Laptop, notebook, pen and a few more items were scattered on the coffee table. The living room was devoid of any person at this moment.
The night air stays cool outside, hitting against the closed window glass occasionally.
The lights in the house are switched off now, leaving the house in darkness except for Ryan's bedroom. The sound of footsteps moving around the room and soft rustles of the mattress can be heard from inside.
Inside the bedroom, Sylvia prepares her makeshift bed on the floor beside the bed, as usual. Ryan is already asleep on his bed, lying in his casual clothes for the night, a T-shirt and shorts.
A couple of minutes later, the bedroom goes dark too. Sylvia falls asleep the moment her body lands on the mattress. Beside her pillow rests her phone, the only source of light at this moment as the screen stays on for a moment longer. At the center of the lock screen, a 'must-do' task is scheduled, written in large font as 'Date with Marian'.
Finally, the screen dims… and then goes dark too.
…
Morning…
Ryan stares through the open door of the bathroom, where Sylvia can be seen applying lipstick to her lips. She inspects the ratio and shade of lipstick carefully in the mirror. Finally, she turns toward him after finishing her final setup.
She steps out into the hallway and stops just in front of him, with a small smile. Then, suddenly, she circles once in place, almost brushing her hair against his face in the process. Then, she asks while gesturing at herself.
"How is it? Oh… Forget it, I am looking good, I know that."
Before Ryan can even process anything, she walks past him in one swift motion, the hem of her long skirt brushes against his leg while she does so. He watches as she grabs her handbag and starts moving toward the door. He finally calls out.
"W… Wait!"
"Ask it quickly, Ryan. I am getting late and I cannot waste another second."
"What? Where are you going in such a hurry?"
She finally glances back over her shoulder after reaching the door, her hand also already on the knob. Her expression turns slightly playful as she looks at his face.
"Date, obviously."
"…?"
"HUH!?"
She doesn't wait for his reply. With a dramatic turn of her head, she walks out and closes the door behind her. Ryan is left there staring at the closed door, dumbfounded.
…
9:00… 9:01… 02…
The time is already past the early morning phase. Their initial meetup was almost casual. Brief exchange of greetings. Light walk. Quick discussion over the first location.
Now, they sit in a café, a quiet and expensive place. Means discussion fell into Marian's favor.
Marian looks nothing like she did at the Vance's house days ago. Today, she moves in a more relaxed posture. She talks more with Sylvia, smiles when something interesting comes up between them and even laughs when Sylvia jokes about something. Ryan wouldn't have believed this sight if he saw Marian like this.
A staff member comes near their table to set down their orders, two cups of coffee and two ice creams.
Sylvia immediately takes her ice cream, taking a small bite from it. Marian chuckles quietly seeing the scene.
"So eager… are you sure about leaving that boy alone, by the way? He might go around sulking today…"
Sylvia nods once.
"Mm. It's fine. He's a strong boy."
Marian picks up her own coffee, her movements more deliberate than Sylvia's. After a moment, she murmurs quietly.
"Thank you, though. For… listening to me. I almost believed that no one would listen to me at this age anymore."
Sylvia lets out a sigh after hearing her words, and sets her ice cream cone down. A smudge from the ice cream sticks to her lips now, which she seems unaware of. Shaking her head slowly, she says with a smile.
"I wanted to spend time with you myself, that's why you don't have to thank me, when I also like this too. Though... I accept your thanks."
Marian observes her attentively over the rim of her cup. A small smile suddenly threatens to appear on Marian's lips, which she hides behind the cup. Then, she notices the smudge on Sylvia's mouth.
Marian sets her cup down slowly, takes a napkin and reaches across the table. The napkin presses against the corner of Sylvia's lips, while she maintains eye contact with her.
"I can understand you, it seems. I also like to hear you, I think."
Then, with a flick, she wipes the smudge off and settles back against her chair with a small smirk.
Meanwhile, Sylvia has frozen in her place during this. Her cheeks are slightly flushed as she stares at her.
A moment later, Sylvia lets out a low laugh while hiding her face.
"God… you are making me blush now, Marian. I might end up falling for you, you know?"
Marian's smile turns slightly wishful at that, a low whisper leaving her, almost to herself.
"Ha… I wish."
Sylvia goes back to her ice cream later. It's unknown whether she heard that or not.
The rest of the date passes more quietly. They move between different places, from the park to a restaurant at the end. When they finally leave the restaurant after having lunch, both of them look somewhat tired now, mostly mentally.
Marian glances at her hand watch, noticing the time. Then, looking up, she sighs.
"I have to go now… Sylvia."
Sylvia nods in agreement after watching the time on her phone screen.
"Hm… me too. I didn't mention much to him about this before leaving the house."
As they prepare to part ways, Sylvia suddenly turns toward Marian.
"Oh, how are things going with that boy Leo?"
Marian pauses, considering the question, then finally says with a quiet hum.
"Don't worry. I went too hard on him earlier… even though the reason for leaving the house… wasn't even him. But, he's okay now."
…
Today, the day in the house has been quiet. Although, the house is quiet almost every day even with both of them… today, it is too much. The smell of soap and shampoo comes from the bathroom, as if someone just took a bath at this time of the day. In the kitchen, tea has gone cold now, the cup still full as if someone lost their taste after making it. And, in the living room…
Ryan lies splayed over the couch. His chin presses into the pillow, finger scrolling on the phone, mindlessly. His eyes drift toward the wall clock, even though the phone is in front of him. Then, suddenly, he turns over and starts staring at the couch…
Where is she…? No… what am I thinking about? She must be just having fun somewhere! But…
The word 'date' still echoes in his mind. He understands Sylvia enough that she isn't the kind to go out with anyone like this. He already has a guess about who she might have gone out with, however…
He sighs again, this one counts to twenty-two now. He stands up slowly and glances toward the kitchen as if finally remembering the tea.
I should call her now. She's already too late. I will not look desperate now… probably.
Just at this moment, the sound of the door clicking reaches him. He stiffens suddenly and then his sulking disappears as if it was never there. Before even the door can open fully, he sprints.
"Finally…"