Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

It was Saturday night, and the Martinez sisters are in Angel's room. Angel is busily working on her laptop while Alex is lying on her bed looking at something on her phone.

'Do you think I should make Richard my boyfriend now?" Alex suddenly asked.

Angel turned to face her. 'It's up to you. Do you want to do it?"

Alex sat up. 'But he never said 'I love you' yet."

Angel giggled. 'Maybe he really doesn't love you."

'I don't think so," said Alex. 'He's very nice and sweet to me."

'Because he likes you," Angel said. 'But that doesn't mean that he loves you."

'So, they're different?"

'Do you think love and like are the same?" Angel asked instead.

Alex pondered. 'No... So, he never said I love you yet, because he really doesn't love me?"

'He doesn't love you yet," Angel answered.

'Not yet... so that means, he will love me?"

Angel giggled again because of Alex's childishness.

'So, when is he going to love me?"

'I don't know!" Angel said. 'Other guys fall in love easily. Others take too long to fall in love."

'So even if we've known each other for three months, he hasn't said he love me because maybe, he's someone who's not easy to fall in love?"

Angel shrugged. 'Maybe. And also, you said yourself that you've only known each other for three months. Play hard-to-get a little."

'You're right, Ate. I will wait for him to say he loves me before I make him my boyfriend."

'Right. Do that."

'Why do you sound like an expert in love, Ate? Have you fallen in love already?" Alex suddenly asked.

"You're teasing me." Angel turned her back on Alex and continued working on her laptop. 'Get out of my room and don't disturb me. I'm very, very busy."

'What is that you're busy about, Ate?" Alex came to Angel and looked at her laptop. 'Don't tell me you have an assignment already. The midterms has just ended yesterday."

'I'm doing a survey for Mr. and Ms. JPIA. Business Week is in three weeks, so we need to look for our representative now."

'Can't you think of someone to join?"

'I know some students, but they might refuse. At least, if the entire JPIA body will choose, then the convincing part will be easier."

'Why don't you join, Ate?"

'Alex, I'm serious. Can you not disturb me please? I haven't started anything yet."

They suddenly heard a knock on the door. Alex went and opened it. It was one of their house staff.

'Your father wants to talk to you. He's in the dining room with your mother," she said.

'Mom has returned?" Alex asked.

'Probably," Angel said while standing up.

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The two sisters proceeded to the dining room where their parents were waiting for them. Benjie is sitting at the head of the table and Alice is on his right side.

'Sit down," Benjie said as their two daughters entered the room.

The two sisters sat down quietly. They instantly felt the coldness and firmness on their father's voice. Angel suddenly felt anxious, which intensified when Benjie looked at her. 'Your mother said Bryan de Vera applied for The Echo."

It was not a question, it's a statement that was stated with full blast certainty. 'Yes, Dad. But I did not accept him."

'I was also told that Elvie saw you at the CPRU parking lot one night. She also sees you eating lunch together at the cafeteria. And your actions suggest that you and that Bryan are not just ordinary friends." Angel looked at Alice. The mother is just looking in front with her poker face.

"And then, she saw you at the cinema, with him. I don't think that's only a coincidence. Especially when Elvie told me that you were next to each other."

Angel looked back at Benjie. Something seems to have blocked her throat that she suddenly cannot make herself speak.

"Tell me the truth, Angelica. Please, swear to me that you will tell me the truth."

Angel swallowed. 'Yes, Dad."

'Is Bryan de Vera your boyfriend?"

And what Angel feared finally happened. Benjie found out about Elvie's misconception. But before she could explain herself, Benjie's attention shifted to Alex.

"And I suppose you also know what I'm saying, Alex. You're with your sister when she went to the cinema."

'Dad..." Alex is also nervous. She looked at Angel.

'Alex?" Benjie asked.

That question made Alex more nervous. 'Dad, y-you see..."

And Angel did what she had to do. "Don't blame her, Dad! It's all my fault."

Benjie looked at Angel. 'So it's true? Bryan de Vera is really your boyfriend?"

Angel looked down. What is she going to say? Will she tell him that Bryan is only a friend? But even befriending him is prohibited in the first place. Will she tell him that Bryan is just a classmate? But why are they together in the theater? What reason will she say about her sitting beside Bryan in the cinema when Elvie saw them? Or, will she just tell him that Bryan is her boyfriend? But that is not true.

'I'm sorry, Dad..." was what Angel managed to say.

A moment of silence followed. Angel just remained looking down. Alex looked at her, and upon seeing her reaction she bowed down as well. Alice tried to hold back the tears that formed in her eyes. And as for Benjie... the pain is very evident on his face.

'When did you learn to keep secrets from us?"

Angel looked at her father. 'Dad..."

'Do you know what hurts the most? It's not the fact that Bryan is a de Vera. It's the reality that you, of all people, have lied to us! You deceived us. You fooled me!"

Alex can feel the pain on Benjie's words. She wants to go to him and hug him. She has always been an obedient daughter. She might not be as sweet as Alex, but she is also not as disobedient and impish as her younger sister. That's the reason why her parents are very disappointed to her right now. They trusted her, because she gave them the assurance that they could trust her. And she betrayed their trust.

But what could she do? Will she tell them the truth? Even if she does that, she is still guilty because she allowed Alex to do what their parents forbid. What if she just tell them another lie? Her lies are piling up as high as Mount Everest and she can't stand it anymore.

"I'm very disappointed in you."

'Dad..." Angel felt the tears forming on her eyes. Of all people, her parents are the ones she does not want to disappoint. Because whatever she does, if she fails or succeed, her parents are always there to support her. Even if she does something wrong, they still try to understand her and their faith and confidence on her never fail. Except now.

Angel looked at her mother. Alice is still seemingly detached but she is obviously hurting. Angel looked back at her father. Benjie is looking at her direction, but his vision seems to pass through her. It's like she doesn't even exist in his sight. 'Ate..." Alex called her.

Angel was not able to take it anymore. She immediately went out of the dining room and headed straight to her bedroom. She slammed the door shut and she threw her body to the bed. She cried all the tears she can weep as if that could drown the hurt that she's feeling that moment.