Heather was surprised to hear Rhys. She didn't think he knew she was already awake. Dammit.
"I feel violated, you know. Like all that's left is for me to drop this towel," he chuckled, his voice low and teasing, his eyes dancing with mischief.
Heather threw the pillow at him, but he caught it, his reflexes quick. "W-what violated? I was just thinking that you're so skinny! Who would stare at that skinny body of yours?" She retorted, but she was already blushing, the heat rising in her cheeks, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"Only you," he laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement, his voice laced with playful teasing. "I'll leave in a few. Jess is already outside, waiting."
He grabbed his clothes and went back inside the bathroom to get changed, the sound of the door closing a soft click in the quiet room, leaving Heather to grapple with the lingering warmth of his gaze and the rapid beat of her heart.
Heather sat up, her heart still pounding from the unexpected encounter, a blush still warming her cheeks. She ran a hand through her disheveled hair, her fingers tangling in the strands, her mind replaying the brief, teasing exchange.
Why do I always get flustered around him? she wondered, a mix of annoyance and something else, something she couldn't quite define, a fluttering sensation in her chest.
She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 7:30 AM. I should probably get ready for the day.
She got out of bed, her bare feet touching the cool floor, the smooth tiles a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of the blankets, and walked to the bathroom. She paused at the door, her hand hovering over the handle, her fingers tracing the smooth surface.
He left his towel on the floor, she thought, a small smile playing on her lips, a sense of playful defiance. She picked it up, the soft fabric still warm from his body, carrying the faint scent of his soap, and hung it on a chair near the counter, her movements deliberate and precise.
After a quick shower, the warm water a soothing cascade against her skin, she changed into a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater, the soft fabric a comforting weight against her skin, a shield against the lingering chill of the morning.
She went to the living room, where Jess was scrolling through his phone, his expression serious, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Morning, Jess," she said, her voice bright, trying to inject a sense of normalcy into the atmosphere.
"Morning, Heather," he replied, his gaze lifting from the screen, his eyes filled with a quiet concern. "You look better today."
"I feel better," she said, offering a small smile, her lips curving slightly, but her eyes still held a shadow of the fear she had experienced. "Where's Rhys?"
"He's still getting ready, I think. We have a meeting with the CEO this morning," Jess explained, his voice laced with a hint of tension, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Oh, okay," Heather replied, her smile fading slightly, her eyes filled with a quiet understanding. She knew how important these meetings were, how much pressure Rhys was under, how much his career meant to him.
Rhys emerged from the bedroom, dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark jeans, his hair still slightly damp from the shower, his eyes dark but determined. He looked tired, but his expression was resolute, his movements purposeful.
"Ready?" Jess asked, his gaze fixed on Rhys, his eyes filled with a silent question.
"Yeah," Rhys replied, grabbing his jacket, the leather cool against his skin. "See you later, Heather."
"Take care," she said, her voice soft, her eyes filled with a silent message of support.
As Rhys and Jess walked towards the elevator, the silence between them was thick with unspoken tension.
Jess placed a hand on Rhys's shoulder, a gesture of silent support. "How are you holding up, man?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern, his eyes searching Rhys's face for any sign of cracking.
"I'm fine," Rhys replied, his voice tight, his jaw clenched. His eyes, dark and haunted, were fixed on the elevator doors, as if willing them to open faster.
"You know you can talk to us, right? We're here for you," Jess said, his voice gentle but firm, his eyes filled with unwavering loyalty.
"Yeah, I know," Rhys said, his voice barely a whisper, his gaze dropping to the floor. He appreciated the support, but the words felt inadequate against the storm of emotions raging within him.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing the sterile, metallic interior. They stepped inside, the silence heavy with unspoken words, the atmosphere thick with unspoken concern. The ride down was tense, the air vibrating with a sense of urgency.
When they arrived at the agency, they were immediately escorted to the CEO's office, bypassing the usual pleasantries and greetings.
The CEO, a stern-faced man with piercing eyes, sat behind a large mahogany desk, his expression grave, his posture rigid. The air in the room crackled with tension.
"Gentlemen, we have a situation," he began, his voice low and serious, his eyes fixed on Rhys. "The intruder from last night has been identified. His name is… well, it doesn't matter. What matters is that he's a known stalker, and he's been targeting Heather for some time now."
A collective gasp filled the room. Rhys's blood ran cold, a wave of icy dread washing over him, his heart pounding against his ribs.
"We believe he's been watching her, gathering information. Last night, he saw an opportunity and took it," the CEO continued, his voice grim, his eyes filled with a cold determination.
"We're working closely with the police on this. In fact, your own call to the emergency services initiated the rapid response. We're providing them with all the information we have, and we're also taking additional measures to ensure her safety, but we need to be extra vigilant."
"What about Heather?" Dave asked, his voice laced with concern, his eyes filled with a desperate plea for reassurance. "Is she safe?"
"She's currently at a secure location," the CEO replied. "We've also increased security at Tony's residence. But we need to be prepared for anything. This individual is clearly obsessed, and we can't underestimate his determination."
"What can we do?" Rhys asked, his voice tight, his eyes filled with a quiet determination, his body tense with a barely contained rage.
"For now, we need to focus on our upcoming schedule," the CEO said, his voice firm, his eyes filled with resolve. "We can't afford to cancel any events. That would send the wrong message. However, we'll be increasing security at all our public appearances. And we'll be providing you with additional security personnel, both on and off-duty."
"And Heather?" Rhys asked, his voice barely a whisper, his eyes filled with a desperate longing.
