The Moon That Remembered My Face by Elias Rowan Montclair 128

At a lively gathering, Helena performs a song that earns enthusiastic applause and whistles from the crowd. William, pleased with the reception, gently takes Helena’s hand but insists she rest her hands since she hasn’t played in a while. The guests tease Helena about her flushed face, suggesting she’s shy about making things official with William, which leaves her momentarily speechless. Matthew, William’s friend, humorously offers to get her ice water, poking fun at her obvious embarrassment.

As the evening progresses, Matthew complains dramatically about being hungry after William’s demanding schedule, and Helena kindly serves him food and wine. Meanwhile, Lillian tries to bring up a serious topic with Helena, but Owen interrupts, knowing Helena would never agree to marry him. Lillian reveals a strange family expectation that Owen must marry a girl sharing her birth month, hinting at a clash between tradition and personal feelings. William firmly opposes the idea of Helena marrying Owen, especially given the familial ties, leading to a tense but unresolved conversation.

Later, Jane returns and invites Owen to play a duet with her by the bonfire. Their musical chemistry is evident, and the group notices the sparks flying between them. Helena playfully encourages the idea of Jane and Owen as a couple, while Lillian remains skeptical due to the birth month requirement. The atmosphere lightens as Oliver offers drinks, and the group enjoys the music and company.

Jane confesses to Owen that she started playing guitar because of him, revealing her feelings openly. Owen, caught off guard, looks uneasy but appreciative. Helena observes this interaction with a knowing smile, rooting for Jane’s bold move in love. The chapter ends on a hopeful note, highlighting the complexities of relationships and unspoken emotions among the group.

As the song ended, the whole place erupted into thunderous applause.

Some people even started whistling. “That was amazing. Helena, Mr. Ashford, play another one.”

Hearing the crowd cheer, William gave a little grin and rose to his feet, gently taking Helena’s hand.

“Thanks for the love, everyone, but Helena hasn’t played in ages, and her hands are getting all red. Let’s cut her some slack tonight, William said.

Someone whistled again. “Mr. Ashford is way too considerate.”

“For real, they’re serving up major couple goals and catching us off guard, another joked.

“Whoa, why is Helena’s face so flushed?” someone asked.

“Come on, what else? Of course she’s super shy right now!” someone laughed.

Helena was both amused and a bit flustered by everyone’s teasing, so she hurriedly tugged William back to their seats.

Matthew took one look at her cheeks-practically glowing red-and couldn’t help but throw in another jab.

“Helena, you need me to grab some ice water before you overheat? Seriously, you’re blushing so hard. Are you really this shy about making things official with William?” Matthew teased.

Helena was left speechless.

Helena was about to protest, but when she noticed Owen and the rest were all staring at her, she clamped her mouth shut. ‘Guess I’ll just keep playing dumb tonight.”

“Mr. Sinclair, have you guys eaten yet?” Helena asked.

“Wow, you actually remembered to ask if we’re starving. Matthew replied, hamming it up for effect.

Matthew shot her a look of mock misery. “Seriously, you have no idea-William wrapped up work and immediately roped me in as his personal chauffeur, sped us over here, wouldn’t even let me grab a sip of water. I’m so hungry right now, my stomach’s practically stuck to my spine!”

He was being extra dramatic, but he wasn’t really joking either.

Thanks to William’s ‘slave driver’ act today, he was honestly so wiped out and starving, he could wolf down a whole cow.

Helena hurriedly pushed the plate of barbecue the staff handed her over to Matthew and poured him a glass of wine herself.

Matthew flashed a mischievous grin. “Wow, you’re being so attentive. Honestly, it feels like I’m sitting at the main table at your and William’s wedding already.”

Helena let out a laugh, not sure what to say. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? Hurry up and eat.

“Getting shy again, stuffing me with food so I’ll shut up? Fine, I’ll eat,” Matthew teased.

Matthew flashed a roguish grin and clinked his glass with William’s.

