Dorota stood outside Blair's bedroom door, which had remained closed for a couple of hours now.
- Miss Blair, I bring chamomile tea for you. It helps calm nerves. – said the polish maid as she knocked gently on the magnificent door.
Blair continued brushing her hair and didn't answer; it was the only thing that she could do to prevent herself from crying. She just wanted to silently drown in her pain without shedding a single tear. The crying could be left for later… for those dark and quiet moments at night when she was sure not even one of the servants could hear her.
Blair realized that, ironically, unloading all her blinding rage on Serena didn't really make her feel any better. In fact, after the public display ended, she calmly climbed the stairs up to her bedroom, keeping her tears at bay and her face emotionless and silently mourned over the loss of her best and most beloved childhood friend.
Chuck Bass was pleased. He had made Nate confess his unfaithfulness to Blair. That was the best plan he could have come up with, that way no one's reputation would be severely or irreversibly damaged – Serena and Nate would elope and get a prompt weeding, which would be done so quickly that people would not even remember to ask, or speculate, about Nate and Blair's previous and seemingly perfect relationship.
By the time Nate returned to the Bass Suite, he felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He had wanted to propose to Serena immediately but after a second thought, decided it was best to consult it with Chuck first. After all, there was no one else who gave better advices about women than the infamous Charles Bass and Nate trusted in him blindly and completely.
Serena sat on her mother's tea parlor, trying her best to keep on a straight and serious face but not being able to fool Lily. She knew of the great damage she had brought upon her reputation and her whole family for that matter. She understood the implications her drunken mistake will have for Blair, her best friend. Serena cast her blue eyes down, devoid of her characteristic joyfulness and bubbly personality. A deep frown made its way across Lily's sweet features, completing her disapproving and disappointed expression.
"I thought that by now she was already used to this", thought Serena darkly as she noticed her mother's heavy gaze upon her.
Chuck knew it was best to let things cool down for a while with Blair. However, he knew that if Nate and Serena were to get married, it had to be done as quickly as possible to avoid any gossip to start.
Nathaniel Archibald felt nervous, anxious, and positively sick as his carriage approached the Van Der Woodsen residence. He carried the Vanderbilt ring safely tucked away in his pants' right pocket and kept repeating over and over again the lines Chuck had provided for him in his mind. Finally the carriage came to a halt and Nate could see clearly the many servants who were loading and unloading trunks on a nearby carriage. He grew more and more preoccupied and knew it was now or never. He nervously waited for Serena to appear on the threshold, knowing in his gut that she was probably the one who was being sent away.
Georgina arrived as soon as she found out the Van Der Woodsens were sending Serena away for good. It was impossibly infuriating! Her carefully structured plan was falling apart just because of that stuck-up, presumptuous, meddling Upper East Side socialite known as Lily Van Der Woodsen! For Christ's sake! Georgina knew she had to find a way to make Serena stay or to create an even bigger scandal out of this.
The cunning brunette blended into the shadows and prepared herself to do what she did best. She saw the whole scene develop before her very own eyes: Nathaniel Archibald interrupting Serena's hasty attempt at escaping social destruction by kneeling and pouring his heart out in the form of a marriage proposal. Georgina saw Serena's big blue eyes water and her blonde waves shake violently as she ran towards her waiting carriage knowing she was refusing the very thing that could save her reputation without giving it a second thought. Georgina smirked in the darkness for she had come up with an idea.
Lily Van Der Woodsen was checking that her daughter's last belongings were packed away when she noticed a carriage she didn't recognize at her front door. She curtly nodded at Serena as she left their house giving her the last disapproving look and sat down heavily on the nearest couch.
Nate had never felt so humiliated, upset and mortified in his whole life. He remained there, kneeling at the Van Der Woodsen's front door until Serena's carriage dissolved into the distance and all the sounds died down. He slowly brought himself up and saved the ring in his pocket once again. Quietly casting a last glance at the place where Serena's carriage had last disappeared Nate managed to slowly descend the few steps.
