Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

Alex did not stop until Angel tells her what happened backstage when the latter met Bryan's parents and relatives. She immediately followed Angel to her room, making sure their parents could not hear the conversation they are about to have. 'What do you need?" Angel asked, quite irritated.

'Come on, Ate. Tell me what happened," Alex said as she went to Angel's bed.

'What do you want me to tell you?" Angel also sat opposite her.

'You know... what happened?"

Angel looked away. 'Nothing happened between me and Bryan."

'And what else should have happened?" Alex asked. 'What I mean was, with Bryan's parents."

'You know I met them?"

"Yes," Alex answered. 'Remember, Mom and Dad went ahead of me? I saw Joshua, and he's with Nick. So I stopped to congratulate him, then I saw Bryan's parents enter the backstage."

Angel has no choice but to give in to her request. 'Well, I met them."

'Are they nice, Ate?" Alex looked like she's the one getting excited.

'Yes. His dad seems kind of reserved, though. Maybe he's thinking about his issue with Dad. Bryan's mom is very friendly. I feel like she's very kind and sweet." She smiled as she remembered Helen. 'Wow! It seems like the whole family likes you."

'I don't know. Maybe they're just compelled to be nice because I'm Bryan's girlfriend, and they think he's in love with me."

'Whatever the reason is, at least another problem is solved... How about Richard's parents?"

'You really can't help but asked, huh?" Angel teased.

'Of course, they are my love's family." Alex smiled shyly.

'I knew it," Angel said. 'I didn't talk with them that much, unlike Bryan's parents. But Richard's parents seem okay as well." 'Oh!" Alex laid on the bed. 'I hope I could meet them."

"You will," Angel said. 'Remember, Bryan's plan worked. Dad invited him to have dinner with us on Saturday."

'Oh yeah." Alex sat down as she felt excited again. 'Are you excited, Ate?"

'Not as excited as you are." Angel smiled.

'I wonder what will happen on Saturday." Alex suddenly became serious. 'I hope everything will be okay."

'I hope so, too..."

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

Richard didn't leave Bryan alone as well. After their dinner at the de Vera mansion, he followed his cousin to his room.

'Bry! Come on, Cuz. Tell me what happened."

'What will I tell you?" Bryan put down his things on his bed.

'What happened to you and Angel."

'Nothing happened, okay? Now go home. Your parents already left."

'Bry, please don't be too grumpy."

'Because I don't have anything to tell you!"

Richard sat down on Bryan's bed. 'You are holding her hand when we came."

Bryan looked like a kid who was caught doing something mischievous. He was taken aback at what Richard said. 'Well... of course, she's my girlfriend."

'Girlfriend? Really?"

Bryan did not answer. Instead, he said, 'Stop it! Someone might hear you."

'Cuz, don't be too paranoid."

'I'm not paranoid! Just what do you really want? You're too nosey for a guy."

'I don't care whatever you say, but I'm not leaving here until you tell me everything about you and Angel."

'But what should I tell you?" Bryan also sat down.

'You and Angel. It seems like something is going on between you two. Is that right?"

'How can you say that?"

'You were holding her hand."

'That? I can also do that to you. Give me your hand."

Bryan moved closer to Richard, but the latter moved away.

'Stop with your foolishness, will you?"

Bryan smirked. 'You were asking about holding hands."

'How about when you hugged her and wished her good night?"

"Well..." Again, Bryan can't find an answer to Richard's question.

'See? You don't know what to say, because you did that because that's what you want to do. You can't even say that you did that because she is your pretend girlfriend. That's because you can't lie. That's why I think something is going on between you and Angel."

'Is that so?" Bryan looked away.

'Yes. You look at her differently, like there's this invisible current that connects your eyes to hers."

'Wow! When did you become a poet?"

'That's how you are when you're in love." Richard beamed at him.

'Go away." Bryan turned his back on him.

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'It seems like the curse has returned."

'Curse?" Bryan looked at him again.

Richard smirked. 'I just remembered. When you were in first year college, you told me something."

Bryan contemplated. 'What is it?"

"You told me then that there's this girl who really caught your attention. You said she looks so mysterious. She's quiet, always alone, and she doesn't talk with your classmates. But because you like her, you tried everything to get her attention. You did all that you think can make her interested in you, but nothing worked. She still would not even look at you."

Bryan smiled as he remembered that memory.

"And so, you decided to change your strategy. Instead of being nice and cool and sweet, you just did the opposite. You decided to bully her and do some pranks on her so that she would give you even just a second glance. And, do you remember the name of that girl?"

"I told that to you?"

"Of course! Her name is Angelica Simone Pascual Martinez."

Bryan just smiled.

'So, don't deny it anymore, okay? You've been caught already."

"Okay, I surrender." Bryan even raised his hands.

"You like her."

"I..." Again, he doesn't know what to say.

"You like her! Admit it."

Bryan sighed. "Okay, maybe... maybe, I do like her." He still seems unsure.

"You really like her. It shows, Cuz. The way you look at her. The way you talk to her. The way you sang that song for her... You're not pretending anymore. It's your heart talking for you. Maybe that's the reason why you always want to help her, even if it means doing something you never even imagined doing, like joining a pageant."

Bryan contemplated. 'Maybe that's the reason why I always come undone when she's there.'

"Cuz?"

Bryan looked at Richard. "Hmm?"

"I'm still here, okay? Don't think about someone who's not here yet. Think of Angel later and you have the whole night to dream about her."

Bryan smirked. "Dream about her, huh? Is that what you experience with Alex?"

"It takes one to know one, Cuz. It's a nice feeling, you know. Gives you a good night sleep."

"Yeah..." He smiled dreamily.

"Hey! Does that smile mean you really dream of Angel?"

"It takes one to know one..."

"Oh Man!"

They both laughed.

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! "Okay, that's enough," Bryan said. "By the way, thanks for your help. Because of you, I didn't have to dance in front of all those people."

"And you instantly became school heartthrob."

"I am already a heartthrob," Bryan said.

"If that's what you think," Richard just said. "But because of me, you were able to accomplish your plan."

"It's good that fate seems to side with us. Even the question was perfect. When the host mentioned Benjie Martinez' name, I really panicked."

"It didn't show, Cuz. You were still confident and poised." Richard smirked.

Bryan just ignored his teasing. "But when he delivered the question, I suddenly felt more determined."

"For Angel?"

"You really won't stop, huh?"

"Fine. I'll stop now," Richard said. "Let's move on. And speaking of which, what are you planning to do now?"

"Actually, it was not me who decided on my next actions. Angel's dad invited me to dinner at their house. On Saturday."

"Really?"

"Yes, and that is the reason why I think I won't sleep peacefully tonight. And the coming nights until Saturday."

"I don't think he will invite you if he still does not accept your relationship with Angel."

"That, or he wants me to be in his territory so that he could do whatever he wants to do to me."

"If that's the reason, remember that I'm on your speed dial, okay?"

"If I know, you just want to see Alex."

"Partly."

"Mostly!" Bryan corrected.

"Can I come with you on Saturday night?"

"Go away, will you?" Bryan said instead. "I want to rest and sleep because I was too stressed the entire week because of this pageant thing."

"But really, Cuz, you were amazing tonight. Not just on the contest, but everything that you've done is amazing. And thank you for everything." Bryan felt good with what Richard said. Especially because his sincerity is evident on his face.

"I'll just ask for your payment when I need it."

"Whatever it is, I will do it."

"Promise me that," Bryan said.

"Promise!" Richard even raised his hand as if taking an oath.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow."

"Okay. Good night."

Richard left, and Bryan put away his things as he readied to sleep and have a rest for the night.