Chapter One

"Lizzie?"

A knock on her office door brought her attention away from the list in her hand.

"What's up Charlie?" she asked as her supervisor stepped inside.

"Just wanted to make sure everything is ready for tomorrow night," Charles Bingley replied.

"It's all in order Charlie," she smirked "Just doing my final check of the guest list, but you knew that, so why don't you ask me what you really wanted to ask?"

He kicked his toe against her desk smugly.

"Are you to bring your sister?" he asked.

"Which sister?" she teased.

"Lizzie!" he whined, giving her his sad puppy dog eyes.

"Yes, I am bringing Jane," she smiled "Now go away and let me work, you sook," she said, tossing a pencil at him. He ducked out of the way and took shelter behind the doorframe.

"I'll see you tomorrow Lizzie," he smiled, then added "I'm leaving early today to pick up Darcy," he wore a smirk that made Elizabeth groan. Elizabeth knew that hating her boss was in no way beneficial to her career, but she couldn't help but be infuriated by William Darcy. She had been for almost the entire three years that she'd worked for him, and she doubted that would ever change. Charlie vanished from her office, the happy song he whistled fading as he headed towards his own office next door.

"Jane, I'm home!" she hollered as she entered their apartment that evening, kicking off her shoes and dumping the night's take out on the kitchen counter. Seconds later Jane emerged from the hallway that lead to the bedrooms, towelling her shower wet hair.

"Hello Lizzie," she smiled, giving her a sisterly kiss on the cheek "How was your day?"

"Long and tiresome, yet somehow tomorrow will be worse," at Jane's questioning look she groaned and offered only one word of explanation "Darcy."

"He's back is he?" She asked "Lizzie, you know you ought to try a little harder to get along with him," she admonished, reaching into the top cupboard for some plates.

"Enough about Mr. Darcy!" she cried "Let's talk about my other boss," she smirked as Jane blushed. "You know, the one you have wrapped around your little finger, who was practically begging me this afternoon to bring you to the fundraiser tomorrow night."

"I'm already going Lizzie," she muttered.

"Thank goodness for that!" Elizabeth laughed making her way to the fridge to get a bottle of wine, "Just don't go breaking his heart Jane. I need Bingley around for job security, we all know that without him there, and happy, Darcy has no reason to keep me on the payroll!" she giggled, popping the cork from the bottle.

There was a loud buzzing noise scraping against her consciousness, pulling her from her deep slumber. She and Jane hadn't poured themselves into bed until the early hours of the morning, and that was after they'd poured themselves a few large glasses or wine. Through sleepy eyes she saw that her alarm clock read a little after eight in the morning. Reaching out to the bedside table she grasped her phone in her hand and squinted at the name on the screen, wondering who would be calling so early on a Saturday.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" she groaned, but hit the answer button anyway.

"Good morning Miss Bennett," he greeted, before she even had a chance to say hello.

"Mr. Darcy," she muttered "To what to I own the pleasure?"

"I didn't wake you I hope," he said, sounding as snide as ever.

"Of course not," She suppressed a yawn, "I've been up for hours." Lie.

"Good, then you won't mind coming out to Netherfield this morning to finalise the details for tonight."

"I... what?" she sputtered, she heard him laugh and wanted to slap him, she could just imagine the smug look on his face.

"I'll see you in an hour." He replied, it wasn't a question, and then the line went dead. She rolled over and screamed into her pillow.

Fifteen minutes later, looking like death warmed over after so little sleep and so much wine, and wanting in no way to have to face her very wealthy and very irritable boss Lizzie shook Jane awake.

"Janiiieee," she cooed. Jane rolled over and pushed her away. "Jane, I have to go."

"Go where?" Jane murmured.

"The almighty God has summoned," She sighed "I'll call you when I'm done and we can still meet for manicures, go back to sleep."

When she finally drove up the long driveway that led to Netherfield house she was already twenty minutes late. Darcy Enterprises had purchased the historic property a few years ago to save it from being knocked down, since then it had been the location for the company's annual charity fundraiser. It was a beautiful, large country house with a huge ballroom perfect for events like these. Elizabeth loved this house, she loved having to come out for work retreats and parties just to be surrounded by its history and charm. However she didn't love having to come out early on Saturday mornings (slightly hung over) because her nitpicky employer didn't trust her to do her job properly. She was disappointed to see that Darcy was waiting for her at the front door.

"Good morning Elizabeth," he greeted her as she trudged up the steps.

"Darcy," she replied tersely.

"You look a little under the weather," he said, she just rolled her eyes.

"Gee, thanks. What do you want Darcy?" she asked, pushing past him to enter the house.

"We need to finalise the details for tonight" he said simply, as if it were obvious.

"The details are finalised Darcy," she sighed.

"Yes, but I'd like for you to take me through it all," he said.

"Darcy…" she started to protest.

"Are you not the Head of Donor Development and Chief Planner of Executive Events?" he queried.

She sighed.

"Yes."

"Then don't you agree that it is a part of your job to inform me of the entire goings on of the biggest event of the year?" he asked.

"Yes."

"And don't you think, that as Head of Donor Development that you should inform me of the developments of the donors involved tonight?"

"Fine!" she cried, exasperated "Can we please do this, and quickly, I have a lot to do this afternoon if you expect me to be working tonight." She wanted to slap the smirk that he wore off of his face, but instead she strode off in the direction of the kitchens. The sooner this was done and he was satisfied, the sooner she could escape his cocky pigheaded company and get on with her day.