This is a translation of your text, elevated into a more descriptive, evocative, "English-novel" style while maintaining the full length and sequence of your original prose.
The Translation
That entire night, it felt as though the problems waiting for me at home had briefly vanished from my mind. They were replaced by the words Perseus had spoken in the elevator—something I couldn't quite grasp, and because of that, it haunted me. Yet, what I understood even less was myself and the shifting tides of my own heart. At first, my heart was filled with irritation due to what I saw in the parking lot. But after he uttered those cryptic words, it felt as if my heart had become just as blurred and difficult to decipher.
"I really don't remember what you're saying, Felisse. I know myself. I'm gay whether I'm drunk or not! I wouldn't kiss a woman!" Stacey massaged her temples. Her hair was a disheveled mess, and she was still clad in the same button-down shirt she had worn to the bar last night.
She wore it with the first three buttons undone. If I didn't know her so well, I would have mistaken her for a man. Stacey liked to swing both ways when it came to her style of dress, though I had noticed she was leaning more toward masculine clothing these recent days.
"You really did, Stephen! I saw it with my own two beautiful eyes! Come on! The woman you kissed last night was gorgeous, so don't be ashamed to admit it!" Felisse teased, poking Stacey in the side. She had just come from the kitchen, having brewed coffee for the three of us.
We reached for the cups Felisse set down. All of us were nursing pounding headaches, though their condition really ought to have been worse than mine. Felisse smiled as she said things that were clearly making Stacey's morning even more miserable. It was obvious Stacey was dizzy, given the way she kept clutching her temples.
"Stop calling me that, Felisse. I might just hit you," Stacey said irritably before taking a sip from the cup she had retrieved from the table in front of us.
The three of us were positioned by the kitchen island, all standing. I leaned both elbows on the surface, while Stacey simply leaned against it. Felisse stood directly in front of us—or more accurately, in front of Stacey—with both hands planted firmly on her hips.
"Why do you think you know better than me?! I'm the one who saw you! That girl even looked familiar!" Felisse said, her brow furrowing. Her voice carried a heavy weight of frustration because Stacey refused to believe her.
I could only manage a small smile at the two of them. Stacey held an unwavering conviction that even if she were drowned in bottles of alcohol, she would never lay a hand on a woman. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't believe it either; I couldn't imagine myself doing something so far removed from my nature.
"Well, the last time you kissed a girl, it turned out she was actually a guy—" Felisse smirked, causing Stacey's scowl to deepen further.
"Okay, okay! Say what you want, but I—I still don't remember." Stacey averted her gaze.
I couldn't quite follow what they were talking about. Perhaps only their friend Ensley would truly understand, for no matter how much I scavenged through my brain, I couldn't recall them ever telling me anything about that.
"That's enough, Felisse. You, too, last night—if I hadn't dragged you away, heaven knows what you would have done to Axel." I shook my head before taking a sip of my coffee. I winced at the bitterness of the brew. Was this really how coffee was supposed to taste for a hangover?
Now, I wasn't even sure if it was just beer I had drunk last night.
"Axel?" Stacey asked, her right eyebrow arching. Perhaps they didn't remember Felisse mentioning him during one of the times they had hung out at my unit.
"Perseus's friend," I uttered.
When I said that, both of them snapped their eyes toward me. After a few seconds, smirks bloomed on their lips as if they had suddenly remembered something. I shook my head, fearing whatever conclusions they were jumping to.
"Oh, look at you! Did you think we forgot what happened last night?! First, you were dancing with my cousin, and then we see even your crush dancing with you from behind!" Stacey was now in the mood to tease. She even poked my sides, causing me to recoil from the table with a light laugh.
"I don't like him," I said, a small smile playing on my lips despite the tickling Stacey had just subjected me to.
"Tsk! You can't fool anyone here, Sera! I saw how red you turned last night while Perseus was dancing with you. It was dark, but you were like a torch in the shadows because of the kilig!" Felisse added, fueling Stacey's teasing.
