Mary picked up her brush without a word, alongside Yong and Helen. The three of them quietly resumed painting. Nicholas, however, stood hesitantly in a corner, a regretful look on his face. He wanted to say something, but the words, like dried paint on a palette, no longer flowed. Reluctantly, he picked up his brush and began to paint in silence. Yong kept glancing between Nicholas and Mary, sensing something was off.
Yong leaned in and whispered: — What's wrong? Why do you both look so down?
Nicholas growled without looking at him: — Nothing. Mind your own work.
Yong smirked: — You two came to the studio together, didn't you? Did you say something to Mary that made things weird?
Nicholas hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Mary and Helen and said to Yong: — Come outside. Let's talk.
Yong raised an eyebrow in surprise but climbed down the scaffolding without a word. Nicholas walked ahead of him. Yong turned to Helen and said: — Helen, we're going out for a bit to get something. I haven't had lunch. I'm starving.
Helen nodded: — Sure, go ahead.
Nicholas stood outside the studio. As Yong approached, he said in a rough voice: — It's all messed up because of you.
Yong asked, surprised: — Because of me? What are you talking about?
Nicholas said angrily: — If you hadn't started that damn group painting, Mary wouldn't be suspicious now.
Yong frowned: — Suspicious of what? Speak clearly.
Nicholas took a deep breath: — Mary... she suspects Helen was in love with someone back in college. Now she's curious to know who that person was.
Yong laughed: — Let her find out. It's not like it's the first time you broke someone's heart. If she knows, she'll understand you better. Maybe she won't fall for you and you two can just stay friends. Isn't that what you want?
Nicholas snapped: — Shut up. You know Helen's feelings were one-sided. She admitted it later, that's why we're still friends. But I don't want Mary to know anything about my past. Not about Helen, not Diana. I don't want to ruin this friendship.
Yong smiled: — So, you're asking me to lie if Mary asks?
Nicholas looked dazed: — I don't think she'll ask anything anymore.
Yong: — Why? What did you tell her?
Nicholas sat on a bench and said in a low voice: — She thought you were the one Helen loved. And to keep her from digging deeper, I told her something that broke her heart.
Yong was stunned for a moment: — What? Why would she think that?
Nicholas replied bitterly: — You should ask yourself that... especially when you act like you hold yourself in such high regard.
Yong smiled: — Okay, but why are you so upset? She thought Helen loved me, not you.
Nicholas muttered: — Because I told her something I shouldn't have.
Yong stood up: — She'll get used to it. The more she gets to know you, the more she'll adjust. Come on, let's go grab something. I told the others we were getting snacks.
Nicholas stood reluctantly. Yong smiled to himself and shook his head as he looked at him from behind.
Meanwhile, Helen and Mary were painting.
Helen said: — The style you and Yong chose is really great. I'm sure we'll get lots of attention at the exhibition. What do you think?
Mary, still lost in thought about Nicholas's words, didn't reply.
Helen said again: — Mary? Are you listening?
Mary snapped out of it: — Huh? What did you say?
Helen asked worriedly: — You seem upset... did something happen?
Mary forced a smile: — No, just a work issue. It's nothing.
Helen smiled: — Forget it. You're part of a professional art project now. Forget about the office.
Mary smiled too, but her smile was tinged with sadness.
When Yong and Nicholas returned, they all took a short break and resumed painting. Around 9 PM, Yong said: — That's enough for tonight. Let's rest tomorrow and the day after. We'll continue over the weekend.
Helen sighed in relief: — Good. I've got something to do too. Might not be able to come Saturday. I'll let you know.
As Mary was about to say goodbye, Nicholas said: — Mary, wait. I'll give you a ride.
Mary replied coldly: — No need. I'm not going home. I have something else to do.
And without another word, she left. Helen, sensing the heavy tension between them, quickly said goodbye and followed Mary.
At the studio door, she called out: — Mary! Wait… let's go together.
They walked along the sidewalk.
Helen said: — I don't want to pry, but did Nicholas say something?
Mary: — No. Why do you think he did?
Helen confidently said: — Because I know both you and him. Nicholas sometimes speaks without thinking, but he doesn't mean harm.
