At the reunion, my old classmates thought I was still a nobodyuntil the next morning, when they spotted me on the cover of a business magazine.
Harper? Emily Harper? You actually showed up? James Whitmore flashed a grin, but his eyes stayed icy. Everyone, guess who decided to join us!
Emily paused at the restaurant entrance. Fifteen years later, his voice still carried that same mocking tone from uni. She took a breath and stepped inside.
Hi, James. Hello, everyone. Her voice was steady, though her heart hammered like it wanted to escape.
The dining room glowed softly under warm lights. Nearly their whole group was thereabout fifteen of them around a long table. Faces she knew but didnt, like old Polaroids fading with time.
Em! Charlotte Reynoldsher only real friend from back thenrushed over. Im so glad you came!
Wouldnt miss it, Emily said, the tension easing a little.
Sit with us! Charlotte tugged her toward the table. We were just reminiscing about Professor Thompsons brutal exams.
Emily sat, sensing curious glances. Beside James was Olivia Carmichaelcourse beauty back then, now a polished woman with perfect hair and a faintly tired smile.
You havent changed a bit, Emily, Olivia said, polite but distant. Still so reserved.
You look lovely too, Liv.
What do you do now? Daniel Cooper asked, pouring wine. Still out to save the world?
She knew that tonethe same one theyd used to mock her eco-startup idea years ago.
Close enough, Emily replied, taking the glass. I run a small company.
Let me guess, James leaned in, smirking. Something to do with those compostable coffee cups you were obsessed with? A few laughs trickled around the table.
Actually, yes, she said evenly.
Profit in planet-saving now, is there? James pressed.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt, Emily shrugged.
Well, not everyones cut out for success, he sighed. I head a division at TechNova, Dans got his own firm
Remember when Emily botched her dissertation defense? Sophie BanksOlivias old sidekickchimed in. She mixed up her data sets!
Not quite, Emily corrected gently. I got a 2:1.
For you, that was a fail, James jabbed. Especially after all that big talk about innovation.
The table fell awkwardly quiet. Emilys cheeks warmedjust like back in lectures.
I remember Emily solving that econometrics problem even the tutor couldnt crack, Nathan Reed said quietly from the far end.
Emily blinked. Hed always been the quiet oneshe never expected him to speak up.
That did happen, she smiled.
Enough nostalgia, James raised his glass. To fifteen yearsgone in a blink!
Glasses clinked. Conversation shifted to jobs, kids, old uni pranks. Emily relaxed slightly but still felt like an outsider. She never fit in with this crowdnot then, not now.
Married, Emily? Olivia asked during a lull about footie.
No.
Kids?
None. Work keeps me busy.
Poor you, Olivia said, genuine pity in her voice. Weve got two. James travels loads, but we make it work.
Emily nodded, tongue-tied. To most here, she *was* a pity caseno husband, no kids, just a career.
Need some air, she murmured, stepping outside.
The terrace was cool and quiet. Emily breathed deep. Why *had* she come? To relive being the odd one out?
Mind if I join? Nathan appeared with two coffees. Thought you might need this.
Thanks, she took the cup. Got a bit stuffy in there.
Not just the heat, he smiled. James is still a lot.
Some things never change.
Others do, Nathan studied her. *You* have. Stronger. More sure of yourself.
Really? She arched a brow.
Yeah. Not just the suit. The way you hold yourself.
And youre more observant than I realised, she laughed. Honestly, I barely remember you.
Fair, he chuckled. I kept my head down. Especially around James lot.
Everyone did.
Except you, he said softly. You stood by your ideas, even when they laughed.
Before she could reply, Charlotte burst onto the terrace, waving her phone.
Em! Why didnt you *say* anything?! She thrust the screen at her. This is *you!*
The business magazines homepage showed Emily in a sharp blazer. The headline: Green Gold: How Emily Harper Built a £40M Empire from Eco-Ideas.
Ah. That just came out, Emily admitted. I wasnt hiding it. Just didnt see the point in announcing.
Didnt *see the point*?! Charlotte dragged her back inside. Everyonelook at *this!*
Chaos erupted. Phones were passed. Faces shiftedshock, disbelief, sudden interest.
This real? James stared like the screen might bite him. *Forty million?*
Valuation, not my bank balance, Emily clarified.
Butyou *own* it?
Majority shareholder, yes.
Silence. Olivias eyes flicked between Emily and James, as if recalibrating. Someone whistled low.
So all those times we laughed about your tree-hugger projects James began.
I was just doing my thing, Emily finished. Same as you lot.
Forty *million*, though! Sophie gasped. Thats mental!
Twelve years of grind, Emily said. And piles of mistakes the mag didnt mention.
The vibe shifted. Suddenly, everyone wanted details, claimed theyd always known shed make it. She answered politely, but the attention grated more than flattered.
As the crowd thinned, James sidled up, brandy in hand.
Always said youd go far, he lied smoothly.
Funny, Emily met his gaze. I remember you betting Id flop.
Banter, love, just banter, he waved it off. ListenTechNova could partner with you. Ive got contacts
Sorry, James. Early start. She stood.
Outside, Olivia hovered by the door, cigarette in hand.
Had no idea, she muttered, not looking up. That youd you know.
Its just work, Liv.
No, its not. Olivia finally met her eyes. I dropped out for James. Thought I was marrying *potential*. And now
Youve got two gorgeous kids, Emily said gently. That counts.
Yeah, but Olivia trailed off. Justwell done, yeah?
Emily nodded and hailed a cab. Moments later, Nathan appeared.
Walk you?
They strolled the quiet street. He told her about becoming an accountant, moving to Manchester, his messy divorce. Emily listened, realising shed always liked this quiet blokejust never noticed.
Kept your final-year project, he admitted suddenly. The eco-business plan everyone mocked.
Why?
Because it was brilliant. I always knew youd shine, he smiled. Just too chicken to say.
And I was too busy doubting myself to see allies, she brushed his arm. Thanks for telling me.
At her hotel, they swapped numbers, agreeing to breakfast.
Next morning, Emily entered the lobby to find a few classmates lingeringJames and Olivia included. Fresh magazines fanned across the table, her face on one cover.
Morning, she nodded, joining Nathan.
Sleep alright?
Barely, she admitted. Lot to process.
Good or bad?
Both, she smiled. But Im glad I came. Like closing a book.
New chapter next? he asked softly.
Maybe, her smile widened. Well see.
Across the room, James made a show of holding up her magazine cover to a waiter. But it didnt sting anymore.
The real win wasnt proving doubters wrongit was building the life *she* wanted, sticking to her guns, and finding the few whod been quietly cheering all along. Even if it took fifteen years to notice.
