It Just Gets Better
You may have noticed that before I was referring to Lizzie as "Elizabeth." From now on, I will be switching from Elizabeth to Lizzie, since we know her much more, don't we?
I know that it's bizarre that Collins can walk in (actually, it's an exaggeration – he doesn't do it to everyone –it's mainly Lizzie) but its all part of the fun. And usually, it's Lizzie who forgets to lock her door… xD But there's going to be an end to that very soon, don't worry.
Thanks for all the reviews, guys! They really encourage me!
Soundtrack: Daylight – Kelly Rowland feat. Gym Class Heroes
(It's such a pretty song, and I think it symbolises what Lizzie's feeling – at least for the first part of the chapter)
What a long day.
It was over though, which Lizzie was glad for. The ceaseless paperwork! Whoever was the CEO of the company certainly liked to make several business deals per day. And they all had to be looked into, legally approved, and a whole bunch of other things that normal mortals would not want to know about.
Sure, there were the other solicitors but they were also busy, though Lizzie didn't know exactly what they were doing. She was sure she caught one or two of them (there were actually six solicitors, strangely enough – three were female) sneaking off upstairs to the 68th floor. Which only meant one thing. Larry Wickham.
That would normally have got on her nerves, but she could only laugh. Such unprofessional behaviour! But that behaviour, it seemed, was the professional standard at the central office of Perigee Delta. No, it wasn't that Larry bed those ladies sneaking off to his office. It was just that he would tell them to do him a favour, which would translate to him doing a favour for them.
It wasn't necessarily a bad thing – well, the ladies agreed to it. Lizzie certainly would not agree to go photocopy some ridiculous page from European Car or Esquire (or pick up his fallen pen from the floor) just to see him smile and say "Thanks hon. What will I do without you?"
And Lizzie remembered that Larry had said solicitors were boring. Not, it seemed, when they were at his beck and call. Apparently, Larry liked "intelligent young ladies who don't seem so intelligent after you smile at then with a shit-eating grin."
Well, asides from Larry Wickham, Perigee Delta was a perfectly nice and normal place. Still, Lizzie couldn't help laughing at her first day in the office. Who knew a multi-billion dollar company would be so funny? But it was, truly.
"Good morning, Lizzie."
Lizzie had almost stopped dead in her tracks, having heard the receptionist – Claudia Lewis – address her in such a familiar way. With every other job, it was extremely rare for the receptionist to pass from "Miss Bennet" to "Elizabeth." But she had just heard Claudia call her Lizzie, a name which she reserved for family members only (ever since high school) – until yesterday, that is. Larry Wickham had been all too quick to start calling her Lizzie, she remembered.
"Oh, good morning Miss Lewis." replied Lizzie. She certainly wasn't going to appear unprofessional on her first day at the office.
"No need for that, Lizzie! We're all friends here. Well, except for the boss. Act all formal for the boss, or else he glares at you. But I swear that it's so worth seeing him glare because he's so damn…"
Lizzie could only shake her head in disbelief, and walk with a quick "Thank you!" to the elevators.
And who was waiting at her desk, apparently to make her feel more "welcome"? Larry Wickham, with a "give in, why don't you" smile on his face. Lizzie would normally have been appalled, but after the interview she simply smiled back and whacked him off her desk.
"This is my desk, right?" she had asked.
"Yeah, this is your desk for work and play. And by play I mean grrrr play. Oh, just don't destroy it."
"I doubt I'll be doing much grrr play on an office desk, Larry." Lizzie had replied, rolling her eyes.
"True. It's really uncomfortable."
And then he had walked away, whistling, leaving a shocked Lizzie at her desk. It had taken several seconds before she regained sense and put down her books and phone. Why phone? Because it was a bowling-pin-shaped cordless phone that her father had given her on her twentieth birthday, and she treasured it. Strangely enough.
Her first response to her new office was to whoop, and run to the windows. There was a nice view of Central Park, and she swore she could see the little children and parents walking and running through the park, even though she was 61 floors above the ground. It was nothing panoramic – that was reserved for the CEO's office – but it was far better than a previous job's view of another grey building three inches away from her window.
She had barely set down anything, before a lady – another solicitor – popped into Lizzie's office and introduced herself as Charlotte Lucas. She was a tolerable looking woman, with strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes. Lizzie had decided to withhold judgement upon the lady, which was something she rarely did. Charlotte, however, had taken an immediate liking to Lizzie.
"Morning! You're Lizzie, right? I'm Charlotte Lucas. Nice to meet you." she had said pleasantly, "Know what? Everyone's been talking about you!"
To which Lizzie had replied with a very unladylike "huh?"
