I know you do, but this has nothing to do with business."
"Oh?"
"Blair." Serena said sternly
"Serena." Blair mocked her tone
"Alright, but I'm trusting you here." She warned
"Of course." Blair smiled sweetly
"According to my mum, Chuck's still having some trouble finding his bearings... She wants him to see a therapist."
"He doesn't look like he's struggling to me."
"He still has the ring, Blair." She confirmed and Blair pondered over that for a moment, "Eva doesn't know. I think he's just afraid to dump so much of his past onto this poor girl."
"Of course." Blair nodded
"Blair..." Serena eyed her suspiciously "I know that look."
"What look?"
"Your eyes are wandering far from what your face is expressing."
"Serena, I'm just lending an ear. Like you said, this is not about me."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it."
"Come on, S. I have grown up since high school, you know, and besides, I've kept my end of the bargain, you're the one that had a snooping relapse over your exes."
"You're right, I'm sorry. Just remember, this has to be kept a secret so my mum can help Chuck move forward. She thinks that while his physical wounds healed, his emotional ones took a backseat. She just wants him to be okay, you know?"
"I know."
"And not a word to Eva." Serena said sharply
"Yeah, like I talk to her." Blair scoffed
The Empire Pre-Party was a success. Everyone gathered round the terrace as Chuck made a speech.
"Just because the Charity Ball is tomorrow, doesn't mean we can't celebrate tonight." He grinned, "I know all of you are anticipating this as much as I am, and I have to say, this wouldn't be happening if it weren't for a very special someone, who does nothing but give out of the kindness of her heart." He glanced at Eva, and raised his glass.
"As most of you know, these past few months had been an eye-opener for me. I have spent my past being selfish and as a result, I've suffered a lot of loss." His eyes glanced around the room until they landed on her. Shocked to see Blair Waldorf at the event, he stumbled a little, before pulling it together
"I... learned a valuable lesson. To cherish and appreciate our fortune, and be grateful to those who have opened their hearts to us and, always remember that we have the opportunity to help those less fortunate. This past few months, I got a second chance at life, to become a man that could turn his whole life around. A clean slate, and lucky for me, I am surrounded by wonderful people who gave me this chance." He glanced at Blair again, "I just wish... I had realised it sooner." He then quickly glanced to the rest of the crowd, "But better late than never as they say. Enjoy your evening."
"Serena."
"Chuck, hey! Great speech. Have you by any chance seen Dan... or Nate?"
"Blair is here?" He interrupted
"Yeah. See, you always have support around you, and look at all of this. I'm so proud of you, I'm glad you're doing so well." Serena smiled
"Yeah, I'm... great. Have you seen Nate?"
"I just asked you that." Serena chuckled
"Right. If you'll excuse me." Chuck quickly disappeared
"Blair...?" Eva said walking towards her
"Why are you talking to me?" Blair met her with distain.
"I didn't mean to startle you. I've just heard so much about you and..." Eva noticed Blair's reluctance to make conversation "Blair... I am aware you and Chuck had a history... But, it doesn't have to be our history." Eva stated and Blair sighed
"You're right. You know, I was actually thinking the same thing. Why can't we be friends. I want what's best for Chuck and you obviously do too, in fact I'd be happy to lend a helping hand whenever it need be." Blair forced a smile
"That's wonderful. Chuck was terrified at even the idea of this, but he was so wrong about your reaction."
"Chuck often is." Blair smiled again
"You know, I could actually pick your brain for a second. If you don't mind?" Eva asked
"Certainly."
"You just know Chuck so well, and you obviously have his best interests at heart, perhaps you could help me with a gift. I just want to thank him for everything, I can't believe he's letting me choose the 5 thousand dollar charity! I just want to let him know how proud I am of his transformation in business. Would it be too much to ask?"
"No, not at all... Actually, I have the perfect gift in mind." Blair smiled
Blair and Eva had made it up to the Empire Suite, as they sat on the orange couch.
"Really? Frame his Empire certificate?" Eva asked
"Of course, what better way to represent the Empire's success than having it framed."
"It's a great idea, I think he'll love it."
"Oh, he will. He loves this hotel more than he loves... well anyone." Blair smiled, "In fact he once traded me for it."
"I'm sorry? Traded you?"
"Not important, I'm sure that's water under the bridge for you two. Now where does he keep it.." Blair looked around
"In the safe."
"Of course, must have slipped my mind."
"But... I don't know the code."
"Not to worry. I'm sure it's still in my phone somewhere."
"Maybe it's not such a good idea, Blair. I don't want to invade his privacy."
"There's no privacy in a relationship, silly. Besides Chuck will frame it himself eventually, the fact that you did it, will make it even more meaningful, it'll show you believe in him. He needs to feel that." Blair let her last words settle before opening the safe, "Here we go."
"What's that?" Eva asked, as Blair pulled out the certificate. Eva held the box in her hand, "It's a ring... Did Chuck propose to you? Did you say no? Is that why you broke up?"
"Oh, no no. He never got around to proposing. We were already broken up and when I had decided to give him another chance, he slept with... someone."
"I can't believe it. Is that why he's keeping it?"
"Oh, Eva, put it back. It was months ago." Blair let out a chuckle, "He probably forgot it was even in here."
"He just put some files for Lily in there yesterday.. I can't believe he's kept so much from me."
"I'm sure he was going to tell you. It's not like he hasn't been busy."