William’s lips curled into a faint smile as he started eating with Matthew.

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Helena hung close by, helping pile food onto both their plates.

Off to the side, Lillian furrowed her brows, about to say something. “Helena, there’s still something I need to talk to you

about…

“Lillian, we’ve got company. Let them have some food first,” Owen interrupted, shaking his head.

Given the situation, Owen knew that no matter what Lillian said now, it wouldn’t change anything. Helena would never agree to marry him.

Lillian bit her lip, but could only hold her tongue for now.

Oliver adjusted his glasses, watching William eat with all the elegance you’d expect. For a second, something dark flickered in his eyes before he quickly dropped his gaze, hiding whatever was going on in his mind.

When Helena noticed Jane had come back, she didn’t forget about the little game she’d started earlier.

“Hey Jane, you’re back! Are you ready yet? I can’t wait to see you and Owen do a duet,” Helena teased with a smile.

This time, Jane didn’t hesitate at all. She shot a look at Owen and asked, “Owen, wanna play a duet with me?”

Owen had always been a gentleman, refined and graceful. Though he wasn’t really feeling it, he chose not to turn her down.

So the two of them grabbed their guitars, made their way over to the bonfire, and sat down side by side to play.

Playing and singing together, Jane would occasionally glance at Owen; her voice was gentle and full of feeling, clearly pouring all her emotions into the song.

“That was beautiful,” Helena said with a smile.

With a playful lift of his brow, William remarked, “Owen and Ms. Keller are every bit as good as us. Look at that chemistry- they’re totally in sync.”

Matthew, ever the sharp one, instantly caught on. He flashed a roguish grin. “Seriously, the way Ms. Keller’s looking at Owen? You can see the sparks flying between them.”

Helena jumped in with a grin. “Jane told me she and Owen really hit it off-seriously, they’ve got so much in common. If those two ever became a thing, everyone would be talking about it! Lillian, don’t you think they’d make an awesome couple?”

Lillian frowned thoughtfully. “Do you know when Jane’s birthday is?”

Lillian honestly wished Helena could be her sister-in-law, but if Helena kept turning him down, there really wasn’t much she could do.

Lillian thought, ‘Guess I’ll just have to look for another girl who shares my birth month.

‘As long as I don’t end up being the one marrying my brother, that’s all I care about. That’s my number one priority right

now.

“I think she was born in May,” Helena said after a moment’s thought.

“Nope, that’s not going to work. The master said my brother’s bride needs to share my birth month,” Lillian replied.

“Who’s this master you’re talking about? And why’s Owen supposed to marry a girl with your birth month?” Matthew asked, scratching his head at the weird logic.

Lillian just gave him a look and repeated what she’d told Helena a minute ago.

Matthew cocked an eyebrow, a skeptical look on his face. “Man, people really believe that stuff? This master sure knows how to make things complicated.”

William took a sip of his drink, his dark eyes shifting thoughtfully.

“Helena, yesterday my grandma actually took your birth chart and my brother’s, then mine and his, and had a master do a full compatibility reading. Lillian said, glancing at Helena with obvious urgency.

Lillian added. “The master said both our charts are a perfect fit for my brother. Grandma basically laid down the law-either I marry my own brother, or you do.

“Helena, there’s just no way I can go through with something that weird, so…. could you at least think about it?”

“I…” Helena felt herself freeze, lost for words.

“Absolutely not,” William interrupted, his face turning serious.

He said, “Ms. Lancaster, if the master says you and Owen are such a perfect match, then why won’t you marry your own brother?”

“He’s my brother, That would be incest,” Lillian shot back, her voice rising with anxiety.

William’s tone turned cold. “So how do you know Helena doesn’t think of Owen as her own brother, huh? If it’s incest for you, why wouldn’t it be the same for her?”

Lillian was struck dumb, her eyes welling up with tears as she turned to Helena. She shot Helena a desperate, pleading glance.

