Eliza's POV;

It's almost seven in the evening and that nuisance I am to call a daughter isn't home yet.

I slowly pace in front of the doorway, awaiting the return of my servant.

I had a list of things I needed to ask her immediately. First of, why is she in such good mood?!

She is never in a good mood!

This is very unnatural!!

I nervously paced back and forth when I heard a creak escape the door.

I immediately glared at the face that appeared behind the door.

I found myself face-to-face with Briar.

  I instantly smiled and said," I darling! Home so soon!"

"Yes," *coughs* " Why?"

"Oh nothing sweetie! Where is your salary?"

"Here,"*cough cough* " it is."

She handed me my money and asked," May I go now?"

"Sure sweetheart! Oh wait! Just answer one question, what has got you in such a good mood?", I asked as sweetly as I could

I noticed a look of panic run across her face when she said," Oh nothing! Nothing at all!"

And with that she practically sprinted to her room.

"Oh and darling! Don't forget the dishes and dinner! I was practically starving yesterday due to your slip up!"

I absolutely knew something was up so I decided that the only thing to do was to spy on her for tonight, find out what was going on.

I smiled at my intelligence and went to go attend to the T.V.

Briar's POV;

I ran to my room and face planted into my bed, I soon realized that that was a huge mistake due to the fact my bed was more-or-less a bed of rocks.

I squirmed around until I found a more comfortable spot.

I looked up to my ceiling and wondered if Killian would be back tonight.

Killian. Sigh.

I then remembered my promise to Killian, I told him I would come!

Now I have to ask my stepmother!

Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

What am I to do now?!

I finally decided that the best thing would be to try to get on her good side.

I decided to my stepmother a gourmet dinner, or least a better one than usual.

I quickly ran out of my room and into the kitchen.

I diced onions, shallots and whatnot.

I grated some Parmesan and Swiss cheese, added in a bit of basil and parsley, salt and pepper ( of course ), and started to boil my pasta.

*time lapse*

I set the table for dinner and ate in silence with my stepmother. As usual.

After the first few minutes I worked up the courage and decided to go for it.

"Um, I would like to ask for your permission on going to the upcoming ball.", I asked nervously

" Now why would a girl like you want to go to a social meeting like that! You would stick out worse than a wolf in a flock of sheep! Besides! You would be to busy with your chores!"

"Oh. Ok. I was just asking."

" Good! You are finally coming to your senses!"

I sadly finished my dinner and hopped into to bed, sulking.

Just my luck I guess.

What was I expecting!

My stepmom's immediate approval?!

I wonder how I will break the news to Killian.

I sulked around in bed for another half on hours or so when I heard a quiet rattling outside.

I turned to my window and saw Killian outside.

Oh no!

What will do if my stepmom finds out?!

I ran to the door, locked it, and opened the window.

Killian looked up and immediately mouthed, " Let's talk somewhere else" before he could utter a single word.

I motioned to the outside of my window and climbed out.

I winced at the sounds I made and attempted to safely climb out of the window.

Of course that didn't go to well and I ended up free falling six feet.

I small squeak escaped my mouth as I was free falling, but seconds later, I felt a warm pair of hands cuddle me in its safe arms.

I looked up to find myself looking at Killian's beautiful, smiling face gazing at me.

And- as much as I wanted to just stay there forever, in his loving arms-I scrambled to the steel floor of the fire escape.

" What's wrong love? Can't climb out of a window by yourself without killing yourself?!", he asked with a smirk on his face.

I groaned and answered," Oh be quiet! And why are you here?"

"What?! Can't a guy come visit a girl for no specific reason at all?!"

"Sure he can but I know you won't!"

"Now that's just insulting! But I did come her for a reason my little peach, I came here into find out if you are really going to come to my ball and I came to give you these"

Out of his back pocket he pulled out a small velvet covered box.

He handed it to me and I slowly opened the box.

Inside was a beautiful necklace, it was a simple silver necklace with a stupendous locket in the middle.

The locket was a twining of strips of gold and silver in a cage like form with a beautiful diamond heart in the middle that had itty bitty little black pearls,which are extremely rare.

I gasped and tears of joy poured out of my eyes.

"It is just a little something for the ball!", he said clearly embarrassed while he was scratching his back.

"OH.MY.GEEZ!!!!!!! KILLIAN!!!!! IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! But you know I can't take this!"

I immediately saw a look of pain cross his face, a look I have never seen this on his face before.

" Oh hun! I love it! I really, really do, but you know I can't take it! If my stepmother found it she would question me and find out about us and second off, it is not right for a person to just take things that people give!"

I saw his huge trademark smile cross his face again as he said, " Well then, consider it a gift sweet stuff! I know you can't decline a gift Ms.Manners!"

I groaned at his perseverance and gave up trying.

"Ok. Fine."

"Turn around doll."

Reluctantly, I turned around.

I felt his warm, soft hand gently move my raven locks over to my right shoulder as he put on the necklace.

I turned back around and he said, " Beautiful."

I looked up at his beautiful face and smiled, as happily as I could.

I saw him lean forward and the instinctively I did to-but then I coughed, and not just any cough, I started coughing up blood.

Killian screamed my name but after a few seconds,I got knocked out.

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A/N; I know what you are thinking, " Why!!!! What is the world happens next! Does Briar die? Does Killian die? Is the book over??!!!! Well, you will have to find out later in; my next chapter!!!!! Thank you so much for reading and also, should I have gooey romantic goodness between Killian and Briar or no? Comment your thoughts! More soooon!! And now, your favorite author ( not ) signing off!