In this sprawling city, William Harrington was a name many knewa restaurateur with a chain of upscale eateries and cafés, even expanding into neighbouring towns. He was known as a hard man, unforgiving of slights. Money smoothed every path, ensured every favour.
He lived with his family in a countryside manor, though they had flats in the city too. The countryside was betterquieter, cleaner air, nestled by a reservoir with a forest nearby.
His only daughter, Emily, had just finished school and passed her final university entrance exams.
“Daddy,” she chirped down the phone, “I got in! Didnt even need your help. My names on the listIm officially a student now!”
“Congratulations, love. Knew you had it in you. I owe you a gift.”
“Oh, Daddy, you promised me the latest iPhone.”
“Consider it in your pocket already,” he laughed.
Even if Emily hadnt aced the exams, William wouldve pulled strings. But he was proud shed done it on her own.
Margaret had laid the table for a celebratory dinner. William arrived home earlier than usuala rare occasion, as he was often out late, whether dining with friends, sweating in a private clubs steam room, or indulging in affairs with younger women. A busy man, after all.
Emily had grown up in luxurydesigner clothes, gourmet meals, a circle of privileged friends. Those outside her world thought her aloof, but they didnt know her. Beneath the gloss, she was warm-hearted and genuine.
By her third year at uni, Emily spent evenings at her fathers restaurants with friends. For months, shed dated Oliver, a fellow student from moneythough while she earned her grades, hed bought his. He was crass, mocking those less fortunate, sneering at modestly dressed girls.
“Oliver, have some decency! Not everyone can afford designer rags like you,” shed snap.
But he only smirked. Eventually, shed had enough.
“Im ending things. Im ashamed to be seen with you,” she told her best friend, Charlotte.
“Oh, Em, hell throw a fit. But good for youhes insufferable.”
The breakup was loud.
“Oliver, were done. And you need to change how you treat people.”
“People? More like sheep,” he scoffed.
“So thats what I am too?”
“Guess so, if youre dumping me. Youll regret this.”
“Doubt it. Goodbye.” She waved and slid into her car.
For months, Emily stayed single, though suitors swarmedeven Olivers friends, gleeful shed dumped him.
One afternoon, she and Charlotte stopped at one of her fathers cafés. A waiter approachedtall, handsome.
“Good afternoon,” he said, meeting Emilys gaze. She felt something shift.
“Like two deep pools,” she thought, while Charlotte smirked.
They ordered, but Emily was spellbound.
“Blimey, youre smitten,” Charlotte teased.
“Charlie, his eyesthey just pierced me.”
“Come off it. Hes not your type.”
His name was Daniel, a final-year engineering student working part-time. Raised by a single mum in a small village, he paid his own way.
That night, Emily couldnt sleep. His facehis name on the badgelingered. The next day, she returned to the café. Few customers. Daniel, spotting her, flushed. The spark had struck him too.
She ordered; he served.
“Daniel, how long have you worked here?”
“Four months. Just saving up. Technically, I shouldnt chat with customers but Id like to.”
“Me too. Whens your shift over?”
“Forty minutes.”
“Ill wait.”
They walked for hours that evening. Daniel felt out of placeher car, his bus pass. But his simplicity, his way of listening, won her over. A secret romance bloomed.
It couldnt last. Oliver, seething, told William.
“Emily, youre dating a *waiter* from my café? This is absurd!”
“Dad, hes graduating! He just works here part-timewhats wrong with that?”
“Dont take that tone. I expected better. Oliver was a decent match. End this, or Ill make life difficult for both of you.”
She wept. She loved Daniel fiercely. Theyd dreamed of a futuremarriage, a life together.
After graduation, Daniel took a proper job. They met in secret. But William found out. At work, Daniel was abruptly fired.
“Understand this,” William hissed. “Youre done here. Leave the city. If I see you near my daughter again, itll be worse.”
Daniel packed his things, tried calling Emily. *Number unavailable.* Her father had seen to that. He didnt know Charlottes number. Heartbroken, he left.
Emily was shattered. “Dad says Daniel left. Probably for the bestyou dont cross William Harrington.”
Life became grey. She missed him terribly. Her father had deleted Daniels number, threatened worse if she ever sought him out.
Years passed. A failed marriagearranged by her parents. Then, tragedy: William died in a crash. Margaret, devastated, urged Emily to take over the business.
“Its too much, Mum.”
“Youve got the degree. And Edwardyour fathers right-hand manwill guide you. Dad trusted him completely.”
Edward was honourable. He taught her the ropes, introduced her to partners. Within a year, she ran the empire smoothly.
But her personal life stayed barren. Proposals came, but she kept distance. Charlotte, now married with a child, remained her closest friend.
One winter, Charlotte suggested a trip. “Come to Edinburgh with us for New Years! My in-laws have space.”
Something drew Emily there. The citys romance, its old-world charm, called to her.
On Princes Street, she collided with a man. Looked upand froze.
Her heart raced. Daniel stood before her, older, steadier, but those eyesunchanged.
“Emily?” he breathed.
“Daniel!” She clung to him, afraid hed vanish.
Passersby stared, but the world had narrowed to just them. A second chance.
“I always knew wed meet again,” he murmured. “You cant replace someone you love. I never forgot you.”
“Me neither,” she laughed, tears in her eyes.
The days that followed were a blur of joy. They wandered, attended concerts, sat in comfortable silence.
Emily knew this was no accident. Fate had intervened.
Not long after, they married. At thirty, her life found new meaning. Daniel, though established in his career, moved to be with her. A son came first, then a daughter.
Happiness, at last.
