The warm, inviting rays of the early morning sunbathed the beach house in a golden glow. On the kitchen island, a crystal glass clinked softly against the cool marble countertop as Chuck poured himself a generous amount of amber liquid. The clock on the wall displayed a time that would have raised the eyebrows of even the most committed partygoer. Yet, here he was, enduring this ungodly hour, unable to close his eyes for more than a mere ten minutes.
The remnants of last night's party clung stubbornly to the pristine surfaces. Champagne flutes lay scattered about, mingling with half-empty glasses of dubious contents—none of which Chuck hadn't tasted before. Spilled liquids marred the otherwise immaculate countertops, and a few forgotten pills beckoned from a nearby corner. A surge of temptation to put one in his mouth coursed through him.
As the mess unfolded before him, the tardiness of the cleaners gnawed at him. Chuck raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. The alcohol no longer burned; it flowed smoothly, like water. How stupid had he been to invest his heart and time in his dear best friend's surprise? And for what? For Nathaniel to completely forget. For Blair to endure a night of misery.
One of his cardinal rules was to stay out of everybody's business and only worry about himself. But that one rule consistently found its way into the trash can when it came to Nate. Their bond ran deep, a connection forged in childhood that made Chuck willing to go to inexplicable lengths for Nate's happiness. So, when Nate asked Chuck to prepare a life-changing surprise for his girlfriend, Chuck complied, even if it meant digging up emotions he wasn't remotely ready to confront.
Thankfully, Bart Bass wasn't around to witness his son's pathetic life.
How pathetic and pitiful it was to still yearn for Blair Waldorf. How, after all these years of watching her play the role of the future Mrs. Archibald, he couldn't rid himself of the desire that engulfed him entirely in her presence—a desire that lurked in the shadows, unspoken even to himself. It was a chapter he preferred to keep closed.
In the recesses of Chuck's mind, he could almost hear his father's mocking voice, the taunts that had haunted him for years. The voice that accused him of being soft, of losing the cold, calculated edge that had defined the Bass men for generations. The key to their success.
You don't keep friends, Chuck. You form alliances. You don't waste your time on girlfriends or women. They're nothing more than fleeting distractions, easily discarded. Emotions are a weakness, a cancer that eats away at a man's strength.
Chuck had striven his entire life to meet his father's expectations but had consistently fallen short. He lacked everything his father valued in a man.
Perhaps it was time to find Georgina and escape this place—to distance himself from Nate, Blair, and the emotions that threatened to consume him like an insidious infection. Only then would his father be proud.
"Isn't it a tad early to be surveying the depths of the bottle?" Georgina's voice cut through his thoughts, her presence materializing out of thin air.
Would she ever stop talking? Chuck reconsidered his decision to leave with her, but at the moment, he didn't see many other options.
"Need me to arrange a visit to the rehab center?" Georgina persisted.
"Everybody knows you're quite familiar with that place, right, Georgie?" Chuck retorted with a knowing smirk. He was teetering on the edge of alcoholism, but that woman wasn't far behind. Back when she was a part of their tight-knit circle thanks to her friendship with Serena, no one could outdrink them. Look where that had led.
"Don't be so irritable in the morning. It's a beautiful day," she remarked, closing the gap between them. She rested her elbows on the kitchen island, her eyes exuding provocation. "Did your best friend's girlfriend let you down again last night? Just as I told you."
"You didn't tell me shit. All you did was offer yourself up, which I declined."
"Because you preferred to play the role of the gallant knight, wiping away her tears like a complete fool."
Chuck's grip on his glass tightened. "Precisely."
"Leave that to Nate. You're wasting your time with someone like her."
"And who should I waste my time with? You?"
Georgina raised an eyebrow, her sardonic smile never faltering. "Chuck, darling, I've seen enough of her type. Rich girls masquerading as paragons of perfection while hiding all their dirty little secrets."
If only she knew that Chuck didn't give a damn about whatever secrets Blair may or may not have. In this world, nobody was without secrets, including himself.
"Trust me," she continued, her voice filled with mystery. What did she know that he didn't? "Besides, you lack everything she desires in a man. You'll never be enough for her."
Chuck was acutely aware of that fact.
