Novels by ayomohdaniella

Gabriella was dreaming. But it didn't feel like a dream.It felt…real.Too real.His hand was on her cheek again.Warm and steady.The same way it had been the night before.“Alexander…”His name slipped from her lips, barely a whisper.There was no hesitation this time.No interruptionNo distance.His lips brushed against hers.Soft and deliberate.Gabriella’s eyes snapped open.Her breath came out sharp as she stared at the ceiling.For a moment, she didn't move. Her heart was still racing.Still caught in something that wasn't real.Slowly, she pushed herself up, dragging a hand over her face.“..No.”The word came out under her breath.Firm.Like she was correcting something.She swung her legs off the bed, forcing herself upright.Her mind replayed it again.The look in his eyes.The way he leaned in.Her chest tightened.“This is ridiculous,” she whispered.But the feeling didn't leave.She stood up quickly, pacing across the room.‘It was just the tension from the night,’ she

The night slowly drew to a close.The music softened, conversations lost their edge, and the tension that had once gripped the room dissolved into polite laughter and quiet networking. Glasses were now clinking faintly, and people offered lazy smiles. But Gabriella felt it.The difference.She stood beside Alexander as another guest approached, offering congratulations with a measured smile.“You make a lovely couple,” the man said, glancing between them.Gabriella returned the smile. “Thank you.”It was different now.Before, the looks had been sharp. Questioning and judgmental.Now they were careful.Respectful, even.But not because they suddenly liked her. It was more of a controlled uncertainty.And uncertainty made people cautious.Alexander barely reacted by her side. He offered a polite nod before guiding her away, his hand resting softly on her back.A few feet away, a donation table had been set up. Guests moved toward it in small groups, murmuring about causes and contribu

Gabriella walked beside Alexander, her fingers lightly wrapped around his arm, but her grip had tightened without her realizing it.The stage was over.She had handled the eyes, the whispers, the judgment.Now she had to face his parents.Again.She had met them before.She knew what they were like and what to expect. But that was before Alexander made their engagement official by announcing it.Before the word “fiancée” had been said out loud for everyone to hear.Gabriella exhaled slowly, steadying herself as they moved forward.Her eyes fell on them before they reached.Standing slightly apart, watching.Their steps slowed as they approached them.“Good evening, Mum, Dad,” Alexander said smoothly.His mother turned first.Elegant and composed. Exactly how Gabriella remembered.Her gaze moved to Gabriella, taking her in slowly before her lips curved into a warm smile.“That was… quite the speech.”“Good evening, ma'am,” Gabriella greeted politely.She turned to Alexander’s father.

The question didn't just hang in the air. It settled.Heavy and deliberate.Alexander didn't move.“I’m already handling it,” he said calmly.Mr Patrick didn't respond.His gaze lingered, unimpressed.“Handling it?” he repeated slowly. Not an accusation, but not support either.Gabriella's back stiffened.Alexander didn't rush to explain. Instead, he held Mr Patrick’s gaze for a moment before speaking again.“I was actually hoping to speak with you tonight,” he said, his tone steady. “About a business proposal.”“Now?” he scoffed. “While your company is under scrutiny?”His eyes flickered between them.“Maybe you should focus on the crisis you're facing for now.” He turned back to Dennis, who was observing quietly.The words weren't harsh. But they weren't kind either.Gabriella felt the weight of it.Alexander kept his eyes on him.“Actually,” he said evenly. Mr Patrick turned.“I’d like to address the room on that.”That caught his attention.His brows lifted slightly.Gabriella’s

The night had finally arrived.Gabriella stood in front of the mirror, completely still. The silence in the room pressed against her ears like something alive, something waiting.The soft glow of the light traced every detail of her dress with quiet elegance. It fit her perfectly. Just like it had during the fitting.However, tonight it felt different.Heavier.Real.Her curls fell softly, framing her face, and her makeup was light but flattering.Her reflection stared back at her from the full-length mirror. Flawless, composed.Almost unrecognizable.But the girl in the mirror wasn't the one she felt inside.The gala.Everything they had prepared for was happening tonight.Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the fabric, smoothing it down for what felt like the hundredth time.Alexander’s choice.Everything about tonight had been decided long before this moment.Her chest rose slowly as she drew in a breath that didn't quite steady her.This was real now.Not practice, not t

Saturday rolled in calmly, but the air inside the house was anything but.Tension lingered in every corner, thick with anticipation of what was to come.Gabriella threw on her clothes and stared at herself in the mirror. The gala was tomorrow night.Her reflection stared back at her. Composed and put together, but her eyes gave her away.A mix of fear and anxiety twisted deep within her chest, rising with every passing second.Tearing her gaze away from the mirror, she gathered the files from her desk and left the room.Today wasn’t about nerves. It was about preparation.Alexander had called her to meet him in the dining room that morning. They were going to go over everything from how they would act at the gala to pitching the proposal to Mr. Patrick.‘We have no time to lose,’ he had told her.As she walked into the dining room, she found Alexander seated at the head of the table. His laptop opened in front of him, and multiple files splayed across, almost taking up the entire spa