Novels by Praise write

The rain started at 6pm, just like her tears always did.Amelia stood at her window, phone tight in her hand. The job offer letter was glowing on her laptop behind her — her dream, finally. Lagos in 3 weeks.But her chest felt heavy, not happy.She read Daniel's last message again. _Whenever you're ready._He was being... kind. Too kind. And that kindness was making her miss him so much her stomach hurt.She typed fast before she could change her mind: _Can we meet tonight? Café near the bridge. 7pm. Important._He replied in 30 seconds: _I'll be there. Early._*The Café*Daniel was there at 6:50. Two coffees. Hers — milk, no sugar. He always remembered that stupid small thing.The bell rang. Amelia came in, umbrella dripping, cream dress sticking to her legs a little. Beautiful. Tired.He stood up too fast and almost knocked the coffee."Hello, Amelia.""Hello, Daniel."Silence. That painful, awkward silence between two people who used to talk over each other."You remembered," she w

Amelia used to think love was supposed to make you happy.Stupid, right?Now she sat on the cold floor beside her window, back against the wall, watching rain beat the glass. Her chest was tight. Like someone was sitting on it.She couldn't even cry properly again. The tears just came and came, silent. She wiped her cheek with her sleeve and her sleeve was already wet.Love was not enough. She was learning that now.You can love somebody with your whole life, and still feel alone beside them. You can love somebody and still feel like you are begging to be chosen.She unlocked her phone. Daniel. No call. No text._He didn't even try._That thought cut her. She pressed the phone to her chest."Fight for me na," she whispered to the empty room. "Just try."But he said he didn't want her to feel like she had to fight the world to be with him. So he let her go.God, why did letting go have to feel like kindness?*The Email That Saved Her*Morning. Her eyes were swollen. She looked ugly, sh

Thomas had chosen a restaurant Amelia could never afford on her own salary.The moment she walked in, she felt out of place. The lights were dim and warm, candles flickered on every table, and soft jazz played in the background. It was the kind of place where couples leaned close and held hands, where laughter was quiet and intimate.Amelia looked down at her dress. It was her best one, a simple blue dress she had bought two years ago for a wedding. Her shoes pinched at the toes because she had walked too much that day. She felt like a child playing dress-up in her mother's clothes."You look lovely," Thomas said when he saw her. And he meant it. His eyes were warm and familiar, the same eyes that had looked at her every day in university.Thomas was safe. He had always been safe. He remembered that she hated sweet cocktails and always ordered lemon water instead. He remembered that she always wanted a window seat because she liked watching people walk past. He remembered how she took

Amelia Bennett had never believed that one lunch could change anything.It was only lunch, after all. Two people sitting across from each other in a small Italian restaurant down the street from Hayes & Co., sharing pasta and talking about ordinary things. There was no grand confession, no unexpected kiss, no promise that would change the direction of their lives.Yet, when Amelia returned to the office that afternoon, her hands were still shaking as she tried to type.She sat at her desk and stared at her computer screen, but she could not remember what she was supposed to be doing. Her cheeks felt warm. Her heart was beating too fast.For the first time since she had started working at Hayes & Co., she had spent time with Daniel Hayes without feeling that she needed to prove herself.He had not asked her about the Riverside project. He had not corrected her report or given her a list of tasks to complete before 5pm. Instead, he had listened to her stories. Really listened. When she

The problem with feelings, Amelia decided Monday morning, was they never ask permission.They hide inside small things — a kind question, a message checking your hand, a hand held two seconds too long.Then one day you wake up and that person don enter your head without knocking.That was happening to Amelia.She stood before mirror, holding two blouses. Blue or white. White or blue."Oh please," she whispered to herself. "You dey go work, not to see king."She wore white. Then changed to blue. Then back to white.Sophie stood doorway with cereal. "You dey fight with your clothes?""No.""You don change shirt three times. I dey count."Amelia grabbed bag. "No be your business."Sophie laughed. "You dey think about Mr Hayes again!""I dey think say my sister dey talk too much.""You always tell me make I no let handsome face confuse my heart. No forget your own advice o."Amelia softened. Since mama died, she na the one wey dey remember bills, school fees, food. Romance na luxury. Surv

By Thursday morning, Amelia had learned three things about Hayes & Co.One, office coffee tasted like punishment.Two, Grace could spot a mistake from across the room without even looking.Three, Daniel Hayes could make a whole room nervous just by saying, "Are you sure about that?"He had said it twice that morning. One project manager spent five minutes explaining a report. Another woman went completely silent and admitted she forgot an attachment.Amelia watched from her desk, heart beating a little faster every time he walked past.At 10 a.m., he stopped beside her desk."Good morning.""Good morning, Daniel."He glanced at her screen. "Riverside files?""Better. Grace showed me the update. Finished the old ones.""Any problems?""Two signatures missing. Reported."He nodded to leave, then stopped. "Have you had breakfast?"Amelia blinked. "Sorry?""Breakfast. Have you eaten?"She stared. "Is that part of my job description?"For a second he stayed serious, then his mouth twitched