"Hey, hey, take a photo of me! I'll send it to my friend and parents back home," Heather said, handing the camera to Rhys and striking a playful pose by the pool, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Rhys took the camera, capturing a series of shots, then handed it back to her, a smile spreading across his face. Heather slung the strap on her wrist, her eyes scanning the lively scene, her gaze lingering on familiar faces.
"Let's take lots of photos later with the others. Especially with Eugene. She's one of my favorite singers!"
A gentle breeze rustled the palm trees, their fronds swaying rhythmically, and a few strands of Heather's hair, loosened from her playful ponytail, danced across her face, tickling her cheek.
"Hey..." Rhys said, his voice a soft murmur against the backdrop of distant laughter and splashing water.
He gently reached out, his fingers tracing the delicate curve of her jawline, and pulled her back, his touch feather-light. Then he tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ears, his fingers lingering for a moment, brushing against her warm skin.
"Are you hungry? Why are you eating your hair?" he teased, his voice a low, playful rumble, a hint of warmth in his eyes.
Heather puffed her cheeks, a playful blush rising on her skin, and playfully swatted at his chest, her touch light and affectionate. "I am not eating my hair!" she retorted, her voice laced with mock indignation, though a smile played on her lips.
She turned back, her steps light and carefree, the soft sand warm beneath her bare feet. She began to walk forward, her gaze drawn to the vibrant scene unfolding around them.
Rhys laughed, a warm, genuine sound that echoed through the air, and playfully jogged after her. He closed the distance between them in a few quick strides, and before she could react, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close and giving her a gentle, playful shake.
"Rhys!" Heather exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and laughter, and she instinctively pushed him away, her hands finding purchase on his chest. But her laughter bubbled up, light and unrestrained, and her eyes sparkled with amusement, reflecting the joy of the moment.
The playful push was more of a gentle nudge, a silent acknowledgment of their comfortable closeness. The moment hung in the air, a fleeting snapshot of their easy camaraderie, the unspoken connection between them as strong as the sun shining overhead.
After some time spent exploring the resort grounds, Heather and Rhys headed back towards the central stage and campfire area, the rhythmic strumming of a guitar drifting through the air.
The atmosphere was convivial, a mix of artists and trainees mingling, their voices creating a pleasant hum, a symphony of casual conversation.
Some were gathered in small groups, engaged in lively discussions about upcoming projects and shared memories, while others assisted the designated cooking team, their hands moving deftly as they prepared lunch, the tantalizing aroma of grilled meats and spiced vegetables wafting through the air.
The members of Lux were also present, clustered around the campfire area, their laughter mingling with the voices of their senior artists, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance.
When Henry spotted them, he waved enthusiastically, gesturing towards an empty cushion beside him, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Over here!" he called out, his voice laced with genuine friendliness.
They waved back, making their way towards the group, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.
"Here," Rhys said, moving the cushion closer to Heather, creating a comfortable seating arrangement, his touch gentle and considerate.
"What about you?" Heather asked, her brow slightly furrowed, her eyes filled with concern.
"I'm good," Rhys replied, settling onto the mat, his posture relaxed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Heather sat on the cushion, a soft "Thank you" escaping her lips, her gratitude evident in her eyes. The others watched their interaction, a collective thought echoing in their minds: How sweet.
Eugene, a seasoned artist at Starlight Entertainment and one of the first to sign with the agency, leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "So," she began, her voice laced with a teasing lilt, "are you two together together?"
Heather's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, a subtle blush creeping up her neck, but she shook her head, her voice soft and slightly flustered. "No, we're not..."
"We're just friends," Rhys added, his tone casual, his gaze steady.
Eugene gave them a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Aahh... Friends... I see, I see." She nodded, exchanging amused glances with the others, a silent communication passing between them.
"Really," Rhys elaborated, "My mom is friends with Heather's aunt, so we were introduced to each other when we were kids. We've been friends ever since."
"Okay, okay. We believe you," Eugene said, her voice laced with playful skepticism, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I was just teasing you guys. We know you're still not allowed to date anyone right now." She winked at Heather, her expression mischievous, adding a layer of playful tension.
Heather sighed in relief, her blush slowly receding, the warmth in her cheeks subsiding. She was naturally shy, and the attention, especially from her favorite artist, Eugene, had made her feel flustered, her heart pounding slightly.
She settled into the conversation, listening to the artists chat about work, upcoming projects, and industry gossip, their voices a soothing background hum.
Hannah, another artist, made a concerted effort to draw Heather into the conversation, her eyes filled with genuine interest. They asked her about her life, her age, her school, her hobbies, their questions friendly and engaging.
