Chapter 448 - NEGOTIATION: PART II

How my sunrise and sunset Elizabeth has gone by and she still has not taken the chance to speak to discuss with her parents in regards to her plans. 

Then one afternoon whilst she was walking with her parents she thought of how she could win them over. "Dad, why don't we invite grandma, granddad and grandpa to dinner. Especially since grandpa is also returning home." 

Both parents looked at each other struck with astonishment and surprised to hear what their daughter just mentioned. They both stayed silent and did not respond... 

"I mean, I can't hide from them forever and it's been days since I've recovered and I know they wish to see me too. I can hear Jackie cursing me at night by my door and I know she missed me too seeing she didn't dare break down my door at all. They've all been patient and I can't be greedy and hide from them. I too miss them."

"If that's what you wish for then we can have dinner with them later." Lord Knightley answered as he gazed at his daughter with curiosity as to what she could be planning. 

"Father will be so happy to hear that. He has extended his stay for quite some time now and for you to bid him farewell would mean a lot to him." Lady Zhao spoke in glee from the happy news. "If you both excuse me, I'll go inform them now."

Lady Zhao left both father and daughter alone as she went to prepare the necessary preparation needed for tonight's dinner. Since it will be their first family dinner after a long time, she was so excited that it looked as if she was glowing and birds were singing all around her. 

"Mother seems to be so happy." Elizabeth commented with a slight chuckled in her tone. 

"I hope you are prepared for what's to come." 

Elizabeth was shocked by her father's cold comment. She ignored it because she understood why her father said such words. 'Hmm, you really are my daddy. You always can see through all my plans.'

"Daddy, why don't we return and freshen up as well. It won't be long before dinner." 

"Alright then." 

Elizabeth has returned to her room as she hurriedly runs to her desk. She examines the situation and notices nothing has changed at all nor has some been in her desk. 

By the end of the day she needed not worry for her father will always be a hundred step ahead of her now. She already expected that she won't get her freedom back easily seeing the changes in the estate. One might not see them but she notice that her father has extended the amount of guards in the estate and place more surveillance camera around. Meaning, it will be hard for her to try and escape which is why negotiating with them is the best option. 

A few minutes later, she heard someone knocking by the door. 

"I'm coming." 

Elizabeth ran to the door and opened it. Outside her father was waiting for her all dressed up for the evening. He wore a simple sweater and jeans, nothing special. But he looked handsome like his old self now than when she first laid her eyes on him when she first awoke. Now, she saw more color on her father's complexion and does not look like the walking dead anymore. 

"Let's go." 

As they headed to one of the dining rooms. The room was busy with all the chatter and excitement. Finally, they get to see their granddaughter. 

"Are you sure she wished to have dinner with us?" Elder Lady Knightley asked.

"Yes mother, no worries, it was her who suggested that we all have dinner." 

"Finally, I get to see my granddaughter before I return home. Your brother would be so jealous of me." 

"Father." Lady Zhao smiled, pleased to see the joy in her father's face. 

It was written in everyone's face how excited they were to see the girl but deep down they all worried that something terrible might happen tonight. So, they have already prepared their hearts for the worst. 

"Were here." 

A deep voice echoed all over the room. 

As the door opened, the father and daughter walked in. Everyone stayed put and silent and not only the people entering the room footstep could be heard. All eyes were fixed on the lovely girl whom they missed so much. 

As the father helped his daughter on the chair, he signaled everyone to be seated as well and to act naturally. However, it was a challenge for them to do so because they were unsure of what's to happen. 

Elizabeth looked up with a bright look in her face and said, "I'm sorry to have worried you all. It's been awhile." 

Tears fell and the awkward silence soon was filled with different sounds of emotions being expressed at the same time. 

"It's been awhile darling." Elder Lady Knightly spoke with tears falling down her face. 

Jackie too was in tears, happy to finally see her best friend and how badly she wished to run to her and hug her but she didn't and stayed seated in her chair. "Babes, I've missed you." 

"Go to see you too."

It was a joyous occasion indeed nothing terrible has happened and the girl was the first to greet them. 

As the food arrived, Elizabeth was acting normal and nothing was triggering her traumas. She acted finely and everyone's worries soon faded. 

So they thought...

"Where's Athy?" 

Everyone looked strangely at the girl as she spoke of a name they didn't know of how to respond to. 

"Baby, is something wrong?" Lady Zhao looked anxiously at her daughter as she looked at her husband for assistance. 

Elizabeth looked up and faced the crowd in front of her. She was no longer seeing her family but another set of family unfamiliar to her. Then she asked again, "Where's Athy?" 

But the voice she heard was not the voice of the people she was seeing but the voices of her family which confused her. She felt an electrifying pain in her head until suddenly someone touched her by the shoulder which brought her back to her senses. 

She looked up and noticed her family all looking worried at all. She caughts her breath as tears fell without her realizing it. 

"I'm sorry." 

Elizabeth got up from her sit as she run to her room. No one dared follow her for they had already expected such a thing would happen but they all had high hopes such a thing wouldn't happen since they were almost done with dinner. 

"Boy, hurry up with the search of the child. It seems that whom every this Athy is could be the reason why she is still here." 

Lady Zhao looked at Elder Lord Knightley and asked, "What do you mean father?"

"I fear that this Athy might have saved Lizzy and I think she may not be found." 

Without explaining it further everyone clearly understood what Elder Lord Knightley meant. This Athy could no longer be on earth for she might have given her life to save Elizabeth. 

"I'll have more men search for her at once." Lord Knightley responded as he got up from his seat and left the room. 

Soon everyone followed as well after they finished their meal. Lady Zhao went along with her father to help him prepare for his early flight tomorrow. 

Elizabeth was back in her room, seated on the floor by her door. The door was already locked, but she continued to sit there like a rock preventing anyone from entering. 

'Who were those people I was seeing earlier, why do they all look so familiar to me as well?' She ponders on the images of the people she was seeing earlier. She thought they might be able to help her find out what happened. 

Then all of the sudden, Elizabeth started hearing the sound of the glass chipping as if it was being hit by something. 

She got up from where she was seated and noticed a stone was being thrown at one of her windows by her bedside. She went over to check what was going on and opened it. 

"Rapulsel, Rapunzel, please let down your hair." 

Elizabeth smiled as she looked down and saw Jackie all dressed up with a bunch of snacks and looking mischievous at her. 

"Rapunzel, would you please let down your hair?" Jackie repeatedly asks. 

"Jackie, what are you doing?" 

"Well, I think it's about time you explained to me what happened and seeing you ran away earlier I guess I have no choice but to break down your window instead of the door." 

Elizabeth laughed like she used to. It's been a while since she laughed so hard that she was having a hard time catching her breath. 

"My dear prince, forgive me but my hair is not that long enough to help you." 

"No worries, I already have back up." Jackie responded, making Elizabeth wonder what she have under her selves.