"Ooh yes. You're basically a celebrity here. Well, a minor celebrity, like Miley Cyrus but…"
"Great." muttered Lizzie. She hated Miley Cyrus, so to be compared to her was mortifying.
"You see, Larry never stops talking about you. I reckon everyone knows that there's a new solicitor, who apparently has beautiful eyes and gorgeous legs."
"Does Larry ever stop talking?"
"Ha! Good one! He told me you were funny. Anyway, I would like to be your friend."
Lizzie had looked at Charlotte with mixed incredulity and wonder. No one had asked to be her friend since Kindergarten. And that had turned out to be a joke. Still, there had been something sincere about Charlotte. It was endearing, and, if Lizzie had been ten years older than her, she had no doubt she was going to be a motherly figure to Charlotte. Lizzie was actually three years younger, which she found out to her surprise.
Charlotte wasn't the only one to ask to be Lizzie's friend that day. It seemed like it was custom (probably started by Larry) to introduce oneself, and then declare oneself as the other's friend. And so, in one day, Lizzie had gained twenty-six friends. It had left her feeling bewildered, but happy. As well as wondering how they got their jobs done, since their work day seemed to consist of visiting other people's offices and commenting on the weather.
Lizzie shook off the thoughts before she ended up laughing or slapping her head in embarrassment. Now she was supposed to be going to go home, avoid Howard Collins, and sleep. Amazingly, she was too tired to go clubbing, something which would have been her normal routine only a month ago. These days, the job just took a lot out of her, despite the fact that half the time was spent appeasing Larry and his childish wants.
Larry wasn't the CEO, something which was made clear at the time of Lizzie's interview. Larry wasn't the President either. He wasn't even an Executive Vice President – he was a General Manager. And yet he seemed to have as much power as the CEO himself.
Lizzie had asked Charlotte once why he seemed to control everything.
"Oh, everybody wants to do something for him. Well, mostly the women. But men listen to him as well. Wouldn't you? I mean, those eyes…and that body…"
Lizzie had snorted. It figured.
"And he's also a good friend of the Chief. Been friends since college, he says."
"Then why isn't he the Vice President, or something higher?"
"Ah, that's because the Chief can't trust him with a higher position."
And the two had collapsed into giggles, just like they were lifelong friends. Lizzie had never been happier. These were the first actual friends she'd had since college. Previously they had merely been acquaintances. Well, except for Casey and Cheyenne, twins she had regularly gone clubbing with. But she hadn't seen them regularly for the month she had been working at Perigee Delta.
Lizzie shook her head in amazement. What a life she had before!
But now was the time to go inside the apartment, and collapse onto the bed like a dead person. And she fully intended to do so. That is, until –
"Eliza! I've been waiting for you!"
Lizzie flung open the door, and stared at Howard Collins, who was seated comfortably on her sofa. What the heck? But Lizzie should have known. She had lived through it for the past half year after all. Anytime, anywhere, expect Howard Collins to be there.
"Evening, Mr Collins. How…kind…of you to visit me. In my apartment. Again." she said through gritted teeth.
Lizzie was tired, and when she was tired she became grumpy. And she was about to crack. But she needed the apartment, at least for another three months. And then she would be able to yell at Collins as much as she wanted. As much as he deserved.
Find a happy place. Find a happy place.
"Yes, absolutely generous of me, isn't it? I thought you might need a bit of company. You know, you without a boyfriend, and always by yourself…"
Collins clapped his hands in glee like a little child. Obviously he thought his little acts of kindness were very much appreciated. And he was quite oblivious to Lizzie's clenched fists, and dark look.
But then Lizzie smiled. It was time to put this foolish behaviour out. And, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she widened her grin and set down her cloak and folders. She even pulled up her sleeves as if she was attempting something rather undesirable. Which she was.
"Mr Collins, I'm so very flattered that you care so much about me! Why, you must be thinking about me 24 hours a day, to always be there for me."
"Yes! I have an Eliza radar, you know."
Lizzie's mouth flew open, but then quickly closed. She couldn't afford to be flustered now.
"Oh? Eliza radar, you say? I'm pleased that I deserve one."
"It is in-built." And here Collins tapped his head, "I feel a little tingle whenever you are close."
Lizzie almost gagged. Here she was, talking to a man a head shorter than her, with greasy mouse-brown hair and watery eyes, and he was saying that he felts tingles whenever Lizzie was there. That was enough to make Lizzie want to retch. How disgusting!
And she was going to encourage him. Encourage him. But only for a little longer, before she made it extremely clear. So clear, that even Collins would understand.
"Oh Mr Collins, you humour me far too much." Lizzie replied, tacking on a weak giggle. This. Was. So. Wrong.