Weren't they just fighting a moment ago? Why was I now the one caught in their crosshairs? All I had tried to do was stop them from bickering further.
I took a deep breath, enduring my friends' antics.
"Be quiet, the both of you. Just go watch TV in the living room while I cook," I teased, lightly nudging them out of the kitchen. They didn't resist, simply grinning at me before letting themselves be pushed away.
Once they were gone, I immediately took out ingredients that were quick to prepare—bacon and eggs. It was a fast, easy meal for the three of us, as we were all growing hungry.
I heard the TV turn on in the living room; the sound reached me clearly. It seemed they were going to watch the news based on the audio. I paused briefly in the middle of frying the eggs when I heard a specific news report.
"A prominent lawyer here in Manila is handling the case of Mayor Gabriel Andres Salazar, the Mayor of Manila. It has only just been revealed that he is serving as the Salazar family's legal counsel, according to a report from yesterday morning."
Only just found out? Shouldn't that have been public knowledge? Then again, perhaps it didn't need to be broadcasted.
"Atty. Perseus Matheo Villamor of 'Buscar-Perseus' Law firm is now facing various criticisms..."
How was he? Was he okay? I understood why people were angry, given his choice to defend a criminal. The public's heart did not take kindly to his decision, especially since he was known as a brilliant lawyer. But I also couldn't ignore the fact that he might have had no choice but to accept the case.
I emerged from the kitchen after I finished cooking. Both of my friends were staring intently at the screen, absorbed in the news. Did they not know yet? Perhaps they only knew about the issue regarding Raven's father, but not the part where Perseus was handling it. Then again, they might have expected it, since we all knew he was the Salazar family's lawyer. Even the bar I owned was handled by him when it came to legal matters.
"The way people are bashing Atty. Perseus is too much. Yes, it doesn't look good that he's defending a thief, but isn't it a bit much to wish someone dead? He's just doing his job and what he believes is right," Stacey remarked with a scowl, her eyes fixed on the square screen before them. I set our food down on the coffee table.
She was right. People truly become aggressive when it comes to these types of cases. No one deserves to have their death wished upon them just because of the work they do.
"My goodness, I wonder what the status of their case is? It looks like it hasn't even started yet, since the only news spreading right now is about Perseus being Mayor Andres's lawyer," Felisse noted.
"I don't know. I only know the things you guys already know." I shrugged, having heard nothing new about the case since the day Perseus brought me home after Kiefer had sent me here.
"Seriously, Sera. Avoid Perseus for the meantime. We don't know if someone might be following him," Stacey warned as she began to eat.
My heart couldn't help but ache with worry for the man we were discussing. I feared Stacey might be right—that his life truly might be in danger, and there was nothing I could do about it. The only thing left for me to do was pray for his safety.
"My child, why is it taking you so long to peel that? Your father has been hungry for a while now," my own father called out to me from where he sat on his hospital bed.
After my conversation with Felisse at the condo, the room had been flooded with various rumors—even suggestions that Perseus might be involved in Mayor Andres's crimes. I didn't know why, but my heart kept insisting otherwise; he couldn't do such a thing.
"Oh, Father, I've only just started," I smiled, handing him the pieces of the dalandan orange I had just finished peeling.
"Who wouldn't be eager when it's my own daughter taking care of me?" he said, popping a piece of the fruit into his mouth.
Father couldn't be discharged from the hospital yet because he needed to be monitored for at least three more days. I agreed to it, even though my mother was scrambling to get him out, worried that our expenses would only grow the longer he stayed.
I didn't mind the payments. I was willing to go into debt just to ensure my father's well-being. I could risk anything for their health, even if it meant working myself to the bone. They were my only treasures, so I had to cherish them—especially Father.
"Child, don't you have classes today? Why are you here instead of your mother?"
"How could I focus on studying when I'd spend the whole time at school worrying about you? I would much rather stay here and care for you than be far away." I handed him another peeled segment. "And besides, Mother said she had somewhere to go, so it's only natural that I'm the one left to watch over and care for you," I added.
