Chapter 75 - Don’t You Dare Lie

"Elizabeth, can I have a word with you, please?" Harry calmly requested her, he looked like someone who wouldn't force her to talk if she didn't want to, and also because Liz had a good opinion of him and he looked very calm she agreed to have a word with him.

Then harry took her to the side and they talked to each other for five minutes, Will and Catherine couldn't hear anything as they were standing a bit far from them so they looked at the other two anxiously, they were curious and wanted to know what they were talking about but these two were scared of pissing off Liz any further so they stood at their spots and didn't even dare to move, after few minutes Harry and Liz came back to them, Liz looked much calmer than before, she was not furious anymore.

"I am sorry for overreacting, let's go and have breakfast, I am very hungry." Liz looked at both Will and Catherine and politely apologised.

Will was shocked seeing the 180 degree change in Liz's attitude and so was Catherine, they wanted to ask Harry what they talked about but Harry signaled them to keep quiet so they didn't ask anything and went to have breakfast.

The four had breakfast in peace, Liz even tried to make small talk with Will which surprised him but he was happy that she was at least talking to him normally. Then they again headed for their destination, these four played some word games while travelling to kill some time, Liz got more comfortable around Harry and Will during these games.

Will decided to take tips from Harry as to how he handled Liz.

They then reached Canterbury, Harry already looked for one of the best and safest resorts so they went there. They decided they will book two rooms, one for Harry and Will, another for Catherine and Liz.

They got two opposite facing rooms, they all went into their rooms to freshen up first. Will asked Harry what he and Liz talked about which suddenly changed Liz's attitude but Harry refused to answer him, so after a point Will stopped bothering him. 

The two guys got ready and knocked on the girls' room but there was no response, they got worried and knocked again.

…

'Trrnngg' 'Trrnngg' 'Trrnngg' 

Just then Catherine's phone rang and she paused her story, Rachel signaled her its okay and she should answer the call, Catherine saw the caller ID and it was Jimmy.

"Mom, where are you?" Jimmy sounded panicked.

"I came out with Rachel, what happened?"

"You are fine right?" He again asked to confirm.

"Yes of course, why what happened Jim?"

"Dad said you were kidnapped." Jimmy now sounded pissed.

"Give the phone to your dad." Cat ordered Jimmy on the phone.

He passed the phone to his dad, "Harry what the hell is wrong with you, why would you prank Jimmy, please grow up."

Harry laughed on the other side, "I was playing an innocent prank on him, I didn't expect he would believe me and immediately call you, I am really sorry."

"It's okay"

"Are you having a good time?"

"Yes, we are having an amazing time." Catherine sounded genuinely happy.

"It's getting late, when are you coming back?"

Catherine checked time on her watch and exclaimed, "Oh no I didn't keep a track of time, I'll come back soon." Catherine cut the call.

Rachel too then checked the time and it was indeed very late.

"Auntie let's continue the story next time, it is really late" 

"I am sorry Rachel for abruptly stopping the story." Catherine felt bad stopping midway, she too was enjoying telling this story to her as she too was reminiscing the old days.

"Please don't apologise, I am the one who should apologise as I didn't keep a track of time."

Catherine chuckled, "Isn't that a good thing? It implies we had a good time together."

"That's true, thank you so much auntie, hearing this story I felt more closer to my mom and dad, I never knew their personalities."

Catherine smiled in understanding, they paid the bill and left together, Catherine asked Rachel to accompany her and she would drop her home, earlier Cat got a message from Anthony and he insisted she drop Rachel home so Cat convinced her and they went together.

Catherine then asked Rachel, "Did you find any of the things relatable from the story I told you earlier?"

"Yes, my mom's attitude of not owing money to anyone, oh god it is so relatable, I always ensure I payback money to people I borrow from, I think I inherited this habit from my mom."

Catherine laughed, "Yes, your mom is very strict about it, she indeed paid me back the money for the trip we went on as soon as she got her internship stipend."

Rachel laughed knowing it, then she remembered something and curiously asked, "Also, what was it that uncle Harry told my mom that she suddenly changed her attitude?"

Catherine guiltily answered, "He never told me, after a point I forgot this incident, I recollected this part while narrating the past story to you."

"Oh, no worries, aunt Catherine can we meet again?" Rachel asked, excitement evident in her tone.

"Because you want to spend more time with me or you want to know more about your parents?"

Rachel frankly answered, "Both but more to know about my parents, you are the only person I can openly ask anything and also you are telling me this story without any filters. So, I want to know more about them from you."

"Haha sure sweetheart, it is a long story anyway but I'll tell you everything"

They then discussed other things and after some time they reached Rachel's home.

Bidding adieu to Cat, Rachel reached home and found James sitting on the couch in the living room and he looked tensed, "Hey grandpa, what happened? You look serious and worried." she sat next to him.

James just had a meeting with Daniel, the one he requested him to come for a night before, the other two old men and his source were present too and they discussed Rachel's safety which worried him and turned his mood sour, he was trying to not let his mood reflect on his face but he couldn't help.

"Rachel, is there something you are hiding from me?" James decided it is time to talk to Rachel about the attack on her.

Rachel hesitated before saying anything.

"Rachel please don't you dare lie" James sounded very serious.

Rachel took a long breathe and then she told him about the second attack that happened and James seriously listened to the entire story without interrupting her, after she was done, he seriously put his points forward, "Rachel from now on, whenever you will go out there will be bodyguards following you around, I don't want you to be alone at any point, you won't be driving alone and would have a driver with you. Is that clear?" he sounded very firm.

"Grandpa it seems you already knew about the attack." Rachel was suspicious.

"Yes, I knew of it for a long time now but things are going to get out of control so please cooperate." James decided to be as honest as possible and not deceive his granddaughter anymore.

"May I know who told grandpa about this attack." 

"No you may not."

"Grandpa" Rachel sounded angry.

"We once had a disagreement and you can see the consequences of it, so I don't want us to have another one so please just listen to me, I am worried about your safety and you are the only family I have." James decided to deal with this matter more calmly instead of arguing with Rachel like the last time which led her to run away from home.

"Fine but this security should not mess with my personal space." she demanded.

"It won't"

Seeing grandpa agreeing to her terms, she too calmed down, "Sorry for hiding it grandpa, I was really worried how you would react and I didn't want to trouble you."

"Rachel if you would tell me everything then I can deal with it as soon as I get to know about it, so please don't hide such important things from me the next time."

"Okay"

"How was your day with Catherine?"

"Oh my god, it was awesome, she told me mom dad's love story, although the story is still pending but yeah it was fun."

"That's nice" He lovingly patted her head.

"I didn't know dad was so shameless."

"Of course he was, after all he is my son." James winked at her.

After some chit-chatting she gave him two shopping bags, one for him and one for grandpa Michael.

"Wow Mike would be so happy to know you shopped for him" James was happy that Rachel cared for his friend.

"Not just me, even aunt Catherine bought clothes for him, we just combined it in one bag, please let him know it is from both of us"

"Sure dear, he will be very happy"

Then saying goodnight to her grandpa she went to her room, changed into her night pajamas and after settling on the bed, she messaged Daniel.