"Isn't Lizzy supposed to be here by now?" Charles asked his girlfriend Jane.

"Yes. I have texted her several times, but she has not replied," Jane frowned while checking her phone again for any message from her younger sister Elizabeth, who was supposed to be joining them for dinner tonight.

"Do you want me to pick her up from work? The weather is pretty bad," Charles worried.

"I will call her now and see if she answers," Jane said and rang her sister's number. Unfortunately, she was not able to get through and only managed to leave a voice message.

"I thought today was her last day of work. She should not really be doing any overtime--" Darcy started to say but was interrupted by the ring of the doorbell. While Charles was eternally cheerful and optimistic, his friend Darcy was serious and… well, more serious. Elizabeth could not fathom how they had become good friends.

Rising from the couch, Jane rushed to open the door.

"Lizzy! Oh my, look at you! Come inside quickly! Here, let me take your coat," Jane exclaimed as Lizzy shrugged her drenched outerwear off and removed her boots. "We were getting worried. Charles was about to pick you up from work. Next time, please text me so I know you are okay."

"I am alright, Jane. I do not want to be a bother. It is just a little bit of wind and rain," Lizzy reassured her sister.

"But you are so late! By over an hour! Never mind, you are here now," Jane sighed. "The table is set. Let me just get the food out."

During dinner, the conversation revolved mostly around Jane, Elizabeth and Charles. Darcy contributed little to the discussion, content to listen. To Elizabeth's voice. And observe. Elizabeth and her various mannerisms and expressions. Regrettably, he had made some offhand comments in the beginning of their acquaintance and felt that Elizabeth had been keeping her distance from him. Much as he now wanted to forward their non-relationship, he had no clue how to achieve this. Their meetings always happened through Charles and Jane, so he had been trying to tag along their dates and outings as much as he could, hoping he would see more of Lizzy and perhaps she would slowly warm up to him.

"What took you so long to get here, Lizzy?"

"I was ready to go by 5. I have packed up all my stuff earlier today. But my boss kept asking for this and that. He said I should delay my resignation because there were still some things he wanted me to do. Luckily, he got tied up with an important phone call so that allowed me a chance to escape. I made sure I have finished all my work and completed my handover to the other staff, so there is no going back," Lizzy explained.

"I am glad you have quit your job, Lizzy. I do not like the idea of that man hovering around you so much. The way you describe your interactions with him creeps me out," Jane revealed.

"If he continues to pester you, let us know, Lizzy. He should have no reason to contact you," Charles offered.

"Thanks, Charles," Lizzy smiled. "I am actually relieved that I do not have to go back there anymore. The only thing is… now I haven't got a job. And there are bills to pay, you know."

"Lizzy, do not worry about that. I can cover our expenses while you are still looking for a new job. With your credentials, I know it will not be long before you find employment." Jane shared a rented flat with Lizzy, but half the time she stayed at Charles's place in Central London.

"I can't do that, Jane. That will not be fair to you. I have already made some applications, so fingers crossed that I hear back from them soon."

"Or you can work for me," Darcy's sudden intrusion startled Lizzy.

"Pardon?" she blinked at him, almost forgetting that he was still there. She had learnt to ignore his stares and odd remarks, thinking they are not worth her time mulling over.

"I said, you can work for me. My PA's doctor had advised her to do light duties for the meantime due to medical reasons, so if you are up to it, you can be her assistant," Darcy tried to sound sincere but casual, like it was no big deal, so he did not scare Lizzy off. Maybe this was his chance to get closer to her.

"I do not mean to sound ungrateful, Darcy, but I do not want a job out of pity. I am not that desperate. Yet. I do have some savings, though not a huge amount," Lizzy replied.

"I will not be offering you a role if I do not trust that you are capable. You are, in fact, overqualified, given your degree in IT. I think you can support Mrs R with some of the more techy stuff as she still gets overwhelmed by anything invented in the 21st century."

Wait. Was that a joke? And was that a compliment? From Darcy? Towards myself? Lizzy thought.

"Besides, we are not planning to employ anyone permanent for now, not until she receives more updates from her doctor. You can just fill a temporary post, and once you get a good job offer, you are free to go," Darcy added, hoping she would at least consider his proposal. No, not that kind of proposal.

"Go on, Lizzy. Give it a try. It would look good on your CV, being employed by Darcy," Charles said encouragingly. "You are used to his gloomy and broody nature by now anyway," he continued, earning a glare from his friend.

Lizzy looked over to Jane, who nodded her approval.

"Very well. I accept. But only until the end of the year. Thank you, Darcy."

Darcy wanted to pump his fist in the air and shout "Yes!" but controlled himself, knowing that would look suspicious. So he played it cool. Not long after, he excused himself to… he forgot what excuse he had made. He pumped his fist in the air numerous times in the kitchen, silently, oblivious to the fact that pedestrians walking outside could see him.

For her part, Lizzy was not sure if she had just committed a colossal mistake.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Hi everyone.

I hope you are all well.

Sorry if you are waiting for story updates from me. Life has been verrrrry stressful since school started in September. I think about writing everyday but just could not get around to doing it.

A few readers have reached out and asked for updates or a new story so… I shall do what I can.

Again, I have been waiting for a light, happy, silly Christmas D/E fic to read here but I have not seen any so far, so… I guess I will try my hand at writing one.

I only came up with this vague idea yesterday, so this is all very rough. Anything can happen. Events might be improbable but... this is fanfic. I will make sure it is D/E HEA. Of course!!!

This will probably be only a short story… but we shall see how things go.

Thank you all.