I didn't know where my mother had gone; she had only said it was important. Perhaps she was looking for money to cover the costs of Father's medicine. We all knew the hospital bill alone was staggering, so if I had to shoulder the medication costs as well, I would surely fall short. I didn't resent the idea, but it would certainly be easier if the expenses were shared.
I just didn't know if my mother realized that.
"I'm sorry, my child. Your father has become such a burden to you. I can't even find a decent job other than being a gambler." He stroked my hand before opening his arms wide toward me.
I smiled before embracing him. I would always crave my father's embrace because his hugs were the safest and most comfortable places in the world. It was as if they guaranteed that nothing could hurt you, whether physically or otherwise.
"Father, please. Don't talk like that. Even if I struggle with work, I will always be here to catch you," I assured him, clinging to the embrace.
My father gave my back a gentle pat before speaking. "Remember this, child: those who do not give up on life are the ones blessed by the Almighty. That is why I am always by your side, watching over the paths you choose to walk." He kissed my head before releasing me from the hug.
"I love you, my child, no matter what happens."
I went down to the hospital lobby to buy mineral water. The water containers we had brought since the day my father was moved out of the ICU were already empty.
I was picking out necessities at the convenience store across from the hospital—water, food, wipes, tissues, and various other items. I chose the cheapest options because I didn't have much money for these expenses.
I glanced at my phone when I received a message.
From: Sage Agustin
I'll give you the notes for today. I'll drop by the hospital after class.
Ever since the night Father had his attack, she had been the one looking after my parents. Though confused by my sudden absence, she didn't leave my mother and father's side. She showed nothing but pure concern and care for me and my parents. She even offered me money again—money I couldn't justify her giving away so easily. This was despite the fact that her last exchange with my mother hadn't been pleasant.
My mom and Sage still didn't get along very well. They treated each other with mere civility.
I sent a reply, expressing my gratitude that she hadn't forgotten me. It was a given that she was the only one truly looking out for me, as she had honored my wish not to let anyone else know about my situation—not even Xael.
While I was at the counter paying, my phone rang again. I thought it was Sage calling, so when I saw it was my mother, a sense of pure bewilderment took hold of me.
I answered quickly, thinking she might need something or had news to share.
"Mom?"
"You shameless child! Where have you gone off to?! Damn it, your father is having another attack! And here you are, nowhere to be found?! GET OVER HERE, HURRY!" she screamed at me, her voice a mix of rage and panic. I didn't even wait for her to hang up; I ended the call myself.
Father! Are you leaving me now? Please, not yet! I'm not ready!
My heart dropped at that moment. Moving recklessly, I managed to carry my purchases as I ran frantically toward Father's room. Though I stumbled and tripped in my haste, I didn't care; Father's condition was all that mattered.
I arrived to find chaos in Father's room. People were rushing in and out, while my mother remained seated on the floor, staring at her hands which were damp from her weeping.
"Where were you?! And what is that you're carrying?!" She snatched my shopping bags before peering inside. She violently hurled them to the floor without even blinking. "Because of your foolishness again! Your father had another attack!"
"Mom, I just went to buy—"
"What excuse are you going to give now just to say it wasn't your fault?!" She approached me, her eyes burning with a piercing glare. "This has happened how many times now, Ensley?! This is the second time you've put your father in danger!"
Now, I couldn't help but think that I truly was the reason Father was in this state. I had left him without considering that something might happen. And now, my greatest fear had come true—something terrible had happened to him again.
"Father gave me permission. I didn't think he would end up like this," I uttered tearfully, unable to evade the blows my mother was raining down on my right arm.
"You really are a curse! What now?! You'd better start praying! If your father ends up in a coffin, I'll bury you myself!" she screamed at me before turning her back and sitting on the long bench outside the ER. "Fernan, don't leave me," Mother whispered through her tears.
