Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers

Richard stayed at home the entire day. He's in his room thinking about his conversation with Bryan yesterday. He doesn't know why his mind seems blank, and the only thing he can think off is that conversation he had with his cousin. That afternoon, his parents arrived from a conference in Manila. It's good that they are tired from the trip, that's why they did not talk to him that much and proceeded to resting. They just asked how he was while they were gone, then retired to their room.

It's already dark outside, but like what he did the entire day, Richard remained lying on his bed. He's thinking about what he talked about with Bryan, and with that the moments that he had been with Angel flashed back on his mind. Theirs was a blissful relationship. It's the usual 'You and Me Against the World' relationship, that even though they know everyone is against their love, they don't mind and just continued. They were happy at first. Then suddenly, everything changed. And that's just because he wanted to have friends here in Tarlac.

Maybe he was really inconsiderate. Maybe he became a little insensitive. Or maybe, he was really insensitive and not just little.

His mind stopped reminiscing when he heard some knocks on the door. It was one of their maids.

"Your mother wants to talk to you," the fifty-three-year-old maid said.

His parents are waiting for him at the living room, as well as his Uncle Raul and Aunt Helen.

"Sit down, Richard," his mother told him.

Richard sat down on the backless sofa on the left side of his parents. Opposite his parents are Raul and Helen de Vera, making Richard in between the four.

Ricky is the first to speak. "Richard, your Uncle Raul told us something. About you and Alexandra Martinez."

Richard looked at the de Vera couple. How did they find out about that? Did Bryan tell them everything?

"Is that true?" asked Ricky to his son.

Richard quietly nodded.

"Since when?" Ricky asked.

Richard contemplated. "July... August... Actually, I'm still courting her, and we are not yet official."

"But you have a mutual understanding." Ricky seems certain.

Richard just nodded again.

Everyone fell silent for a while. Richard can feel his father thinking.

"Did Bryan tell this to you?" Richard asked Raul and Helen.

"He has to," Raul said. "Alex was rushed to TGH this morning."

Richard stiffened on his seat, as if he was washed away by very cold water.

"Benjie and Alice want to talk to you," Raul said to Richard. "They want to talk to you about what happened. They won't force you to get back with Alex. They just want you to resolve everything, probably have closure if ever you don't want to get back with each other."

Richard did not answer again.

"Kuya, before Richard talks to Alice and Benjie, I think we have to do it first," Ricky said to Raul. "Before the kids, we should first resolve our issues with them."

"That's also what they are thinking," Raul said. "Okay, then. I'll talk to Benjie and tell them that's what you're planning."

Ricky nodded, while Glory just continued looking down.

"Is she okay?" Richard couldn't stop himself. Maybe that's the reason why Alex has occupied his mind since yesterday. It's because something bad happened to her.

Helen answered his question. "She's fine now. She hasn't been eating properly for days, so she became weak and lost her consciousness. But aside from that, she doesn't have any disease. Her tests are clean. She just needs to recover and she's on IV now. Also, her family's problems are now resolved, so she will be okay now."

Richard felt better upon hearing that. Heck, he really has to see her!

"Do you love her?"

Richard looked at her mother.

"I hope you love her that's why you're courting her."

"I do, Mom. I really do love her." Richard felt that those words came from his heart.

Gloria smiled. "Then, I guess we need to fight for that love you have for her."

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"Mom, please tell me. What happened between you and the Martinez?"

Gloria smiled bitterly. "I took your father away from Alice."

"Glory..." Ricky said to his wife.

"But it was true. Unintentionally and unconsciously, I took you away from her. Maybe I really am the one to blame."

"That's what Fate wanted to happen," Ricky said. "I didn't fell out of love with Alice because I fell for you. I fell for you because I fell out of love with Alice."

Everyone looked at Ricky.

"I started falling in love with you when Alice was not in my heart anymore. Maybe I'm really the one to blame. I was the one who hurt Alice."

"Let's stop the blaming game," Raul said. "No one wanted what happened before. We are all humans, and we are bound to make mistakes. What's important now is we fix whatever wrong we have done. And even though everything is twenty years too late, at least we can finally fix this. For the kids."

Ricky nodded as he took a deep breath. And that's how the discussion for the night ended. Tomorrow morning, Ricardo and Gloria Quinto will talk to Benjie and Alicia Martinez on Raul's office in TGH.

********

It was already dark when Alex woke up. Alice remained in the hospital to watch her for the night, as Angel and Benjie went back home to Moonville.

Alice was watching a movie on HBO when Alex called her.

"Mom..."

Alice immediately looked at her daughter. "Alex, baby... How do you feel? Do you want anything? Do you feel pain anywhere?"

"Where am I, Mom?" Alex asked weakly.

"You're in TGH. We took you here because you were unconscious. We were scared so we immediately took you to the hospital." Alice felt like crying again. "Are you okay now? Do you feel any pain, Baby?" Alex shook her head. "Mom, I'm sorry."

Alice cried completely. "I'm sorry, Baby. I've been a bad mother to you."

"That's not true, Mom. You love me and Ate so much. Sorry if we disobeyed you."

Alice shook her head. "No, it's okay. I understand. I'm the one to blame. We will solve this problem with the Quintos. We will talk to them tomorrow. Then we can resolve your issues with Richard." Alex felt sad. "He doesn't want me anymore."

"No, Dear! Don't think like that. Until you talked to him, let us not assume. Who knows? You might be able to resolve everything."

"I hope so..."

Alice tried to smile. "Do you want anything?"

"I think I need a drink, Mom."

Alice went to the refrigerator to get some water for Alex. "The doctor said you need to eat a lot for you to recover. You are also dehydrated, so you need to drink a lot of water and fruit juices. When you got stronger you can go home." Alex smiled to Alice as she took the glass of water from her. "I love you, Mom."

Alice smiled. "I love you, too."

After drinking, Alex gave back the glass to Alice.

"Mom, can you sleep beside me tonight?"

"Sure." Alice smiled.

The hospital bed is big enough to accommodate the mother and child, so Alice was able to grant Alex's request. She held her tightly, trying to compensate for the past days that they missed each other.