Yao Tan looked at James, and he realised the look in his eyes was that if Alecia had not been there he would have killed him for getting close to his daughter.

After a few seconds, James broke eye contact because the last thing he wanted Alecia to do was react because the situation was getting too tense. James then continuing "Sir, I have no problem in accepting this. When Alecia sprung her surprise and proposed I suggested this despite how much it was what I wanted. Alecia, however has made her decision, and I know that she is determined. That I have no problem with, because it is what I want."

"However, the last thing I want to do is to damage the relations.h.i.+p between you and Alecia. She will always be your daughter regardless of the future, her husband which I hope will be me, children, grandchildren. She was your daughter first and will remain your daughter. I also do not to damage your relations.h.i.+p between your you and my sister and brother-in-law, and any future relations.h.i.+p with me."

"However, as my brother-in-law told me all that matters when you love someone is their happiness, safety and security, and you will do whatever is necessary to achieve that even if that means that you are not a part of their life. Alecia's decision is that she is determined to marry me, hence her proposal."

"Alecia is my focus, and it is not what I want, and you should not impose your decision on her as I suspect in the end it will damage your relations.h.i.+p with her. Given what my sister and Alecia have told me, you have always done the same for your wife, so why can you not recognise that someone is and will do that for Alecia. She is as worthy for that as anyone."

With that James looked directly at Alecia, and as soon as their eyes connected she knew how much James meant everything he has said. It made her want to pa.s.sionately kiss him, but with her father present, she knew that this not only would be embarra.s.sing but could end up being physical.

"Dad, and I know, despite everything James has tried to tell me, I know what he wants. I want that. Marriage now rather than having to wait."

Yao Tan slumped his shoulders as he knew that he was not going to be able to will the argument with his daughter. She had made her mind up, and regardless of what he told her, her bothers, and it appears even James that there was going to be no argument with his daughter.

James was right, the more that he thought Alecia the more he risked loosing her in the end given she was determined to marry James. She was happy to wait twelve months but made it clear that if she was forced to do so, she would and still marry James but that would result him in losing any relations.h.i.+p he could have in the future with his little girl.

Pausing for about thirty seconds, Yao Tan then quietly said "Alecia, my instinct is to say no, but at the same time I do not want to lose having a relations.h.i.+p with you now and in the future. I need to talk to Amanda for her to have her say. I want your agreement though, that we will both respect what she has to say. Can you accept that?"

"I can Dad. But you need to understand I will not be delaying anything, you need to make your decision rather than trying to delay. Call Amanda and speak to her but is has to be in front of me on speaker phone." Alecia was still determined in what she was saying, and in looking at his daughter he knew that there was no arguing with her.

Yao Tan pulled out his mobile, and dialed Amanda, placing it on speaker phone. When she answered, he said "Amanda can you talk? I have you on speaker phone but I need to ask you something."

"Just give me a minute, while I shut my office door." With that there was a few moments silence, and a door could be heard being shut. Amanda, came back on the phone "Now I can talk, but I need to keep it short, as I have a meeting in a few minutes."

"Not a problem. Alecia …"

"Is causing you trouble. Anna texted me, and said that she was expecting it, and it involves Anna's brother James."