The following weeks were a whirlwind of activity as Rhys and Heather settled into their new home.
Boxes were unpacked, furniture was arranged (the remaining pieces arriving in a flurry of deliveries), and walls were adorned with artwork and personal touches.
The house, once an empty shell, gradually transformed into a warm and inviting space, filled with laughter and the comforting sounds of shared living.
Amidst the unpacking and organizing, they also began planning a joint celebration: a housewarming party and a toast to Lux's incredibly successful album release and the triumphant conclusion of their tour.
The idea was to combine the two milestones into one grand event, a gathering of family, friends, and colleagues to christen their new home and mark Lux's latest achievement.
The guest list quickly grew, a testament to the wide circle of people who had touched their lives. Heather's family, of course, was at the top of the list – Marjorie, Tony, and little Dave, who was already claiming a corner of the living room as his personal play area.
Rhys's family would be there too: his mother, a warm and elegant woman; his father, a stoic but supportive figure; and his older sister, Crystal, a vibrant and outgoing personality.
Then came the members of Lux: Jess, Henry, Emmett, and Dave. Their manager, the CEO of the label, the producers who had shaped their sound, the talented backup dancers who brought their performances to life, and a collection of fellow artists from the same label would also be in attendance.
And then there were the stylists and makeup artists, the creative team who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to craft Lux's image. This group, unfortunately, included Elizabeth Banks. Elizabeth, a strikingly beautiful stylist who has been with them since the beginning, harbored an unrequited infatuation with Rhys.
Her initial, rather forward attempts to win his affections had been met with polite but firm distance from Rhys. Undeterred, she had decided to adopt a new tactic.
She would play it cool and subtly weave herself into Rhys's life, hoping that a more patient approach would eventually yield the desired results.
The preparations for the party were elaborate. Heather and Rhys divided the tasks, transforming their home into a festive venue. They hung fairy lights in the backyard, creating a magical ambiance amongst the trees. They arranged for catering, ensuring a delicious spread of food and drinks.
Rhys, with his meticulous attention to detail, curated a playlist of music that would set the perfect mood for the evening.
As the day of the party arrived, a buzz of excitement filled the house.
Heather, dressed in a pastel green flowing dress, flitted around, making sure every detail was perfect. Rhys, looking effortlessly stylish in a charcoal grey button-down and dark jeans, stood by the open front door, his hand resting reassuringly on Heather's lower back as they awaited their guests.
The first to arrive were Heather's family. Marjorie embraced Heather, her hug filled with genuine warmth. "Oh, my dears, the house is simply stunning! You've created such a beautiful haven."
Tony offered Rhys a hearty handshake, his eyes conveying a quiet pride. "Impressive, Rhys. A far cry from those cramped band houses you used to live in."
Little Dave, clutching a brand-new dinosaur stuffed toy, zoomed into the living room, his delighted squeals echoing through the spacious area. "Wow! Big house!"
Rhys's family followed soon after.
Eleanor, Rhys's mother, her elegant cream suit perfectly tailored, enveloped Heather in a delicate hug. "Heather, darling, this is exquisite. Such taste! Rhys, I always knew you had it in you to settle down in style."
Arthur, his usually reserved demeanor softened by the festive atmosphere, gave both Rhys and Heather a rare, approving nod. "A sound investment, son. More importantly, a lovely place for you both."
Crystal, a whirlwind of vibrant energy in a scarlet dress, hugged them both enthusiastically. "Rhys! Heather! This is insane! The pictures didn't do it justice. I'm claiming the guest room with the best view!"
The members of Lux arrived in their usual boisterous fashion.
Jess gave a slow whistle. "Damn, Rhys. You cleaned up good. This place screams 'successful superstar who's finally grown up'."
Henry patted Rhys in his back as they hugged. "Nice place, man."
Emmett, juggling a bottle of champagne and a speaker, grinned. "Party central! I call dibs on setting up the karaoke in the backyard. We need to celebrate those chart-topping hits properly!"
