Twilight had set in, and the city lights danced on the car windows. Nicholas was driving with a subtle smile, while Mary and Helen were in the back seat chatting about a new beauty salon—one whose unique hairstyles had gone viral online.
But at the front of the car, a sudden silence from Yong drew everyone's attention. At a red light, he stared aimlessly at the surrounding buildings and said in a quiet yet sharp voice:
— Nicholas, do you remember this building?
Nicholas glanced over briefly.
— No... why?
— It's where your first girlfriend used to work. The architecture firm on the twelfth floor...
Nicholas immediately tensed. He ran a hand along the steering wheel and glanced at Mary and Helen in the mirror.
Helen, curiously:
— Really? I didn't know... Was it during university or before?
Yong, indifferently:
— University... I think around the third semester. Right, Nicholas?
Nicholas, lips pressed together:
— We were just regular friends. So regular I don't even remember her face.
Yong nodded.
— Oh... then I must've heard wrong. I remember she broke up with her boyfriend after meeting you...
Nicholas took a deep breath:
— That's enough. Why are you digging up the past?
— Sure, whatever you say. Though I might remember more on the way to the café...
Nicholas muttered quietly:
— If I upset you earlier, I'm sorry.
Moments later, they arrived at a cozy café. As soon as they entered, Deniz's excited voice filled the air:
— Mary! Over here!
Deniz, seeing Mary wasn't alone, looked a little embarrassed and sat down awkwardly.
She thought to herself, "Oh no... what a mess. Why didn't she say she was bringing people?"
Mary approached with a smile:
— Hi Deniz, why are you so cheerful?
— Nothing...
— Let me introduce you. You've heard about Helen, and these two are Nicholas and Yong, friends from the art studio.
Deniz shook hands with them. Nicholas, with a mischievous grin, asked:
— So, have you heard anything about me?
Deniz laughed:
— Yes, Mary speaks highly of you...
Nicholas raised his eyebrows playfully, prompting Deniz to quickly add:
— ...and also about Mr. Yong.
Nicholas gazed at Mary, half-lost in thought, and Helen chuckled at the look. They all sat around a table.
Mary asked:
— Deniz, where's Ava?
— One of her coworkers didn't show up. She's covering for them. She'll be here soon.
Nicholas:
— Ava is your sister?
— Yes... Oh, there she is.
Ava approached the table in her uniform. She seemed surprised by the group but quickly composed herself. Mary introduced everyone, and Ava said politely with a smile:
— Nice to meet you all... I'll take your orders.
After jotting down their choices, Ava returned shortly with a tray of drinks and snacks.
Yong:
— So, you work here?
Ava:
— Yes, it's been a few years now.
Nicholas:
— So this is your main job?
Ava, honestly:
— Yes, I couldn't find a stable job like Mary. I chose to work at the café instead.
Nicholas, half-seriously:
— But café jobs don't pay much...
Then he smiled at Yong:
— If you want, Yong could help you get a job at a good company.
Everyone turned to Yong in surprise. Yong raised his eyebrows:
— Which company?
Nicholas, quietly but sharply:
— Diana's company. Don't say you can't—she is your fiancée...
Yong, with a dry smile:
— Right...
Mary and Helen exchanged smirks at Nicholas's tone. Mary quickly said:
— Thanks, but Ava likes her job at the café.
Helen added firmly:
— I think we shouldn't decide anything without talking to Diana.
Ava smiled:
— They're right... I prefer to continue working here.
Deniz, a bit distracted, said:
— Well, you could work at the company café. You'd still be doing the same work, but with a steady salary.
Mary and Ava looked at her, embarrassed. Nicholas didn't give up:
— It'd be great if Yong talks to Diana about it.
Mary said firmly:
— That won't be necessary...
Deniz:
— But it would be good for Ava...
Mary abruptly changed the subject:
— Deniz, why haven't you ever introduced your boyfriend to us?
Deniz was caught off guard. Her mouth hung open.
— Well, he's busy... Why are you bringing him up out of nowhere?
— I'm just curious about the kind of guy who's into my friend.
Yong, realizing the girls were embarrassed by the tension between him and Nicholas, gently said:
— Alright, I'll talk to Diana... but no promises.
He turned to Nicholas:
— I'll be sure to tell her how much you care about the company.
Nicholas, sarcastically:
— Thank you...
Suddenly, Yong said:
— Helen, did you know Nicholas used to work in a café? Back in early university days.
— No, I had no idea.
— That's where Diana first met him... Later, when she saw him in class, she realized they were classmates.
— Nicholas never mentioned it... Maybe he was afraid we'd go bother him.
Deniz laughed:
— Then Ava should take lessons from you.
Mary and Ava blushed, but Yong laughed. Everyone looked at Deniz.
Nicholas to Yong:
— You're really stuck on the past... What did you leave behind there?
Yong, calmly:
— I'm just saying Ava should value her job. She can succeed too—like you.
— At least I worked in a café. You were moving professors' stuff around!
Yong:
— What did you say?
Helen quickly intervened:
— That's enough! We're here to have fun...
A heavy silence followed. Nicholas and Yong looked embarrassed. After a while, Yong stood up:
— It was fun... I have to go.
Helen:
— What's the rush? You could've waited, we'd leave together.
— I've got dinner with Diana... I want to cook for her myself.
Nicholas mumbled:
— Poor Diana... she'll probably need an ambulance tonight...
Yong:
— It's not like you are cooking for her.
— I just hope the dinner's edible.
— Don't worry about it.
— I wish we could taste your cooking too.
— In your dreams.
— Better that way... my stomach will thank me.
Helen:
— There they go again...
Nicholas:
— I didn't say anything. Yong started it.
Deniz, laughing:
— I think it was you!
Everyone laughed. Yong said goodbye and left.
Nicholas turned to Mary:
— Now that the party pooper's gone, want to go out for dinner?
— Thanks, but I need to go home with Deniz and Ava.
— One night of eating out won't hurt. Then you can go back to home cooking... Deniz, tell your boyfriend to join us so Mary can meet him.
— I'll have to ask him...
— Come on, let's go to a restaurant... Helen, you in?
— Sure, I'm free.
Mary hesitated but smiled and agreed.
That night, Yong was at home setting the dinner table. Carefully, he tied his apron and called Diana.
— Hello... Diana? Dinner is ready. Where are you?
Diana's voice was cold:
— Sweetheart, something came up... I can't come tonight.
— Did something happen?
— No, just a business meeting.
Yong paused.
— But today's a holiday... You didn't mention a meeting...
— It came up suddenly.
— I've already set the table...
— I'm sorry, I should've told you earlier... I'll make it up to you next time.
— It's okay. Take care of your work.
Yong, after hanging up the phone, looks at the dining table, then tosses his apron onto the kitchen counter with a sigh of frustration and goes to sit on the couch.