Meanwhile, the man—tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding an aura of quiet intensity in his all-black ensemble—was the embodiment of "tall, dark, and handsome." His presence was understated yet electrifying, a stark contrast to the woman's flamboyant style.
"Kai?" Luna's mind raced, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. "Kai and this woman are a thing?" Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. The scene before her was a sudden and unexpected jolt to her carefully constructed sense of peace.
He's changed so much, Luna thought, a breathlessness catching in her throat. We saw each other at the airport, but it felt like a lifetime. I still can't believe it...this new aura he has. Before, I thought he was handsome, of course—tall, masculine, the whole heartthrob package. But this...this is different. It's like he's radiating something...intense. His features are sharper now, more defined. That sharp nose, those piercing eyes...they're so much more intense, giving his face a depth.
The warmth of the patio and the laughter of her friends all faded into the background as her attention was consumed by the new arrivals.
The broad shoulders that had always been a source of comfort now seemed to hold the weight of the world. His upright posture and the way he carried himself exuded an authority that made Luna feel both safe and strangely intimidated. It was as if he'd been sculpted by the very forces that had tested him, his physique a testament to his unwavering dedication.
He's not just handsome anymore, Luna thought, a shiver running down her spine. He's...something else. He's become the epitome of a man forged by time and trials. It's like he's been carved from stone, each line on his face a testament to his strength. Luna's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the sudden hush of the room.
Luna couldn't help but steal a glance, her gaze drawn to Kai, her heart skipping a beat. But she quickly pulled herself back, forcing a semblance of composure. "Wait, why am I even affected? I've moved on, haven't I? This means nothing to me! Wait, who says I was affected?" But as their eyes met, Luna instinctively averted her gaze, a wave of heat flushing her cheeks. "Oh my God, what is this? I feel like I'm back in high school!" She caught Jovy's gaze, a knowing look in her friend's eyes that seemed to be reflecting her turmoil. Feigning indifference, Luna busied herself with her wine, trying to mask the turmoil within.
"Hey, it's Kai!" Josh's boisterous voice cut through the tension, oblivious to the silent drama unfolding between Luna and Kai. He waved enthusiastically. "Hey, man! Over here!" His obliviousness only served to heighten the tension, a stark reminder of the past that Luna thought she had left behind.
The warm glow of the setting sun and the gentle sound of the waves all seemed to fade away as Luna struggled to regain her composure, her heart pounding in her chest as she grappled with the unexpected return of feelings she thought she had buried long ago.
Kai and the woman approached Luna's table, their movements radiating a shared aura of cool confidence. Josh greeted Kai with a wide, enthusiastic smile and a hearty embrace. Luke, quieter and more reserved, offered a brief but warm tap on Kai's shoulder, a knowing smile playing on his lips. Their exchange held a subtle unspoken communication, a silent language understood only by them.
Marley and Tanya, meanwhile, practically leaped forward, their hugs intense and heartfelt, as if they had been reunited with long-lost treasures. The scene was a mix of happy reunion and hidden tension, you could feel it in the air.
"Wow, it's been ages, Kai! I thought you'd forgotten us! You've gotten even hotter!" Marley teased, her smile wide and unrestrained. Luna noticed the woman accompanying Kai roll her eyes subtly, her expression disapproving of Marley's enthusiastic embrace.
Jovy immediately turned her attention to the woman, who wholeheartedly approached her. "Marga! So glad you could make it!" she exclaimed, her genuine delight evident. The two women embraced warmly, their easy familiarity suggesting a long-standing friendship.
Watching Jovy's enthusiastic welcome of Marga, a sharp pang of something akin to jealousy pierced Luna's heart. Wow, Jov, really excited to see her? But when it was me, you were indifferent? Great, so now you have favorites, she thought, suppressing the sting of disappointment and resentment. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a subtle expression of her internal conflict.
"Hey Kai, Luna's here!" Josh shouted, not noticing the tension. He even laughed, making the awkward moment worse. "Luna, this is Marga, Kai's girlfriend!"
Luna rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Josh? Do you have to be so loud? Of course, he saw me already because I'm just next to Luke...Duh..." she thought.
"Hi, Luna," Kai greeted her casually, his tone light, but his eyes were cold. "How have you been?" he added, feigning surprise. "This is Margaret, my girlfriend," he introduced her smoothly, his manner casual and almost dismissive as if their past held no significance. He looked around like he was searching for someone. Then he added, "Your husband isn't with you?"