"You think? The Chuck your describing doesn't sound like the Chuck I know."
"Honestly, Eva. How well do you know him? You called him Henry for 2 months, I mean." Blair laughed, "It takes time to know someone, give it some."
"I need to talk to him."
"Ugh, alright. Just, at least wait till the party's over?" Blair insisted
"Yeah, alright. I'm sure he was going to tell me, is there anything else?"
"Uhm.. I gotta go. But I'm sure he'll tell you everything up until the muggers. He did tell you about the muggers didn't he?" Blair smiled
"Yes, of course. It was tragic, I guess I could cut him some slack, if only they had waited till Chuck got to a bank like he promised."
"They weren't after his money... well they were... until..."
"What?"
"Look at that? Eva, I'm sorry but I have to get back to Serena, her love triangles just keep growing and growing. She needs my guidance. Don't worry, everything will be fine." Blair waved goodbye and rushed to let herself out.
"Hey!" Chuck said walking into the Empire Suite, "Why did you leave? The night was a success, everyone is waiting for your announcement tomorrow."
"I came up here... because I wanted to do a nice gesture... to thank you." She stuttered
"What's wrong?" Chuck asked, concerned, before noticing the Harry Winston box in her hand and his heart sank into his stomach
"This is what the muggers stole, isn't it? Were you planning on telling me? Before you brought me back into your world, that you had been hiding this revelation?"
"Eva... I was going to tell you..."
"Tell me what exactly? That you were going to propose to Blair before you got shot? Or that you kept me in the dark about everything you had done before you met me?"
"I was going to tell you everything, I just wasn't ready to face it."
"Chuck, that I'm not ready to face reality argument can't work forever... Look, you know that I have been so patient and understanding of the unfortunate trials you have been through recently, but I can't help you if you lie to me... and god!" She shook her head, "I knew it! I knew there was something you were hiding from me. Why did you even bring me back here? To humiliate me?"
"No, no. Not at all!" He pleaded, walking over to her, "Eva, I'm so sorry for my omission. But I swear it was never my intention to hurt you, you saved my life, you gave me a second chance, you are the reason everything downstairs is happening right now, I wasn't like this before, I was scared if you knew who I was you'd leave. I'm becoming a better man because of you. All of this is for you! Because you inspired me to be a man like Henry! I wanted to continue to be that man in New York and I couldn't have done that without you."
"Oh. That makes sense. You told me you were Henry, this good guy with a clean slate and then brought me so Henry could stay alive."
"Yes, only because I didn't want to be the old Chuck Bass ever again. I want to be someone you approve of, someone you could love."
"Someone Blair could love?"
"Eva..."
"No, we're being honest now finally, yes? Blair is the one that told you to come back here. Blair is the one who told you to be a better man back in New York and do better to the people you already now. So don't pretend for a second you did this for me... you were doing all this to get her back?"
"No! I... I just didn't want to remember what I had done."
"Okay... then tell me, tell me everything you've done." She folded her arms
"Eva... please, can we not rehash the past. I'm moved on from it."
"No, you've denied it. Not just to me, but to yourself. You know, if were honest from the beginning, have I really ever done anything to make you feel that I wouldn't understand... have I?!"
"No... you've been wonderful."
"But to hear it from Blair, and not you... why should I believe you now?"
"I don't even know why Blair is telling you this, I mean, it's in the past, she's moved on."
"Is that why you were skeptical of me talking to her."
"No, I-"
"-Because it seems that it bothers you more that she told me than the fact that you lied to me!" She exhaled deeply, and grabbed her bag
"Where are you going?" He called out
"I don't know. I need some air. I'll give you time to think about this, because if you can't realise that you're not helping yourself by your actions, then maybe I shouldn't have left my home."
"Eva, wait!" He called but the elevator doors had shut. He finally sat on the couch and rested his head on the back of it, closing his eyes.
"Chuck, what are you doing here?" Blair asked
"I know what you did, Blair."
"Chuck-"
"-It's one thing to rehash everything just to sabotage me, but to show her the ring!"
"I honestly thought she knew... I didn't think the new Chuck Bass would start a relationship based on lies."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"What's your point, Chuck?"
"I need to know why? Why would you do this to me? Do you hate me that much? You've already moved on... I can't too?"
"I think you already did."
"What's your problem, Blair? I've done nothing but respect your decision, stayed clear of you, let you get on with your life. Yet, you still want to punish me? Like I haven't paid for it enough?!"
"Yeah, you seem really broken up about your past."
"You have no idea what I went through."
"And I'm supposed to feel sorry for you? Please, Chuck it was all your own doing."
"What do you care? You told me yourself, you stopped loving me!" He snapped
"And you didn't?! Parading around my town and my friends with some girl you barely know, after what you dd to me?" She yelled back
"What are you saying, Blair... are you... do you... still love me?" He stared at her intensely as it became apparent that her demeanour expressed her discomfort
"I... " She stumbled over her words
"What, Blair?" He made his way towards her, "Is there a change you still love me?" He was too close for comfort, as she felt trapped between him and the wall behind her. His hand trembled before making the decision to reach out. His hand found a strand of her hair and moved to cup her face. The electricity shot through both their bodies. His lips met hers, and for a moment time had stopped, and she gave in to the kiss.
She pulled away and slapped him across the face
"How could I ever love you after what you did!" She scorned, as he stood there, catching his breath, "See yourself out!" She yelled, before turning on her heel and running upstairs.