Chapter 8: The Kiss Beneath the Moonlight
1635 Words
“Wait a sec… is that Emily?” Jayden Wu squinted toward the open field beyond the stables. A figure in dark green raced by on a sleek white horse, her hair flying like a banner behind her.
“Looks like it,” Ryan Lin replied, shading his eyes. “She’s… so good.”
Caleb Han whistled low. “Did you know she's a regular here?"
Isaac Qiu, standing just beside them in his usual silent pose, didn’t answer right away.
Jayden elbowed him playfully. “Big Boss… how’d you know she comes here?”
Isaac barely blinked. “I didn’t. I wanna try something new.”
Caleb grinned. “Sure you didn’t.”
Without waiting for permission, Caleb jogged off toward the paddock fence. “Emily!!”
The horse slowed at her tug. She dismounted smoothly, brushing her glove off and arching a brow.
“I’ve never seen you guys here before.”
“Blame Big Boss,” Jayden said, jerking his thumb toward Isaac. “He dragged us here. Guess he knew you'd be around.”
“I didn’t,” Isaac said coolly. “Coincidence.”
Emily smirked. “Right. Coincidence.”
Jayden narrowed his eyes. “So… what are you doing here?”
She rolled her eyes. “Playing basketball. Obviously.”
Jayden groaned. “Okay, sarcasm noted.”
Emily patted the horse’s neck. “This is my family’s stable. This is Star Queen I've told you guys. Star Queen here is my favorite ride. We’ve been doing laps since I was ten.”
That stunned them.
“Wait—this is your place?” Jayden blinked.
Emily nodded, amused at their expressions. “Surprised?”
Caleb narrowed his eyes. “Hold on, hold on. You mean to tell us… Isaac knew about this place, he brought us here to ride horses?
Emily blinked. “You’re making it sound like a conspiracy.”
“Because it feels like one,” Jayden muttered.
Noah shrugged. “He’s been suspiciously… strategic lately.”
“You all done?” Emily smirked. “I was going to offer you guys a ride, but now I might change my mind.”
Ryan held up his hands. “No shade. Just... very interested observers.”
Jayden stepped closer to Star Queen. “So... can we meet the queen?”
“She doesn’t let just anyone ride her,” Emily said.
Jayden pouted.
“Okay, serious question,” Caleb said, eyeing the others. "Who doesn't know how to ride?”
Every finger pointed directly at Isaac Qiu.
Even Ryan didn’t hesitate.
Isaac glared at all of them.
Emily covered her mouth to hide a grin. “So… the great Big Boss only know how to dunk in heels. It's only two months, but you already forgot.”
He looked vaguely betrayed.
She stepped forward. “I’ll teach you. Consider it payment for the basketball lesson.”
All three guys froze.
“WHAT BASKETBALL LESSON?!” they shouted in unison.
“Last company retreat. Two months ago,” she replied casually.
They all turned slowly to Isaac. Suspicion in their eyes.
Caleb leaned toward Ryan and whispered—loudly enough for everyone to hear—“He already made his first move.”
Isaac cleared his throat. “Let’s start the lesson.”
Without another word, he followed Emily to the training paddock.
Jayden started after them but Caleb grabbed his arm. “Nope. Not invited.”
Jayden pouted. “I wanna see how he looks on a horse.”
“I’m protecting your life,” Caleb deadpanned.
Ryan folded his arms. “But wait… Big Boss never taught anyone basketball before. Not even Vivian.”
They all paused.
Jayden blinked. “I do remember when I tried to teach Vivian how to play pool—”
“—and Big Boss showed up, took the cue from your hand and said, ‘I’ll teach you so you don’t have to associate with him,’” Ryan and Caleb recited in unison, mimicking Isaac’s ice-cold expression.
Caleb laughed. “Guy was jealous even before he admitted it.”
Jayden whistled. “So… if he let Emily teach him something… that’s saying a lot.”
Ryan nodded slowly. “That Emily girl… she really broke through that steel shell.”
“Honestly?” Caleb smiled. “I’m just glad he’s finally interested in someone again.”
They looked off to the paddock where Emily was adjusting Isaac’s grip on the reins, her fingers brushing his gloved hand. He stood stiffly, visibly tense.
Jayden leaned in. “We were seriously starting to worry, y’know?”
Caleb nodded sagely. “Three years without dating. It was either romance or… yoga retreats and hairless cats.”
