"Who knew wedding planning involved so much corporate espionage prevention," Blair grumbled, kicking her shoes off as she beelined straight for the kitchen, "Want anything?"

"Something stronger than water would be nice," Ezra breathed, equally exhausted.

"You two act like you walked away from a battlefield," Blaise cackled, following Ezra through the door and closing it with his hip before all but skipping to the couch.

Both Blair and Ezra aimed a pointed look of 'don't start' at the man - after all, he was the one that made it take twice as long as it needed to.

"Oooh, synchronized evil glares," Blaise snickered, "You two really are a match made in Heaven."

"Can I kill him?" Blair asked Ezra, looking at him deadpan, "Or at least torture him a little? It only feels fair."

"As long as he can manage my calendar and emails tomorrow, be my guest," Ezra grunted, flopping down beside Blaise on the couch as he loosened his tie.

"Look how easily he throws me aside for his woman," Blaise sighed dramatically, "Betrayal at its finest."

"I swear to God," Blair grumbled, carrying three lowball glasses - each with a couple ice cube floating in the orange liquid, "Here. Shitty gin with orange juice, on the rocks."

"We really need to improve your liquor selection," Ezra chuckled, accepting the glass even as he mentally prepared for what he knew was a terrible drink.

"It can't be that shitty if you're whipping it out to drink away your troubles," Blaise said optimistically.

A sip, choke, and sputter later - along with matching laughs from Ezra and Blair - his grumbling finally matched the tone of the other two in the room.

"You're the Ward heiress!" he scowled, glaring at the offending liquid, "Why in the hell are you drinking paint thinner doused in orange juice?!"

Blair chuckled, shaking her head and ignoring Blaise's complaints - Ezra had already given her permission to torture the man. As far as she was concerned, this was the nicest torture she could have provided.

At least he got a buzz out of it.

"So, we have a few more wedding details to finalize, some reservations to make, and some stuff to buy - but the plan is solid and most of that work can be forced onto Blaise's plate."

She smirked as she threw a side-eye at a now glaring Blaise.

"That means," she continued, her smile falling as her gaze returned to Ezra, "the next real focus is your grandfather. I'm assuming without his blessing this is all pointless?"

"More or less," Ezra said seriously, nodding in acknowledgment of their first, real obstacle, "If he doesn't give us his blessing, the point of my looking for a contract marriage is moot. It's the shares, ultimately, that I need, and it is only if he approves that he'll transfer them to me instead of my sister."

Blair nodded, understanding his perspective from their previous conversations. It's why the contract they signed only takes effect if they get married - without his grandfather's blessing, there would be no marriage and the contract would be meaningless.

"So, how are we doing this?" Blair asked, sitting back and propping her leg up to try and relieve the ever-present ache - if only just a little.

"My grandfather isn't someone I can really prepare you for," Ezra admitted, furrowing his brow slightly at the truth of it, "It's simply a test you must pass. That said, I can give you some insight into him as a person."

Blair nodded, adjusting slightly until she was comfortably positioned on the couch. Ezra and Blaise both eyed her carefully, aware that she had pushed herself too far this past week.

Blaise shot Ezra a meaningful look, but Ezra ignored it entirely.

"My grandfather is basically a human sincerity detector," Ezra said, leaning back in the armchair he'd decided was his favorite seat in the sitting room, "Trying to play it fake or be someone else to impress him isn't going to work. He will know if you're putting on a façade to get into his good graces."

"Do that and he'll hate you instantly," Blaise added, smirking at Blair's nonchalant shrug that screamed that she didn't disagree with the old man's perspective.

"It's true," Ezra confirmed, "He's not looking for some submissive yes-man, and he's not irritated by people having differing opinions. No, there are only two things that truly ruin his opinion of you."

Ezra paused for a moment, holding Blair's curious gaze before adding, "Stupidity and fakeness."

"Your grandfather and I are going to get along, aren't we?" Blair mused, her smirk growing on her face.

"Definitely," Blaise cackled, taking a sip of his drink - clearly having forgotten what was in the glass.

