The Spectator

Chapter 6: A Plebe at an Upper East Side Soiree

     Nate wasn't necessarily looking forward to Blair's dinner party. With everything going on with the app, all he wanted to do was stay home after work. But he got dressed and headed over punctually anyway, knowing that Blair's wrath would be endless if he didn't.

     "Nathaniel, so glad you could finally find time to visit your friends," Chuck told him as he gave him a thump on the back.

     "Yes, it's been absolutely ages since you came over," Blair agreed, giving him a hug.

     "Yeah, I know. I'm so sorry, you know how busy I've been," Nate replied guiltily. He really hadn't been as present with the non-judging breakfast club these past few months, but he felt especially bad because Henry, Chuck and Blair's son, was his godson. "But I've got a present for Henry--."

     "A present for me?" Henry appeared as though out of thin air at the mention of a gift. Nate chuckled and knelt to ruffle the kid's hair.

     "Yep, but you've got to promise to be careful with it," He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small box which Henry immediately tore into.

     "A compass? This is so cool!"

     "This is the first one I ever used when I started sailing. I'm giving it to you so that you can help navigate us next time we take 'Ol Skipper for a spin."

     "Thank you, Uncle Nate!" The child gave him a squeeze. Behind Nate, the elevator doors dinged open. Henry's attention was immediately stolen.

     "Look at her dress, mommy!" He told his mother, who looked up to see an olive skinned, brunette beauty step out of the elevator... wearing one of her designs.

     Blair would have recognized it anywhere. Straight from her most recent fall ready-to-wear collection, it was one of the simplest evening pieces she'd ever designed. She'd been extremely hesitant about it, but she'd been dying to try something minimalistic yet classic— new-age Audrey Hepburn. The sleek black dress hit mid-calf, a slit cut thigh high exposing just the right amount of leg. The neckline was a work of art, one dainty strap juxtaposing the triangle that ran up the opposite shoulder. It might have been too dressy except she paired it with a pair of heeled, brown sandals and the daintiest of gold earrings. Interesting choices. It wasn't how she'd envisioned the dress but... Blair approved.

     Nate, who'd stood up and turned around to see what Henry was going on about, barely recognized Ella as she hung up her coat. He'd never seen her dressed this way. In fact, after that first interview, he couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her in a skirt. She'd set her dark hair free of its perpetual ponytail so that it fell down softly around her face in glossy waves. And her skin... revealed from under it's usual soft shell of knitwear, it looked smooth and utterly golden against the sharp lines of her dress.

     Ella paused, noticing the group of people looking in her direction. She gave a little awkward wave at Nate, who snapped out of his momentary shock.

     "Ella! What are you doing here?" He approached her, abandoning the Bass clan. Ella took in the sight of him walking towards her in a gorgeous navy blue suit that made his eyes look aquamarine. She swallowed hard, trying not to let his appearance awe her.

     "Oh, uh, Serena invited me... is she here yet?" She scanned the room hopefully.

     "Not yet, but she should be here soon," Blair swooped in, good hostess as she was. "You must be...?"

     "Ella Vazquez, and you're Blair Waldorf-Bass. It's an honor to meet you, I'm a big fan of your work," Ella extended a hand which Blair shook. It seemed a fitting way to greet the prominent young businesswoman.