Please note that the characters are not of my own making but rather by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The premise of the story is still somewhat in the essence of her wonderful work, but with a modern twist. The characters are OOC, but ODCs appear as in the book. English is not my first language or even my second, so please have patience. Reviews are welcome. Please do so with gentleness and respect. Thank you for investing your time on my story.
Second Sighting
Elizabeth wanted to enjoy a quiet evening reading a book, or virtually practicing a certain surgical procedure. She's not the type to waste her time on frivolous pursuit during her down time. Tonight, she will indulge her sister Jane. This meeting has been a couple of months in the making, and often falls through because of her busy and unpredictable schedule. Jane wanted her to meet Mr. Charles Bingley in order to get her opinion on the man. She reluctantly agreed to meet them at Firenze. This happened to be one of her favorite restaurants. As she walked in, she was immediately greeted and directed to her party's table. As she approached the table, she spotted the back of a man who looked familiar. Her heart raced in excitement, and she whispered, "Michael.". Unfortunately, she heard some unflattering speculation about her from a man she thought she knew. She hopes and prays that this get together gets interrupted. She doesn't let it get to her, but she's not above giving a stinging retort. She must keep her emotions at bay. She passed the table and went straight for Jane who was on her way back to their table.
William Darcy arrived at Firenze fifteen minutes before the scheduled meeting. Mr. Bingley followed soon after. He is all smiles in anticipation of seeing Jane, though it's only been two days since they saw each other. Mr. Darcy is beginning to get tired of being the third wheel. Each time he was brought along with a promise of Jane's sister showing up. He's beginning to think that said sister doesn't exist. She probably just doesn't want to be alone with Charles. Ten minutes later, Jane shows up. Charles greeted her with a peck on the cheek. She quickly made an excuse to go to the ladies room.
"Let me guess. Her sister is a no show again. Does she even exist?" said Darcy.
"Oh, she does. Her busy schedule makes it hard to get a hold of her." said Charles
"By busy, you mean shopping, going to the salon and gossiping. She's probably one of those sorority girls who couldn't decide what to do with their life other than marrying a rich man. I think it's quite irresponsible of her not to show time and time again. You probably brought me along in case I have to babysit. She probably would rather be partying and spending daddy's money and flirting with guys with no intention of dating." said Darcy.
"Will you stop talking about Caroline?" said Charles jokingly.
Unbeknownst to the fellows, the said lady was walking by them meeting Jane who's on her way back to their table. They hugged and Jane led her to where the fellows were sitting. As the ladies strode towards the table, Mr. Darcy was awestruck by the vision before him. His palm was sweating, heart racing, and his eyes were in a trance. He suddenly lost his ability to speak.
Mr. Darcy was struck dumb as the beautiful lady made her appearance. She wore a black one strap cocktail dress revealing her right collarbone and shoulder. The dress hung just below her knee revealing her beautifully long sculpted legs. Her skin is flawless tan down to her toes. She's not overly done. She wore a pair of extremely tiny diamond stud earrings. One could hardly tell until the light hit it just right. Just as his mind played with the possibility of relationship with this goddess. His hope shattered into a million pieces as his eyes fell on the wedding set on her left ring finger. 'What is she married?! What kind of a game is Jane playing?' Darcy thought.
The men rose as the ladies reached the table. Elizabeth turned her attention from Jane to Charles and then to Mr. Darcy. The latter is all tongue tied and just stares at her. There is something familiar about her. He could have sworn he'd seen her before. I couldn't be more than two to three months, but where. Who could forget those luminous green eyes. Although now he has a much closer view of those fine eyes. Then his eyes unconsciously traveled down her trim but very womanly figure. Suddenly it all clicked. It's her! It was her that night at the lounge. I never got her name. He never thought that he would get a view of her this close, right across the table!
"B I'd like to introduce you to Charles Bingley and his best friend William Darcy," said Jane.
