The Garden Suite Hotel

Kathryn and her friends, eagerly trailed the car that Westlife was riding from the airport to the hotel. The anticipation of seeing their favorite boyband up close made their hearts race with joy. Finally, they arrived at the hotel with pure excitement.

As the car pulled up to the hotel, Kathryn's curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn't resist asking the burning question in her mind. "Did you see them go inside?" she inquired anxiously, referring to the members of Westlife. Her heart pounded with excitement, hoping to confirm that her favorite boyband was indeed inside the hotel.

Jem grinned and replied, "Yes, I saw Mark entering the lobby just a few minutes ago." Her eyes remained fixated on the hotel entrance, trying to catch any glimpse of the celebrity guests.

The excitement was contagious as they all stepped out of the car, hearts racing with anticipation. The cool breeze of the morning heightened their senses, and they found themselves standing outside the hotel, pondering their next move. Jem couldn't contain her enthusiasm and broke the silence with an eager suggestion, "Come on, let's step inside!"

Her friends, however, wore puzzled expressions. Analisa said, "Why? What are we going to do inside?"

Unraveling her plan, Jem went to the car's compartment and retrieved four rolling suitcases. They looked brand new, still adorned with price tags, hinting at recent purchases.

With a grin, Jem handed one suitcase to each friend, revealing their unexpected mission. "We're going to check in."

The surprise and bewilderment were evident on the faces of Kathryn and the others as they clutched their suitcases, containing clothes and basic hygiene kits.

•••

As the group stepped into the elegant hotel lobby, their eyes widened at the sight of its grandeur. However, their excitement was tempered by the realization that finding Westlife's room amidst the numerous floors and rooms would be quite a challenge.

Approaching the reception desk with determination, Analisa spoke up, "Miss, a family room for 4, please."

A quick exchange of glances between her friends conveyed their appreciation for Analisa's gesture.

Surprisingly, Analisa seemed to have read their thoughts, and a warm smile spread across her face. "Don't worry. It's all on me," she assured, turning to the receptionist. "Good for five days."

Kathryn's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, do you mean we'll be staying here for five days?"

Analisa responded with a smile and a wink.

The tension dissolved into laughter as Kathryn made a playful remark, "You know, sometimes I feel like we're turning into stalkers." The friends chuckled together, lightening the mood.

Their laughter subsided when the receptionist interrupted, holding out the room keys. "Here are the keys, ma'am. 6th floor, room 605."

"Thank you!" the girls exclaimed in unison, their gratitude evident. With keys in hand, they eagerly made their way to their room, anticipating the adventures that the next five days at the hotel would hold for them.

•••

The Garden Suite Hotel
6th floor
Room 610

Louis Walsh informed them that their current room would be temporary for a couple of weeks. They were to rest before heading to the lobby of another hotel later for a press conference. Shane acknowledged this with a thumbs-up.

Their hotel room was the largest, with five individual bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, bathroom, jacuzzi, music studio, and a mini bar. The rest of the staff checked in to other rooms.

As the others rested, Mark made his way to the shower room. As the warm water cascaded over him, his mind couldn't shake off the image of the woman he bumped into at the airport earlier.

Could it be her? I'm not entirely sure; she ran so fast, and I didn't get a good look.

But there's something about her, something familiar in her smile and the way she carried herself.

Or maybe I'm just overthinking it. I mean, she's a fan, right? It's just a coincidence.

Still, I can't help but wonder if it's the same woman who has been on my mind for the past few days.

I need to figure this out, but until then, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. It wouldn't be fair to Cailean if I let my thoughts wander without any solid evidence.

For now, I'll focus on the press conference and try to enjoy the moment. Whatever the truth may be, I'll deal with it when the time comes.

•••

In the bustling lobby of Manila Royal Hotel, media personnel gathered for the Westlife press conference. Excitement filled the air as delegates prepared to pose questions to the five lads.

A poised woman in her thirties approached the microphone. "First of all, I would like to extend my congratulations to you for getting the title of being Boyband of the Year."

The Westlife lads graciously expressed their gratitude to the remark.

The woman addressed a topic circulating on social media since their comeback. "Is it true that you were only forced to include Brian again due to the fans' request?"

Whispers buzzed around the room, and Shane exchanged a significant glance with Brian before responding. "The decision to bring Brian back to Westlife was a mutual one among the five of us. We welcomed him with open arms. There was no forcing involved."

Smiles spread among the audience, appreciating Shane's candid answer.

"Thank you for your question, Ms. Dela Cruz. Now, next question," the host announced.

Another person stepped up. "According to the news, you are staying in the Philippines for two to three weeks. Why did you choose to stay here and not in another country?"

Nicky stepped forward to answer, his admiration for Filipino fans evident in his words. "Filipino fans have always been the wildest and most devoted. They make us feel the immense support they have for our band. We love all our fans, but Filipinos are truly remarkable. That's why, as a five-piece band again, we are prioritizing the Philippines. We have exciting projects and surprises planned during our stay. This is our way of giving back to our fans."

