What were your thoughts about Raina? I thought they could have done so much more with her character, especially with the idea she was essentially the female Chuck Bass.
3rd Person's POV
Blair is getting ready for her first day officially working for W and no longer being an intern. Ever since Epperly offered her the job she's taken it upon herself to be the queen of fashion she's always been. "Please don't tell me you're leaving already." Serena groans as she walks into Blair's room. "Between classes at Columbia or your job at W. The only proof that I have you still exist is the faint trace of Chanel in the morning."
"I'm so sorry, S. But if I can turn this into a permanent job it'll knock six months off my two-year plan." Blair addresses her friend. Serena jumps into Blair's bed still not sure how Blair is doing it all.
"Are you sure you're not just burying yourself in work to avoid thinking about tomorrow?" Serena asks.
"Tomorrow? I don't even know what day today is." Blair lies and Serena knows it. Blair sits down and lets out a big sigh. "Last year, Chuck and I honored Valentine's Day by staging our very own bacchanal. And no there were no goats, if that's the look that just fluttered across your face. But, this year I'm sitting out V-Day to focus on my career, as is Chuck with his fake relationship with Raina Thorpe." Blair rambles.
"Wait, but I thought you reached out to Raina and told her that Chuck's feelings were real." Serena questions.
"He needed to get back in her good graces and I knew exactly how to get him there." Blair replies like it's the obvious explanation. "Chuck and I may need some time to forge our own paths before we risk a romantic rejoining, but...we're still there for each other. And what about you and Ben?" Blair changes the subject. "Must be very special for him spending Valentine's Day with someone other than his cellie."
"We decided to sit it out too. We just started dating. It's too much pressure." Serena lies and Blair's not buying it for a second. "Hey, why don't we have a friend's Valentine's Day? Manis, macaroons, massages? I'm pretty sure I saw on Gossip Girl that Ella is in the city this week and..."
"Are you even on speaking terms?" Blair questions Serena.
"You know E and I have our spats but we get over it."
"Is E? Because you called her boyfriend heartless and cold." Blair points out.
"Well Colin was being cold and he didn't think of his cousin and being a decent human..."
"S."
"I'm just saying. I'm over. Ben's over so E just needs to move on and." Serena states point blank.
"Well I have to go but if this two-year plan wins out...will you be okay?" Blair replies and Serena feels defeated.
"I'll be fine."
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Blair is getting settled in at her new position at W. "As part of W's online expansion Stefano wants to kick off a new feature. Bright Young Thing. We'll follow an It Girl one night a month as she navigates the Manhattan social scene. Our inaugural It Girl needs to be special as should her Valentine's Day plans." One of Stefano's many assistants explains to the team. "Blair, you're friends with Ella Bass?" Blair is caught off guard.
"Yes. Well, while Ella is the It Girl, but is very private about her life..."
"But you're good friends with her."
"Yes, and as her good friend, I know that she will not agree to this." Blair explains.
"Fine what about Serena van der Woodsen?"
"Yes, Serena is also it but what if there was someone fabulous that we could break ourselves? Someone like...Raina Thorpe."
"Daughter of Russell? I like it. Keep going."
"Well, she's typically shunned publicity which makes her an even bigger get. While yes Ella is the perfect It Girl she is notoriously private about her life and the things people do know it won't be anything new. She is one of the most well-known supermodels in the world who had a child at eighteen and is dating the dashing billionaire Colin Forrester, but she's not going to let anything else out. But Raina is new to the city and would be perfect to engage our readers to tune in for the next issue and if I could come through..."
"I'd recommend Stefano consider your trial period over." Blair smiles knowing her two-year plan is going exactly how she wanted.
"I'll have her by lunch." Blair quickly looks on Gossip Girl to find out where Raina is and she calls Raina but she won't answer her call or text so she calls Ella who doesn't answer and so that leaves Serena.
"Hey?" Serena greets her friend.
"How well do you know Raina Thorpe?"
"Um, not at all."
"Do you know where she is right now?"
"I'm guessing you do."
"At your house."
"Where my mother lives. No way. We're still at war. And why are you asking anyway?"
"Because I need to do a story on Raina for the magazine tomorrow night."
"Okay, well, why don't you just ask her yourself? After the Chuck thing, doesn't she owe you a favor?"
