Chapter 13: The First Step

Mary walked home with a troubled mind. The empty streets and dim streetlights only deepened her thoughts. She kept replaying in her mind: "What will my family think if I turn down this opportunity?" The fear of her dreams being dismissed by her family choked her. She pressed her lips together, closed her eyes, and quietly murmured to herself, "Forget it... just imagine how good everything will be once you reach your dream."

That night, Mary was sitting on the couch beside her sister, Eva, aimlessly staring at the TV. She wanted to start a conversation but didn't know where to begin. Finally, with hesitation, she asked:

– How was your day?

Eva replied indifferently:

– Like always. Why do you ask?

Mary gave a faint smile:

– Just wondering... I had a really good feeling today.

Eva became a little curious:

– Something special happened?

Mary shrugged:

– No... I just decided to pursue my dream more seriously.

Eva:

– Seriously? That's great! I'm sure you can do it.

Mary, with a childlike excitement:

– Really, you mean it?

Eva jumped at Mary's loud voice and laughed:

– Yeah, but why are you shouting?

Mary frowned:

– I thought you'd want me to get ahead in the company.

Eva laughed:

– Well, that's good too.

Mary gave her a cold look:

– You know which side you're on.

Eva smiled:

– What I mean is, if you can succeed in both, that's even better!

Mary became serious:

– But have you thought about the time I'd be losing?

Eva grew concerned and said,

– Wait a minute... don't tell me you got fired!

Mary laughed:

– No, of course not, who's talking about being fired?

Eva sighed in relief:

– Phew... because if you'd been fired, I wouldn't know who would pay the rent!

Mary, with a tired smile:

– Don't worry, there's still someone to pay the rent.

Eva looked at her with a kind gaze:

– That's not what I meant... I just sometimes wish I had a steady job.

Mary gave her a deep look:

– Eva, don't underestimate your talents. If you believe in yourself, you could earn more than a full-time job.

Eva laughed:

– From baking cakes?

Mary, seriously:

– Why not?

A few minutes later, Eva asked:

– So, why did your dream suddenly become serious?

Mary, with determination in her voice:

– Because I want to change my life.

Eva, with a mischievous smile:

– Must've been that book you bought yesterday!

Mary smirked and stood up:

– Oh, come on... (as she walked to her room) By the way, I was offered a new position today, but I turned it down. Tell Mom and Dad.

Eva, unconcerned:

– Okay... What?! Why?

By the time Eva realized, Mary had already closed the door behind her.

That night, Mary spent hours searching through online painting courses. A fresh sense of motivation ignited inside her. The next morning, she went to the company tired. A few hours later, Mr. Connor entered the office and announced loudly:

– Attention, please, everyone!

Everyone went silent.

– Mr. Park has decided to retire one year earlier due to family issues. His position won't be left vacant... Ms. Anisa has been appointed to this role. Congratulations to her!

Everyone clapped. Deniz quietly said to Mary:

– They should have announced your name.

Mary gave a bitter smile:

– Ms. Anisa is more deserving.

Deniz frowned:

– I would have liked you to be chosen.

Mary looked away:

– Let's not talk about this anymore.

After that, with a firmer resolve than ever, Mary decided to dedicate all her free time to improving her painting skills.

During lunch break, Mary's phone rang. Seeing her mother's name on the screen, her heart raced, and she became anxious. Her hand trembled slightly, but she pressed the answer button.

Mary: (with a hesitant voice) Hello, Mom... are you okay?

Mom: (sighing deeply) I'm fine... but not because of you.

Mary: (closing her eyes) What's going on, Mom?

Mom: Eva called me. She said you turned down the position offered at your company. Mary... why did you do that? We had so much hope for you...

Mary: (calm but trembling voice) Mom... I'm happy with my work. The position I have is good for me.

Mom: Happy? You still don't realize what opportunity you've missed. One day, when it's too late, you'll regret it.

Mary: (sighing) Who says I'll stay in this company until retirement?

Mom: (her voice becoming louder) Then what do you want? To be a painter? Mary, real life isn't about painting. Don't waste your chance. It's not too late. Go talk to them and accept the offer. We want what's best for you.

Mary: (with eyes full of tears, controlled anger) It's too late, Mom. They gave the position to someone else... And yes... I want to be a painter. One day, you'll be proud of my paintings, not my promotions.

Mom: (after a long pause) Honey... that's not what I meant, I'm just... worried about you.

Mary: (softly) I know... but I have to follow my own path.

Mary: (with a faint voice) I have to go now, we'll talk later.

Mom: (whispering) Take care of yourself...

Mary hung up without responding. Her hand still trembled, but for the first time, something inside her had lit up. It was hope.

After speaking with her mother, Mary felt sad, but not like before. Every time her mom spoke about her job, Mary felt something empty inside her and expected more support from her parents for her painting. But this time, Mary knew that most parents value a steady paycheck, and she no longer had expectations. She just wanted to focus on herself and her passion.

Later that afternoon, Mary walked into a stationery store. She looked carefully at the brushes, canvases, and paints. The store owner approached her:

– Ma'am, can I help you?

Mary smiled:

– I'm looking for professional painting supplies.

The man smiled kindly:

– A true artist can create a masterpiece with just a pencil.

Mary, in a calm voice:

– I know, but I want better tools. I want to improve.

The shopkeeper nodded:

– Then come see these canvases and brushes. Their quality is excellent.

After making her purchase, as Mary was leaving the store, the shopkeeper smiled and said:

– Anyone who paints with so much love is already an artist... don't underestimate yourself.

That sentence lit up Mary's heart. Her eyes sparkled, as if smiling with her gaze.

That night, Mary poured all her motivation into the new canvas. She painted with such passion that she didn't realize it was morning until it was too late. When she noticed, she smiled and said:

– Oh no... I have to go to work!

She packed her things and headed to the office. All day she yawned, eagerly waiting for the workday to end.

That evening, when she returned home tired and drained, she saw the unfinished painting. With a warm smile, she took a picture of it and shared it on social media, hoping that other artists would guide her.

That night, Mary had taken a small but significant step; a step that, in the heart of darkness, promised a new dawn.