A few days later. On the streets. Downtown.
Serena and i were walking down the streets. She was escorting me since Carter wanted to meet me downtown.
Me "So you caught Dan and Georgina? Are you serious?"
She nodded "yep"
Me "That's pretty disgusting"
She nodded "Yep"
Me "how do you feel about that?"
she shrugged "what do you want me to feel? i mean, he's single, so"
I nodded.
Serena "you seem happy since you started dating Carter"
I nodded "i am happy"
Serena "is it because Chuck isn't currently available?"
I shoved her a little and she giggled.
Serena "i'm kidding"
Me "you know, i think i just like assholes"
Suddenly i got pulled into someone's arms and giggled.
I smiled and threw my arms over his neck "hey"
Serena chuckled "Hey, Carter. "
He nodded "Serena"
Serena "have fun"
Then she left.
Carter kissed me and i kissed him back.
Me "why are we meeting downtown? what's the big surprise?"
Carter "I've been staying at the Downing. What do you say to a weekend of room service and fluffy robes?"
I raised an eyebrow "As much as i would love to. I mean, can you afford a hotel? i thought your parents cut you off"
Carter "When there's a white fluffy robe, there's a way. "
I laughed at his seriousness.
Carter "Unless you have plans tonight"
I shook my head "Well, not me, but maybe we? There's this family thing tonight, an auction, but i thought tha-"
Suddenly a blonde girl walked to us "Carter?"
I raised an eyebrow at her.
girl "Aubrey"
He had no idea who she was. I hid my smirk.
Aubrey "we met at Brandy Library last month? you have no idea who i am, do you?"
Carter shook his head "no. But probably because i wasn't at Brandy Library last month. "
She laughed "okay. so i guess i had sec with another Carter Baizen who drinks his single malt with one ice cube and claimed to be leaving with the Peace Corps the next day"
My face dropped and i crossed my arms over my chest.
Carter "sounds like a charming fellow"
Then she slapped him and left.
I raised an eyebrow "Mistaken identity"
He nodded "obviously. You know i take my Scotch neat"
I rolled my eyes.
Carter "i have no idea who that woman is. that's-"
He put a hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him "-hey, that's not me anymore"
I nodded "okay"
Carter "What about tonight? you were gonna ask me something?"
Me "You know, it was--it was nothing-i'll call you later"
Then i turned around to leave but he grabbed my arm and turned me to him.
I asked annoyed "what? Carter"
Carter "Fla-"
I shook my head"no. Let me tell you this, I'm not gonna let this turn into the same bullshit that happened the last time you and i were dating. the second i feel history repeating itself we are done. "
He shook his head "it won't"
I nodded "i hope that, for your sake, Cart"
He smiled "Calm down, doll. Now, tell me what you wanted to ask me?"
Me "I wanted to invite you to the Sotheby's auction tonight"
He nodded, smiling "i'd love to"
At the Downing hotel.
I walked down to the hotel reception and saw Carter arguing with the receptionist.
Carter shook his head looking at paper "i didn't order any of this. Three bottles of '95 Dom reserve. You kidding? i'm not paying for that"
i asked confused "what's going on?"
Carter "four-star hotels aren't what they used to be. That's what's going on"
He grabbed me by my waist and walked a few steps away from the reception.
Me "Hey, if you need to use my card, you can. you should at least pay for room service"
He shook his head "i didn't order room service. "
I shot him an amused look "Carter"
Carter looked at me surprised "you don't believe me. You didn't with that woman this morning, and you don't now"
I nodded "i do now"
Carter nodded "You're an amazing poker player a shame that i can tell when you lie"
Me "I wanna believe you changed, Carter, but you are making it hard"
Carter "if you don't trust me then what are we doing?"
I looked down "I'm not sure"
At the auction.
I got out of the limo with Chuck and we walked to Blair and Serena who were standing in front of the building, talking.
Chuck "hey"
The girls turned to me.
Chuck "My Bottegas. Where are they?"
Yeah, apparently Chuck and Blair are at war with each other over a painting.
Blair "Consider them as prisoners of war. They'll be released when i have the photograph. and don't think you can distract me with another ounce of Dom."