"But my sweet rose, I cannot help but be drawn to you. I feel we are meant to be. I've been meaning to tell you for so long…"
"I haven't found the right man to 'snap me up' yet, Mr Collins." interrupted Lizzie with a frantic wave of her hands.
Collins paused, frowned, and then immediately reverted back to his grin.
"Dearest Eliza, surely you feel it too? The electric pulse in the air, the heart beating faster than usual, the mutual…attraction?"
This was beyond tolerable now. Lizzie felt a hot flush as she blushed with extreme mortification. Okay, it wasn't a good idea to humour him. It seemed like he had gone past being happy with backhand compliments, and wanted…Lizzie shuddered to think of it.
"Actually, when I come to think of it…"
"Yes, my dearest?"
"I always feel this need to scratch my head…"
"In wonder of our love?"
"In exasperation." finished Lizzie.
Collins looked confused for a second. Lizzie had always brushed away comments lightly and took care neither to contradict him, nor encourage him. So it was a first for Lizzie to flat out contradict him. But Collins wasn't about to give it up so easily.
"Exasperation meaning in sheer incredulity for the extent of our wonderful, blooming love?" he asked.
"No, exasperation meaning in extreme annoyance and frustration."
"Why Lizzie, is this because I should have made it clearer earlier that I was so in love with you? But surely you would have noticed how I light up whenever I see you, how often I crave your attention!"
"Mr Collins, it is because you always 'crave my attention' that I'm exasperated! You're a landlord, Collins. But you shouldn't be allowed to fucking wander into people's rooms without permission! Have you heard of privacy, Collins?"
And the whole room went quiet.
Lizzie wondered whether she had been slightly too harsh on the man. But really, this was just a bad time to be messing with her. And the utter idiocy in the idea that she "craved" more of his attention had driven her over the edge. The mere thought had got her seeing red. After all, his attention was partly to blame for the living hell of the past half year.
"I see that I'm not wanted here. But I'm an extremely eligible bachelor, Eliza, and you've just lost me! Many ladies out there would sell their soul to marry a man like me."
"Oh yeah? Well, only ladies without souls – and their minds – will marry a man like you." retorted Lizzie loudly.
Collins paled, and took out a grubby handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his forehead. He looked like he was about to faint, but then he recollected his composure and walked out of the open door. A few people, who had wondered what the shouting match was about, had collected around it. They all hid a grin and moved aside when Collins walked out.
"Know what, Eliza? I'm been extremely kind to you. I made rent cheaper for you by ten percent! Did you know that?" he asked, fuming.
Lizzie looked at him, and a touch of regret lighted her eyes.
"I know, Mr Collins. And I'm grateful for that. But I need my privacy."
Collins didn't seem to hear her.
"There's never been a kinder landlord! I was so very kind, Eliza! But I see that my kindness has been misplaced. Goodbye, Miss Bennet. I hope to never cross your path again!"
Lizzie sighed in relief. At least that was over. She could now cross off "get Collins of my back" from her mental to-do list. And she did so, with a whoop of happiness. She was rather regretful that she couldn't do it a better way, though. It was never a good idea for the landlord to have you in the bad books. Who knows what Collins could do to Lizzie?
But right now, Lizzie was happy. Because she could probably have her fought-for privacy now, fingers crossed. But it had come at a price. It seemed like the whole apartment population had gathered at her door, looking rather stunned.
"What? Never seen a shouting match before?" she said.
And then the whole building erupted into cheers, probably leaving a very embarrassed Collins walking back to his own apartment.
"Good work, Miss Bennet!"
"You should have done it earlier!"
"That will teach him!"
The chorus rang loudly through the building, and Lizzie blushed. What had she done? But soon the crowd dissipated, leaving Lizzie alone. Blessed privacy! She could hopefully enjoy more of it now.
And so she flung herself onto her bed, sighing in contentment. She looked up at her Disney Princesses clock (it was a present from her mother) which read 6:48. Dinnertime. And her stomach grumbled assent.
With a laugh, she reached for her phone, and saw the messages light flashing. Damn, she hated messages. It was usually Lydia or Kitty, and that meant a meaningless recount of their shopping trip, or date with some random guy. She had often asked them why they chose to pester her, and not Jane or Mary.
"Mary never replies, and anyway, she doesn't deserve to hear it. And Jane's too busy."
Which Lizzie always retorted with, "I'm busy as well! Can't you get that into your thick heads?"
"But we like you Lizzie. You're our guiding star, or some other grovelling shit. Come on, it doesn't harm you, does it?"
