A LIE WORTH TELLING

r 1 EMMA MORRISON, a beautiful, successful CEO in her mid-twenties, stands in the living room of her parents' mansion, she's about to get to work but her day is now ruined by her parents Richard and Susan Morrison. They wants her to get married but she's refusing, she argues she doesn't need a man in her life. Emma looking frustrated "I can't believe we're still having this conversation!" Richard angrily "Emma, it's your duty to marry well and produce an heir for the family. You...you can't just run down my name to the muds Emma!" Emma rolling her eyes "This isn't the Victorian era, Dad! I have a career, and I'm not going to throw it away just to please you." Susan pursing her lips "Your father is right, sweetie. You're not getting any younger, and your reputation is at stake. What will people think if you don't settle down soon?" Emma got irritated at what her mum said that she raised her voice speaking back to her "Oh, I don't know, maybe they'll think I'm an independent, intelligent woman who's not defined by her marital status. (beat) And by the way, I'm not getting "old," I'm 26." Richard sighing "Emma, we just want what's best for you. You'll never be truly fulfilled without a family of your own." Emma sarcastically "Wow, you're right. A career, hobbies, friends... none of that matters. What was I thinking?" Susan leans closer to her pleading "Please, Emma. Just give it some thought. You're a catch, dear. You could have any man you wanted." Emma scoffs "Any man I wanted?! What kind of outdated, misogynistic nonsense is that? I don't need to "catch" a man. I'm doing just fine on my own, thank you very much." Richard now annoyed "Look, Emma, you're being ridiculous. It's not about sexism or feminism or any of that nonsense. It's about legacy." Emma sarcastically "Oh, yes, legacy. Because my contributions to society are meaningless unless I produce a child with my last name. Look...I appreciate your concern, but I'm making my own decisions, and they don't include getting married and popping out a bunch of babies just to make you guys happy." Richard frustrated "Emma, you're being stubborn and unrealistic. You're throwing away your inheritance, your family name... everything we've worked for!" Susan tears welling up "Emma, please. This isn't just about us. What about your sisters? They look up to you. They need you to set a good example." Emma still not changing her stance to her decision "A good example? You mean like getting hitched to some rich, boring guy because it's expected of me? No thanks. I'll be a better example if I show them that they can do what they want, not what society tells them to do." Richard pacing around "This is madness! You're making a huge mistake." Emma sighing "Look, Dad. I know you love me. But this is my life, my choice. I have to follow my own path, even if you don't agree with it. Can't you at least try to understand where I'm coming from?" Richard feeling defeated "I... I suppose. It's just hard to see you turning your back on your heritage, on your family." Susan said after him "We just want what's best for you." Emma softening her tone "I know you do. And I appreciate it. But I need to make my own decisions, make my own mistakes. That's how I'll grow, how I'll find my place in the world. Can you at least respect that?" There was a break of silence in the air after a long pause her father Richard said to her again "I... I suppose I can respect that. But it doesn't mean I won't worry about you." Emma looks her father in the eye, she takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she finds the right words. "Dad, I love you. But I need you to trust me on this. I'm not making these decisions lightly. I've thought about them, weighed the pros and cons, and I believe I'm doing what's best for me. I need you to believe that, too." Richard, clearly now frustrated, slams his fist on the table. "I don't understand you, Emma! You're being so damn stubborn! Can't you see that this whole idea is ridiculous? You're throwing away everything we've worked for, everything we've built for you!" Emma's eyes fill with tears as she stares at her father. She's never seen him so angry before, and it hurts. Without another word, she turns and storms out of the house. The front door slams behind her, and she rushes to her car, hastily wiping away the tears as she drives off to work. Her mind races, thinking about what just happened and what it all means for her relationship with her father. It's gonna be a long day at work, for sure. "EMMA!!! EMMA!!" Richard called out but she ignores him She arrives at work, still feeling rattled from the confrontation with her father. She tries to push it out of her mind and focus on her work, but her thoughts keep wandering back to their argument. She's torn between feeling guilty for upsetting her dad and feeling angry at his rigid, outdated views. It's a tough situation, and it's weighing on her. While her she battles down this thoughts in her head, Luke walks into Emma's office, a folder in hand. "Hey, I've got that report you asked for. Can you sign off on it?" he says casually, handing it to her. As he does, Emma's PA walks in with a steaming cup of coffee, setting it down on her desk with a smile. "Here ya go, boss lady! Your daily dose of caffeine!" she chirps. Emma forces a smile in return, grateful for the distraction from her thoughts. But her mind is still swirling with emotions... "Excuse me, Ms. Morrison," Luke said "If you don't mind me asking, you seem a bit stressed today. She really wants to pull out her heart to him but she couldn't all she did was just fake a smile and replied him calmly "Yeah..sure I'm good..you don't have to worry, I haven't taken my caffeine just yet." She said as she signs the report Luke presented to her.