Something wrong happened with the upload, this chapter should be after "Graduation and Goodbyes". Please read that first. Thank you.
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Days after her graduation, a large, rectangular parcel arrived at Heather's doorstep. The delivery man, his brow furrowed with the effort of carrying the weighty box, handed it to her with a grunt. "Sign here, ma'am," he said, pushing a clipboard towards her.
Heather, her curiosity piqued, signed the delivery form and hauled the box inside. Upon closer inspection, she noticed the sender's name: Rhys Connor. A wave of warmth washed over her. She carried the parcel to her room, the weight of it a comforting reminder of their enduring friendship.
Inside, nestled atop a pile of tissue paper, was a handwritten letter. Heather's heart fluttered as she recognized Rhys's familiar scrawl. She unfolded the letter, her eyes scanning the heartfelt words:
Dearest Heather,
Congratulations, my brilliant best friend! I'm so incredibly proud of you. I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you, but know that I was thinking of you every step of the way. I can only imagine how radiant you looked in your cap and gown.
Tour life has been a whirlwind, as you can imagine. We've been hopping from city to city, country to country, and the energy from the crowds has been absolutely electric. We performed in Tokyo last week, and the fans were incredible – their cheers echoed through the entire stadium! The food was amazing too, I wish I could send you some authentic ramen, but these gifts will have to make up for it.
Then we went to Paris, and the city was just as beautiful as everyone says. We even had a chance to visit the Louvre – though, admittedly, we spent more time trying to find the best pastries than admiring the art. I know how much you love art, so I picked up a few postcards that I thought you'd like.
I miss our late-night talks, our shared laughter, our easy silences. It feels like ages since we last saw each other. I hope this box of goodies brings a little bit of our tour adventures to you. I'm counting down the days until we're back home and can catch up properly.
Sending you all my love and best wishes.
Your best friend,
Rhys
A warm smile spread across Heather's face as she finished reading the letter. Rhys's words were a reminder of the unwavering support and genuine affection that had always defined their friendship.
With renewed curiosity, Heather began unpacking the box. Beneath the letter, she found a collection of gifts, each carefully chosen and thoughtfully wrapped. There were silk scarves from Thailand, intricately carved wooden trinkets from Bali, and a selection of exotic teas from Morocco. There were also snacks and delicacies from the countries they visited, a thoughtful nod to her love for trying new things.
Tucked among the gifts were small notes from the other members of Lux, each one filled with warm congratulations and playful banter. "Congrats Heather!" read a note from Jesse. "We're all so proud of you! Hope you like the chocolate!" Another note from Emmett said, "We missed you on tour! Let's celebrate when we get back!"
Heather's heart swelled with gratitude. Despite their busy schedules, they had taken the time to send her these thoughtful gifts, a gesture that spoke volumes about their friendship.
After unboxing the gifts, she went down to grab a snack and while on the table, her fingers brushed against a glossy magazine. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the familiar faces on the cover: Chris and Yuna. But this time they weren't on set. This time they were leaving a hotel. And they looked very intimate.
Below the photo, an article was headlined: "Crimson Dynasty" Stars Spotted at Opal City Hotel.
The article described how Chris and Yuna were seen entering the luxurious hotel together late at night, and leaving early the next morning.
"Sources say the two were seen laughing and holding hands as they entered the hotel last April 03, 20xx. 'They looked very comfortable together,' one source reported. 'They definitely didn't seem like just friends.' Another source added, 'They were very affectionate, and they seemed to be enjoying each other's company.' This sighting has further fueled speculation that the on-screen romance between Chris and Yuna has blossomed into an off-screen affair."
Heather's hands trembled as she read the article, her breath catching in her throat. The image was undeniable, a stark confirmation of her worst fears. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, a sense of betrayal so profound that it felt like a physical pain.
She called Chris, her voice trembling, her words barely audible. "I saw the photo," she said, her voice laced with a raw, agonizing pain.
There was a long silence, a tense pause that stretched into eternity. "Heather," Chris began, his voice laced with a desperate plea, "it's not what it looks like."
"Don't lie to me," Heather whispered, her voice cracking. "I saw the photo, Chris. I saw the way you looked at her. I saw the way she looked at you. You were at a hotel."
"We were working!" Chris yelled, his voice rising in frustration. "We were going over lines! We needed to prepare for the next day's scenes."
"All night?" Heather asked, her voice filled with disbelief. "And you didn't think to call me? To tell me where you were?"
"I was busy!" Chris yelled back. "You're always trying to control me!"
"Control you?" Heather shouted back, her voice filled with a hurt that turned into anger. "I'm trying to figure out why the man I love is spending all his time with another woman!"
"You're making a big deal out of nothing!" Chris retorted. "You're always jealous! You're always insecure!"
"Insecure?" Heather yelled. "You're the one who's been lying to me! You're the one who's been sneaking around!"
"I haven't been sneaking around!" Chris yelled. "You're just paranoid!"
"Paranoid?" Heather yelled back. "I saw the pictures, Chris! I read the article! Everyone can see what's happening but me!"
"Fine!" Chris yelled. "Believe what you want! I'm done with this!"
"Then go!" Heather screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Just go!"
She slammed the phone down, her hand trembling, her body shaking with a mixture of anger and despair. She sank to her knees, the magazine slipping from her grasp, the image of Chris and Yuna staring back at her, a constant, mocking reminder of the love she had lost, the trust that had been shattered.