Chapter 23: Chapter 22
Author's Note:
Blair's character is inspired by Blair Waldorf (my new profile picture) from Gossip Girl. If you've watched the show or read the books, you'd notice that I had incorporated a few elements from the story into Sweetener.
In Wattpad, most books have character interpretations 'portrayed' mostly by celebrities. If you're an avid user, you know what I'm talking about. Since I'm so accustomed to Wattpad culture, I thought of doing the same here lol. I envision Blair to be played by Leighton Meester aka Blair Waldorf in season 1 and Whitney's character played by the TV show, Glee's Quinn Fabray also in season 1, but with a bob hairstyle like in the later seasons.
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Whitney
Horror flooded my brain as I felt my back touch the wall. Blair's eyes were dark and narrowed, our faces inches apart from each other. I was sure she could hear my ragged breaths as she inched closer, and I had to blink rapidly a couple times to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
"Montgomery," at first her tone was unnervingly sweet, the smile she wore making goosebumps arise, "While I adore the idea of having my mother off my back every once in awhile, the men in her life often concern me as they do affect mine as well."
She was so close to me, the sweet scent of her perfume entered my nostrils. I was beginning to get lightheaded by our close proximity, and for a second my eyes drooped down to her gloss coated lips.
"Why didn't you come forward and tell me about this sooner?"
I tried to formulate an explanation in my mind, but when my mouth opened, only air had come out. There was no explanation, my choice to stay silent was purely based on my fear of her.
But how could I say that? I didn't know what to answer without offending her. One wrong term and it was a kiss goodbye to my life in Belleview.
"I-I.."
It felt like I had lost all circulation. My shallow breathing was the only sound I could hear to assure me that I was still conscious.
"You what? We're not leaving here until you give me a reasonable excuse." her icy, forest orbs bore deep into my warmer ones analyzing my features as if looking for any sign of dishonesty.
"I...I'm sorry..."
"That's not the answer that I'm looking for." she crossed her arms, keeping her gaze steady on me.
I had never been on the receiving end of this side of her. This was the Blair that everyone feared. The cold, relentless queen that did anything and everything not to allow anyone disrupt her rule of order. If word got out that our parents were dating, I would be dragged into drama and business I never even knew existed.
"I-I didn't know how you would react if I told you," I uttered, my attention casted on the floor, "I'm... so sorry that you had to find out like this. I won't do it again, I swear."
The room fell into silence. It was the second time I was trapped in a bathroom with Belleview's HBIC and I kept wondering how the hell did my life turn out this way. What did I do to deserve it?
Blair staying quiet made my anxiety grow by the second. It made me uncomfortable to know that she was thinking, probably thinking of the many ways she could ruin me.
A sigh filled the air, and what she said next made me relieved. "Very well then, you're dismissed."
My eyes shot up at her to see a blank expression. There was no trace of anger, and that was the only importance I took note of that made my heart leap with gratitude to what god above.
"Thank you." I scurried out of there as fast as I could, not looking back. When I returned to our table, the food had arrived. However, there was something odd about the sudden change in the lightness of air around us.
I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I didn't want to get caught in the middle of the two adults. My father had a displeased look on his face while Stephanie ate her salad in silence.
"You're back," my dad acknowledged while I took my seat, "Long line?"
I sent him a tired smile, nodding, "Mhm."
He passed me the rest of his dish, which made my brows contour at the sight of some unknown meat. I looked up at him with confusion.
"Pulpo a la gallega," he attempted to pronounce its name, which I found a bit hilarious in my opinion, "Octopus. It was Stephanie's suggestion."
"Oh."
Not wanting to be rude, I picked up my fork and took a bite of the foreign dish. The idea of eating octopus was odd, but I wasn't surprised since we were eating in a fancy restaurant.
"How is it?" Stephanie asked, dabbing her lips with a napkin. Behind her, I saw Blair approaching and I felt my cheeks flame in memory of what happened not long ago.
"It's good." I answered her, truthfully. Her lips curled and nodded, taking a sip of champagne from her glass.
"Seeing as the night is still young, how would you two like to visit the mansion and have some tea?" Stephanie's invitation made me nearly choke on the food I was chewing.
Blair looked at her with knitted brows, "Isn't daddy coming home from his business trip in London?"
A small laugh came from Stephanie, and I quickly glanced at my dad who seemed to be alert at the mention of Blair's father. "Oh dear, he didn't tell you? He's rented a penthouse in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He no longer lives with us."
Blair's lips parted, a look of disbelief washing over her. For a moment, I pitied her. She seemed pretty upset at the news of her father but as if remembering our presence, she schooled her features and put on the Queen B demeanor I was familiar with.
"It's pretty late, Steph, and it is a school night. I don't think it's a good idea." my dad spoke for the both of us.
"Nonsense, I'll have Byron take you home. It's just tea, William." she told him, her tone getting more demanding. He sighed in defeat.
Once the bill was paid by Stephanie, we took separate rides on the way there. Their mansion was further from ours, in the east side of Belleview, where the richer families lived.
The gates were opened for us by two beefy men at the entrance. My dad looked tired and distressed, and I clasped a hand over his to ask if he was alright. He only gave me an assuring smile.
The Westwood household was larger than I expected. It looked like a modernized mansion in the Hamptons, making my jaw drop for the second time that night. The exterior alone was already grand, and I had no doubt the inside of it would be even grander.
The chauffeur, Byron, opened the door for us and led us inside. I was right. A large, what seemed like a Swarovski chandelier hung on the ceiling, lighting up the grand entryway.
We were greeted by a large man named Terrance. "Ms. Harrington awaits your presence in the tea room. There, I shall escort you."
The sound of heels on mahogany echoed through the walls. Descending down the staircase was Blair, still in her evening dress. "You may escort only Mr. Montgomery, Terrance. Whitney here will accompany me to my room."
My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and I stared at her wide-eyed.
Another smile etched on Blair's face as the man nodded. "Thank you, Terrance and enjoy your tea, Mr. Montgomery." My heart skipped a beat when she held out a hand for me to take.
I looked back at my father who smiled at me. Pure hesitation was written all over when I took her hand. Nervously, my feet begun making their way up the stairs.
I couldn't help but ask, "Where are we going?"
"Weren't you paying attention? I told you, my chambers."
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