A/N: Another chapter! I know I still have a long way to go but I would love some feedback. What did you like/not like/hate/want to slap me for because it was so bad. I can take it. I'm a big girl.
I hope you enjoy this chapter...
Ch. 8
Liz walked confidently down the hall to her cubicle, the way she always did. Her heels clicked on the tile floor.
Everywhere she went in the building, people would say 'hi' to her. It had been two weeks and the excitement of her article still hadn't died down yet. She couldn't wait until it did.
"Oh Liz!" Charlotte called from her office as Liz walked by.
"Yea? What's up Char?" Liz paused in the doorway, leaning against the door frame.
Charlotte squealed and waved her hand to usher Liz in. She obliged and sat down in one of the chairs facing her friend's desk.
"I have some really exciting news!" Charlotte clapped her hands together. "My book is getting published!"
"No way! Congrats, Char!" Elizabeth replied.
Charlotte had been an amateur author from the time she was ten. Despite her parents telling her that it would never work out, she never gave up. To please her parents, she got a 'real' job, but always continued to write. About two months ago she sent her latest book to a publishing company in New York. Charlotte Lucas had accomplished what she always wanted to.
"And I'm going to New York soon to meet the publisher." A beat, "And I want you to come with me!"
"What? No, I can't Char. Work had been really busy and⎯"
"And you need a break, hon." Charlotte finished her sentence.
Elizabeth sighed. She had been really busy since she wrote the article about Will Darcy. And she really did need a break from everyone telling her how great it was that she got an interview with WIll Darcy. Don't get me wrong. I love people praising my work, but I've always written things that I believe, and I'm not sure what to think about Will Darcy yet Elizabeth thought.
"Okay. I'm in. When do we leave?"
"Yay! I'm so glad you agreed. I would have made you come along against you will if you said no. It's in two weeks. De Bourg Publishing is paying for the hotel and everything!" The smile on Charlotte's face was undeniable. Liz was beyond happy for her friend.
"Alright. I can't wait. I'll talk to you more after work. If I'm going to New York with you, then I'm gonna have to get more articles done until then."
"'Kay. Talk to you later." Charlotte responded with a wink and a click of her tongue.
Next stop: her boss. If she wanted time off work, she had to kiss some ass.
Gently, she knocked on the door to her boss' office and slowly opened the door.
"Hello? Mr. Stevens? Can I talk to you for a moment?" Elizabeth asked, almost inaudible. She didn't really talk to her boss often, so she wasn't sure if he even knew her.
"Hello." Stevens said cheerfully. "Come on in. Take a seat, please." Her boss was a stout man with a balding head but a kind disposition from what she heard.
Elizabeth awkwardly sat down and smoothed out her skirt. She then crossed and uncrossed her legs, unsure of how to ask for vacation time at a job she'd only been working at for a month.
"What can I do for you, Elizabeth?" Mr. Stevens asked.
Oh! I guess he does know my name. "Well, Mr. Stevens⎯"
"Please, call me Bob. And I know I sent an e-mail but let me just tell you personally that your article was such a great addition to the issue. We sold more issues than usual, probably because of all the crazy teens in love with Will Darcy." Bob Stevens chuckled.
Well, that's not really where I expected this conversation to go. "Okay, uhm, Bob...I well I was just wondering..."
Her boss interrupted her again. "And although I loved your food articles, I think you might have a career in celebrity gossip. Have you ever thought of branching out?"
An idea suddenly came to Elizabeth's mind. "Well yes" she spoke more confidently now that she knew a way to ask her boss for vacation time without actually asking for it. "I was thinking about trying travel articles. I know that my job is as a restaurant writer, but maybe we can do an experimental type of article. If you like it, we could do a piece on it."
"Hmmm...I'm listening." Bob propped up his elbows on his desk and leaned his chin on his hands.
"You know how Los Angeles is often compared with New York?" at her bosses nod she continued "I thought maybe I could go to New York and write an article about the differences of New York and L.A. You know, in terms of food, night life, everything. You wouldn't have to pay a dime."
Bob Stevens looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think it's a good idea, but you know that Jessica Barnes writes all the travel articles. However, she is going on maternity leave soon. When were you planning on writing this article?"
"Two weeks." Liz replied.
"Okay, you know what. Go for it. I think the idea is good and I know you're a great writer. I have faith in you."
Liz clapped her hands rather unprofessionally. "Yay! Thank you so much. You won't be disappointed Mr. Stevens...I mean Bob."
Bob gave Liz a smile. He really did have faith in this young, promising writer. "Alright alright, just send me an e-mail later with the dates and everything. It's up to you to plan everything."
"Thank you sir!" Liz got up from her chair, enthusiastically shook her bosses hand, and walked back to her cubicle with a jump in her step. She would have to work, but exploring New York with Charlotte wouldn't seem like working.
Liz was able to get a considerable amount of work done prepping for the trip until Charlotte came over and informed her that it was time for lunch.
