Once back in the room, Heather efficiently transformed the bathroom into a makeshift nursery, her movements practiced and gentle.
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, the soft gurgling of the water filling the room.
With practiced ease, she undressed the giggling baby, his chubby limbs kicking playfully, gently lowering him into the water, his eyes wide with delight, reflecting the soft light of the bathroom. Dave kicked his tiny legs, splashing playfully, his eyes wide with delight, his laughter echoing through the tiled room.
Heather washed him with a soft, lavender-scented soap, her touch light and tender, the fragrant lather creating a cloud of gentle bubbles.
After drying him with a fluffy towel, she dressed him in a soft, blue onesie with embroidered teddy bears, his tiny feet kicking with contentment.
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, her eyes filled with affection.
Heather then returned to the pool area, where Rhys and the others were still gathered, the air buzzing with lively conversation, their voices mingling with the gentle lapping of the water.
"Hey, Heather," Riza greeted her, her voice warm and welcoming, her eyes sparkling with friendliness. The other members of Riza's group were also present, their laughter echoing across the tiled patio, creating a cheerful ambiance.
"Hey," Heather replied, settling onto the edge of the pool, her feet dangling in the cool, chlorinated water, the refreshing sensation tingling against her skin.
The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, casting long, golden shadows across the resort grounds, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.
"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, her eyes filled with sincerity.
"Oh, really? Hehe, I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep," Heather said, smiling sheepishly, her cheeks flushing slightly. The gentle breeze rustled the palm leaves overhead, carrying the faint scent of sunscreen and saltwater, a subtle reminder of the day's activities.
The five of them chatted for a while, their voices blending with the ambient sounds of the resort, the gentle murmur of conversation creating a relaxed atmosphere. Occasionally, the guys would join their conversation, adding their own playful banter and teasing remarks, their laughter echoing across the pool area.
When the girls suggested a friendly competition to see who could swim the fastest, the guys eagerly accepted the challenge, their competitive spirits ignited.
They decided on a relay-style race, with each person swimming two laps, the splashing water creating a rhythmic beat. There would be five rounds, and the side that won three rounds would be declared the winner, the anticipation building with each passing moment. The lineup was as follows:
Rhys vs. Heather
Jess vs. Riza
Dave vs. Min
Henry vs. Lizzy
Emmett vs. Olivia
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, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
Some of the higher-ups from Starlight Entertainment also joined the spectators, a few even placing bets on which team would emerge victorious, their voices laced with playful banter.
A majority of the higher-ups placed their bets on the guys, their confidence evident, while a few others, perhaps swayed by a sense of female solidarity, sided with the girls, their cheers adding to the lively atmosphere. Some decided to abstain from the wager, preferring to simply enjoy the spectacle, their eyes filled with amusement.
The race was on, and the atmosphere crackled with friendly competition, the cheering crowd adding to the excitement. The water churned as the swimmers propelled themselves forward, their strokes powerful and rhythmic, their bodies cutting through the water with practiced ease.
The guys ultimately emerged as the winners, their cheers echoing across the pool, but it was a close call, the tension palpable. 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, her face contorting in pain.
Riza, who was closest to Heather, helped her out of the pool, her touch gentle and reassuring, and began to massage her cramped leg, her touch firm and soothing, her fingers working the tense muscles.
"Sorry," Heather apologized, her voice laced with frustration, her brow furrowed.
Riza giggled, the sound light and musical, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why are you apologizing? It was just a game," she reassured, her voice warm.
"Still. We could have won, but this stupid leg had to cramp just when we were about to win," Heather grumbled, her brow furrowed, her eyes filled with playful frustration.
"Ha ha ha ha..." Riza laughed, her eyes twinkling, her laughter echoing through the air. "A little competitive, I see," she teased, her voice laced with amusement.
When Riza finished massaging her leg, Heather thanked her profusely, her muscles slowly relaxing, her gratitude evident. "Are you going back in?" Riza asked, her eyes filled with warmth.
Heather considered joining Riza, but decided against it, wary of another cramp, her muscles still feeling slightly tense. "Nah. I'll see you in a bit."
"Okay. Bye," Riza said, waving as she rejoined the others in the pool, her laughter mingling with the sound of splashing water.
Heather walked towards a chaise lounge chair, picked up her cover-up, and slipped it on, the soft fabric cool against her skin, a comforting sensation. 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, a tantalizing invitation.
Inside, she found a table laden with fresh fruits, a colorful display of mangoes, pineapples, and bananas, their vibrant hues adding to the cheerful atmosphere. Her eyes landed on a bunch of ripe bananas, their peels speckled with brown spots, indicating their sweetness, their fragrance filling the air.
"Is it okay if I get one?" she asked one of the staff members, a woman with a warm smile and kind eyes, her gaze friendly.
"Yeah, sure. That's for everyone," the staff member replied, her voice warm and welcoming.
"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, a delightful sensation.
On her way, she was startled when an arm suddenly draped around her shoulders, the touch familiar and comforting, a sense of playful warmth.
"Going back to the room already?" Rhys asked, taking a bite of her banana, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Ugh... Get your own, this is mine!" Heather said, removing his arm and finishing the remaining banana, a playful pout on her lips, her eyes filled with mock annoyance.
Rhys chuckled, the sound warm and low, his laughter echoing through the air. "I'm done swimming for the day. You?" he asked, his eyes filled with warmth.
"Yeah. Me too," Heather replied, her voice laced with contentment.
They entered the room. Her aunt and Dave were gone, likely out with her uncle, enjoying the resort's amenities, their laughter echoing through the resort grounds. Heather took a shower first, followed by Rhys, the sound of the running water echoing through the tiled bathroom, creating a soothing ambiance.
Before Rhys entered the bathroom, Heather locked the room door, ensuring their privacy, a sense of playful mischief. She then knocked on the bathroom door, waiting until she heard the sound of the shower stop, her voice laced with playful authority.
"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, her eyes twinkling.
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, his brow furrowed in mock annoyance.
"Yeah yeah," he replied, his voice muffled by the sound of the running water, his laughter echoing through the bathroom.
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, the soft fabric draping gracefully over her figure.
She then went through her nighttime skincare routine, applying a light moisturizer and lip balm, her movements deliberate and precise.
As she was drying her hair with a soft towel, Rhys poked his head out of the bathroom, his eyes filled with playful curiosity.
"Are you done? Can I come out now?" he asked, his voice laced with playful impatience, his eyes twinkling.
"Yes, you can," Heather replied, her voice laced with amusement.
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, his eyes filled with warmth.
He went to the dresser, grabbed his clothes, and went back into the bathroom to change, the door clicking shut behind him.