It was quickly followed by a series of cough-broken curses that left Blair wheezing in laughter.

After catching her breath, the smile faded from Blair's face and she turned to look at Ezra for a long moment.

"You know, if he doesn't approve," Blair sighed, looking out the window and over the terrace at the city, "I'm going to have to run. To disappear again. That article put my face out there and my mother will see it, if she hasn't already. I'm... taking a huge risk on this, Ezra."

Ezra's face turned stern just as Blaise's did, and they exchanged a look before refocusing on Blair.

"He'll approve, Blair," Ezra said seriously, "He'll love you. Just be yourself, and everything will be just fine."

Ezra silently swore to himself that his grandfather would bend one way or another regardless. It was his requirement to find someone in three months - Ezra would be damned if he went through all this and put Blair at risk to meet his demands, only for him to refuse Ezra's choice.

No, one way or another Blair would be his wife - he was certain of that.

Ezra had no delusions about the fact that he'd landed the jackpot with her. It was like fate had handed him the perfect business partner on a silver platter - he'd be damned if anything got in the way now.

"If he doesn't," Blair pressed, unaware of Ezra mental promises, "I may need help disappearing. A new identity, at the very least. Starting over isn't the hard part. It's doing it without being found."

"I have the means of making that happen," Ezra acknowledged, "Though it won't be necessary."

Blair sighed, nodding absentmindedly as she considered escaping overseas for a while if it became truly necessary. She'd done it before, after all. This time at least she knew what she was doing.

"When do I meet him?"

"Tonight," Ezra said seriously, "Before he sees the article and starts asking questions. He will see it, and soon. We face this head on - it's the only way."

"No pressure," Blair chuckled humorlessly, "Do we tell him about the attack?"

"Not yet," Ezra shook his head, "We'll have to eventually, of course, but tonight the focus is on the basics. We already knew each other, we reconnected by happenstance at work recently, and rekindled what we once had. Just like we discussed. Then, we reveal the truth of who you are."

"And you pass his test," Blaise added, his voice a bit hoarse from the drink but otherwise serious.

"Great," Blair clapped sarcastically, "Easy then. Lie, despite sucking at it, then a truth to cover it up... and be my usual, totally lovable self. No problem."

Blaise and Ezra both chuckled quietly, both thoroughly believing it really would be that easy. Blair might not know it yet, but the truth was she was exactly the kind of straightforward smartass that Ezra's grandfather would love.

"Well, since that part is sorted," Blaise agreed, ignoring Blair's flat look, "Let's talk about what you're going to wear!"

"Oh no..." Blair grimaced immediately, already afraid of where Blaise's evil smirk was leading them.

"Oh yes!" Blaise nodded excitedly, whipping his phone out, "I've already got the perfect dress for you picked out! It'll be here soon! We'll glam you up properly to make a real impression!"

"Ezra," Blair whined, looking at him with a pleading look, "You said not to fake it! Let me wear a suit!"

"Oh come on," Blaise complained, giving her a pair of puppy dog eyes that could melt anyone else - but had absolutely no effect on the woman.

Jake had toughened her against such looks long, long ago.

"Pants," Ezra said firmly, "The snacks from the weekend were enough to last a month."

Blaise sighed pitifully, pouting as he made several swiping motions on his phone.

"I already ordered it though," he muttered, slumping forward in disappointment.

"Save it for the gala," Ezra shrugged, "She'll need dresses. Just not for tonight."

"Gala?!" Blair gasped in horror.

"We can talk about that later," Ezra waved dismissively, "You knew they were in your future. This was once your world, so you know how this works."

He glanced at her with a side-eye before adding, "but I'll treat you to snacks after."

Blair tilted her head back and glared at the ceiling.

"I hate galas."

"I know," Ezra chuckled, "Focus on tonight."

"Come on," Blaise sighed, "Let me at least see what I have to work with."

Blair dragged herself to her feet, suppressing a flinch as her leg protested, and led the grumpy man toward her closet - swearing that she was going to make this as painful for him as it was for her.

After all, it was only fair.

--

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