And Lizzie would always give in, though they had the same argument almost every single time. Never face to face though, because they were attending college at Lesley College, Cambridge. And that left Lizzie wondering what exactly they taught there, for them to have so much leisure time for all the little follies that Kitty and Lydia constantly indulged in.
Anyway, listening to messages would come later, because Lizzie's stomach basically roared in protest then. She laughed, rubbed her stomach, and called for a Chinese takeaway. Well, she couldn't cook, and Chinese was fast and cheap. So that's what she generally ate. And then she stared at the phone, gathering her wits for the horror that would certainly await her.
She pressed the button.
"Hi. I'm probably home; I'm just avoiding someone I don't like. Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you."
Lizzie smiled at her message. That was the only thing that would be funny on the tape though, because the rest would be a gush of "Omg! Omg! Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie!" Lizzie grimaced, and braced herself for the torrent about to come.
"L-i-z-z-i-e! (Her name had been dragged out for approximately ten seconds) Guess what Lizzie? We went to Donna's party yesterday, and it was sooo cool. We are soooo lucky to be in the A-list, or else we would have missed it. Omg, there were freaking fifty people at the party, maybe more, and like, I was the prettiest girl there." (Lizzie heard a "Hey, I was really pretty as well!" from Kitty in the background) "And the boys were like, swooning over me. It was awesome, Lizzie. You should have been there. But whoops, you're an old granny now. Gotta admit it Lizzie, you practically are, seeing as how -"
Lizzie growled angrily at the phone, hating Lydia for bringing that up. Did she have to?
The phone message continued, but Lizzie tuned out. It didn't sound as if it was anything important anyway. Something about a girl called Katy falling into the pool, and then Donna's parents coming home early and busting the party. Trust Kitty and Lydia to go to an illegal party.
Their message finally ended after ten minutes of torture, and surprisingly a different voice heralded the next one.
"Hey Lizzie, it's Jane. How are you, younger sis? I heard you got a new job at Perigee Delta. Interesting. Do you know who the CEO is? Well, you probably do. Anyway, modelling's cool right now, because I know you always want to know how I'm going. They say I may go to the Milan fashion show, unless something comes up. Anyway, that's not the main message. I have some free time right now – the holiday season, you know. So I think I might go to your place before Thanksgiving, and then we can go together to Boston for Thanksgiving. What do you think Lizzie?"
The door bell rang then, and Lizzie received her takeaway. She eagerly opened the box, and then thought about the proposal. It would be so good to see Jane again. Jane, Lizzie's lovely, angelic sister who had taken up modelling because she was so stunningly beautiful. Lizzie always thought that if there were angels in real life, Jane would be one.
And so Lizzie thought, while munching on her dinner. (AN: Pad Thai, anyone?)
Then the phone rang.
Lizzie jumped at the phone, picked it up, and breathed a "Hello?"
She hoped it was Jane, and coincidentally it was.
"Lizzie? Oh, I almost thought that you hated me, because you weren't picking up."
Lizzie laughed. Though her sister's voice was distant and distorted, it was such a comfort to hear it. They had both been so busy that they had been in touch only ten times in the past year.
"I could never hate you Jane. No one can hate you!" exclaimed Lizzie, mock horrified at the mere thought.
"Oh Lizzie. Anyway, did you get my message?"
"The message about coming to New York before Thanksgiving? Yep. I think it's a great idea."
"Good, I'd hoped so, but I wasn't sure I should go ahead without your consent."
"You don't need my consent to do so! I would love to have you here, anytime."
"Sure you would, Lizzie. So, how's everything going? Your new job seems wonderful. Life's getting better, isn't it?"
Lizzie grinned. Jane had no idea. With the Collins thing over, everything looked extremely bright.
"Yeah, it's great." Then Lizzie frowned. Something nagged at her – the CEO thing.
"Hey Jane, who's the CEO of Perigee Delta?"
There was an awkward pause. Lizzie's frown deepened. What was wrong?
"I thought you knew, Lizzie. You agreed to do the job, right?"
"Yeah…so?"
"Oh, who the CEO is doesn't really matter, right? As long as you're enjoying your job, right?"
Lizzie took in a breath. Who was it, then? Jane almost sounded worried, and that was very uncharacteristic of her.
"Yeah…" replied Lizzie hesitantly.
"Lizzie, it's Fitzwilliam Darcy."
Another awkward pause. Lizzie stared at the phone, as if she could see Jane in it.
"D-Darcy? That Darcy? The one that we know?" she whispered.
"Yes."
