A/N: I am back to Europe, but still jet-lagged, so not sure about an update schedule, next chapter should pop up sometime mid-week. Although this can be construed as a D&E date, it all goes downhill from here... Enjoy :D


Chapter 6

Present

There I was, waiting for my taxi to arrive and take me to Boulevard restaurant with its amazing views and spectacular chef. As I admired my dark blue wrap dress in the mirror, I allowed myself to retrace my steps and wonder how did I get myself mixed in all of this.

Yes, it started out like fun. Yes, it started out like a good comeback, but it had got so tangled in the meantime.

I was texted that the driver was here to pick me up. I thought I would be the first to arrive, but Darcy was already there waiting, with an easy smile on his face. In fact, I had never seen him so relaxed.

"You look lovely," he said as way of greeting, "would you like to order an aperitif?"

"Where is Caroline? Are you forfeiting already?"

"No, I just thought we could have some fun while waiting. She is deliberately late, of course, so she could make a grand entrance."

I conceded and ordered a glass of white wine.

"I notice you don't order anything when we go to events together. I almost thought you were not drinking alcohol at all," he said casually.

I was surprised he would pay attention to such details, but I sometimes forgot he spent as much time with me as I did with him.

"I enjoy the occasional social drink."

"But not on duty?"

"I like to keep my senses sharp."

"Should I understand you are willing to forfeit your sharpness tonight?"

"You are directing tonight. It's all your experiment. I would be happy to go to bed early."

"You seem to be happy to lose the bet."

"I wouldn't say happy, but it would give me new hope in humanity."

"And a promotion," he smirked. If I won, then I would go back to the graphic design department with a bigger role. If not, I would have to help him close an important deal in Las Vegas at the end of the year. "I'm just surprised that you agreed to use Caroline as a role model," he made me snap back to reality.

"I can be persuaded. I'd like to give everyone a chance."

"And you believe I don't. Don't deny it. The truth is I give people a chance, but once my good opinion is lost, it's lost forever."

I looked him square in the eye. He would probably not want anything to do with me by the time this is over. I didn't know how I felt about that. He was annoying at times, but he was also a constant, a rock.

But tonight was about something else. Darcy bet me that someone could not change their appreciation from the way they were brought up. On the other hand, I believed that reputation and social status can be earned, not just imposed.

I chose Caroline to be sure he took notice of her. I figured she could pretend to be better to gain his admiration. And if she didn't... well, they deserved each other and she would happily go along with Georgie's plan. But she was trying to soften the blow for Darcy, when he would find out the truth.

"I would say it's difficult for someone to raise to your standards," I said reflectively. Even though I was his PA, I couldn't figure out his type. It had only been a couple of months, but I didn't see any female in the horizon.

"I know it seems untruthful, but I really don't think I'm so glad to please. I'm looking for people who are... genuine."

I swallowed a lump in my throat, "I wonder if you find any lady to fill your criteria. Is there anyone you cherish?"

I was getting too personal (but also curious), but he seemed to become uncomfortable.

"Sure... I admire Georgie."

"That goes without saying! And you've basically raised her half her life! But... even now? Even if she's... broken?"

"Especially now."

I raised my eyebrows questioning.

"She was the victim in the story, and I could never blame her for that."

I knew he never liked Wickham, but victim?

But before I could ask anything, there was commotion by the main entrance. With a gasp, I noticed Caroline entering. She was a vision - she had a long silk dress that was hugging her body in all the right places. She had done a great job in playing her part so far.

I was in awe and expected the same reaction from Darcy, but when I turned around, I noticed he was staring at me.

"Have you seen her in this dress before?" was my intelligent conclusion.

He only shrugged, "As far as I know, she never wears the same outfit twice." Then he stood up to greet Caroline, and I felt the same compulsion to do the same.

She had a radiant smile that disappeared the moment she set eyes on me.

"What is she doing here?" cried Caroline. "I thought we were leaving the subordinates at home."

The evening only got worse from there.