Chapter 5: The Pin-Up Girl

William Darcy was exhausted. He had recently returned from a business trip to Australia, and the jetlag was really gaining the upper hand this time. Between that and the personal issues he currently faced, this event was the absolute last place he wanted to be.

However, his company's meet and greet at Toshi's Penthouse in NYC had been scheduled for a number of months now, and no amount of finagling would have succeeded in a date change. Just deal with it, he thought tiredly. It's good for employee morale.

Another benefit to attending was the fact that he was supposed to meet the manager of the marketing team he had selected for his company's next campaign. Darcy knew that this would be the highlight of the evening. The wit and sentimentality of the proposed advertisement stood far ahead of all the competition, and he was eager to pick the brain of its creator. If he had been slightly more self-aware, he would realize that this level of interest was unusual even for him, but jetlag can severely hinder a person's ability for self-reflection.

The problem was finding the patience to get to that point in the evening. So far, Mr. Lucas had not introduced him to any marketing execs. He'd met PR people, contract handlers, and even a really loud secretary…what was her name? Lisa? Lily? Have mercy, she was obnoxious. And she was not who he had been waiting all night to meet.

So he stood in a corner near the soon to be dance floor and waited. Being a proponent of professional distance, there was no way he was going to stoop and mingle with all of his subordinates. Bingley, his longtime friend and trusted wingman, was usually the one to make up for his lack of social graces, but he had gotten lost in the bright blue eyes of a pretty blonde fairly early on in the evening.

Which was why, when Bingley approached to coax him out of his exhaustion induced funk, Darcy was already less than inclined to entertain him. Although he knew that Bingley had an excellent reason for his desertion, it didn't mean that he automatically had to follow suit. What made matters worse was the sheer desperation in Bingley's attempt to draw him out.

When he followed Bingley's gesture in the direction that he pointed, Darcy's eyes fell on a dirty blonde in a bright purple dress. Unlike her sister, her features were plain and non-descript. Her thin figure had nothing that could even partially be described as voluptuous or enticing. Mousey was a better word, he cringed. The family resemblance was definitely present, but it was obvious that Bingley's "angel" had won the genetic lottery.

Admittedly, Bingley's suggestion had irked Darcy a little more than what was rational. It was offensive to hear him say that he felt that this woman resembled those that Darcy typically found attractive. It was well known that he had a thing for brunettes, and particularly ones with - just a little - meat on their bones. He would much rather have curves to admire than a bony physique. He had always gotten hell for it from his friends, but he simply shrugged it off as their loss.

Wishing Bingley well in his pursuit of the sister, Darcy suggested he make use of the remaining time to get to know her better. He watched as his friend shook his head at him in frustration, and then walked over to where the pretty blonde was talking to a brunette in a green dress. From behind, this new woman looked as though she could have the potential to be someone to catch his interest, but he wasn't here to increase his dating pool.

The DJ had begun to hook up his equipment, so Darcy removed himself to the Patio. The early October air had just begun to take on that incredible scent of fall. It was still balmy enough to not need a jacket even though it was already approaching ten o'clock at night. Darcy closed his eyes and breathed deeply, enjoying the feel of the wide expanse of the city skyline.

Glancing to his left, he saw Mr. Lucas guiding the woman in the green dress over to him. Her brunette hair was catching the candlelight and reflecting shades of deep auburn back towards the night sky. Her creamy complexion was set off perfectly by her outfit. It's Emerald, just like the gemstone, he thought. A cursory glance was all that was necessary to determine that within that exquisite dress was an incredible hourglass figure, a seam at the natural waist displaying a wonderfully tiny middle and a fuller bust and hips. His breath quickened as he realized, she looks just like a modern pin-up girl.

Now that she stood just before him, he was able to fully take in her face. His eyes were immediately captured by her own, and he was unavoidably drawn to their depth. He couldn't be sure if it was a trick of the candlelight or simply their nature, but he was astonished to find the fire they contained. Lively, bright and bursting with energy, they seemed to welcome and challenge the viewer simultaneously.

The hold this woman had over his senses was intense; all around him was a blur as she quickly became the only thing in focus. She was magnificent. He began to feel his usual self-restraint and cold reserve slip away under the influence of anticipation; there was something about her that he had never encountered in a woman before – something that spoke directly to him before they had shared any words. Suddenly, Mr. Lucas saying his name brought him back to the moment, and provided just enough presence of mind to ensure that he was not gawking openly at the beautiful, soon-to-be acquaintance.

"Mr. Darcy, I would like to introduce you to Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is the head of the marketing team who submitted the chosen campaign. Elizabeth, this is William Darcy, CEO and Owner of Darcy Motors."

A slight grimace briefly crossed Darcy's face as his heart sunk. Of all the positions in Mr. Lucas' company that this woman could have held, she had to be the one with the direct connection to his own business. For all intents and purposes, being romantically interested in her was like pursuing one of his own employees. Steeling his face, and his heart, to the best of his ability, he extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Miss Bennet. I've long been looking forward to meeting the driving force behind the unique and exemplary campaign proposal we received."

Her response was a playful arch of her eyebrows and a perfunctory shake of his hand. "Then it's a good thing you weren't holding your breath. I am only one of five people responsible for that carefully crafted proposal."

"Yes, but the final outcome is, I am sure, a direct reflection of the capability of their leader."

"You could just as easily argue that I am simply lucky enough to be in a position to get most of the credit."

"Are you saying that the praise is misdirected?"

"No, I am simply informing you that the proposal was truly a group effort. I certainly accept your praise on behalf of our team."

Darcy considered her carefully. Most managers would have gladly accepted full credit from the praise of a CEO. She certainly was a rarity. "I plan to stop by sometime this week so that we can get started on the particulars of the campaign. I hope to have everything in full force by December of this year."

She nodded her understanding. "Until then, Mr. Darcy."

"Good night, Miss Bennet."

Watching her walk away could only be described as painful. A less principled man would have chased her down and invited her to coffee before they became too connected through work. However, even if he did pursue that option, there was the likely possibility his company would be accused of favoritism regarding his selection of Lucas Media to conduct the campaign. Let it go, Darcy. You are not lacking for options…you're not even seeking a relationship. However, the thought provided little relief for the swirling emotions she had ignited.

A/N

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the positive feedback I have received through your favorites, follows and reviews! I totally got a taste of the motivation it can give, so please keep them coming! I had potential dialogue and plot running through my head all weekend as a result!

Kudos to cutelilmochi and konARTISTE for foreshadowing bits of this chapter in their reviews. And to Dizzy Lizzy.60, I tried super hard in this chapter to give a more thorough description of Elizabeth. I hope it helped!