In that moment, the subject of their conversation entered the kitchen, her footsteps barely making a sound. A sinister gleam shone in Georgina's eyes as Blair headed straight for the fridge, without casting so much as a glance in their direction. Blair started rummaging through the contents for a box of cherries. With her prize in hand, she closed the door and began to nibble on the fruit, each bite deliberate and slow.
Chuck released his grip on the glass and stood upright.
"Come on," he urged, his voice low and insistent. "Let's get out of here."
However, Georgina remained rooted to the spot, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Chuck let out a heavy sigh.
"Feeling hungry?" Georgina's voice dripped with suggestive intent; her words laced with an undercurrent of something darker. The room seemed to constrict, the air growing thick with unsaid words.
Leaning slightly on the kitchen island, her smile never wavered as her eyes locked onto Blair's.
"I asked if you were hungry. You know, considering…" she let the word hang in the air, deliberately vague.
Blair froze mid-bite. Her eyes widened in alarm as she swallowed hard, the color draining from her face. Chuck's brows furrowed. What was Georgina referring to, and why did her expression hold such a wicked, knowing edge? Whatever it was, it affected Blair deeply, sending shivers down Chuck's spine.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Are you sure? Why don't you enlighten our dear friend here about those late-night snacks you've been enjoying?"
Blair's distress was evident, and Chuck remained in silence, torn between wanting to shield her from her own truth and the knowledge that trying to stop the train wreck that was Georgina Sparks might only make things worse. It was like pouring gasoline on an already blazing fire.
Georgina's voice dropped to a whisper. "Maybe it's not just snacks that keep you occupied during those late nights."
"What's your problem, Georgina?" Blair's patience snapped like a taut wire as she turned to Georgina, her eyes ablaze with anger. "Why can't you just mind your own business for once?"
"Easy. Or I start singing."
"You think you're so clever, don't you? Go ahead, sing your little heart out. It won't change the fact that you're still the same meddling, attention-seeking whore you've always been."
"I know what I am. It's time you accept who you are, too." Georgina remained unfazed.
"Acceptance is for those with a conscience, something you clearly lack."
"Did your little conscience feel good after—"
"Shut up!"
Like a lighthouse cutting through the darkness of unspoken words, fragments of memories from the past clawed their way into Chuck's mind. He was no fool, so why hadn't he seen it sooner, pushed through the shadows of her secrets when he had the chance? He knew why, but wasn't ready to face the truth about himself—a coward, a coward unwilling to confront the harsh reality, unable to peer closely at the illness without turning away.
Could he ever truly grasp the severity of the situation? What drove her to such extremes? It didn't matter.
"Care to tell him, dear?" Georgina taunted.
Georgina Sparks sounded like Eleanor Waldorf's best impressionist, and Blair shivered. That was too much. He couldn't stand it one minute longer.
Chuck moved closer to Blair, each step a wordless reassurance that he was there for her. However, as he drew near, Blair's body tensed, her eyes a battleground of emotions. He extended a trembling hand, but before he could make contact, Blair's reaction was swift. With a forceful push against his chest, she backed away, the impact jolting him back a step.
The intensity of her reaction caught Chuck off guard, and yet it didn't surprise him at all. She was pushing him away, desperately trying to keep the gap open between them, perhaps to shield her vulnerability or to maintain a façade of strength.
"Go ahead. Go with her. You two belong together," Blair spat.
"Let's go, Chuck. There's an exclusive morning party at the beach club, and you can be my plus one. You know, it's strictly adult-only." Georgina signaled to the door, shooting one last sardonic look at Blair. "Next time, leave the games to the professionals, Blair, and don't play with fire unless you're ready to get burned."
Both girls anticipated his next move, but he remained rooted to his spot.
"Coming?"
"No."
"What?" Georgina raised an eyebrow, taken aback.
"I said no. Enjoy your party, Georgina."
Georgina's lips curled into a wicked smile. "As for you, we all know your endless pursuit of approval will never fill the void inside you. You're nothing but an empty shell trying to outrun your own demons."
With her parting insult hanging in the air like a venomous echo, Georgina turned around, her heels clicking on the kitchen floor as she made her way to the exit. Her steps were confident, her posture erect, as if she had relished every moment of the tension she had sown.