Ryan shuddered. “Or worse…”
All three shared a dramatic glance and crossed themselves like monks.
“Thank God for Emily.”
***
“Come! Come see this!” Jayden Wu barged into Emily’s cubicle, waving a flyer like a madman.
She blinked at the flapping paper now blocking her view. On it, bold letters read:
“3D2N Boathouse Retreat – Disconnect to Reconnect.”
Emily raised an eyebrow. “Jayden, we literally just got back from a company retreat.”
“Yeah, but this is different. Look—river, stargazing deck, no signal! It’s romantic… I mean relaxing!” he winked.
“I’m out.” Caleb Han snatched the flyer. “She’s not going with you. She’ll go with a real man. Me.”
“Tch. Delusional.” Emily rolled her eyes.
From the next cubicle over, Ryan Lin overheard. “Why don’t we all go? The more, the merrier.”
Isaac Qiu glanced up from where he was reviewing reports with Ryan. He didn't comment, but his eyes flickered toward Emily, unreadable.
“Wait—just me and her would’ve been fine…” Jayden muttered under his breath.
“I’ll go only if everyone’s going,” Emily said, dismissively.
Jayden sighed, defeated. “Fine. Group trip it is.”
“Tomorrow. Port at 9.” Caleb grinned. “Pack light. We ride waves.”
***
The boathouse cruise was just as beautiful as promised. Everyone had a room, and the lazy drifting down the river gave them a strange peace they hadn't had in years.
Emily stood at the edge of the deck, her arms resting against the railing, eyes fixed on the horizon bathed in a lavender sunset. Noah was barbecuing nearby, and the soft hum of conversation filled the evening air.
Dinner passed. Laughter. Banter. A hint of wine. Slowly, people retreated to their rooms.
Emily tossed and turned in hers, blanket pulled to her chin. But she couldn’t sleep. Not in strange places. Not ever. She finally slipped out of bed and crept quietly to the deck again, drawn by the moonlight reflecting across the rippling water.
It had been years since she returned to China. And yet the pain of losing her family still clung to her like shadow.
She didn’t hear footsteps behind her until he spoke.
“You can’t sleep?”
She turned slightly. “No. You?”
Isaac stepped beside her, silent. The river shimmered beneath the moonlight. Time stilled.
Then, in one sudden motion, he reached out and pulled her against his chest. Her breath caught in her throat. Before she could ask what he was doing, his lips descended on hers—deep, searching.
She froze.
His warmth, his scent—everything overwhelmed her senses.
Then—
“Vivian…”
The name fell from his lips like a blade.
Her entire body went rigid.
It wasn’t her he saw.
It wasn’t her he kissed.
Emily jerked back, but in the panic of the moment, she tripped, her foot slipping on the slick deck.
“Ahhh!”
Isaac caught her wrist just in time, holding tight as she dangled above the water.
“Hold on!” he shouted.
The commotion roused everyone onboard. Doors opened. Footsteps pounded. Caleb, Jayden, Ryan, and Noah came rushing to the deck.
“Emily!” Caleb shouted.
Isaac used all his strength to hoist her back onto the deck. She collapsed onto the floor, legs trembling.
“What happened?” Ryan yawned.
“She slipped,” Isaac replied, panting.
Emily stood, wavering. “I couldn’t sleep… I came out for some air. I tripped. Isaac pulled me back. That’s all.”
Jayden squinted. “So you don’t mind being alone with him now?”
She didn’t answer. She just turned and walked back to her room, ignoring the whispers behind her.
***
The next morning. Emily opened her door—only to find Isaac already standing outside.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“For what?”
“Last night. For… calling you by the wrong name.”
“It’s fine,” she said, forcing a smile. “Let’s pretend it didn’t happen.”
He stepped closer. “But I remember everything.”
“I’d rather forget.” Her voice barely a whisper.
Then she shut the door.
***
Later that morning, after breakfast and awkward silences, Emily excused herself and returned home. The moment she stepped into her apartment, she dropped her bag and stood under the hot spray of her shower.
She let the water pour down her face, mixing with the tears she didn’t let fall earlier.
Stupid.
Stupid for letting herself believe—even for a second—that the kiss meant something.
Even more stupid for how much it hurt when he called her Vivian.
She cursed herself, pressing her palms against the cold tiles, crying as the guilt and humiliation washed over her.
She knew this man still lived in the past.
And she was not his past.
She was just collateral in the ruins of someone else’s love story.
- Writer
