I updated as fast as I could because I really wanted to get this chapter written out and also cause I know that some of you are just dying to know. So, here's what you've all been waiting for!

Chapter 9:

After I finished setting up my office, I made my way up to the 21st floor. Noticing that the previously vacant office suite now had a secretary sitting at the desk in front of the door, I assumed that it must be Darcy's office, and headed over there. The secretary was turned away from me at her L shaped desk. Being that I wasn't in her line of view, I cleared my throat to get her attention. She swirled around to face me.

"I'm Elizabeth Bennett, here to see Mr. Darcy."

"Mr. Darcy's schedule is full today. He doesn't have time for complaining, whining employees. If you have a problem, take it to your supervisor, then their supervisor. You need to make your way up the chain just like everyone else in this firm."

If she had been blonde, snapping a piece of gum and twirling a lock of hair on her finger, she would have been cast as the stereotypical secretary in any movie.

"Actually, Mr. Darcy asked me to meet him up here now." The secretary remained silent "You are welcome to check with him if you don't believe me."

She picked up the phone and dialed an extension, then whispered into the receiver and finally hung up.

"Have a seat Ms. Bennett. Mr. Darcy will be just a minute."

I sat down and let my thoughts overtake me. What in the world does he want? Is he going to confirm that Wednesday is still on? Is he going to say that we have to keep this quiet? Maybe he just has work that he wants to give me. Do I really want to date a partner of the firm, especially given my policy against dating anybody associated with the firm?

The door to the office opened and Darcy stepped out, and motioned to me to follow him as he walked back into the office. Once I walked through the threshold he firmly closed the door behind me.

"Please Ms. Bennett have a seat."

Ok we're keeping this formal, I thought as I took a seat in front of his desk. Darcy then perched himself at the edge of his desk, rather than going around his desk to sit behind it.

"I'm going to cut right to the chase. I don't date law students. I don't date employees of my firm. I certainly don't date anyone who has both of these qualities. Had I known this in advance – "

"You didn't know that I worked here?!"

"Why should I?"

"Um, let me think . . . maybe because you're a partner in this firm!"

"This is an international, world-wide firm with 7 different offices. I don't know the names of the supervisors of every department in every office by memory, I certainly don't know the names of low law-school employees.

Anyway, as I was saying, even if I did date law students and employees I still wouldn't go out with someone who thinks it is ok to take the easy way out in life for everything."

"I'm sorry? Perhaps you can clarify that last statement?" I inquired

"You used nepotism, your sister's relationship with Charlie, to obtain your job. I'm not going to indulge your intention to sleep with the boss in hopes that it secures a job for you here after you graduate."

"Are you speaking to me in the capacity of my boss?" I calmly asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I'd like to know if you are speaking as my superior that if I were to respond to your statements I would be penalized."

"No, go ahead."

"I won't be fired?"

"No."

"It won't affect my job in any way?"

"No."

"Can I get that in writing?"

He sighed, then turned and took a fountain pen and scrap paper on his desk and scribbled something down, then turned back to me and handed me the paper. I read it to ensure that it said something to this effect.

"I need you to sign this please."

"Oh for heavens sake!"

He snatched the paper back, signed the bottom of it and returned it to me. Once I had the paper in my hand, I leaned forward and slapped him across the face as hard as I could.

"You arrogant ass! It is so nice to know that this is what you are thinking. Well, allow me to enlighten you to the truth. I didn't get this job here because of Charlie and Jane, rather Charlie and Jane are together because I was working here."

Darcy was gingerly touching the cheek that received the full blow of my slap.

"And you think that the only way I could get a job here after law school is by sleeping with you! Nice to know you think I'm nothing better than a cheap whore. However, if I wanted to, I could get a job here on my own merits. How, you ask. Well, let's see, maybe it's because I go to the third ranked law school in the country, or perhaps it is that I'm in the top 10% of my class, or maybe it is because I'm a member of both law review and moot court*. But I can assure you Mr. Darcy, if I get a job here after law school, it will not be because I slept with the boss, or took some other 'easy way out'. And the funniest thing of all of this? I don't even want to work here after law school. This isn't the area of law that I'm interested in."

"Then why are you here now?"

I glared at him.

"Because this is one of the top law firms in the country and like every other law student, I have expenses that I need to pay. The other reason why I work here is because it looks good on my resume and practically ensures me a job in the area of law that I am interested in practicing. But you know what, you're right."

Darcy's head, which had been looking down, shot straight up.

"We shouldn't go out. Cause like you, I didn't know that you were a partner of this firm at the time you asked me out –"

"How could you not know that? There aren't that many of us."

"Because you never introduced yourself to me using your last name. Caroline kept calling you 'Fitz' and 'Fitzy' and I assumed that Fitz was your last name. Charlie never mentioned that you were the 'big boss from London'. Why would I have known?! So, yeah, we shouldn't go out, cause I don't date my superiors, if for no other reason than I don't want my co-workers to get the wrong idea about me and think that any benefits that I receive are the result of me sleeping around rather than the fact that meritoriously I actually deserve them. So, now that we're both on the same page regarding what we were doing about that date Wednesday night allow me to offer you a bit of advice Mr. Darcy that will serve you well both in your personal life as well as your career as an attorney here in the States. Research your information before you start hurling out accusations – it may just save you from showing what an idiot you truly are."

I then stood up, and very calmly walked to the door, opened it and stepped out. However, I couldn't resist the urge and gave the door a satisfying slam on my way out.

Ummmmmm, I'm going to go hide under my bed, where I'll hopefully be safe from the flying things that some of you are throwing at me. Someone who is my ally, please let me know when it is safe to come out otherwise I might be under there for awhile.