As I stood on the balcony with Luna,, the night wrapped around us like velvet. The moon was brilliant,, hanging low in the sky, casting a silver glow on everything below. Its light danced over the glass of my wine,, over the gentle folds of Luna's dress,, and shimmered in her eyes as she stood beside me. The distant hum of the party inside was muffled by the thick curtain we had slipped through. It was just us,, the stars,, and the soft breeze.
I glanced sideways at her,, a teasing smile curving my lips. She caught my gaze,, blinking in confusion.
"What??" she asked,, brows lifting. "Why are you looking at me like that??"
I tilted my head,, grin widening. "Why were you looking at Luka like that??"
Her cheeks colored instantly,, a telltale pink rising. "W-What?? No!! You're seeing things,," she stammered,, quickly looking away.
I chuckled,, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Don't lie to me,, Luna. I saw it... That little blush when you thought no one noticed you staring at him..."
She covered her face with her hands and groaned,, "Please stop teasing me..."
I leaned on the railing,, chin resting on my palm. "Then tell me the truth."
Luna peeked at me through her fingers,, then sighed,, admitting softly,, "It's nothing serious. Just… maybe a little attraction."
I gave her a knowing look,, voice low and playful. "Just a little??"
She turned her face away again,, but the blush didn't lie. I smiled and turned my gaze back to the moon,, the earlier joy softening into something more contemplative... My thoughts drifted away… to Adrian.
Why had he addressed me so formally earlier?? "Miss Rimi,," like we were strangers. Like he had never held my hand during that dance at Lily's wedding... Like we hadn't rescued Bella together. Like we hadn't whispered secrets under starlight or laughed reading our fortunes... That single word… Miss Rimi… it hurt..
Lost in thought,, I didn't notice the quiet footsteps behind me.
"How's Bella??"
I turned,, startled,, and there he was—Adrian. His tailored black suit shimmered slightly under the moonlight... His eyes, warm and deep,, searched mine. My heart did a slow flip.
"She's good,," I replied,, managing a smile. "She misses you."
He stepped closer,, standing beside me, resting his arms on the railing. "I miss our Bella too,," he said...
Our Bella... I felt something warm bloom in my chest.
Luna,, catching that word,, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Attraction,," she mouthed at me before slipping back into the party with a mischievous grin...
Adrian laughed lightly at her antics. The sound made my heart flutter... I glanced at him again,, smiling despite the confusion still sitting inside me...
He looked over,, eyes softer now. "I really missed you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Miss Rimi??" I asked, tilting my head. "That's what you called me in front of Mr. Kwon earlier,, right??"
He laughed again,, shaking his head. "Sorry, sorry!! I was just being professional."
I looked away. "Professional?? I thought you lost your memory…"
His voice turned gentle. "No... Never. Not even in my dreams. I could never forget you. My best memory is still that day we found Bella at Lily and Mike's wedding..."
I smiled, heart warming again. "Yeah… me too. That was one of my best memories."
He followed my gaze back to the moon. "Tonight's moon is beautiful,," he said. "I'll remember this night forever."
His tone wasn't just about the moon. It was as though he was speaking about me,, about us. I dared to look at him again, and our eyes locked... His eyes held so many questions—so much longing. Mine must've looked the same.
We stood there,, lost in each other,, the world slowing down around us. It felt like I was asking him without words:.. Who are you,, really?? And maybe… he was asking do you still remember us??
But before I could say anything,, a voice interrupted us.
"Excuse me,, Mr. William and Miss Rimi. Mr. Kwon is waiting for you both..."
We both turned. A woman with sleek black hair stood behind us... She was the same woman who had been lingering near Adrian all evening...
Adrian straightened. "This is my personal secretary,, Han Soo-min."
I extended a hand,, smiling politely. "Nice to meet you."
She shook my hand,, her expression unreadable. "Pleasure is mine,, ma'am."
But her eyes weren't smiling. I sensed tension beneath her calm exterior—like she didn't like me... I tucked the thought away for now.
Adrian glanced at his watch. "Come on. Let's not keep Mr. Kwon waiting..."
We entered the banquet hall,, warm lights glowing over chandeliers and glasses clinking softly as people mingled. The moment we walked in,, all eyes turned toward us. Mr. Kwon,, standing near a small stage with a glass in hand,, beamed at Adrian.
"There he is! The star of the night!!" Mr. Kwon announced.
Everyone clapped. Adrian gave a modest smile as Mr. Kwon raised his glass. "To Adrian William—our future!! And to the Seoul division's guiding star!!"
The crowd raised their glasses. I felt a mix of pride and nerves swell inside me as Adrian gently touched his glass to mine. "Cheers,," he said softly,, looking only at me.
"Cheers,," I whispered back.
As people returned to their conversations, Luna returned by my side,, practically dragging Luka and Clara with her. Oliver followed shortly after,, grinning like he had a secret.
"Look who I found by the buffet,," Luna said, eyeing Luka pointedly.
Luka rubbed the back of his neck,, cheeks slightly flushed. "The shrimp skewers were excellent."
Clara smirked. "Sure. That's why you were watching someone from across the hall..."
I widened my eyes,, looking at Luka. "Were you??"
He shrugged,, pretending to be cool. "Maybe. You looked… lost in the moonlight. Like a painting..."
Everyone fell into laughter,, but Luka's words echoed in my heart.
Oliver stepped forward,, his voice smooth. "Mr. William,, always nice to see you. But don't forget—she's under our watch tonight."
Adrian raised an eyebrow,, clearly catching the possessive note. "Noted,," he replied, his tone calm but pointed.
Tension brewed subtly as we all stood together,, an invisible line drawn in the space between Adrian and Luka. I felt like I was standing between two forces,, both pulling at me with their quiet intensity.
Luna,, ever the peacekeeper,, looped her arm through mine and whispered,, "You're trouble tonight,, you know that??"
I laughed softly. "I didn't do anything..."
"You don't have to,," she replied. "They're both circling you like you're the moon."
As we moved toward the dessert bar,, Clara tugged on my hand. "Come!! There's chocolate fondue!!"
I followed her, Luka close behind. He leaned in slightly. "You okay??"
I nodded, though a part of me still felt unsettled. "Just… thinking."
He gave a small smile. "Adrian brings a storm with him..."
I looked at Luka. "And you??"
"I bring the calm,," he said quietly.
The way he looked at me—so open,, so sincere—made my chest ache. Was it possible to feel torn between the past,, the present,, and the unspoken promises of both??
Later,, as the party progressed,, Mr. Kwon called Adrian to the stage again. "Say a few words,, will you??"
Adrian took the mic. His eyes swept the room,, then paused—for a heartbeat—on me.
"I want to thank everyone here tonight,," he began. "But most of all,, I want to thank someone who reminded me what beginnings feel like. Someone who taught me that silence doesn't mean emptiness,, and that sometimes,, a moment shared under the stars is louder than any words..."
Luna immediately turned to me,, her eyes widening. "Oh my God," she whispered,, squeezing my arm.
I didn't respond... My breath caught in my throat.
"That person reminded me how to feel again... They brought light when I didn't even know I was standing in the dark."
His voice softened,, and even though the room was filled with guests,, it felt like only we existed.
"I'll never forget that. And I'll keep that memory close—especially tonight,, under this beautiful moon."
Applause thundered through the hall,, but my heart was louder. Luna kept staring at me with a knowing smile,, and my hands trembled slightly at my sides...
I didn't need him to say my name...
I knew...
To be continue ...