Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

Richard and his parents attended the wedding of Matthew Fernandez, the son of the owner of Melting Pot Hotel. The reception was on the said hotel, and his parents were included as principal sponsors. Peter Fernandez, Matthew's father, is also a member of the board of directors in Tarlac General Hospital.

Richard just met the Fernandez family, and so he feels out of place right now. He just went there because of his parents' request. As a result, he just hangs out at the bar area with his red apple sangria. It's a non-alcoholic cocktail made from apple, lemon, grape and orange juice. Since he's not yet of legal age, he cannot have alcoholic drinks yet. And it's also his choice because he has to drive later because his father might have taken some alcohol.

Someone joined him in the bar area. The person sat one chair away from him. Richard just ignored that person, until she talked to the bartender.

"Do you have a nonalcoholic drink?"

Richard looked at her as he recognized her voice. "Kim?"

She looked at him. "Richard!"

"Hey!" He turned to face her. "You're here as well?"

"Yeah. Papa took me with him."

"Well, it's good that I saw someone I know. I'm getting super bored already."

"Tell me about it," Kim answered.

"That's why I'm hanging out here. Wait, try this drink I'm having. It's non-alcoholic."

"What is that?" Kim looked at his glass.

"Red apple sangria. This is good."

"Okay, I'll try that."

He looked at the waiter. "One red apple sangria for the lady." Then he looked at her. "How's Ms. BS?"

"Well, I'm still pretty." Kim smiled at her own joke.

Richard smiled. "At least you have a lot of time to prepare for the Ms. CPRU pageant. It's in December, right? A couple of months from now."

"Yeah. Actually, we're looking for a new trainer for my dance. Kuya Andrew now has a regular job, and he cannot accommodate us with his schedule."

"If you want, I can help you train. Nick will be your partner, right?"

"Yes." Kim's face lit up. "Really? Is it okay with you?"

"Of course. But that's if it's okay with you."

"Are you kidding me? Kuya Andrew is very impressed with you. I'll tell Ate Kylie about it. She's the officer-in-charge for the pageant."

"Just let me know if they accepted."

"I hope they agree. It's better if I'm already familiar with my dance trainer."

The bartender delivered Kim's order.

"For sure you'll like that," Richard said to Kim.

Kim took a sip of the sangria. "Hmn! This is really good."

"I told you."

A man on his fifties approached them, particularly Kim.

"Kim!" he said.

"Papa! Uh..." She looked at Richard. "This is Richard, the son of Doctors Ricardo and Glory Quinto. Richard, this is my father."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Agustin." Richard shook hands with him.

"Nice to meet you, too, Hijo. Call me Tito Roger," Kim's father said. Then he looked back at Kim. "Terrence is looking for you." Kim suddenly scowled. "Papa, you know I don't like him."

"What can I do? He's very persistent. He's always bugging me. Just tell him you're not interested."

"I already did that, but he still doesn't want to stop," said Kim. "He's still bothering me."

"Who's Terrence?" Richard asked Kim.

"Terrence Mendoza, nephew of Congressman dela Rosa. You know him?"

Richard pondered. "Hmn, I don't think so."

"He also studies in CPRU," Kim said. "He's taking up AB Pol Sci, maybe because he wants to do politics like his uncles."

"The dela Rosa's are kind people," Roger said. "I just don't know what happened to Terrence, why he's different."

"I already told him to stop pursuing me, but he wouldn't listen," Kim said.

"Because he really likes you," Roger said to her daughter. "Since you do not have a boyfriend, he is still hoping you would like him back."

"Do you want me to have a boyfriend already?" asked Kim.

"It's not like that," Roger answered. "If it will happen, it will happen. But I cannot stop Terrence from pursuing you. It's his right to do what he likes."

Kim sighed. 'If only it's not bad to humiliate a person."

"Even if you humiliate him, I guess it won't affect him," Roger said.

And Kim wasn't able to avoid Terrence as he already found her at the bar. He immediately joined them like he is close to them.

"Hi Kim!" he greeted her. "I've been looking at you. I didn't know you're just here."

"Ah, well... " Kim looked at Richard.

Terrence followed her gaze. "You're with someone."

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!

"Ah, yes, Terrence," Roger said, trying to lighten up the mood. "Hahahaha! This is Richard Quinto."

"Oh! Hi Richard!" He held his hand to him.

"Hi!" Richard shook hands with him.

"Wait... Quinto... You're related to Dr. Ricardo Quinto?" Terrence asked to Richard.

"He's my dad," Richard answered.

"Your dad..." Terrence pondered. "That means, your mom is Dr. Gloria de Vera-Quinto?" "I guess so."

"Oh... Okay..." Terrence's tone suddenly changed. "So, you know Kim?"

