As the days flew by, Westlife's highly anticipated Asian leg tour finally kicked off. Enthusiastic fans from across the continent were thrilled to witness the iconic group's mesmerizing performances. Their journey had already taken them to vibrant locations such as Taiwan, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, where they left audiences in awe with their powerful vocals and captivating stage presence.

But the excitement didn't end there. The Philippines eagerly awaited their turn to experience the magic of Westlife's music. With just one more week to go, the anticipation was building as fans eagerly counted down the days. The upcoming concerts in the Philippines were no ordinary shows; they were scheduled for three consecutive days, promising a music-filled extravaganza like never before.

As the news spread like wildfire, fans couldn't contain their excitement. Social media was buzzing with hashtags and messages of love for the band. The band members themselves expressed their anticipation and gratitude, eagerly looking forward to making unforgettable memories in the Philippines.

For Westlife, this tour was more than just a series of concerts; it was a celebration of their connection with fans from all walks of life. Each performance was a testament to the bond they had formed with their audience over the years. The memories created on this tour would undoubtedly stay etched in their hearts forever.

With the final leg of their journey approaching, the atmosphere was electric. The Filipino fans' passion and love for Westlife were palpable, and the band couldn't wait to reciprocate that love with their outstanding performances. The stage was set, the lights were ready to shine, and the anticipation in the air was almost tangible.

As the days dwindled down, the countdown continued. The Philippines was on the brink of an unforgettable musical experience, and Westlife was ready to deliver their very best. The journey had been remarkable thus far, but the climax of their Asian tour was yet to come-the three extraordinary days of musical euphoria that would unite fans and band alike in a celebration of love and music.

•••

In the bustling streets of Divisoria, the air was filled with excitement as Kathryn and her friends eagerly made their way to the printing shop. They were on a mission to collect the custom-made t-shirts they had ordered for the upcoming concert.

With anticipation in her voice, Kathryn inquired, "Hello, miss. I was wondering if the t-shirts we ordered are now ready?"

The shopkeeper nodded with a warm smile, "Yes, those were completed last night. Take a look!"

Mae's eyes lit up as she held her t-shirt close, admiring the picture of Shane Filan printed on it. "Shane looks so handsome!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her joy.

Not to be outdone, Analisa tightly embraced her t-shirt, filled with sheer excitement. "And my Nicky is so hot, he outshines the sun!" she proclaimed, giggling with delight.

Playfully teasing her friend, Jem glanced at the t-shirt Analisa was holding. "Why did you choose a tongue-out pose for Nicky on your t-shirt? It looks like he's playfully teasing everyone!"

Analisa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and grinned. "Well, you know how I feel about Nicky. He always makes m-"

Kathryn chimed in. "...makes you feel your knickers will drop anytime, right?"

Jem gestured discreetly to Kathryn, reminding her that they were in a public place.

With a mix of embarrassment and humor, Kathryn covered her mouth. "Oh. I mean jaw, of course! He makes your jaw drop anytime!" she stumbled over her words, blushing.

Feeling slightly mortified, Analisa, Jem, and Mae playfully covered their faces, sharing the moment of embarrassment with their friend. A few passersby couldn't help but steal curious glances at Kathryn because of her accidental slip of the tongue.

Jem, wrapped her arm around Analisa and Mae, shouted. "We're not with her, folks!" she jokingly declared while walking away.

Kathryn called out to her friends who can be seen giggling, "Hey, wait for me!"

•••

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets of Divisoria, Kathryn, Jem, Analisa, and Mae roamed through the colorful stalls, admiring the myriad of goods on display. Laughter echoed amidst the chatter of vendors, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Amidst the throng, they suddenly spotted a familiar face - Carlos. He approached them with a beaming smile, addressing the girls as "ate".

"Mga ate!" Big sisters. Carlos called out, and the faces of his friends lit up with joy.

"Oh, it's you, Carlos! How have you been?" Jem's face lit up with genuine happiness as she greeted her friend.

"I'm doing great, ate! I can hardly contain my excitement because the concert is just around the corner," Carlos exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious.

"Absolutely! We've been counting down the days," Mae chimed in. "Don't forget what we planned - we'll all gather in front of Araneta."

