This was just an idea that came to me. Some things will be from the book and some will not but I promise you will adore this story! PS my Darcy doesn't look like the traditional Mr. Darcy;-)
CHAPTER ONE
WHO ARE YOU AGAIN
I once read a quote that said " To understand your parents love, you must raise children yourself". That quote must have been invented for my mother because I don't understand her way of parenting. I'm 20 years old and not looking for a boyfriend yet she is determined to find me and my oldest sister Jane husbands. Jane moved into her own apartment two months ago and I quickly moved in with her shortly after. Jane is not only my sister but she is also my best friend. I love her so much. My father was very happy for us to be living own our on but my mother not so much. She had numerous temper tandrums and continues to make us feel bad about every chance she gets.
My grandfather left my parents a beautiful home in San Francisco but that isn't enough for my mother. She wants to be rich and wants me and my sisters to marry rich as well. She runs with women who are living comfortable lives and it has given her the pull she needs to put Jane and I at many social events.
Money is just money to me. Nothing more and nothing less. Art is what moves me. My hands do things that amaze me. I can turn trash into art and I love that. My mother however doesn't and feels I should be modeling or doing something to get close to a rich man. Her way of thinking disgusts me. Her bad habits have rubbed off on my younger sister's Lydia and Kitty. They're boy crazy and she encourages it. My sister Mary is so educated and my mother pays her no attention. She even wants to play the piano but my mother will not give her any money for lessons and my father allows this nonsense to happen. I love him very much though and I believe he goes along with my mother to keep her happy. I'm not sure if that's the best way to handle the situation but that's how my family is. Very dysfunctional but I believe no family is perfect.
My mother's close friend Mrs. Lucas's has given us tickets for a movie primere tonight. Mrs. Lucas's husband owns a production company that is struggling but he has managed to release a movie that is promised to be a summer hit. Jane and I will attend with Charlotte, Mrs. Lucas's daughter and she is also one my closest friends. Jane is in her room getting prepped while Charlotte curls my hair. I look at her through the mirror and smile. Charlotte is 27 years old and looks great for her age. She's average height for a woman standing at 5'6 and very slim. Charlotte doesn't wear much makeup and so she is only wearing lip gloss and her thin long brown hair is pulled into a high ponytail. She's wearing a white Gucci mini dress with a billowing cape detail on the shoulders and a fitted skirt at the bottom. Charlotte finishes my hair and smiles. She looks at me through the mirror and winks.
"Lizzie you look beautiful." She gushes.
I look at my black long hair and it has been curled and flipped into a style similar to Farrah Fawcett's signature hair do. She did an amazing job.
"Wow Charlotte I love it." I turned to her and smiled. "Thank you."
Charlotte smiled and took a seat on my bed.
"Your welcome. So are you excited about the premier?"
I look at my hair once more before standing up. She really did do a good job. I look like a different person. I was going to get my hair cut but this hairstyle has changed my mind. I carefully step into my second hand Jimmy Choo's and smile at her.
"Yes I suppose I am." I reply.
Charlotte smiles and shakes her head.
"Lizzie the only thing that impresses you is art and a good meal."
Jane walks into my bedroom and the conversation comes to a halt. I know I'm beautiful and so is my younger sisters but Jane is in a league of her own. She's stands tall at 5'9 with a slim build. I'm curvier than my other sisters but that doesn't bother me. I love my curvy hips and small waist. It makes me unique and I stand out plus I'm short and so I'm sure if I was 5'9 I would be slim as well. Charlotte often calls me Kim K but I'm more along the lines of her sister Kourtney's shape. My butt isn't big but it isn't small either. Back to Jane. She's wearing a red Valentino floral mini dress that looks stunning on her. She's saved up 2 months for the dress and I can tell she is pleased with it. Her platinum blonde hair is pulled into a bun and she has on very little makeup. Her skin is glowing and I'm sure all eyes will be on her. Jane looks at me and smiles.
"Lizzie you look stunning. I love that dress on you and it showcases those curves you have."
I look down at my cream Herve Leger dress and frown. My mother brought it from some resale designer boutique and I hate it. I feel so exposed. Ive never worn anything so form fitting and it feels weird. I didn't want to offend my mom and so I took it but I should have put on something else on to wear to the premier. Whenever I wear tight clothes men go crazy and I don't like that kind of attention. My insecurities kick in and I cover my big chest. I look at Jane worriedly.
"Jane its to much maybe I should change."
Charlotte quickly stands up and walks to my window. She pulls back the curtain and smiles.
"Lizzie the limo is outside. You wont have time plus you look great. The men are going to go crazy when they see you and Jane. Are you wearing false lashes?' Charlotte asks.