"Yes, but she's not answering her phone and I can't leave the office. I tried calling E, and she must be at a shoot or doing something with Palmer. Besides, it's better this way, just two It Girls talking and explaining that you'll do the profile yourself."
"Right because this is all really just a favor to me and not a convoluted way for you to keep your eye on Raina and Chuck on Valentine's Day?" Serena questions Blair.
"Mm, I hadn't thought of that. Thank you!" Blair hangs up and feels excited that her plan is working.
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Raina and her father ride up the elevator to Lily's home for brunch. "I'm glad you agreed to this brunch with Chuck and Lily. It shows a lot of good faith on their part. I mean we came in with guns blazing and they responded with an olive branch." Raina explains to her father.
"More like olive bread. I agreed to a meal, Raina. That's it. I don't trust the Basses. They don't operate like we do."
"They're a family, just like us." Raina argues with her father.
"The Lily I remember, didn't have a maternal bone in her body. Family was just about money and power." Raina shakes her head at her father's reluctance to keep an open mind.
Lily is doing last-minute checks to ensure brunch is perfect for the Thorpe's. "Well, I hope hosting this brunch proves to you once and for all I have the company's best interests at heart." Lily tells Chuck.
"And also elegantly forces the enemy to come to you."
"Yes, Sun Tzu is right beside Emily Post on my bookshelf."
"And here I thought we were just having a brunch." Ella joins her mother and brother.
"Darling you made it." Lily hugs her daughter.
"Are there waffles?" Palmer asks.
"Of course angel. Where's Colin?"
"He had business meetings he couldn't miss and besides I thought it would be weird to involve him in this family business." Ella answers.
"Well, he could help smooth things out."
"Are Serena or Eric coming?"
"No, sadly but that may also be a good thing. Neither one are my biggest fans and we need to do our best to make a good impression on Russell so he can see us as a family." Lily reminds her children.
"Do you think he's going to change his mind?" Ella asks. "From what I've heard about him, Russell Thorpe doesn't change. He's more stubborn than Bart in some ways."
"Well, we will see. But Charles, don't let your feelings for Raina affect your judgment." Lily cautions her son. "We have to be careful of the Thorpe's. Believe me, I know."
"Don't worry." Chuck spots Raina and her father walking towards them. "I'm not banking on their sympathy. Welcome." Chuck greets their guests.
"So, is anyone hungry?"
"Lily, it's so good to see you." Russell greets his old lover.
"It's nice to have you in our home Russell and Raina. Welcome." Lily smiles warmly at them.
"And who's this?" Russell points to Palmer who is clinging to Ella's leg.
"This is my daughter Palmer Bass." Ella introduces her daughter to the Thorpe's.
"Ah yes, I did remember hearing somewhere that you were a single mother." Russell states.
"And a wonderful one at that." Raina chimes in. "Hi, I know we haven't officially met, but I feel like I know you already."
"It's nice to officially meet Raina. Please let's eat before the food gets cold." Ella states.
"Sorry, everyone." Rufus exclaims as he enters the house.
"You're just in time darling." Lily kisses her husband as everyone takes their respective seats. Palmer crawls into the seat next to her mother and Lily.
"So Ella, Raina told me that you were a guest lecturer at Columbia." Russell tries to continue with the small talk.
"Yes, and it was a fulfilling experience to share what I know about working in business as a model and real estate agent."
"You're in real estate?" Russell asks surprised.
"It's recent, but I've already sold numerous properties here and Upstate." Ella explains.
"And you balance all of that while being a single mother?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Ella states.
"Ella is one the most respected models in the world and a very smart businesswoman. She's negotiated some of the biggest campaign deals." Raina chimes in. "And you're interested in becoming a broker."
"Yes, that is my end goal. I would like to open my own brokerage firm which would give me more time to spend with my daughter. My job now requires me to travel around the world all days of the week and doing real estate allows me to be here with her."
"That's amazing to hear you have such love for your child especially when I knew your father that your mother wasn't in the picture."
"The only mother I have is sitting here with us." Ella declares as she looks and smiles at Lily.
"That's right you did adopt Bart's children."
"Lil has been the most amazing mother to Chuck and Ella." Rufus states.
"Is that so? I never knew you to be the motherly type." Russell comments.