Carlos grinned, nodding eagerly. "Of course, I'll be there without fail. It's going to be an unforgettable night!"

As the conversation flowed, Analisa joined in with a warm smile. "Oh, and don't forget, Carlos, that's where we'll hand you your ticket, so make sure to arrive early, okay?" Analisa had already paid Jem for Carlos' concert ticket along with hers.

"Thank you all so much, ate! I can't express how much this means to me. I'll definitely be there early, ready to soak in every moment of the concert with you." Carlos's eyes sparkled with gratitude as he nodded in appreciation. "By the way, will any fans be waiting at the airport?"

The girls exchanged unsure looks, conveying their uncertainty. "We're not entirely sure," Kathryn responded, "but Ms. Chinkee is in touch with Westlife's management. If Westlife PH Fan group has plans to flock at the airport, you're more than welcome to join."

Carlos smiled appreciatively at Kathryn's response, feeling lucky to have such caring friends. His attention then shifted to what Kathryn was holding - a rolled-up item.

"It looks quite large. Let me carry it for you, Ate Kathryn," Carlos eagerly offered, his helpful nature shining through.

Intrigued, Analisa couldn't resist asking, "What's that?"

Kathryn's mischievous grin grew wider as she presented the item to Carlos. "Oh, this?" Handing it over, Carlos unrolled it with a sense of excitement. To his surprise, it revealed a vibrant banner adorned with words that read, 'Welcome to the Philippines, Westlife! We love you!'

Analisa winced playfully at the sight of the large banner. "That's huge! It's like you're campaigning for an election with this. Did you really have it made?"

Kathryn nodded. "With this eye-catching banner, who knows, maybe Westlife will notice us!" she replied with a playful grin, fueling the excitement of her friends.

Analisa couldn't help but smile at her friend's optimism, finding it endearing.

With their fun encounter in Divisoria coming to an end, they continued strolling around for a bit, savoring the moments of friendship and camaraderie. As the night fell, they eventually bid their farewells and headed home, still excitedly looking forward to the upcoming concert and the cherished memories they would create together.

•••

Dublin, Ireland

Ever since Jodi turned down Kian's marriage proposal, their paths haven't crossed again. Jodi finds herself in a state of anticipation, patiently waiting for a sign. She's fully aware that the moment her boyfriend sends her a text, she'll promptly agree to meet him. The delicate balance between hope and uncertainty fills her heart as she wonders what the future holds for their relationship.

As the days turned into weeks, Jodi anxiously waited for any sign from Kian, but the much-anticipated text never arrived. Even when her boyfriend and their bandmates embarked on their journey to different Asian countries, she heard nothing from him. The lack of communication began to take its toll, and Jodi couldn't help but feel hurt and a hint of resentment creeping in.

However, amidst her emotions, Jodi also empathized with Kian. She realized that rejection is a deeply painful experience, and she couldn't hold him responsible for his silence. She knew the immense courage it took for him to propose, and how vulnerable he must have felt when she turned him down. Understanding the weight of her decision, she couldn't help but wonder if she unintentionally shattered something precious between them.

With a deep sense of self-awareness, she realized she couldn't blame herself for hesitating. It wasn't that she didn't love Kian - she adored him deeply. But she wanted to be more than just emotionally ready for marriage. She desired to be skilled and independent in every aspect of running a home, from cooking to doing laundry and managing household chores. The thought of hiring a helper once married didn't sit well with her; she wanted to personally serve Kian.

"I'll strive to become worthy of being Kian's wife. Who knows? Maybe one day, I'll wake up and find myself fully prepared. And then, I'll joyfully say 'Yes' to him with all my heart."

Yet, her heart longed for Kian's presence, and she missed him dearly. With determination, she decided to take the initiative and visit him at his home. She wouldn't wait for a text; she wanted to reach out and start the conversation herself. Perhaps Kian just needed a reassuring dose of affection and understanding. In her heart, she hoped that their love and connection would guide them on this journey, and when the right time came, she would confidently embark on the path of marriage with him.

•••

As Jodi stepped into Egan's Mansion, she noticed Patricia, Kian's mother, diligently hanging clothes in the morning sun.

