Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

After the Question and Answer portion, the contestants were sent back to the back stage. Again there was an intermission number and after that, the contestants came out on the stage again for the awarding of special awards. Bryan won Best in Sports and Formal Wear.

'Bryan seems to win all the awards related to modeling," Alex said.

'He really knows how to carry himself," Angel explained.

'You're kind of aware of his good traits, huh?" Alex teased.

Angel did not answer and just let that pass. She's feeling nervous because the winners are about to be announced.

And so, after the awarding of the special awards, the runners up were announced. First is in the male category. The announcement went on, until only two contestants remain - Nick Jacinto of Operations Management Society, and Bryan. 'Ate, do you think Bryan will win?" asked Alex.

Angel did not answer. Yes, Nick only won two special awards - Best in Casual Interview and Best in Talent - but his performances with the other categories are also very good. He also has a good answer in the Q&A portion. "Ladies and gentlemen," started the female host. "The name that I will be calling is this year's Mr. Business School. And that person is..."

Drum roll. Everyone became more nervous, just like Angel and Alex who cannot calm down on their seats. Angel looked at Bryan who also looks nervous. He somehow sensed her looking, so he looked at her and their eyes met. "Our Mr. Business School is... Nick Jacinto!"

Bryan was surprised, but after that, he was able to breathe properly again. He congratulated Nick Jacinto by giving him a bear hug.

'Ate, Bryan lost," Alex said sadly.

Angel looked at Bryan. It seems that he's somehow glad that he didn't win and he will not represent Business School in Mr. & Ms. CPRU. That made her smile. 'That's what he wants."

Alex looked at Angel but did not ask again, especially because the winners for the female category are already being announced. And this time, JPIA won the crown. The two sisters were so happy, especially because Gina was the first runner up and she almost won.

'Ate, you won!" Alex said gleefully.

Angel is so happy she hugged her sister. After that, the two went with the other JPIANs and celebrated with them for their victory in the Ms. Business School.

******

Finally, Bryan was able to breathe easily again since the start of tonight's competition. A lot of people are congratulating him even if he's not really the winner. He shook hands with Nick and greeted him again. "You deserve it," he told him.

"You as well," Nick said. "You are also deserving."

Bryan just laughed. He then went to congratulate Kim.

'Congratulations!" He hugged her as well.

'Thanks," Kim said, looking overwhelmed at everything that's happening.

'See? You didn't even want to join at first."

Kim just smiled, then she was taken away by others who want to congratulate her. Bryan was left alone, and as he turned to move Gina was already in front of him. "Bryan!" She exclaimed as she hold on to him.

"Ugh!" He felt like his neck will break.

"I should have won, you know," said Gina. "But I don't want to compete in Ms. CPRU if you're not my partner. See? We're really a match. We're both first runners up."

Bryan winced at what she said. Fortunately, someone from her org called Gina so she had to leave. But before she leaves, she managed to kiss him. Bryan was stunned when Gina's lips touched his.

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

Angel was not able to move and her world seemed to suddenly stop. Her breathing seems to stop also as she saw Gina kissed Bryan on the lips.

Gina has already left, but Angel remained standing there looking at Bryan. She felt like she could not see him right now, so she turned around and decided to just leave.

But Bryan already saw her. 'Angel!"

Angel stopped on her tracks. She tried so hard to calm herself and hide the sadness she felt because of what she saw a while ago. She smiled as she faced him.

'I was looking for you," she explained as Bryan went near her. 'But I didn't see you, so I was about to leave."

Bryan suddenly held her hand. 'Thank you."

Angel smiled. 'Good thing you didn't dance."

Bryan laughed at what she said, then he suddenly remembered something. 'But I didn't win."

Angel's smile also faded. As if on cue, Hannah approached the two.

"Bryan! Congratulations!"

Both Angel and Bryan looked at Hannah in surprise.

'You're not mad at me?" Bryan asked.

'Of course not! You did great, and I know you did your best. Sadly, they chose someone else to win. But still, good job!" 'Thanks," was what Bryan managed to say.

'What's important is Kim won Ms. Business School," Hannah said. 'I have to go and see her now. Bye!" She left the two.