Chuck returned to the kitchen island, refilling the abandoned glass to its brim. He downed the contents in the blink of an eye, seeking a brief respite from the intensity of it all. Blair's presence was a silent weight behind him. Did she expect him to say something? Hopefully not. As Chuck closed his eyes, her delicate hand came to rest gently atop his on the marble surface. It felt wrong, a painful reminder of Bart Bass' cutting words that resonated like the rhythmic beat of drums, relentless and unforgiving.
"Don't say anything," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Blair. There was nothing left to be said. It was absurd to fight the truth.
Blair's hand remained unwavering on his, a steadfast promise that she was also there for him, even in his darkest moments. Against his father's wishes, Georgina's cruel words, the world itself, and his own inner demons, he could only hope he was the same source of support for her.
After the intense confrontation in the kitchen, Chuck left the room with a heavy sigh, yearning for a bit of solitude. He made his way to the poolside and sank into one of the loungers, glass in hand, trying to block out the external noise. However, he couldn't escape the conversation between Blair and Serena, drifting over to him like an unwelcome wave.
His stepsister's carefree and lovely self had made her presence known after Georgina's departure. Serena was undeniably beautiful—tall, with golden blonde hair that could leave any man mesmerized. Yet, Serena had never been it for him. He could endlessly tease her, amuse himself with puns that got under her skin, indulge in lewd humor, mock her for her knack for trusting every stranger who crossed her path, or taunt her for her unwavering dedication to charity cases like Humphrey. Despite it all, he liked her very much.
"So, tell me! How was Nate's surprise? You didn't tell me anything last night," Serena exclaimed, her voice pitching high in excitement, as Chuck could sense her bouncing with enthusiasm in front of Blair.
That pitch made his head hurt more than seven bottles of scotch. Her unrestrained happiness, even in the most ordinary moments, grated on his nerves. She and Nate were undoubtedly two peas in a pod.
"Oh, S, it was wonderful," Blair responded in her best dreamy voice.
Liar.
Why did Blair insist on pretending that everything was fine? Why didn't Serena just come clean with the truth? The whole truth. As much as he enjoyed chaos, lies, and watching the world burn, the growing web of secrets among his best friends was becoming increasingly tangled. It was a noose slowly tightening around all their necks, and Chuck found himself at the center of it all. He was tired—tired of carrying secrets that weren't his, tired of watching Blair chase an impossible dream, tired of the oncoming disaster that no one seemed willing to prevent.
Perhaps he should take matters into his own hands. What harm would one more evil but necessary thing do to his already tarnished reputation? Not much. The world would continue to spin, and people would continue to loathe him, as they always had.
In the garden to the left of the pool, Nate was deep into what seemed like an intense workout session. Shirtless and clad in sweatpants, he jogged and repeated exercises that looked exhausting just to watch. It baffled Chuck how, after everything that had transpired the previous night, Nate seemed to start his day without a care in the world. He ran around like a man possessed, as if he were immune to hangovers, while Chuck could only marvel at his resilience.
God truly had their favorites.
Nate eventually paused, resting his hands on his knees to catch his breath. He wiped sweat from his forehead. Nate's commitment to his fitness routine bordered on the fanatical, unlike Chuck, who preferred to spend time and effort in more traditional cardio.
Meanwhile, Serena, now without Blair by her side, emerged from the house and joined him by the loungers. Both were observing Nate with keen interest, though for entirely different reasons.
"Don't be so obvious, sis."
His stepsister furrowed her brows, her gaze still fixed on Nate's workout. "Em, what?"
"Stop staring."
"I was not." Serena's cheeks flushed slightly.
"You were, and if you don't want Blair to find out about that secret of yours, it's best if you keep your eyes to yourself." Chuck leaned back, crossing his arms. "I know your boyfriend is not exactly the best in the bunch, but surely he has at least one redeeming quality that can keep you enchanted, even if it escapes my mind."
"Shush."
"Honestly, I'm getting tired of this charade. You should tell her the truth, once and for all."
Serena shook her head adamantly.
"Delaying the inevitable will only make things worse." Chuck's tone grew more serious.
