Fool Me Twice

The Locked Door

"You did what?" Blair exclaimed just as Eric finished the story of their afternoon escapade.

Blair stared ridiculously at Dan and Eric both and shook her head. Dan secretly enjoyed leaving her speechless.

"I knew it was a bad idea." Eric said shaking his head at Dan.

"Dude! It was your idea." Dan said and turned to Blair. "I swear it was his idea."

"Doesn't matter!" Blair said and sat with his chin in her palm and back slouched on the dining table. She looked like she'd just been given the news that her showstopper model had a wardrobe malfunction. In other words she looked cute. Dan caught the smile just in time and turned it into a glare for Eric.
He did not want Blair Waldorf involved in the scheme and in his life. The woman was already too much involved in his thoughts and dreams. He missed her, he yearned for her and he did not want to have to tolerate her intoxicating presence.
If only Eric hadn't taken him by surprise by demanding they stop by Blair's house.

He was willing to put himself through self torture a hundred times rather than meet Blair at her home where she was somebody's mother and somebody's wife. He felt an ache in his chest.
She turned her eyes on him and along with that ache a delicious anticipation curled up in his stomach. It was truly pathetic the way he reacted to her.

"What did Nate say?"

"Apart from calling me a bastard and a horrible friend, he said to not intervene in his business and leave him alone."

Nate had been furious and he had railed at Dan for all money's worth.

"What did he say about Gossip Girl? How did he get to know you tailed him"

"Ahh" Eric said with dejection. "That's where you're wrong. Nate's guarding this secret like it's some Pandora's box. It's hardly that. I doubt people would even care if they found out the Gossip Girl reveal was a hoax. The Spectator has grown so much since then
Who would even care? But noooo. Nate's acting as though this would be his ruin."

Eric rolled his eyes and ate another spoon of the delicious chicken lasagna that Dorota had generously served them. Dan had thanked her and he had found it peculiar that she had stared at him as though she was solving a puzzle.

"Well," Blair. "You can never anticipate how hazardous the PR can be. The Spectator has grown and with fame come rivals."

"Oh come on Blair. Who cares about a high school stalker who hasn't been around for over six years!" Eric said and swallowed another bite of the lasagna.

Inadvertently Dan's eyes turned towards Blair and found her already looking at him. They held each other's stare for a beat and turned away. Dan saw the same shock and questions in Blair's eyes that he had felt. Her dark brown eyes that always looked like they were shimmering with hidden secrets. Had it really been six years since they drifted away existing in the periphery of each other's lives? Dan saw her reach for a glass of water and he was sure his eyes were playing a trick on him because he actually saw her hands tremble! Blair Waldorf doesn't tremble.

"If only I had access to Nate's computer." Eric continued unaffected. He looked dreamily at the distance. "I would be able to find out who this phantom ghost is in seconds" he finished with a dejected sigh.

"What does that mean?" Blair asked.

"The Spectator firewall is very strong. I couldn't hack it an inch. I mean I'm not an expert. I'm still learning and if I had more practice maybe then I will be able to..."

"Eric!" Blair cut him off.

"Sorry. The only reason I could find out about this monthly rendezvous was because Nate had his calendar linked on him phone. Phones are easier to hack. If I could get access to Nate's computer, I'm pretty sure there will be a clue ready for me!"