Chapter 59: Whispers of Old Secrets

Mary and Nicholas walked along the cobbled street at a calm and steady pace. A gentle breeze played with Mary's hair, but her mind was more tangled than anything else. A heavy silence had settled between them until Mary finally decided to ask the question that had been choking her for days.

"—Nicholas… it feels like Diana has a problem with me… have you noticed it too?"

Nicholas paused briefly and stared into Mary's eyes with a hint of tension.

"—No… I don't think she's acting strange… seems normal to me."

Mary tilted her head, speaking more carefully.

"—But every time she sees me next to you, her look sharpens… her words get harsher. I don't know… it's like she's on edge."

Nicholas gave a soft smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"—Darling, why would you think that… Diana's not like that."

But Mary didn't back down. She was always straightforward and direct—exactly what had drawn Nicholas to her. She raised her eyebrows.

"—You know I don't get involved in pointless drama. I want my peaceful life. I don't want to be in the middle of fights and weird stories… you should've figured that out by now."

Nicholas nodded in agreement.

"—Yeah… honestly, that's what I liked about you the most—your honesty."

Mary took a deep breath. She had decided to ask everything openly, without hesitation or sugarcoating.

"—So… can I ask you something? It's not snooping… I just want to know where I stand."

Nicholas shifted uncomfortably.

"—Ask…"

"—Why is Diana so sensitive about you? Honestly… I've noticed before, the way she looks at you isn't normal. Has there ever been something between you two?"

Nicholas's gaze drifted away.

"—No… of course not!"

Mary pressed on quickly:

"—Then what's with all this tension?"

Nicholas was silent for a moment, as if fighting with himself.

"—Look… there's been stuff… but not in the way you're thinking."

"—Can you tell me… what kind of stuff?"

"—Not now… not here… in the middle of the street? This isn't the place. I want to tell you everything properly, at the right time."

Mary smirked.

"—You're dodging it again."

Nicholas didn't hesitate.

"—Then skip work today… let's go somewhere quiet… I want to talk freely."

"—Fine… no problem."

Moments later, they turned away from the direction of the company and headed toward the park. Nicholas was lost in thought the entire way. Mary watched his movements—his hands clenching and unclenching, his steps speeding up and slowing down, like there was a war going on inside him.

In the park, they found a bench far from the crowd. Nicholas sat down. Mary sat beside him, staring into the scenery ahead. Minutes passed. Nicholas didn't say a word.

Mary asked calmly:

"—Well… I'm waiting."

Nicholas mumbled:

"—I don't know where to start."

"—From the beginning… from college… your friendship started back then, right?"

Nicholas gave a bitter smile.

"—Yeah… Yong and I… we were best friends. We laughed together, worked together… then… Diana joined our classes… from the very first day, Yong fell for her. We arranged our schedules so we'd have the same classes as Diana."

Mary nodded.

"—Then what happened?"

"—A year later, Diana and Yong started dating. Everything was fine… until… toward the end of college… Diana changed. Suddenly, she started coming to me… like she wanted to make Yong suffer."

"—And you?"

"—I never played along… but Diana was persistent… Yong got suspicious… I explained… but he didn't believe me… everything fell apart… our friendship ended."

"—But she's still with Yong… why?"

"—Yong broke his friendship with me… but Diana… he couldn't let go of her… and when he started the company, their relationship got better again."

Mary shrugged.

"—Then why is Diana acting up now?"

Nicholas shrugged too.

Mary thought for a moment and said:

"—She fought with Helen yesterday… maybe she's just mad about that… Yong and Helen came here together."

Nicholas stood up.

"—Oh come on… stop obsessing over Helen."

Mary teased:

"—Why are you getting defensive? Did I hit a nerve?"

Nicholas replied:

"—Not our business… it's their life… let's go."

As Mary stood up, she smiled:

"—One more thing… who's Lara?"

Nicholas quickly pointed to the sky:

"—Look… clouds… it's going to rain."

Mary looked up… just a small cloud. She laughed.

"—Nice try… answer me… was Lara your girlfriend?"

Nicholas started walking fast.

"—Come on… before it rains!"

Mary smiled… and followed him… her steps felt lighter.

At the company, Mary kept an eye on Rachel. Rachel was avoiding her. Mary didn't let it slide. She approached.

"—Rachel… we're going back tomorrow. I'm going with my friends… want to join us?"

Rachel replied coldly:

"—No… I'll take the company car."

Mary chuckled quietly:

"—I thought you wanted to go back with Nicholas."

