The three of them sat around a table—Mary, Nicholas, and Rachel. The restaurant's warm light and the gentle clinking of plates might have created a cozy atmosphere for anyone else, but inside Mary felt a cold unease. Though she tried to stay calm, Rachel's sly, teasing glances at Nicholas stabbed at her mind like a slow, dull dagger.
Finally, Rachel broke the silence.
"Well, Nicholas… our conversation that night was left unfinished, wasn't it?"
Nicholas smirked and lifted his glass of water to his lips.
"Yeah… I guess your stomach was upset that night, right? Feeling better now?"
Rachel coyly straightened up.
"I'm better, darling, but not completely. Still, seeing you this close makes me feel a little better…"
Nicholas replied with a cool smile, "Too bad—I had some good medicine at the hotel. If I'd known I'd see you today, I would've brought it."
Gazing into his eyes, Rachel softly said, "Thanks for always thinking of me… I think I'm finally starting to understand what you meant by those looks that night."
Mary suddenly frowned. "I didn't know you two were that close."
Nicholas noticed Mary's change in demeanor and quickly wiped the smile off his face. But Rachel seized the moment, unexpectedly grabbing Nicholas's hand.
"Nicholas, I've got a company party tonight. Can you come with me?"
Nicholas glanced at his hand for a moment, then gently pulled it away and said firmly, "If it's a company event, Mary is invited too. If I'm going, I'll go with Mary… right, Mary?"
Mary replied coldly and reluctantly, "I don't even know about this party. I wasn't invited."
Rachel, slightly flustered, quickly added, "We work at the same company, but our positions are different."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "By the way, don't you usually eat at the hotel restaurant? Why did you choose this place today?"
Rachel forced a smile. "I was just wandering around and happened to spot this place. Lucky to run into you."
Nicholas's gaze sharpened. "By chance… interesting. Alright, if Mary agrees, I'll come as just a simple friend."
Rachel pouted playfully, turning to Mary and taking her hand. "Mary, tell your friend to come with me, no hesitation!"
Mary quickly pulled her hand away and said seriously, "She's your friend. If she wants to come, it's her decision. I won't interfere."
Rachel jumped up excitedly. "Yesss! See you tonight, Nicholas!"
Nicholas gave a neutral glance. "Alright… but you haven't finished your food yet."
Rachel laughed. "I'm full. I need to go to the salon… don't want to look bad next to a handsome man like you!"
With that fake smile, she left.
Nicholas stared at the empty chair for a moment, then caught Mary's frowning gaze fixed on him.
Nervously, he laughed and said, "Mary… you're not one of those controlling, sensitive girls, right? You know I'm just going as a simple friend."
Mary quietly replied, "Right… hope you have a good time."
Nicholas lowered his gaze. "Sweetheart… don't frown like that. There's just something suspicious I need to confirm."
Curious, Mary asked, "Suspicious? Suspicious about what?"
Nicholas paused. "Let me be sure first… then I'll tell you."
Lunch went on in silence. After paying the bill, they headed back to the workshop. When they arrived, they found Yong sitting alone in a corner, with some brushes and a palette scattered on the floor.
Nicholas said worriedly, "Yong… don't tell me I'm right?"
Yong stood and leaned against the wall. "Yeah. Helen and Diana got into a fight and stormed out. Haven't come back yet."
Nicholas quickly said, "Call Diana. I'll go find Helen."
He rushed out, pulling his phone from his pocket, while Mary began gathering the brushes.
With a regretful tone, she said, "Yong… if it was because of me that they fought, I'm sorry. Believe me, it wasn't intentional. It just slipped out."
Yong gave a faint smile. "No, Mary, it wasn't your fault. Their fight was about something else."
Mary hesitated. "I think it's better if you go back early. The painting's almost finished. You can finish it later when they return. That way, things between you and Diana won't get worse."
Yong said with concern, "Her behavior isn't normal. That's what worries me."
Mary calmly said, "Maybe you're being too hard on her. She's probably just tired… of work, of the environment."
Yong smiled sadly. "You're very kind… but you don't know a lot of things."
Mary hesitated again. "Can I say something… if it's not nosy?"
Yong, curious: "Go ahead."
Mary, slightly embarrassed: "I think the fight between Diana and Helen is because you and Helen once had feelings for each other."