The questions continued, and it was soon Kian's turn to respond.

An older man inquired, "The whole world knows you are in a long-term relationship with Jodi Albert. Do you have plans to settle down with her?"

"I do," Kian replied, masking the heaviness in his heart. "As soon as she is ready, everything will fall into place perfectly."

The man shifted his focus to his notes. "What can you say about the circulating pictures of Jodi?"

Kian's brow furrowed at the reporter's question. "P-Pictures?"

Whispers filled the lobby again as everyone checked their phones.

The lads wore puzzled expressions, and Brian handed Kian his phone, having already searched for the images.

Kian's grip tightened as he saw what appeared in the search results.

The pictures showed Jodi with another man. In one of them, the man carried her while getting into a car.

Kian knew the man in the picture very well.

He returned the phone to Brian, attempting to maintain a smile despite the turmoil in his eyes.

"I don't have any idea what these pictures are all about, so I'll refrain from commenting for now. Jodi and I will talk about this in private," Kian said, bravely concealing his distress.

Louis Walsh observed the change in Kian's demeanor and promptly concluded the press conference. After the reporters left, he sent the lads back to the hotel to process the unexpected turn of events.

•••

"Epic fail! Turns out they're staying at Manila Royal Hotel," Mae said, smirking.

Jem stood her ground, "I can't be mistaken about what I saw, dear. They definitely entered The Grand Suite Hotel."

"Who knows, maybe they just had their press conference here at Manila Royal Hotel, but they checked in at our hotel," Kathryn said with a hopeful tone.

They were still debating where Westlife actually checked in when they spotted Veniece in the lobby of Manila Royal Hotel, accompanied by her minions.

Veniece faced the girls, hands on her hips, taunting them. "Wow, you're finally out of the restroom. I thought you'd be camping there forever."

Kathryn clenched her teeth. "You know what, Veniece? Consider yourself lucky because Westlife is here right now. I don't have time to fight with you, or else, I might have thrown you into the toilet earlier."

Veniece raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then why don't you do it? You're just a coward, that's why you can't."

Kathryn was about to charge at Veniece, but Jem and Mae quickly held her back. Eventually, the girls managed to free Kathryn from their embrace. She was about to attack Veniece when a commotion erupted at the press conference. They were at the back, so they couldn't see much. The media personnel were blocking their view of the lads.

People at the press conference took out their cellphones, and Kathryn couldn't resist looking.

Their eyes widened in shock. Pictures of Jodi Albert and Ben Adams were trending!

Ben Adams was seen with Jodi Albert in Dublin. (10 photos)

Jodi Albert, rumored to have turned down Egan's proposal because of Ben Adams of A1.

Jodi Albert and ex Ben Adams, are they back again?

Surprise registered on the faces of the friends. The tension from their earlier argument was momentarily forgotten. Overwhelmed by the pain they felt, Kathryn and Veniece hugged each other.

"Jodi, why did you do this to our Kian?!" Veniece cried.

"Kian, I wish you had asked me to marry you. Without a doubt, I would have said 'I do'!" Kathryn added, still holding Veniece close.

The only comfort their friends could offer was a pat on the shoulder and a comforting back hug.

•••

Dublin, Ireland

Jodi Albert's worst fear had materialized. She found herself deep in contemplation, wondering about Kian's possible reaction, along with the reactions of their families, Ben's fiancée, Westlife, and the entire world.

This should never have occurred. They had misunderstood the situation entirely!

Desperate to clarify matters, she attempted to call Kian, but her attempts to reach him were futile. The idea that Kian might perceive the situation differently because of the trending pictures added to her frustration.

•••

The Garden Suite Hotel
11:00 PM

In a quiet corner of the rooftop, Kian sought solace away from the bustling crowd. While others reveled in their company, he found himself lost in a sea of thoughts.

Having just finished a drink with his bandmates, he had come here to catch a breath of fresh air and clear his mind.

Overwhelmed by emotions, tears silently streamed down his cheeks as he grappled with his feelings.

"I can't help but wonder if she still has feelings for Ben, which is why she couldn't commit to marrying me yet."

With a heavy heart, Kian rested his forehead on his hand, trying to make sense of the situation. The tears continued to flow as he clutched a bottle of Heineken, burdened by the weight of his emotions.

"Why am I not enough, Jodi? What does he have that I lack?"

•••

Kathryn and her friends discussed various theories about the recent news regarding Jodi Albert and Ben Adams. They also shared their comments on how it might affect Kian, worrying that it could impact his performance at the upcoming concert.

Amidst the conversation, Kathryn suddenly thought of her one-sided admiration for Kian. She wanted to express her emotions in front of her friends, but she chose to be alone instead. So, she decided to hang out at the highest part of the hotel rooftop.

On the other side of it, away from the couples on their dates, she thought it was the perfect spot for contemplation.