"Well, we didn't know each other that well then because my four children and my grandchild are the most important things in my life." Lily declares.
"I see."
"Uncle Chuck." Palmer is standing next to Chuck and has a card in her hand.
"What's this Princess?" Chuck asks as he opens the handmade card.
"I have a dance recital and I wanted to coor...co...mama how do you say it?"
"Cordially."
"Right cordially invite you to my dance recital on Saturday night." Palmer says to Chuck.
"I am honored and wouldn't miss it for the world." Chuck brings Palmer in for a hug and kisses her cheek. Russell looks at the exchange skeptically.
"Well if everyone is done let's have coffee in the living room." Lily announces as the empty plates are being cleared. Russell, Lily, and Rufus move to the living room while Ella, Chuck, Raina, and Palmer stay back.
"Lily, everything was delicious, especially the eggs." Russell compliments the food.
"Hm."
"Spanish tortilla. That's perfect after a late night or...breakfast in bed after too much Rioja."
"Thank you, Russell." Lily cuts him off before he goes too far. "Um, here in America, we call it a frittata." Russell laughs at Lily's comment.
"Did I just hear your dad laugh?" Chuck asks Raina in surprise.
"I told you this would work. And Ella having Palmer give Chuck that invite was perfect."
"Yeah she was already going to give that to him, but if it helps smooth things over then you're welcome." Raina smiles at Ella's response.
"I'm going in." Raina states.
"Okay. Mr. Thorpe, we're all...grateful we have found a buyer for Bass Industries that we can all approve of." Chuck announces. Raina takes a seat next to her father while Ella and Palmer go to sit with Lily and Rufus. "And though it maybe your instinct to keep the company under the Thorpe umbrella...that might be a mistake. The Bass name has equity. I'd like the chance to prove that all in one night. Tomorrow, to be exact. I've leased a landmark mansion outside the city. It's a destination. Travel to get there. And the reservations are made before." Chuck pleads his case to Russell.
"And what do people get when they arrive?" Russell inquires.
"Imagine you're at a club. Forget the year...the continent. You don't want the night to end. In this case, it doesn't have to. When the time is right you drift upstairs to a private room. Spend the night or just a few hours. It's up to you." Everyone looks at Russell wondering if he's buying it.
"But, uh...what makes you think people will show up?" Russell questions. "It sounds like you need a big marketing push just to get the word out."
"No marketing. I say where and when people show up. If I can prove to you the Bass brand has quantifiable worth. Will you look at my business plan? It shows how you can keep the company together under the Bass name with my involvement." Russell stands up and buttons his suit jacket.
"I'll put a pin in my current plans for...thirty-six-hours. If this thing you've planned succeeds. We'll talk." Chuck and Russell shake hands and everyone feels like this is a step forward in the right direction. Ella takes Palmer upstairs to go to the bathroom as brunch comes to an end.
"You nailed it." Raina whispers to Chuck. "I'll see you at the hotel, Dad." Raina calls and Serena rushes into the living room.
"Serena, we weren't expecting you." Lily greets her daughter with enthusiasm.
"I'm here to see Raina." Serena says as she brushes past her mother and heads straight to Raina. "Hey, we haven't officially met. But our mutual friend Blair Waldorf wants to talk to you." Serena states "She'll explain everything."
"Alright." Raina takes Serena's phone and dials Blair's number and walks away.
"Blair has to follow a socialite around on Valentine's Day. It's for work, she figured you wouldn't mind since everything with Raina is, you know..."
"I know what?" Chuck asks her confused.
"Oh, Blair was wrong. You do have feelings for Raina." Serena states in shock.
"I do." Chuck confirms and his gaze fixes on Raina. "I have something spectacular planned for tomorrow night."
"E!" Serena spots Ella and ambushes her with a hug. "Wow, you look amazing. Hi Palmer." Serena tries to hug her, but Palmer pulls away.
"Didn't think you would be here." Ella states as Palmer tugs at her dress asking to be picked up. Ella scoops her daughter into her arms and holds her.
"P, you didn't want to give me a hug?" Serena asks and Palmer hides her face away in Ella's shoulder.
"Mama." Palmer mutters to Ella.
"P, let's say goodbye to Uncle Chuck." Ella ignores Serena and makes her exit which pisses Serena off but there are too many people around for her to make a scene.
