The Popular Boys And Me | ✔

Chapter Three

Ashanti POV

"Yes, Mom, I just arrived at the mansion, but he's not home yet according to the chauffeur." I explained through my phone, glancing around at the estate while the chauffeur honked the limousine's horn.

My Uncle Justin swore he'd be at the airport waiting for me, but when I got there, he was nowhere in sight. Instead, I found a driver holding a sign with his name and my name on it.

I'll be living with my uncle until graduation, while my sister will be staying with a close friend of our family in a different city. Dad thought it would be best for both of us, less chance of getting in trouble and Mom agreed.

"Did you try calling him?" Mom inquired as I perched on the hood of the limo.

"Yeah, I left a few voicemails." I replied, eyeing the chauffeur as he casually approached the gates and punched in the code for the security system with ease.

"I'll call you back later, Mom." I added, slightly surprised that he knew the password. "The chauffeur just opened the gates."

"Okay, be safe, my wildcat." She reminded me, making me smile.

"Okay, Mom. Love you." I responded as I watched the gates slowly open.

"Love you too." With that, she hung up and I tucked my phone away as the chauffeur returned to the limo.

"You could have done that a long time ago, you know?" I remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"You didn't let me." He countered, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I checked him out. He seemed to be around my age, eighteen, with ginger-red hair which had a messy undercut and light blue eyes. He wore a casual suit with a matching driver cap, which almost made me laugh.

"Is there anything else I didn't let you do?" I teased, slowly raising up from the limousine and he smiled back.

"As I already told you, my name is Harden and Mr. Sky is my boss." He explained, opening the door for me to enter and I nodded.

"And Mr. Sky is your...?" He trailed off, curious, as I took a seat inside the limo.

"Uncle." I clarified, figuring he should've known that if he was sent to get me. He seemed taken aback for a second before shutting the door.

"So it's true then." Harden remarked as he settled into the driver's seat, driving through the gates and up the mansion's long, winding driveway.

"I thought he didn't have any family." He commented, glancing at me before focusing back on the road.

"How come?" I asked, hesitating as he parked in front of the mansion.

"He never talks about his family." He replied, exiting the limousine.

Uncle Justin always says you can't mix business with pleasure, so I understood.

I stepped out of the limo, taking in the exterior of the mansion. It was an imposing structure, with tall, elegant windows and ivy climbing up the stone walls. The well-manicured gardens were dotted with fountains and statues.

Harden grabbed my suitcases and led the way to the front door. I followed him up the wide marble steps and he opened the door, ushering me inside.

The foyer was vast, with a high ceiling and a grand chandelier casting a warm glow. The marble floors gleamed and a sweeping staircase led to the upper floors.

"Who else lives here other than my Uncle?" I asked Harden, standing beside me.

"You'll see." Was all he offered before I heard voices coming down the stairs.