A Warning

CHAPTER 5: A Warning I Didn’t Expect

(Amara’s POV)

I didn’t trust coincidences.

And meeting Daniel Cole twice in two days already felt like one.

But getting hired by him for a five-million-naira event?

That felt like fate doing something suspicious.

The next afternoon, I arrived at the venue Daniel had sent me.

At first, I thought the GPS had made a mistake.

The road led toward one of the most expensive waterfront districts in Lagos. Tall palm trees lined the street, and every building looked like something out of a luxury magazine.

“This better not be another misunderstanding,” I muttered as I parked my car.

If this man was playing some kind of joke, I was going to lose my mind.

Then I saw the building.

A massive white event hall overlooking the ocean. Glass walls reflected the afternoon sun, and a long stone walkway led to the entrance.

My jaw slowly dropped.

“Okay… maybe this is real.”

As I stepped out of the car, I noticed a black SUV parked near the gate.

Daniel was already here.

He leaned casually against the vehicle, sleeves rolled up, sunglasses resting on his face. Even from a distance, he looked like the kind of man who didn’t belong in ordinary places.

My stomach did something strange.

Pull yourself together, Amara.

You’re here for business.

He removed the sunglasses as I approached.

“Right on time,” he said.

“Event planners survive on punctuality.”

A small smile appeared on his lips.

“I’m starting to realize that.”

I turned toward the building again.

“You didn’t mention the venue was… this.”

“What do you think?”

I walked slowly toward the entrance, scanning the architecture, the landscaping, the ocean view.

“This place could host a presidential wedding.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“It’s expensive.”

“That too.”

We stepped inside together.

The interior was breathtaking.

A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, reflecting light across polished marble floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the ocean stretching endlessly into the horizon.

My brain immediately started designing possibilities.

“Okay,” I said, already imagining layouts. “If the stage goes there, we can position the dining area here…”

Daniel watched me as I moved across the hall, gesturing and planning out loud.

“You’re passionate about this,” he said.

“Of course I am.”

I turned toward him.

“Events aren’t just decorations and music. They’re memories. People remember moments like this for the rest of their lives.”

He studied me quietly.

“And you take that responsibility seriously.”

“Yes.”

Our eyes met.

And suddenly the room felt smaller.

Too quiet.

Too focused.

I cleared my throat and turned away quickly.

“So,” I continued, “what exactly are we raising money for again?”

“Children’s medical care.”

“That’s a good cause.”

“Yes.”

I walked toward the windows.

The ocean breeze moved softly through the open balcony doors.

“This gala could be incredible,” I said.

“With the right execution.”

“I hired the right person.”

I turned toward him again.

“You really believe that?”

“I wouldn’t have offered five million naira if I didn’t.”

Before I could respond, footsteps echoed behind us.

I turned.

And my stomach tightened immediately.

Victoria.

She stood near the entrance, dressed in an elegant navy suit, watching us with the same intense gaze she had yesterday.

Daniel noticed her too.

“Victoria,” he said calmly. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”

“Someone had to make sure everything was going smoothly.”

Her eyes shifted toward me.

“Miss Nwoye.”

“Victoria.”

The tension between us was immediate.

Daniel glanced between us.

“I need to take a call,” he said suddenly.

Of course you do.

He stepped outside onto the balcony, leaving Victoria and me alone in the massive hall.

Silence stretched between us.

Then she walked closer.

“You have no idea what you’ve walked into, do you?”

I crossed my arms.

“People keep saying mysterious things to me lately.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

She studied my face carefully.

“You really don’t remember anything.”

“Remember what?”

Her expression darkened.

“Daniel Cole is not the man you think he is.”

I almost laughed.

“I barely know the man.”

“Exactly.”

She stepped even closer.

“You should walk away now.”

“From a five-million-naira contract?”

“Yes.”

“That would be incredibly irresponsible.”

Her voice hardened.

“I’m trying to help you.”

“Why?”

Victoria hesitated.

Then she said something unexpected.

“Because you’re going to get hurt.”

The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard.

“Is this about Daniel?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“What did he do?”

She looked toward the balcony where Daniel stood talking on his phone.

Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“He didn’t choose you by accident.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“What does that mean?”

But before she could answer—

“Victoria.”

Daniel’s voice cut through the air.

We both turned.

He stood in the doorway again, his expression unreadable.

“I think that’s enough.”

Victoria straightened.

For a moment, the two of them stared at each other like they were having a silent argument.

Finally, she sighed.

“Fine.”

She looked at me again.

“My advice still stands.”

Then she turned and walked out of the building.

The door closed behind her.

I turned slowly toward Daniel.

“Okay.”

He leaned casually against the table again.

“Okay what?”

“You two are clearly hiding something.”

“Victoria tends to exaggerate.”

“She told me you didn’t choose me by accident.”

For the first time since I met him…

Daniel hesitated.

It was brief.

But I saw it.

“You’re an excellent event planner,” he said finally.

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the truth.”

I studied him carefully.

Tall.

Calm.

Controlled.

Too controlled.

“You’re a very complicated man, Daniel Cole.”

“And you’re very curious.”

“That’s how people avoid getting scammed.”

His lips curved slightly.

“I promise you’re not being scammed.”

I walked toward the balcony door.

“Good. Because if this turns out to be some weird social experiment, I’m billing you double.”

He laughed softly.

And once again my chest tightened in that strange way.

I stepped onto the balcony.

The ocean wind hit my face immediately.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Daniel said quietly behind me,

“You shouldn’t listen to everything Victoria says.”

I turned toward him.

“Why not?”

“Because she doesn’t know the full story.”

“And you do?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

He held my gaze.

“Not yet.”

I shook my head.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Probably.”

But instead of walking away…

I stayed.

And somehow, standing there beside him while the ocean stretched endlessly in front of us felt strangely peaceful.

Dangerous.

But peaceful.

What I didn’t know was that across the street, inside a parked car…

Someone was watching us.

A man holding a camera.

And when he zoomed in on my face, he whispered quietly,

“So you’re the girl Daniel Cole has been searching for.”

Then he took the photograph.

And smiled.