My emotions continued to surge within me. I suppose that's how it feels when you don't know what you're supposed to feel during these chapters of your life. The tiny world I lived in was slowly fading, scattering into the wind. My hope was gone.
"From Psalm 34:18: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit," the priest uttered at the front before announcing the end of the funeral service for my late father.
Cries, sorrows, and grieving were scattered throughout the chapel. But my heart couldn't seem to align with the people's feelings right now. They were too gloomy, and mine was simply too blank. I still couldn't choose how to react.
"Ensley, are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" Sage asked, stroking my back. I didn't answer verbally; I just shook my head.
It was as if my body had no energy to move. Even the simple act of moving my lips to speak felt like too much effort.
My three friends looked at one another. Xael and Berna were shocked when they heard the news. They had only just found out what I had truly been going through these past few weeks. They were asking for forgiveness because they hadn't been by my side during those times. I assured them it wasn't their fault, but mine. I had purposely kept them in the dark because I wanted to handle it myself.
But could I really handle myself this time?
Time flew by, like a lightning strike in the dead of night. My father had been buried, and we were all still at the chapel. My friends didn't know how to approach me. Meanwhile, my mother couldn't even bring herself to look at me, so throughout her husband's wake and funeral, I hadn't been able to catch her eye. She still believed it was my fault, and now, I was slowly beginning to believe it too.
If I hadn't left Father there, would he still be with me now? If I had provided a better life for him, would he be cooking for me now, waiting for me to come home from school?
My mind simply couldn't handle the overwhelming weight of the what-ifs.
I clutched my heart; it felt as though it were being crumpled and repeatedly pierced by thorns. It was painful, as if there would be no tomorrow where I might find relief. Despite the pain, my eyes simply couldn't mourn. It was as if they couldn't shed tears because they felt my father wouldn't be able to depart in peace.
We were back home now, and that was where I finally saw Mom. She was talking to someone I had never met before. I had seen them at the funeral, but other than that day, this was the first time I was seeing them properly.
The group consisted of four elders—two men and two women. I also didn't miss the five people who were surely around my age. They looked expensive; the way they spoke and moved appeared sophisticated.
Just like him.
Even at a time like this, I still found myself thinking of him.
"I don't know, Fae. I have no way to pay for your brother's hospital bills. I don't know where I'll find the money just to settle that," my mother cried in front of one of the older women. The woman was wearing a white dress paired with a cream coat.
"Don't worry about that, Ofelia. We will take care of it. At the very least, let me make it up to my older brother. He left the mansion for decades, and now the last time I see him on this earth, he's in a coffin, no longer breathing," the lady uttered through her tears. The man beside her held her left arm, trying to calm her. "Even if it's just for his final hours here, let me help him and the family he left behind," the woman smiled at Mom. Sadness was evident in her smile.
My head simply couldn't function properly after what I had heard. Kuya? Left the mansion? Who are these people?
I wasn't the only one wondering. My friends were too. All four of us couldn't read the room properly. We were essentially just guessing what their connection to us could be.
"Terrence?" Xael uttered in confusion, eyeing a man who was also holding onto the woman my mother was talking to. The man was tall. Even though his eyes were hidden behind glasses, the aura of his face was undeniable.
I looked at Xael to ask, but was interrupted when someone from the group in front of us called my name.
"Is this Ensley?" the woman named Fae asked. All their eyes shifted to me. The elders' eyes twinkled, but not my mother's. It was as if she were burning me in her mind again the moment she laid eyes on me.
"I saw you earlier, hija, but I was hesitant because I wasn't quite sure if you were indeed my niece," Fae said before giving me a gentle hug. "You take after your father; you have his eyes," she smiled before gazing at my face.
I couldn't react. I didn't know who these people were.
My eyes shifted to the other man by her side. I assumed the man Xael had called Terrance was her son. The man looked at my friend, and Xael looked back at him, making my mind even more curious about the nature of their connection.
