Kyle, Chaylen, and Emily exchanged perplexed glances as they beheld Sylvester standing motionless in front of the cabinet. Their view was obstructed, so they couldn't discern what had seized his attention. Meanwhile, within the cabinet, Terban and Ryan were frozen in silence, incapable of uttering a word, moving a muscle, or even drawing breath. They knew full well that this would only lead to further misunderstandings.
And then…
“F*ck it!” Sylvester let out a string of expletives before wrenching open the cabinet again and yanking Ryan's wrist forcefully.
“Ahh!” Ryan winced in agony from the sudden movement, realising that Sylvester was livid.
Terban observed Sylvester's tight grip on Ryan's hand and understood why he was so incensed. He knew he would feel the same way in Sylvester's shoes. However, he couldn't help but feel vexed as he watched Sylvester haul Ryan away.
"S- Slyvester," Ryan called him while wincing.
Only then did the three understand what was happening when they saw Ryan being dragged away and when Terban came out of the cabinet where it came from/
"Oh my god," Chaylen’s mouth went agape.
Emily covered her open mouth.
Kyle froze in place as his eyes widened. In hiding on the sofa's edge, Vincent stood up to see what was happening.
"S- Slyvester, w-wait," Ryan begged her boyfriend.
Slyvester was guiding Ryan up the stairs when Terban suddenly intervened, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
Slyvester paused momentarily, gasping for air, and looked up at Terban with a glare.
“What are you doing, Terban? Let go,” Slyvester demanded that Terban release his grip.
However, Terban remained steadfast in his conviction. “You let go of Ryan. She’s in pain.”
Then, Slyvester noticed the telltale redness on Ryan's wrist, evidence of his tight grip. Overcome with guilt, Slyvester reluctantly relinquishes his hold on Ryan.
“Slyvester. Let’s talk about this calmly,” Ryan said to diffuse the tension.
“Ryan is right,” Terban agreed. “Hear us out and…”
“MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, TERBAN,” Slyvester, who was feeling defensive and agitated, abruptly shouted at Terban.
Kyle attempted to intercede, but Vincent held him back knowing it wasn't their place to interfere. Vincent knew that this was something they could not interfere with.
“I am sorry if you think I am butting in your relationship,” a prideful Terban apologised.
“Well, thought. You should know how to draw a line, bro,” Slyvester said angrily.
"But you misunderstand it,” Terban rebuked.
"Whether I misunderstood or not, Ryan and I will talk about this,” Slyvester said, huffing breath.
"Then calm down,” Terban suggested. “You should calm down first.”
"Fuck it. How can I?! Yesterday you and Ryan had dinner with your father. Did you gain confidence because your kind father likes Ryan? Then when it comes to my family, Ryan suffers? Do you like it?! Do you think you can change Ryan’s mind because of this?!"
"It was just an accident that we met yesterday," Terban explained.
"But I'm not fucking okay with it!" Slyvester yelled. "Even if it's an accident, it's still annoying!"
"Why can't you listen first?" Ryan opened her mouth and looked at Slyvester.
Slyvester and Terban turned their heads at her.
"When I was going to explain yesterday, you didn't listen to me. When I chatted with you, did you reply? And now you don't want to listen to what we have to say,” Ryan uttered.
"I told you I was fed up last night,” Slyvester responded.
"Are you the only one?! We're both on edge but still... you should know how to listen!"
Slyvester stiffened.
Ryan has a point. But somehow, he couldn’t nod his head. He was preceded by jealousy and anger.
"Why are you being like this?" Ryan asked, crying.
'She's crying. I made her cry,' Slyvester was bewildered. He felt weak seeing the image of the woman he loves crying because of him. Then he remembered the scene on the rooftop when Terban was hugging Ryan to comfort her.
"I'm just... tired of everything," Slyvester sighed.
He is tired of overthinking. He is tired of thinking about what will happen because of his father. He is tired of being jealous. That's what he meant. He's tired of everything, so he wants to reconcile with her. But Ryan misunderstood his words. When he said that he was exhausted, she thought that he was tired of dealing her. And that broke her hearts as she mumbled the painful word, "Tired?"
More tears flowed down from her eyes. "Okay." She nodded. "Okay." Then she went up the stairs and locked herself in the room.
The party is over.