Chapter 58 – Midnight Secrets, Morning Smiles

The night felt longer than ever for Mary. Every time she closed her eyes, images of Nicholas and Rachel marched through her mind like unwelcome shadows. She kept asking herself: Where's Nicholas now? How close has Rachel gotten to him? And every time, she quietly reminded herself:

"We're just friends… There's nothing serious between us yet… Why should I be this sensitive?"

But then, a bitter thought would creep in:

"What if Rachel manages to manipulate him? I was the one who introduced them… If something happens, I'll never forgive myself…"

She tossed and turned, mumbling under her breath:

—I won't let Rachel take Nicholas away from me… Even if we stay just friends, she needs to know her limits… Tomorrow, I'll make sure she understands that.

Frustrated, she ran her hands through her hair. She needed someone to talk to, someone who could clear her mind. Suddenly, a warm image of Helen crossed her thoughts. She grabbed her phone and dialed Helen's number—no answer. Just as she stood up, her phone lit up with a message.

"Hey sweetheart, I've got a headache. Mind if I call you tomorrow?"

Mary sighed, typing back quickly:

"Of course, love. Rest well."

She set her phone down, staring blankly at the ceiling.

—Maybe I shouldn't have come on this trip… Or at least, I wish the others hadn't come… Rachel got her hooks into Nicholas, and Helen had a fight with Diana… None of this is going how I imagined.

Meanwhile, across town, Nicholas and Rachel stepped out of the banquet hall. Nicholas shot her a sly smile:

—We hadn't even entered the party and you already vanished on me… It's like I wasn't even there.

Rachel forced a laugh:

—Oh come on, I ran into an old friend and got a little too excited. Don't be mad. How about I make it up to you? Let's go to a fancy restaurant. My treat.

As they got into the car, Nicholas's voice was calm, yet sharp:

—Interesting… but I could swear you knew Mark. Looked like you were running away from him.

Rachel faked a puzzled expression:

—Mark? I've never even heard that name before.

—Maybe you know Mark's partner?

Rachel clicked her tongue:

—Why are you being so cryptic, Nicholas? I have no idea who you're talking about.

Minutes later, Nicholas pulled over by the roadside.

Rachel frowned: —Why are we stopping?

—My hotel's this way. If you've got other plans, you can get out here.

Rachel blinked in confusion: —Nicholas… what's wrong with you? Why are you talking like this?

Nicholas's voice lowered, his tone dead serious: —Pass on a message… Tell whoever's pulling the strings that their game with Mary is over. I won't let them keep playing. Now get out.

Rachel's voice rose, desperate: —What are you saying? I don't know what you mean… There aren't even taxis around!

Nicholas shrugged: —You'll manage to find one. Goodbye.

Rachel slammed the door behind her: —You've lost your mind!

Nicholas was about to drive off but glanced back:

—Oh, and give my regards to Diana.

Rachel froze in place, watching Nicholas drive away. A moment later, she pulled out her phone angrily:

—It's over… He figured it all out… Even mentioned Diana… I didn't say anything, but maybe that guy at the party told him something… I think his name was Mark… Hello? Hello?! Ugh, hung up on me…

Looking at her phone, she smirked bitterly:

—You're lucky I still need you… or else…

The Next Morning

Mary woke up with heavy eyes and headed straight to Helen's room. After a few knocks, Helen opened the door with a smile.

—Morning, Mary. Come on in.

Mary smiled back weakly: —Hey… I was worried about you after last night… You feeling any better?

Helen nodded: —Much better… sorry I missed your call.

Mary sat down, fiddling with her fingers: —I just… got a little down last night… because of Rachel.

Helen's brows furrowed: —Rachel? What about her?

Mary recounted everything. Helen's eyes widened in shock:

—Wait… Nicholas went to the party with Rachel? That's… weird. He doesn't usually take just anyone along.

Mary's heart sank: —So… Rachel really did get into his head?

Helen snorted: —Not a chance. Two days ago, Nicholas literally told me he was going to teach Rachel a lesson for messing with you.

