The gallery was immersed in neutral lighting and a heavy silence, broken only by soft whispers of admiration and the quiet footsteps of visitors. Mary walked among the crowd, flanked by Nicholas and Yong. Her gaze wandered across the colorful frames until she suddenly stopped in front of a particular painting. She let out a slow breath.
"Yong… look at this… It's exactly the same style I work in… but see how clean and powerful it is..."
Yong looked at the painting, smiled warmly, and said softly:
"Yeah, it turned out really well. But believe me, your painting, with the love you put into it, can be just as strong."
Nicholas, just now catching their conversation, asked with mild surprise:
"Which painting?… Mary, I thought you said your piece was finished…"
Mary paused for a moment, as if something was caught in her throat, but quickly gathered herself:
"I did finish it. I want to start a new one now… That's what Yong meant."
Yong, with a mix of surprise and curiosity, shifted his gaze between Mary and Nicholas. He smirked briefly, but Mary immediately turned to look at other artworks, clearly trying to steer the conversation away. Nicholas kept his eyes on her with a doubtful expression, which Yong noticed closely.
Yong moved closer to Nicholas:
"Nicholas… I've never seen you at a foreign masters' exhibition before."
"Maybe you forgot I run my own gallery."
"Oh… so you came here to learn how to run it better?"
Nicholas gave a bitter smile:
"No… I came to have a good time. I saw Mary, that made me happy… But now that you're here, I guess I have to stay and keep an eye on her."
Yong stopped in his tracks, his tone sharpening:
"Whose side are you even on? Weren't you the one saying Mary is just a friend to you?"
"I still say that… But I don't like seeing her chat with you."
"Why? Afraid I'll tell her about your past?"
"I have nothing to hide."
"Then why do you frown every time she stands next to me?"
"Because I know you, Yong. I don't want Mary to get hurt. Diana said you didn't help Mary… and I know it wasn't entirely your fault. But if you stay close to her, Diana will take her anger out on Mary."
"You don't have to worry. Diana knows me well—she trusts me more than she trusts you."
Nicholas stepped closer, his frown deepening:
"Trust? Really? You've been friends for years and still nothing... not even marriage."
"If we haven't married yet, it's because we've been busy with work… and that's none of your business."
Nicholas smirked:
"Yeah… sure. Maybe once Diana goes abroad, you'll finally get serious."
Yong, with restrained anger, said:
"Is that so? Fine then..."
He suddenly turned to Mary:
"Mary… you haven't finished your painting yet, have you?"
Mary, who had just told Nicholas the painting was complete, hesitated—but quickly recomposed herself:
"I told you, it's done."
Yong remembered why she had lied. He quickly corrected himself:
"Right, right… I mean, have you started a new one yet?"
Mary paused, then replied:
"Not yet. Why?"
Nicholas, who had stepped closer, gave a smile that, to Mary, held more curiosity and concern than warmth.
Yong glanced at Nicholas and said:
"Well, I've got a big project coming up. A two-by-three-meter painting for Nicholas's gallery. I wanted it to be a team effort… and thought it'd be amazing if you joined. Will you help me?"
Mary gave a faint smile:
"I don't know… I don't have much free time."
Nicholas suddenly interjected loudly:
"She doesn't have time. Better find someone else."
"That's too bad… I was going to talk to our professor and make this something special… Guess I'll have to do it with Helen only."
"Helen's involved too?"
"Yeah. I wanted it to be the three of us."
Mary said with excitement:
"Well, if you're not fixed on a schedule, I can try afternoons and weekends. Would that work?"
"Of course! We're in no rush."
Nicholas said sternly:
"But Mary, you'll get exhausted like that. Better wait until you have more free time."
"Opportunities like this don't come often… If I work hard now, I'll get results sooner."
Nicholas immediately responded:
"Then I'm joining too."
Yong didn't hesitate:
"No need. You're busy. Better focus on your gallery."
He turned to Mary:
"Did you see that painting over there? Let's take a look."
He walked past Nicholas, raising an eyebrow and offering a half-smile. Nicholas watched them with clenched jaw and furious eyes.
As they left the exhibition, Mary said:
"The Master Wang exhibition starts in two hours. Let's grab a coffee in the meantime."
Yong smiled:
"Great idea."
But Nicholas suddenly grabbed Yong's arm:
"Yong, you forgot—we've got something to take care of."
"What?"
Nicholas leaned in and whispered:
"We need to talk. Right now."
Sensing Nicholas's mood, Yong agreed to avoid a scene in front of Mary:
"Oh… that thing. I forgot. Alright, let's go."
"See you later, Mary," Nicholas said.
Mary, raising an eyebrow with suspicion, replied:
"Okay… I'll go ahead."
She walked toward the street while the two men headed to the car. Just before getting in, Yong turned:
"Well? What do you want to say? Say it right here."
"Not here. Get in."
Inside the car, Nicholas started:
"What are these games you're playing?"
"What games? I'm just living my life."
"Using Mary as bait against me—does that count as your life too?"
"Watch your mouth. I'm not like you—always hunting."
Nicholas, angered, pulled the car to the side:
"Then tell me exactly what you're doing. What's this group painting nonsense? Trying to pull Mary away from me?"
"And what about you? Still claiming she's just a friend?... Like when you were with Diana? Remember? You tore us apart… then you left Diana. I won't let you do the same thing to anyone else, especially not Mary."
"You're still stuck on that? I told you a hundred times—Diana came to me."
"Don't lie. She was in love with me. You were my best friend… until you stabbed me in the back."
"And I still hate that… You were my best friend. But everything fell apart after that."
"No, you ruined everything. Diana was never the same after you. You made her lose trust in men altogether."
"That's enough. I'm not chasing the past. Get out."
"I'm sick of talking about the past too. But you're the one always bringing it up."
"Me?"
"Don't forget your jabs and sarcasm. Let me be clear: If you keep this up, you'll regret it."
"Fine, I'll stop. But you stop too. Leave Mary out of this fight."
"I will—if I can trust you."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I'll let you help with the group painting. Show me you're really just a friend."
"Deal… Let me prove it. So we never have to argue again."
"We'll see… whether Mary is just a friend—or just another game to you."
Yong got out of the car and walked off, while Nicholas stared after him furiously, slamming his fist on the steering wheel.