Once Angel got home, she immediately changed into her casual attire: a white sundress.
It's been getting hotter in the Philippines, so if possible, going for lighter clothes is always welcome for Angel. She stepped out of her room and walked around the house.
「My parents aren't home.」
She surmised, making her way to the living room to sit on the couch.
As soon as she settled in, Angel couldn't help but pull out her phone. She opened her Facebook and began browsing through her feed.
「As expected.」
Angel sighed as she saw posts mentioning a certain silver-haired girl at Mang Inasal.
『Check these two beauties out! The one in the brown is a local here in Naga, but the silver-haired girl's beauty is unmatched!』
Under the post, the comments piled up:
「@Hidden_AccountDamn! You're right! Has anybody figured out who she is?」
「Reply from @Anton_Alcantara
Brother, it seem's you're late to the.party, yes she's been found already.She goes under the name.@Angel_Ramondezz」
「Reply from @Hidden_Account to @Anton_AlcantaraOhh nice..but she doesn't post though」
「Reply from @LunaManudo to @Hidden_AccountYup, it seems she only made an account for personal reasons. I among others tried to add her as a friend but yeah.. still hasn't accepted or anything」
「Reply from @RaynAvenido to @LunaManudoWell that's because it's not a Facebook page.. just an account. If it were the former, I bet she'd have hella followers by now」
"I don't think that'll be the case..."
Angel mumbled, setting her phone down. She didn't bother looking further—same old stuff. Compliments, curiosity, speculation. All about her.
Still, she couldn't help but ponder.
Like… should she make a creator page? She doesn't know how to do that yet, but—she's willing to learn!
She picked her phone up again and opened her Notes app.
□ Create my own Facebook page□ Continue my light novel
That was her to-do list.
Angel yawned and stretched on the couch.
"Hnggg! Still, those seem like a lot of work..."
She giggled to herself. She knew she'd have to do them sooner or later. But for now? Can't a girl just be cute and do absolutely nothing?
She continued to kill time scrolling on her phone. Eventually, the clock hit 4PM. Time to prep the rice and toss it in the cooker. Just the usual routine.
Then, her father came home.
"Welcome back, papa."
Angel approached, took his hand, and did mano.
"Did you go out?"
Her father asked, giving her a once-over.
"Yeah! I went to eat with Maria."
He nodded.
"I see. Your childhood friend, right?"
"Yupp!"
Angel smiled as her father gave a quiet nod of approval.
"That's good. You should get out more often."
He said before heading to his room—probably to get changed, too.
Angel returned to the couch. It didn't take long before her mother arrived.
"Ma, welcome home."
She smiled and approached, doing mano like before.
"Did you have fun?"
Her mom asked, gently caressing Angel's head.
"Yeah! Me and Maria ate at Mang Inasal."
Angel beamed as she watched her mom place her things on the couch.
"Mang Inasal? Did you pay?"
Angel laughed nervously.
"No, Maria did."
Her mom sighed.
"Make sure to treat her next time. And ask me for money before you go out."
"Is that okay?"
Angel asked, eyes filled with concern.
"It's fine. As long as it's not more than 500 PHP."
Her mother didn't seem mad. Not upset, not angry. That alone confused Angel. But... she didn't mind. If anything, she'd prefer it this way. Quiet. No yelling.
Time flew fast. Maybe that's just how it is for someone like Angel, where every day feels like a simple loop. Two hours gone in a blink. Now it was 6PM.
She sat at the dinner table—and immediately, she felt it.
The pressure changed.
She could tell, just from instinct. This dinner wouldn't be peaceful.
Angel looked at the table—bangus, barbecue, ampalaya, a few sides.
She was hungry, so she helped herself, took some ulam, and fetched rice from the kitchen. Her parents did the same.
But as she began to eat, small bites at a time, the moment shattered.
"Angel."
She looked up—her mom, staring sharply at her.
"I'll ask again. Are you really not going to college?"
That same question. Again. Angel's heart dropped.
"I... I w-won't."
She answered softly, looking away.
"Why?"
Another voice. Her father, this time.
"Because I want to be a writer—"
"But you still haven't shown any results at all. You don't earn money, and you're not even recognized locally."
His words cut deep—dagger-sharp. Angel held in her hurt, staring at him with clenched lips.
"Pa, I'm telling you... it's not that simple."
"That's why you need college! Pick a course, earn good money!"
His voice rose, heavy with frustration.
"I already told you, pa. I don't want a job I don't love."
Angel's voice trembled, but she held firm.
"Angel, look at me. Look at me."
She met his cold, unwavering stare.
"If you don't want to follow me or your mother... leave this house. You're 19, anyway."
Those words. She's heard them so many times before. Yet they still hurt. Her eyes widened.
"T-that's..."
She lowered her gaze, lips quivering.
The scolding blurred into noise. Her father's voice, her mother's, both drowned into a distant echo. Her vision hazed. Just hours ago they smiled at her, praised her, embraced her.
Why do they now look at her like... like when she was still a guy?
Like she's worthless?
She's not worthless. She's not useless.
Why can't they see that?
Is it so wrong—to just want to be loved?
It's confusing. Living with them is confusing. One moment, love. The next, resentment. Today, you're their daughter. Tomorrow, you're just an old regret.
It hurts. It's exhausting.
Angel continued eating, slowly, numbly, stuffing down her sorrow with every bite.
Before she knew it, the dishes were done. She brushed her teeth, did her skincare, all the usual steps to maintain her beauty.
She checked her phone.
9PM.
She felt... empty. No mood to game, no mood to scroll. She just laid on her bed—and somehow, just as her head hit the pillow, tears quietly slipped from her eyes.
She laughed a little.
"I'm sure this is not a big deal..."
Angel whispered, hugging herself tight, as her tears continued to fall.