Drew Starkey Imagines

Empire State of Mind Pt2

GOSSIP GIRL
Rise and shine, Upper East Siders. Our favorite OBX bad boy and his Queen are making waves in Manhattan, and trust me, the city's elite is buzzing. But let's be honest—when has Rafe Cameron ever played nice? Something tells me it won't be long before he trades champagne toasts for fistfights on Fifth Avenue. Stay tuned. You know you love me.

XOXO, Gossip Girl

The soft hum of morning traffic echoed through the penthouse suite, the golden glow of sunrise spilling across silk sheets. You stirred, stretching lazily before feeling the familiar warmth of Rafe's body beside you.

"Morning, baby," his voice was husky, still laced with sleep as he pulled you closer.

You sighed, your fingers tracing absent patterns against his bare chest. "We're officially the talk of the Upper East Side," you murmured, your phone still glowing with fresh Gossip Girl notifications.

Rafe chuckled, not the least bit surprised. "Let 'em talk," he muttered, pressing a kiss to your shoulder. "They've got nothin' better to do."

Before you could respond, the suite's landline rang—a sound so foreign it made you both pause. Rafe groaned, reluctantly reaching for it. "What?" he answered, impatience clear in his voice.

A pause. Then, "You might want to turn on Channel 4."

Chuck Bass.

You shot Rafe a look as he hung up, grabbing the remote. The TV flickered to life, revealing a news segment already in progress.

"Tensions rise in the city's elite social circles as a video surfaces of last night's Metropolitan Gala afterparty. The footage? None other than Rafe Cameron in what appears to be a heated altercation with an unknown guest. Sources say punches were nearly thrown before security intervened. Could the OBX heir be bringing his bad-boy reputation to Manhattan?"

Your stomach twisted as the screen cut to grainy phone footage—Rafe, jaw clenched, gripping the collar of some Wall Street type, eyes dark with barely restrained rage.

"Rafe," you breathed.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "He had it coming."

You sat up, gripping the sheet around you. "What the hell happened?"

Rafe swung his legs over the edge of the bed, muscles tense. "Guy was running his mouth. Saying shit about you. About how you don't belong here." His voice was low, dangerous. "I wasn't about to let that slide."

Your heart clenched. You knew Rafe's temper—it burned hot, fast, and reckless. But Manhattan wasn't the Outer Banks. One wrong move here, and the consequences were permanent.

A knock at the door interrupted your thoughts.

"Expecting someone?" you asked, frowning.

Rafe shook his head, already pulling on a shirt before striding to the door.

When he opened it, Blair Waldorf stood in the hallway, perfectly polished despite the early hour. Behind her, Chuck leaned lazily against the wall, hands in his pockets.

"Well," Blair said, stepping inside without invitation. "That didn't take long."

Rafe shut the door, unimpressed. "You here to lecture me?"

Blair's smirk was sharp. "Please. I'm here to help." She perched on the edge of the couch, crossing her legs. "If you two plan on surviving the Upper East Side, you need to play the game better."

Chuck nodded. "She's right. You want to last in this world, Cameron? You can't just throw punches whenever someone pisses you off." He glanced at you. "And you—if you're going to be the city's new obsession, you better learn how to own it."

You exchanged a look with Rafe, something unspoken passing between you.

This city was watching. Waiting. Betting on whether you'd crash and burn.

You lifted your chin, a slow smirk playing at your lips.

"Then teach us how to win."

Blair's eyes gleamed with approval.

Chuck chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

GOSSIP GIRL
Word on the street? Rafe Cameron's already making enemies—and his girl? Looks like she's ready to play dirty. The Upper East Side may have met its match. But be careful, lovebirds... this city has a way of turning passion into poison.

Game on.

You know you love me.

XOXO, Gossip Girl.