The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

by Rachel Burns

  Her hair was ruined, as were her clothes. The paint on her face faded, and her cloth body had been so soak with water, and he’d tried to ring it dry, and the shape of the doll was ruined.

  His mother didn’t talk to him for months. Then they sent him away to boarding school. His family wasn’t close.

  He wanted better for Emily and himself. They’d smile and laugh together. “So Emily, tell me about yourself.”

  Emily was brought up short. She could only think of one thing to say. She was the girl that ate too much. What lay behind that? She had no clue. She frowned and shrugged.

  Emily wasn’t one to do any soul-searching. She’d rather search for something sweet to eat. She had that beast, and he needed to be kept happy.

  “Well, do you have a hobby?”

  “I can crochet pretty well. I did the design work on my pajamas.”

  “That’s really nice.” He was prepared to say anything to make her happy. He really wanted her to like him.

  “Do you have a hobby, Daddy?”

  He grinned. That had felt so good, hearing that word being said so casually from her lips. “I have several. I’ll show you, and the ones you like too, we can do together.” He wanted to spend all of his time with her.

  “Okay. I’d like that.”

  She was smiling again. Oliver was overjoyed with his choice.

  Emily’s eyes lighted up again. “I have another hobby.”

  “Yes, what is it?” He was smiling back at her and moving his head back and forth between the road and her face, not wanting to miss a thing.

  “I was really good at growing things in the garden. My roses were the nicest.” She blushed at her own bragging.

  “That’s a really nice hobby for a girl, but how did you keep your skin so pale?” He wondered aloud.

  “We had to wear hats.”

  “Oh, I’ll see to it that you wear one too. Your skin is perfect. We have to keep it that way.”

  “Yes, Daddy.” Emily was eager to please him too.

  Oliver watched the road and tried to decide which house they should live in. “My family owns several estates. I think it would be best to visit all of them before you decide which one you like best.”

  “You want me to decide?” Emily asked him. She didn’t think that he would listen to her and want to hear her opinion.

  “It only makes sense. I just want to be where you are. Whichever house you choose, it will be fine with me. It doesn’t matter to me.”

  Emily smiled at him. He liked her. He was talking so nicely to her. No one had ever talked to her that nicely before. She smiled at him.

  Oliver had a four-hour drive ahead of him. He’d booked a flight to the Bahamas. If he hadn’t found someone, then he just would have canceled the flight. Money was no object, but he was starting to wonder if he should be strict with Emily. He dismissed the idea immediately. He wasn’t going to do anything to push her away.

  “Umm, Daddy?”

  “Yes, Emily.” He smiled over at her.

  “I have to go.”

  His face fell. “Go where?” Didn’t she like him?

  “To the bathroom,” she admitted.

  “Oh. I’ll pull over right away. Are you hungry too, baby?”

  “Maybe a little.” She felt like she was starving. Breakfast had been so long ago. It was already past two.

  Oliver was on the lookout for a nicer place to stop, but if she had to go, then he needed to stop soon. He pulled in at a roadside restaurant. A couple of trucks were also parked there. He slipped his Porsche in a spot where he’d be able to see it from inside the restaurant. He hurried over to Emily and opened her door for her.

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “Baby, I just want you to call me that when it’s just the two of us. It’s something special just for us.”

  “Yes, Daddy.” Emily looked totally confused. “What should I say?” She was on the verge of tears, wondering what she’d done wrong.

  “Oliver. That’s your daddy’s name. It’s my name. Oliver is my name,” he told her nervously, stuttering a little. He tried to smile at her, but she looked a little scared. He was starting to understand what the director meant. She was really into this. This was the gospel truth for her.

  “Okay.” He took hold of her hand and walked her in. He looked for the restrooms. When he saw them, he walked her over and pointed. “Into the little ladies room you go, baby.”

  “Thank you.”

  Oliver waited right by the door. He was afraid that she’d go out of the window. He was very relieved when she came back out and smiled at him.

  Oliver took her hand again and found them a booth to sit in. “We’ll usually be eating in finer restaurants, but you needed me to stop right away. From now on just the best is good enough for you.”

  Emily nodded at him, thinking that this place seemed nice enough.

  A waitress came with menus. Emily thanked her very nicely. Oliver was very pleased with her.

  Emily was unsure what to order. Oliver leaned forward when he realized that she was having a problem.

  “Should Daddy help you?” he offered.

  “Yes, please.”

  “Tell me what you like to eat.”

  She started to bite her lips. She should probably just order a little something, but she was so hungry.

  “Well, I’m having the chicken in a basket. I’ve always wanted to try that. Do you want to try that too?” he asked her.

  “Yes, please.” She liked chicken.

  So little made her so happy, he thought. “And what does my baby want to drink?”

  “Could I have chocolate milk? I used to get that when I was little until –” she stopped herself.

  Oliver didn’t want to pry and cause problems. “Until what?” he asked as if the answer wasn’t too important.

  “Until they put me on a diet.” She was worried that he’d want to take her back now.

  His eyes focused on her. He saw her cheeks flushing. She was embarrassed. He called for the waitress.

