Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

Friday came and the plan to go to the movies went ahead as the four came to Tarlac Downtown Cinema, the biggest movie house in the city. The first to come were Richard and Bryan, because Alex's exam finished last. When the two sisters arrived, the two cousins already bought the tickets, plus popcorns and Coke Zero in can.

Bryan gave popcorn and soda to Angel, while Richard only gave soda to Alex.

'Where is my popcorn?" Alex asked frowning.

'Let's just share mine," Richard said.

'Okay." Alex smiled at him.

Angel sneered. 'Really?"

Richard smiled at her shyly. Angel just shook her head.

The four went inside the cinema. The seats were arranged like a stadium, and since it's Friday, there aren't many moviegoers inside. Alex and Richard were the first to find a seat. Angel was about to follow them, but Bryan held her hand to stop her.

'Just let them be alone since they missed each other," he told Angel.

'They see each other every day," Angel said.

'While reviewing? Just let them relax together."

Bryan looked at Angel trying to convince her. In the end, she finally conceded.

'Fine. But I have to see what they're doing."

'Richard is a good guy. He won't do anything you would not like."

"I insist."

"Fine."

The two of them sat two steps higher than Richard and Alex. That way Angel can still see what the two are doing.

The movie then started. Angel, though, is busy observing Richard and Alex. Bryan was right, she realized. Richard is really a good guy. He's not taking advantage of Alex and he didn't even put his arm around her shoulder. She's not sure if their hands are holding, though, but overall, she's pleased with his behavior.

And so, Angel was able to enjoy the movie. She is not a fan of superhero movies, but she liked the story since it also has a tinge of romance in it. She also like the comedy aspect and of course, the top of the line visual effects. After the movie, the lights went back on and Angel was preparing to go out, when someone from behind called her.

"Angel!"

Angel was dumbfounded as she watched Elvie come towards her. 'Auntie... Ma'am..." She doesn't know what to call her. She also started panicking inside as she remembered that Alex is still with Richard.

'Wow! Having a good time after the midterms, huh? With your boyfriend, of course." Elvie looked at Bryan and smiled.

'Boyfriend?" Angel followed Elvie's gaze and found Bryan.

'Hi Ma'am!" Bryan said to Elvie.

'Hi! How romantic! Movie date after the midterms."

'Date?' Angel looked at Elive. Is she thinking that Bryan de Vera is her boyfriend?

"Ma'am, I think you're-"

Angel stopped talking as Elvie's phone beeped. The latter looked at it and read the message.

'I have to go," Elvie said. 'See you around. Bye!"

Elvie left them. Angel wanted to explain but all she did was follow her with her gaze. Alex and Richard then came to them. "Did she just think that I'm your boyfriend?"

Angel looked at Bryan.

'What is that?" Alex asked. 'Bryan is now your boyfriend, Ate?"

'Whoa! That was fast," Richard said. 'You just took her to the movies."

"No, you don't get it, Richard," Angels said. "Tita Elvie is our mother's friend."

"Oh no! Tita Elvie was the one who said that?" Alex suddenly felt worried.

'What if she tells Mom about what she saw?" Angel is really terrified.

'What if she doesn't?" Bryan asked. 'Let's not panic yet. It might just pass. Or maybe, Ma'am Elvie is just joking."

'I hope that's the case," Angel said. 'If not, then I'm doomed."

"Let's just hope for the best," Richard said.

Alex looked at her sister as she also felt worried about what had just happened. She suddenly felt guilty that her sister is at risk just because she wanted to be with Richard. If something bad will happen, she should be the one to suffer and not her sister who just wanted to help her.

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***************

And what Angel feared really happened. The next day, Saturday, Elvie and Alice met at the Melting Pot Hotel, together with their other friends - Raquel Cordova, the owner of Casa Rafaela and wife of a partner in MPCF; and Pricilla Feliciano, also a wife of another partner in MPCF.

Alice and Raquel were the first to come. They came together since they both live in Moonville. The next to arrive was Elvie.

"Sorry, I'm late." She kissed them on the cheeks. 'I accompanied my daughter in buying her dress to her cousin's wedding. You know teenagers, they can't seem to choose what they like."

