Hearts of Deception (Whychoose Romance)

5.

(Aria's POV)

I stared at the screen of my phone, my thumb hovering over the unlock button. Another notification flashed across the screen—another message from a number I didn't recognize. The last one came in just a few minutes ago. I wasn't sure why, but something about it made my stomach tighten with unease.

Unknown Number: I see you.

My heart skipped a beat, a cold chill creeping up my spine. I frowned, re-reading the message. What was that supposed to mean? Was this some kind of joke?

I typed a quick response before I could think better of it: Who is this?

I waited, staring at the screen. Three little dots appeared, indicating the person was typing. My grip tightened around the phone, and I could feel my pulse in my fingertips.

Then, the reply came.

Unknown Number: You'll find out soon.

I swallowed hard, feeling the room close in around me. My eyes flickered toward the window. It was still light out, the sun casting a warm glow across my bedroom, but suddenly it didn't feel so safe. I stood up and walked over, tugging the curtains shut with a bit more force than necessary.

The logical part of my brain told me it was just a prank. Maybe some random person with the wrong number, or someone trying to freak me out. But the sinking feeling in my gut told me otherwise. Something about it felt... wrong.

My phone buzzed again. Another message.

Unknown Number: Don't bother closing the curtains. I can still see you.

A sharp breath escaped me as I backed away from the window. My heart hammered in my chest, and for a second, I considered calling someone—anyone—but then my bedroom door swung open, and Kourtney sauntered in.

"Earth to Aria!" she said in her usual playful tone, completely oblivious to the panic bubbling up inside me. "You've been holed up in here all day. What gives?"

I turned to her, phone still clutched in my hand. "I... I've been getting weird texts. From a blocked number."

Kourtney raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by my concern. "Weird how?"

I handed her my phone, showing her the most recent messages. She glanced at the screen, then rolled her eyes, handing it back to me with a dismissive laugh. "Come on, Aria. You're really letting this freak you out? It's just someone messing with you."

I stared at her, my mind racing. "But what if it's serious? I mean, how do they know I closed my curtains?"

Kourtney shrugged, completely unbothered. "Probably a lucky guess. Or they saw you through the window before you shut it. Either way, it's not worth getting worked up over."

I wanted to believe her. I really did. But something about the texts—the timing, the tone—it all felt too deliberate to be a coincidence. I bit my lip, trying to shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.

"Besides," Kourtney continued, her voice light and teasing, "you've got way more important things to focus on than some random prank. Like your date with Luca."

The mention of Luca sent a different kind of jolt through me, and for a moment, I forgot about the messages. Luca. I hadn't even processed that I was going on a date with him tonight, and now, with everything else swirling in my head, the thought of it made my stomach flip.

"I don't know if I'm really in the mood for a date," I muttered, sitting down on the edge of my bed.

Kourtney's eyes widened in mock horror. "Oh no, no, no. You are not backing out of this. Luca is... I mean, come on, he's hot. And this is your first real date with him. You're going."