Jane smiles at the question and shakes her head as she applies a light coat of lipstick to her thin perfectly sculpted lips.
"No Lizzie was born with two sets of eyelashes. Like the great Elizabeth Taylor." Jane says proudly.
"Wow I always thought you were wearing a set of falsies Lizzie. Lucky you." Charlotte says.
I groan and roam the room for my clutch. If I hear one of my family members tell that story one more time I am going to go crazy. Yes I love the fact that my eye lashes are super thick but the story is getting old. I find my clutch on my dresser and were off.
Charlotte's parents have arranged for a limo to pick us up and I am relieved. Charlotte's car is a two seater and Jane's is in the shop. I don't have one and don't need one. Traffic here is awful and the parking is super expensive. Most of the places I go to are in walking distance of our apartment and if its to far I will catch the bus or trolley. I have many options.
Once we get into the limo Jane and Charlotte began to talk about which celebrities they would like to see while I gaze out the window. The premiere is in Los Angeles and it takes 5 hours to get there from San Francisco. Jane wasn't able to get off of working the night shift at her job yesterday and so we couldn't get a room in LA like we planned.
I watch the cars pass us on the freeway and I kick my shoes off. My dress is already super tight, I can at least protect my feet from hurting. I close my eyes and slowly drift off.
We arrive at 8 pm and I'm well rested. My body is energized and my feet will survive the six inch Jimmy Choo's I put them back in. A lazy smile spreads across my face and Jane smiles at me. She never says much but her actions speak volumes. She is a very kind hearted person. She even volunteers at the shelter near the gym she works out at on Saturdays.
We quickly exit the car and is ushered into the theater. I spot a few celebrities as we take our seat. The movie starts out slow but quickly picks up the pace. Its about a secret agent who is framed for murdering his family and has to prove he is innocent. Not very original I must admit but it is good and the lead actor is a cutie.
The movie ends two hours later with a standing ovation from the crowd. Everyone seems to like it including me. Charlotte looks over at me as light begins to fill the dark room and I can see the hope in her face. Hope that this film does well. Hope that it will be the comeback her father has been praying for. We sit in our seats for a moment waiting for the crowd to simmer down before trying to exit. Charlotte looks over at me and smiles. I see hope in her eyes. Hope for record breaking ticket sales and I believe this movie could just do that. It has just the right amount of suspense and action to pull it off. I touch her arm and smile.
"Charlotte the movie was great."
"Yes it was." Jane says nodding her head in agreement with me.
"Thank you guys I'm so happy you liked it. Are you two ready?"
I look around the theatre and its nearly empty. I nod and stand up. We leave the theater and get back into the limo. We are then taken to the beautiful Ritz-Carlton hotel were the after party is being held. Charlotte leads the way as we walk into the Ballroom. Celebrities are everywhere and I feel a little out of place. Jane and Charlotte are going crazy but I don't see what the big deal is. Their human beings like every else. Charlotte takes us to a table where her mother is seated and we sit down. Charlotte's mother is wearing a beautiful black cocktail dress and a warm smile. She's always been so nice to me despite her love-hate relationship she has with my mother.
"Girls you all look stunning. Did you like the movie?" She asks.
We all smile and nod our heads. She looks at me and winks her eye.
"Especially you Lizzie. That figure you have is amazing. I love it." She says.
"Thank you, you look lovely as well."
"So where is your mother?" She asks.
"At home sick." Jane says.
I look at Jane and roll my eyes. Our mother couldn't get the gown that she wanted and so she refused to come. She can be a bit dramatic at times. Charlotte's father walks to the table with two young men and I look up. They both look very young and very different. One is thin and tall with sandy blonde unruly hair and bright blue eyes. The other is tall as well with long dark locks coming to his shoulder and he has a muscular build. His hazel eyes are cold and un welcoming yet I cant look away. His slanted eyes and full lips make up his perfectly chiseled triangular shaped face. He has no facial hair and that only adds to his sex appeal. The long hair is really doing it for me. He looks like a rocker but his demeanor says more. Like he is somebody important. I would say a politician if he didn't have the long locks. He's head is held high and his brows are furrowed. He doesn't look like he wants to be here. Mr. Lucas takes a seat and so do the two men.
"Ladies these are some of my business associates. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley. Fellows you've met my daughter and these are her friends; Jane and Elizabeth." He says.
Charles smiles and looks at all of us. His eyes lock in on Jane and I can see Cupid's arrow hitting his chest.
"It's a pleasure to meet you ladies and I'm very honored to meet you Jane." He says with a deep British accent.
I look at Jane and smile. She's her usual resvered self. A soft smile but I can tell she is thinks he's cute. Fitzwilliam looks at us and nods. How rude? How hard was it for him to say hello" I frown and he looks at me. I make no effort to turn away. I want him to know that his lack of manners are not acceptable. I sit up in my seat and smile.
