Manhattan's Elite

Chapter 16

Hey Upper East Siders,

It's the Holly Jolly winter season once again. Since the tragic passing of Bart Bass, we haven't seen much of the gang. Here's hoping the gang will start to break out of their shells. Keeping you posted,

xoxo, Gossip Girl

Madison's Pov:

After Bart's funeral, I kept to myself. I didn't really hang out with the group unless needed to. You know, birthdays and holidays and such. I did, however, spend a lot more of my time in Brooklyn. Now, I know it may seem shallow; being that Serena and Dan did date, but there was something between us that I just couldn't put in words. It was real chemistry and I enjoyed being around Dan. I walked into the Humphrey apartment to find it empty once again, a soft sigh leaving my lips.

"Dan?" I called out, setting my bag down on the counter. 

"In the shower!" He called back as I smiled weakly to myself, sitting on the counter and unlocking my phone, checking on Gossip Girl. I honestly never got any news from my friends anymore, it was up to me to check Gossip Girl and see how everyone was doing. My thoughts were interrupted as Dan sneakily wrapped his arms around me as I giggled.

"Jesus Dan, you're soaked," I said turning the stool, looking over what he didn't have covered with the towel snug on his waist as he hummed, rubbing his hands on my thighs.

"You checking Gossip Girl again?" he said softly as I nodded. He took my phone out of my hand, setting it on the counter. "You need to stop constantly checking up on everyone, if something was wrong they would tell you. You know that," he said looking into my eyes intently. I let out a shaky breath.

"It's not that I don't enjoy the time we spend together. But when I'm not with you, I'm hanging out alone at home. I mean, you have work, Eric moved away with Jenny to that fashion school in Paris. Chuck and Nate have been separated from the group ever since Blair dumped Chuck for that duke or whatever," I huffed.  Dan frowned, kissing my lips softly.

"I didn't know you felt so lonely.." he said quietly. "I mean, I wish I had more time on my hands-" I quickly covered his mouth.

"Dan, it's not your fault," I said with a small smile."I just need new friends, I'm guessing," I laughed as he let out a chuckle himself.

"Well, that I can agree on," he said pecking my lips once more before pulling away, stepping into his room to change. I casually followed him. 

"Where's Rufus?" I hummed, slowly sitting on the bed, kicking off my shoes. He turned to look at me smirking, slowly going over to me, sitting beside me.

"He went to pick up Eric and Jenny from the airport, he's going to drop the off at Lily's, so you know he'll be there a while," he said slowly laying me on my back, teasingly playing with the button of my jeans as I giggled softly, playfully pulling off his towel as his lips eagerly met mine.

Christmas Day rolled around fairly quickly and as usual, we were all invited to the Van Der Woodsen's  for Christmas. The whole Waldorf family stood in the elevator on our way up to Lily's penthouse. I held a pie in my hands as Blair texted furiously on her phone.

"Of course Lily had to invite Chuck to this," she muttered as I let out a small sigh.

"Yeah how selfish of her to invite her own adoptive son to her Christmas Dinner," I said with a smirk as she turned to look at me, fighting a laugh.

"Shut up smart ass," she said, shoving me playfully as my mother and Cyrus turned to look at us.

"Ladies, best behavior please," she said as the elevator doors opened. I walked in, happily saying hello to Rufus and Lily before heading to the kitchen to set the pie down. Dan happily wrapped his arms around me, pecking my cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Mady," he said before handing me a small box. My eyes brighten a bit, slowly unwrapping it to see a stunning charm necklace.

"Dan," I gasped out softly as he carefully placed it around my wrist. I smiled, softly pecking his lips."How did you possibly-"

"Well I mean, I started picking up a few extra shifts at the coffee shop. Rufus just wasn't going to give me the money,' he said with a small chuckle before wrapping his arms around me. I was about to kiss him once more when I heard someone clear their voice. I smiled weakly, turning to see Rufus as I blushed.

"You two act as if you never see each other," he teased. "C'mon, everyone's seated at the table," he said as Dan took my hand, leading me to the table. I was so caught up with Dan I didn't even notice Chuck taking a seat in front of us. I turned to look at him, pursing my lips before looking back at Dan.

Dan looked over, taking a sip of his water. "Chuck," he started, breaking the tension. "It's been a while, how've you been?" he asked as he placed a hand gently on my thigh. Chuck smiled, noticing him becoming more defensive of me.

"Hm? Well, saying that I'm now running my own company, it takes up a lot of my time," he hummed. "Well then again, I pay people to do half my job," he said.

Dan rolled his eyes with a small chuckle," Seems like you," he muttered as I shoved his knee lightly. Chuck rose a brow, smirking lightly.

"Well now Dan, there's no reason for you to be bitter. I thought we were doing good after all. I mean, you ended up with Mady," he said, causing me to choke on my water. Dan frowned.

"Yeah I know, and I'm very happy it ended up that way, God knows the way things would have ended if you two stayed together," he snapped as my eyes softened. Chuck's smirk grew.

"Well, at least if we ever got past college, unlike the two of you probably won't, I would be able to provide for her. I have a legacy. You have a dream, Daniel. Where do you suppose you'll be living after Rufus and Lily get married? Are you going to depend on Lily's money for the rest of your life, which by the way, is also mostly Bass money? Let's face it, you're threatened by me. You know I could easily take better care of her." 

Dan harshly stood up, "I am not afraid of you Chuck, you act as if any girl loses control around you just by seeing your face. Mady would never fall for it," he snapped as Chuck stood up as well.

"Do you really want to escalate this because I will gladly lead you outside," he said walking around the table as Dan went to meet him halfway.

"Why waste time when we're both already here," he said harshly swinging at Chuck, everyone gasping. They  quickly emerged in a fight, Rufus and Cyrus quickly rushing over to try and break it up. Rufus harshly pulled Dan away.

"You're nothing Chuck! You're worth nothing!" he spat at him as Chuck straightened himself out, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. 

"Actually, I'm worth billions," he retorted, punching him harshly in the gut, which led them back to fighting. I frowned, quickly going up to them.

"Boys! Boys! Boys please that's enough!" I shouted frustratedly. "So help me God I will-"I was interrupted by a rather harsh blow to my face, stumbling onto the nearby side table. Dan's eyes softened, quickly rushing over.

"Oh God, I'm not even sure who that was, Mady I'm so sorry-" he said trying to cup my face as I harshly pulled away, tears brimming my eyes.

"How could you possibly be so immature," I whimpered, seeing Chuck shadowing behind him as I stood up. "Both of you!" I snapped. "I can't believe this," I said turning to look at Dan. "This is not the Dan I want to be with, " I said, handing him the bracelet, slowly walking past him, facing Chuck. "And this was exactly the reason why I couldn't let myself fall in love with you," I spoke before grabbing my coat and quickly leaving the party.

Not the happiest of holidays, I can safely state.