.

I realize that I haven't actually said I don't own these characters yet… well I don't. I'm not Jane Austen, and I'm not rich. But… I think I get to own Mrs. Bennett (she has my name here, as it suited her :D)

By the way, I am also shocked at how quickly I've managed to write up the next chapter. I think I'm past the writers block now. Or maybe since I'm on a diet I don't get to think about food so I think about my writing. But, you didn't need to know that did you?...

CHAPTER FOUR

I'M NOT IN LOVE

"Oh my gosh" our heroine sighed to Jane on her way home "He is such a jerk! I never expected him to slag me off behind my back to some Charlie guy"

"Calm down Elle, you'll be fine. You know you're made of much stronger stuff and you shouldn't get upset. You'll never see him again, don't worry"

Elle wondered why that thought made her worry all the more. There was something familiarly 'nice' about Darcy despite all his rudeness, and she felt almost comfortable with him even though she didn't like the way he made her slightly weak at the knees.

"Yeah, okay, I'm over him now"

"You're what??"

"Oh, uh, I mean, I'm over his rudeness, right??"

"Elleeeee?? You liked him didn't you?"

"No, of course I didn't, I didn't, honestly. He was ugly, horrible, slimy, stubborn, mean and everything I don't like in guys"

"Darling, I can tell when you're lying" Jane said "You liked him didn't you?"

"No, I just was surprised at how hot he was for a minute" Elle replied untruthfully to her sister "There's nothing to be worried about. Like you said, I won't ever meet him again"

She caught sight of herself in a shop window, and wondered why Darcy had said she wasn't pretty. She wasn't in the same class as Kate Moss obviously, but she wasn't that bad!!

"Did you hear me?"

"What? Oh, sorry Jane, I zoned out for a minute... what did you say?"

"You've got the party to look forward to tonight, what are you wearing?"

"Oh, that party? The whole place will be full of lowlife people that invite themselves over to make our acquaintance, from Plumstead. Gosh, I hate it that Dad is so famous sometimes, everyone wants to know us. Look at us now - we've changed our last names so no-one connects us with Thomas Bennett."

Jane laughed slightly bitterly

"I know, it's really ridiculous isn't it? Now I run the risk of losing Charlie if he ever finds out my name. I haven't invited him or his brother to the party, I can't, you see..."

Elle sighed "I'm in my car now; I'll call you later at the office. I hope you have a good day"

"Bye"

As Elle got into her car she was thinking

"Man! I know that I've seen that guy before"

She whipped out her business phone, and called her secretary, making an appointment with Hetty

"That disgusting woman?" the secretary, Rachel asked with sympathy in her voice "I feel so sorry for you. Imagine if she knew that Thomas Bennett's little daughter was dealing with her divorce!"

"How do you know??" Elle was shocked "I told you I'm Liz Regan. How do you connect me with Elle Bennett??"

"I saw you in Hello at a high class party. You were dressed differently and had a wig on, but you are definitely Elle Bennett."

Elle gasped, and began to tap impatiently on her steering wheel "Did you tell anyone?"

"Of course not, it's really cool that you've started from scratch and made your way up. You've got to relax Liz" she slipped back into the old name "Not everyone is out to get you"

"Yeah, I know, I should calm down. How's Ben?" Ben was Rachel's on-off boyfriend

"He's lying smashed in one of his mate's houses. I've seriously got to consider finishing with him" Rachel said ruefully

Elle wasn't listening; she was trying to get past an obnoxious driver in a black Mercedes.

Hooooooooooot

The car didn't budge, and the driver just kept on going. Ten seconds later, Elle saw who the driver was, and nearly dropped her mobile phone.

She tried ducking out of his sight, but he saw her.

"Don't you ever stop hooting?" he asked, grinning.

Elle was absolutely furious. She realized what he was implying, and almost crashed into him. Did he never give up?

She hated him. Hated him!! Hated his compelling green eyes and his well fitted suit. She hated his cute car, and his adorable hair. She hated the way holding the mobile to his ear drew her attention to his lovely ears, and well shaped neck. She hated him like she'd never hated anyone before.

"Move!!" she screamed

He did so; smirking at her like she was the biggest idiot. Neither of them noticed the police car coming up to them, and Elle certainly didn't see the press photographer.

Elle spotted the police car tailing them first, and pulled over before Darcy had a chance to. Irritated, she put her phone down and hid it in handbag. 200m along the road, Darcy stopped and put his phone down, just as irritated.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to book you for driving while being on the phone." The policeman announced when Darcy and Elle were both by him. Then he spotted Elle

"Oh, hello miss, I'll just speak to your father. Maybe he can sort this out"

Elle very nearly had convulsions at the look on Will's face when the police officer recognized her

"Sure Paddy, say hi to Katrina for me" Elle replied

"You remember me!! Oh, Katrina will be so happy to hear from you. Till next time Elizabeth. Whilst you young man, what do you think you're doing?"

Darcy quickly saw a way out of this "I was on the phone to Liz here, we're both working on something together, and I was surprised to see her. Neither of us was actually on the phone, I was ringing her when I saw her. On account of this lovely lady, can you let me off?"

Elle make a puking face at Darcy behind Paddy's back, but to his relief refrained from saying anything.

"Sure lad, but don't let it happen again. Can I have your autograph Elizabeth?? I think Katrina lost it."

"Sure" and Elle signed her name on his t-shirt, where Will couldn't see it. With a grin and another thank you, Paddy was gone.

"That was close" Will said as they walked back to their consecutive cars "How did he know you?"

"Oh, yes, that… most people know my father" Elle admitted airily

"Mr. Regan? He's not Ronald Regan is he?" Will looked confused

"No darling" Elle said in a sugary sweet voice "My professional name and my professional life are kept out of the way of my public name and life. I never mix the two. You will never really know who I am"

Darcy was so shocked that she'd called him darling that he forgot to listen to the rest of the sentence. Elle stole a glance at him sideways and saw him blushing, and thought it the cutest thing she'd seen since forever, but she kept her thoughts to herself!

"Bye" he said as he slid into his car

Elle didn't reply, she was already late as it was...

Well, are you liking it?? I'm LOVING writing this :D