"Yes," Richard answered. "I was her partner during her dance in Ms. Business School."

"I see..." Terrence is quite surprised. "Well, I could say you have some moves." There's really that air of arrogance in him. His comment sounded as if he's some great dancer himself.

"Kim and Richard looked good together," Roger said. "I mean, as dance partners. Right, Terrence?"

"Well... yeah, I guess." Terrence concurrence seemed forced.

"Richard is really amazing," Roger said. "He's well-off, but he also has talent. Unlike others who just brag about their wealth. Richard is a great dancer, and Dr. Quinto said he's also a consistent honor student. He's always at the top 10. What an amazing kid."

"Ah... I don't think I'm that great." Richard is a little embarrassed at what Roger said.

"Richard has everything," Roger continued, ignoring Richard's plea. "What more can you ask for? And to top that, he's also very good looking."

Terrence did not answer, but his ire is quite evident.

Richard just changed the subject. "Oh, by the way. You want some red apple sangria?" he asked Terrence.

"No, thanks. Actually, I need to go back inside. I just wanted to say hi to Kim," Terrence answered. "I'll go ahead now. Bye! Nice meeting you, Richard." "Same here," Richard just said.

Terrence went back to the reception hall. The three remained in the bar area.

"Finally, he's gone!" Kim seems very relieved. "Good thing you're here, Richard. Terrence is obviously insecure of you."

"Why wouldn't he? Richard is a de Vera-Quinto," Roger said.

"I'm not sure of that," Richard said.

"Richard, you're one of the richest teenagers here in Tarlac. Your mother is a de Vera, and your father is a Quinto. And they are both doctors," Roger explained.

"We're just like any other family." Which is true. For him, there's nothing special about their family especially when they are still living in Manila. That time they really were just ordinary people.

"That's not true," Roger insisted. "The de Veras are old rich since no one knows. Then Don Sebastian de Vera married Elena Dizon, who also came from a prominent family in the province. The Quintos, though initially poor, were able to prosper and increase their wealth. Now they are the owners of the biggest restaurant group in Tarlac, or make that Region 3."

Richard grimaced. He felt weird that Kim's father acts like he's a fan of their clan.

"You know, your girlfriend is the luckiest," Roger suddenly said. "Do you have a girlfriend, Hijo? My daughter here, as you've heard, does not have a boyfriend yet."

"Pa!" Kim felt embarrassed at how her father is acting. "Why don't you just go back inside the reception hall?"

"I was just asking," Roger told Kim. He then looked at Richard again. "Well, Richard, it was nice meeting you." "Same here," Richard said.

Richard left the two.

"I'm sorry about my father," Kim said to Richard.

"It's fine," Richard said. "I just don't understand why he said Richard is insecure of me. Isn't he a dela Rosa?"

"Terrence's mother is the youngest among the three siblings. Congressman Enrique dela Rosa is the eldest, and the second is Mayor Rody. From what I heard, his mother was a college dropout because she eloped with a guy who came from a middle-class family. Then his father died not long after. His two uncles are the ones supporting him and his mother. They helped her put up the flower shop she now owns and manages."

Richard looked at the reception hall, catching sight of Terrence who is talking to some guest. "He's very unfortunate."

"If only he's not annoying. He's too arrogant, as if there's a lot he can be proud of. Yes, their flower shop is famous but it's just starting and it's not that big yet. If not for his uncle, he would not have the chance to study in CPRU. But the way he's acting, it's like he owns the entire Tarlac City. Unlike you and Bryan. You're both kind and approachable."

He smiled. "Thanks for the compliment."

"I'm just telling the truth. You are both heirs of your clan's wealth, but you're still humble and down to earth. You don't use your name to show off, especially to girls."

"Is that how Terrence is?" Richard asked.

"Exactly!" Kim answered. "I don't know why he always like to bug me."

"Maybe he really likes you. He won't take the time to do that if he doesn't, especially since he feels like he can get any girl he wants, like what you said. So for him to stick with you, he must really like you a lot."

"Well, I don't like him so he has to accept that," Kim said. "I hope he doesn't disturb me in CPRU. He almost sits in my classes, and my friends are getting affected by him as well."

Richard suddenly thought of an idea. "What if I join you?"

"Huh?" Kim gazed at him.

"If it happens that our vacant period is the same, then I'll hang out with you and your friends. If it's true that Terrence is insecure with me, then he would think twice about approaching you when he sees me with you. And maybe in the end he will get tired of even trying to approach you when he sees that I'm always with you."

"Really? You'll do that?" Kim was obviously very glad.

"Yup!"

"Thank you very much! You're really too kind."

He smiled. "Bryan de Vera is more kind than me." He took a sip of his red apple sangria, then smiled again at Kim.