'Why didn't you just bring her to Casa?" Raquel asked, pertaining to her dress shop Casa Rafaela.

Elvie sat down beside Alice. 'There's not much time. I asked her to prepare a long time ago, but she did nothing but procrastinate. The wedding is two days from now."

'She might be busy with her exams," Alice said. 'My two daughters are so busy reviewing I can't even talk to them."

'Unfortunately, that's not the case," Elvie said. 'She's busy with her boyfriend."

'So it's the boyfriend again?" Raquel asked.

'What else could it be?" Elvie answered. 'My God, they're inseparable! I actually would like to ask them if I should organize their engagement party, or maybe plan their wedding." The two giggled at Elvie's sentiments.

'Kids are different nowadays," Raquel said. 'They're just dating, but they act as if they will stay forever."

'Exactly," Elvie said. 'That's why I always tell my husband to talk to our daughter. She's not yet done with her studies. What if she suddenly gets pregnant?"

'I think Shaira is responsible enough to not do something she'll regret after," Alice said.

'I agree. I trust our Shaira," Elvie said. 'But the boyfriend? No! Unlike you, Angel's boyfriend is such a good boy."

"What?" Alice frowned.

'Bryan de Vera," Elvie said. 'Your daughter is lucky she's dating the most eligible male student in BS. One of the best students in the School. Kind, and he comes from a good family." "Bryan de Vera..." Alice contemplated.

'When I saw them in the parking lot that time, they were so sweet. Bryan is assisting Angel in riding her car like a gentleman. Then, they always eat lunch together, which is good because I always see Angel eating lunch alone. But, I'm surprised you allowed her to go to the movies with him? I thought you and Benjie are supper strict when it comes to your daughters."

Alice wasn't able to react to what Elvie said.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! 'Bryan de Vera, the son of Raul and Helen de Vera of Tarlac General Hospital?" Raquel asked.

'Exactly," Elive answered. 'They're also from Moonville, right?"

'Right," Raquel answered. 'Helen is one of our regulars in Casa. Bryan always accompanies her when she picks up her order from the shop. He's such a very nice kid."

'Alice is really lucky," Elvie said. 'Her daughter's boyfriend is not a pain in the neck. If only Shaira's boyfriend is like Bryan, I would even have them get married immediately."

Raquel and Elvie laughed at the latter's statement. Meanwhile, Alice is just quietly listening as she contemplates about the information she just heard. Then, their friend Pricilla arrived. She immediately kissed her friends as a greeting. 'Sorry, I was late. I just have to finish something about work," Pricilla said.

'TGH seems to be torturing you, huh?" Raquel asked. 'It's weekend."

'Maybe her boss is a slave driver," Alice said. She can't help but sound annoyed like how he feels.

'Hey, don't be like that to your future in-laws," Elvie said.

'In-laws?" Pricilla asked with a frown.

'Let's not talk about that, okay? We're here because you asked us to come," Alice said to Pricilla just to avoid the subject.

'Oh, yeah," Raquel agreed. 'What was that you want to tell us?"

"Well, my dear friends, I don't know if this is a good or a bad news," Pricilla started.

'What is it?" Elvie asked curiously.

'Our VISA for Australia has been approved," Pricilla announced.

The three were surprised at the news. All of them were happy for their friend.

'At last, you'll be with your parents," Elvie said.

'Yeah. We waited for this for so long. Mom even said that she might die waiting for us to migrate," Pricilla said.

"I'm happy for you, Pres," Raquel said as she held on Pricilla's arm.

"Thank you, Raqui," Pricilla said with a smiled.

The four of them continued talking about Pricilla's migration to Australia. Elvie and Raquel totally forgot about Angel and Bryan, but not Alice. She cannot take them off her mind.

She can't believe Angel can do that. She knows she's aware that she can't be friends with the de Veras. Then worse, he even became her boyfriend? What part did she fail into making her understand her command?

She can't stop the sudden rush of emotions inside her. She's mad because she was hurt that Angel disobeyed her order. Of all people, Angel was the last she would expect to defy her. She has never felt so disappointed in her daughter as much as she feels right now. And she's sure that is also what her husband will feel when she tells him what she discovered about their beloved daughter.