Ever since their reunion, the two girls had spent a considerable amount of time together. They went on their lunch breaks together, had shopping trips (which was desperately needed on Liz's part) and frequently ventured to their favorite coffee shop whenever the need for caffeine arose.
"How about pizza today?" Charlotte suggested as they waited for the elevator took them to the first floor.
"Mhmm. Sounds delicious." Elizabeth responded.
The pizza shop was within walking distance to their work, so within no time they were seated in their favorite booth by the window.
"So, all this hype about Will Darcy hasn't died down yet, has it?" Charlotte ventured to ask.
"Ugh." Was all Elizabeth felt like replying.
"You really shed a new light on him, Liz. Fans always want to know new things about their favorite celebrities. People are starting to see him differently. The theory about Darcy being a robot is busted now, thanks to you."
"Char, I just wrote nice things about him to please Charlie. He really needed Will to get some positive publicity before his movie came out. And I'm kind of nervous about what Will Darcy will think. Not everything I wrote about him was...on the record."
"Well it's not like you wrote anything bad about him. If he sues then he'll look like a jackass." Charlotte reasoned.
"I hope he doesn't. I don't really know what he'd do."
"Mhmm, and what exactly is your opinion on this superstar actor?"
"I...I don't know what to think. All the things in that article are true, but it's like Will Darcy has two different personalities. One where he is charming, and the other where he is reserved and cold."
"Well you know what I think, hon. I think that you don't know what to think about him because you have a little crush deep down." Charlotte casually said with a sly smile. Upon seeing Liz's searing face to her response, Charlotte focused her attention on the slice of pizza right in front of her, not daring to make eye contact.
"Then it must be deep, deep, deep down, because now I'm angry with you for even suggesting that." Liz folded her arms and leaned back in the booth.
Despite her lack of trying, Liz could not stay mad at her friend for long. Charlotte's apologetic appearance made Liz forgive her almost immediately.
"I'm sorry, Liz. I was just teasing." Charlotte apologized.
"It's okay, all is forgiven...as long as you never bring it up again."
Charlotte brought her hand up to her face, pretending to lock her mouth and throw away the key like they did when they were little.
They both startled giggling and people turned to them to see what all their noise was about, but they were used to it by now. It happened almost every time they went out to eat.
"Alright, so tell me about this trip to New York. Stevens said he would let me go. But on the terms that I write an article about New York."
"Well...the flight is on the 29th. That's a little less than two weeks from now. Mrs. De Bourg is having her assistant pick us up and then we're going to her apartment to meet her, by the way I already told her you were coming, and then we stay there for a week while I finalize everything."
"Sounds good to me. When did you find time to tell Mrs. De Bourg I was coming? I thought you were working on your blog all day."
"I was. I told her yesterday you were coming." Charlotte said nonchalantly, examining her nails.
"But I just told you today I would come..." Elizabeth was confused for a second, then a wave of realization hit her. "Oh! You were going to make me come with you either way! You're so sneaky!" Elizabeth laughed.
Char threw her hands up in the air with a guilty look. "I needed someone for support. I've heard rumors that this De Bourg woman can be really intimidating."
Elizabeth clicked her tongue and said "Gotcha. I'm getting a free vacation out of this so either way I'm happy. She's probably not that bad."
"I hope you're right..." Charlotte said a little nervously as she sipped her iced tea.
Later that day Liz was approaching her apartment door, hands filled with groceries. When she reached the door she placed her bags on the mat outside in order to fish for the keys on the bottom of her purse.
Just as she found her key, the door across the hall swiftly opened. A girl rushed out with a disheveled appearance, heels in her hand and day-old mascara giving the girl raccoon eyes.
A man appeared in the doorway to the room the girl had just left. "Monica! Wait, baby!" the man called after her.
"Go to Hell! And while you're at it, lose my number!" The girl shouted back. She then turned down the hallway and disappeared out of sight.
"Well, shit" the man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was when he finally noticed Elizabeth standing there in the hallway, desperately trying to get the key in the lock to open the door and escape the awkward scene that she just witnessed.
"Need help?" the man asked, looking down to her groceries.
"Uh...nope. I'm good." Liz stuttered. She was stunned by the strangers appearance. He looked like he just stepped out of an Abercrombie photo shoot. Wavy blond hair, sharp jaw, piercing blue eyes. In his apparent struggle to follow 'Monica,' he failed to put on a shirt. Elizabeth could see his toned abs. In fact, she could not stop staring. That is, until he moved towards her and grabbed her grocery bags.
"It's no problem. I'm already here anyway." The man smiled, his gorgeous white teeth showing through.
"Okay" Liz giggled nervously. A shirtless man was carrying groceries into her apartment.
After some more struggling, her door finally opened and the two stepped into the apartment.
"Wow" the man said, "Your place is so much nicer than mine."
"Oh, thanks. It's my sister who did a lot of the decorating." Liz placed the groceries on the counter and the man did the same. When both their hands were free, The man reached his out for her to shake.
"George Wickham."
Liz took his hand, gave a small smile, and shook it. "Liz Bennet."