Helena’s heart went out to her, and she gently tugged William’s sleeve. “Just take it easy, okay?”

William slowly turned to look at her, his brows drawing together in concern.

“Alright, Lillian, let’s leave this for now. The view’s great tonight-why don’t we just cat and enjoy ourselves?” William said, gently steering the conversation back.

Oliver leaned in and offered a few soothing words to Lillian, trying to settle things down.

Lillian was still unhappy, but managed to bite her tongue thanks to her self-restraint. Instead, she picked at the food Eric served her, quietly fuming as she ate.

Oliver raised his glass and grinned at William and Matthew. “Mr. Ashford, Mr. Sinclair-first time meeting you both, so this round’s on me. Cheers!”

The three of them clinked their glasses and knocked back their drinks in one smooth motion.

Then Oliver got up and cheerfully topped off their glasses again.

Before long, Jane and Owen wrapped up their duet. Another round of applause and excited cheers rippled through the

crowd.

As soon as Jane and Owen settled back into their seats, Oliver hopped up and made sure to freshen both their drinks personally.

Helena grinned at Jane, her eyes full of admiration. “You really are a virtuoso, Jane! That was gorgeous. Owen, you gotta admit, right?”

Owen looked straight at Jane, nodded sincerely, and said, “It really was.”

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Helena, trying to keep the conversation going, grinned and asked, “So, you two must’ve played together back in school. right?”

“Yeah, we were both in the music club,” Owen replied, taking a sip of his drink.

“Honestly, I started out on the guzheng, but after I saw you playing guitar, I picked up guitar just because of you,” Jane said, her words coming out slow and tender.

There was no missing it—she was putting her heart out there, basically confessing right to his face.

When Owen met her clear, sincere gaze, his eyes darted away for a second-he looked a bit uneasy.

Helena had always liked to tease him, but Jane had never come right out and said it so directly before.

His cheeks were getting hot-he wasn’t sure if it was just the alcohol, or something else entirely.

Helena caught every little change in his expression and couldn’t help but smile. ‘Is Jane actually making a move here?’

‘Honestly, in love, it doesn’t always have to be the guy who takes the lead. Girls can totally make the first move too.

“They always say it’s way easier for a girl to go after the guy she likes-maybe with a bit more effort, she’ll have him wrapped around her finger.

Helena secretly rooted for her, grinning to herself.

The evening’s warmth and music created a tender backdrop for the complex emotions swirling among the group. Helena’s shy smiles and William’s protective presence contrasted with Lillian’s anxious pleas and the subtle sparks between Jane and Owen, weaving a delicate tapestry of love, loyalty, and longing. Despite the tension, there was a gentle acceptance in the air, a quiet understanding that not all hearts move at the same pace or follow the same path.

As the night unfolded, the characters found moments of connection and vulnerability, reminding us that love is as much about patience and respect as it is about passion and confession. The chapter closes on a hopeful note, with Helena silently cheering on Jane’s boldness, suggesting that sometimes, the courage to express one’s feelings can be the first step toward something beautiful and unexpected.

The next chapter promises to deepen the emotional currents swirling around Helena, William, and the others, as unspoken feelings and subtle tensions come to the surface. With Jane’s bold confession and Owen’s uneasy reaction, the delicate balance of relationships is poised to shift, inviting readers to explore the complexities of love from a fresh perspective. Helena’s role as both observer and participant will be more crucial than ever, as she navigates the undercurrents of affection and rivalry among her friends.

Meanwhile, the lingering pressure from Lillian’s insistence on the birth month match and the mysterious “master’s” decree hints at conflicts that may challenge loyalties and personal boundaries. William’s protective stance toward Helena adds another layer of intensity, suggesting that the coming days will test not only hearts but also the strength of bonds forged in friendship and family. Expect moments charged with vulnerability, unexpected alliances, and the kind of heartfelt revelations that keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Lucia Morh

Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.