As if we haven't seen each other at the airport? Luna thought, trying hard not to snap.
"Hi... I'm good..." Luna greeted Kai with a casual, almost emotionless smile, her face a carefully constructed mask. A quick peck on Kai's cheek followed a gesture of casual courtesy meant to convey that everything was fine, no big deal. But inside, a knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach, a subtle tremor of unease that betrayed her calm exterior. She turned to Marga, her smile slightly warmer, more genuine. "Hello, I'm Luna," she said, making a conscious effort to keep the interaction light and friendly. Luna offers a handshake and light cheek-to-cheek.
Despite the turmoil churning within – the ghost of her past relationship with Kai and the presence of his current girlfriend – Luna was determined not to let the situation become awkward. Politeness, she decided, was the best defense.
"Yeah... My husband's busy," she replied to Kai's question, her tone as flat and unemotional as if he'd asked about her morning grocery run. For a fleeting moment, she caught a flicker of something—recognition? Longing?—in Kai's eyes, but she quickly looked away, determined not to give him any reason to misinterpret her reaction.
The carefully constructed wall around her emotions felt fragile, threatening to crumble under the weight of unspoken feelings.
"It's good to see you, Luna." Marga's voice held a genuine warmth, a sincerity that felt both welcoming and slightly unnerving. "I've known about you for a while now. I've been wanting to meet you since you and Kai were in college. I've heard so much about you." Her tone was confident and elegant, yet there was an undercurrent to her words that sent a shiver down Luna's spine. "I was curious... You were so approachable and well-loved by everyone. How are you now?" Marga's gaze swept over Luna, assessing her from head to toe, a subtle appraisal that felt invasive. "Did you pursue modeling or acting, like your mother?"
Luna's carefully maintained composure faltered. The casual conversation had taken a sharp turn, a subtle shift into a territory of unspoken judgment. She forced a smile, a strained attempt to mask the sudden discomfort that washed over her. "Uh... no, I'm a full-time housewife now," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but the words felt hollow, even to her ears. A wave of self-doubt washed over her. Why am I suddenly so uncomfortable? she wondered. Once, she'd been proud to be a housewife, happy to share that part of her life. But now, a sharp pang of something akin to regret, or perhaps disappointment, accompanied the words. The easy confidence she usually possessed had vanished, replaced by a nagging sense of inadequacy under Marga's scrutinizing gaze.
Marga laughed, a sound that held a note of disbelief. Luna's eyebrows furrowed, but she quickly smoothed out her expression as Marga turned back to her. "Oh... I'm sorry if I came across as rude," Marga said, still laughing, but the laughter felt strained, lacking genuine mirth. "It's just... I never imagined Luna Alvarez as a full-time housewife. I mean, back in college, you were the 'it girl.' Everyone expected you to follow in your mother's footsteps. To hear you're a housewife now—it's just... unexpected."
A chill settled over the group. The sudden shift in the atmosphere was evident, everyone felt the tension. Luna swallowed, fighting to regain her composure. She forced a smile, but a steely determination, a quiet pride, shone in her eyes. She's trying to undermine me, to make me feel small, Luna thought, a surge of anger quickly replaced by a steely resolve. "Well, we can't always predict the future, can we? But honestly, I'm perfectly happy with my life now. I wouldn't change a thing. I love being a housewife," she said, her voice firm and unwavering. The words were a shield, protecting her from Marga's subtle judgment.
Marga fell silent. The confident smile faltered, replaced by a strained, almost forced expression. She nodded curtly in agreement, a subtle acknowledgment of Luna's quiet defiance. Luna's friends, sensing the tension between the two women, sprang into action. Josh, ever the peacemaker, quickly changed the air. "Okay, everyone, let's relax! No flashbacks, okay? Let's focus on the party. We can save the reunion drama for another day."
Luna let out a slow breath, a wave of relief washing over her as the conversation shifted. But she couldn't ignore Kai's gaze, lingering on her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He seemed to want to speak, to say something but was holding himself back. What is he thinking? Stop assuming things, Luna, she chided herself, trying to quell the rising tide of hope and anxiety. The carefully constructed calm facade she'd maintained was beginning to crack, revealing the vulnerability beneath.
When Luna glanced at Jovy again, Jovy's look was sharp, almost accusatory. Was she watching my every move? Jovy's silent observation only added to the weight of what Luna was already feeling.