Chapter two
"Darcy!"
Will looked around in with surprise of hearing his name. He had been watching the light dancing on the strands of hair that feel around Elizabeth Bennet's face. Will now realised the entire boardroom full of people was now looking towards him, including Lizzie who was giving he a questioning look, as she too was wondering why he had been looking at her hair. "Sorry, what was it you were saying" he asked quickly, straightening up and looking up at Edward.
"I asked what your vote for the advertising is." Ed said, sounding rather annoyed, though a small smile played across his face as he slowly turned from Will to Lizzie then down to the papers in front of him.
They had all just spent quite possibly the longest 30 minutes listening to some old man drone on about the need to have a full page of advertising for mobility scooters, which had lead Will to find great interest in Lizzie's hair, who happened to be seated just opposite him.
"No" he said looking quickly at Lizzie, then up the table to Edward "a full page, for a product that is aimed at less than 10% of our demographic, it's not worth it, we are a young magazine, and those reader who aren't so young, feel young for reading it, none of these marketing campaign work for the mag" looking down at his list of presentations they had seen. "Everyone wants a page in this magazine, so why not get something we want, something that will work for the magazine"
"Good point Will" Ed said, looking pleased "Well everyone what do we want in our magazine, full page remember" he said looking round the table "Fashion designer" someone said, "Resurant" someone else said "Ipad" came from the back "No, no, those are all to conventional, besides you all have your own sections for that, come one people" Ed said looking round the room hopelessly "We have to be original, cutting edge"
"How about New York" Lizzie said quietly.
"How do you mean" Will said looking up confused.
"Well" she said turning toward Ed, but not before giving Will an annoyed look. "We all live here, it's what makes this magazine what it is, but how much do we know about it, all those things that make New York what it is, its hidden treasures, we can collaborate small business adverting under one marketing campaign, and because the page is empty for a year, it can change every issue"
Everyone fell silent to see Ed's response. He did one loud clap, which made almost everyone jump. " and we are back!" he said happily jumping up from his chair and walking down the room to stand behind Lizzie, placing him hands on Lizzie's shoulder " ladies and gentlemen, this women right her" he said smiling round the room, while tapping Lizzie's shoulder lightly " this women, is a genius, I love it!" he said looking across from Lizzie" William, I don't know where you have been hiding her, but I understand why, Brilliant" he said walking back to sit down "Like I could control her" Will said under his breath, a comment which received a swift kick under the table from Lizzie, he was about to respond just as Ed said "Lizzie, you will be in charge of it, Will, that means it under you, that ok with you?"
Will, quickly trying to recover from the unexpected jolt to pain now coursing through his shin said "of course, not a problem"
"Wonderful" Ed said cheerfully "you two can just work together on that" Lizzie quickly cut him off, "Hold on" she said looking surprised "together? Ed I assure you, I am will and perfectly able to do this by myself, I really don't need any help" she finished looking across at Will. "Lizzie in know your capable" Ed said to her sympathetically "We simply have to have an editor working on something like this, and as Darcy here is your editor it's only fitting"
"Really Ed, Charlie could work with me on it" she said pleadingly, looking down the table to where Charlie was sitting, who currently had a bemused look upon his face. "No, no Lizzie, William and yourself always work so well together" he said with a smile, while a soft laughter moved through the room "your, how should I say it, conflicting options always create the best read, No its final your working together, don't worry Lizzie it will be fantastic" he said to end to conversation.
Ed had always found it so very amusing to watch the two of them work together, from there very first meeting "Wow is that the time, it's almost half eleven, well how about we have an early lunch then" he said getting up and leaving the room, followed slowly by the rest of the room. Lizzie quickly collected her things and walked out into the hallway,
"Gees, low blow Liz" Lizzie turned to see Charles Bingley walking out of the boardroom to walk with her. She tried to give a look of ignorance, which he only laughed off and continued "I mean I didn't know you wanted to work with me so much, though I must say I'm flattered but I really don't think I'm your man, he said cheekily. Lizzie turned and smiled at him and said sarcastically "I always want to work with you Charlie" turning more sober "And come on, Me and Darcy, working together, it's hardly a good idea, it bad enough he's my editor, but to have to make decision together, it's hardly a recipe for success" she said turning into her office, to put her things away
"Speaking of recipes" Charlie said happily leaning on the back of a chair "You should taste this issues desert recipe, it's all chocolate, and caramel and cream and hazelnuts and their all" Lizzie had to lean against her desk to support herself as she was laughing so much from watch Charlie's expressive hand actions while trying to explain the dessert.