Then she and Serena walked inside.
Chuck turned to me, smirking.
Me "what?"
Chuck "Where's your sidekick. It's probably best. This place doesn't accept IOUs. "
I rolled my eyes "Chuck"
Chuck "i just don't wanna pick the pieces he broke, Fla. I hope you haven't forgotten the last time. Because i don't think you can handle another break down"
I glared at him and we both walked inside.
---
The auction had started and we were all sitting ready. Serena and i were siting in the back while the couple was in the front.
Auctioneer "First up, lot number one is the Patrick McMullan. and i'll start the bidding at $3500. "
People started to raise their hands.
Auctioneer "Thirty-six, .....37,..........38,.....39,.....40....41,....42.....43,...44. $5000....51,....52 on the telephone,.....53,........54......55. $6000..65....$7000....71.....74...."
I raised my sign when i saw Blair and Chuck arguing. They were distracted.
The Auctioneer "sold for 7500 to 915. Thank you very much"
Chuck and Blair shot their heads in my direction.
I winked at them, pissed off.
They weren't happy at all and neither was i.
Night.
Chuck walked over to me "Princess, what are you doing?"
I crossed my arms over my chest "What are you doing sabotaging Carter?"
He looked at me confused.
Me " Three bottles of '95 Dom on his hotel room service bill. One of Blair's favorites, if i recall"
Chuck "so i started a stealth campaign to destroy his credibility. Room-service bill ,the girl on the street. "
I asked confused "why?"
Chuck "to protect you, Fla. All Carter cares about is himself. When we ran him out of town six months ago he traded his Dubai ticket for Greece. "
I froze "Greece?"
Chuck "Spent the next few months checking in and out of every resort from there to Fiji. He only came back because he was broke"
I sighed "he went looking for him. "
Chuck asked confused "who?"
Me "my father. i found out he was getting remarried two years ago in Santorini. "
Chuck "finally, what happened in Santorini?"
Me "I wanted to see him, but i didn't want anyone to know...so i went to Carter. He said he had access to a boat. When the police picked us up on the way to the wedding i realized "access" meant "stolen". He promised he'd make it up.I had no idea he's been looking for my father himself. "
Chuck "and did he find him?"
Me "you know, i have to go. Do me a favor and don't say anything to Serena, thanks"
Then i left.
----
I was leaning against one of the tables, looking at the photo had bought.
Chuck walked to me "I'm sorry, Flavia. But it's still Carter. Are you sure it's worth the risk?"
I turned to him "i don't know, you tell me. You and Blair are two of the most self-centered, damaged people i know. And somehow two wrongs make one big twisted right. You don't think it was worth the risk?"
Then i handed Chuck the photo "here. You know what to do with this"
Next day. Morning. At the apartment.
I was waiting by the elevator for Carter to show up. I had invited him over to breakfast with the family.
The elevator doors opened and Carter walked out.
I smiled "hey, i'm glad you came"
Carter "what do you want?"
Me "it was Chuck and Blair. The girl on the street, your room service, credit card"
He nodded"yeah, i sort of put that together yesterday"
I asked confused "you did?"
He nodded "When it comes to an eye for an eye, Chuck's a man of the cloth. Plus having spent so much time with Blair the '95 Dom was kind of a tell"
I asked confused "why didn't you say anything?"
Carter nodded "i did. i told you it wasn't me. I'm no saint, Flavia, If you're looking for the first excuse to bolt, trust me, you're gonna find one. For my sake, i figured sooner was better than later. "
I kissed him and shook my head "I'm not looking for an excuse anymore"
Carter "Who says the offer is still on the table?"
I smirked "You wouldn't dare ruining a chance of having fun with me"
he smirked.
Me "come on. Will you eat breakfast with my family?"
I offered him my hand and he took it, smiling.
Then we walked over to the dinning room. Everyone was preparing for breakfast.
I smiled "hey, we're gonna need an extra seat"
Eric walked over to us and shook Carter's hand "Feels like the old times"
Carter chuckled, nodding "it does"
Rufus called out "Fresh crepes"
I smiled as Carter pulled me closer to him.