Gossip girl

"When you're young, secrets are fun. But the older you get, the more dangerous they become. And here on the Upper East Side, no one keeps a secret forever. XOXO, Gossip Girl."

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The Plot Thickens

I returned to the family office after brunch, watching the market shift on multiple screens. Small trades, strategic investments. Growing the Jain fortune slowly, quietly. I couldn't let the world suspect I knew more than I should. Patience was a virtue, and I was playing the long game.

Still, Serena's tension lingered in my mind, distracting me from the neat rows of numbers and market predictions. I knew something was brewing, and Gossip Girl never made idle threats.

Me (Text to Serena): "I know you want to handle this yourself. But you don't have to do it alone. I'm here."

She didn't reply right away, but I knew she'd read it.

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A Dangerous Liaison

Later that afternoon, Blair summoned me to her apartment with a cryptic message: "Come over. It's about Serena."

I arrived to find Blair pacing her pristine bedroom, designer clothes scattered like fallen soldiers.

"Tell me you know what's going on," she demanded, sharp as ever.

"I know Serena's hiding something," I admitted. "But it's not my secret to tell."

Blair stopped, her eyes narrowing. "You're protecting her."

"Of course I am," I said simply.

She stared me down for a long moment before sighing dramatically. "Fine. But if this explodes, I'm not cleaning up the mess."

"Noted," I said with a faint smile, knowing full well that Blair wouldn't be able to resist meddling.

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Secrets Unearthed

That evening, Serena finally texted back.

Serena: "Meet me at The Met steps. 8 PM. I need to talk."

When I arrived, she was already there, statuesque and beautiful, the cold air turning her breath to mist.

"Thank you for coming," she said softly.

"Always," I replied, sitting beside her.

She hesitated before speaking. "It's Gabriel. He's back. And I think... I think he might try to use something against me. Something from my past."

Ah. Gabriel. A walking, talking complication.

"What does he have on you?" I asked, keeping my voice calm and steady.

"I don't know exactly," she admitted, fear flickering in her eyes. "But if Gossip Girl knows, it won't stay hidden for long."

I took her hand, gently but firmly. "We'll handle it. Whatever it is. You're not facing this alone."

She exhaled, leaning her head against my shoulder, the tension in her body slowly easing.

---

The Calm Before the Storm

As we sat there, the city lights twinkling below, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Upper East Side was a chessboard, and everyone was making their moves.

I just had to make sure Serena and I stayed three steps ahead.

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"They say love conquers all... but on the Upper East Side, love is just another weapon. And you never know who's going to pull the trigger. Stay sharp, darlings. XOXO, Gossip Girl."