Mary smiled: — I told you, he didn't say anything.
Helen said: — Okay… then I won't bring him up again. That annoying guy.
Mary laughed.
Helen continued: — That's better! Just laugh. Don't care about Nicholas. Don't care about guys in general. That way you'll attract success… like me!
— So you've never cared about a guy?
Helen paused and then said: — Well, sometimes I did. But when I stopped caring, everything got better.
Mary said wistfully: — I feel bad for the guy who couldn't see your love… he's a fool.
Helen smiled: — Exactly! Why miss out on a queen?… Like us!
Then, playfully: — Am I right or what? Girls like us are queens!
Mary laughed: — Totally.
— How about pizza?
— This late?
— So what? It's only nine.
Mary laughed: — Fine, let's go.
Suddenly she stopped: — Oh no, I forgot! Ava started work at Diana's company today. I wanted to thank Yong…
— It's okay, call him later.
Meanwhile, Nicholas was angrily getting into his car. Yong, walking to his own car, called out: — It'll be fine!
Nicholas looked around, confused, then saw Yong and said: — What?
Yong repeated: — I said it'll be fine. Time heals everything.
Nicholas said coldly: — Are you mocking me again?
Yong smiled: — Not me. You're mocking yourself. Just think… is Mary just a regular friend to you, or someone special?
Nicholas closed his eyes: — Leave me alone, please.
— Sure, Master Nicholas!
Nicholas grumbled: — Don't call me Master!
As Yong walked away, he said: — Alright, Master…
Nicholas muttered: — Ugh…
The next morning, Yong's phone rang.
— Hi Yong, how are you? — Hi Helen, I'm good. You? — I'm fine. There's something I wanted to talk to you about.
Yong smiled: — Sure, go ahead.
Helen said softly: — I think you've noticed the feelings between Nicholas and Mary…
— I have… but I didn't want to say anything.
— That's okay. My feelings for Nicholas are over. I just… have a suggestion.
— What is it?
— Let's use this painting project to bring the two of them closer.
Yong hesitated: — Honestly, at first I didn't like the idea of Nicholas getting close to Mary… but he's really changed. I'm just not sure about Mary.
— I've seen some signs too. Mary's not indifferent.
— So what's the plan?
Helen said playfully: — We need to make them jealous.
Yong was shocked: — What do you mean? Are we going to pretend to be a couple?
Helen spoke in a quiet but serious tone:"We're not trying to make them fall in love with us. All we need is for me to seem close with Nicholas in front of Mary, and for you to seem close with Mary in front of Nicholas. That's it."
Yong gave a faint smile and shrugged slightly."You do remember I have a fiancée, right?"
Helen raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes:"Your fiancée doesn't need to find out. Besides, even if you act totally normal, Nicholas is so sensitive that his jealousy will show anyway."
Yong stayed silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was more serious."I don't like Nicholas… but I'll do this for Mary. Just one thing… Helen, are you sure you don't still have feelings for him? I don't want you to get hurt in the middle of all this."
Helen looked up from her phone, as if defending herself."I've said it plenty of times—I don't feel anything for him anymore. Don't worry about me."
Yong took a deep breath, his voice calm but warning:"Alright. But keep an eye on Nicholas. Don't let him drag Diana into this. If he tries anything, I'll handle it myself."
Helen laughed—there was a bitter edge to it, like someone trying to ignore her own heart."Don't worry. I'm watching him."
"Okay, we'll start the mission whenever you say. But deep down, I'm still not okay with the fact that you're doing this just because of Nicholas."
Helen gave a soft smile. Her voice was gentle and certain:"Not for Nicholas... I'm doing this for Mary. I'll let you know. Take care for now."
The call ended. Helen slowly placed her phone on the table, stood up, and walked toward the balcony.The night was quiet and heavy. A soft breeze moved the curtain. She stood there, staring into the darkness. Her eyes were shining, tears welling up but refusing to fall. Her lips parted in a silent whisper:
"I was never meant to be Nicholas's… But I hope he finds his love. I just want his eyes to always shine... just like they do when he looks at Mary."