  She came over, and Oliver sat up a little straighter. “My fiancée and I will both have the chicken in the basket with French fries. I’ll have a large coke, and my fiancée will have a large glass of chocolate milk. We’ll order our dessert after we’ve eaten. Isn’t that right, Emily?”

  Emily nodded, knowing she had to agree with him.

  “The last thing I need is a wife who is always going on about her weight. You’ll be eating until you’re full. And that’s the end of that.” He pounded his pointer finger into the table, laying down the law.

  “Listen to your fiancé, honey.” The waitress turned away to put in their orders, thinking that young man was saving them both a lot of grievances and endless discussions.

  Emily waited for the waitress to leave before she leaned in. “I didn’t mean to make you mad, Daddy,” she whispered.

  “You didn’t, baby. Whoever put that nonsense in your head is the one making me mad. You look fine exactly the way you are.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course. I had my choice, and I chose you. I wanted the prettiest girl there. It was really selfish, but I too only want the best.”

  Emily sighed beautifully for him.

  Oliver felt like patting himself on the back. That had been the perfect thing to say.

  Besides, Emily wasn’t fat. She was completely normal. The others had been too thin. Having a bit of meat on you is healthy. That way a person has reserves if they get sick. Nothing about Emily said unhealthy. She wasn’t a model, but she didn’t have to be. She was going to be a wife, his wife. She looked perfect to him.

  They smiled at each other until their food came. They were the sort of couple that didn’t need to talk constantly.

  “So when is the wedding?” the waitress asked when she brought them their baskets of food.

  “Tomorrow,” Oliver answered her, proudly.

  “Well, the best of luck for you two.” The waitress was thrilled to hear t
hat.

  They said thank you in unison.

  “I hate to be eating this as our first meal together, but I assure you that I can eat very properly, but the only way to eat this is with your hands.” Oliver was grinning at her. She was making him happier than he’d ever been before.

  They both ate with their hands and enjoyed the food. Oliver took over most of the talking, and Emily smiled at him and laughed when he told jokes. Being with each other was easy.

  After they ate, they both had to wash their hands. Oliver hurried, and Emily took great pains to make sure that her hands were perfectly clean before she came out. When she was finished, she went right to him.

  Oliver had a good feeling while he paid for their meal. This was going to work out perfectly.

  Nothing had happened to his girl or to his car. It was also a lot easier to talk to her now that they’d shared a meal together. Oliver couldn’t believe how easy this was going. She was worth every penny he paid for her. His marriage would be the best thing that had ever happened to him.

  He drove to the airport and parked. He got her simple suitcase out along with a couple of his bags. They’d need to go shopping, he thought. He found a man with a cart and gave him their luggage. Emily walked right next to him as they walked in.

  Emily looked around. She could hardly believe that she was off the orphanage grounds, and that this really nice man wanted her.

  He walked them to the check-in, and he did all the talking. Emily just stood next to him and listened to what he was saying. He told everyone that they were getting married tomorrow. He seemed to be very proud of her.

  Oliver checked in their luggage, and then he took her to the VIP lounge. There they were treated like royalty. Oliver referred to Emily as his fiancée so the staff would know that they had to treat her extra nicely.

  “Mr. Keaton, you and your fiancée may board the plane now.”

  Oliver was pleased that Emily was seeing how she was going to be treated from now on.

  He had their papers and passports in his carry-on, which he swung over his shoulder. He held out his right hand, and Emily grabbed hold of it right away.

  “You don’t have to be scared, baby. I’m right here.” He leaned over and kissed her on her cheek. They walked closely together to the plane. He gave the stewardess their boarding cards and took care of everything.

  In the plane, he told her to sit next to the window so she could see out.

  “Mr. Keaton would you like me to bring you magazines to read?” the stewardess asked.

  Oliver looked at Emily.“Would you like to read a gardening magazine, baby?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Bring her everything that you have in that direction, and I’ll take today’s Wall Street Journal.” He’d finally found a reason to take interest in the family business. The thought of her not having everything she could ever want was motivating him. He’d just check on today’s precious metal rates.

  Emily was pleased with her daddy. He was a dream come true. When the stewardess asked them what they wanted, he made sure that she was taken care of first. He not only didn’t mind her eating he seemed really pleased with her when she did.

  He told her about their hotel and what he’d planned for them. Somehow, he had to smile when he looked her way. Now that she’d taken off her jacket he could see her beautifully plump arms that were framed so nicely with the lace on her dress.

  He stood when she had to go to the bathroom, and smiled at her when she came back. His arm shot out around her to help her to her seat.

  They landed, and he took over everything again. He was once again a little nervous when he gave the controller her passport, but the controller basically waved them through.

  He got their luggage and rented a car. Emily had a feeling that her daddy could do anything. Everyone was so respectful to him. He may be young, but even the people here felt that he was a powerful man.

  Oliver drove to the hotel and checked them in. His Emily stayed next to him holding his hand, but she looked around at the splendid surroundings. Things he took for granted and even saw as his just due still had the power to impress her.

