Pride and Prejudice, the High School Version.

Chapter 31

"You know, when I dreamed of seeing your name in print, I never imagine it would be over kissing a boy," her dad told her the next morning over breakfast.

"Are you kidding me?" Her mother asked, "It's almost as if she is a celebrity. Everyone is talking about her. I am so proud of you Liz."

"You are?" Liz asked in astonishment, she couldn't remember any time she had made her mother proud.

"Of course I am. You are dating every mother's dream boy. Rich, handsome, well mannered and absolutely rich."

Liz rolled her eyes at her mother, "I thought you told Lydia he has a nail up his ass?"

"He does, but his money makes the nail a little less rusty."

"Can I have my phone now dad?" Lydia asked.

"Absolutely not."

"I think Lydia should have her phone back, it's not fair that you took her phone just for talking to some boy," her mother said.

"I agree with mom."

Her dad and her sisters stared at her.

"Liz, outside, right now," her dad said angrily as he stepped outside himself.

"What do you mean Lydia should have her phone? You are the one who told me to take it."

"Yes and now I am telling you to give it back. Bill has the whole thing under control."

"Why are we all of a sudden trusting Bill and kissing him at the prom? What's going on with you Liz? Is it the money? Cause if it is, I totally understand, but I think you are better than that."

"He is a good person dad. He saved Lydia from the kidnappers and paid her ransom, and he is still looking out for her. Lydia thinks she is texting George, but she is actually texting Bill."

"He is the one who paid the ransom?"

"Yes."

"And you really like him, huh?"

"A lot. I could even..."

"Don't say love. Be my little girl for a little bit longer, yeah?"

Liz smiled, "Yes dad."

"So you think I should give Lydia her phone back?"

"Yes. Just delete George's number from her contacts and tell her you will take it for a year if she texts him again."

"Huh? Didn't you say Bill had it under control?"

"He does but if you let Lydia off the hook so easily, she will get suspicious."

"This parenting thing isn't really meant for me."

"I agree. You are really horrible at it, but all parents are, they just figure it out as they go."

"Okay. Here comes your young men, I should get to the store."

Liz walked away to meet the incoming Charlie and Bill.

"Jane is inside," Liz told Charlie.

Bill smiled at her and pulled her into his arms, playfully kissing her cheek, "You look wonderful," he said.

Liz looked down at her normal black jeans and white tank top, she didn't look so wonderful, but who was she to contrast the CEO of Pemberly Enterprises?

"What are you doing for the day?"

Liz shrugged, "Nothing much."

"Would you like to accompany me for a trip to London?"

Liz blinked at him in confusion, "London? Bill, that's another country."

"I know."

"How are we..."

He grinned, "I like how you forget that I own the largest plane company in the world."

"Why are we going to London?"

"To pick up Georgiana. Is that a yes?"

"Yes."

He picked her up and spun her around.

"You aren't flying me to London just to pick up Georgiana, are you?"

He laughed, "I love and hate that brain of yours at the same time."

"Why are we really going?"

"To get some, why else would I try so much to impress you?"

Liz blushed. Did he want to do it? Because she would do it if it was with him, she had even thought about it, dreamed about it.

"You should see the look on your face," he laughed, "totally priceless. Relax. I just thought it will be cool to get you away from Spring Valley for a few days. Paparazzi will be all over the place."

Liz had expected it to happen, when he kissed her, what she hadn't expected was to be whisked to another country just so she could be safe from cameras.

"Plus, there is something I wanted to discuss with you on our trip."

"What?"

"Let's go and get you packed, I will tell you on the way."

Liz felt a little pity for her dad when she declared that she was going with Bill to London. As usual, her dad just let her do her thing, but she could tell he was worried. She didn't blame him either, the last time he had let one of his children leave the country, she had been kidnapped.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Liz asked as soon as they were seated in the jet.

Bill had decided he wanted to give her his full attention during the trip, so he wasn't at the cockpit. One of his pilots was flying them.

He took her hand in his and smiled sideways at her, "Pemberly Enterprises is opening a new branch in California, and we think Spring Valley is the best place. There is a huge track of land south for sale, and I am already finalizing the deal."

"That's really great," Liz said smiling up at him.

"So, would you like to intern there?"

"Wait, you didn't open up a new branch just so I could intern there, did you?"

He wouldn't, would he? Who was she kidding? He totally would.

"No. This has been in the works for some time now, probably way before I even met you. When Charlie and I rented the beach house, I was already scouting the area."

"Thank goodness."

"Is that a yes?"

"No."

"Well?"

"I don't know, working for you could be a little tricky."

"It would look really good on your MIT application."

"Bill..."

"And we pay our interns really well."

"But..."

"It will also give us more time with each other since I will be on site all the time."

"What..."

He silenced her with a kiss that left her breathless for the next few minutes.

"Say yes," he begged.

She lifted up her arms and hugged him, "Yes."

His hand on her waist tightened and he pulled her closer. Liz closed her eyes and let him kiss her again. She wasn't so sure what she had said yes to, the internship, or this, or both, but whatever it was, she was sure she wasn't going to regret it.