Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

The long dining table of the de Veras is a ten-seater. On the far end was Raul, and on his right is his wife, Helen. Alex is next to Helen, and Bryan and Angel are on Raul's left side. "Angel, go and try my seafood paella. This is my specialty." Helen handed the paella platter to Angel.

"Thanks." Angel took the platter and put some paella on her plate.

"Get some more. It's delicious, I promise," Helen told her.

Angel smiled. She's quite reluctant to add some more because she might be forced to eat it all. She has eaten a lot already.

Fortunately, Bryan is there, to save her as usual. He took the paella platter from her. "Mom, my girlfriend might have indigestion."

"You just don't want your girlfriend to gain wait. What do you men think your girlfriend or wife is not attractive anymore if she gained weight?" Helen said.

"I didn't say anything like that," Bryan said. "I'm just worried Angel might overeat and have a stomachache."

"What's the use of me being a doctor?" asked Helen. "Don't mind him, Angel. Just eat some more."

Bryan just shook his head.

"Maybe Angel is already full," Raul said, then smiled at Angel.

Angel also smiled. Bryan's parents are really very nice, especially his father who has a very sweet and warm personality.

"She's already full because of the carbonara," Alex said.

Angel glared at Alex, who just smirked at her.

"Is pasta your favorite, Hija?" Raul asked Angel.

"Yes," Angel answered.

"Just like Benjie." Raul then continued eating.

"So that's why Bryan requested that dish," Helen said. "It's because you love pasta."

Angel smiled at Helen. She doesn't know what touched her more, the fact that Raul remembered her father's favorite, or that Bryan remembered the dish she likes.

She glanced at Bryan who is just eating like no one mentioned him. Then he suddenly took the platter containing salad.

"Try Mom's salad nicoise. You like broccoli, right?" He put some salad on her plate. "At least this is lighter than paella."

Angel felt her heart flutter by the sweetness shown by Bryan. "Thanks..." she said with a smiled she could not suppress.

Bryan also smiled, and it made her feel more giddy. 'That smile...' She doesn't know why, but Bryan's smile really has a special effect on her. Is it because he's more handsome when he smiles? Whatever the situation is, and wherever they might be, that smiled still has the same effect on her.

"By the way, how is your father?" Raul suddenly asked.

That made Angel come back to Earth as she suddenly transcended to the sky because of Bryan's killer smile. "Ahm... he's fine. He and Mom are doing great."

"How is MPCF? I heard that most of the companies here in Tarlac are your clients."

"Yes, that's right," Angel answered. "Except for TGH."

"Well, before MPCF was established, TGH already has an external auditor. It's a big company and it's better if we retain their services."

"And it's in Manila," Angel said. "Of course, it would be a downgrade if you get another auditor. Except if it's the same level."

Raul smiled. "I'm glad you understand. But, we can still hire MPCF for the other services it offers, right?"

"Of course," Angel agreed.

"You know, Uncle, Ate knows all the services offered by MPCF," Alex said. "She knows all the content on the company's brochure." Angel glared at her sister again.

"Do you also have photographic memory like Richard?" Helen asked Angel.

"Ahm, no, Auntie. It's just that, our parents exposed us to our business since we were young. So I kind of know most of the MPCF stuff." "Ate is just amazing," Alex said.

"Alex!" Angel is obviously embarrassed at her sister's remarks.

"I'm just telling the truth! Aren't you a consistent honor student from kindergarten 'til high school? You're the valedictorian on your elementary and high school graduation. Now that you're in college, you're a consistent dean's lister, the editor- in-chief of The Echo, and the EVP of JPIA."

"Wow! You really are amazing, Angel," Helen said in awe.

Angel winced. "Not... really..." She felt more embarrassed that they learned about her achievements.

"Bryan, here, does not like studying," Raul said.

"I'm not that awful, Dad," Bryan replied.

"You don't even read your books," Helen said to her son. "You know, Angel, I have never seen Bryan read a book. I mean, textbook from school."

"We are also wondering how he manage to pass in school," Raul said.

Angel looked at Bryan beside her. "But, his performance in school is good. He's actually one of the top students in BS."

"That's what you call talent," Bryan said confidently. He even winked at her.

Angel could not believe it. If Bryan does not study his lessons but still manage to perform great in school, what more if he becomes serious about studying? He might top in the entire Business School. Not that she's insecure about it. She's actually amazed.

"You're not doing anything foolish, are you?" Helen asked her son.

"Mom, as you've said, it's all in the genes. Dad is very intelligent. Who else will inherit that intelligence but me?"

So even at home, Bryan is like that. Jolly, funny, and seemingly boastful. Yes, now Angel knows that he's not really ostentatious. He's just making it all up as a joke. Although, he really has a right to be proud because of all his good qualities. "You're son is really amazing," Raul said to his wife. "And it's because of my genes. Aside from good looks and charm, he also got my intelligence and resourcefulness."

Now, Angel knows where Bryan got his excessive confidence. She's enjoying watching the three's conversation.

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! "See, Girls?" Helen said to Angel and Alex. "This is what I have to live with every single day. I am really so pathetic."

The two sisters giggled at Helen's distressed reaction.

"You're overreacting again, my love," Raul told his wife. "Can you please hand me the salad, Dear?" He even made the 'Dear' sound very sweet.

"Dad, are you making Mom swoon all over again?" Bryan joked.

"Hmp! He's just making it up to me," Helen said. "Here is your salad. Eat some more lettuce so that you won't get constipated." Helen put some salad on Raul's plate. "Thanks, my love." Raul even winked at his wife.

"Uh! You're so sweet to each other," Alex commented. "Now I know where Bryan got his sweetness."

"Well, thank you, Alex," Bryan said.

"You talk as if you're the girlfriend," Angel said to Alex. She knows her sister is about to say something explosive again.

"I might not be the girlfriend, but you tell me everything in full detail." Then, Alex smirked at her.

And that's what Angel was thinking would happen. The bomb exploded on her, and she wasn't able to comment or counter what Alex said. If only she could hit her sister right now. "I wonder what you say about me to Alex," Bryan said to Angel.

Angel could not even look at Bryan because of embarrassment. Good thing is Helen suddenly intercepted.

"Just let Angel be, Bryan," she said. "It's rude to ask a lady about her thoughts on a guy. Let her confide with someone she trusts, like her sister Alex."

Bryan could not do anything but just agree with his mother. "Okay, then." He continued eating again.

Angel felt relieved at Helen's save, though she felt quite uncomfortable at that wink she gave her like she has a hidden agenda for helping her with Bryan's inquisitiveness.