"We'll do everything we can to protect her," the CEO said, his voice firm, his eyes filled with a solemn promise. "That's a promise. We are also cooperating with the police to get this man put away for a long time. They are taking this very seriously, due to the violent nature of the crime. And Rhys,"
The CEO's gaze shifted, becoming more intense, "your actions last night, while… understandable, were also noted. Your swift intervention likely prevented a far more tragic outcome. The police have been informed of the circumstances, and they understand the emotional context. However, we must all remember to let them handle the investigation from here on."
As they left the CEO's office, a heavy silence settled over them. The weight of the situation pressed down on them, a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows, a constant threat that hung over them like a dark cloud.
They were determined to protect Heather, to shield her from harm, but they knew that the threat was real, and the stakes were high, and the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty.
The CEO's words about Rhys's actions hung in the air, a complex mix of praise and warning.
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
Heather, feeling a surge of restless energy, decided a trip to the mall was in order. The confines of the hotel suite were starting to feel stifling, and she craved a change of scenery.
More importantly, she needed a wardrobe upgrade. She opened the closet, her brow furrowing as she surveyed the limited selection. Aunt Maggie must think I live in pajamas, she thought, her gaze landing on a dark brown shirt that looked distinctly unappealing. No way I'm wearing that.
The majority of the clothes were her usual comfortable loungewear, soft cottons and loose-fitting fabrics, fine for relaxing at home, but hardly suitable for a shopping spree in the bustling mall.
She pulled out a pair of denim shorts, deciding to work with what she had. The faded denim felt familiar against her skin. Then, her eyes widened as she spotted Rhys's black jacket with abstract prints hanging at the back of the closet.
Jackpot! she thought, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. She pulled it out, along with a plain white shirt, and held them up to herself. Perfect.
The jacket was oversized, radiating a cool, effortlessly stylish vibe that she instantly loved. The fabric felt soft and worn, as if it had molded itself to Rhys's form. She slipped it on, the material still faintly carrying his scent – a mix of something musky and clean, a subtle blend of sandalwood and something distinctly him – and felt a thrill of playful rebellion.
Fully dressed, she stood before the full-length mirror, striking a pose. She felt a surge of confidence, a playful sense of borrowing a piece of Rhys's personality.
The jacket transformed her, giving her an edge she didn't usually possess.
Grabbing her phone, she snapped a photo and sent it to him, along with a cheeky message: I'll be borrowing these. ❤
Then, feeling particularly bold, she added a short video clip of herself blowing him a kiss, a playful gesture that made her smile. She knew he'd probably tease her about it later, but she didn't care.
As she gave her reflection one last look, a nagging feeling tugged at her. Something was missing. She opened the closet again and spotted one of Rhys's caps – the black one with the Lux's logo embroidered on the front. Yes! she thought, grabbing it
She placed it on her head, adjusting the brim until it sat just right. Feeling thoroughly satisfied with her borrowed ensemble, she left the hotel suite, the click of the door echoing behind her, and headed to the nearby mall.
The mall was bustling with activity, a kaleidoscope of shoppers and store displays. The air hummed with the sounds of chatter, music, and the clatter of shopping bags.
As she browsed through a boutique, the soft fabric of the clothes brushing against her skin, a hushed conversation caught her attention.
"Hey, look at that girl's jacket, isn't it the same as Rhys's?" one girl whispered, nudging her friend and pointing towards Heather. She held up her phone, displaying a photo of Rhys wearing the same jacket.
"Yeah, it does look like the one he's wearing," the friend agreed, her eyes narrowing, a hint of suspicion in her voice. "Maybe she's a fan of Lux, too."
"I read online that that style of jacket was specifically made for Rhys," the first girl said, her voice laced with a hint of accusation.
"Really? Maybe it's a fake, then. She must really like Rhys to get herself that jacket."
"Yeah, it must be." The girl nodded, her eyes lingering on Heather. But before Heather could leave the boutique, she discreetly snapped a photo of her while Heather paid at the counter, the flash a subtle flicker in the brightly lit store.
The girl immediately posted the photo on her social media account, captioning it: Spotted a familiar jacket at XXXX shop today... Anyone else recognize it? She then murmured to herself, "Too bad you can't see her face."
Heather's cheeks flushed as she overheard their conversation. It is his jacket, she thought, her fingers tightening on the shopping bag, the paper crinkling softly. But they wouldn't believe me if I told them.
She even saw the girl take her photo in the mirror, so she made sure to turn her head away, her heart pounding slightly.
Fake? What fake? I'm sorry, this is Rhys's so it's definitely not a fake! she thought with a sigh, her internal voice laced with exasperation. Like I could tell them that. They really are popular, huh.
She quickly paid for her purchases, the crisp bills sliding through her fingers, and left the boutique, a mix of annoyance and amusement swirling within her.
She continued her shopping spree, browsing through several more stores, her eyes scanning the racks for anything that caught her attention.
She bought a few new outfits, a book she had been wanting, and some small gifts for baby Dave, her aunt, uncle, and even Rhys, a small token of gratitude for his kindness.
By the time she couldn't carry any more bags, her arms aching from the weight, she decided to head back to the hotel. "So tired," she muttered, her steps dragging slightly.
As soon as she entered the suite, the cool air a welcome sensation against her flushed skin, she dropped the shopping bags on the floor with a soft thud, kicked off her shoes, the soft carpet a relief against her tired feet, and removed Rhys's jacket, tossing it onto the armchair.
She went straight to the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed face down, the soft mattress a comforting embrace, wanting to rest for a few minutes before she started unpacking and preparing dinner.
Then her eyes snapped open, a sudden jolt of realization. Oh no! I sent Rhys the photo and video! She grabbed her phone to see if he replied, her fingers flying across the screen, her heart pounding slightly.
She felt a wave of anxiety, hoping he wouldn't be too annoyed, or worse, think she was trying to steal his clothes.