Chapter 61 – A Teacher’s Concern

In the afternoon, the soft summer sunlight lazily crept through the window into the room. Mary, after a long and heavy sleep, slowly got out of bed. The pillow's imprint was still on her cheek. She walked to the kitchen, poured herself some juice, and began cutting a slice of cake. The steam from freshly brewed tea rose gently, and the quiet of the house carried a calming peace.

The apartment door opened. Ava, dressed in a light-colored outfit, entered, looking tired but with a smile on her face. Her eyes landed on Mary, who stood by the window with a cup of tea.

"—You're back early today?" Mary asked with a smile.

Ava dropped her bag, hurried over to Mary, and threw herself onto the couch.

"—Hi! When did you get back? You didn't mention anything last night..."

"—I wanted to surprise you!" Mary winked playfully.

Ava chuckled and shook her head.

"—Actually, Deniz called me today. She said she didn't call you and Nicholas because she didn't want to bother you two, but apparently, she's been asking Helen for all the updates. Now tell me properly—what exactly did you do to win Nicholas's heart?"

Mary burst out laughing.

"—Oh, you and Deniz! There's no heart-winning happening here. We're still just friends… well, maybe a bit closer now, that's all."

Ava squinted suspiciously.

"—Yeah, right! Every time I talk to you, you say the same thing. But I heard you two were out and about yesterday, and Nicholas even got jealous and put Rachel in her place… You didn't tell me any of that. I had to hear it from Helen? I'm your sister!"

Caught off guard, Mary grabbed Ava's hand in a reconciliatory gesture.

"—Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything. Just don't get mad… About Rachel, Nicholas went to a party with her a few days ago, I think…"

Ava interrupted excitedly:

"—Not just a few days ago—start from the very beginning, from the moment you saw Nicholas at the hotel lobby!"

"—I already told you all this on the phone!"

Ava laughed.

"—I know, but this time, I want all the juicy details!"

Mary sighed with a smile and began telling her everything. Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Yong entered the art studio. As soon as he opened the door, his eyes fell on Nicholas's car keys lying on the table.

"—Unbelievable… so careless," he muttered, pulling out his phone.

"—Hey, Nicholas? Your car keys are here, you left them on the table."

After the call, his gaze fell on the painting. He slowly walked over, examining every detail. Just then, the art instructor entered.

"—Hello, Yong! You're back? How was the trip?"

Yong smiled.

"—Hello, sir. Yes, we returned today. It was a good trip."

The instructor approached, his eyes scanning the canvas.

"—It looks fantastic, especially the lower section—much more refined."

Yong nodded with pride.

"—Yeah, most of the lower section was done by the girls. Mary worked on this part here… Looks professional, right?"

The instructor adjusted his glasses.

"—Exactly. The color blending is excellent. She's becoming as skilled as you. But the upper left… did you do that? The colors look a bit wavy."

Yong answered coolly.

"—No, that's Nicholas's part. Didn't seem like he was very focused."

The instructor laughed.

"—Well, it's clear he had other things on his mind."

Yong blinked in surprise.

"—You noticed too?"

"—Of course. Nicholas is playful, but Mary… she's a simple girl with big dreams. Keep an eye on her. We can't rely on Nicholas to guide her. You need to be there for her."

Yong gave a faint smile.

"—When I see Mary's passion for painting, it reminds me of myself. I used to be just as eager, but life got in the way of my dreams. I still haven't been able to host my own exhibition. But Mary? I won't let her drift away from her goals."

The instructor nodded approvingly.

"—The painting still needs some finishing touches. When do you think it'll be done?"

"—Tomorrow. The exhibition is in three days. You must come."

"—Of course. I want to see how well this beautiful piece sells."

Later that evening, around six, Mary, Helen, Nicholas, and Yong gathered at the studio to finish the final details of the painting. Nicholas, rather than concentrating, kept teasing Mary. Yong had to warn him multiple times to stay focused.

Three hours later, they all left the studio, tired but satisfied.

"—Time for a proper meal," Nicholas declared, rubbing his stomach.

Yong, still feeling the travel fatigue, replied,

"—I don't think I can make it…"

Helen giggled.

"—Don't be like that. We'll eat, then head home."

Nicholas suggested,

"—Let's call Deniz, Ava, and Diana too."

Mary nodded, stepping aside to make a call.

Yong whispered,

"—Diana's busy… probably best if she doesn't come."

Nicholas noticed something was off but stayed silent.

Mary returned,

"—I told them. I'll send them the restaurant location when we get there."

At the restaurant, everyone gathered around the table. Deniz, Ava, and even James joined them. Midway through the meal, Ava's phone rang.

"—Hello? Yes, Mr. Mark… now? Can't it wait until early tomorrow morning? …Alright, I'll be there in thirty minutes."

Ava hung up, looking frustrated.

"—He said there are VIP guests coming tomorrow morning. I have to go prepare cakes and pastries tonight."

Mary frowned.

"—Ava, this isn't the first time. You can't keep sacrificing yourself for a contract renewal."

Deniz agreed,

"—You should talk to Ms. Diana."

Yong added,

"—I'll talk to her myself."

Ava quickly said,

"—No, no… I'll handle it."

Ava excused herself and left early. Yong glanced at Mary, who silently nodded.

Nicholas leaned in to Yong and whispered,

"—Diana's really acting up, huh?"

Yong replied firmly,

"—I'll fix this."

Mary watched them curiously, but Nicholas changed the subject quickly:

"—So, James… how did you and Deniz meet?"

James smiled warmly.

"—We first met at the company, though we'd actually seen each other back in university."

Helen tilted her head in curiosity.

"—Really? Were you classmates?"

James shook his head.

"—Not exactly. We just shared one course. Back then, I didn't know Deniz very well, but when we met again at the company, everything changed."

Mary teased,

"—Well, James's father was the dean of our university."

Deniz's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Mary. Yong and Nicholas smiled, and Helen said with a laugh:

"—Ah, that explains it. You must have been quite popular at university. Maybe that's why you didn't notice Deniz back then."

Deniz immediately countered,

"—Who says he didn't notice me? He always had his eyes on me, we just graduated early."

Nicholas squinted jokingly,

"—Sure, I'll take your word for it."

James laughed,

"—It doesn't matter when we met, what matters is that we understand each other now."

Deniz smiled warmly, taking James's hand in hers. Helen and Mary exchanged knowing glances, and Helen said,

"—Hmm… they're such a perfect match."

Mary nodded in agreement. Nicholas rolled his eyes playfully, thinking how sweet and sappy they looked, while Yong silently watched Deniz and James, his expression tinged with forgotten affection—perhaps a remnant of his feelings for Diana.

Mary noticed Yong's look and quickly changed the subject,

"—Alright, guys, we should head out. Tomorrow's going to be busy."

Nicholas grinned,

"—So soon? I have no work tomorrow."

Yong smiled,

"—Actually, come to the studio early. I have a task for you."

Nicholas groaned,

"—Ugh… more work?"

Everyone laughed, getting up from the table. The night was calm, and under the soft glow of streetlights, their friendship felt a little warmer. Everyone went home carrying thoughts, feelings, and memories of the evening.