"I'm Elizabeth and you are?" I say to him.
If he will not speak to me by choice I will make him do it by force.
He frowns and his thick brows shoot up. I believe my smirk is pissing him off. He clears his throat and looks at me.
"I'm Fitzwilliam. It's a pleasure to meet you young ladies." He says in a deep throaty British accent.
I quickly look away to hide my blush. He is the most intruging man I have ever met.
"Jane do you live in Los Angeles?" Charles asks.
Jane smiles and shakes her head. He waits for her to speak but she doesn't. Bless her she has the beauty of a supermodel but lacks social skills. Charles turns his attention to me.
" So where do you live Elizabeth?"
I smile and look at him ignoring Fitzwilliam's penetrating gaze he has on me. His energy is spilling over into me and I feel drawn to him. It's a struggle to keep my gaze on Charles.
"Jane and I live in San Fransico. She works and I attend art school" I reply.
Fitzwilliam face softens.
"Are you and artist?" He asks.
I look at him and smile.
"Well yes, if I wasn't I would be in college for something else."
Jane hits my leg under the table and I smile. He's very arrogant and I suspect he's rich. If he thinks he can come to this table and act snobbish then I can bring him back down to size. Fitzwilliam frowns and stands up.
"Ladies please excuse me."
He walks off and I watch him. His stride is powerful and his stature commands attention. Everyone he passes looks at him. Why does he have to be so arrogant? I roll my eyes and look at Jane.
"Lizzie do you like him?" She asks in a low voice. Her eyes wide in disbelief. "Well do you?"
I quickly shake my head and Charlotte arches her brow.
"Why I never thought I would see the day." Charlotte teases.
I ignore them and look at Charles. His eyes are fixed on Jane as he chats with Mr. Lucas. I look around the room for Fitzwilliam and I see him talking to a beautiful blonde. She's tall and thin and looks a lot like Charles. I look at him and smile.
"Is that your sister, Fitzwilliam is talking to?" I ask.
He turns and looks at Fitzwilliam. He nods his head and smiles at me.
"Yes that is. My sister Caroline is her for work. In L.A I mean. She is a model and has just landed a contract with Victoria's Secret." He replies.
Just great. That's why he didn't want to speak to us. He only hangs with models. Go figure.
"Their just friends." He says and winks at me.
Jane hits my leg playfully and I try my best to hide my smile. Fitzwilliam and Caroline join us at the table minutes later and she is even more arrogant than him. After wiping the seat with several napkins she finally sits down. She smiles at Charles and speaks to Mr. and Mrs. Lucas. She doesn't even acknowledge me, Charlotte or Jane. After chatting with Charles she looks at me and smiles.
"Why you have the most beautiful blue eyes and your lashes. Their so thick." She says with her accent dripping off her tongue.
Jane opens her mouth and I step on her foot. No story tonight Jane. She giggles and Charles looks at her. His eyes are big and filled with hearts like in the cartoon.
"Would you like to dance?" He asks.
Jane nods and stands up. They walk to the dance floor hand in hand. I watch with delight. Caroline looks at Fitzwilliam and smiles.
"This crowd is rather dull. Would you like to go with me to a party in Beverly Hills?" She asks.
He shrugs his shoulders and looks over at me. Caroline looks at me and smiles.
"Unless something is keeping you here." She says and stand up.
He stares at me saying nothing. His brows furrowed and his lips pressed tightly together. He's in deep thought but I don't know why. Caroline taps him on his shoulder and he breaks the gaze. He looks up and frowns. Does this man ever smile.
"Fitzwilliam are you coming?" She asks with an attitude.
He nods and stands up. He says goodbye to the Lucas's and Charlotte. He walks around the table to me and looks down. The pull he has on me has tightened so much I can barely breathe. He holds out his hand and I place mine in his.
"Elizabeth it was a pleasure meeting you. You are different." He says and frowns.
He lets go of my hand and walks off with a giggling Caroline. Different. Different! What the hell does that mean! I shake my head and Charlotte smiles at me.
"Lizzie he likes you." She says.
I look at her as if she is crazy. He just told me I was different that is not a complement.
"He was caught of guard by how different I am but he does not like me." I say jokingly to make myself smile.
Mrs. Lucas looks at me and smiles.
"Men are like that dear. They say one thing and mean another. He likes you and if he's lucky you will like him back."
I sit back in my seat and sigh. I feel drained and confused. He took all my energy with him and I fear I wont get it back until I see him again. I make small talk with Charlotte but my thoughts are of him. I try my best to push him out of my mind so I can enjoy the rest of my night. I'm sure he is not thinking about me.