'I'm glad she's not mad," Bryan said.

'She's really so unpredictable," Angel commented.

Then Angel remembered that Bryan is still holding his hand. And he's not just holding it, but firmly and tightly. She stared at their hands because she suddenly seems to feel that strange feeling that only Bryan could give her.

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"Bryan de Vera."

Both of them looked at Benjie, who is standing beside Alice and a grimacing Alex.

"Saturday night. Seven PM. My house."

Bryan was too stunned to answer.

"Angelica, we'll wait for you outside." Benjie then left, followed by his wife Alice. Alex remained and managed to smile at the two.

"Congrats!" she told Bryan before leaving.

It took a few moments before Angel and Bryan recovered on their shock.

"What had just happened?" Bryan asked.

"I think... he just invited you to dinner... in our house."

They both looked at each other.

"Really?" Bryan asked.

"I think," Angel answered with hesitation.

Bryan smiled. "That means, my plan worked!"

Angel smiled as well. "I guess so..."

Bryan held her by the shoulders.

"This is it, Angel! This is the beginning!"

Angel was surprised when Bryan suddenly embraced her. She felt she can't move, not only because he's holding her, but because of that feeling that his embrace is giving her.

'We can finally fulfil our mission. We can now fix everything."

Bryan let go and looked at her. Angel just remained staring at him.

'I'm very happy," Bryan said.

Angel just keep staring, and Bryan seems confused at her reaction. He frowned, and Angel wanted to speak but couldn't. It seems like her voice suddenly left her, especially since he's still holding her. Fortunately, Bryan's parents suddenly came. Or, should Angel really be thankful they came?

'Bryan Hijo!" Helen immediately embraced her child.

'Mom!" Bryan looks like he's being strangled.

'You were amazing!" She kissed him all over his face.

'Mom!" Bryan tries so hard to escape.

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Helen is with her husband Raul, and Richard and his parents Ricardo and Gloria are also with them.

'Auntie, he's embarrassed because his girlfriend is there," said the smirking Richard.

That's when everyone noticed Angel. The four adults looked at her, and Angel suddenly felt nervous. She swallowed and can't seem to speak.

"Hija," Raul said as he moved closer to Angel. "Nice to meet you." He held out his hand.

Which Angel accepted. Raul's hand is warm as if reciprocating the warm welcome his family is extending to her.

"Hija!" Helen went to Angel and hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. "You know, I'm so happy to finally meet you. You have been a good influence on Bryan. Before he's not interested in those kinds of things. But now that you're in his life, he's beginning to explore all his potentials."

"Mom!" Bryan said, obviously embarrassed.

"What's wrong? I'm just happy to finally meet Angel."

"By the way, Angel," said Raul. "This is my sister, Glory, and this is her husband, Ricky. And of course, I'm pretty sure you've met Richard."

"Of course, Uncle," Richard confirmed. "I'm the one who's helping Bryan court Angel."

Gloria also greeted Angel with a kiss on the cheek. Ricardo shook her hands.

"So, let's celebrate?" Helen said, looking very excited. "I asked the maids to cook dinner. Angel, come with us, okay?"

"Ah... My dad is waiting for me," she declined.

All of them fell silent.

"Next time, maybe," Raul just said.

Angel nodded, then smiled. "Next time."

"Yes, next time you need to join us, okay?" Helen said. "I'll cook my specialty for you."

"Sure. Ahm, I need to go now," Angel said.

"Okay," Raul said.

Angel nodded to the others as a way to say goodbye. But before she could leave, Bryan held her hand again.

"Angel."

She looked at him. Bryan suddenly embraced her, and Angel was surprised.

"Good night," Bryan said.

Angel knows that Bryan only did that because his parents and relatives are there. They have to show them that they really love each other, so she returned the embrace and hugged him back.

"Good night," she said as well.

When they separated, Angel smiled at him before letting go.

"Bye," Richard told her.

Angel just smiled at him. She is still a bit overwhelmed by what happened. She didn't expect Bryan to hug her like that. Fortunately, she and Alex were with their parents on the way home, sparing her from her sister's prying about the happenings on the backstage with Bryan and his family.