Dusk gradually enveloped the land.
Two white European-style buildings with gardens faced each other across the street, their gardens bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun, softly exuding their fragrances.
As Philip parked his car and prepared to head home, he noticed the neighbor's door was ajar, but the interior was dark and unlit.
Philip knocked and called out as he entered, "Ms. Isabella? Ryan? Is anyone home?"
No one answered.
The living room was eerily quiet, as if it were empty.
As Philip's eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw Ryan sitting with his eyes closed on the large French leather sofa.
Philip walked over and sat beside him, patting his shoulder. "Hey, what are you thinking about?" It was rare to see Ryan looking so lost in thought.
Ryan was jolted from his reverie and, upon seeing Philip, gave a faint smile as a greeting. Then, he returned to his distant, contemplative state. His handsome face suddenly bore a childlike expression of helplessness.
Philip scrutinized him closely. "I heard from Dean James that you went to the hospital today?"
"Yeah."
"That's odd," Philip said, scratching his nose and chuckling. "I thought you'd never set foot in a hospital. What made you go today?"
Ryan shifted slightly, looking a bit awkward.
"I also heard that you carried a girl into the hospital, looking very anxious, and you even demanded that the dean personally attend to her," Philip teased. "Ryan, have you fallen in love? Congratulations!"
"James is such a busybody!" Ryan muttered, his face reddening.
"So, who is this girl? You must introduce her to me sometime. It's not every day you see our Ryan so flustered and concerned," Philip said with a playful grin, though his expression was gentle.
"She's not—she's just a crazy person."
Ryan's voice was subdued.
"Crazy person?" Philip's curiosity was piqued. What kind of person could make Ryan so awkward, shy, and nervous?
Ryan fell silent again.
There was a peculiar expression on his face, his eyes seemed to glimmer with something, yet mixed with confusion, struggle, and uncertainty.
His fingers unconsciously rubbed something.
Philip leaned in and saw that it was a tiny diamond, glinting continuously between Ryan's fingers.
"Hmm, your nose stud is off," Philip remarked, noting that Ryan had worn it for such a long time that the diamond seemed to have become a part of him.
Ryan stared at the diamond.
The diamond's sparkle flickered in the dim light of the room.
After a long pause—
Ryan murmured, "Philip, if someone told you—she likes you so much that she would do anything just to see you happy. And she really would do anything, no matter how extreme…"
"Is this about that girl?"
"Yeah."
Ryan leaned back against the sofa, closing his eyes as he held the diamond in his palm. "But why? I've always been harsh and cruel to her, there's no reason…"
Philip listened quietly.
"Philip, I don't know…"
"Do you like her?" Philip asked with a smile.
Ryan pondered for a moment.
"I don't know. It's just that every time she smiles at me, I want to be harsh with her. Even when I'm harsh, she still smiles. And then… I just want to be even harsher…"
"Ryan, you idiot!" Philip chuckled despite himself.
Ryan took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and the light in them flickered gently.
"She's a madwoman."
"Well, idiots and madwomen are a match made in heaven," Philip said seriously.
"Philip!"
Ryan's face flushed red.
"Go fall in love," Philip said with a smile, patting his shoulder. "You're a grown man, it's time you experienced real romance."
Ryan pushed him away. "You sound so old-fashioned, but you're only two years older than me. By the way, why aren't you in a relationship?"
"Me?" Philip chuckled, rubbing his nose. "I'm still waiting for the one woman in my life."
Ryan looked at him incredulously.
Philip burst into laughter.
The two of them laughed heartily, and the room was filled with the warmth of their friendship.
After a while, a troubled expression crept back onto Ryan's face.
"Philip, I'm worried…"
"What about?"
Ryan fell silent.
Philip smiled, watching him. "Your health is fine now. As long as you're careful, everything will be okay. If she really is a good girl, don't be so stubborn. Just go ahead and fall in love. Besides…"
"Hm?"
"You've already developed feelings for her."
"I haven't!" Ryan nearly jumped up.
"Okay, okay, you haven't," Philip said, unable to hide his amusement. "Just give her a chance then."
Really—
Can it be?
The cold diamond warmed in the heat of his palm.
…