Charlie was the food editor for the magazine, and it wasn't just his job, it was his life. He had a passion for food that always inspired Lizzie, and as she was quite a fan of food herself they often had many intense conversations about their mutual passion. Charlie looking up in surprise at the reaction to his gestures, quickly put his hands down behind his back sheepishly and said " so when are you coming over for dinner, I've been promising to cook for you forever, you must think I can't actually cook" Lizzie laughed while going to pick up her handbag to look for her phone "well why not soon, your right, you're going to have to prove yourself sometime" Charlie began to say "well I can't have you over anytime soon because" But he was interrupted by someone at the door "Bingley, there you are" It was Will. "Hey Will, Lunch?" Charlie asked, which got returned with a short nod, Charlie turned back to Lizzie "so Liz, what are you doing for lunch" he asked looking down at the handbag that was now in her hands "What to join us?" He said with a smile
Lizzie returned the smile "No thank you Charlie, I'm going down to meet Charlotte, for lunch, but thanks for the offer" she said picking up her keys.
"Oaky" Charlie said now standing in the door way, where Will had once been, who was now further down the hall. "I see you later than, have a good lunch"
Lizzie made her way down to the basement leave of the building, where the Fashion department was held, and was where her best friend Charlotte worked. Lizzie loved it down there, it was quiet, and she could surround herself with beautiful clothing, and of course get to talk to her best friend.
"Charlotte" Lizzie called, through the large Wardrobe. "Lizzie? Is that you? Hey I'm in the shoes" Charlottes muffled voice was heard calling back.
Lizzie found her on a step ladder trying to reach the top shelf for a large white box "you know, if you have too many shoes, you can always share them round" Lizzie said with a smile, leaning against one of the selves, with her arms crossed.
"Ha" charlotte said, stepping down from the ladder with the box in her hand "Like I don't do that enough already"
The two walked back toward the front of the wardrobe, where many manikins stood, wearing the coming up issues fashion shoot. Lizzie jumped up to sit on one bench while Charlotte played round with one of the dresses.
"so" charlotte said looking up from the manikin "you excited for tonight" Lizzie gave a laugh and said "oh yeah, I love sending my Monday nights hanging round with my work colleges "hey" charlotte said looking up again "I'll be there, oh and is Jane coming?". "Yeah, she just as excited as you, it would seem" Lizzie said swinging her legs "oh yeah, I need to get a dress, let's go shopping while we are on lunch"
"how about not!" Charlotte said, looking disgusted, "I'm not about to waste my lunch hour shopping, I want food. Just grab something out of here". "Really?" Lizzie said looking excited, jumping down to look at some dresses on the rakes closest.
"Please" Charlotte said with a smile "you were never going to buy a dress! I know you, this was your plan all along" Lizzie laughed as said in an evils voice "yes, and it worked so very well did it not?" she then moved down the wardrobe to look at more dresses "Why aren't you wearing one of Jane?" Charlotte asked.
"Their all under rap before the big launch" Lizzie said walking back to where charlotte was standing "can I wear this one?" She asked smiling.
"oh yes, one shoulder Fendi dress, yes I like, that blue is perfect for you, hmm and I thing a nice pair of Christian Louboutin peep toes will finish it off perfectly" she said as she drifted off into the wardrobe and returned holding a pair of black shoes.
"Wow", Lizzie said laughing "you sure know how to accessories a girl" she smiling
"of course" charlotte said putting the shoes down "what are friends for? Come one lets blow this Popsicle stand, I'm hungry, we must prepare for tonight with food" she said laughing "I have a feeling tonight is going to be a good one"