Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

Bryan stayed for almost another hour with Angel and her parents before he decided to go home. Angel accompanied him to his car parked outside their gate.

'Thanks for coming," Angel said. 'I know it's not that easy, but you still fulfilled your promise."

"I always try not to break my promise," Bryan said. "And I can't just let you be alone on this one. I won't be at peace if I didn't come tonight."

And there he goes again. Angel can't help but swoon again. Fortunately, Bryan said something that stopped whatever she's starting to feel. "Our plan is slowly coming about. Just a little more patience and we'll finally fix everything."

Angel can't help but feel disappointed. 'All for the show... again.' But that might be better instead of those moments Bryan makes her swoon. "You really love Richard, huh?"

"He's the brother that I never had. We both don't have siblings, so we understand each other. It made us stick together. I don't know if I should be thankful that his relationship with Alex is a secret. Otherwise, he will not have time to hang out with me anymore."

"I understand you," Angel said. "Just like Alex, even if she's a brat sometimes, I still cannot say no to her. I think that's how it is to be an older sibling? You will do everything for them, even if it means faking a relationship with someone." Bryan nodded in agreement.

"By the way. How did you come about the date July 26, 6:05 PM?"

"That was my birthday," Bryan answered. "I was born at exactly 6:05 PM of July 26, 1996."

"Really? Belated happy birthday!" Angel smiled.

"Thanks, even though it's August already. At least, you smiled. I like it when you smile, you know."

Angel's heartbeat doubled once again. And it tripled after Bryan said his next words.

"It makes you look more beautiful. You're very beautiful tonight, actually."

Angel is too overwhelmed she can hardly breathe easily. She bit her lower lip to suppress her smile and looked down. But can she really stop herself from falling? Especially when Bryan almost touched her face when he parted her hair away from her face.

"Your hair is nice. You should wear it like that in school always."

Angel swallowed. "Thanks..." she managed to say. She suddenly felt like fainting.

Until Bryan said, "I think I have to go now."

"Huh?" She looked at him. 'So soon?'

"I'll see you in school on Monday."

"Okay." As if she has a choice.

"I'm already looking forward to that."

There he goes again! How much sweetness does Bryan have in his sleeves that he just won't stop making her swoon? Because before he gets in his car, he took her hand and suddenly kissed it! "Bye!" Bryan said with a smile before finally leaving.

That's when Angel was able to breath properly again. O.M.G! Is that how it feels to be in love? Like you can't breathe easy because you're too overwhelmed? What if she suddenly collapsed because of Bryan? "No, no, no!" she said while shaking her head. "That's too much."

She went back to their house, and as she is about to go up to the second floor, she met her father.

"Dad..."

"I told you, no kissing."

So, he saw what happened? "It's just on the hand, Dad."

Benjie sighed. "On your hand. But not on the cheeks, okay? And definitely, not on the lips."

"Dad!" She blushed, because she suddenly remembered that moment when Bryan kissed her... on the lips.

"I can't believe that I'll like him."

Angel stared at her father. "Dad..." Her heart seems to be filled with gladness.

"But my rules, Angel."

She bowed her head. "Yes, Dad."

"You're not grounded anymore."

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"Thanks, Dad." She smiled.

"Come on, give me a hug."

Which she did. "I love you Dad."

"I love you, too. Even though you have a new love."

"That's not the same."

"Whatever. Let's head up to rest. I got tired of excitement, you know?"

They went up the stairs while Angel is still holding his father.

"You were excited, Dad?"

"But of course! I have to look strict to Bryan for him to be intimidated with me. And it was so hard because I am not strict. I was never strict, right? I'm too nice." Angel laughed at what Benjie said. It just made her feel that they're really back to how they really are as father and daughter.

****

The following day, Angel woke up early with the nicest mood she had ever had. That is because of her boyfriend - make that pretend boyfriend who in reality is her crush - who stayed in her mind the whole night. And because she was feeling great, she decided to help in the house chores by tending their plants.

She was watering the plants while singing the song Bryan sang during Mr. and Ms. Business School, when Alex approached her. The younger sister just woke up and she's wondering why the house is empty. The maids told her that their parents went out to their weekly jogging around the village.

"You look inspired," Alex said when she saw Angel.

"Good morning, Sister!" Angel said with a beaming smile.

"Wow! That smile of yours is brighter than the sun. You're more blooming than those plants you're watering."

"Stop teasing me, will you?" Angel said, still smiling widely.

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"Eh? You're mad already? Like, with that wide smile of yours? Tsk, tsk, tsk! It's confirmed. You're in love, Ate!"

"Stop it, okay? If you don't want to get soaked..." Angel is enjoying her banter with her younger sister. Her wide smile is an obvious proof.

"Just remember to tell me everything that happened last night."

"What should I tell you that you don't know? You were there, remember?"

"I wasn't there when Dad talked with you and Bryan in the balcony. And when Bryan said his goodbye, I saw him kiss your hand! Hey, don't you ever try to deny it! I just allowed you to savour the moment last night. But later, you have to tell me everything!" Angel just smiled and did not bother responding to her sister's assertions. Also, because their parents already came back from their jogging. They greeted them good morning with kisses on their cheeks.

"I never thought you're this industrious," Benjie told Angel.

"Of course, Dad. Ate is inspired, you know," Alex smiled. "And that's because she's in love."

"You should have had a boyfriend long ago," Alice said to Angel. "Maybe you had been helpful with the house chores ever since."

"I have been helpful and industrious for too long already," Angel said. "Alex is the one who's not helping in the house."

"Then maybe, I also need to have a boyfriend," Alex said.

"Hey, Alexandra, you're not allowed to have a boyfriend yet," Benjie told her daughter.

That made Alex scowl. "Hmn? How about Ate? Why is she allowed to have a boyfriend and not me?"

"Just do as I say," Benjie said. "End of discussion."

Alex complained like a young kid to her father. Angel and Alice smiled as they watch her.

That's when Joshua Ignacio arrived in the scene. He's wearing sports wear and is holding a badminton racket. He greeted Benjie and Alice, as well as Angel and Alex. "Practice?" Benjie asked as he looked at the racket he's holding.

"Well, not really. I just played with my friends at the clubhouse," Joshua answered. "By the way, was that Bryan de Vera I saw visiting your house last night?"

For the first time since last night, Angel's good mood was tarnished as Joshua's question suddenly made her nervous and worried.