Love Found Me When I Wasn’t Looking (Episode 26)

Daniel’s POV

I couldn’t concentrate on anything after leaving my father’s office. The files on my desk blurred together, numbers refused to make sense, and all I could see was Victoria’s face.

My father’s words replayed again and again in my head.

You cannot say no.

I picked up my phone and called her. My heart was pounding so hard I thought she would hear it through the line.

“Victoria…” I said the moment she answered. “I need to talk to you.”

I told her everything how my father sat across from me in his office, how calm he was, how he told me we would be visiting the girl he wanted me to marry next week. I told her how I argued, how angry I felt, how trapped I was.

“I told him I can’t marry his friend’s daughter,” I said, my voice low and heavy. “Because my heart is already taken. Because I love you.”

There was silence on the line. Long, painful silence.

“I don’t want anyone else,” I added quickly. “I just needed you to know what’s happening. I don’t want secrets between us.”

Victoria’s POV

When Daniel finished talking, my chest felt tight. My heart ached for him… and for us.

“Daniel,” I said softly, “you’re not alone in this.”

Then I told him my own truth.

“My mum called me today,” I continued. “She wants me to come to Abuja next week. She wants me to meet the man my father wants me to marry… just once.”

I could almost feel Daniel’s breath stop on the other side.

“But listen to me,” I said firmly, gathering courage. “I’m not marrying him. I already know my answer. I’ll meet him, explain politely that I can’t marry him, and end it there.”

My voice shook, but my heart was steady.

“And Daniel…” I paused. “I want to use that opportunity to see you. I want to meet you in Abuja. I want to know where you stay.”

There was a soft exhale from him like relief mixed with fear.

“I need to see you,” I added. “Because loving you from a distance while our parents make plans without us is hurting me too much. My head and my heart are both tired.”

Daniel’s POV

For the first time since my father spoke, I felt something loosen inside my chest.

“Victoria… thank you,” I said quietly. “I was scared you would think I was weak for not standing up to him more.”

“No,” she replied. “You’re not weak. You’re just trying to survive this.”

I told her where I stayed, described my area, the small details everything I wanted her to know.

“Next week,” I said, my voice filled with emotion, “no matter what our parents think they’re planning… I want us to remember that we chose each other first.”

She smiled through the phone. I could hear it.

“We’ll face it together,” she said.

When the call ended, my heart was still heavy but now, it wasn’t hopeless.

continue reading Episode 27