Andria's POV
I woke up to the golden rays of sunlight peeking through my curtains and gently warming my face. For a moment, I just lay still, soaking it in, listening to the faint sounds of morning—birds chirping outside, the soft thud of footsteps from downstairs, probably Talia chasing Henry around the kitchen. Same old routine.
But my mind… it wasn't quiet.
Today, we were visiting the Blackwoods.
A family friend thing, Dad said.
I hadn't seen them in years. Not since I was little, really. I tried to piece together what I remembered—lavish gardens, a massive house, their son… I barely recalled what he looked like now.
I sat up and stretched, yawning. My thoughts already shifted to my closet. What should I wear later? Something simple, but not too casual. Maybe that pale blue sundress that hugged my waist just right. Or the cream blouse with the gold buttons?
I rolled my eyes at myself. "It's not a fashion show, Andria," I muttered. Still, I wanted to look… nice. Confident. In control.
But first—my jog.
I pulled on a fitted black tank, matching leggings, and threw my hoodie over my shoulders. My hair went into a ponytail, and I quickly splashed some water on my face in the bathroom. I grabbed my phone on the way out, intending to check the time, but a red notification flashed across my screen.
thereal_asher sent you a follow request.
My breath caught.
For a full three seconds, I just stared at the screen. It was him.
I tapped on his profile. It was definitely him—those same dark eyes, that shadowy profile picture that felt like it belonged in a magazine. My heart skipped. He actually… followed me?
I hesitated only for a moment before accepting.
Chill. It's just a follow.
I shook off the butterflies and stepped outside, inhaling the crisp morning air. The sun was still rising, casting a soft glow over the neighborhood. Mona was already waiting by the sidewalk in her oversized hoodie and neon sneakers, stretching dramatically like she was prepping for a marathon.
"There she is," Mona said, grinning as I jogged up to her. "Miss Fancy Pants. I half expected you to show up in heels."
I smirked. "You're lucky I didn't."
We started jogging, falling into an easy rhythm on the familiar route around the block.
"So, what's the plan for today?" she asked, tossing me a sideways glance. "Besides burning calories and looking fabulous while doing it?"
I hesitated, then gave her a small, casual shrug. "Well… apparently, we're visiting the Blackwood family today."
Mona raised a brow. "Blackwood? As in—rich, mysterious, old-money Blackwoods?"
"Those ones."
"Okay, that's fancy."
"I barely remember them," I admitted. "But Dad seems hyped about it. So… here we are."
Mona nodded, then narrowed her eyes at me playfully. "So no plans to meet a certain new guy today?"
I smirked. "Funny you say that…"
"What?"
I tried to play it cool, but the grin tugging at my lips gave me away. "He followed me on Instagram this morning."
Mona's eyes widened. "Asher?"
"Yup."
"Girl!" she practically shrieked. "And you're just telling me this now?!"
"I was waiting for the right moment."
She nudged my arm. "What did you do?"
"I accepted. What else?"
"And then?"
"And then I went out for a jog with my overly dramatic best friend."
Mona laughed, her face glowing with excitement. "This is huge! I mean… it's not like he followed everyone. Right?"
I shook my head. "I have no idea, but it caught me off guard. He barely says anything and now this."
We jogged in silence for a moment, the sound of our feet hitting pavement filling the air.
Then Mona grinned. "You like him."
"I didn't say that."
"You don't have to. It's written all over your face."
I rolled my eyes. "Can we focus on jogging, please?"
She bumped into me lightly. "Fine. But just know—I'm already planning the wedding playlist."
I laughed, despite myself.
Jogging with Mona always cleared my head, and for a little while, I forgot about the weird fluttering in my chest or the fact that Asher's profile picture was still fresh in my mind.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that the day was only just getting started.
Perfect! Here's the continuation of Chapter 3 from where we left off—expressive, detailed, and in Andria's POV:
Chapter 3 (continued) – Andria's POV
After jogging for about an hour, Mona waved goodbye, a bit out of breath but still full of energy. "Later, babe! Text me if he follows you again!" she called out teasingly, unaware he already had.
I smiled, watching her disappear down the street before heading inside. The house was quiet—eerily so. The kind of quiet that reminded you the cook and cleaners were still on break. Dad had made it clear: no staff till next week Saturday. Which meant… we were basically running this house ourselves. Joy.
My stomach growled like it was filing a formal complaint.
I made myself breakfast—toast, bacon, and fluffy scrambled eggs—and carried the plate up to my room. I plopped down on the bed, legs tucked beneath me, and ate slowly, still feeling the warmth of the morning jog and Mona's words echoing in my mind.
You should totally go out with him.
I shook my head and smiled to myself.
Just as I was finishing the last bite, my phone buzzed again.
I reached for it lazily.
Thereal_asher: hi
My heart jumped.
I blinked. My fork clinked against the plate as I set it down.
Staring at the screen, I felt heat rise up my neck. Hi? Just like that?
How do I even respond? Do I say "hey" or just "hi" back? Is there such a thing as a cool greeting anymore? Why was I overthinking this?!
I bit my lip, hesitating… then finally typed:
Me: hi
Then threw my phone down like it might catch fire.
I took a deep breath, shook my head, and muttered to myself, "Get a grip, Knight."
I carried my plate to the kitchen and washed it, along with the rest of the dishes piling up in the sink. Xander was supposed to do it last night. Of course, he left it all.
Thanks, twin.
After drying my hands, I headed upstairs to my room and flung open my wardrobe. Today was the visit to the Blackwoods—Dad made such a big deal about it. I needed to look presentable. Sophisticated. Not like someone who had a minor panic attack over a two-letter message from a guy.
I stared at the clothes.
And stared.
And stared.
