Mary occasionally cast secret glances from the edge of her canvas toward Nicholas and Diana. The hidden chuckles, the quick glances, and the whispers passing between their lips disrupted her focus.
Diana said softly, "You seem down today, Nicholas. I thought you'd sit next to Mary in the workshop."
Nicholas shrugged indifferently. "We see each other outside. No need to be together here too."
Diana smiled gently. "That's how it should be… This way, you can get to know her better."
Nicholas frowned. "Know her how?"
With a cold tone, Diana said, "I think any girl who can attract you so easily after the first meeting must've already known who she was dealing with."
Nicholas paused. "What do you mean, Diana?"
"Nothing… Just saying, maybe don't trust everyone so easily. Yong told me how you two met. It's strange how easily she entered your world."
Nicholas scoffed. "Yong probably told it the way he wanted. We met by accident… but Yong always exaggerates."
"That's exactly what Yong says. But you guys are too naive. You see what you want to see. I'm just warning you... so you don't regret it later."
"Was that a warning or jealousy?"
Diana frowned. "I really don't get why you all take yourselves so seriously. Why would I be jealous?"
Nicholas smirked slyly. "You said 'you all'? So Yong told you that too?"
Diana turned her head angrily. "Enough, Nicholas! That girl is suspicious. First she tried to get close to Yong—until I stopped her—and now it's your turn."
"Mary and Yong?! As if Mary would even want to flirt with him."
"Don't get cocky!"
"Alright, alright... I'm just curious—how was she supposed to get close to your prince charming?"
Diana sneered, "By helping with his painting. We've painted a lot too, but never used art as an excuse to get close to anyone. Mary's smarter than us."
Nicholas chuckled under his breath. "So you forgot how Yong fell for you back in college?"
Diana stayed silent. Nicholas thought for a moment, then murmured with doubt, "If she wanted help, why didn't she just ask me?"
Diana, impatient: "I told you, the help is just an excuse…"
Nicholas said nothing more. He walked straight toward Helen.
"Helen, do you have a moment?"
Helen put down her brush and turned around. "Yeah, what's up?"
"I wanted to know… did Mary really ask Yong for help with her painting?"
Helen hesitated and glanced at Diana who had come closer. "No, Mary didn't ask anything. The teacher asked Yong to help her finish her work… though I don't think he really helped."
Nicholas smiled. "So it was the teacher's idea. I thought Mary asked for it herself."
Helen looked surprised. "What difference does it make?"
Nicholas straightened up. "Nothing, just curious." He turned to Diana: "Yong's really busy these days. You'd better keep an eye on him. I'll help Mary myself."
Diana snapped: "No need for you to worry about Yong."
Nicholas smiled and walked toward Mary.
Mary had been observing everything from afar. When she saw Nicholas approaching, she got nervous. She quickly swept her brush across the painting, ruining part of it.
"Oh no! I ruined it…"
Nicholas stopped. "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing…"
Nicholas leaned in. "Let me see—did your painting get messed up?"
He tried to look, but Mary lifted the canvas. "It's not finished yet. I'll show you when it is."
Nicholas chuckled and took the painting from her. "What happened here? Did you get flustered and mess it up?"
Mary snatched it back, upset. "No… my hand slipped. I'll let it dry and fix it later."
Nicholas teased, "Could it be because I came over that your hand slipped?"
Mary smiled. "Yeah. Every time I see you, I ruin a painting."
"Seriously?"
"Go away. Yong's right—you're way too full of yourself."
"That's exactly how I like myself."
"Ugh, shameless!"
At that moment, Yong approached Helen and Diana and glanced toward Nicholas and Mary.
"Look at him, he's at it again."
Diana: "What?"
"Nicholas… It's like he can't leave Mary alone."
Helen: "He seems different. He wasn't like this before."
Yong said with concern: "I just hope he doesn't break anyone's heart this time."
Diana coldly: "I don't think you need to worry about Mary."
Yong softly: "No, sweetie, I wasn't talking about Mary."
Diana looked at Mary and Nicholas. "Alright, I'm heading out."
Yong: "But it's a day off. Wait, let me finish a bit more of my painting, then we can leave together."
"I'd rather go now. We'll see each other tonight."
"Alright. Dinner together."
Diana to Helen: "I'll call you—let's grab dinner and chat soon."
"Definitely."
Diana left, and Helen whispered, "Something seems to have upset her…"
Yong sighed: "Probably the whole immigration thing. One day she's determined, the next she's unsure. I don't know what to do anymore."
Helen smiled. "You've done everything you could. Diana's luckier than she realizes."
Yong: "I just wish you'd find someone who really gets you."
Helen: "Sometimes life's hardships make people more mature."
Yong: "You've always been this wise since the day I met you…"
Meanwhile, Mary and Nicholas were still talking.
"By the way, since you mentioned Yong… why didn't you tell me you got help?"
Mary worried: "I can't believe the teacher told everyone… Now the whole place knows."
"No, I heard it from Diana."
"What? Diana?! I didn't even tell Yong. The teacher said he asked Yong himself."
"I know. I know you. I just felt bad you didn't tell me."
"It didn't seem important."
"Alright. Then let me help you this time."
"No need. I can handle it."
"Well, I'm here if you ever want help."
Nicholas returned to his own painting. Mary watched him and thought: What a mess this turned into… I'm not asking anyone for help again, not even the teacher.
At the end of the workshop, Mary and Helen left together. Mary glanced at her phone.
"Helen, if you're free, want to come to a café? My friend and sister are there—they just messaged."
"Sounds good. Let's go."
Nicholas's voice came from behind. "Can I come too?"
Mary and Helen jumped.
"Nicholas! Were you eavesdropping?"
"No way… I was just passing by and heard. So, can I come?"
Helen: "We're going to meet Mary's friend and sister. What would you even do there?"
"Even better. I'll get to know them."
Mary: "If you want to come, it's fine."
Nicholas grinned. "Wait, I'll grab the car."
As they were getting in, Nicholas suddenly saw Yong near his own car. He rolled the window down.
"Yong, if you're not busy, come to the café with us…"
"I've got work. You guys go ahead."
"You always kill the vibe. Afraid Diana's company tasks will fall behind if you're gone for an hour? Fine. Bye."
Yong frowned. "Wait… alright, I'll come. I could use a break."
Helen and Mary looked at Nicholas in surprise.
Helen whispered: "You're the guest, and now you're inviting more?"
"Didn't think he'd say yes."
Yong got in the car.
Helen whispered to Mary: "Looks like we're in for another round of bickering."
"I hope not…"