Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

The dinner at the Martinez residence went well. The dishes Alice prepared for everyone were delicious. She even took care of their guest, Bryan, who was sitting next to Angel at their long dining table. "Mom, why is your cooking so delicious today?" Alex asked.

"Because your sister's boyfriend is joining us for the first time," Alice answered, then beamed a smiled at Bryan.

That made the latter quite comfortable it seems he cannot swallow the food he's chewing. He just smiled at Alice to be polite.

"Why are you so nice to him now?" Alex said petulantly. "You used to be so mad at him when you found out about his secret relationship with Ate."

"We were mad because your sister lied to us, and she did it even though she knows we don't approve," Alice answered. "But of course, you're still our daughters and whatever happened, we will forgive you." "That's right," Benjie agreed. "I actually had a hard time acting like I'm very mad. Good thing I'm a good actor."

Angel smiled at what her father said.

"Oh really?" Alex teased.

"Yes, so believe it," Benjie said to his daughter.

"Me and your dad were hurt with what happened," Alice said. "But when we realized that Bryan really loves your sister, we thought that maybe, we should really try to understand your situation." Alex smirked at Bryan and Angel. "So how did you know Bryan really loves Ate?"

"During the Mr. & Ms. BS, on the Q&A portion."

Angel looked at Bryan. She's glad to know that his plan that night worked. She kind of felt touched with that confirmation.

"And also, earlier when Angel was crying and Bryan is holding her hand," Alice added. "I feel like I was watching a romantic movie."

Angel felt embarrassed at what her mother said. Even Bryan paused eating and bowed down out of embarrassment.

"But Bryan, that's the most you can do with Angel, okay?" Benjie said to him.

Bryan looked at Benjie, though he did not answer.

"You're such a killjoy, Dad," Alex said. "They can at least hug each other."

"That might lead to something else!" Benjie said to his daughter.

"Your mind is so dirty," Alice told her husband. "Don't you trust your daughter?"

"I do, but not Bryan," Benjie said bluntly. "Don't get me wrong, Bryan. I'm also a man so I know how a man thinks."

"Don't worry, Sir. I won't break your trust," Bryan said.

"Good," said Benjie.

"So Dad, let them hug, okay?" Alex insisted.

"That's no use, Alex. Your dad still lives in the Jose Rizal and Leonor Rivera era," Alice said.

"Your reference are exaggerated," Benjie told his wife. "I'm not that old."

"But that's how old you think," said Alice.

"Dad, I learned that you look the way you think. So if you think old like those living in Jose Rizal's era, than that's how you will look as well," Alex teased. Everyone laughed at what Alex said, except for Benjie.

"Again, that's too much," Benjie said to Alex.

"That's true, Dad," Alex said, giggling. "I read that on the internet one time."

"Not everything you read in the internet is legit," said Benjie.

"Dad, that article was written by experts," Alex said. "It was based on a number of studies and research and experiments."

"Is that so?" Benjie looked convinced. "Okay. Hugging is okay. But anything more than that is not, like kissing."

Angel choked and coughed, making everyone look at her.

"Take it easy with food, Ate," Alex said. "Aren't you embarrassed that Bryan can see your voracity?"

"Sorry," Angel said before coughing again. She looked at Bryan, and she cannot help but blush.

On the other hand, Bryan looked away when his eyes met Angel's. He just focused on his plate in front of him.

"By the way, Bryan. How is your father?" asked Benjie.

Bryan felt a little relaxed that Benjie changed the topic. 'He's doing okay. Actually, he also wants to talk to you. In God's perfect time."

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"That's right. In God's time," Benjie said. "I actually missed his mischief. You know, I kind of see him in you. You resemble him very much."

Bryan smiled. "He said he's more good-looking than me."

"That pretentious geezer," Benjie said. "When I saw the two of you on stage, you look far more handsome than him. Of course, you have your mother's genes." "Maybe if you're the one who told him that, he might believe it," said the smiling Bryan.

"Don't worry. I will definitely make him accept that when we meet."

Angel is glad at what her father said. At least, it seems like Bryan is really okay now with her parents. At least their plans for Alex and Richard are now progressing. Also, she and her parents have reconciled, which for her is the most important thing that happened tonight.

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

After the dinner, Alice and Benjie took Bryan and Angel at the second-floor balcony. There is also a mini-living room on there, and that's where they will do the conversation they were planning to have with the two. "Bryan, I have rules that you have to follow," Benjie started.

"I promise to follow everything that you want," Bryan said. He seemed to have relaxed a little with their presence.

"That's good, then," Benjie said. "During the Mr. & Ms. BS, we saw how you really want to prove your love for Angel. That's what made us reconsider your relationship. And as I've said, we still cannot tolerate the fact that you hid everything from us. But, what can we do? You really seem to love each other."

Bryan and Angel both looked at each other.

"That's why we decided to just let you be. But, having said that, I won't let everything be just like that. We love our daughter very much and we want her to finish her studies. Especially since we are thinking she's the one who can replace us in MPCF." Bryan nodded.

"That's why we have to be strict with you two. Firstly, we want you to meet only here at our house. And by that, I mean in the living room only. You can only come up to the first floor, Hijo. If we're not with you, you can't come here in the balcony."

Bryan was quite taken aback with what Benjie said. But what could he do? What's important is that they gave him a chance.

"Second, the two of you cannot go out alone. Preferably, Alex should come with you. We just want to make sure you won't take out daughter to just anywhere."

"Okay," Bryan said. That is actually good because they don't need to ask permission to take Alex with them so that she can meet with Richard.

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'And lastly, what I told earlier. You can hold her hand, but not more than that."

"Honey!" Alice protested.

"Fine! You can embrace her, but only when needed," Benjie said.

"What does that mean?" Alice asked.

"Well, if there's a celebration, or if it's cold," Benjie answered. 'Only when we can see you," he said to the two.

"But we cannot see them all the time," Alice said.

"That's why Bryan, I'm counting on you on this one," Benjie said. "My wife is right. We cannot see you all the time. We cannot be with you in CPRU. And as the man, I want you to stand by these rules. It's not that we don't trust you. But nowadays, everything can happen even the unexpected. Like your relationship with Angel. That's why we want you to value the trust we're giving you."

"I understand."

They're not really 'real' lovers. They are just doing this - having this conversation with Benjie and Alice - because they want to help Alex and Richard. That's why Bryan could not understand why they have to go through all these 'guidance counseling'.

He looked at Angel who's sitting beside him. Then, he finally realized why he's doing all this crap. He can't just leave her hanging. He can't leave her just by herself on this mess. He can't just leave her alone. 'Because I like to do this... for her,' Bryan admitted to himself.

"Well then, as I've said, we can only hold on to your words, Bryan. My only resolve is that your parents brought you up properly, teaching you how you value your promises," Benjie added. "You can count on me, Sir," he assured Benjie.

"All right, then." Benjie leaned on his chair as if to say that he was convinced by what Bryan had said.

"By the way. Mom wants to invite Angel to have dinner at our house."

"Only if Alex comes with her," Benjie said.

"Sure," Bryan said.

"Then, she can go."

Bryan smiled. He seems to have finally gained Benjie's trust. He promised himself that he would never break that trust. Not just for Alex and Richard, but for him and Angel as well.