Elizabeth Bennet…

The Next Morning: Imperial Inc., The Italy Branch

The offices we walked into the next morning were in obvious chaos. People were scattered everywhere, boxes that should have already been unpacked and filed were strewn all over the place with lids open to reveal hastily flipped through files, and no one really seemed to know who they were supposed to report to. It was an utter mess. And, without a shadow of a doubt, it infuriated Fitzwilliam Darcy to no end. If he had been a lion, he would have roared. As it was, he came pretty close to it without being of the feline genus.

"What in heavens name happened here?" He yelled as the members of our little group placed our hands over our ears in preparation for the outpouring disgust that now emanated from the man in waves. This wasn't bad management. It almost seemed like sabotage. There was only one way to destroy a business this badly and that was to sit back and watch it happen. The people in the building froze at the sound of Darcy's voice, their eyes wide until Darcy turned toward me in expectation. I almost rolled my eyes before stepping up to stand next to him while pretending the man didn't intimidate me as well. I had three younger sisters. Oh yeah, I knew how to play pretend. I didn't even look at the man as I faced the people in the building. What was the point? I knew what he wanted.

"This is your boss Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. We need to know where your manager is." I said loudly in Italian as everyone started whispering and talking in fast repetition, as if startled that the 'man' himself would be standing here now. They all seemed embarrassed as well. I didn't blame them. Most of them were young and untrained. This 'mess' wasn't their fault. I was young too but had always had good management to work beneath. Someone finally pointed towards an office at the back of the room and informed me that it was where we would find the man in charge. I sighed before turning to Will and pointing to the back of the room as well. He didn't wait for me to say anything but started marching in that direction while filled with such animosity that I actually cringed. This couldn't be good.

"George Wickham!" He cried out with such anger that I felt cowered. I was suddenly interested to see who could inspire such rage in a man. And then the person in question came into view and my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. I even heard Jane gasp. He was the same height as Darcy, maybe a little shorter, and just as good looking. Both men could be models for Ralph Lauren. And Wickham was smiling.

"William!" He exclaimed in a friendly manner before holding his hand out as if expecting Darcy to shake it. Will only looked at the appendage with distaste.

"Cut the load of bull, George! What the hell are you doing managing my company? Who the hell hired you?" Mr. Darcy exclaimed as Jane and I gasped. Maybe the two of us didn't know the back story involving the two men, but even I felt Darcy was overstepping some kind of 'rude' boundary. I placed my hand gently on his arm but he only brushed it away. Wickham never quit smiling. He seemed most please with Darcy's anger. It made me narrow my eyes. My sabotage suspicion seemed awful plausible all of a sudden.

"Why, you hired me, Mr. Darcy. Or don't you remember. Does the name George Westly ring a bell with you, mate? Oh well, I had my name changed a year ago. My mother's maiden name, you know." He answered in such a pleasant, conversational tone that it made me peer more closely at Wickham. Oh, he was good. He definitely knew what he was doing. What would promote him to do such a thing was beyond me, but I could tell he must have had it planned out for quite some time. Wickham looked at me then with such a charming smile that I would have blushed if I wasn't somewhat angry at the man for allowing the company to flounder. I was not impressed. Wickham raised one of his brows.

"You certainly surround yourself with beautiful people these days." Wickham complimented as he smiled charmingly at me before winking. I didn't smile back. Darcy's spine stiffened. Oh, no!

"Out NOW, Wickham, before I find a way to string you up by your neck!" Darcy exploded with a cynicism that made me blink. There really was bad blood between the two. The other man held his hands up in surrender before actually complying.

"I completed what I came here to do, Will. It will take you months and thousands of dollars to put this branch of Imperial back into business. I leave you to it." He announced as he walked by me quickly, stopping only long enough to smile at me and look back at Darcy.

"Say hello to your sister for me. I miss her attentions greatly." He stated quietly as Darcy literally exploded. I had never seen the man so non-plussed. I think he would have literally pummeled George Wickham if there had not been an audience interested in seeing how much professionalism Darcy could maintain. I was not as professional. I took the opportunity to stomp on Wickham's foot. The man howled before moving away, his pride hurt, I think, by the display. I just smiled. I may not know Darcy's sister, but I didn't appreciate the fact that the man would insult someone not present to defend herself.

"Good riddance." I mumbled as Will Darcy leaned over casually.

"That wasn't very professional, Ms. Bennet." He chided gently as I shrugged and rolled my eyes up at him in exasperation.

"There are times, Mr. Darcy, when you must screw professionalism." I uttered in irritation as Jane chuckled in agreement and Charles Bingley guffawed. Mr. Darcy just looked at me in derision, and I was angry that he would do that. I had just helped him for God's sake. I had done what he had wanted to do but couldn't. I peered at him in disbelief.

"You would chastise me for being rude to a man who was disrespectful to his superior?" I asked in astonishment as Darcy sighed before leaning toward me.

"Sometimes, Ms. Bennet, our biggest challenge is learning restraint when faced with adversity." Mr. Darcy instructed as I literally growled in agitation. I would have yelled at him if I hadn't decided to save face and practice a little of his restraint. He just peered down at me as he pointed out into the room.

"We have a lot to do people. Ms. Bennet, let these people know that we will have a training session every morning for the next week while I look for a replacement manager. We also need to clean up this mess." He commanded as I clenched my teeth together and turned toward the room. I was fuming as I felt Darcy's presence at my back and still I felt that draw toward the man. What, might I ask, is worse than finding yourself attracted to the man you want so much to loathe. Is it possible to hate the devil and still find yourself selling your soul?

Author's Footnote: As many can see, I have never been a huge fan of Wickham and never could understand the attraction between himself and Elizabeth Bennet. I do, however, intend to throw in my own characters that, in my opinion, would fit in well with a modern P&P story but still keep to the basic storyline. One would include Lady Stephanie, for I could see the modern Mr. Darcy being as pragmatic as Austen's regency Darcy but a little more impulsive. And I always sort of wondered what would happen if Darcy had to choose between two women instead of Elizabeth choosing between two men. Don't hate me! I hope that all enjoy the twist. And, don't worry, it won't be long until Elizabeth's strange family is thrown back into the tale and a few more adventures are thrown into the mix. And I'm not done with Wickham. Every story needs a villain. Please enjoy and let me know what you think! I truly want your opinions! Please R&R!