Love Found Me When I Wasn’t Looking (Episodes 3)

Victoria’s POV

I said yes.

Not immediately I took my time, pretending to weigh the decision, but the truth was simple: I wanted to see him. When Saturday finally came, my heart beat faster than usual. I dressed simply, whispering a quiet prayer as I stepped out, asking God to guide my heart.

Daniel arrived on time.

He stepped out of the car and smiled when he saw me, that calm, reassuring smile that always made me feel settled. He told me I looked beautiful, and this time, I believed him. There was no rush, no pressure just ease.

We chose a quiet restaurant, the kind where conversations matter more than appearances. Over dinner, we talked like two people slowly discovering each other’s worlds. He spoke about his dreams, his values, his respect for women. I spoke about my fears, my hopes, and the lessons life had forced me to learn early.

He listened not to reply, but to understand.

After dinner, we took a walk under the evening sky. The air was cool, and the streetlights glowed softly. When our hands touched, neither of us pulled away. He held my hand gently, as though afraid to break something precious.

When he dropped me off, silence filled the car but it was a good silence.

“I really enjoyed today,” he said.

“So did I,” I replied.

He hesitated, then leaned slightly closer. “May I?”

Before I could overthink it, he placed a soft peck on my cheek.

It was quick. Gentle. Respectful.

But my heart nearly burst.

I smiled, said goodnight, and walked inside with my face warm and my thoughts scattered. Long after I closed my door, I could still feel it that simple peck that carried so much intention.

Daniel’s POV: 

I couldn’t focus driving home.

My eyes were on the road, but my mind was somewhere else somewhere between Victoria’s smile and that quiet moment in the car before she stepped out. I replayed the evening over and over again, wondering how something so simple could feel so powerful.

Her laugh kept ringing in my ears.

I had gone into that date telling myself to stay calm, not to rush things, not to scare her away. But from the moment I saw her walk toward me, something shifted inside my chest. She wasn’t just beautiful she was gentle, thoughtful, and real. The kind of woman you don’t meet every day.

As I drove, I kept remembering the way she spoke, carefully choosing her words, as if she understood how fragile hearts could be. I admired that. I admired her strength, her softness, the way she listened without interrupting. She made me feel heard without even trying.

Then my mind drifted to that moment at her gate.

The peck on her cheek.

I hadn’t planned it. It just happened. It felt right natural, respectful. When I saw her smile, my heart skipped. I hoped I hadn’t crossed a line, but something in her eyes told me she was okay with it.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and shook my head slightly, trying to concentrate. But no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept returning to her. I wondered if she was inside her room smiling too. I wondered if she felt the same quiet excitement I felt.

By the time I got home, I realized something scared me more than rejection.

I cared.

I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, my phone in my hand. I typed a message, deleted it, then typed again. I didn’t want to say too much, but I didn’t want to say nothing either.

I got home safely. I hope you did too.

I sent it and exhaled deeply.

Sleep didn’t come easily that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Victoria. And somewhere between those thoughts, I made a silent promise to myself—

If she allowed me, I would be patient.
If she trusted me, I would be intentional.
And if this was love beginning quietly…

I wouldn’t take it for granted. Continue reading Episode 4