"Oh god! How come I didn't know? Charlotte always talks about the CEO, Claudia's basically in love with him, and Larry's his best friend! How could I not have known? Why didn't I ask someone? Why didn't I check-"
"Relax, Lizzie! It's not the end of the world! You're working for him, that's it. Nothing more. He's not asking for anything more, is he?"
"No, he's not even here. I think he's on a business trip of some sort."
"That explains why you didn't know it was him. Anyway, don't worry Lizzie. Odds are that he doesn't even know he employed you. He's the CEO after all."
"But it's Darcy! What the hell? I thought he moved to California! Why's he here in New York?"
"Think sensibly, Lizzie. He moved to California nine years ago. He probably did a business degree, became really successful and climbed up the corporate ladder of Perigee Delta. And so he's CEO now."
"That makes sense." laughed Lizzie nervously.
"Anyway, he's probably changed as well, just like you've changed. For the better."
"Fat chance of that, Jane! And freaking hell, I changed. I'm basically a different person now! Because of him!" she spat the last few words out with distaste.
"I know, Lizzie. I literally saw you change." Jane said sadly.
Lizzie knew she was going to cry, unless she did something fast. She stuffed some more noodles into her mouth, and choked. Well, at least it stopped her from crying.
"Lizzie? You alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Really Lizzie, give the guy a second chance. Maybe you'll be surprised."
"He doesn't deserve a second chance." growled Lizzie, "Why are you sticking up for him? I remember you saying 'Lizzie, I will kill him for doing this.' So why are you saying this now?"
Jane sighed.
"Lizzie, I think we overreacted. I know I did. But I was scared for you. To see you like that was horrible. But that was eight or nine years ago. Lizzie, promise me you'll give Darcy a chance."
"Fine. I'll give him a chance, because you're asking. But if I see crap once more, he's done."
Jane chuckled, "Yes, deal."
Lizzie paused. She felt lonely right then. So very insecure.
"Jane, come soon. I'm going to need your guidance, older sis."
Lizzie could almost see Jane's smile on the other end of the phone line.
"Sure thing, Lizzie. I'll be there in a week or so, then. Promise to pick me up from the airport?"
"You can't stop me!"
Lizzie smiled weakly. She felt like hell. The resurgence of Fitzwilliam Darcy. It was like some sort of sick horror film. And it seemed like Lizzie was caught in it, like a fly caught in a spider's web. And it was only going to grip tighter to her, the more she fought.
Lizzie shuddered, and feebly brushed the thoughts away. TV. That always helped to calm her.
She flicked on the TV, and aimlessly looked through the channels. And something caught her eye.
PBS News Hour.
"Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, CEO of Perigee Delta, arrives at New York tomorrow after a successful business trip to Europe."
Lizzie stared at the picture of him on the TV. Dark brown hair, almost black, framed his face. Those dark, piercing blue eyes that Lizzie had seen far too often gazed straight at her through the TV. Lizzie almost screamed.
This was a face she had hoped never to see again.
"Mr Darcy, with the country facing recession, do you think your company is in any danger?"
Lizzie watched him walking in an expensive suit, surrounded by flashing cameras and journalists.
"No, not at all. We won't be doing a Lehman Brothers, that's for sure. We're not going bankrupt any time soon."
"They say your trip to Europe was a huge success. What do you say, Mr Darcy?"
"Well, they got it correct for once. It was definitely a huge success. I believe we can look forward to further company expansion, and more consumer goods lines."
"You're not scared that company expansion may lead to downfall, especially in these turbulent economic times?"
"I think that being in business means taking chances. Being timid gains nothing. So no, I am not scared. And I believe the shareholders will agree with me on this matter. There has been much discussion concerning this, to make sure we don't overstretch ourselves."
"Thank you, Mr Darcy, and good luck with your ventures."
Darcy smiled, which made Lizzie's skin crawl. But his next words sent her world spinning.
"You're welcome. I don't believe the company can fail with such talented employees supporting us."
And then he stared right into the camera, before disappearing into his limo. Lizzie reached for the remote control, and weakly pressed a button. She covered her head in her hands. Why was this happening? Her life was just getting under control, and now he comes and ruined it all.
Lizzie pounded the sofa, but immediately regretted it as she hit the wooden frame. She yelped in pain, clutching her hand. And tears started leaking from her eyes, which she was disgusted about.
She angrily wiped away the tears, and looked at herself in the bedroom mirror. No, she wasn't going to run away. She was going to face this, just like she faced Collins. And she was going to win, and receive the closure she needed.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy, it looks like we meet again." she whispered.
Dun dun dun!! So, any idea what the twist is yet? Well, part of that was the twist, but anyway.
There will definitely be a Lizzie and Darcy encounter next chapter. There's also going to be a little insight into what has happened between the two.