Love Found Me When I Wasn’t Looking (Episode 28)

Daniel’s POV

I knew deep in my bones that Victoria would choose me.

That thought stayed with me as I sat in my office that morning, staring at my computer screen without really seeing anything. My mind was far away, somewhere else entirely. I kept wondering how her meeting was going, whether she was nervous, whether her heart was as restless as mine.

I checked the time again.

My phone lay beside me, silent.

Then my father walked in.

“Daniel,” Mr. Benson said, his voice firm, “suspend whatever you are doing.”

I looked up, confused. “Sir?”

“By 2:00 p.m., we’re going to my friend’s place for the visit,” he continued calmly.

My heart jumped violently.

Today?

Same day?

“Today?” I repeated before I could stop myself.

“Yes,” he said, adjusting his cufflinks. “Prepare yourself.”

My head started spinning. Same day Victoria is meeting her own…I prayed silently that her meeting would have ended before ours began. I needed her calm. I needed myself calm too.

“There’s a lot on my head, Father,” I muttered.

He didn’t respond. He simply turned and walked out of my office, leaving behind pressure so heavy it sat on my chest.

I immediately tried calling Victoria.

Once.
Twice.
Again.

Her number wasn’t going through.

My heart sank.

I picked up my phone, my car keys, and left the office early. As we drove, my thoughts raced. I rehearsed polite words in my head how I would respectfully reject my father’s friend’s daughter without causing disrespect or suspicion.

I’m not ready.
I have someone else.
Please understand.

None of the words felt strong enough.

Victoria’s POV

The house was unusually busy that afternoon.

My mum had cooked a lot too much, in my opinion. The dining table was fully set, plates arranged neatly, drinks lined up as if for a celebration. I sat on the sofa, my phone pressed to my ear, talking to one of my school teachers who was asking me questions about work.

“Yes, Ma,” I said softly. “I’ll handle it when I return.”

As I spoke, my eyes followed my mother as she moved around the house, adjusting things, tasting food, arranging chairs. She looked satisfied, hopeful like someone certain that today would change everything.

She glanced at me and frowned.

“That dress you’re wearing is too casual,” she complained. “This is not how you meet a serious man.”

“Mum,” I sighed, lowering my phone slightly, “it’s fine.”

She shook her head. “You young girls of today don’t understand anything.”

I ended the call and leaned back, my heart restless. I wanted to call Daniel so badly, but something told me to wait. My chest felt tight, like something big was about to happen.

Daniel’s POV

We turned into a small, beautiful compound.

The house wasn’t big. The compound wasn’t flashy. But something about it made me slow down mentally. I don’t know why, but I felt a strange sense of comfort even before stepping out of the car.

I liked it.

That feeling surprised me.

“This place is… calm,” I thought to myself.

I hadn’t even entered yet, but my heart softened in a way I couldn’t explain.

My father stepped out of the car first. I followed, adjusting my shirt nervously. We walked toward the entrance, and with every step, that strange familiarity grew stronger.

Why do I feel like I’ve been here before… even when I know I haven’t?

We entered the house.

And then 

I froze.

Victoria’s POV

The doorbell rang.

My heart jumped.

“Mum,” I said quietly, standing up. “They’re here.”

She smiled widely, wiping her hands on her wrapper. “Stay calm,” she whispered. “Everything will be fine.”

She walked toward the door, while I stood there, my pulse pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.

The door opened.

Daniel’s POV

The moment I lifted my eyes…

The world stopped.

Victoria.

She stood there, eyes wide, frozen just like me.

For a second, nobody spoke. Time held its breath. My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

Victoria?!

Of all the faces in this world… of all the possibilities… it was her.

I felt dizzy.

This was not coincidence.
This was destiny walking straight into my life.

I glanced at my father. His face had gone pale. Slowly, his eyes moved from me… to Victoria… then to the woman standing beside her.

continue reading Episode 29