Emma Johnson, twenty-seven years old, a certified spinster by her mother's standards, editor-in-chief of New York Fashion Magazine, and currently single. Today, she was going on a blind date.
Her phone buzzed sharply.
She fished it out of her pocket, grimacing at the caller ID. She had to answer. "Hi, Mom!"
"Where are you right now? Are you on your way?" Sophia Johnson's voice was direct, leaving no room for evasion.
"Yes, the Paris Cafe. I'll be there soon. Don't worry," Emma replied, her voice laced with resignation.
"Good. That's more like it!" Sophia's tone softened slightly before turning stern. "Emma, I'm telling you, Daniel Taylor you're meeting today is your Uncle's son. He just got back from abroad. A real catch—education, family background, everything. You'd better behave yourself."
Emma felt her eardrum ache and rolled her eyes. "I heard you, Mom. I'll do my best to bring him home as your son-in-law."
"You'd better!"
After a few more exchanges to placate her mother, Emma hung up and let out a long sigh.
From twenty-five to twenty-seven, she'd been on hundreds of blind dates. The initial resistance had long faded into a weary acceptance. Now, she just wanted to grab any man willing to marry her and present him to her mother like a trophy.
"God, just give me a man!" she muttered through gritted teeth, not caring about the stares from passersby. All she wanted was someone to marry.
The Paris Cafe.
Emma stared at the sign and walked in. But as she stepped onto the curb, her heel caught on nothing.
"Ah—" she gasped, losing her balance. She stumbled sideways, right into a man who was also entering the cafe.
Liam Williams stiffened at the sudden proximity of a stranger. Out of politeness, he didn't push her away, but his brow furrowed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm... fine. Thank you," Emma stammered, looking up. When her eyes met his face, she froze.
Oh my God. How handsome was this man?
In her twenty-seven years as a fashion magazine editor, she'd seen plenty of handsome men, but never one like this. He exuded a lazy, noble air, his features sharp and commanding. His jaw was chiseled, his eyes piercing, his lips perfectly sculpted.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed it. She stared, making Liam frown even deeper.
Just as he was about to speak, Emma snapped out of it. She quickly straightened up and stepped out of his arms, apologizing awkwardly. "Thank you for that. I didn't mean to..."
As a working woman, she knew how to read people. His frown told her everything she needed to know.
Liam was silent for a moment, surprised by her quick recovery. He also took a deep breath.
Indeed, a faint, pleasant scent wafted from her—not the sharp perfume he was used to, but something subtle and alluring.
Just as he was enjoying the fragrance, a voice called out from inside the cafe. "Liam, come on in! This is your first blind date. Don't be late!"
It was his best friend, Ethan Davis.
Liam's face darkened. Without another word, he strode inside.
Emma watched him go, a wry smile on her lips. "Well, it seems even a handsome face can't save you from a blind date."
She shook off the thought and entered the cafe.
Scanning the room, her eyes landed on a table by the window with a single rose on it. Two men were sitting there, their backs to her.
By the window. A rose. That was the sign.
She walked over, but her steps faltered. One of the men was the same handsome stranger who had just helped her.
It was him.
Then it clicked. His friend had called him "Liam." And he was here for a blind date. Was he... Daniel Taylor? Her date?
Without hesitation, Emma walked straight to the table and sat down across from them.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Daniel Taylor?" she asked softly.
"You..." Liam was surprised. It was the woman with the pleasant scent.
Emma smiled, extending her hand. "Hello, I'm Emma Johnson. Your blind date for today."
Ethan, sitting next to Liam, was about to correct her, but Liam raised a hand to stop him.
Emma Johnson?
Was she Emma Johnson?
Liam's eyes flickered with recognition. He took her hand, a smile playing on his lips. "Hello, Miss Johnson."
Ethan was stunned. What was Liam doing?
Liam shot him a look, signaling him to stay quiet.
After they shook hands, Emma decided to get straight to the point. She had a meeting in the afternoon and didn't want to waste time. "Mr. Taylor, I assume you've already been briefed about me, so I won't repeat myself. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll be honest. I'm very satisfied with what I've heard about you. If you don't mind, how about we go to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow and get the certificate?"
She just wanted to complete the task. Her mother was already satisfied with Daniel Taylor. And she was tired of dating.
Liam was speechless.
Ethan was equally stunned. They had never seen a woman be so direct on a blind date. And she said she was satisfied with him? She didn't even recognize the person sitting in front of her!
"Have you never seen me before? Not even a photo?" Liam asked, amused.
Emma was taken aback. "I think so. My mother showed me your picture."
She just couldn't remember when.
"Oh, really?" Liam chuckled, his eyes scanning her up and down. "Are you a magazine editor, Miss Johnson?"
"Yes," Emma nodded, confused. "I am a magazine editor."
She bit her lip, feeling a bit awkward. "If you're not interested in getting married, Mr. Taylor..."
But before she could finish, Liam interrupted, his voice smooth. "Why wait until tomorrow, Miss Johnson? It's still early. Why don't we go to the Civil Affairs Bureau right now and get the certificate?"