Fear worked up Amelia's nerves, as she heard the angry voice of her father. Something about him always managed to make her feel scared, and she hated that. She, James, and her mother left the kitchen, and went to the living room, where they saw her father stomping down the stairs looking angry. “I see you've grown wings.” He began, menacingly, as he got to the bottom of the stairs. “Fa…” Amelia began to call. “I told you to be here before an hour was up, but look at the time. Did you think I was just bluffing? What father says doesn't matter anymore!? Is that what you think?” “Honey, you need to calm down.” Her mother said, going to him, but he raised a hand to stop her, before she could get to him. “I need to calm down? First, she doesn't come home for days, do you know how much that cost me?” He asked, looking like he was going to burst, and James could see why Amelia got scared whenever he began to shout. “Father, I'm old enough to move out…” “I never stopped you from moving out! How would you suddenly bail on all the business meetings, and appointments you had? Without informing anyone? “Those people waited, and began to call me when they saw you didn't show up. I couldn't even reach you! You just left them hanging without a word. To businessmen, time is everything! You don't just go wasting their precious time. “How could you just suddenly decide not to show up for an appointment without saying a word? I decided to let that slide, but you're going too far, Amelia!” He blurted out in anger, not even acknowledging James. “Father! I came because I…” Amelia was saying, but his gaze finally came to rest on James. “Is this him? The one who makes you rebel, and show bad business skills? Is he the one who made us lose business partners who are not likely to return after you couldn't meet with them?” He asked, turning back to Amelia, who looked like she was struggling to breathe properly out of frustration. “Honey! You can't talk to someone you just met like that.” Her mother said. “And who are you?” He asked, turning back to James. “Good day, sir. I'm James Locke, the man who wishes to get married to your daughter.” He said, confidently, and Amelia's father laughed, turning away, with his hands on his waist. Then he turned back to James, and laughed again, folding his arms on his chest. “What do you know about Amelia that makes you want to marry her? I doubt you know anything about how she lives her day-to-day life.” “I'm very aware of that, sir, but my decision remains the same.” “Since you're aware of that, you should know that Amelia has a lot on her plate now, and can't marry until she's stable.” Those words were the limit of Amelia's patience. Was he also going to decide what age and time she got married? “Father! I'm marrying James. Why should I wait for a long time before I get my permanent happiness? Why? I'm not getting any younger, father. Most of my mates are busy enjoying their lives, and having all the fun they won't get to have in a few years to come, so why should I waste my years? “Why should I keep working and working… Who exactly am I working for? It's not like you take out of the money I earn. You say he should wait until I'm balanced, but will I ever be balanced? You'll only keep on adding more, and more responsibilities and stuff for me. “That's how you always are, and that's why I'm standing up for myself now because no one will do it for me. Father, I'm resigning from my job at the company. Why should I always work like a slave for money I'm not going to enjoy? No, I'm tired of living such a life. I want to find my freedom. I'm going to hand in my resignation tomorrow, and also, I'm moving out.” Amelia took in deep breaths, as she let out all the steam she had bottled up in her. Her father looked shocked. It seemed like he had never for once, imagined it could have been that hard for Amelia to cope. All he had thought about was making her into one of the fiercest businesswomen in the city, and he had seen his dream materializing. He had thought the more he tasked her, the stronger she got, and the more used to it, she became, but he was shocked to know she would rather not live that way. “Amelia.” He called softly, as she continued taking in deep breaths. “Yes, father.” “I only wanted to make you perfect.” “Well, no one is perfect, father. I'm not like you, mum also isn't like you.” She replied, and felt a little guilty at the hurt look on his face. “Well… I… I won't quit the company if you give me work I can handle. Let me also sign a contract with you. A contract benefitting the both of us. A contract where my desires matter.” She said, in a low voice, and her father gave a deep sigh, and sat on the sofa. He thought for a while, looking like he was fighting within himself. Amelia had never stood up to him, nor had she ever talked back to him. Had she been affected that badly? Then he began to think of all he had tasked her with, and it suddenly seemed a lot to him. When he had been making them, they looked like they were a handful, but he never doubted Amelia could take them on. It was after her outburst that he realized they may have been a little too much to handle. “Fine. We'll set up a new working contract tomorrow.” He grunted, with a straight face, and Amelia smiled, then turned to James, who returned her smile. Who knew it would only take her standing up to him for her to be free. “And what's your occupation, young man?” “I work as a personal assistant for Charles Lincoln.” James replied, and there was a little surprise on Amelia's father's face. “Charles Lincoln?” He asked. “Yes sir.” Her father smiled. “Go ahead then.” He said to Amelia, “Just inform me of every step you're about to take.” He said, and she nodded happily. “I'll tell you everything.” She replied. Her mother cooked for them all, and Amelia's father, and James, talked about business. They looked like they would get along well in the near future, and it made Amelia happy. Her mother also told her she was proud of her. They all ate together, and Amelia could not be more happy. It had been hard to say how she felt, but thankfully, the words had rushed out on their own. She was no longer a puppet.