Chapter 51: The Restaurant, Painting, and the Shadow's Infiltration

The next morning, Mary woke up with a smile on her lips. Her heart felt light, as if a heavy burden had been lifted the night before. After getting ready, she headed to the mission site with renewed motivation.

Throughout her work hours, she managed the project with precision. Even when Rachel tried to approach her several times, Mary calmly passed by and didn't engage in conversation. It was as if she no longer allowed anything or anyone to disturb her peace.

At noon, during lunch break, she picked up her phone and started a video call with Helen.

– Hey Helen, where are you?

A smiling voice answered:

– Hey love! We finally set up the studio. We rented a small place, and now everything's in place. Take a look!

The camera turned, showing the interior. A canvas leaned against the wall, still smelling of fresh paint, and the afternoon sunlight streamed in through the large window.

– I'm really sorry I couldn't come help.

– No worries. We just made Nicholas work twice as hard to make up for it!

Just then, Nicholas appeared on screen carrying scaffold poles and shouted:

– Mary! I've changed my mind! Next time I won't lift a finger for you!

Mary and Helen burst into laughter, and Helen added:

– He's just being dramatic! Yong worked just as much and didn't even complain.

Nicholas feigned pride.

– Are you seriously comparing me to Yong? I grew up on silk sheets. Yong's been lifting boxes since birth!

Yong lightly smacked the back of Nicholas's head from behind.

– Lifting boxes? Stop acting. Just get back to work.

Mary and Helen exchanged warm smiles. Helen quietly said:

– I'm sure this week is going to be so much fun. I'm glad we came for you.

– I hope so... Oh, by the way, how about we have lunch at that restaurant I sent you? A few coworkers said it's really good.

Nicholas chimed in loudly:

– Mary, your treat, right?

– Of course. I owe you guys big time.

– Then we're heading out now. See you there! – Helen said.

Nicholas, still holding the scaffold poles, grumbled:

– Right now? There's still stuff to move.

Yong clapped the dust off his hands.

– We'll bring the rest later. Let's wash up and change out of our work clothes.

Helen waved at Mary:

– See you there, hon.

– See you soon.

A little later, Mary arrived at the restaurant. She asked the waiter for a table with a nice view and sat by the window. The place felt oddly quiet and peaceful.

Just then, her phone rang. Ava's name lit up on the screen.

– Hello Ava! How are you?

– Hey sweetie. I'm good, just exhausted. I've been stuck in the kitchen all day. I finally got a break and thought I'd check in on you.

– Thanks. I'm good too. The others arrived last night. They rented a studio and set everything up. We're about to have lunch and then start painting. But I was worried about you. Why are they overworking you like that?

– It's fine. I'll get used to it gradually.

Mary hesitated.

– Want me to ask Yong to talk to Diana?

– No need. One of the staff said two more helpers are joining next week. I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to slack off.

– Alright, just take care of yourself.

– You too. And make sure you go out and have fun, not just paint. When you're back, I'm using your mission money to treat myself!

Mary laughed.

– Deal. The gang's here. I gotta go.

As she saw her friends walk in, she hung up and waved. They walked toward her, and Helen, seeing the view, said:

– What a place! What a view! But why is it so empty? Is the food bad?

– No way. My coworkers said it's great. I'm surprised it's this quiet too.

– Let's order. I'm starving.

After placing their orders and starting their meal, Helen said:

– This is really good.

Yong nodded.

– Definitely.

Mary looked around with concern.

– But it's kind of strange that it's this empty...

Yong glanced sideways at Nicholas suspiciously.

– Don't tell me this is your doing.

Nicholas looked flustered.

– What? What do you mean?

– You reserved the whole place, didn't you?

Nicholas let out a fake laugh.

– What reservation? I don't know what you're talking about.

Mary cut in.

– I picked the place. Nicholas didn't even know.

Helen chuckled.

– Nicholas is famous for surprise plans. He could book a place in ten minutes. That's why girls chase him.

Mary looked at Nicholas in surprise.

– Was it really you?

Nicholas sighed.

– Are you two my friends or my enemies? Why do you make me sound like that?

Yong laughed.

– So it was you.

Nicholas finally admitted:

– Fine. Yes, it was me. I just wanted a quiet lunch.

Yong smirked and teased:

– Of course. He'd never do that for us. Mary, you must be special.

Mary gave a faint smile.

– I'm sure you're mistaken.

Helen grinned:

– Now that I look closely, Nicholas's eyes are sparkling.

Embarrassed, Nicholas grabbed a radish and threw it at Helen.

– You guys are relentless! Just eat already.

Mary blushed despite trying to hide her feelings. She took a sip of water to calm herself.

After lunch, they headed to the studio. Once they moved the remaining items, they started painting. But Mary's mind was still lost in the lunch conversation. She absentmindedly brushed colors onto the canvas, which Helen noticed.

She quietly leaned in and whispered:

– Focus. You're ruining the painting.

Mary, slightly embarrassed, murmured:

– I just got distracted for a moment.

Helen grinned mischievously.

– I'd be distracted too, if I were you.

Mary smiled.

– Stop teasing me, Helen.

Meanwhile, outside the studio, Rachel stood silently. Her eyes scanned the interior intently. She pulled her phone from her pocket and made a call.

– I found the studio. Do you want the address?

A few seconds of silence.

– Alright, I'm watching. But she's behaving at work. I haven't caught anything yet.

Another pause.

– Okay. I'll keep you posted. Bye.

Rachel's footsteps faded quietly down the corridor—but the shadow of her presence now lingered ominously near the group.