Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

The next day, Angel told Bryan about what she discovered about her sister Alex.

"So that's the problem? She's jealous of Kim?" Bryan asked. They are now at the student lounge of Business School.

Angel nodded. "Yeah. Actually, that started during their dance number in Ms. BS. It just intensified because of what is happening lately."

"I can't help but feel guilty. If only I could dance, Richard would not become Kim's partner, and they would not have met."

"Don't say that," Angel told him. "It's not your fault. Actually, if there's someone to blame, it should be me. You only helped me, that's why you joined that contest."

"Let's stop blaming ourselves. We never wanted this to happen anyway. Also, Richard is just being nice. He's really kind to others, especially to those he considers his friends. And I think, he considers Kim as his friend now. That's why he's helping her."

Angel sighed. "I guess Alex is just very jealous. She is the youngest in the family, so she was used to getting all the attention."

"So, what are you planning to do?"

Angel shook her head. "I want to talk to Richard, but he might insist talking to Alex, which is something she doesn't want to do at the moment. I think they are really the ones who can fix their problems."

"You know what? I think, we should really just let them fix this. It's not that I don't want to help them, but until Richard realizes that he's neglecting Alex, and until Alex's jealousy does not subside, then this will not be resolved. Even if we try to help them."

"You're very correct, Mr. de Vera."

Bryan held her hand. "Don't be sad anymore. Alex will feel worse if you join in her sadness. You need to be strong for her. You should be the one making her feel better."

She smiled. "You say so."

Bryan also smiled. "I just don't like you to get depressed and eventually get crazy before you even became my real girlfriend."

That made Angel giggle. "At least I became your girlfriend even if it's not for real."

Bryan scowled. "Of course, it's better if it's for real."

"Then, court me properly."

Bryan frowned. "So, you're not even impressed with what I am doing?"

"I want more," she said.

"Is that so?" Bryan pretended to contemplate. "Fine. Let's go to the cafeteria. I'll buy some pasta for you to gain your favor a little more."

"You should do that always," said the giggling Angel.

They went to the cafeteria together to have lunch.

Angel looked at her sister who's in the passenger seat beside her. They are now in the parking lot of CPRU. Her class will start later that morning, but as usual she came with Alex early. Anyway, she has a lot to do in her organizations, and there are also some projects she needs to do.

Alex unclasped the seat belt on her side and fixed the things she's bringing to class. Then she fixed her uniform, and then looked at the mirror to check her hair. She smiled as she saw her reflection, but Angel knows that smile is fake. Alex has been sad for a few days now, and Angel is aware of that. She knows her sister has been thinking about her problem with Richard and his new friend Kim. "Aren't you going to tell me something?" Angel asked her.

Alex looked at her. "Hmn?"

"Is there something you want to tell me?" she asked. "So that you don't have to go to your class yet, so you don't need to talk to him while waiting for your professor." Alex was surprised at what she said. When she recovered, she smiled sadly. "So you finally noticed, Ate."

"How can I not notice? Before, right after I turned off the engine you immediately get out to go to your class. But lately, I'm already parked and all, you still don't want to get out. You tell me random stories just to kill the time." Alex sighed. "I'm really that obvious, huh?"

"Let's just say that I know you too well," Angel said. "How about Richard? Does he even notice?"

"I don't know. Maybe, he's very busy thinking about someone else that's why he doesn't notice."

Alex's sarcasm returned again. Angel sighed.

"How long do you think you can keep this up?"

"I don't know... It's just a few weeks before the finals. After that, it's sem break already. And then, new semester. New subjects. I think I'll enroll the subjects that I know he will not enroll so that we won't have similar classes again." "You know this will not end with you trying to escape the chance that you'll see him and talk to him."

"Not now, Ate. I still can't."

Angel turned to face her. "Don't you want to ask him? Confront him? Ask him what he feels about that Kim and why he just can't avoid her?"

"I want to." Alex also turned to face her. "But I don't know how I'll feel if he tells me that he doesn't want to avoid Kim. What if he tells me that he realized Kim is really whom he likes and not me? I don't have the heart to hear that, Ate." "Shh...." Angel consoled her sister. "Okay, enough of that. I'm sorry. Do what pleases you, do what you think will be easier for you."

Alex slowly calmed down. "I'm also sorry, Ate."

"No problem. Let's fix yourself up." She wiped away the tears on Alex's cheeks.

"Thank you, Ate." Alex hugged her.

"You're welcome. Let's go. I'll take you to your class and I will wait for your professor to arrive before I leave. Okay?"

Alex nodded and smiled. Together they went out of Angel's car and proceeded to Alex's first class for that day.

**********

And so, that's what Alex did. She avoided Richard. During the class where they are together, she comes in just in time before their professor arrives. So even if she sits beside Richard, they still do not have the chance to chat. Sometimes she sits in front of the rows, pretending that she does not want to disturb their professor who has started with the class so she just sits immediately in front.

Then after the class, she tries to avoid going with Richard on their rendezvous. She just tells him she needs to do a lot of projects for school. Sometimes, she thought she cannot get away because Richard will offer to help her.

But before they could even start, Kim and her three friends will arrive. Alex could not help but get jealous again.

"I think it's better if I just leave," she said to Richard.

"Huh? I am helping you do your project, right?" asked Richard.

"No need." She looked at Kim. "I don't need a hand." She looked at him again. "Especially if it's full already."

She can't help but sound annoyed. She also could not avoid looking at them sullenly. And even if Richard protests, she still went on her way and left them.