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Serena's POV
I feel as Blair's best friend I need to make sure she's not going to be hurt if Chuck and Raina are a real deal. "So you sound pretty excited about tomorrow like, maybe, it's not just another night of hanging out with Chuck, business as usual?" I make small talk with Raina as we walk through the store.
"I guess that's true. At first, it was purely for the sex."
"Oh, that's Chuck." I comment realizing it is exactly what Blair thought.
"No, I meant me." Raina corrects me. "Chuck was just trying to get me to help him with my father." She starts to explain.
"Was? But now?" I ask.
"Things have gotten kind of serious. I wanna find an amazing dress and totally take his breath away." Raina exclaims.
"Oh, well that does sound serious."
"So, how about a little help? It's overwhelming." Raina asks.
"Oh, well the secret about these places is that they always keep the best stuff in the back which is why I called ahead." I motion behind me as the stylist comes towards us with dresses. I browse through the selection of dresses waiting for Raina to come out.
"What do you think?" She asks me.
"Ohh. Wow. That's the one. Our work here is done. No need to try this one, even though I love the detail. I actually really love this dress."
"Then try it on. You can wear it tomorrow to the club."
"Oh, no I wish, but I have other plans."
"Something's better than. Chuck Bass party?" Raina asks me in a teasing tone. "If Serena van der Woodsen isn't going maybe he was exaggerating the value of his so-called brand."
"No, it's not that. I'm just, I'm in a new relationship but we're trying to keep things simple, but...you know how it is."
"Yeah."
"Speaking of, are you sure it's a good idea for you and Chuck to be doing this thing for W?" I ask trying to get Raina to back out to spare Blair any hurt feelings of the real issue at hand.
"I normally pass on all publicity, but Blair asked me so I couldn't say no. I know how important she is to Chuck and she knows how important I am to him too." Raina explains. "So I'm glad there's no weirdness there."
"Well, actually there may be some weirdness. Blair still has feelings for Chuck, so...if she follows you around on Valentine's Day, she's gonna be hurt." I explain the issue to Raina. "And if she finds out I ever told you this, I'll be hurt."
"I hope my best friend would do the same for me. Your secret's safe." Raina assures me. "I do hate to cancel last minute though."
"Well, I'm sure she'll understand. Besides, before W gave her this assignment she wanted to spend Valentine's Day with me anyway. And if she really needs someone to follow around she can do a piece on Ella who is already in the press with her boyfriend and it be easy for her." I add.
"Speaking of Ella, did I catch some tension with you two back at the house?"
"I...Ella and I are just going through another rough patch."
"Another?" Raina raises a brow. "How many rough patches have the two of you gone through?"
"We do not have enough time in the day to dive into that. I mean...we're family at the end of the day and...things are always tense with family...especially if there are other people involved."
"Like?"
"Well, Ella's boyfriend is actually my new boyfriend's cousin. And Ella and I are in a disagreement that involves me believing that her boyfriend should have offered help to my boyfriend because they're family and she believes the opposite."
"See I'm an only child and never knew what sibling fights are like."
"Well, when we started off as best friends and then our parents got married and our issues started."
"I would have thought things would be better."
"I did too but...I will say I did date two of her exes." I fess up.
"What?!"
"One was the father of her child and they were broken up long before I started dating him. And we all knew him from school and I had my own relationship with him before he got together with Ella." I explain.
"And the second?"
"Nate, whom I'm sure you've met."
"Chuck's best friend?" I nod my head.
"We always had a connection and I was going through a really rough time in my life and Nate was there for me and..."
"But did he cheat on Ella with you?"
"No." I answer and I can tell Raina isn't sure if I'm telling the truth.
"I never asked him to break things off with her or that I had feelings for Nate. He was the one who pursued me and one thing led to another, but to answer your question no. He did not cheat on Ella with me." I clarify for her.
"Well thank you for giving me the heads up on Chuck and Blair, so girl to girl that was very sweet of you. As for Ella, I hope you two can work things out because it does seem like you two have a deep connection that should matter more than anything."
"That's very sweet of you to say that." I smile at her even though I know it may never happen.
Serena was so delusional to think the first job Ben would get out of prison would be something to do with tutoring a child to get into college. She has no concept of the damage her mother did to his character and reputation.