"She won't find out."
"With the way you two are acting, especially dear Nathaniel, she will. She's not stupid, you know. In fact, she's actually smarter than the three of us combined."
"I already told you, I'm over Nate."
"Then, even though I find this situation highly amusing, stop with the lecherous looks. Weren't you determined to mend things with the proletarian?"
Serena looked away, her tone hesitant. "I was! I am. It's just complicated."
"Did he do something? You know my trusted hitman is just a phone call away."
Chuck's remark hung in the air for a moment as Serena's expression shifted from surprise to amusement.
"I'm serious."
Serena sighed, her eyes darting to where Nate was working out. "It's not about something he did. It's just… We're different, Chuck."
"You can't possibly tell me you didn't anticipate such disparities when you embarked yourself on a romantic journey with an individual hailing from the depths of Brooklyn, of all places."
"I thought he was different."
As Chuck was about to respond, their attention was drawn away by the shattering sound of breaking glass.
Startled, Serena shot a quick glance at Chuck, her eyebrows raised, before she swiftly made her way toward the source of the commotion. He followed suit, knowing that what they were about to discover would shatter the calm atmosphere that had reigned since Georgina's exit. And there she was, back in their lives, with Dan Humphrey in tow.
Blair, who had stayed in the kitchen, stood there in a storm of emotions, her eyes flashing with pure hatred.
"Haven't you done enough?" she spat at Georgina.
Behind them, Nate appeared, having followed Chuck and Serena moments earlier. His head was tilted to the side.
"What the fuck are you still doing here?" Chuck crossed his arms, his gaze fixed in Georgina.
"Where are your manners? First, a glass hurled at me, and now the whole cavalry has come to the rescue."
"I'm not going to repeat myself twice."
"Look who I found on my way out," Georgina said, placing a possessive hand on Dan's shoulder.
"Sure it was a coincidence."
"How skeptical."
"Of you? Always."
"I need to speak to Serena," Dan intervened.
Serena's body was rigid as she remained still, not saying a word.
"I think you've done enough already," Blair retorted.
Dan pointed an accusing finger at Blair. "Stay out of things that aren't your damn business, Blair," he asserted aggressively.
"Hey," Nate chimed in.
"You're not welcomed here, Humphrey," Chuck added.
"Serena, please." Dan began, locking eyes with her. "Give me five minutes."
"I thought you said everything you needed to say last night."
"Five minutes, that's all I'm asking."
"Start talking."
"Alone."
"You can say it in front of them."
Chuck wasn't entirely sure that being dragged in Serena's romantic mess was wise, but given her lack of willpower when it came to Dan, maybe it was for the best.
Dan took a moment to collect himself. With a carefully calculated tone that attempted to soothe rather than confront, he began, "Serena, I get that things have been tough between us. But you've got to know, I've always believed in you, in what we could be together. I'm not claiming I've always made the right decisions, but everything I've done was because I thought it was the best for us, for you. I never wanted to change who you are, but I also couldn't just stand by and watch you make choices that would hurt you in the long run."
Serena's lips tightened slightly, but she didn't interrupt him.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've always cared about you. You must know that."
"What choices? Because I didn't choose where I was born or who I am."
"But you do choose to stay, to be a part of this world every day."
"So?" Serena scoffed. "Dan, caring about someone isn't enough. It's about trust, respect, and acceptance, and I won't apologize for being myself. I won't apologize for my friends, and I sure as hell won't apologize for not living up to your impossible standards."
Dan's façade cracked for a moment, and a flash of anger crossed his face. "You know, Serena, you've always had this habit of making everything about you. You can't just see how much I've tried to help you, to make you better. Maybe you're just not capable of appreciating everything that I've done. Maybe you're too self-absorbed to see it."
"You're so wrapped up in your own ego that you can't even hear what I'm saying."
"Maybe you're just not cut out for a real relationship. Every time it gets real, you run away," Dan pushed further. "Or you just fuck your best friend's boyfriend."
The entire world seemed to freeze.
"What?" Blair's voice sliced through the abrupt silence.
Author's Note:
Thank you so much for reading, you have no idea how much every comment means to me.
Now, don't hate me for that ending 😇