"Fae, she's being weirded out. She doesn't know you yet." The man I presumed was her husband gave her a light tug.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Fae Dela Merced-Ventura. I'm your father's younger sister." She extended her hand, and I tentatively accepted the handshake. If one looked closely, she did indeed resemble my father. The way her nose was shaped was exactly the same as his. "And this is our youngest brother—though not that young anymore—Fabius Dela Merced." She pointed to the older man. He didn't smile, but he still extended his hand for me to shake.
She seemed to be trying to lighten the mood with jokes, but not one of us could bring ourselves to laugh or even smile. The news that these people were my relatives didn't evoke any new emotions in my chest.
That was when I learned that my father was a runaway teenage boy; his parents hadn't approved of his relationship with my mother, even though she was already pregnant with me. My father hadn't been raised in poverty, which was why he didn't know any trade other than cockfighting—a hobby from his youth. They owned a famous clothing line, one that was truly well-known. My friends were more shocked than I was. It turned out the expensive clothes they wore were made by my relatives—by my family.
We were all now settled inside our small living room. The space on the wooden sofas wasn't enough for our guests, so I had even brought out the chairs from the kitchen. My friends had already decided to head home; aside from the lack of space, they wanted to give us time to talk. Family talk.
"Not too long ago, Kuya asked for my help. He asked me if he could borrow fifty thousand pesos. Of course, I refused to give it as a loan and offered him more instead, because after so many years, that was the first time I had seen him again. I wonder what happened to that, for you to say you are so deeply in debt?" Fabius asked, seated on one of the chairs I had prepared. He was looking at Mom, unblinking, never attempting to avert his gaze from her.
"D-didn't Fernan tell y-you it was for o-our child?" Mom avoided his gaze.
This was the first time she had branded me as her child. I didn't know whether to be happy about that or angry. Because the money my father had struggled to ask of his brother had only ended up being spent on Mom's luxuries. It had even become the catalyst for my father reaching the state he was in now.
"Really?" my father's brother asked again before looking at me. "You used it for what?"
I felt absolutely nothing as they turned toward me. Not even a trace of nervousness could be felt in my chest. It was too numb to feel anything besides pain.
"I wasn't able to use it," I answered honestly.
I had run out of energy; I couldn't even bring myself to cover for my mother anymore.
"Why? Didn't your father give it to you? No?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
This Fabius resembled my father so much. The only difference was that my father was bright and warm, while my uncle was dark and cold. It was like looking at my father while he was angry. My heart felt a brief flicker of warmth at the thought that my father was scolding me right now.
"No. I didn't even manage to hold it. It never passed through my hands."
Those words were like gasoline, causing Fabius's anger to flare up even more. Before, it hadn't been so obvious; now, he was openly displaying his rage.
"Now, I think I know why he only left his heritage under the name of his only daughter," he uttered with a clenched jaw.
His wife calmed him down, as did his sister. She told him something we couldn't hear. The woman then faced us and let out a breath.
"We'll talk some other time. We're all tired, and we aren't in the right state to hold a proper conversation." She massaged her temples before beckoning her husband and her two sons. Her brother and his family followed suit.
Before leaving, Terrence asked for my phone number so that his mother and uncle could easily reach me the next time they needed to speak with me.
Silence enveloped the house. It might have lasted longer if my mother hadn't hurled a piece of footwear at me. I looked at her, my eyes devoid of emotion. I was too tired for this.
"What?! Were you planning to expose me earlier?! Saying all those things!" She threw the other pair of her slippers.
"I only spoke the truth," I replied coldly.
I couldn't stomach looking at Mom right now. I blamed her for Father's death. I blamed myself too, for not being able to stay by his side until his final breath. I couldn't bear to imagine how he suffered while I was gone.
"Something that would put me in danger!" she pointed at me accusingly.
"If you knew what the result would be, you shouldn't have taken the money in the first place! Look at us—aside from what happened to Father, we're now even deeper in debt!"
