Author's Notes: Almost three months this time. Yes, I do actually beat myself up about the delays and keep records but always end up procrastinating over everything. Do you realise this fic is a year and some weeks old? It's a miracle I've stuck to it for so long, to be honest. Let me just throw it out there that if over six months pass and I don't post? Feel free to bug me as much as you like. Or you can do that otherwise too. :P Anyway, here you are.

Disclaimer: Not mine.


Chapter 7 – The Not-So-Ugly-And-Mean Step Sisters

'Where to next, Maam?' the driver asked her.

'The apartment,' she replied and leaned back into the leather seat. She closed her eyes and tried to rest her mind but all she could think about was the deal she had made. She had been a bit unsure but had tried to not let it show and had succeeded.

It was the biggest deal of her life and she was quite sure that her Dad would be quite proud of her and Uncle Ed too. She couldn't wait to go to the office and inform them of the latest development.

She grinned. It was quite amazing- this feeling of achievement. For the first time she had been handling a project completely on her own, no interferences from either her Dad or Uncle Ed. She had managed to make the right decisions so far and had signed this contract with a very important company. Now she hoped everything would go on great in the future too.

0o0o0

Jane mutters a soft 'thank you' to the butler who opens the door for her and enters the restaurant, Gia and Kate following her. The two have been talking to each other continuously throughout the drive there and even now, Jane slipping in tidbits at times.

She looks at Gia with a smile, mentally applauding her for genuinely not being annoyed at Kate's nonstop chatter. Instead, she seems quite interested in what Kate has to say.

Gia raises her hand, and, shockingly, Kate shuts up. She then calmly inquires about the Darcy table and they are led there. Jane looks at the three men sitting around the table. She recognises the dark haired, grey eyed man with the chiseled facial features as Georgiana's brother - the famous Wilhelm Darcy. Next to him is a red head with blue, twinkling eyes, all smiles - Charles Bingley. The third man has thick, wavy, brown locks and grey eyes – the same as Mr Darcy's – Jane realises, she doesn't know her name never having seen her before face to face or on magazine covers.

The men immediately rise when they see the new arrivals, gallantly pulling out a chair for each of the ladies, pleasing Jane. The introductions are made – the third man is Richard, Mr Darcy's cousin – and everyone sits down. The waiter arrives and menus are handed around, dishes chosen and the order given. They break into two groups and conversations start.

'Congratulations, O-Mighty-Will! Which gold mine have you tapped open now?' Kate asks, smiling widely.

Though Will is shocked, still not quite used to his sister's friend's brash manner of speaking, his face does not betray the emotion. 'Thank you. I signed the deal today with B&G Co.' he says formally.

Kate, drinking champagne from the flute in front of her, chokes on it.

'B&G Company? As in, Bennet and Gardiner?'

Will replies in affirmative.

'And who represented the company? I mean, who signed the papers?' Kate inquires and Will wonders why exactly the girl is so inquisitive.

'Miss Bennet did,' he answers.

Kate remains quiet for a couple of minutes and it is now Will who is curious as to where the questions are leading to. 'You mean Elizabeth Bennet?' she finally says.

Will nods his head, even more confused now when Gia gasps.

'Wow,' his sister whispers.

'Okay. Now could you tell me what exactly is going on?' Will asks, now a bit annoyed.

'Nothing, nothing,' Kate says, shooting a look at Gia which he is sure means something but he cannot figure out what. It is surprising since he can read the expressions of any employee.

'So,' Kate continues, 'how did you like her? Did she drool over you too?'

'I do not give an opinion on people I have met only once,' Will says and Kate lets out a peal of laughter. 'And no, she did not, as you put it, drool over me.'

'I bet,' Kat mutters and laughs again. Just as Will is about to ask her what exactly that comment meant, she turns her head and starts to giggle.

Will follows her gaze to see what caught her attention and sees Charlie looking at Jane as she talks to Richard.

'… was there. I did not come across any of you though. I wonder why,' Jane was saying.

'Jane!' Kate exclaims loudly, not allowing Richard to reply back. 'You have another admirer,' she sings and winks at her eldest sister.

Jane shrugs it off, she knows it's no use arguing with Kate as her sister never listens and will only end up making a big deal out of it. Instead, she turns to Will.

'Mr Darcy! Thank you for having us here. I'm sorry we landed on you like that but Georgiana insisted.'

'Georgiana's friends are always welcome,' Will says. 'I thank you for accepting the invitation at such a short notice.'

Before Jane can reply back, the waiter arrives with the selected dishes. Within a few minutes, everyone has their respective plates in front of them.

The next few minutes are, of course, spent in trying out their food and then the conversations resume. This time Kate and Gia talking to the latter's cousin, and Charlie chatting with Jane whilst Will drops in a few comments at times. Mostly, he listens to the conversations of both the groups.

Kate is teasing Richard with Gia acting as an accomplice. It seems that is all the girl does – tease. He has never had a serious conversation with her but he knows she is not the stereotypical dumb blonde. Neither is Jane, he has noticed. Both have the same blonde hair but Jane's is luscious and curling at the ends whilst her younger sister's is straight, the tips being dyed blue. Jane is a classical beauty, Kate pretty. And yet, personality wise both are opposites. Kate the bubbly, outgoing youngster and Jane the sweet and calm older sister. But then, it is right, Will supposes, after all he knows being the older sibling has more responsibilities and thus a much subdued demeanour.

Both the ladies are obviously well off and since Kate is still studying, Jane and her parents must have earned so much to live in luxury. They are not old money or Will would have known.

The chatter continues till desserts are ordered and soon everyone has eaten those too. It is a bit late now and the time arrives for everyone to leave. Richard proposes going somewhere else for a drink but the plan is mutually postponed for the future.


Chapter End Notes: There you go. I've completely rewritten this chapter as I lost the previous version I'd written on a piece of paper. That one had lots of Elizabeth and some explanations regarding her character and practically no Will. This one is nothing similar to the original. But, hey, you get Will. ;) Though I admit it's not as fun now since all of them haven't really started hanging out together. Wait, wait, wait. And review. :D

-Afifa

P.S. So I've just come back from an interview for a university and it didn't go so well. Wish me best of luck for the result? :)