OCs 2 - the Sequel

A Ship Becomes a Submarine

Julia had recently turned 18 and was excited to finally be an adult. She had been interning with her Uncle Quinn, but she noticed something was off about his business and was coming to tell her dad about it. She was about to walk in when she heard him on the phone. She sighed and waited outside. She listened out of curiousity...
"Richard, I want our deal closed and I want it closed soon if you want our companies to merge! So if Fred doesn't propose, I'm going to have to find someone else to marry Julia."
Julia's eyes widened. What?
"Yes, I know she could run the company, but she's nothing more than an assistant...a secretary, no matter how hard she works. That's her place. And perhaps, one day, a stay at home mom for my future grandchildren. She's not running my company. So have him hurry up or I'll find someone else, understand?"
Julia teared up. Her father didn't believe in her to take over the company and Fred's relationship with her was just being used by their parents to have them marry and merge their companies...
"He plans to propose tonight at dinner? Perfect. I look forward to it," AJ said, hanging up.
Julia ran out and back home. She picked out the best outfit she had and got dressed up. When she told her family off, she might as well look perfect!

~ ~ ~

That night at dinner, Julia was very quiet and zoned out.
"Jules?" Fred asked.
Julia snapped out of it. "Huh?"
"Are you okay...?" Fred frowned, concerned.
Julia sighed. "No... I figured out everything and I have something to say to you and...and to everyone."
The couple's fathers exchanged a look as Julia stood.
"I figured out what I am to all of you... You believe I'm a puppet. Uncle Quinn, your company is manipulative and evil and I want no part in it. I quit. Dad, I heard all of those things you said about me. No matter what I've done, it's never good enough for you. And women can be CEOs just as well as a man, so get that ridiculous thought out of your head. And Fred..."
Fred frowned and stood. "Yes...?"
She sighed and took a shaky breath. "I can't believe our relationship was just a business deal. My dad says a stay at home mom is all I'd be good for. You guys might not believe in me, but I do. I'm done playing your games."
Fred frowned. "Julia... Babe... I never said any of those things. And my parents wanted me to date you, but when I met you, I was so glad they picked you and-"
"Enough, Fred. You don't have to defend yourself," AJ said. "Julia Ramira, you will apologize, sit back down, and continue eating your dinner. Do you understand me?"
Julia crossed her arms. "Dad, that isn't happening!"
AJ narrowed his eyes and stood. "Excuse me? Young lady, you have no right to talk to your father like that - especially in front of company. Last chance. Apologize and sit down this instant."
Julia just huffed and stood there. "No! You aren't the boss of me!"
"Fine," AJ sighed. "I didn't want to have to do this... But if you hate my plans so much to give you a stable life with a respectable young man, you can forget your right to my company at all. You can go become a model now because you're never getting into business again if I have any say in it. Now leave before we say something we'll regret. And I wasn't wrong... Women are far too emotional to be CEOs anyways. And you will never be one."
Julia's eyes widened and she ran out. Fred frowned and started to follow, but his father stopped him, causing Fred to frown.
"The deal is off, Mr. Sanders," Fred's father said, dragging Fred off.
AJ sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Quinn shook his head. "That went well, little brother."
"Oh save it, Quinton," AJ huffed.
"You were rather harsh, Alexander. Remember that," Quinn stated, adjusting his tie and then walking out.
Crystal frowned, but followed like an obedient puppy. Quinn wished Julia would respect him the same way Crystal did... He realized he was a bit harsh... He sighed and headed back to the house. Right before he got there, he noticed Julia drive off from their house. He walked in and hesitantly walked up to her room to see it empty. AJ frowned. The only thing she left was a note... He carefully unfolded it though his hands were shaking and read,

'I love you, mom.'

AJ frowned and set it down, walking out. He really had done it this time..

Julia enrolled in Harvard and studied law and business. A girl Julia used to know heard about what happened and tormented her. Julia did her best to focus on her studies instead of the bullying and how miserable she was. She graduated at the top of her class and of the whole school for that year of graduates.

Still worn down from the words her father said that hurt her so deeply, she ended up finding her long lost cousin. Casey built Julia back up and gave her the push she needed to get a job in business again. And, just like expected, she did great with it after she gave herself a chance. Now every day she works, she works as hard as she can to prove that she could amount to something.