Something About Us

Once back in the room, Heather efficiently transformed the bathroom into a makeshift nursery. She filled the tub with warm, gently bubbling water, testing the temperature with her elbow to ensure it was just right for Dave's sensitive skin. With practiced ease, she undressed the giggling baby, gently lowering him into the water. Dave kicked his tiny legs, splashing playfully, his eyes wide with delight. Heather washed him with a soft, lavender-scented soap, her touch light and tender. After drying him with a fluffy towel, she dressed him in a soft, blue onesie with embroidered teddy bears. With a contented sigh, she handed the now-clean and fragrant baby to her aunt, who was waiting patiently, a warm bottle of milk in hand.

Heather then returned to the pool area, where Rhys and the others were still gathered, the air buzzing with lively conversation. "Hey, Heather," Riza greeted her, her voice warm and welcoming. The other members of Riza's group, Min, Jane, and Ran, were also present, their laughter echoing across the tiled patio.

"Hey," Heather replied, settling onto the edge of the pool, her feet dangling in the cool, chlorinated water. The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, casting long, golden shadows across the resort grounds.

"We wanted to chat with you earlier, but we saw you were taking a nap, so we didn't want to disturb you," Min explained, her voice laced with a hint of apology.

"Oh, really? Hehe, I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep," Heather said, smiling sheepishly. The gentle breeze rustled the palm leaves overhead, carrying the faint scent of sunscreen and saltwater.

The five of them chatted for a while, their voices blending with the ambient sounds of the resort. Occasionally, the guys would join their conversation, adding their own playful banter and teasing remarks. When the girls suggested a friendly competition to see who could swim the fastest, the guys eagerly accepted the challenge.

They decided on a relay-style race, with each person swimming two laps. There would be five rounds, and the side that won three rounds would be declared the winner. The lineup was as follows:

Rhys vs. Heather

Jess vs. Riza

Dave vs. Min

Henry vs. Jane

Emmett vs. Ran

The other guests at the pool, a mix of artists, trainees, and staff, gathered around the edge, some even surfacing from the water to get a better view. Some of the higher-ups from Starlight Entertainment also joined the spectators, a few even placing bets on which team would emerge victorious. A majority of the higher-ups placed their bets on the guys, while a few others, perhaps swayed by a sense of female solidarity, sided with the girls. Some decided to abstain from the wager, preferring to simply enjoy the spectacle.

The race was on, and the atmosphere crackled with friendly competition. The water churned as the swimmers propelled themselves forward, their strokes powerful and rhythmic. The guys ultimately emerged as the winners, but it was a close call. The girls were poised to win, but Heather experienced another leg cramp just as she was nearing the finish line, her muscles seizing in mid-stroke.

Riza, who was closest to Heather, helped her out of the pool and began to massage her cramped leg, her touch firm and soothing. "Sorry," Heather apologized, her voice laced with frustration.

Riza giggled, the sound light and musical. "Why are you apologizing? It was just a game."

"Still. We could have won, but this stupid leg had to cramp just when we were about to win," Heather grumbled, her brow furrowed.

"Ha ha ha ha..." Riza laughed, her eyes twinkling. "A little competitive, I see."

When Riza finished massaging her leg, Heather thanked her profusely, her muscles slowly relaxing. "Are you going back in?" Riza asked.

Heather considered joining Riza, but decided against it, wary of another cramp. "Nah. I'll see you in a bit."

"Okay. Bye," Riza said, waving as she rejoined the others in the pool.

Heather walked towards a chaise lounge chair, picked up her cover-up, and slipped it on, the soft fabric cool against her skin. She grabbed her towel, wrapped it around her damp hair, and headed towards the kitchen area, the aroma of grilled seafood and tropical fruits wafting through the air.

Inside, she found a table laden with fresh fruits, a colorful display of mangoes, pineapples, and bananas. Her eyes landed on a bunch of ripe bananas, their peels speckled with brown spots, indicating their sweetness. "Is it okay if I get one?" she asked one of the staff members, a woman with a warm smile and kind eyes.

"Yeah, sure. That's for everyone," the staff member replied.

"Thank you," Heather said, taking a banana, peeling it, and eating it as she walked towards their room, the sweet, creamy fruit melting in her mouth.

On her way, she was startled when an arm suddenly draped around her shoulders, the touch familiar and comforting. "Going back to the room already?" Rhys asked, taking a bite of her banana, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh.

"Ugh... Get your own, this is mine!" Heather said, removing his arm and finishing the remaining banana, a playful pout on her lips.

Rhys chuckled, the sound warm and low. "I'm done swimming for the day. You?" he asked.

"Yeah. Me too," Heather replied.

They entered the room. Her aunt and Dave were gone, likely out with her uncle, enjoying the resort's amenities. Heather took a shower first, followed by Rhys, the sound of the running water echoing through the tiled bathroom.

Before Rhys entered the bathroom, Heather locked the room door, ensuring their privacy. She then knocked on the bathroom door, waiting until she heard the sound of the shower stop. "Hey, I'm going to dress up now. Don't you dare come out of the bathroom until I am done. You hear me?" she said, her voice laced with playful authority.

So bossy. Is she forgetting that I am older than her? How can she talk to me that way, Rhys thought, shampooing his hair, the fragrant lather filling the air. "Yeah yeah," he replied, his voice muffled by the sound of the running water.

When she heard the shower resume, she walked to the bed, picked up her dress, a flowing sundress in a vibrant shade of coral, and put it on. She then went through her nighttime skincare routine, applying a light moisturizer and lip balm. As she was drying her hair with a soft towel, Rhys poked his head out of the bathroom.

"Are you done? Can I come out now?" he asked, his voice laced with playful impatience.

"Yes, you can," Heather replied.

Rhys emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist and a smaller one drying his hair, his damp skin glistening under the soft light of the room. He went to the dresser, grabbed his clothes, and went back into the bathroom to change, the door clicking shut behind him.

Heather followed his movements with her eyes, averting her gaze only when he disappeared into the bathroom, a sigh escaping her lips. Here I go again... she thought. She picked up her book, a well-worn paperback with a dog-eared cover, and sat on the bed, waiting for Rhys.

Rhys came out a few minutes later, wearing a loose white V-neck shirt with yellow stripes and comfortable black sweat shorts. He sat beside Heather on the bed and turned on the TV, the screen flickering to life. It was 5:15 PM, and they were expecting dinner around 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM.

He had overheard that there would be a talent show later, featuring performances by all the groups and solo artists, with a prize for the most popular act, a buzz of excitement filling the resort.

"Stop," Heather said suddenly, touching his arm, her eyes fixed on the TV screen.

"What?" he asked, looking at her, his brow furrowed.

"Don't change the channel, I want to watch that movie," she said, pointing to the screen.

The movie playing was Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves, one of Heather's favorite films and actors, his brooding presence filling the screen.

"So handsome," she murmured, her eyes filled with admiration.

Rhys was taken aback by Heather's dreamy expression. He playfully touched the corner of her mouth, as if wiping something. "Ugh, girl, you're drooling..." he said, wiping his finger on his shirt, a teasing grin on his face.

"Tsk," Heather said, ignoring him and focusing on the movie, her eyes glued to the screen, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Keanu Reeves. She had seen it countless times, but she never tired of it.