Yong laughed. "Who told you that? Don't tell me that dumb Nicholas said it."
Mary quickly said, "No… it's just a feeling I had. If I'm wrong, sorry."
Yong shook his head. "No, nothing happened. Helen and I were always just friends. Helen's love is someone else… I think you shouldn't pursue it."
Mary gave a faint smile but said nothing. Then she asked again:
"You're not going to call Diana?"
Yong sighed. "What would I say? She needs to realize her mistake and come back to apologize to Helen."
Mary said firmly, "Helen's not the type to hold a grudge. You shouldn't be upset with Diana either. Call her and win her back. You both came here to have a good time, not to ruin your relationship over silly things."
Yong looked into Mary's eyes for a moment. Then he picked up his phone.
"Alright… since you say so, I'll do it."
He called and said, "Hi dear… where are you? Okay, stay at the hotel. I'm coming to you."
Yong left, and Mary was left alone. She looked around; silence hung heavily over the workshop.
Her eyes fell on the painting, the very one she thought would be the turning point of her life.
She whispered to herself, "I thought this painting would change my path… but now, everything is falling apart…"
---
Later, Mary left the workshop quietly. The evening air still held the day's lingering warmth, but a gentle breeze brushed her face. She locked the door behind her and walked slowly toward the hotel. Not long after, her phone vibrated in her bag.
Looking at the screen, "Deniz" lit up. She smiled faintly and answered.
"Hi Mary… how are you?"
"Hi, I'm fine… what are you up to?"
Deniz quickly cut to the chase.
"Forget me! Tell me—did you spy on Nicholas or not?"
Mary sighed, her voice mixed with exhaustion and confusion.
"No need to spy. Today, quite 'accidentally'—enough to make us believe it—Rachel showed up at the same restaurant where Nicholas and I had lunch. Then, with all the charm she could muster, she asked Nicholas to accompany her to a party the company is throwing tonight. Nicholas agreed."
Deniz responded sharply, "What do you mean 'agreed'? And how can there be a company party you're not invited to?"
Mary smirked bitterly. "Rachel said she was invited because of her high status… obviously, she wanted to humiliate me."
Deniz snapped angrily, "High status? That girl just knows how to brag. I don't understand why Nicholas accepted the invitation."
Mary paused briefly, then said softly, "When he saw I was upset, he said he was only going to make sure, because he suspected Rachel."
Deniz calmed down a bit. "If that's the case, it's good. Maybe this way he can see Rachel's true colors. About the party—I'll investigate and let you know. I have to get back to work now. Talk later?"
"Okay, take care."
After hanging up, Mary put her phone away and continued walking. Conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind… "Is Nicholas really just going to make sure? Or is there something I don't know?"
---
Elsewhere, at one of the city's elegant and modern venues, the company party was underway. Golden lights from the ceiling reflected in the champagne glasses, and soft music flowed throughout the room. Nicholas entered the hall in a dark suit, looking sharp, while Rachel clung tightly to his arm.
Nicholas's restless eyes scanned the guests, curious and sharp, searching for a clue. Suddenly, a familiar face caught his attention on the other side of the room. A tall man with brown hair and piercing eyes.
"Nicholas? What are you doing here?"
Nicholas smiled in surprise.
"Mark? You're here too?"
Rachel noticed the eye contact between Nicholas and Mark, immediately letting go of his arm and said with a forced tone, "I saw one of my friends… I'm going back now!"
Without delay, she distanced herself from them.
Mark approached Nicholas warmly and shook his hand.
"Good to see you. I'm here for company business… what about you? What brings you to this party?"
Nicholas lowered his head slightly and smiled.
"So Diana is here for work too?"
Mark nodded.
"The host company has invited us for collaboration a few times before, but Diana never accepted. I don't know what changed this time… maybe something did."
He paused.
"You didn't say—what about you? Why are you here?"
Nicholas glanced quickly around. Rachel was out of sight. He gave a faint smile.
"I came with a friend… but honestly, I'm glad I came. I don't think Diana expected to see you here."
Mark raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Nicholas smiled mysteriously.
"Nothing… just said it."
His gaze briefly drifted into the crowd. But in his mind, something was beginning to take shape… something that might change the entire game.