Why did it feel like I had nothing to wear?
I groaned and dialed the only person who could save me from a fashion meltdown. Mona.
"Help me," I whined the moment she picked up the FaceTime.
She gasped dramatically. "You're still not dressed?!"
"I'm going to cry."
"No, babe. We're not letting you show up looking like Monday sadness. Show me your options."
I flipped the camera and held up dresses one after the other. She rejected five with a disgusted face.
And then I pulled out the dress.
A deep red fitted gown with a thigh-high sl*t. The material hugged my curves in all the right ways, and the back dipped just low enough to feel elegant without screaming desperate. The neckline was sculpted but modest—flattering but classy.
Mona's jaw dropped. "YES. YES. That's the one. Oh my God, Andria. You're going to break necks."
I laughed, cheeks warm. "You think it's not too much?"
"It's perfect. Sophisticated with a whisper of danger."
"Like me?"
"Exactly."
After we hung up, I laid the dress out carefully and checked the time.
It was almost afternoon—and I had promised to take Talia to her playdate.
Sigh.
Talia was already dressed, bouncing on her heels when I found her. She wore her favorite pink dress and carried a tiny sparkly bag filled with who-knew-what.
We arrived at the playdate, and the moment Nathaniel came into view, Talia turned into a giggling, blushing mess.
"Nathaniel said he liked the way I styled my hair," she whispered to me behind her hand, her entire face red.
I smirked. "Did he now?"
She nodded vigorously, then skipped off to join him, practically glowing.
I leaned back on the bench, watching them chase bubbles and talk about who knows what. Talia hung onto his every word like he was the president of the United States and she was the press.
Kids, I thought, rolling my eyes fondly.
Still, a soft smile played on my lips.
Even if I wouldn't admit it out loud—I knew a thing or two about feeling a little spark.
Especially the kind that comes with a simple… hi.
After Talia's playdate, we all piled back into the car, heading home. My mind still replayed the events of the day—the jog with Mona, the feeling of Asher's follow request, and the lingering thoughts of him. But now, it was time to focus on getting ready for the Blackwood family visit.
I dashed upstairs, eager to get everything prepared. The dress for tonight was a deep red, fitted in all the right places, and it had a sl*t that reached just above my knee—elegant yet just a little daring. I slipped it on, feeling the fabric hug my curves perfectly. The soft material shimmered under the light, and I couldn't help but feel confident as I looked in the mirror.
Next, my hair. I styled it into soft waves, a bouncy style with a C-cut pattern, giving it volume and bounce. It was a style I knew worked well with the dress. I checked the result, running my fingers through the locks—sleek and stylish. For my makeup, I went for something subtle yet striking: a natural foundation, soft eyeshadow in shades of gold and bronze to highlight my eyes, and a bold red lipstick to match the dress.
When I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a wave of satisfaction.
Flawless.
I smiled, checking myself once more before heading down the stairs.
My mom, sitting in the living room, looked up as I walked in. Her eyes immediately softened. "Wow, sweetheart," she said, her voice full of warmth. "You look absolutely gorgeous. That dress... it's perfect for you."
"Thanks, Mom," I replied, beaming.
Then, Xander's voice interrupted. "Oh, great. Here comes the queen." His tone was dripping with sarcasm, but it was the usual. "Seriously, Andria, you look horrible." He gave me a mock wince and a teasing smile.
I shot him a playful glare. "You're such a charmer, Xander. Thank you so much for your honest critique."
"Anytime," he said with a shrug.
Dad chuckled from his spot near the door. "Alright, alright. You both look great. Let's go before we're late."
We drove in silence for a few minutes before the sleek, towering gate of the Blackwood mansion appeared ahead. I felt my breath catch. The gate was massive—bordering on the ridiculous. It had huge, shimmering crystals embedded in it that reflected the sunlight in a dazzling array of colors, making the whole place seem like it belonged in a movie.
"Wow," I whispered, awestruck.
"That's the Blackwood effect," Xander said, glancing out the window. "Over-the-top as usual."
But as we got closer, I could see even more: there were so many cars parked along the driveway, more than I expected for just a "small family gathering." My stomach did a weird flip. The excitement from earlier was now tinged with an uneasy feeling.
When we pulled up to the front of the house, I couldn't help but stare at the crowd of people milling around the entrance, dressed in elegant evening wear. My dad, noticing my reaction, leaned over.
"Don't worry, Andria. It's just a few of their friends joining in. You'll see, it's still a family event at heart."
But I wasn't sure I was convinced. My stomach still twisted, and I could feel a sense of something off in the air. It was as if something was about to change. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it was there, lingering. The feeling of an unknown shift in the atmosphere.
When I got out of the car and saw the huge number of people gathered at the entrance, I turned to my dad again. "I thought you said this was going to be a small family gathering?"
My dad smiled, shrugging slightly. "It was supposed to be, but you know how the Blackwoods are. One family dinner always turns into a full-blown event."
I was about to say something else when I saw the gleam of the chandelier hanging in the front entryway, the shadows of people shifting inside. The laughter and chatter from the guests echoed out, growing louder as we walked toward the front doors.
Something didn't sit right with me. It was as if the night was about to take a turn, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.
As we reached the steps leading up to the door, I paused for a moment, my eyes scanning the crowd. I felt the weight of my own unease again, and I couldn't help but ask my dad, "Is everything alright? This doesn't feel like a simple family gathering."
My dad put a reassuring hand on my shoulder, but his eyes seemed to linger on the crowd a bit longer than I expected. "It's fine. Just enjoy the evening, okay?"
But as we stepped inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something big.
The door closed behind us, and the sound of the party wrapped around me. The music. The voices. But beneath it, there was something else. A tension I couldn't explain.