“Listen, Archie,” Gregory Thompson placed a pen and a blank sheet of paper on the desk. “Write your resignation. Here and now.”
“Excuse me?” The young man blinked. “Have I done something wrong? I closed three deals just this month.”
“Couldve been thirty for all I care. Company restructuring, downsizingcall it what you like. You dont fit here anymore.”
“Or is this about your daughter? About Emily? Ill keep seeing her no matter what. Were getting married, even if I end up sweeping streets.”
“Over my dead body. Not in a million years! I wont have some skirt-chasing bloke as my son-in-law! Plenty of decent lads would kill to marry a girl like herstay the hell away!”
When Archie first joined the firm, he never imagined getting involved with the bosss daughter. He didnt even know Emily then. Fresh out of uni, hed planned to build a career in property salestop grades, a knack for sealing deals, a natural charmer. Gregory himself had recruited him after his internship. Now, here he was, being strong-armed into quitting.
Gregory wasnt entirely wrong about Archies past. Hed always taken care of his appearance, dressed sharp, drove a nice careligible, by all accounts. But marriage? Not on his radar. He wanted to climb the ladder first, settle down later. Plenty of time for that.
His parents, of course, kept introducing him to “nice girls from good families”his mums words. Nice families, perhaps, but the girls either lacked looks or wit.
Once, his mum brought home a colleague, Angelica, under the pretence of finishing a report. She was stunning, legs so fine theyd turn heads on the high street. Even Archie was momentarily speechless.
Seizing the moment, his mother pounced.
“Angelicas new to accounting, but shes won everyone over. And her raisin scones, Archieyou wouldnt believe!”
“Ill bring some next time,” Angelica purred, batting her lashes. “I also make my own pickled cabbage”
That did it. Archies mind conjured a kitchen cluttered with jars of preserves, nappies drying on a line, a bubbling pot of stew. He shifted uncomfortably. Not that he disliked homemakingjust not now, not like this.
Angelica turned up with her scones, but Archie bolted, claiming an urgent meeting.
Thered been flings, of course. Like Imogen, a cashier at the local supermarket. Theyd met often, struck up a casual thing. Once, hed invited her to a barbecue with strangersshed happily agreed, and theyd had a laugh.
They kept seeing each other. Hed even taken her mushroom picking with colleagues. Gregory had approved.
“Solid girl. Looks at you like youre the moon. Dont mess it uptime to grow up, lad.”
“Not planning to marry anyone,” Archie had foolishly admitted. “Were keeping it casual.”
“Casual wont last forever,” Gregory had muttered, skewering a sausage. “But suit yourself.”
Eventually, Imogen transferred shops. Rumor had it she married some wealthy older bloke. Archie wasnt botheredno promises had been made.
Emily came into his life at a dog show. Both loved Dobermans, though neither could own oneArchie was rarely home, and her father was allergic. He had no idea her dad was Gregory.
Fate had other plans. They grew closer. Hed walk her homenever to the door, though. She wasnt ready for her parents to see him. Theyd say goodbye on a bench in the park, stealing kisses away from prying eyes.
Until one evening, Gregory stumbled upon them mid-embrace. “Roared” didnt cover it.
“You know who this is?” hed thundered, jabbing a finger at Archie.
“My fiancé,” Emily said simply. “Actually, Ive been meaning to introduce you”
“Weve met! Dyou know how many like you thereve been? Ive met some!”
It escalated. Archie tried reasoning with his livid boss, but Gregory wasnt listening. He dragged Emily home like a child caught misbehaving.
The next day, Archie was summoned and forced to resign. Pleas of love fell on deaf ears.
“Well still see each other!” Archie vowed on his way out.
“Like hell,” Gregory scoffed, loosening his collar. “My daughter doesnt need a wastrel. And I sure as hell dont need a son-in-law like you.”
“Honestly? Im not thrilled about you as a father-in-law either.”
And that was that. Gregory wasnt bluffingEmily vanished. Turned out hed shipped her off to his brother in another city, practically under house arrest, no phone, no contact.
Until a forgotten mobile gave her a chance to call Archie. They plotted an escape during her supervised walks. He rented a flatno way theyd hide at his place. Gregory would track them down in a heartbeat.
A wedding could wait. How do you marry without the brides family? Emilys mother knew where they were but stayed awayGregorys orders. Hed found their address eventually but never showed. Said he no longer had a daughter, let alone a son-in-law, since theyd defied him.
Life went on. Then came the news: Emily was pregnant. Joy all aroundexcept, presumably, Gregorys. He relented slightly, allowing his wife to visit. Their son, Oliver, arrived right on schedule. Archie hadnt been that nervous since uni finals. He stood outside the maternity ward, flowers in hand, flanked by friends, his parents, and Emilys teary-eyed mum.
Just before Emily emerged with the baby, Gregory materialized. He shot Archie a glare.
“Cars full of fruit and bubbly. You lot celebrating or what?”
Emily stepped out, spotting him instantly. She smiled.
“I knew youd come.”
He shuffled awkwardly.
“Not for you. Here to meet my grandson. Hand him overproper introductions, eh?”
And somehow, everyone laughed.
A story of stubbornness, love, and grudging acceptance.