Heather answered their questions readily, her initial shyness melting away as she found common ground with them, discovering shared interests and passions. She even joined in the laughter when someone made a particularly witty joke, her laughter blending seamlessly with the others.
A while later, one of the managers announced that lunch was ready, his voice cutting through the chatter, a welcome interruption. They all stood up, following the manager towards the dining area, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone path.
During lunch, Anthony introduced Heather to some of his colleagues, as well as other artists and trainees he had worked with, his introductions warm and enthusiastic.
Heather greeted them politely, her smile genuine and engaging. She found herself particularly drawn to Riza, a trainee who was soon to debut as the leader of a four-member girl group, her eyes sparkling with determination.
Riza shared stories of her four years as a trainee, recounting the grueling training sessions, the long hours of practice, and the constant struggle for sleep.
"We barely slept," she said, her voice laced with a mix of exhaustion and nostalgia, her eyes filled with a quiet determination. "As soon as I got home, I'd collapse on the couch, too tired to even change."
"Oh wow," Heather said, taking a sip of her orange juice, the cool liquid a refreshing contrast to the warm air. "Was it like that for you too, when you were a trainee?" She looked at Rhys, her eyes filled with curiosity, seeking his shared experience.
Rhys, who had just taken a bite of his food, chewed thoughtfully before answering, his gaze thoughtful. "Yes, I believe everyone goes through something like that. I guess it depends on your body's ability to adapt to the schedule, and your own determination."
"I guess..." Heather nodded, her gaze shifting back to Riza, her eyes filled with empathy.
"Well, I wish you girls all the best! I'll look forward to the release of your album and become one of your fans!" She smiled warmly, her sincerity evident.
"But please take care of your health too. I understand this is what you guys really wanted to do, but if you're not healthy then..." Heather's voice trailed off, her concern evident, her eyes filled with genuine worry.
"Yes, I get it. Thank you," Riza said, hugging Heather briefly, a gesture of gratitude and friendship. "I promise to take care of myself, and the girls will as well. I'll introduce you to them later."
After lunch, Riza kept her promise, introducing Heather to her group members: Min, Lizzy, and Olivia. The four of them had been training together for four years, their bond forged in the crucible of shared dreams and challenges, their camaraderie evident in their easy laughter and shared glances.
They shared stories of their journey, their voices filled with camaraderie and determination, their eyes sparkling with hope. They had originally been a five-member group, but their friend, Jennie, had to leave due to health issues, a bittersweet reminder of the sacrifices they had all made, a testament to their resilience.
As they started walking towards the swimming pool, the sound of splashing water drawing them closer, Rhys ran towards them, his expression concerned, his eyes filled with a gentle worry. "Aunt Maggie said to not forget to do some stretching before you go in the pool. She mentioned you always get cramps whenever you go swimming."
"I do not," Heather protested, but she followed Rhys's advice, leading the group in a series of stretches, her movements fluid and graceful.
After stretching, Heather removed her cover-up, revealing the vibrant red two-piece swimsuit, its bold color accentuating her figure, her skin glowing in the sunlight. She applied sunscreen to her legs, her movements graceful and fluid.
Rhys, still stretching, couldn't help but notice the attention she was drawing, her beauty catching the eyes of several males around the pool. Her hourglass figure and milky white skin caught the eyes of several males around the pool. Rhys's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face, a possessive instinct stirring within him.
"Tsk," he said, walking towards Heather, his voice laced with a hint of disapproval. "Don't you have any other swimsuit?"
"I do. Why? Don't I look good in this?" Heather asked, finishing applying sunscreen to her legs, her eyes filled with playful defiance.
"It's ugly. Go change," Rhys said, picking up her cover-up and handing it to her, his tone firm.
"No. I'm not going to change. Since you said I look ugly in this, then no one will even look at me," she retorted, throwing the cover-up back onto the chaise lounge chair, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
She picked up the sunscreen bottle and grabbed Rhys's hand, squeezing a dollop of sunscreen onto his palm. "Now, why don't you apply some sunscreen on my ugly back. Please."
She turned around, gathering her hair over her right shoulder, and started applying sunscreen to her arms, her movements deliberate and teasing.
Rhys sighed, applying the sunscreen to her back, his touch gentle and careful. "Done," he said, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation.
"Turn around, I'll apply some on your back," Heather said, her eyes filled with playful determination.
Rhys turned around, removing his top, revealing his toned physique, and Heather applied sunscreen to his back, her touch light and teasing.
"Okay," she said, handing him the bottle. "I'll go swim now. Don't forget to apply sunscreen on your arms and legs."
Heather walked to the deep end of the pool, dove in, and swam to the other side, her strokes powerful and graceful, her laughter echoing through the air.