The New Queen in Manhattan [Based on Gossip Girl - Nate Archibald]

Chapter 5- Threats and Treaties.

Another day, another way...to tell a lie. Good morning, Upper East Siders! I've got a lot in store for you. Hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

"Morning B, let's go out for breakfast shall we? Just the two of us?" Serena said, joining Blair on her bed.
"Sure just give me time to get ready and I'll be down soon. Tell Dorota that my mother is still waiting on the confirmation to use Athens Hall for her fashion show."
"Will do," Serena murmured, walking out of the room and down the spiralling staircase.

Serena went down, delivered the message to Dorota and soon Blair and Serena were on their way to brunch. They took the table farthest from the door, on the outside area of the cafe. Updates about their lives, including Chuck and Blair's and Serena and Dan's relationships were quite the conversation.
Serena started talking to Blair about her mother's fashion show when Blair held up her hand to silence her. Blair's eyes followed over to a table, hidden from the streets by some overly large plants.

"Isn't that Astrid?" Blair asked, with a half grin on her face.
Serena turned around to the hidden table. "Yeah, and she's with Carter Baizen," Serena replied. "Wait isn't it her and Nate's tradition to have breakfast together at the cafe? And she's here with another guy? Carter of all people?"
Blair smiles and dialled Nate's number. A few seconds later, he answered.

"Hey Blair what's up?" Nate said groggily, as if now waking up.
"Sorry to have woken you. I just wanted you to call your girlfriend right now. Tell her that I'd like to meet for lunch to apologize for what I did," Blair replied.
"Okay sure." Nate said, wondering whether she'd pick up the phone after last night.

Astrid's phone rang a few minutes later. She picked it up, and then turned it down again, ignoring his call. Blair received a call from Nate saying that she didn't pickup to which she responded that she'll do it herself.

Serena smirked, as Blair got off the phone smiling.
"She's ignoring him...we should find out why," Serena replied raising her eyebrow.
"I feel like it's our best interest to look out for Nate," Blair replied laughing, knowing her true intentions.

Over at Carter's table however, they were debating and arguing over how things should've been. The conversation ended however, after Astrid said that she'll be inviting Nate for dinner tonight, at her apartment and making it clear that Carter wasn't invited.

Uh oh A. Better watch out for the surprises to come. You and Nate may be on a break, but so were you and Carter. Remember that night A? Looks like it's back to haunt you.

Astrid walked out and called Nate a few minutes after as she made her way back to her apartment. He answered and she promised that they would talk if he agreed to meet her for dinner tonight. And so he did, desperately wanting to talk to her. She entered her apartment and slumped down on the couch frustrated, thinking about what she was going to say to Nate. Alex walked in a few minutes later and sat opposite her on the couch.

"Maia's coming to Manhattan next week to tryout for a fashion show on New Year's!" Alex exclaimed.
"Really? I haven't seen her in so long. This will be so much fun." Astrid replied, as the thought of Maia visiting, eased her frustration.
Maia was Alex's girlfriend, from LA, who was their mother's friend's daughter. However, when they moved to Manhattan, Alex and Maia promised to make things work long distance and so far they did.
"Great because I'll be grateful if you spend time with both of us." Alex replied, checking his phone.

He immediately got up, excused himself and rushed out of the apartment. He rushed down to a nearby bar, and ordered a whiskey and coke. Carter walked up behind him and they saw each other, a long time after what happened in LA.

Reunions are beautiful. But sometimes the truth is a harsh reality.