I couldn't stop myself from shouting in anger. The rage within me was slowly leaking out. I could no longer restrain it; it was overflowing. Everything was piecing itself together, which was why I was exploding with anger now.
I love my mother, but I can no longer handle myself.
"Why are you complaining when your father left you something?! I'm certain it's a fortune, and not just money!" she screamed hysterically.
No, not the things my father left me. She always takes everything my father gives me. That's why I have nothing left and nothing saved. I wanted at least one thing, so the memory of my father could be represented by an object. I want something to hold while thinking of him.
If we hadn't lived in poverty, I would have thought she married Father for his money.
"That is the only thing he left for me! I won't let you use it! Not for this!" I stood up before turning my back and walking toward my room. I paused when I saw Father's photo on the altar near my bedroom door. My room and my parents' room were directly across from each other, with the altar in the middle.
"Whether you like it or not, we're going to use it!" Mom screamed, following me.
"You don't have any right to touch it! It's under my name! So please, Mom?! Just be grateful that Father's hospital bills aren't added to our debts! Because his sister is taking care of that!" I faced Mom while holding onto my bedroom door. It was open while I stood inside.
I heard a sharp ringing sound as I felt a stinging pain on my right cheek. I was stunned. I couldn't react, let alone move.
"I have a right to everything you have. Because I am your mother! I brought you into this world—"
"Something you should have just never done!" I cut her off with a scowl.
Here she goes again. Manipulating the situation by saying she's my mother. She is, but I never felt—not even once—that she acted like one for me. She always makes me feel like I'm just a resource she can't let go of because she needs me for money.
We were both silent. I shifted my gaze so I wouldn't meet hers. I couldn't bear to look at her even for a second. Aside from being hurt by her words, I was only reminded of Father.
Dad, why did you leave me?
"If I weren't in this world, then I wouldn't be suffering like this. Hurting because I lost a father! The only good thing you gave me was a loving father. And you were the one who took him away!" I screamed at her before slamming the door in her face.
"Well, damn it. Are you saying I'm the one who killed your father?!" she pounded violently on my bedroom door.
"Why?! Aren't you?! If it weren't for your luxuries, if you had just listened to me, maybe Father would still be alive today!" I shouted back while leaning against the door. I was afraid she might break the simple lock Father had made; it was effective, but not that strong.
My mother was now violently hammering on my door. I stayed there, my back pressed against it.
"Shut up, Ensley. Don't act like the victim here! If it weren't for you, Fernan would still be with me!" Now, I could hear in her voice that she was breaking over the loss of my father.
We were both heartbroken. We had both lost someone we loved. My father was my only hope, my only hero in this cruel world. But now, I could no longer find him or be with him. His memories were the only things that would remain in my heart. I would carry them and remember them whenever my heart sought him out.
"Stop putting the blame on me! We both know you're the problem! You're the one who caused Father pain! We were the ones working hard while you just indulged yourself!" I screamed at my mother in rage.
A lump was slowly forming in my throat. I swallowed, trying to rid myself of the feeling of suffocation. But my mother's words were like a grenade; the wall I was slowly building to protect myself from further pain was crumbling at my feet.
"But that doesn't change the fact that you killed him! You're the reason this family became a mess! Ever since you were born! Your father never looked at anyone else but you!" She pounded on my door again, sobbing uncontrollably. I could no longer feel any pain from the harsh words she hurled at me. I was becoming numb to them.
As much as I wanted to comfort her, I simply couldn't. My heart was too shrouded in pain and anger. I also knew she wouldn't accept such comfort, especially from me.
"Because my father loved me more than you! Because that's how a parent should be!"
My father was the only one who understood the duty of being a parent. He was the most loving and precious father I could ever ask for. Even his shortcomings I could tolerate because he never failed to provide a fatherly love. He made me feel that my entire life. And his love will remain until it is my turn to leave this world.
"I will never treat you as my child. I don't have a rebellious child!" she shouted before the other side of the door went silent.