- Why looking so lonely when it's such a beautiful night Mr. Archibald? – asked a flirtatious female voice breaking Nate away from his sorrow. He looked up to see a slutty-looking brunette he vaguely recognized as Serena's party friend.
- I was just leaving Miss, if you'll excuse me.
- Oh none of that! And it's Georgina Sparks by the way– said Georgina cheerily bowing her head slightly and adopting an innocent look – I see you are troubled and there's nothing I want other than to help you, as you see I take great pleasure in aiding all of God's creatures. Do tell me what is troubling you.
Nate felt uneasy as he felt Georgina's cunning eyes roam over him eagerly, taking in every single detail. He couldn't shake the feeling of distrust, however, he felt so sad and discouraged that he gave in at last and confided in her.
Lily was currently having her second glass of wine and trying to calm herself down, thinking that maybe rumors of her daughter's latest scandal hadn't yet surfaced, when the doorbell rang and the maid announced Nathaniel Archibald.
The blonde and handsome gentleman hastily knelt down before Lily and spoke hurriedly and passionately.
- Mrs. Van Der Woodsen, with all due respect, I understand that your husband has passed away recently so I humbly kneel before you and ask for your approval of my proposition of marriage to your daughter.
Lily was at a loss of words. She hadn't known what to expect from the sudden intrusion, that was for sure, but this sudden proposition came as too much a surprise for her. After all, wasn't this the young man who was supposed to be Blair's fiancé by now?
Nate promptly fumbled in the pockets of his pants and soon showed to Lily a big, solemn-looking diamond ring.
Lily knew that this young man was the answer to all of her prayers if his request was sincere; her family's reputation wasn't ruined after all! However, Lily kept a straight face and acquired a serious expression; it was too soon to celebrate yet.
- Mr. Archibald, I'm nothing but flattered and pleased over this proposal since it is indeed a great opportunity for both our families. However, I am first obliged to inform you about a certain disgraceful, recent and shameful event which sadly involves my daughter and that could potentially blemish your own and your family's reputation if you were, indeed, married to her. But first you must swear you would tell no one about what I'm telling you next.
Nate vowed and kept a blank expression as Lily told him the embarrassing story of her daughter's irresponsible and highly inappropriate behavior and apologized for her daughter's actions repeatedly. He pretended to be surprised and disappointed when listening to Lily's sorrowful ramblings. However, the sympathy in his eyes as Lily finished the story was sincere as was his wish to marry Serena.
Lily couldn't be happier. She immediately sent a servant to fetch another carriage and hurriedly wrote a letter informing her daughter of her engagement. When the carriage arrived, Lily gave the servant orders to catch up with her daughter, give her the letter as soon as possible and bring her back home immediately for the impending wedding.
Nate stepped out of the Van Der Woodsen household feeling elated and overjoyed; feeling a new man. His greatest wish was being granted after all! He found Georgina still lurking around the neighborhood but was too happy to comment or suspect anything so he just kissed her hand in a very gentlemanly fashion and thanked her profusely for her "invaluable and uninterested" wise advice.
Georgina allowed a blush to creep onto her cheeks as she saw Nate walking away with his head held high. She couldn't help the satisfaction that washed over her at the knowledge that her plans were falling into place once again.
Serena's carriage abruptly came to a halt startling her.
A man she recognized as one of her mother's oldest servants approached her window and handed her a hastily sealed letter. Confusion clouded Serena's big blue eyes as she focused on the envelope and the familiar handwriting. She had a feeling she wouldn't like the news this envelope contained. Her hands trembled slightly as she finally tore open the seal.
A/N: Not a lot of Chair interaction in this one but here is where the story's plot starts taking shape. Does anyone have any guesses as to what Georgina's next move might be? As always reviews are appreciated and encouraged as are follows and favorites!