Chapter 1: Threats

"Elizabeth! Could you come in here for a second?" Liz's father shouted. Liz came hurrying in from the kitchen to the huge living room where her dad was standing near the fireplace, holding an envelope.

Liz went to sit on the expensive cream-coloured sofa with a worried look on her face. "What's wrong dad?"

"Another letter came in," he said, handing her the piece of paper he'd taken out of the envelope.

Liz took the letter from her father and started reading. It was another letter threatening Liz's life. "It looks like it's from a different sender this time but it worries me nonetheless" her dad said.

Being a high profile politician, Liz's dad was used to receiving mail threatening his life. But having received a number of threats to his daughter's life made him very worried and even scared.

After losing his wife 5 years ago, Elizabeth was all he had so he was extra protective and careful when it came to his daughter.

After her mother died, Liz had moved in with her dad to the massive mansion he lived in. It was half an hour's drive from where she used to live so it wasn't easy to stay in touch with her friends but she tried to meet up with them as much as possible.

Liz was living a privileged and high-maintenance life thanks to her dad's fame and wealth.

Money was never an issue, so she never worked a day in her life. She preferred to go shopping or getting pampered in a spa rather than getting a job she didn't have to do.

"I need you to stay inside for a little while, okay?" Liz heard her father say, "It's too risky for you to go out there as long as we don't know who wants to harm you".

"Dad! You can't be serious?" Liz exclaimed, "You can't expect me to stay inside and not go anywhere!"

"Elizabeth, darling, it's for your own good. And mine. If you were out there I would be worried sick the entire time. I have enough on my plate right now without having to worry about you as well"

He continued, "Besides, you have enough here to keep yourself busy, sweetie. We have a pool, a tennis court, a fitness room, a cinema… So you should have enough to keep yourself entertained", he said with a smile, "And you can always invite over some friends if you want but I just want to keep you safe"

"By keeping me locked up? That is so unfair! You get threats the whole time and you go out anyway" Liz ranted, "You think I don't worry about you? But I don't tell you to stay home now, do I?"

"Elizabeth, please, stop acting like a child and just listen to me for a change"

"I am listening to you! But I just don't think it's fair that you're asking me to stay in the house for god knows how long!"

"Darling, I can go out because I have my security with me. I'm never on my own and have a whole detail with me at all times, you know that".

"Okay, well, if that's what it takes then I want my own security" Liz said while crossing her arms, "There is no way I'm staying inside for days"

Her father let out a long and heavy sigh. He knew that it was too much to ask from his daughter but he could not bear the thought of something happening to her.

"Fine" he said, "I will look into it. But it might take a little while cause I'm not letting just anybody look after you. I want you to be in good hands".

Liz got up and hugged her father "Thanks dad, I knew we could come up with a solution"

How could he ever deny her anything, he thought as he hugged his daughter back. She was his angel. As a result she could get away with murder and she knew it…

That evening he sat at his desk, flicking through some resumes he kept in a folder. It was always good to have some recommendations at hand when it came to security people.

But no matter how hard he looked, nobody stood out enough for him to feel comfortable with looking after Elizabeth. Even after making a few calls, he was no closer to finding someone.

The next morning he saw Liz at the kitchen table. "Good morning darling, did you sleep well?" he tried sounding cheerful but Liz's face was speaking for itself "Okay, I guess not", he added quickly.

"I actually did sleep well, thank you for asking, but knowing that I will be stuck here all day doesn't help my mood" she said, pulling a sad face.

"I am looking into it as I promised but you have to give me some time to find someone suitable for the job, honey"

"Well, can you promise me you will find someone, let's say, by tomorrow?" She asked hopefully.

"I'm doing the best I can", her dad said while taking a bite from his toast, "I really need to get going now. Please stay here and don't leave the house"

She gave her dad a look that could kill but accepted the kiss on her cheek he gave her anyway. She knew that he was just worried about her but the thought of having to stay at home drove her crazy.

"See you later pumpkin", he said while heading for the door, "I will try my best to find someone soon, okay? For now I will leave Tony here to look after you. I don't want you being alone here".

"It's really not necessary to have someone looking after me here, but okay…see you tonight". Tony was one of dad's security detail and he was a nice man, so she could live with that.

All right, what shall I do first, Liz thought as she finished her breakfast.

It was still early so the sun hadn't really come out yet. Will go to the pool later; let's watch a movie first, she decided.

After the movie finished, she changed into her new bikini. Oh, this is such a nice one, she thought while looking in the mirror. It was a black one with some glitter on the bra.

She grabbed a big pool towel and made her way to one of the sunbeds. She listened to some music on her iPod and went in for a dive twice.

The sun was hot and she dried quickly. Liz got up to get herself a cool drink and shuffled her way back to her sunbed.

She could see Tony walking around the house and keeping an eye on her, although he was trying to give Liz her space and not being overly present.

My god, this was nice but so boring, she thought to herself. She wasn't used to being at home a lot and especially not on her own. She picked up her phone and dialled Kim's number.

"Hey Kim, it's me. Would you like to come up to the house?" Liz asked hopefully. "Oh, okay… Sure, no problem! Next time maybe".

She tried two more friends but unfortunately everybody had other plans.

"Dammit" she cursed as she made her way to the edge of the pool again.

Let's hope dad will find someone soon, she thought as she dived into the pool again.

That evening when Liz's dad walked through the door Liz was at his side immediately. "Hey dad, did you find someone yet".

"Hello to you too, Elizabeth" her dad laughed, "And how was your day?"

"It was terrible, that's why you need to find someone now! Please dad" Liz begged him.

"Okay, okay, calm down. You were home for one day and you're already going crazy" he shook his head, "That is really unhealthy sweetie. But, as promised, I'll try to find someone this evening".

After dinner he went to sit in his office again. He had the same stack of resumes in front of him but he really wasn't happy about the choices he had.

Then he suddenly knew who he wanted for the job. One name that suddenly popped into his head. An old friend he had met years ago at a party.

A guy that served in the Secret Service and that he trusted with his life. And therefore trusted him with his daughter's life.

He picked up his cell phone and scrolled through his contacts. When he found the name, he dialled and hoped that his dear friend would take his job offer.