In the bustling heart of London, Edward Blackwood was a man many knewrestaurateur, businessman, and owner of a string of upscale eateries, including a couple in Manchester. He had a reputation for being unyielding, a man who never forgot a slight. Everything in his world was under control, bought and paid for.
He lived with his family in a grand country housethough he had city flats toopreferring the peace, fresh air, and the view of the lake with the woods just beyond.
His only daughter, Emily, had just finished school and aced her final university entrance exam.
“Daddy,” she called him, breathless with excitement, “I got in! No strings pulledjust me. Saw my name on the list. Im officially a student!”
“Congratulations, love. Knew you had it in you. I owe you a gift.”
“Oh, Daddy, you promised the latest iPhone!”
“Consider it already in your pocket,” he chuckled.
Even if Emily hadnt passed on her own, Edward wouldve made sure she was enrolled. But he was proudgenuinelythat shed done it herself.
Margaret, her mother, had set the table for a celebratory dinner. Edward arrived homeearlier than usual, for onceto find his girls waiting.
“Hello, my beautiful ladies,” he said, twirling a sleek iPhone box in his fingers. “Here you go, poppet. Youve earned it.”
“Oh, Daddy, youre the absolute best! You always give me everything I want,” Emily beamed.
Despite his packed schedulelate nights at the club, rounds of golf, the occasional indiscretion with younger womenEdward had made time for his daughter today. Emily had grown up in luxury, surrounded by designer clothes and gourmet meals, with a circle of equally privileged friends. Those outside her world assumed she was snobbish, but they didnt know her. Beneath the wealth, she was kind-hearted and sincere.
By her third year at university, Emily was often out with friendsusually at one of her fathers restaurantsuntil she started seeing Daniel, a fellow student. He came from money too, but while Emily earned her grades, Daniels were bought. He had a cruel streak, mocking those less fortunate, belittling girls who couldnt afford designer labels.
“Its not right, Daniel. Not everyones got your bank balance,” Emily scolded.
But he only laughed, too arrogant to care. Eventually, shed had enough.
“Im breaking up with Daniel. Im ashamed of him,” she told her best friend, Charlotte.
“Oh, Em, hell be vile about it. But good for youhes insufferable. Acts like he owns the world,” Charlotte agreed.
Later, the argument with Daniel was explosive.
“Daniel, Im done. And you should take a long look at how you treat people.”
“What people? Just sheep, the lot of them,” he sneered.
“Including me, then?”
“Especially you, if youre dumping me. Youll regret it.”
“Doubt it. Bye.” She waved and slipped into her car.
For months, Emily avoided dating, despite endless offerseven Daniels friends were lining up. Then, one evening, she and Charlotte stopped at one of her fathers cafés. A waiter approachedtall, charming, with piercing green eyes.
“Good evening, what can I get you?” he asked, locking eyes with Emily.
She was instantly lost in them.
“Like two deep pools,” she thought, while Charlotte smirked.
They ordered, but Emily couldnt shake the encounter.
“Blimey, youre smitten!” Charlotte laughed.
“Charlie, his eyesthey just undid me.”
“Oh, come off it. Hes not our sort,” Charlotte said, hoping it was just a fleeting crush.
The waiter was Olivera final-year engineering student working part-time. Raised by a single mother in a small village, he was self-sufficient. That night, Emily couldnt sleep, replaying his faceOliver, from the name tag.
The next day, her feet carried her back to the café. Few customers lingered when she arrived. Oliver spotted her and flushedhed felt the spark too.
After taking her order, he lingered.
“How long have you worked here?” she asked.
“Four months. Just until I graduate. Strictly speaking, I shouldnt chat with customers but Id like to.”
“Me too. When do you finish?”
“Forty minutes.”
“Ill wait.”
His simplicity and sincerity won her over. That evening, they walked for hours. Oliver felt awkwardEmily drove a luxury car; he walked everywhere. But she adored his honesty and warmth. Soon, they were secretly dating.
Their happiness didnt last. Daniel, bitter about the breakup, made sure Edward found out.
“Emily! An affair with a waiter from my café? Are you mad?” Edward roared.
“Dad, hes graduating soon! He just works there part-time!”
“Dont take that tone! I expected you to date someone of our standing. Not some nobody. If you dont end this, Ill make sure he regrets it.”
Heartbroken, Emily wept. She loved Oliverhad even imagined marrying him. But Edward, true to his word, had Oliver fired from his new job and threatened until he left London.
“Understand thisI can ruin you. Leave my daughter alone, or youll never work in this city again.”
Oliver had no choice. He tried calling Emily, but her number was disconnected. He didnt know Charlottes number either.
Emily was shattered. Her father had deleted Olivers contact, warning her never to seek him out. She spent months grieving, trapped in a gilded cage.
Years passed. Emily married a man her parents approved ofa disaster. They divorced after eighteen months. Then tragedy struckEdward died in a car crash.
As Margaret recovered, she urged Emily to take over the business.
“Darling, you studied economics. Youll run it nowIll help. And Henry, your fathers right-hand man, will guide you.”
Henry was reliable, teaching Emily the ropes. Within a year, she was thriving.
But her personal life stayed bleak. She dated, but never seriouslyuntil Charlotte convinced her to spend New Years in Edinburgh.
“Come with us, Em! My in-laws have space.”
Something drew Emily therethe citys romance, its air of history.
One afternoon, strolling down Princes Street, she collided with a man. Looking up, she frozethose green eyes.
Her heart raced. Oliver stood before her, older, steadier, but just as captivating.
“Emily,” he breathed, as stunned as she was.
“Oliver!” She hugged him, half-afraid hed vanish.
Passersby stared, but they didnt care.
“I always knew wed meet again,” he murmured. “You cant replace someone you love.”
“Neither can I,” she laughed, tears in her eyes.
The next days were a blur of joyconcerts, long walks, comfortable silences. Emily knew fate had reunited them.
A year later, they married. Oliver moved back to London, leaving his prestigious joblove outweighed ambition. Soon, they welcomed a son, then a daughter.
At thirty, Emilys life had found its true meaning. Love, after all, was priceless.
