Manhattan's Elite

Chapter 13

Chuck's Pov:

I was sitting at the kitchen counter in my new penthouse at the Empire, happily finishing up my breakfast as Nate walked in. When I had the hotel up and running, Nate still really didn't have a place to stay permanently. So I extended the idea of him staying in the penthouse with me. He agreed to it and it was like our own little bachelor pad.

Nate grabbed an apple from the counter, "Seemed like you and Blair had a nice time last night," he teased as I chuckled, teasingly raising my glass.

"Yes that is very true," I said taking a drink of my mimosa.

"Did you see Madison last night?" he said with a smirk as my face fell a bit.

"Uh no, I didn't get the chance," I muttered.

"You missed out," he chuckled. "She looked stunning. Her figure came in- not to mention she cut her hair and she looks- wow," he gushed as I scoffed.

"Need a rag for your droll?" I muttered as he turned to look at me once more.

"What's with the tone? You're with Blair remember?" he said softly. "Besides what makes you think she didn't find another guy out in Europe?" he said as I nodded slowly.

"Well there's only one way to find out. Do you think having lunch with her is too much?" I said biting back my smile.

Madison's Pov:

I was laying in bed this morning when I got a text from Chuck, asking to meet me for lunch. I knew this was a terrible idea, but I couldn't resist seeing Chuck again. So, I agreed. We met at a café nearby Columbia. I walked in, seeing him near the back, smiling weakly as I walked over.

"Hey," he said standing up and embracing me.
My heart skipped a beat, slowly wrapping my arms around him. We both gently pulled away, smiling at each other as he pulled my chair out for me. I sat.

"So, why did you wanna meet me?" I said taking a sip of the glass of water that was already there.

He shrugged, "Well. I haven't seen you in almost a year. And I'm trying to be your friend now," he said as I smiled weakly.

"Well, what do you wanna know?" I hummed.

"Did you meet anyone exciting?" he said glancing at the menu.

"Well, I was at this lounge in Paris and I ended up grinding on Harry Styles for half the night. He slipped me his number," I said timidly as his eyes softened.

"Oh what else-" he said before I quickly cut him off.

"Oh and then, I met this guy in Spain, he was so handsome. He's actually American. His name is Cole," I hummed. "He's a photographer, I modeled for him-"

"Wait, you modeled for a boy you just met?" he cut off as I furrowed my brows.

"Yeah, why not?" I laughed softly.

"Because he could have been a creep," he snapped as I rolled my eyes.

"Please Chuck. There's nothing wrong with him. I even flew back with him," I smiled as he frowned.

"Does he know where you live?" he gasped. I shook my head.

"No, New York was my stop. He had to continue to Los Angeles," I said. "Jesus Chuck,
I'm an adult now. I think I can handle myself."

"You could have been hurt," he said softly. I rolled my eyes.

"Chuck. I'm 18," I said with a soft giggle.

He sighed, "Look. I know whatever we had is over, but there's still gonna be a part of me that cares about you." I froze for a moment before laughing weakly.

"Yeah okay. Well, that happened," I said as the waiter brought us our drinks. The rest of the lunch we had small conversations here and there. I don't know what possessed me to ask the question I did, but I needed the closure.

"What allowed you to fall in love with Blair and not me?" I finally spoke up as his eyes softened.

"To be honest, when I realized I lost you, I told myself I would never let that happen again. And then Blair just came at the perfect time, she opened up my heart," he gushed. I smiled weakly.

"Oh. Good, glad for the two of you," I said as the check arrived. I set my money down, Chuck frowning.

"Mady, you know I don't mind paying-" I stood up.

"Nah, use your date money for Blair," I teased playfully before grabbing my things. "This was fun. Let's not do this anytime soon, okay?" I said before quickly rushing out and taking the first cab I could find.

As the taxi drove home, we turned onto my street. The driver slammed onto the brakes, my eyes widened as I quickly stepped out to see Cole standing in the middle of the street. My eyes brightened, "Cole! Jesus didn't they ever teach you how to cross the street?" I teased happily going to him.

"Wow, Madison. It's as if fate brought us together again. I was coming to find you because you forgot your pictures," he said handing me a packet as I blushed.

"You came back to New York just for this?" I said cheekily as he laughed nervously.

"Well I mean, there's so many nice place to take photos. I have a project due in a month. Maybe you can help me?" he said as I giggled.

"I'd be happy too," I said going to the taxi driver and paying the fair before going with him to the penthouse.

Chuck's Pov:

I walked into the penthouse of the Empire after just witnessing Madison embrace that stranger in the middle of the streets. I let out a shaky breath, walking into the bedroom to see Blair reading over the Columbia catalog. I smiled weakly, "Blair," I said sitting beside her, pecking her cheek.

"Jesus Chuck, sorry to come unannounced. My mother can't stop talking about Madison, I had to escape," she huffed. I pursed my lips.

"Do you know she has a new love interest? Some Boho photographer from L.A," I said as her eyes widened.

"What? A California hippie?! Oh mother will have her head!" she said. I could already see her planning the scheme in her head as I smirked.

"Well, maybe, if we play our cards right, we can have things back to the way they were before. You above your sister," I said as she let out a sigh.

"Oh God, that would be the most amazing thing," she said turning to look at me with the biggest smirk on her face.