"Perfect, no one's here. This is where I'll pour out my feelings," Kathryn said to herself.

As Kathryn stood alone on the rooftop, her heart heavy with emotions, she couldn't contain the torrent of thoughts and feelings swirling within her. With each passing moment, her inner fan voice grew louder, as if she could bridge the distance between her and her favorite celebrity, Kian Egan.

"Kian Egan!" she called out, her voice echoing into the night. With a faint quiver in her voice, she continued, "You might not realize it, but you've held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. Since my teenage days, your presence has been a constant inspiration, your smile a beacon of joy that brightened even the darkest days."

She took a deep breath, allowing her emotions to flow freely as she opened up to the one person who had unknowingly captivated her heart. "The whole world seemed to know about my crush on you, but it was more than just a fleeting infatuation. Your talent, your kindness, and the way you carried yourself with grace—these were the reasons that kept me in awe of you all these years."

With each word, she poured her unwavering devotion into the air, imagining that somehow, her heartfelt message could reach Kian's ears. The rooftop became her stage, and her passionate proclamation echoed into the night, a testament to her unyielding loyalty.

She looked up at the stars, hoping they would carry her message across the vast expanse of the universe, transcending the barriers that separated her from her beloved idol. She knew that her words might never actually reach him, but it didn't matter. In this moment of vulnerability, she found solace in expressing her deepest admiration and love.

As she stood there, venting her inner thoughts into the darkness, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. It was as if the weight of unspoken emotions had lifted, leaving behind a sense of empowerment and freedom.

In that moment, Kathryn made a silent promise to herself - to continue supporting Kian Egan wholeheartedly, regardless of the obstacles or uncertainties that lay ahead. As long as he remained her idol, she vowed to be his unwavering number one fan, cheering him on from afar, a beacon of love and encouragement in his journey through life.

With a deep breath, she took in the night air, feeling a renewed sense of connection to her idol and to herself. The rooftop had become a sacred space where she could express her devotion openly, without fear or hesitation.

And so, she stood tall, with her heart full of love, her voice carrying her hopes and dreams into the vast unknown, embracing the role of a dedicated fan, forever standing by Kian's side, no matter what the future held.

Feeling relieved after finally expressing her feelings, Kathryn held onto the rooftop railings and looked down at the cars parked in the hotel's parking lot.

As she stood there, she suddenly felt someone grabbing her hand from behind. Startled, she turned to face the person, but she couldn't make out their face; all she knew was that it was a stranger.

Her voice caught in her throat, and she wanted to scream, but no words came out of her mouth.

Soon, she felt the stranger's face getting closer to hers. In that moment, all she could do was close her eyes.

Kathryn's heart raced with surprise and uncertainty. As the soft, tender lips of the stranger pressed against hers, she hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to react. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, a thought flickered in her mind: "He's quite good-looking, so I'll just go with the flow."

Her rational mind struggled to catch up with the unexpected intimacy, while her heart wrestled with conflicting emotions. She couldn't deny the rush of sensations that engulfed her, as the stranger's touch ignited a spark she hadn't anticipated.

In that fleeting moment, she allowed herself to surrender to the unexpected connection, savoring the sweetness of the kiss. Despite the unfamiliarity of the situation, there was an undeniable allure to the encounter, a captivating mystery that enticed her to linger in the moment.

As the kiss deepened, Kathryn found herself lost in a whirlwind of emotions, her mind and heart entangled in a dance of uncertainty and curiosity. She couldn't explain the attraction she felt, yet there was an undeniable chemistry that drew her closer to the stranger.

In the midst of this impromptu encounter, Kathryn let go of the need for explanations or labels. She embraced the spontaneity of the moment, allowing herself to be carried away by the magic of the rooftop rendezvous.

In that stolen instant, time seemed to slow, and the world around them faded into insignificance. All that mattered was the intoxicating connection between two souls, entwined in a serendipitous dance of destiny.

In that profound moment of vulnerability and self-discovery, Kathryn couldn't help but wonder what the encounter meant for her feelings towards Kian. Would this fleeting connection alter her perspective, or was it simply a momentary detour in her journey of admiration and affection?

As her emotions reached a breaking point, an overwhelming surge of feelings engulfed her. Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes, seemingly out of nowhere, cascading down her cheeks, reflecting the depth of her emotions.

The stranger noticed her tears and paused the kiss, gently wiping them away with a handkerchief. As he did so, he couldn't help but admire her face illuminated by the moonlight - her expressive eyes, elegant nose, and captivating pink lips that enhanced her beauty.

The stranger handed the handkerchief to Kathryn and, without looking back, he ran towards the exit, disappearing into the darkness of the pathway.

Kathryn continued to gaze at the path where the man had disappeared, holding her lower lip with her hand. The rooftop, once a place of solace, had become a stage for unexpected revelations. Kathryn stood there, her heart racing, the echoes of the stranger's kiss still lingering on her lips, as she contemplated the uncharted territory of her emotions.