  He liked that. She should be happy with him.

  They were taken to their bungalow and shown around. Emily stepped closer to Oliver and looked around. She’d never seen anything like this before.

  Oliver let go of her hand. Emily went to the window and looked out. “Palm trees,” she exclaimed. “Oh Daddy, look at the water. It goes on up to the sky. Look.”

  Oliver went over to her and wrapped his arms around her.

  Normally, he’d bark at people, telling them that he’d seen it all before, but his little angel wanted to share a new experience with him, and she’d be hurt if he talked to her that way.

  She wasn’t just one of his endless girlfriends who only wanted his money. She wanted him to take care of her.

  He pulled himself away from their embrace. They weren’t married yet and his Emily was a very sweet person.

  He went about unpacking while his real-life doll looked out of the window. He peeked at her often unable to believe his luck.

  Thankfully, he’d found her before some other man did.

  “Thank you for bringing me here, Daddy.”

  Oliver had to smile. “Sure thing, baby.”

  Chapter 4

  Emily had been fussed over all morning. Her Daddy had a whole group of people in their room to make her look pretty.

  They did her hair, so it was piled up on her head, like the nurses at school, but her bun was loose with wispy curls here and there. Her face was beautifully framed, and she felt worthy of marrying a man like her daddy.

  She had a light coating of make-up on her face, so her features would stand out when their picture was taken.

  Daddy had slept on the sofa last night. He said that he couldn’t sleep in the same bed with her until they were married, but he clearly told her that he wanted to sleep with her every night after they were married.

  Emily had changed into her pajamas all by herself because her daddy told her that he wasn’t truly her daddy yet, and that he wouldn’t be until they were married. Then they’d be daddy and wife.

  He’d tucked her into bed so lovingly last night and asked her if she were nervous. She admitted that she was, and he told her a story, confessing in a roundabout way that he was nervous too.

  The way he smiled at her gave her a warm feeling around her heart. No one had ever looked at her that way.

  The nurses at school had told the girls time and time again that this would be the case when their daddy came to get them. Emily hadn’t believed them, but now it was clear that they’d known what they were talking about.

  A daddy was a person who made his little girl feel loved and wanted. She wanted this with all of her heart.

  Emily could hear her daddy, talking with the staff. He was telling them what he wanted. He sounded in control, but he also sounded nervous.

  Emily knew that she wasn’t anything special. She’d be the best little girl in the world for him, so he would never regret choosing her. She’d even lose weight to keep him. He was the best daddy any girl had ever gotten, and she’d show him how thankful she was.

  Oliver was dressed and ready to go. The clock was ticking too slowly for his tastes today. The wedding would take place at five o’clock and that hour couldn’t come fast enough.

  A few women were helping his beloved Emily get ready. She already looked breathtakingly beautiful. He found it impossible to look away from her.

  “The photographer will be there, won’t he?” Oliver hated that his nervousness was showing. He never let himself go in front of servants.

  This was one of the reasons why he wanted Emily. He needed someone with whom he could relax, a moment when he could let his guard down and figure out for himself who he really was.

  This wasn’t a normal marriage, a marriage because two people were hot lovers and wanted to blend their personalities by makin
g beautiful children while they grew old with one another. It was a marriage with the purpose of seeing if Oliver could even like himself, the person who he was in his heart.

  People often made jokes about wealthy people going to Europe to find themselves, but the truth was that it was sometimes necessary to get away to see who you were.

  Oliver had been to Europe and he found himself trapped in the same crowd of fake friends and servants that always held him in check.

  Oliver was certain being alone with Emily would answer the questions that were burning in his soul. He wanted to know if he was a good man. He felt that it would be a role that he could feel comfortable with.

  Oliver had tried so many other roles, and none of them had fit him like a glove.

  He’d been the wild child who stole cars and drove around drunk to impress his friends.

  He’d been a playboy who’d tried to talk to the women he dated, but they hadn’t wanted that. They wanted him to stay in his stereotype and party with them. When he wanted a quiet life at home on the couch, they dumped him and moved on to the next billionaire.

  He may be the richest bachelor on the planet, but that life wasn’t what he longed for.

  Oliver wanted to cuddle with Emily. He wanted to feel her softness around him. He wanted her to look to him when she had questions. She’d be the one person that he’d drop everything for when she called his name.

  A man stepped in front of Oliver. He was the owner of this elite golf club and hotel. Oliver was certain that he would whisper into many ears that the Keaton elopement had taken place here to drum up even more business. “It’s time for the dress, sir.”

  Oliver turned away from the owner. “Emily, are you okay? Do you have everything you need, baby?”

  She nodded at him and gave him a smile. She was so happy that she feared that she’d cry and ruin her make-up.

  “Okay, baby. I’m going to leave you now, but I’ll be at the altar waiting for you. These kind people will help you with everything you need. Don’t be shy to ask them for anything.”

  “I won’t be,” Emily promised with a smile on her face.

  Oliver gave her a nod and walked out of the room pretending that it wasn’t killing him to leave her alone with complete strangers.