The days melted into weeks, and the routine between Angel, Rey, and Elly became a comforting cadence in their lives. Work, school, and the resort formed the backdrop of their bustling existence, weaving a tapestry of shared moments.
Elly's afternoons at the resort were filled with laughter and camaraderie. He had become a familiar presence among the workers, his cheerful demeanor spreading infectious joy. Rey, watching the bond between Elly and his team, couldn't help but marvel at the simplicity and purity of their connection.
One evening, as Rey and Elly strolled home, the golden hues of the setting sun casting a warm glow on their surroundings, Rey found himself contemplating the dynamics between Angel and Elly. The question that lingered in his mind for weeks resurfaced, fueled by a growing curiosity and a longing he dared not acknowledge.
"Elly," Rey began, his voice gentle, "does your mom have a husband or a boyfriend?"
Elly, swinging his backpack happily, glanced up at Rey with innocent eyes. "No, Mr. Rey. Mommy doesn't have a husband or a boyfriend. She only has me and Daddy Melvin."
Rey felt an unexpected surge of joy at Elly's words, a warmth spreading through his chest. He found solace in the knowledge that Angel, for reasons yet unknown, had chosen to remain single.
"And what about your real dad, Elly? Do you know anything about him?" Rey's inquiry was careful, his heart beating a little faster with each word.
Elly's expression shifted, a hint of sadness crossing his features. "I don't know, Mr. Rey. I'm not asking Mommy about it. Last time I asked her, I felt that she is sad, so I am not asking anymore. She said to me that I have my daddy Melvin, so I should not worry."
Rey, suppressing the swirl of emotions within him, crouched down to Elly's level. He gently ruffled the boy's hair, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "You're a smart and caring young man, Elly. Your mommy is lucky to have you, and Daddy Melvin too."
As they resumed their walk, Rey couldn't shake the mixture of emotions that stirred within him. Elly's words echoed in his mind, the unspoken complexities of Angel's life creating a subtle tension in the air. Rey, grappling with his growing affection for both Angel and Elly, found himself caught in a web of emotions he had never anticipated.
The evening unfolded in silence, the unspoken bonds between them thickening with each step. Rey, walking beside Elly and contemplating the intricate dance of their lives, couldn't escape the uncharted territory of his own feelings—a realm where curiosity, affection, and a longing for something undefined merged into a silent yearning.
And so, under the canvas of the darkening sky, Rey, Elly, and the unspoken sentiments that lingered between them continued their journey home, each step echoing the intricate tapestry of a story yet to fully unfold.
The porch stood bathed in the soft glow of the moon, casting shadows that mirrored the complexity of the conversation that was about to unfold. Rey, looking into Angel's eyes, sensed a mixture of emotions—confusion, fear, and a vulnerability that stirred something within him.
As Elly headed inside, Angel felt a wave of nervousness washing over her. Rey's presence, coupled with the dim light of the moon, created an intimate setting that seemed to amplify the weight of unspoken truths.
Rey, breaking the silence, spoke directly and without hesitation. "Angel, Elly is mine, right? He is my son?"
Angel, taken aback by the directness of the question, felt her heart racing. She stared at Rey, a torrent of emotions swirling within her. "What made you think that he is yours, Rey? No!" Her response was laced with a hint of anger, an attempt to shield herself from the vulnerability of the situation.
Rey, undeterred, responded calmly. "Angel, I know and I can feel it."
The air became charged with tension, and Angel, sensing the weight of the unspoken truth, felt a knot tightening in her chest. "No, Rey. Please, if that is the important matter you want to talk about, let's finish this conversation." She wanted to end the dialogue quickly, to avoid the pain that lurked beneath the surface.
"I will do everything to know the truth, Angel. You can't hide it from me," Rey affirmed, his determination cutting through the quiet night.
"Please, Rey. Let's end this. Forget about Elly," Angel pleaded, her eyes betraying a deep-seated fear of what might be revealed. She couldn't bear the thought of exposing the truth, the secret she had guarded so fiercely.
"No, Angel. If maybe he is my son, I have my rights to him," Rey stated, his words hanging in the air like a declaration that resonated with both promise and uncertainty.
Angel, feeling the weight of impending truths, urged Rey to leave. "Rey, please, let's end this conversation. Forget about Elly. There's nothing for you here."
Rey, torn between the yearning to know and the reluctance to cause pain, stood his ground. "I can't just forget, Angel. Elly is a part of me, and if he is truly my son, I won't turn away from that."
As the conversation reached an impasse, the moon bore witness to the unfolding drama—a tableau of conflicting emotions, unspoken truths, and the fragile threads that bound their lives together.
And so, beneath the watchful gaze of the moon, Rey and Angel stood on the precipice of revelation, each grappling with their own fears, desires, and the undeniable connection that had woven its way into the fabric of their shared existence.