When Heather looked at Rhys again, she was surprised to see that he was looking back at her, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, a playful glint that made her cheeks flush even more.
"Hey..." she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper, her gaze dropping to her lap.
"Hey," Rhys replied, a warm smile spreading across his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "How was your sleep?"
"Good," she said, turning away slightly, hoping he wouldn't notice the lingering blush on her cheeks, the warmth that still tingled on her skin.
She walked briskly towards the bathroom, her footsteps echoing on the tile, determined to regain her composure, to banish the lingering awkwardness.
After washing her face and brushing her teeth, the cool water a welcome sensation against her skin, Heather was about to sit down on the toilet when the door suddenly swung open, revealing Rhys standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh my god! Rhys Connor!!!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the small bathroom, bouncing off the tiled walls, a high-pitched sound of pure shock.
Rhys, startled by her outburst, froze for a split second, his eyes widening in surprise, his jaw dropping slightly. Then, realizing the awkwardness of the situation, the sheer mortification of it, he slammed the door shut, a blush creeping up his neck, spreading across his cheeks and ears.
"Sorry!! I didn't know!!" he shouted through the closed door, his voice laced with embarrassment, his words muffled by the thin wood. He quickly retreated to the living room, his heart pounding against his ribs, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
When Heather emerged from the bathroom, her face still flushed, her eyes blazing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, she found the living room empty, the silence amplifying her frustration.A wave of annoyance washed over her.
Where did he go? she thought, her eyes scanning the room, searching for any sign of him.
In the living room, Rhys saw Heather emerge from the bedroom and instinctively jumped behind the couch, creating a barrier between them, a desperate attempt to avoid her wrath.
Heather, her eyes blazing, grabbed a throw pillow from the couch, its soft fabric a poor weapon against her fury, and launched it at him. He dodged it easily, a grin spreading across his face, a mixture of amusement and nervous energy.
"Would it kill you to knock on the door before opening it?!" she yelled, grabbing another throw pillow and chasing him around the couch, her footsteps thundering on the carpet, her voice filled with mock anger.
"Hey, I said I was sorry!" Rhys protested, his voice laced with amusement, his laughter mingling with her mock anger. "I thought you were just brushing your teeth, so I..."
"Ahhhhh!!!" Heather shrieked, throwing the pillow at him again, her aim wild and inaccurate.
"I hate you! Don't you even dare mention this in the future!" She continued to pelt him with pillows, her laughter mingling with her mock anger, the soft thuds echoing through the suite.
"Hahaha, it's not like I saw anything!" Rhys chuckled, catching a pillow and throwing it back at her, the soft impact a playful gesture. "Before I could even process what you were doing, I already closed the door."
"Don't tease me!" Heather's face, neck, and ears were now bright red from embarrassment, the heat radiating from her skin.
Rhys chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender, a gesture of peace. "Alright, alright. Stop hitting me now. You'll break this pillow if you continue." He gently took the pillow from her hands, his touch lingering for a moment, sending a shiver down her spine.
Heather, her cheeks still puffed, her eyes narrowed, pinched Rhys's stomach, catching him off guard, her fingers digging into his skin.
"Aaahh!!" he exclaimed, rubbing the spot, his voice laced with mock pain. "That hurts..."
When he looked at her, her eyes were downcast, her expression a mix of embarrassment and lingering annoyance, her lips forming a slight pout. He gently rubbed the top of her hair, his touch soothing, his fingers tangling in the soft strands.
"Come on. Don't be mad. Hm? I already called for room service. It should be here any minute now."
Just as Rhys finished speaking, the doorbell rang, its sharp chime echoing through the suite. He opened the door and asked the staff to place the food on the table, the aroma of warm pastries and savory dishes filling the air.
He gave the staff a generous tip before closing the door, a gesture of appreciation for their discreet service.
Rhys took Heather's hand, his touch warm and reassuring, and pulled her towards the dining table, the clinking of cutlery and the rustling of paper bags filling the silence. "Let's eat," he said, his voice gentle, his eyes filled with a soft warmth.
After they finished their meal, the remnants of their breakfast scattered across the table, they moved to the living room, settling onto the couch to watch TV, the soft glow of the screen casting shadows across the room.
The variety show that was playing happened to be the one they had visited a week earlier, a nostalgic reminder of their shared experience.
Heather's laughter filled the room, a bright, infectious sound that made Rhys smile, his heart warming at the sound. She slapped his arm playfully, her eyes watering with mirth, tears of laughter streaming down her cheeks. "Oh my god, you looked ridiculous!"
"Hey! I'd end up getting bruises from all this. Is my suffering really that entertaining?" Rhys asked, rubbing his arm, his voice laced with amusement, his eyes twinkling.
Heather nodded, wiping a tear from her eye, her laughter subsiding to soft chuckles. "So fun. Hah. I haven't laughed like this in a while. Aaahhhh~ my stomach hurts."
"Glad to know that my suffering makes you happy," he said, smiling sarcastically, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Oh come on! You looked like you completely enjoyed the challenges! Suffering my **s."
"Language!" Rhys pinched her left cheek, his touch playful, his fingers lingering on her soft skin.
She swatted his hand away, a playful pout on her lips, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Ow!"
"By the way, did Auntie mention when the renovation will be done?" Rhys asked, draping an arm casually around Heather's shoulders, his touch light and familiar, a comforting weight.
Heather nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, her body relaxing against his. "She said in two or three weeks." She closed her eyes, a contented sigh escaping her lips, her breath warm against his neck. "Hmm... This is nice," she murmured, her voice soft and sleepy.
"What was that?" Rhys asked, leaning closer to her, his voice a low murmur, but he heard her soft breathing, the gentle rhythm of her sleep. He looked down and saw her eyes were closed, her lashes resting against her cheeks, her expression peaceful. What, is she already asleep?
He shook his head and smiled, a tender expression softening his features, his gaze lingering on her sleeping form. An idea came to mind, and he took out his phone, a mischievous glint in his eyes, a playful plan forming in his mind.
When Heather woke up the following morning, she found herself in the bedroom, the sunlight streaming through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. Rhys's side of the bed was cold, indicating he had been gone for a while, his absence a quiet reminder of his busy life.
She went through her morning routine, the familiar rituals grounding her, and then headed to the dining room, where she found a plate of breakfast waiting for her, a thoughtful gesture that warmed her heart.
She couldn't help but think that they were starting to resemble a married couple, the comfortable routine, the shared meals, the unspoken understanding.
Though it should be the other way around, she thought, a smile playing on her lips, a playful thought dancing in her mind. I should be the one preparing food for him before he goes to work.
After finishing her breakfast, she sent Rhys a message: Honey~ Thank you for the breakfast. She attached a photo of herself with the breakfast, a playful tease.
Rhys and the guys were sitting on a bench in the training room, the air thick with the scent of sweat and determination, preparing for dance practice, the rhythmic beat of the music echoing through the room.
Rhys was idly playing a game on his phone, his fingers tapping the screen, when he received a WeTalk notification. It was from Heather.
He smiled at her first message, a warmth spreading through his chest, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. This girl, why is she teasing me so early in the morning?
Then, he received another message, a photo of her with a plate of food, her eyes sparkling with mischief. He chuckled, shaking his head, a mixture of amusement and affection swirling within him.
Jess and Emmett, noticing Rhys's smile, glanced at his phone, their curiosity piqued. Their eyes widened as they saw Heather's message, their jaws dropping slightly.
"Honey?" Emmett exclaimed, grabbing the phone, his voice laced with disbelief. "Are you guys dating now?"