It was four in the afternoon , which meant Daniel Lewis should have been buried neck-deep in investor meetings, project updates, and strategic sessions with board members and stakeholders. But today, he had cleared his desk of every single obligation.
A decision that left both his secretary, Sarah, and his assistant, Thomas, completely stunned, yet neither dared question him aloud.
"Cancel my schedule for today. I have somewhere to be."
Thomas blinked twice, as if the words had been spoken in a language he barely understood. Daniel Lewis was not the kind of man to miss work, let alone push it aside. He attacked every challenge with ruthless precision and handled each task with unwavering focus.
"Sir, the meeting with Mr. Johnson is very important," Sarah interjected gently, hoping to steer his attention back to routine. "It wouldn't be wise to cancel.."
"Nothing," Daniel cut in, his voice firm but low, "is more important than this fundraising gala."
The Harmony Hope Foundation Gala was far from just another charity event. It was her legacy, the dream of his late wife, Marian. A woman whose heart had always been bigger than her fears. She had dreamed of a world where no child went to bed hungry, where education wasn't a privilege but a right.
"Have a suit sent to my office," he instructed. "And make sure you're in something refreshing. You're accompanying me," Daniel added before Sarah and Thomas quietly exited his office.
A moment after they left, his phone rang. He answered immediately, recognizing the caller ID from home.
"Yes, Bella?"
His sister's voice came through, calm but apologetic.
"Betty just got home, and I'm sorry to say, but neither of us will be able to make it to the fundraising gala."
Daniel's brows furrowed with concern. "Is she alright?"
As much as he wanted his family by his side tonight, to honor Marian, Betty's well-being always came first.
"She's fine. Just tired," Bella reassured. "She wants to stay in and rest, so I'll be here with her."
Daniel sighed softly and nodded to himself. "Alright. Thanks for letting me know."
With that, the call ended. No bitterness. No frustration. Just quiet acceptance.
Even without them there, he would go. For Marian. For the children her foundation helped. And maybe, for himself too.
Night, the gala was already in full swing by the time Daniel arrived. The grand ballroom of the Radicy Blue Hotel shimmered with elegance, crystal chandeliers bathed the room in soft golden light, and the hum of polite conversation mingled with the gentle notes of a string quartet. Staff in black and white moved seamlessly between tables, offering glasses of champagne and delicate hors d'oeuvres.
Daniel paused at the entrance, adjusting his cufflinks with a practiced ease that betrayed nothing of the storm quietly swirling inside him. He wasn't here as the CEO of Lewis Tech, nor as a high-profile guest. He was here as Marian's husband, the man she had loved, the man still bound by a promise to keep her dream alive.
"Daniel Lewis," a voice called warmly.
He turned to see Kadiatu, Marian's closest friend and now the director of the Harmony Hope Foundation. She looked regal in a flowing navy gown, her eyes both kind and knowing.
"You actually came," she said, her smile touched with surprise. "I thought you'd send a donation and an apology."
"That used to be enough," Daniel said quietly, "but not anymore."
Kadiatu's expression softened. She stepped forward and gently touched his arm. "She'd be proud you're here."
He gave a small nod, his throat tightening for a moment. Then, ever the gentleman, he offered his arm.
"Shall we?"
They walked further into the room, his presence drawing subtle attention. Some guests whispered, others simply watched. Daniel Lewis attending a public gala, Marian's gala, was newsworthy in itself. But he didn't care about the eyes on him.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Kadiatu began, her voice strong and warm as it echoed through the ballroom. "I welcome you all to the Harmony Fundraising Gala."
The crowd quieted, eyes turning toward the woman standing at the center of the room beneath the glow of a magnificent chandelier.
"Tonight, we come together not just to celebrate, but to give. To show love to the children of less fortunate beginnings, those without families, without proper education, without the promise of a better future. Tonight, we make a difference."
A light round of applause followed, respectful and steady.
Kadiatu's eyes softened as she continued.
"And before we begin our activities, I would like to raise a toast. A toast in memory of my late friend, Marian Lewis, who was like a sister to me. She founded this foundation with her heart wide open and gave everything she could to the children we now serve."
She lifted her glass.
"To Marian."
All around the room, guests raised their crystal glasses. The golden liquid shimmered under the lights, and a collective "To Marian" rang out like a quiet, elegant promise.
The bidding began shortly after.
A tall, poised host took the stage, microphone in hand and voice polished to perfection.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let the bidding commence! Remember, all proceeds go directly to support Harmony Hope's programs for children in need."
The first item rolled out on a velvet-draped cart, a handcrafted painting by a renowned local artist, depicting a child reaching for the sky.
"We'll start the bidding at five million Leones"
A paddle was raised almost immediately. "Five million !"
Another followed. "Six!"
"Eight million!"
The energy in the room shifted. Subtle tension mixed with excitement as numbers rose.
A few rows back, Daniel watched quietly, his expression unreadable as the bids climbed.
Then came a limited-edition timepiece, one of only ten in the world.
"Starting bid: fifteen million Leones."
Daniel lifted his bidding paddle with quiet certainty.
"Twenty-five."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Another man near the front countered. "Thirty million."
Daniel didn't flinch. He raised the paddle again. "Forty."
Eyes turned to him now, whispers circling the room. The Daniel Lewis was bidding. And bidding generously.
"Sold! To Mr. Lewis for forty thousand Leones!"
Applause followed, and Daniel offered a polite nod, then leaned back in his seat. He hadn't come to be noticed. But somehow, all eyes found him anyway.
Meanwhile, Esther stood at the far end of the hall, watching. Her lips parted slightly, surprised, and quietly curious.
"Dija, who's he?" she asked, directing her gaze toward Daniel.