Dave, his eyes wide with genuine admiration, bounced on the balls of his feet. "This is epic! I can already picture the legendary jam sessions we're gonna have here!"
Their manager, Mr. Davies, arrived with a thoughtful bottle of vintage wine. "A truly remarkable home, Rhys, Heather. And on behalf of Starlight Entertainment, my sincerest congratulations on 'Last Goodbye.' Dominating the number one spot for almost two months is an exceptional achievement."
Soon after, Mr. Lee, the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, arrived, his presence carrying a certain gravitas.
He shook Rhys's hand firmly, then offered Heather a warm smile. "Rhys, Heather, what a magnificent home. A fitting backdrop to such a momentous occasion."
When almost off of the guests have arrived, he gathered the attention of the room, raising his glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we celebrate not one, but two significant milestones. Firstly, to Rhys and Heather on creating this beautiful sanctuary, a testament to their growing life together." A round of applause and cheers filled the room.
Mr. Lee continued, his voice booming with pride. "And secondly, a hearty congratulations to Lux! Their latest album has not only been a critical success but a phenomenal commercial triumph. To hold the number one position on the charts for almost two months is an incredible feat. But even more impressively, we have not one, but four other tracks from the same album currently nestled in the top ten! This is a testament to their talent, their hard work, and the unwavering support of their fans." He beamed at Rhys, Jess, Henry, Emmett and Dave. "To Lux! May your music continue to resonate and your stars shine ever brighter!"
A resounding cheer erupted, glasses clinking in celebratory unison.
Rhys raised his own glass, his arm instinctively around Heather. "To home," he said, his eyes meeting hers, filled with warmth and affection. "And to the best band anyone could ask for."
Elizabeth Banks arrived amidst the later wave of guests, her elegant black dress a stark contrast to the more casual attire of some.
Her practiced smile was firmly in place as she greeted Rhys. "Rhys, darling, the house is… surprisingly cozy. Congratulations."
Rhys returned a polite but cool smile. "Thanks, Elizabeth." He subtly shifted, his arm instinctively finding Heather's waist, pulling her closer. "Elizabeth, this is Heather."
Elizabeth turned her attention to Heather, her smile widening, though a subtle coolness flickered beneath the surface. "Heather, it's lovely to finally meet you. Rhys has mentioned you."
Mentioned you as what? her eyes seemed to ask.
"It's nice to meet you too, Elizabeth," Heather replied, her own smile genuine and warm.
As the evening progressed, conversations flowed like the wine being poured.
Marjorie cornered Rhys, her expression earnest. "You know, dear, this is a big step, living together. But seeing you two so happy… it warms my heart."
Rhys placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "We're very happy, Aunt Maggie. And we're building something real here."
Crystal, meanwhile, had Heather cornered by the fireplace, her voice animated. "So, how did you two meet again? It's been so long since we last saw each other. Spill the details! Rhys has always been so secretive about his personal life."
Heather blushed slightly, recounting the story of their initial meeting at the coffee shop, the unexpected connection that had blossomed between them. Crystal listened intently, her eyes sparkling with interest.
Elizabeth, observing their easy camaraderie from across the room, felt a sharp pang of jealousy.
She watched as Rhys leaned down to whisper something in Heather's ear, their shared laughter echoing softly. The casual intimacy of their interactions was undeniable.
The pieces clicked into place: the possessive hand on Heather's waist, the easy familiarity, the shared laughter. They weren't just friends; they were a couple.
A tight knot formed in Elizabeth's stomach. She forced a bright smile as she joined a group of artists, her words light and airy, but inside, a bitter resentment towards Heather began to take root.
She's just a coffee shop girl, Elizabeth thought, her gaze flicking back to Heather, a venomous seed of dislike planted in her heart. What does she have that I don't?
She vowed silently that this was not over. Rhys would eventually see that she was the better choice, the one who truly understood his world.
For now, however, she would play the gracious guest, masking the storm brewing beneath her polished exterior.
The celebration was in full swing, but for Elizabeth, the game had just begun.