Chapter 4 Seeing Daniel

Alicia Davenport I left work early, eager to see Daniel. I had texted him earlier, but he still hadn’t replied. A sinking feeling settled in my chest—he was avoiding me. But why? It couldn’t just be about my parents pushing for me to get married. There had to be something more. Something deeper. The thought gnawed at me as I got into my car and started the long drive to his workplace. I had never actually been there before. Usually, he was the one coming to see me. I had passed by his office building plenty of times, but this was my first time stepping inside. As I drove, I rehearsed what I would say. “Daniel, why are you avoiding me?” “I don’t care what my parents said. I want to be with you.” “You should have talked to me first before deciding we’re over.” I sighed. No matter how I phrased it, I knew he would push back. He always put me first, sometimes at his own expense. I just had to make him understand that I wasn’t willing to let him go. When I arrived, I took a deep breath and stepped out of my car. The office was a modern glass building, simple but elegant. I entered the lobby and found the reception desk. “I'm here to see Daniel Anderson,” I said confidently. The receptionist smiled. “I’m sorry, miss. May I know what your purpose is?” I cleared my throat as I wasn’t expecting this. “Um…I’m here to see Daniel Anderson. There are... some important matters that I need to solve with him.” I crossed my finger behind my back, hoping that the receptionist would let me go and stop questioning me. “Of course. Mr. Anderson is on the fifth floor.” I thanked her and made my way up, my heart pounding. The hallway was bustling with employees, but I tuned them out, focusing on the only person I had come to see. I stepped onto his floor and scanned the room, but I didn’t see Daniel. then I walked around with him, eyes scanning to find Daniel, and I spotted him immediately as I walked out from another room. He was standing on the balcony, laughing with a group of coworkers. The sight made my heart clench—he looked so at ease, so natural. But when I called his name and waved, his expression shifted. His smile disappeared, replaced by surprise and something else... hesitation. His friends turned to me, eyes filled with curiosity. “Who's this?” one of them asked, looking between me and Daniel. “And why haven’t you introduced us before, man?” Daniel cleared his throat, avoiding my gaze. “She’s... just a friend,” he said hesitantly. His words hit me like a slap. I forced a smile, ignoring the sharp sting in my chest. “Hello, nice to meet you,” I said shyly as I greeted them. “Wow, miss, you look beautiful, and you look quite familiar.” One of his friends say that as he looked at my face. “Um... thank you, and I think you mistaken me for someone else.” I smile awkwardly. Before they could answer, Daniel cut him off. “Do you mind leaving us alone, guys? I need to talk my friend for a minute.” “Yeah, sure.” His friends seemed oblivious to the tension, exchanging glances before excusing themselves, leaving us alone. The moment they were out of earshot, Daniel turned to me, his expression unreadable. Silence filled the air between us before Daniel decided to speak first. “Alicia, what are you doing here?” His tone was clipped, almost annoyed. He frowned as he looked at me. I frowned. “Why are you talking to me like that? You didn’t answer my texts, so I came to see you. I wanted to talk.” He exhaled sharply. “Alicia… we broke up. Why should I answer your texts?” I flinched but quickly recovered. “We didn’t break up,” I shot back. “You broke up with me without even giving me a chance to say anything. I haven’t even said a word, and you just left me there, Daniel. At the lake. Do you think that was fair?” His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. I stepped closer, searching his face. “What did my parents say to you?” He averted his eyes, staring past me as if hoping I would drop the subject. I wasn’t going to. “Daniel,” I pressed, my voice firm, “what did they say to you?” He sighed heavily and turned away, gripping the balcony railing. “You want to know what they say to me? They told me to stay away from you,” he finally admitted, his voice low. “That I don’t deserve you. That we come from different worlds.” Anger boiled inside me. “They had no right to say that!” Daniel let out a bitter chuckle. “They think they do. They said you’re meant to take over Davenport Architects, and I’m just a regular guy. They don’t want you wasting your time on someone beneath you.” I clenched my fists. I had expected them to disapprove, but this? It was cruel. “That’s not all, is it?” I whispered. Daniel hesitated before nodding. “They said if I didn’t leave you, they’d ruin my life. My family’s life.” He finally met my eyes, pain flickering in his gaze. “They threatened to destroy everything I care about, Alicia. I had no choice.” Shock rippled through me. My parents—my own parents—had done this? They had threatened him? I felt sick. “They told me not to tell you,” Daniel continued, his voice soft now. “But I can’t lie to you, Alicia. I love you too much for that.” Tears pricked at my eyes. I reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “They’re blinded by their obsession with power. They don’t understand that I love you. That I choose you.” He exhaled shakily, lifting his hand to caress my cheek. “I love you too,” he murmured. “I never wanted to leave you. But what was I supposed to do? Fight them? They have all the power.” “Then let me fight them,” I said fiercely. “They’re my parents, and I won’t let them control my life like this.” He looked at me, a mixture of hope and doubt in his eyes. “Alicia…” I reached up and cupped his face. “I don’t want to lose you, Daniel. I won’t. We’ll face this together.” His thumb brushed against my cheek, wiping away a tear that had slipped free. “But what if—” “No what ifs,” I interrupted. “I love you, and that’s not going to change. They might think they can dictate my life, but they’re wrong.” He studied me for a long moment, then let out a breath of laughter—soft, disbelieving. “You’re incredible, you know that?” I smiled through my tears. “Took you long enough to realize.” He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. I buried my face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, feeling the steady beat of his heart. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe again. But this wasn’t over. I was going to confront my parents. And this time, I wouldn’t back down.