Welcome to Pemberly-
Chapter 1
Lizzie's heart acted out furiously at the sight of it.
What's he going to think of me barging in on his company after all the insults and rejection I put him through?
She straightened up and smoothed her skirt out as she glared at the vast building that read Pemberly Agency in elegent cursive words. They reminded her of Darcy's handwriting in the letter he had given her. The thought of the letter that still made her feel sick with guilt. Why couldn't she make up an excuse to professor Gardner that she didn't have time to visit Pemberly media agency? I mean, did she really need to evaluate his company anyway?
It's not that successful, she tried to convince herself of the blatant falsehood.
She took a deep breath of cold morning air, looking up at the coal colored, glossy, building that seemed to brush the heavens with its height. She was reminded of Jane's comment of Darcy's stature. "Darcy's tall." Apparently, so was his main company building. That's the way Darcy was about everything in his life, it had to be correlated, relational, and parallel to create a theme of organization.
Okay, lizzie, you need to evaluate all the companies in the greater area to have a thorough background support for your thesis. Just do it. He probably won't be there anyway. He's probably traveling, having another business meeting.
After much hesitation, she wrote down Pemberly, in her moleskin reporting notebook. She pushed through the glass doors into the lobby. It was insanely expensive and modern looking. Although modern and up to date, everything had remnants of vintage decorum. Of course Darcy would have antiques, he was a hipster type after all. She eyed a Victorian Steinway piano. Vintage typewriters, telephones, telegraphs, and even a gramophone player were displayed strategically in individual glass tower cases on black granite pillars; the spotlights highlighting them. It was like a museum for the progression of mass media. Lizzie was intrigued. She was always fond of typewriters.
Was that an original Oliver Typewriter? A 1st model too? They only made 5,000 of those!
Lizzie glided along the artifacts slowly, savouring the intricacies of each artifact. She had to admire how carefully kept the antiques were. Obviously Darcy knew the importance of the artifacts because of how gently kept they were. Maybe he could be gentle with people as well, if she had gotten to know him better. It was too late for that now.
"Admiring our Oliver typewriter?" A middle-aged brunette haired women in horn rimmed glasses broke her reverie.
"Yes, excuse me for loitering around here. I was just admiring the collection." Lizzie spoke feverishly, her nerves of being in Darcy's company building coming back to her after her calm visit to the mini museum.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy is very fond of collecting. He is very fond of keeping historical pieces in the lobby. People of his generation aren't very quick to appreciate the media antiques but he isn't like most other men of his age group. I would say, he is one of a rare class."
Why did Darcy have such depth in his character? The idea irked Lizzie to no end. Why couldn't he be like George, obsessing over stupid things like claiming the identity of batman, and picking up chicks? Darcy was obviously too refined for such insipid things. His refinement simultaneously annoyed and impressed Lizzie.
"How long have you worked here? Do you like it here?"
"I've never had a better boss in all my life. I've been here for 20 years. I worked for Mr. Darcy's father before he died five years ago. He is so like his father. So generous and kind; always so concerned about the employees and making sure our working benefits are plentiful."
"Sounds like a great boss." Lizzie admitted.
"Oh, he's wonderful! He is rather reserved when first you meet him but underneath that is a very kind heart. You know, when my sister was going through chemo, he let me have a month off work to take care of her properly. He even took time out of his busy schedule to visit. He put out more than what was needed of his personal funds to help us pay for her treatment. I was so touched. Oh, look at me, jabbering and not even knowing your name or your cause for being here! I'm so sorry my dear."
Lizzie smiled faintly, guilt ridden.
"Oh no, it's totally fine. I like to hear about working conditions of the companies I research, it gives me a broader perspective on how the media company functions. I'm Elizabeth Bennet, I'm a mass communications graduate. I sent you an email, on me touring the facility to gain information about this company for my graduate project. "
"Oh yes! I remember! We'll have to get you set up here. I'll call up one of our associates to give you the needed tour. Any of our employees should be ready for you!"
Lizzie asked one more question that was burning at the back of her mind since she got there. She stuttered.. "Is… is your boss here?"
"Unfortunately no, he is in a meeting in New York city with one of our PR agencies."
"Oh. That's alright, I'll just get that tour then."
Lizzie felt a mix of relief and strange anxiety. Lizzie for some odd reason, had this desire to be near Darcy but it was better to stay focused on her project. Afterall, she had enough stress to deal with having Darcy's vividly blue beady eyes looming over her.