Perfection

 I'm still in my room , three hours after the incident. I don't wanna risk going outside in fear of being punished. 

 I decided I would take a nap till lunch time , it's Sunday after all . I was about to lay down when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door to see Emma . 

 "What is it Emma " I said in a bored tone . " your father demands your presence in his study , miss " she replied . 

 I was petrified when she said this but I didn't let it show , years of practice. At least I wouldn't break the act in front of the maid . 

 Well Emma wasn't just a maid , she is my personal maid or assistant and also the head butler, Oliver's daughter. 

 "Umm miss ..." she said interrupting my trail of thought . 

 " Lead the way Emma " I replied. 

 Five minutes later we arrive in front of my father's study . Emma excused herself and left as the only maid allowed in there was Oliver . Even my brothers , my mother and I went allowed except we're permitted to , exempting Xavier of course . 

 I knock on the door after taking a deep breath . 

 " Come in Anastasia " my father's voice came from behind the door. 

 I opened the door and entered . 

 " Have a seat " said my father still looking at the document he held in his hand . 

 I took a seat opposite him , and looked down . 

 " I called you here because you are to stop working at the office " he said without looking at me 

 I felt my blood boil , he was taking away what I worked so hard for . I gave up my dreams to be able to work at the company and now he's taking it away . 

 But all I could do with the anger , was feel it because if I express it I would die . 

 " Why father? " I gather up enough courage to speak . 

 " Is because I didn't punish you earlier , you think you can question me ... HUH " my father yelled . 

 No this time , I must stand up to him at least once .

 I looked at him and said , " No father , I'm sorry " . Ok what do you expect, of course I chickened out. 

 " Better , now leave " he said nonchalantly. 

 I was surprised he didn't punish me or was he holding back . 

 I get up to leave and as I was half way up the door I heard him say ... 

 " And get ready , tomorrow you will be attending an event with Mr Ellis Alexander " 

 I felt my body shiver , I knew what this meant . Was Alexander my betrothed. I remember my mother's words , ' the only way to escape this is to get away from this house and the only way is getting married' .

 I would finally meet the man who could make my father ,William Alexander bend to his will . Maybe he could save me .... 

 " Understood ?" my father asked . 

 I quickly regain my composure and said "Yes father ". 

 I'm back in my room thinking about the talk I had with father. 

 I was pissed that he said I would no longer work at company, I mean what was the point of all the studying and 'can't you be as good as your brothers ' speech. 

 What was the use of learning Art , music or all those languages,all those sports and self defense and fighting classes , or all those extra tutoring in vast subjects, I feel like crying after thinking about how I've wasted my life trying to please them .

 I gave up so much to be their perfect daughter. Let perfection drive but whatever I did it was never enough or at least not as good as my brothers did it . 

 Maybe Alexander Ellis could save me ...