Love Found Me When I Wasn’t Looking (Episode 18)

Daniel’s POV

The announcement came on a Monday morning.

A week-long company vacation.
Ghana.

Everyone was excited talking about beaches, resorts, parties, relaxation. My colleagues were already making plans, laughing loudly, dreaming out loud.

I wasn’t listening.

Because the only place my heart wanted to go wasn’t on the company’s itinerary.

I waited until later that afternoon before walking into my father’s office.

“I won’t be joining the vacation,” I said calmly.

He looked up from his laptop. “Why?”

“I have something important to sort out in Lagos.”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Go. Some things are more important than rest.”

I smiled faintly. “Thank you, sir.”

The moment I stepped out, my heart started racing.

This was it.

This was my chance.

I had missed Victoria in a way that words couldn’t explain. Not just her voice or her face on video calls

 but her presence. The warmth of her body beside mine. The way she fit into my arms like she had always belonged there.

I wanted to feel her.
Touch her.
Hold her.

I wanted to see my baby.

And I wanted it to be a surprise.

I booked my flight that night. Packed light. Didn’t tell a single soul. Not even her. Especially not her.

As the plane lifted off, I closed my eyes and imagined her smile when she saw me.

That alone was worth everything.

Victoria’s POV

That day, missing Daniel felt heavier than usual.

It followed me everywhere into my classroom, into my thoughts, into the quiet moments where my mind refused to focus. Even after I got home, the feeling didn’t fade.

I found myself checking my phone too often.

No new message.

“He’s probably busy,” I murmured to myself.

I tied my wrapper tighter and went into the kitchen, trying to distract myself with cooking. The pot simmered gently on the stove, the smell of spices filling the air, but my heart wasn’t there.

I was thinking about him.

About how long it had been since I last stood in front of him. Since I last looked into his eyes without a screen between us. Since I last felt his arms around me.

I stirred absentmindedly, lost in thought.

Then I heard it.

A knock.

I frowned slightly.

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I turned off the stove and wiped my hands on a towel, walking slowly toward the door. Another knock followed firmer this time.

“Who is it?” I asked.

No answer.

My heart skipped.

I unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Daniel’s POV

The moment the door opened, I forgot how to breathe.

Victoria stood there in a simple house dress, her hair pulled back loosely, face bare and soft. For a second, she just stared at me eyes wide, frozen between disbelief and recognition.

“Daniel…?” she whispered.

I smiled.

Before she could say another word, she dropped the towel in her hand and threw herself into my arms.

I caught her easily, instinctively, lifting her slightly off the ground as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck.

“You’re here,” she breathed, voice shaking.

“I told you I’d come back,” I said into her hair. “I just didn’t tell you when.”

She laughed and cried at the same time, pulling back just enough to look at my face, touching my cheeks like she needed proof that I was real.

“I missed you,” she said.

“So much,” I replied.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind us, shutting out the world. For a moment, we just stood there, foreheads touching, breathing each other in.

She smelled like home.

I cupped her face gently and kissed her slow, unhurried, full of everything distance had stored up inside me. She kissed me back immediately, her hands gripping my shirt, grounding me.

When we pulled apart, she smiled through tears. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I wanted to see your face,” I said. “And it was worth it.”

She led me into the living room, still holding my hand like she was afraid I might disappear. We sat on the couch, bodies close, legs touching, fingers intertwined.

“I thought you were in Ghana,” she said, laughing softly.

“I chose Lagos,” I replied. “I chose you.”

Her eyes softened.

I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her, resting my chin on her shoulder. Holding her again felt unreal like my body had been waiting patiently for this moment.

“I missed doing this,” I whispered. “Just being with you. Not talking through screens.”

She leaned into me. “I missed you in ways I didn’t know how to explain.”

I smiled. “Then don’t explain.”

I lifted her slightly, settling her more comfortably against me, feeling her relax completely in my arms. Everything about her felt familiar and new at the same time.

For a while, we said nothing.

The silence was full.

“I’m proud of you,” she said suddenly.

I kissed her temple. “Everything I’m doing it’s leading back to you.”

She tilted her head to look at me. “Then stay. Even if it’s just for a while.”

“I have a week,” I said. “And every minute belongs to you.”

She smiled a slow, glowing smile.

As I held her, one truth settled deep inside me:

No deal, no business, no success could compare to this feeling.

Being here.
With her.
Where I belonged.

And this time, I wasn’t counting days to leave.

I was counting reasons to stay.