Mary's heart jumped. A flicker of hope bloomed in her chest: —Really? Maybe that's why he went along… to confront her.

Helen smiled knowingly: —Probably.

After a pause, she added: —Oh, by the way… don't let Diana get to you if she says something today… we had a little spat yesterday, and she might be moody.

Mary reached out and squeezed Helen's hand: —I just don't want anything to ruin our friendship… You guys mean a lot to me.

Helen reassured her: —Don't overthink it… friends fight and make up. That's how it is.

—Now come on, let's grab some breakfast.

In the dining area, Mary and Helen were chatting when a familiar voice rang out behind them.

—Ladies… mind if I join you?

Nicholas stood there with a grin. Before Mary could answer, Helen teased:

—Nope! Go have breakfast with whoever you had dinner with last night!

Nicholas crossed his arms dramatically: —Seriously? So much cruelty?

Just then, Rachel stormed into the restaurant, shot Nicholas a cold glare, and turned away. Nicholas's grin widened:

—Well well, speak of the devil… Guess I'll go join Rachel. Rachel—!

Mary quickly interrupted: —Stop it! Sit down… have breakfast with us.

Nicholas plopped down, laughing: —Knew it… Mary's the only one who can't stay mad at me.

Helen chuckled: —It's not about you… Mary just knows Rachel's type. Now spill—what happened last night?

Nicholas shrugged, grinning: —Nothing important… Today's what matters. Now pass me some toast.

Mary and Helen exchanged amused glances and laughed.

The morning began with a simple warmth.

But the closeness that had once flowed so easily among friends slowly began to fade after Diana's arrival.

After breakfast, Mary, Nicholas, and Helen stood by the hotel entrance, ready to part ways—Mary heading to the office, while Nicholas and Helen made their way to the workshop. From a distance, Diana and Yong appeared.

The moment Nicholas spotted Diana, his expression hardened. He shot her a sharp look that clearly said, "Don't start anything." But Diana didn't even flinch. With complete disregard, she walked straight toward Mary, putting on a fake smile and extending her hand.

"Good morning, Mary… You seem really cheerful today. I bet it's because of Nicholas, isn't it?"

Mary blinked, a little caught off guard, but quickly composed herself.

"Good morning… I'm always like this. Not sure why you'd think otherwise."

Nicholas didn't hesitate for a second. He stepped forward, standing close to Diana, and quietly but firmly placed his hand on her shoulder, whispering:

"Let's head to the workshop… I'm not in the mood to have my morning ruined."

Diana smirked and muttered back:

"You still don't really know me…"

Then she turned to Mary, her eyes gleaming with something unsettling.

"Sweetheart… we can all clearly see Nicholas's love for you… though, honestly, I've seen that same look in his eyes once before… when he was with Lara."

Mary's eyebrows shot up.

"Lara…?"

Nicholas quickly stepped between them, his expression tightening.

"Alright, that's enough of your nonsense. Anyway—did you and Yong enjoy yourselves last night?"

Diana replied with the same cold tone,

"Obviously."

Nicholas chuckled,

"Good… at least you're making the most of your time here… spending plenty of it with Yong under the excuse of work."

Yong frowned, his brows knitting together before asking bluntly,

"What work?"

Nicholas casually slipped his hands into his pockets, speaking calmly:

"I ran into Mark last night… he mentioned you and Diana came here for company business… strange, right?"

Yong's frown deepened, but his voice stayed indifferent:

"I didn't know… and frankly, I don't care. Let's go finish the painting. Mary, you should come join us after work."

Without waiting, Yong turned and walked off. Diana threw Nicholas a sharp glare before following Yong. Just as she passed by, Nicholas leaned in close to her ear, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur:

"You still don't really know who you're dealing with."

Diana walked away without a glance back. Mary stood frozen, watching the tense exchange, her eyes wide in confusion.

Helen nudged Mary's side playfully and whispered:

"Looks like you're finally starting to figure a few things out, huh?"

Mary blinked,

"Wait… what?"

Helen chuckled,

"Come on… I'll explain later."

They walked off together, but Mary's mind was spinning—so many questions… and soon, the answers would come.