Falling for my Friend's Father

CHAPTER 3: A DANGEROUS ATTRACTION

Serena and Isla walked into the upscale Crescent Plaza, coffee in hand, as they

window-shopped. Teens walked past them, holding shopping bags and laughing with friends.

Couples strolled hand in hand and families stopped to look at the giant screen in the food court.

Isla strode through the crowds like she owned the plaza, head high and her hair swinging like a

drama lead actress.

"I just don't know how you survive without shopping. Shopping is life, it's the golden stress

reliever" Isla mused, flipping her red hair over one shoulder as they stepped into a boutique.

Serena blinked her eyes and shrug as she puts down her coffee on the nearest counter "Well,

miss shopping, I'm not the shopping type, I'll just stick to my coffee hugs, T for thanks, beside

books are my therapy."

"Of course they are," Isla sighed dramatically. "But books won't get you a date."

Serena bit her tongue. She had no interest in a date—not with the kind of men Isla kept trying to

set her up with. And certainly not when her thoughts were tangled with someone she had no

business thinking about.

As Isla sifted through racks of designer dresses, Serena busied herself by flipping through a

nearby display of silk scarves. The fabric felt soft and silky beneath her fingers but her thoughts

were in a mess; a serious one. Her run-in with Dominic at the party still had her reeling, she

couldn't shake off the memory of his intense gaze and the way his voice made her lose control

for a bit.

It was reckless. Stupid.

And yet, she couldn't stop herself from wanting more.

"This will look amazing on you," Isla said, holding up a sleek black dress.

Serena laughed. "It looks amazing on the hanger. But knowing you, it probably costs more than

my rent."

Isla rolled her eyes. "Details, details."

Just as Serena was about to give her input, Isla's phone vibrated. She rolled her eyes when she

checked who was interrupting her shopping.

"Ugh, it's Julian," she whispered. "Probably calling about wedding plans again. Ugh. Just give

me a second."

She stepped outside, leaving Serena alone in the boutique.

And that was when she felt it.

A shift in the air. A presence behind her.

She turned around slowly.

Dominic.

Her heart skipped a bit as she meet his. He is by the entrance, his piercing blue eyes fixed on

her, like he's staring into her soul. The boutique noise faded into the background, as time

seemed to stop.

He walked towards her.

"Serena," he called.

"Mr. Blackwood," she greeted, her pulse increasing rapidly.

His expression shifted but it vanished before she could grasp it.

"I never thought I would run into you here," he said.

"Neither did I." She swallowed, willing herself to remain composed. "Shopping for Isla?"

A corner of his mouth lifted slightly, the closest thing to a smile she'd seen from him. "No. Ethan

insisted I meet him here for lunch."

Of course. Ethan Langford, Dominic's closest friend, a man who thrived on power games and

backroom deals. It made sense that he'd pick a place like this.

An awkward silence fell between them.

Dominic eyes shifted to the gold chain around her neck before darting back to her face.

"You look different," He said with a neutral tone.

Serena let out a low laugh tinged with a hint of irritation. "Different how?"

He hesitated. "Older."

Her chest tightened at the word. Older. Not beautiful. Not radiant. Just older.

"Time tends to do that to people," she said lightly.

He studied her for a second longer, then gave a slow nod. "Yes. I suppose it does."

She should have ended the conversation. She should have walked away.

But she didn't.

Last night," she found herself saying, "I—"

"Serena!"

The moment shattered.

From nowhere Elena Hayes, Isla's cousin, joined them. She had noticed Dominic and Serena

when she walked into the boutique.

"Look who we have here," Elena said as her eyes darted between Serena and Dominic. Her lips

curved into a smirk "and with such intriguing company"

Serena felt the heat creep up her neck.

Dominic, as always, remained unreadable.

"Elena," he greeted, his voice cool.

She smirked. "Uncle Dominic."

Serena nearly choked.

Uncle? Right. Isla's cousin. She had almost forgotten.

Elena turned to Serena and whispered with amusement dancing in her eyes. "I couldn't help but

notice how often your eyes drift toward my dear uncle"

Serena's stomach dropped.

"Elena," she warned.

"What?" Elena grinned. "It's an observation."

Dominic exhaled slowly, his gaze flicking toward the entrance. "I should go."

Serena watched him leave, her heart racing while Elena watched her like a cat who had just

cornered a mouse.

Elena hummed. "You're so obvious."

Serena forced a tight smile. "Drop it."

Elena tapped a finger against her chin. "Does Isla know?"

"Know what? There's nothing to know."

Elena tilted her head, unconvinced. "If you say so."

Serena wanted to strangle her.

Luckily, Isla reappeared at that moment. "I am back" she uttered as she put her phone back into

her purse. "Julian is still insufferable, but at least he's my problem and not yours."

Elena shot Serena one last knowing look before turning to Isla. "Speaking of problems, I think

Serena needs a drink."

Serena groaned.

Isla finally noticed Elena.

"Oh, cuz, you're here too and talking about drinks, we're going out tonight" she grinned.

Serena wanted to argue, but she was too exhausted. And maybe a drink was exactly what she

needed.

Because if today had proven anything, it was that she needed to kill whatever feelings she had

for Dominic Blackwood before they ruined her.

That resolve lasted exactly five hours.

Because that night, as she lay in bed, her phone buzzed with a message.

From her mother.

Keep your distance from the Blackwoods.

Serena sat up, wondering what was going on.

She stared at the screen, reading the words again.

And for the first time, a new kind of fear settled deep in her bones.

Her mother didn't say things like this.

She never warned her about anything.

So why now?

And why the Blackwoods?

Serena gripped the phone as she re-read the message, trying to make sense of it.

Keep your distance from the Blackwoods.

Her mother had never interfered in her personal life. Not when she had struggled through

breakups, not when she had walked away from Noah, not even when she had nearly drowned

herself in work to escape the loneliness creeping into her life. But now, out of nowhere, she was

warning her against the Blackwoods?

Why?

Her mind spun with possibilities. Was this about Isla? About Dominic?

Or was it something more?

Her fingers hovered over the screen as she typed out a response. What do you mean?

Three dots appeared. Then they disappeared.

She waited.

Seconds turned into minutes.

Nothing.

A chill skated down her spine, an invisible force pressing down on her chest. Her mother never

left things unfinished. Whatever this was, it wasn't just a simple warning—it was something darker.

Something she wasn't supposed to know.

And now, she had to find out why.