Silence the Truth

MOON'S POV I was walking in a garden-like place, gazing at the beautiful sky. The setting sun is a delight to behold because, even though you know it will leave you, it will return the following day to bring light. I hope my parents are like that, who suddenly disappeared for unknown reasons. I'm here in our special place; the one Papa made just for the three of us. It's been 15 years since they vanished, and now, we still don't know what happened to them. I come here every year on the anniversary of their disappearance because I don't have a grave to visit. I brought Mama's favorite flower, which Papa always gave her, a black rose. "Ma, Pa, I'm now a Senior Inspector and will finally uncover what happened to both of you. I became a police officer for you, and I'll do whatever it takes to discover the truth about your disappearance." Their case was closed when I was only sixteen because they believed continuing the investigation would lead to nothing. I don't know why things work this way in the Philippines, where justice seems only for the wealthy. The weak and the poor are treated as mere puppets, animals, and trash in the eyes of the rich. I looked at my police ID and badge. Adrianna Moon Sanchez, Senior Inspector of the Quezon City Department. They call me Inspector Sanchez within the department and Moon when I'm outside of my work. My cellphone rang, and someone was calling. "Blake, what's up?" He's my friend. "Let's have dinner together. I'll pick you up at your place." "Sure, around 7?" "Okay, see you later, babe." I hung up the phone after he said that. He calls me babe, but we're not in a relationship; we're just friends. I went back home to freshen up. It was already 6 pm, and Shadow tended to arrive early. I took a shower and started choosing what to wear. After a few minutes of staring, I finally made a choice. It's a V-neck lace knee-length dress with short sleeves and a ribbon around the waist. Once I put it on, I heard the doorbell ring, so even though I hadn't finished styling myself yet, I opened it. "You look gorgeous in that dress," Shadow complimented me. "Come in; you're early. I'm not done yet." I went back to getting ready. As I sat in front of the mirror, I felt Blake's presence approaching from behind. "Let me do it; I'll style your hair." That's his habit; he always brushes my long, soft, curled reddish-brown hair. "Thank you," I said after he finished brushing my hair. I stood up and was about to put on my contact lenses when he stopped me. "Don't wear your contact lenses," he said, furrowing his brow. "And why not?" "The natural chestnut brown color of your round eyes suits you better." "Are you sure? You seem to know more about these things than I do. Watch out; Uncle Arthur might haunt you if he finds out you're gay." I teased him, but I knew he wasn't gay. "Oh! Do you want me to kiss you to prove I'm not gay?" "You can't do it," I continued teasing him. "Your pouty lips look good in my medium heart-shaped lips," I chuckled, thinking he was serious. He approached me. "I-I'm just kidding; I didn't mean it that way." I got more nervous because he didn't move away. I ended up leaning against the wall with nowhere to retreat. I closed my eyes, and seconds passed without anything happening. "Ouch! What did I do to you?" He flicked me on the forehead. "So, you just really want me to kiss you?" "Dream on, Shadow." "Dreaming of you, Babe." He winks at me. "You're so flirty; back off so we can finish." He steps back, and I return to my seat. I only applied light pink blush, eye shadow, and lip balm. I stood up, and he stared at me. "Hey! You might end up falling in love; stop staring." "Seems like you forgot a long time ago?" "Huh? What are you talking about?" I asked, puzzled. "Don't mind it. That dress suits your fair complexion." I walked closer to him. "Thank you." "Wait! You're tall now." "Hey! I'm tall even without heels." We continue teasing each other as we walk out. "Is 5'4 tall already enough for you?" "That's tall; it's just that your 5'10 height is abnormally tall, so don't blame me for my height." He grins at me and then approaches his car. Now I notice that his brown polo shirt matches his brown complexion. He looks at me, and I can't deny that he has beautiful brown eyes. And his chiseled face, he looks so handsome. "Don't fantasize about me; get in the car." "Dream on; I'm not fantasizing about you." "That's why you were staring so intently." I didn't respond and got into his car, and he quickly drove away. Now we've arrived at 'Steak77', one of the fine dining restaurants in Quezon City. He opens the door for me and escorts me inside. I couldn't help but feel butterflies in my stomach; we looked like a couple on a dinner date at a fine-dining restaurant. "Table for two people," the waiter guides us to our table. I let Blake do the ordering for the two of us. "It's your treat, huh? You're the one who invited me," I smiled. "Sure, babe, nothing to worry about." Once the food is served, we start eating. "How's your work?" he initiated the conversation. "Good, and as a Senior Inspector, they said I'd be assigned a new task to manage tomorrow. I'll also meet my new superior tomorrow." "Keep it up; you're doing great," he praises. "Well, if it weren't for Uncle Arthur and Aunt Beatrice helping me, I wouldn't have reached where I am now." Uncle Arthur and Aunt Beatrice are Blake's parents, and they also supported me financially and helped me with my studies. "You're my friend; you're not different from me and my parents, so don't overthink what they did for you. Just promise me that you'll always share what's happening in your life with me." "I promise, and how about you? How's being a mayor?" "It's going well, although it's stressful with the number of tasks and reports to handle, especially those related to drug dealers." "Who knows, maybe that will be my new assignment, and I can help you." "Oh, I hope so. It's hard to trust others because of corrupt officials, but with you, I'm sure I can trust you." "Good thing you're not like the others," I said, winking at him. "Luna, I have a serious question for you." I furrowed my brows because he looked sincere. "What is it?" "What if I have feelings for you? And I want us to be together?" I was caught off guard by what he said. "W-what?" "Just a hypothetical question." "B-Blake, you know I love you as a friend, and I don't want to ruin that." "I know that. Wouldn't it be better because we already have a deep connection?" I don't know what I should feel. Yes, I like Blake, but there are better times for this. I need to focus on my work and find out what happened to my parents. "Blake, I know you've noticed that there are times that I'm attracted to you. You're good, kind, generous, loving, gentlemanly, and caring. But I need to prioritize my work." "Luna," he holds my hands, "Let's just give it a try; I also noticed that I'm already in love with you." "Blake, please understand. There is a better time than this one. After I achieve all my goals in life, then yes, I'll try with you, but for now, it's no." "I'll wait for you, even if it takes forever." I'm melting; he's so sweet. "Thank you, Blake." "No worries, babe." We continue eating, and there's no tension between us. He's a good man who'll do anything to ensure I'm comfortable. "Babe, excuse me for a moment. This seems important." "Go ahead," he leaves to answer the phone. After a while, he returned. "Babe, I'm sorry, I need to leave after eating. There's something important I need to take care of." "It's okay, Blake," I assure him that it's okay; he's a busy man. "Thank you for understanding." I smiled at him, and we continued eating. Once we finish, he pays the bill, and we step outside. "Come on; I'll give you a ride." "No, I'm going to the park. You'll take a different route. Go ahead; I'll commute." "Are you sure?" "Yes." I waved him off, and he started the car and drove away. I'm here now at Circle Memorial Park, walking even though it's already late at night. Even though I'm dressed nicely, nobody pays attention to me because they're all busy with their loved ones. I miss my mom and dad. When I was 13 years old, they used to bring me here. I miss bonding with them. Mom, Dad, I promise I won't get tired until I find answers to your disappearance. I can't reopen the case, but I'll investigate independently. That's why I took criminology, for both of you. And now I'm a Senior Inspector; nothing can stop me from seeking justice and discovering what happened to you. I keep walking when suddenly someone bumps into me. "Hey! Watch out--" I stopped when I saw who it was.