"How come I haven't ever bumped into you before, Liz?" George asked curiously.
"My sister and I just moved in about a month ago. We haven't been in L.A long."
"Well I'm glad I finally met you. At least something in my day has gone right. I got a flat tire today while driving down the highway, and now my girlfriend just broke up with me." George sighed.
"Aww. That does sound pretty bad. Wanna stay for some coffee? It's the least I can do for helping me with my groceries." Elizabeth smiled at him.
"That would be great."
"Okay. I'll put some coffee on. How 'bout you go get a shirt on and we'll meet back here in two minutes." Liz joked.
George looked down, seeming to notice the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt. "Right. I'll be right back." He took off, heading out the door and across the hall.
Two minutes later he returned shirt-on. Elizabeth handed him a mug and ushered him over to the couch.
"So, tell me a little bit about yourself George Wickham." Liz asked, quirking her eyebrows.
"There's not much to tell. I was born in New York, dropped out of college because I wasn't able to afford it anymore, and now I'm stuck in a thankless job at Applebee's. My day has just been going downhill...that is until I met you." George smiled flirtatiously.
"Aww shucks" Liz swatted his arm. "I'm flattered."
Just then, the door opened and in stepped Jane. "Liz I'm home!" she shouted before realizing that she was sitting right at the couch...and was with a guest. "Oh, hi. I didn't realize Liz had company."
"Oh Jane, come meet George. He's our neighbor from across the hall. He helped with my groceries so I invited him in for coffee."
"Hello, George." Jane said cheerily.
"Pleasure to meet you." George responded.
"Liz, I forgot to tell you, Will wanted to thank you." Jane told her sister.
"Ugh! Don't remind me about Will Darcy. I didn't do that stupid interview for him. I did it for you and Charlie." Liz responded.
At hearing the name 'Will Darcy,' George's ears perked up. "Wait, are you talking about movie star Will Darcy?"
"Yea, Liz interviewed him for L.A Mag two weeks ago." Jane said.
"Humph. And what was he like? An arrogant ass?" George asked Liz.
"Totally. He's definitely a mystery."
"Well I could tell you a few things about his that would leave no question as to his character."
"What? You know him? Like, personally?" Liz asked, a little shocked.
"Yea. We grew up together." George responded, acting a little more miserable than before.
"Holy Shit! You have to tell me about him!" Liz demanded, hungry for answers.
"I don't know if I should, I mean, he is a well-respected man..." George trailed off.
"No. You've got to tell me. You're the one that got me started. Explain!"
"Okay. I guess so." George folded his hands and put on a solemn face. "So like I said, we grew up together. His parents were actors on Broadway, and my dad was their agent. When my father died when I was twelve, the late Mr. Darcy took me in and treated me as his own. I think Will always resented me because his father liked me better.
"Anyway, when we were 25, Will decided to move here to Hollywood to act, he had just gotten a role in a film. I decided to follow, seeing as there were more opportunities for me here. A few months later, when Will's sister, Georgie, graduated high school, she came to visit Will. I had always been close to Georgie and we kept in touch when I was here and she was still in New York. We decided to meet and grab a bite to eat one day. When I saw her, it was like so much had changed about her. She looked more grown-up, just in those short few months that I hadn't seen her. I started having feelings for her, so I told her. She told me she felt the same way.
"We decided to get married. I know it seems crazy that we just decided it so quickly, but we had known each other almost our whole lives. We decided to meet the next day and run away together. She was staying with Will, so we planned to leave at a time that he would be out. However, when I got there, I saw Georgie sitting nervously on the couch and Will waiting for me. I don't blame her for telling her brother, I just wished he had acted a different way.
"So, long story short, he beat me up. I ended up in the hospital, but I never pressed charges. It would have hurt Georgie too much if I punished her brother. When Will was done beating the shit out of me, he told me never to talk to him or his sister ever again. It's been nearly 4 years and I haven't said a word to either of them."
When George finished his sad story, the room was quiet. Neither Jane nor Liz knew what to say after their neighbor that they had just met spilled his guts out to them.
"That...Sucks." Liz finally said.
Jane solemnly nodded in agreement.
"I can't believe he did that!" Liz raised her voice. "He beat you up, and then kept the girl you loved away from you. I'm so sorry!"
"No, no. Don't be sorry for me. I'm just sorry for Will. He may seem put together on the outside, but I know that he is suffering inside." George said somberly.
"You shouldn't defend him. He hurt you." Liz said.
George stood up. "It's okay, Liz. I'm over it." He stroked her cheek, then placed his empty coffee mug on the counter. "I should get going. Thanks for the coffee, Liz. It was nice meeting you two."
And with that, George Wickham left, shutting the door behind him.
"At least I know what to think of Will Darcy now. He's a fucking douche. The king of all douches." Liz spoke.
"You don't know his side of the story though, Liz." Jane rationalized.
"I don't need to. I already know that I hate him."
"But Liz⎯"
"Jane, you're too nice for your own good. I love you for it, but you just have to realize that not everyone is good. Will Darcy is one of those people."