These days, Mary was pouring all her energy into work. She stayed late even on holidays to secure new projects. The painting she had planned for the weekend—based on a photo of a little girl in the park with her dog—remained in her mind but never made it onto the canvas. That Wednesday, Mr. Connor asked Mary and a few other employees to come in over the weekend to finish things early. This routine didn't last just one week but continued for two. She missed her painting classes one by one, and the painting that was supposed to be her dream piece for the exhibition hadn't even been started.
Caught between the pressures of work and her art, Mary felt torn. On one hand, all her hopes were tied to that painting and the opportunity her teacher had mentioned. On the other, she took her duties in the project—and her loyalty to Deniz—seriously. Both mattered, but time only favored one.
One night after work, she finally joined an online painting class. Her teacher gave her a kind but serious look.
Teacher: "Mary, is something wrong? You've missed a few sessions. And you haven't submitted your painting yet."
Mary gave a faint smile, not wanting to speak the truth in front of the other students.
Mary: "Honestly, work's been a bit overwhelming… But I'm trying to finish it by next week."
Teacher: "I understand. I know your job takes more time than most. But it's a shame, Mary—don't let your talent slip away so easily."
Mary: "Thank you, teacher, for understanding… I hope I don't let you down."
The following week, Mary finally sketched a rough draft of her painting and sent it to her teacher. When she called him, her voice was full of anxiety.
Mary: "Hi, teacher. Did you see the painting? With all the work, I've lost my focus…"
Teacher: "Yes, I saw it, Mary. It still needs a lot of work, and there are only three days left to submit it to the academy. With so little time, you won't be able to finish it for the exhibition. Such a shame… You're one of my best students. I really wanted your painting to be shown too."
Mary: "I wished that too… but for now, I have to prioritize work."
Teacher: "Don't worry. Other opportunities will come. You'll shine when the time is right."
Mary: "Thank you, teacher."
After the call ended, Mary stared at her half-finished painting for a long time. She couldn't bring herself to pick up the brush. She didn't want to let it go, but she also couldn't move forward.
At the company, things were intense. Mr. Connor announced that the final reports had to be ready in two days. Everyone worked seriously—except Rachel, who as usual slacked off during work hours and didn't stay for overtime. Mary was worried about the project control report, but she had been told from the start not to interfere. So she waited.
Two days later, everyone submitted their reports. On Thursday, Mary nervously entered Mr. Connor's office.
Mary: "Hi, Mr. Connor… Can I have a few minutes of your time?"
Mr. Connor: "Sure, Mary. Come in, have a seat."
Mary: "Do you think the reports turned out well? Is there hope?"
Mr. Connor: "Absolutely. The reports were excellent—especially your programming section."
Mary (hesitantly): "What about Rachel's project control report?"
Mr. Connor (raising an eyebrow): "Rachel… I had almost forgotten. I skimmed through her report. Want to see it?"
Mary took Rachel's report and glanced over it.
Mary: "But Mr. Connor, this… this isn't good at all. It's so shallow."
Mr. Connor: "Exactly. It's clear Rachel doesn't have the skills she claims to."
Mary: "But this isn't about Rachel now… It's about bringing back our other coworkers. With this report… how?"
Mr. Connor: "Don't worry. This isn't the final project control report. I knew from the start Rachel wouldn't lift a finger for anyone else unless it was about her. That's why Anisa and I prepared a complete report ourselves."
Mary smiled. A spark of hope lit up inside her.
Mr. Connor: "We'll get the results on Monday. All we can do now is wait."
Over the weekend, Mary visited the academy's website. The list of accepted paintings for the exhibition had been posted. She sighed and murmured to herself:
Mary (to herself): "If I had just one more week, I could've finished it now that work's slowed down… but I missed it…"
She noticed that the exhibition would take place on Monday at 4 p.m.
On Monday, all the employees were anxiously waiting. Mr. Connor entered the room with a serious expression, and everyone held their breath. But suddenly, he broke into a smile and announced loudly:
Mr. Connor (happily): "We got them! Five projects secured!"
The office burst into cheers and celebration. Then came more good news:
Mr. Connor: "The CEO has also approved the return of our teammates. They'll all be back starting tomorrow!"
Everyone was thrilled—except Rachel, who was casually checking her phone.
Mary felt a deep sense of joy. She believed it had been worth it—sacrificing her painting to help the team.
Mr. Connor: "Tonight, we're all going to a restaurant to celebrate our teammates' return. Just one thing—they have to pay the bill!"
One coworker: "Of course they do… We did all the hard work while they rested and relaxed!"
Everyone laughed and agreed.
Another coworker: "Wait, let's tell them after work so it's a surprise!"
At the end of the workday, Mary saw Mr. Connor as she was leaving.
Mary: "Mr. Connor, thank you for everything."
Mr. Connor: "Actually, I should be thanking you. You worked really hard."
Mary (shyly): "I just did my duty. Oh, by the way… I won't be able to come to the celebration tonight. I'm going to a painting exhibition… Just wanted to let you know in advance."
Mr. Connor: "No problem… Enjoy."
Mary said goodbye and headed straight to the exhibition. As she approached the entrance, her phone rang. It was Deniz.
Mary: "Hello? Hi, Deniz! How are you?"
Deniz (excited): "Hi! I can't believe it. They just called me and said I'm invited to the company party. I was like, what party? And they said it's a celebration for returning to work!"
Mary (laughing): "Yeah… thank God… Everything worked out. The team wanted to surprise you after work, so I couldn't tell you earlier."
Deniz: "That's awesome… I'll see you at the restaurant!"
Mary entered the exhibition hall.
Mary: "Actually, I won't be there tonight. I'll see you tomorrow."
Deniz: "Why not?"
Mary: "I'm at the academy's painting exhibition."
Mary, distracted while talking, accidentally bumped into a painting held by a student named Yoon.
Yoon: "Hey… hey, be careful! Oh no, look at what happened!"
Mary's clothes were now covered in paint. She looked at her clothes and the ruined painting in shock.
Mary (worried): "I'm so sorry… It's all my fault."
She hung up the phone, sadness in her eyes, and stared at the damaged painting.