"It's been a long time, Alex," Carter said, propping himself onto a stool.
"Why are you here Carter?" Alex replied, unenthusiastically.
"I thought you'd be happier to see an old friend," he replied, smugly.
"We're not friends... not anymore."
"Because you put my brother in prison."
"And you took advantage of my sister!"
"Let's get straight to the point then. Invite me to dinner tonight at your place."
"Why would I ever do that? You're lucky I don't punch you right now," Alex said, grinding his teeth.
"Because only a year ago, we were best friends, and you showed up drunk, at my door ready to spill all those dark secrets," Carter replied smirking.
"Fine. Dinner it is, but it stops there!"
"Not quite. I need you to testify in my brother's case, saying that you made everything up. I want him released early," Carter said seriously.
"I'm not doing that. Ever." Alex said sternly.
"Fine. Then I guess everyone will know the truth... and your perfect little family will be destroyed."
"If I do that, you'll have to promise never to release that information."
"I'm a man of my word, Alex. You know that better than anyone."
"Then text me the info for the case. I don't want to be seen in public with you any longer," Alex said, paying for his drink and walking out.

Carter Baizen threatening another Van Der Watt? What's really going on here? Looks like I'll have to stick around for a bit.

Alex helped Astrid make dinner, to her surprise but he played it off, saying he wanted everything to be perfect for Nate and their dad. They laid the pies, baked chicken and potatoes onto the table and left to get ready, returning to the sound of their dad's voice filling the living room, after work. While he left to get refreshed, Nate entered and Astrid walked over and hugged him, which he returned. They excused themselves from Alex and walked into her room.

"Look I'm sorry," they both said at the same time. They laughed and then motioned for the other one to speak first.
"I shouldn't have gotten mad. I do trust you completely but the moment I saw Carter, my mind just filled with hate. I don't like him and I don't like that you're friends with him," Nate blurted out.
"Thank you for trusting me and for being reasonable. But Carter and I were friends for a long time, since LA and he knows about a lot of things, that even most people, including you don't. So I can't just forget about him like that," Astrid said, snapping her fingers.
Nate nodded, although looking confused and then added, "Fine. Once I don't see anymore stupid gossip girl blasts suggesting that you two are together."
"Gossip girl will never find out anything about that. Once we're together, she won't dare to post anything else," Astrid said, holding Nate's hand and walking back out into the living room, where Alex and Nate engaged in a conversation, while Astrid prepared drinks.

She checked her phone, staring at the text appearing on the screen.
Carter: looks like we'll be seeing each other soon ;)
Paranoid by this, she switched off her phone and continued about preparing the drinks, carrying the glasses to the table. Astrid's father exited him room, walking over to Alex and Nate.

Nate turned around at once, extending his hand. "I'm Nate Archibald," he said firmly.
"I'm Austin Van Der Watt," Astrid's father replied, shaking Nate's hand. "Shall we sit down for dinner?" He added, smiling.

The four of them sat at the round table, Nate to Astrid's left, Alex and Austin to her right. They helped themselves to the food that Alex and Astrid had prepared. Nate and Austin engaged in conversation, as the night went on,  from Nate spilling his future plans, to the reasons why they moved from LA to Manhattan.
"Alex told me, that your family moved to New York, because he got accepted into Columbia and you got a job offer?" Nate said, serving himself some potatoes.
"Yes, I'm an architect actually, and when Alex got accepted, I decided it was time for all of us to move on. It's been 11 years since my wife, Daphne died, so I thought we could use a fresh start someone else," Austin replied, sipping his drink.
"Dad, I'm sure he doesn't want to hear about your job anym-" Alex started, but was cut off by the sound of the elevator door opening.
"We're not expecting anyone else, are we?" Astrid said confused, as both of them stood up, and walked towards the elevator.

Carter walked out of the elevator and towards the round table, a bottle of champagne in his hands, and took his seat, in between Nate and Austin, as Astrid and Alex returned to their seats. Carter handed the champagne to Austin as they shook hands.

Nate turned to Astrid, obviously annoyed that Carter was here, but seeing the confused looked on her face, decided that now was not the best time. Astrid turned towards Alex, her eyes filled with anger, either at Carter or Alex but she didn't know which.

I told you there was a surprise in store. At least now, both Nate and Carter could get the chance to speak in person, instead of hearing only Astrid's side of things. Watch out A, you're not the only one who knows how to tell a good story.