Moonville Series 1: Secret Lovers
Chapter 3

Angel's first class is scheduled at ten o'clock, but since he is the Executive Vice President of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants CPRU Chapter, she had to go to the university early. They have to meet up and talk about some things regarding the beginning of the school year. This is also the start of her training because the EVP of the organization will automatically be the President next school year.

When she arrived at their organization's office, their incumbent president, Hannah, is already there. The leader gladly greeted her with a light kiss on her cheek.

"This'll be a great year for this org," Hannah said. "I have a lot of projects lined up. Our Dean will definitely love JPIA. Even the university administration might commend us. My ideas are so brilliant, other orgs will probably copy them. I won't be surprised if we get an award after the school year."

Angel just smiled at what Hannah said. The other members are more vocal with their support, though.

"We need to redecorate our office, Madame President," said one of their officers.

"You're right," Hannah agreed. "Our office is so plain and simple. I told Pia last year that this office is too boring. She said it's just okay, like it looks formal enough to be an office." Pia is the ex-president of JPIA. She graduated last year.

"Oh well, past is past. Any suggestions on the new design of our office?"

The others immediately gave their suggestions. Angel did not bother joining in. She just focused on her 13-inch Macbook Pro and opened some JPIA files.

"I'm not quite feeling your suggestions," Hannah said. "It's too bold. Our office might look like a club... How about you, Angel? Don't you have any suggestion? You are our EVP, you know."

"You know that's not my thing," Angel said. "But don't worry. I'll ask my sister to help us. She is a Fine Arts student and she is very good in interior designing."

"Oh, great! Set me a meeting with her, okay?" Hannah said excitedly.

"Sure," Angel answered as she returned to her laptop. She opened the accomplishment report of the previous administration and then looked at their unfinished projects last year.

A female student suddenly entered the office.

'Angel!" the girl called as she immediately approached her.

'Hey! Excuse me, Miss-" Hannah said. 'What are you doing here in my office? You are not an officer of our org, and you're not even a member of JPIA. I should know because I know all the accountancy students here in our school. Are you a first year? Sorry, but your membership is not automatic."

'This is Jessie, from The Echo," Angel said to Hannah.

The Echo is the official website and online publication of CPRU Business School, and Angel is the editor-in-chief.

'Well then, sorry but this is not The Echo's office," Hannah said. 'I know you are the EIC, but right now you're here as my EVP. So you need to focus on JPIA-"

'I'm sorry, but this is really important," Jessie interrupted. 'Angel, we have a problem. Paolo is leaving The Echo."

"What?"

Jessie gave Angel a white envelope, containing Paolo's letter. She opened it and read what it says.

Dear Ms. Martinez, effective immediately, I am resigning from The Echo. I deeply apologize for this sudden decision, but I hope you understand. I really enjoyed working with you, but there are things that I have to attend to that are more important than The Echo.

Again, I deeply apologize. Thank you and I'm praying that The Echo will continue to soar high. Sincerely yours, Paolo Alemanya.

Angel grabbed her cellphone and searched for Paolo's number. 'Where is he?"

'I met him downstairs," Jessie answered. 'He said he's taking care of his credentials. He's leaving for Manila."

"What?!" Angel stood up. 'Hannah, I'm sorry but I have to fix this."

Angel hurried out of the office, with Jessie following suit. Hannah wasn't able to stop her.

'O-Okay... Just be quick!" is what she managed to say.

Angel and Jessie hurried downstairs.

'I saw him earlier at the Dean's office," Jessie said.

'I'll go check him there," Angel said. 'Go to the registrar's office because he might be there instead. I can't run because of my sandals. I might not catch him." 'Okay," Jessie replied.

The two split up as planned. Paolo was not in the Dean's office, so Angel went out of the Business School building to search for him.

She found him in the student lounge on the side of BS. He's talking to his classmates, also saying his goodbyes.

'Paolo!" She immediately approached him.

'Angel." Paolo seems quite alarmed upon seeing her.

'Paolo... can we talk?"

'Ahm..." Paolo started walking away. Angel followed him. 'I'm sorry, Angel. I'm going to Manila, and that's where I'll finish my studies."

"But... why? Why the sudden... change?"

"I know you'll say I'm stupid... I... I'm doing this for Jade."

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"Jade? You'll follow her to Manila?" Jade is Paolo's ex-girlfriend.

"Yeah... Look, Angel. I messed up. I know I did a lot of mistake and I regret everything. I love her and I want us to get back together."

'But... you can do that even if you stay here in Tarlac, right?"

"I need to make this right this time, Angel. Like what I've said, you might not understand my decision."

"But Paolo... Can't it wait? This is your last year in college. You'll graduate this April. And, you know most of our members graduated last year. We need more writers, contributors, and there are a lot of activities lined up! We need to cover every single one of them!" Angel is really desperate.

"I know. I'm sorry Angel... I got to go." He turned and walked away.

"Paolo... Wait!"

Angel chased after Paolo, but the heel of her stiletto sandals got stuck in a break on the school's paved walk.

"Shucks!" She almost fell down. Good thing she was able to balance herself. "I shouldn't have worn these." She felt her foot hurt a little. It seems she sprained her ankle.

After removing her heel from the break, she continued following Paolo. She was on her way to the parking lot when her cellphone buzzed. It was Jessie.

"I found him," Angel said.

Jessie was quite surprised with her sudden statement. "...Good!"

"I'm following him right now. Talk to you later."

Angel ended the call. She continued walking while looking down at her cellphone since she knows the way all too well. She's just a few steps before turning left and she'll finally catch up with Paolo in the parking lot. But when she turned left, someone also turned right. It seems like he did not see her coming. And so, both of them were not able to prevent colliding with each other.