After the initial briefing from Leo about his situation, the room has settled into a contemplative silence.
"So... this doesn't make sense quite."
Ryan says with a visibly conflicted expression. The idea of performing, even if the performance was for his friend's mother, doesn't fit right with him quite.
Sylvia nods once in agreement with Ryan's words. She observes both Ryan's and his friend's expressions, as if processing something more than just Leo's situation.
According to Leo's earlier words, his mother has returned after the initial marital discord which happened between his parents around one month ago. But his follow-up words become the main source of confusion for Ryan and Sylvia. As per Leo, his mother demanded to know Leo's social circle just after her return.
The gap between his parents' conflict and his mother's demand... becomes the reason for Sylvia's hesitation about this matter. While Ryan's concern remains his unwillingness to perform or prove himself to anyone, both Ryan and Sylvia share similar sentiments about this situation.
Unable to hide her doubts anymore, Sylvia takes the lead in breaking the silence. She confronts Leo directly rather than speaking while standing behind Ryan, who is still struggling between his own doubts and his desire to help his friend.
Leo seems to have already prepared himself for the incoming interrogation, and when Sylvia shifts in her seat, he immediately stiffens slightly.
"Let me get this straight... Your mother asked about your personal life just after her return home rather than solving her matters with your father. You know, that doesn't make sense, right? Why would she pull you between... that?"
The question turns the gears in Ryan's mind in a different direction too instantly. He doesn't speak, but his suspicions can be sensed by Leo even from the distance.
Seeing that there is no way out of this now, Leo's expression falls slightly, and his eyes meet both of them, resigned.
"To be honest..."
"While their fight happened due to their own personal reasons... It was because of me that Mom really left the house."
Both Ryan's and Sylvia's expressions change drastically at Leo's confession. Ryan's shock is perceptible; he couldn't have expected that his friend's nature could be the cause of such a thing. And Sylvia's reaction is... albeit a twisted mixture of bewilderment and triumph, she had almost guessed the reason earlier, even if just a part of it.
When Ryan finally asks for further explanation after getting out of his shock, only then does the situation become clearer to them.
To sum it up, just before the departure of Leo's mother from the house and when his mother was still present...
One day, while doing the laundry, his mother stumbled upon Leo's phone, which unfortunately was not locked at that time. What followed the discovery was the natural progression of events from his mother finding out some 'cheeky' private messages, to her blaming his father because his father didn't perform his fatherly duties according to her.
Altogether, Leo became the scapegoat in his parents' fight when his father moved to 'defend' Leo, and his mother tried to win the argument. What was the small issue over some messages turned into a heated argument when his mother finally snapped and left for her parents' home.
After a minute...
"It must have been hard for you..."
Ryan says, while looking at Leo. According to Ryan, Leo's parents are the ones at fault. Poor thing... did they throw all the blame upon him...?
Sylvia's expression is different from Ryan's. She assesses both Ryan's and Leo's situation without speaking right now.
Hearing Ryan's words, Leo relaxes and nods slowly, with a slightly weary smile.
"Well... that's what it is. I don't need much, just... meet my mother once, Ryan! I am sure that will fix most of the issues."
"..."
"You really are confident about my... character, aren't you?"
A low scoff comes from Sylvia's side, followed by the immediate remark.
"Maybe he is confident about your ability to make his parents kick him altogether from the house, Ryan. 'This will fix all the issues after all'."
"..."
"..."
Both men stare at her in silence. Sylvia just shrugs her shoulders slightly and leans back further on the couch.
After a moment, Leo turns his head toward Ryan.
"By the way, I almost forgot about asking it... Who is she?"
"Leo... don't ask dangerous questions."
Ryan shakes his head slowly while looking at Leo, as if the fault was in Leo's question.
All three of them fall silent after that...
Half an hour later.
The sound of an empty cup hitting the table comes once, as Leo glances at Ryan.
"Sylvia makes quite good tea."
"Wait!"
Ryan's head snaps toward Sylvia, but the damage is done, since her gaze bores into Ryan's and a sharp hmph comes from her side.
"You have good taste, Leo. Otherwise... 'Some people' lack the taste buds entirely."
Ryan's head hits the couch behind him, his eyes close shut, and Leo stares at them confusedly as if they were speaking in divine language.
After another thirty minutes...
"I didn't expect that you would help me too, Sylvia."
"Well... consider it a reward for your good taste in teas."
"I will appreciate your teas even more in the future, then."
"Like hell... make one by yourself next time, I am not your maid."
"..."
As the door closes shut behind them, their gazes meet each other's automatically.
Ryan: "It will create suspicions if you go with me."
Sylvia: "...Didn't you hear him? He is definitely trying to use you. You have this habit of refusing to do something in the beginning, but the moment someone forces you into the situation... You start trying to help them anyways. If you go with him alone, he will make you hear all the melodrama of his parents."
Ryan stares at her for a few seconds. Did she just...?, the thought was bitter as his mind immediately tries to connect her words with their relationship.
She senses his reaction before he can even show it properly. Her hand grabs his suddenly, and then she starts dragging him toward the inside.
"Don't think like that, Ryan. I didn't force you into it. The situation came upon us... Remember? We didn't choose the situation."
The words bring him out of his thoughts suddenly, and after a moment, he simply lets his body get dragged by her.
"Hm..."
"But even if that is true... he is my friend, are you really fine with this?"
Only when they reach the living room does she let go of his hand and start walking toward the kitchen.
"It doesn't matter. You are going there in the end, aren't you? That is enough of a reason for me."
"...That makes sense."
Next day...
Sylvia stares at the house in front of her. Then, she glances at her side slowly while adjusting the hem of her top.
"This is big... Your friend is rich, huh?"
Ryan adjusts his shirt for one second more than her.
"His parents are rich, to be precise."
"Does it matter? He will receive their property in the end."
"Well... that's true."
Then finally, he turns toward her one final time and meets her gaze properly.
"Anyways, we both are Leo's friends here. Remember what we discussed last night..."
She waves her hand in front of his face immediately and takes a step toward the door.
"Yes... yes... I know. Helping your friend in this matter, keeping his parents' focus away from our own personal lives and not screwing your friend even more than he already is, right?"
Ryan's enthusiasm evaporates instantly, and he also turns toward the main door with a low groan.
"Always taking away my chance to be a hero..."
"What? Did you say something?"
"Nope."
Sylvia's hand closes on the doorbell, and with one last glance at him, she presses it.
Ring-ring-ring!