"Pleased to meet you both. Finally, a face to go with the name." Elizabeth replied.
"Miss B. Is that short for….." said Darcy.
Just then Elizabeth's phone rang. She looked at her phone and pressed the device on her wrist. She answered her it and switched-on facetime. She turned on her earpiece and proceeded to mouth instruction without a sound. He turned to one of the restaurant attendants and nodded. She turned back to her phone. Mouthed a couple more instructions and said goodbye. She looked at everyone at the table and apologized for leaving. She kissed Jane and bid everyone good evening and grabbed her belongings. Then turned to Mr. Darcy, with a smiled that didn't reach her eyes and said, "Thanks for babysitting.". She was ushered by one of the attendants to the back of the restaurant to catch the secret elevator that will take her to the helipad. She needed to rush to the hospital.
Elizabeth's parting words caused Darcy to blush in embarrassment. He and Charles gave each other a knowing look of shame. Darcy was disgusted with himself. He can't even apologize to her if he wanted to. The woman seems to be well insulated. How is he going to solve this problem? It seems like the only solution is to continue being the third wheel on Charles and Jane's date with the hope that B would show up.
The whole scene had both men baffled. Who is this woman, and why does she have the special privilege to go as she pleases? He wished he could read lips and decipher what transpired. She seems to command people without uttering a single word. The curiosity is killing Darcy.
There was an awkward silence. The men have a lot of questions, while Jane is trying to anticipate what those questions would be, and which she would be allowed to answer. Darcy already knows what he is up against from the previous experience at the lounge. He would have to be careful what to ask Jane. She may not be receptive to probing questions just because she's the sister.
"What a lucky day for us to finally meet your sister. I was beginning to question her existence. I wish I could have had more time to get to know her a little bit. She is a fascinating person from what little of ten minutes we saw of her. What can you tell us about her?" said Mr. Darcy.
"I really don't have much to tell. I don't know her as well as a sister should. You see. Our parents divorced when we were young. My mom kept me. While my father took B. She was only 3 years old when our parents separated. She and dad moved to Australia. My mother didn't care much for my sister, because she was such an active child. Her curiosity knew no bounds, and it cramped my mother's lifestyle. Did you know that B was already reading children's books before she even turned two years old? She's my dad's pride and joy. He indulged her love for learning. To know my father is to know B. They are like two peas in the pod, both highly intelligent," said Jane.
"Do you think there is a chance in the near future where we can meet her, and actually have a chance to order food?" said Mr. Darcy half joking.
"I'm sure that is possible. Though only B would know when that is. Her cases are few, but quite demanding. When she is not working, she continues to educate herself with great devotion. She is by no means idle in nature." said Jane.
"So, she's a lawyer…." said Mr. Darcy, hoping that Jane would take the bait.
"I really can't say. It's her information to tell. She's an extremely private person. I'm even surprised that she showed up tonight." said Jane.
Jane was relieved when the waiter showed up. They all placed their food order. Darcy was surprised when Jane made an additional order of Garlic Butter Scallops, which was not on the menu. Jane and Charles got caught up in their little world, while they waited for the food to arrive. The food was served, and Darcy noted that the scallop dish never made it to their table.
"Jane, I thought you ordered scallops." said Mr. Darcy
"I did, but it's not for me. It's for B. It's one of her favorite dishes. I can tell that it's going to be a late night for her, and she'll have no time to eat." said Jane.
"Aren't you going to take the food home to her?" asked Mr. Darcy.
"No. The staff here knows what to do with the order." said Jane. Darcy raised his eyebrow.
The food was delicious and rich. It needed something to finish it off. They ordered Tiramisu, but Jane ordered her sister Bomboloni. Mr. Darcy thought that was another one of B's favorites. His brain is exploding with mental notes about a woman who occupied his thoughts. He couldn't help but be jealous of the man who captured this woman's heart. He is getting tired of having an invisible date that he called it the night and left Jane and Charles to finish their night.