"Good morning, Mrs. Egan!" Jodi greeted warmly.

Patricia took a moment to stop her task and walked over to Jodi, planting a loving kiss on her cheek. "Oh, dear. Have you come for a visit?"

"I came to see Kian," Jodi answered. "Is he around?"

Patricia's brow furrowed slightly in response to Jodi's question, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected visit. "They have just gone to the airport. Their flight to the Philippines is today. Didn't Kian mention it to you?"

Jodi's smile waned as she absorbed the news. "Oh, I just remembered. Why am I becoming forgetful lately?"

She tried to mask her surprise with an excuse, but in truth, this was the first time she had heard about it. A pang of hurt mixed with resentment toward her boyfriend tugged at her heart.

Kian, how did our relationship end up like this after my rejection of your proposal?

Jodi didn't stay much longer at Egan's Mansion. After a brief exchange, she took her leave, her mind burdened with unanswered questions and a sense of regret.

•••

As she was walking, Jodi accidentally bumped into someone, and the impact was quite strong, causing her to flinch.

"Sorry, Miss-" The man's words trailed off as he looked at the person he collided with. "J-Jodi?"

Jodi's face turned pale as she realized who was standing in front of her. She quickly regained her composure and began walking away.

The person she bumped into was Ben Adams, her ex.

"Jodi." Ben chased after her and held her arm.

Jodi let out a sigh and continued to look straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with Ben. She didn't want to be seen together with him, especially by the paparazzi, as they were former lovers. It wasn't the right time to engage in casual conversation with her ex, especially when she was currently not on good terms with Kian.

She hurried her pace, trying to walk away quickly. In her haste, she lost her balance and sprained her ankle, which was worsened by the fact that she was wearing stilettos.

"Ouch!" Jodi exclaimed in pain.

There was no one else around except for Ben. He caught her before she could lie down on the road.

Jodi glanced around, feeling relieved that there were no paparazzi in sight. She didn't refuse Ben's help this time.

He carried her to his car and tended to her injured ankle, providing first aid.

"Are you okay now?" Ben asked, looking at Jodi's foot, which he wrapped with an elastic bandage.

Jodi nodded. "Thank you."

Ben took a seat, his face filled with sorrow. "I'm sorry. Maybe if I hadn't bothered you, this wouldn't have happened."

Jodi didn't say anything. She just gently massaged the area around her bandaged foot.

"The real reason I chased after you is that I wanted to extend a personal invitation to my wedding," Ben said. "I'm engaged!"

Jodi paused in her actions, slightly opening her mouth in surprise. "Oh, congratulations! That's a wonderful news!"

"Thank you," Ben replied, feeling a bit shy.

"I appreciate you for the invitation. My schedule is quite busy for the next few months, but I'll do my best to attend. If, for some reason, I can't make it, I'll definitely send a thoughtful gift to celebrate your special day." Jodi glanced at her wristwatch. "By the way, can you find a cab for me? I don't want to ask for a ride home, you know why."

Ben quickly grasped the situation, aware of the potential complications. He was engaged and Jodi was in a relationship with Kian. Being seen together could stir up unwanted rumors and unnecessary drama.

Respecting her wishes, Ben started his car and headed straight to Hilltop, where the taxi stand was located. He understood the importance of maintaining a respectful distance between them.

Meanwhile, not far away, the sound of cameras clicking in rapid succession could be heard, a constant reminder of the public scrutiny their lives were under.

***

Author's Note:

I am grateful for @nightacts' curiosity and thoughtful comment on the previous chapter. I'd like to address the question concerning Kian Egan's location in this story. While it is indeed accurate that Kian was born in Sligo in real life, for the creative direction of this novel, I have decided to set the story in Dublin. This choice was made to explore a unique and engaging narrative, offering a wider range of storytelling opportunities.

I also want to note that as readers delve further into the story, they may encounter fictional locations not found in Ireland and the Philippines, all of which were inspired by my creative imagination. These additions aim to enrich the storytelling experience and take the readers on an extraordinary adventure. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I hope you enjoy the unfolding tale. ♡

~ author