"Heather, wait." Rhys's voice, though soft, held a firm undertone, his hand gently but firmly capturing hers, halting her departure.
Heather turned, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Yes?" she asked, her voice laced with a gentle inquiry.
Rhys, his expression a mix of nervousness and determination, gently turned her chair, guiding her until she was seated facing him. He then pulled up a chair for himself, positioning it directly in front of her, ensuring their eyes met.
Heather's gaze searched his face, trying to decipher the unspoken words swirling within him. He seemed hesitant, as if grappling with a question or a confession, unsure of where to begin. A nervous flutter erupted in her stomach.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of unease. She attempted a reassuring smile, but it felt strained, awkward.
Rhys, his gaze fixed on her hands, began to gently trace small, intricate circles on the back of her hands, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "I know we've been… closer than we were before," he began, his voice low and thoughtful. "Like, really close… But, I…" He paused, his eyes finally meeting hers, a flicker of vulnerability in their depths.
A wave of dread washed over Heather. Oh god, is he going to say we should just stay as friends? Is this why he's been having a hard time talking? She tried to suppress the rising panic, forcing a calm facade.
"Yes…?" she prompted, her voice barely a whisper, urging him to continue.
"I never really asked you… if you wanted to be my girlfriend," he said, a shy smile gracing his lips.
Heather's eyes widened, a mixture of confusion and disbelief swirling within her. "Oh… Aren't I already your girlfriend?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of playful incredulity.
Rhys laughed, a warm, genuine sound that eased the tension in the air. "Well," he said, his smile widening, "we never really made it official."
He released her hands, his movements deliberate and slightly nervous. He reached into his pants pocket, retrieving a small, square box. With a soft click, he opened it, revealing its contents to Heather.
Heather's breath hitched. Oh my gosh, is that a ring? Her heart pounded against her ribs, a mixture of anticipation and excitement bubbling within her.
She giggled, a nervous, delighted sound, as Rhys carefully extracted a delicate silver ring from the box. He slid it onto her ring finger, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her.
The ring, crafted from 18k gold and platinum, featured round brilliant diamonds that alternated with intricately designed golden Xs, creating a delicate yet striking pattern.
"Are you finally proposing, Mr. Connor?" she teased, her voice laced with playful sarcasm.
"Oh no, this isn't a proposal!" he exclaimed, his cheeks flushing slightly. "This is just a couple ring." He then reached into his other pocket, retrieving an identical ring. He slipped it onto his own finger, showcasing it to her. "See?"
He leaned closer, his hand gently cupping her left cheek, his thumb caressing her soft skin. "Once I propose," he whispered, his voice husky, "I'll make sure to do it in a grand way, a way that befits you."
He closed the remaining distance between them, his lips finding hers in a tender, lingering kiss. The kiss was soft, a gentle expression of his affection.
Heather's heart fluttered, a wave of warmth spreading through her. She reciprocated the kiss, her own affection overflowing. The nervous energy that had filled the room moments before dissipated, replaced by a comfortable intimacy, a silent understanding that transcended words.
The kiss deepened, their tongues entwined in a passionate dance. Heather's eyes fluttered closed, her senses overwhelmed by the warmth of his lips, the familiar scent of his cologne, and the intoxicating feeling of being held in his embrace. Rhys deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth, his hands gently stroking her back.
The world around them faded away, replaced by the intensity of their shared moment. They were lost in each other, their love a beacon of light in the darkness.
The kiss finally broke, leaving them breathless and flushed. Heather opened her eyes, her gaze locked on Rhys's, her eyes filled with love and admiration.
"I love you, Heather," he whispered, his voice soft and tender, his eyes conveying the depth of his feelings.
Heather's heart skipped a beat. She felt a warmth spread through her chest, a mixture of joy and a lingering sense of caution. She wasn't yet ready to voice those three words back, the echoes of past hurts still lingering in her heart.
Rhys, sensing her hesitation, offered a gentle smile. "You don't have to say it back," he said, his voice reassuring. "I know you'll tell me when you're ready."
He leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, tender kiss, a silent promise that he would be patient, that he would wait for her, that he would cherish her, always.
A comfortable silence settled between Rhys and Heather as they lingered in the private dining room, savoring the lingering warmth of their shared moment. After a few more minutes, they decided to leave the restaurant, the air outside cool and crisp.
As the door closed behind them, a flurry of activity erupted within the room. Restaurant staff, their movements efficient and practiced, began to clear the table, their voices a low murmur against the backdrop of soft music.
"Ah!" A sudden exclamation pierced the quiet, startling her colleagues.
"What? Why are you suddenly shouting?" A startled waitress asked, her hands pausing mid-motion as she looked at her coworker.
"I remember now!" The first waitress exclaimed, her eyes wide with realization. "That's why that girl looked so familiar! I kept thinking about where I'd seen her face."
"Well, spill it!" The other waitress urged, her curiosity piqued.
"It was a few years ago," the first waitress began, her voice filled with excitement. "I was at the mall, shopping, and she happened to be in the same store! It stuck in my mind because she was wearing the same jacket as Rhys from one of their photos on the company website."
She pulled out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she navigated to Starlight Entertainment's website. She tapped on Lux's page, then their gallery, and finally located the photo of Rhys wearing the distinctive jacket.
"This jacket," she said, showing the image to her coworker. "Remember what this looks like." She then scrolled through her own social media, searching for a photo she had taken years ago. After a few moments, she found it, a snapshot taken from behind a young woman wearing the same jacket. She presented the two images side by side.
"See? Same jacket!" she exclaimed, her voice triumphant. "I even thought back then that what she was wearing was a fake one, because I knew for sure that jacket was custom-made specifically for Rhys."
The photo she had taken was a candid shot, capturing the back of Heather's head and shoulders. Her face was obscured, but the distinct jacket was clearly visible.
"That was one of the photos that went viral a few years back," she added, her voice laced with a hint of intrigue. "Everyone was trying to figure out who she was." She paused, then a slow grin spread across her face. "Looks like we finally have our answer."