“Listen here, Archie,” said Geoffrey Hawthorne, placing a pen and a blank sheet of paper on the desk. “Write your resignation. Right now.”
“What do you mean?” the lad frowned. “Have I been underperforming? Just this month, I closed three deals.”
“Couldve been thirtyit wouldnt matter. Were downsizing… restructuring… Youre not a good fit for this company, and thats that.”
“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 a chance! I wont have some skirt-chasing bloke as my son-in-law! Emilys a proper girlshell find herself a decent man. And you? Stay a mile away from her!”
When Archie first joined the firm, he hadnt the faintest thought of getting involved with the bosss daughter. Back then, he didnt even know Emily. Fresh out of university with top marks, hed planned to build a career in property saleshe had a knack for charming clients and closing deals. Geoffrey himself had recruited him after his internship. And now here he was, being strong-armed into resigning.
Geoffrey wasnt entirely wrong about Archies past. The lad had always taken care of himselfdressed sharp, drove a nice cara real catch. But marriage? That had been the last thing on his mind. Hed wanted to climb the corporate ladder first, settle down later. Life was long; thered be time for family.
His parents, of course, had other ideas. His mum kept introducing him to “nice girls from good families.” Nice families, maybe, but the girls themselves? Either lacking in looks or brainssometimes both.
Once, his mother invited a colleague overAngelica. Made up some excuse about finishing a report together. Angelica was stunning, no doubt. Men probably tripped over themselves staring at her legs. Even Archie was momentarily speechless.
Noticing his reaction, his mother pounced.
“Angelicas new in accounting, but shes already won everyone over. And her raisin scones? Youve no idea how good they are.”
“Ill bring some round,” Angelica chimed in, voice suddenly deeper, batting her lashes. “And I make a cracking pickled cabbage.”
That last bit ruined everything. Archie pictured a kitchen cluttered with jars of preserves, nappies drying on a line, a pot of stew bubbling away. It all felt… suffocating. Not that he disliked home lifejust not now, not like this.
Angelica was persistent, though. She did bring those scones. But Archie made a swift exit, claiming an urgent meeting.
Thered been others. Hannah, for instancea checkout girl at the local supermarket. Theyd bumped into each other often, and one thing led to another. A casual invite to a barbecue with mates turned into a few months of dating. Hed even brought her along on a work tripa weekend mushroom-picking outing. Geoffrey had approved.
“Proper girl, that one. Shes sweet on you. Dont let her slip awayits about time you settled down.”
“Not planning to marry anyone,” Archie had foolishly said. “Were keeping it casual.”
“You cant stay casual forever,” Geoffrey muttered, turning a skewer. “But suit yourself.”
Eventually, Hannah moved to another branch, and that was that. Rumor had it she married some well-off older bloke. Archie wasnt botheredno promises had been made.
Then came Emily. They met at a dog showboth loved Dobermans but could never own one. Archie was never home enough, and Emilys father was allergic. Hed had no idea that father was Geoffrey.
Fate had other plans. They grew closer, stealing moments together. Hed walk her homebut never to the door. She didnt want her parents seeing him yet. Their goodbyes happened on a bench at the far end of the garden, where they could kiss unnoticed.
Until one evening, Geoffrey stumbled upon them. “Roared” didnt quite cover it.
“You know who this is?” he snarled at Emily, jabbing a finger at Archie.
“My fiancé,” she said simply. “Actually, Ive been meaning to introduce you.”
“Weve met! Dyou know how many like you hes had? I know some of them!”
Things spiraled fast. Archie tried explaining, but Geoffrey wasnt listeningnot to him, not even to Emily, whom he dragged home like a child caught misbehaving.
The next day, Archie was summoned to the office and forced to resign. No amount of pleading swayed Geoffrey.
“Well still see each other!” Archie insisted on his way out.
“Like hell you will,” Geoffrey scoffed, loosening his collar. “My daughter doesnt need a philanderer. And I sure as blazes dont need a son-in-law like you.”
“Honestly? Im not thrilled about you as a father-in-law either.”
And that was that. Geoffrey wasnt one for empty threatsEmily vanished. Turned out, hed shipped her off to his brothers place in another town, keeping her under lock and key, no phone, no nothing.
But one day, a relative left a mobile lying around. Emily called Archie. They plotted an escapehed rent a flat, fetch her during a walk. No way was he taking her back to his place; Geoffrey would track them down in minutes.
They held off on the wedding. Hard to plan one without the brides family. Emilys mother knew where they were but stayed awayGeoffrey had forbidden it. He eventually found their address but never showed. Said he had no daughter anymore, let alone a son-in-law, since theyd all disobeyed him.
Life went on. Then came the newsEmily was pregnant. Everyone was overjoyed. Everyone except Geoffrey. He did, however, let his wife visitjust in case the lass needed help.
When the time came, a boy was bornOliver. 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 and the baby emerged, Geoffrey materialized. He glanced at Archie, grumbled:
“Got some fruit and champagne in the car. Reckon were celebrating?”
Then Emily appeared. Spotting her father, she smiled.
“I knew youd come.”
He shifted awkwardly.
“Wasnt here for you. Came to meet my grandson. Hand him overproper introductions are due.”
And somehow, they all laughed.
…And thats a tale of love, grit, and a stubborn old man coming round in the end.