Rachel scoffed:

"—Screw him… low-class jerk!"

Mary winked:

"—Why? Didn't you have fun last night?"

Rachel frowned:

"—No… your so-called handsome friend humiliated me in front of everyone… trashed my classy image… enjoy him while you can!"

Mary smirked:

"—So… he really embarrassed you… makes me like him even more."

Mary walked past Rachel.

Rachel muttered under her breath:

"—Just wait… your time will come… one day you'll drop painting… and all your dreams."

After work, Mary headed to the studio. Inside, everyone was working… no sign of Diana. She put on her coat and sat next to Helen.

Nicholas grumbled:

"—Helen, move… you took my seat."

Helen laughed:

"—Fine… I won't interrupt you two."

Mary glanced at Yong… the young man stared blankly at the canvas, disinterested, drained.

Mary whispered to Nicholas:

"—What's wrong with Yong?"

Nicholas whispered back:

"—It's Diana… said she came here for Yong, but turned out it was for business."

Mary bit her lip.

"—Of course he's upset… you made it worse… why did you expose her in front of Marco?"

"—How was I supposed to know Diana was playing games?"

Mary shook her head and refocused.

"—Yong… my assignment's over… I'm going back tomorrow… what about you?"

Yong looked away from the canvas.

"—Two more days to finish the painting… we'll go back together and wrap it up there."

"—Great… the exhibition's coming up."

Helen smiled mischievously:

"—How about we relax a little tonight and tomorrow? Go back the day after."

Yong shrugged wearily:

"—Whatever… I'll probably leave tonight."

Helen quickly asked:

"—Want to go back with Diana?"

Yong replied indifferently:

"—No… Diana left today."

Helen widened her eyes:

"—Really? I thought she was still here."

Nicholas jumped in playfully:

"—Well, since Diana's gone, why leave early? Stay… let's have fun."

But Yong shook his head:

"—No… not in the mood."

Nicholas lowered his head reluctantly, but Mary elbowed him sharply and whispered:

"—You ruined it… now fix it."

Nicholas whispered back defensively:

"—What can I do? He doesn't want to stay."

Helen frowned:

"—Yeah… your fault."

Nicholas sighed deeply, then stood, grabbed Yong's hand and said:

"—Come on… let's get some fresh air… paint fumes got to you."

Yong pulled his hand back:

"—Leave me… I have work."

Nicholas stubbornly said:

"—What work? Helen and Mary are here… they'll handle it."

Yong firmly replied:

"—We have to pack everything into the car by afternoon."

Mary quickly jumped in:

"—Don't worry… Helen and I will pack everything."

Nicholas smiled victoriously:

"—See? They said it… no excuses… let's go!"

Nicholas pulled Yong up, almost dragging him, taking off his coat.

Yong frowned:

"—Where are we going?"

Nicholas grinned mysteriously:

"—Somewhere nice… I found an awesome club… lots of pretty girls!"

Mary and Helen yelled together:

"—Nicholas!!"

Nicholas laughed:

"—Relax… kidding… we'll just shop… haven't bought even one pair of underwear since we got here!"

He changed his voice to a girly tone, wrapping his arm around Yong, mimicking:

"—I need shoes, t-shirts, fancy socks, and my nails done too!"

Yong pulled away, frowning:

"—Shame on you… what nonsense… let's go, another minute and you'll start nagging like a grandma!"

Yong stormed out. Nicholas turned to Mary and Helen, winked, and in a girly voice said:

"—See you sweeties!"

Mary and Helen shook their heads, laughing.

In the car, Nicholas's smile faded, and he said seriously:

"—I know you're mad at Diana… but I have to say something."

Yong replied wearily:

"—What now?"

Nicholas paused:

"—Diana… she's messing with Mary… trying to break her down."

Yong scoffed:

"—Don't talk nonsense… sure, she's tough, but she's not like that. Why would you say that?"

Nicholas pressed his lips together:

"—Forget it… I don't want you to fall out with Diana… but I need you to know… Mary's the one getting hurt."

Yong blinked, his frown deepening.

"—You serious?"

"—Absolutely. I won't let Mary get crushed in this mess… and you shouldn't either. Do whatever it takes… don't let Diana harm Mary."

Silence filled the car. Yong stared out the window… buildings passed one after another.

He said quietly, thoughtfully:

"—Why would Diana target Mary?"

Then he gave Nicholas a serious look.

Nicholas answered firmly:

"—Don't look at me like that… you know I'm focused only on Mary… Diana means nothing to me."

Yong looked away… his face blank… but his eyes… full of thought.