"That's Daniel Lewis," Dija replied, her tone light but full of meaning. "Top-ranking wealthiest man in the country. Also, a walking icon for women everywhere." Dija was Esther's best friend and campus mate.
Esther blinked. "That explains his generous bidding."
She waved off the thought, though curiosity still tugged at her. What could a man like that be doing here, bidding quietly for things like memories?
"Anyway," Dija continued, turning toward her, "I'm just glad you accepted my invitation,even if it was super last minute. Thank you."
She framed Esther in a quick hug. The memory of that phone call flashed through Esther's mind, right after her reconciliation with Betty. Dija had begged her to accompany her to her mother's gala. Esther had refused at first, excusing herself politely. But Dija's dramatic whining, and laughably fake crying, had broken her resolve. And now here she was, standing in a room filled with the rich, powerful, and well-dressed.
A place she'd never imagined herself in. But now that she was here… it didn't feel quite as magical as she'd once pictured it.
"Ma'am, your mother asked that you meet her," a security guard informed Dija politely before disappearing back into the crowd.
"You should go. I'll wait for you here," Esther offered with a small smile.
"Hell no. You're coming with me," Dija said firmly, grabbing Esther by the wrist before she could protest.
They wove through the guests, past champagne glasses and subtle perfume, until they reached a quiet pocket of the room where Kadiatu stood, deep in conversation with none other than Daniel Lewis himself.
"Mom," Dija called out, stealing her mother's focus.
"Dija, come," Kadiatu beckoned warmly. "Meet your Uncle Daniel."
"Uncle Daniel, it's nice to meet you," Dija greeted with practiced grace.
Daniel turned to her, his brow knitting slightly as recognition tugged at his memory.
"Dija… how are you?" he asked, his voice low and a little distant.
It had been years since he'd last seen her, probably at Marian's funeral. Since then, life had swallowed him whole. He'd made no time for reunions, family events, or anything that resembled joy. Marian had been the one to bring him along to such things.
"I'm doing good," Dija replied, a soft smile on her lips.
"That's great," Daniel said.
And then he saw her.
The girl standing beside Dija.
Something unfamiliar stirred in him, a wave of quiet curiosity.
"Mom, meet Esther. My friend," Dija said brightly, nudging her forward.
"Hello, ma'am," Esther said, her voice hesitant. She gave a quick glance toward Daniel, her chest tightening slightly under the weight of his stare.
"I'm so happy to finally meet you, Esther," Kadiatu said warmly, pulling her in for an embrace. "You have no idea how many times this friend of yours has talked about you."
Esther smiled, nervously, shyly, and Daniel kept watching.
Not intrusively.
Just… quietly.
As though trying to place a face in a dream he hadn't known he remembered.
"Excuse me for a moment, I see the Minister waving me over," Kadiatu said with a polite smile.
"Dija, Esther, stay and keep your uncle company. He doesn't bite… unless you mention bad coffee."
She winked and walked away, leaving them standing alone together.
"Sorry, bestie, but you'll have to do this without me…" Dija whispered tightly.
Esther turned to her in alarm, grabbing her hand.
"Wait… what? I can't!" she protested.
"Sorry, but I really can't hold it any longer. It's here and I have to release it," Dija said, clutching her stomach.
Esther's grip loosened as she understood, and just like that, Dija was gone, leaving her completely alone with him.
Esther let out a nervous chuckle.
"Umm… uh…" she mumbled, scrambling to think of something to say. She had just met the man, what on earth was she supposed to talk about?
"Do you actually hate coffee?" she finally asked, attempting to break the silence.
"Only when it's made by my assistant," Daniel replied dryly. "He thinks 'bitter' is a flavor profile."
"I see, you're the sweet coffee type," Esther added, ignoring her inner voice that warned her to keep quiet.
Daniel was just about to respond when a woman in a sleek red dress approached with a flirtatious smile.
"Daniel, long time no see," the woman said, going in for a hug. Daniel reflexively stepped back, politely avoiding it.
"My apologies, but I don't remember who you are," he said, clearly uninterested in engaging.
"Right," she chuckled awkwardly, trying to ease the tension.
"It's understandable you don't remember me. I'm Marvel, a distant relative of your late wife, Marian."
But her introduction fell on deaf ears, Daniel was already turning away, his eyes scanning for Esther. She was gone.
While waiting for him to finish with the woman, Esther had stepped aside to answer a call from Dija, who urgently needed her. In a hurried pace, she made her way toward the bathroom, and just as she reached the door, she bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, lifting her eyes, only to find her second sister, Sarah, stepping out of the bathroom.
"Esther? What are you doing here?" Sarah asked, her voice loud and sharp. She grabbed Esther's arm.
"Shouldn't you be at home? What are you doing at this kind of event?"
"Dija invited me. Her mother's hosting the event," Esther answered.
"What about you? What are you doing here?"
Sarah raised a brow and scoffed.
"Well, dear sister, I'm here accompanying my boss, who happens to be making the highest donations of the night."
She said it with a smirk.
"Very funny," Esther muttered.
"Anyway, I have to go. Dija's waiting on me."
"Hold on, missy," Sarah called as Esther turned to leave.
"Don't be late getting home. Make sure you're out of here within the hour."
Her tone was firm, not bossy, just deeply concerned.
"I will," Esther replied quickly. She hadn't planned on staying long anyway, just enough time to deliver the sanitary pad Dija had urgently requested.
The night stretched on. The crowd thinned. The clock inched toward eleven.
Daniel had returned home earlier than expected.
Now showered and dressed down, he was just settling in when a knock came at his bedroom door.
He opened it to find his daughter, Betty, standing there.
"Dad, can you hire my psychology teacher as my governess?"
The request hit Daniel like a wave of cold surprise.