The restaurant was warm and cozy, but Yong's eyes were colder than ever. When Mary, Nicholas, and Diana joined him at the table, he offered only a brief smile, saying nothing.
Nicholas noticed. With a sly grin, he said,"Yong… you look a little upset. Are we interrupting your dinner?"
Yong replied calmly,"I'm not upset. Not sure why you'd think that."
Mary shifted uncomfortably, glancing between Yong and Diana. The tension was thick, ready to snap.
Then Yong turned to Mary."So, Mary... how did you get interested in the gallery work?"
Mary hesitated before answering with a soft smile,"After the trip, Nicholas asked me to help decorate the gallery. We worked with Helen too. I had the time—and interest."
Yong stared deeply at Nicholas."After the trip… with Helen? Nicholas, you've changed."
Nicholas chuckled awkwardly."Changed? You always think I've changed just because I switched up my clothes."
Diana laughed."Yeah, Yong can't handle your new look!"
Yong smiled faintly, eyes still void of emotion."I can handle the look… not the attitude."
Diana narrowed her eyes."What do you mean?"
Yong didn't take his eyes off Nicholas."Don't you see? He never cared this much about girls before. Gallery work, asking for help… seems like he's maturing. Isn't that right, Diana?"
Diana shrugged."Honestly? Nicholas has always been like this."
Nicholas grinned."See? My old friend knows me better than my fancy fiancée!"
Yong smirked."Fine, joke all you want. We'll see."
Nicholas laughed."Looking forward to it."
Diana turned to Mary with a playful smile."Men are always competing. They forget how to behave around women. Don't mind them."
Mary giggled."I'm used to it. You should see them in our painting class."
Diana raised an eyebrow."Really? I thought they barely spoke."
Mary just smiled.
Nicholas leaned toward Yong and whispered,"Truce dinner?"
Yong whispered back with a serious tone,"What about you? Trying to get closer with someone?"
Nicholas grinned."You're not giving up, are you?"
Yong smirked."Neither are you."
Diana raised an eyebrow."What are you two whispering about?"
Yong replied casually,"Just talking about Nicholas and Mary."
Mary blinked, startled. Her eyes met Nicholas'.
Nicholas quickly added,"Just a group project idea. Thought Mary might join."
Yong eyed him suspiciously."So you're not asking me to help?"
Nicholas said,"Actually, you and Diana are at the top of my list."
Diana asked,"Wait, is this for a group exhibition?"
Nicholas nodded."Exactly."
Diana looked thoughtful."I'm pretty busy… haven't painted in a year. Mary, what about you?"
Mary stammered,"Me? I'm… surprised. I'm not nearly at your level."
Yong said sarcastically,"Don't worry, you can't be worse than Nicholas."
Diana laughed, then grew serious."I think it's a good opportunity. I might join, too."
Yong looked at her in surprise.
Diana turned to Nicholas."Who else is in?"
Nicholas smiled."Yong's going to pick the rest."
Yong raised a brow."What next? Want me to run your gallery too?"
Nicholas shrugged."Why not?"
Yong gave him a sharp look."Alright. Us four, plus I'll choose ten more. But convincing them? That's your job."
Nicholas nodded."Deal."
Later, during dessert, Diana grew warmer with Mary, while Nicholas leaned toward Yong and whispered,"See? I handled it well. You looked thrown off."
Yong smirked."Handled what? You said you were planning an exhibition."
Nicholas muttered,"I was just saying that… wasn't serious."
Yong pulled out his phone."Shame. I already contacted seven solid students. Look."
Nicholas stared at the messages in shock."You're kidding me…"
Both Mary and Diana looked toward them.
Nicholas cleared his throat."You were supposed to check with me first."
Yong replied,"You seemed busy. I made the selections myself. A thank-you would be nice."
Nicholas forced a smile."Of course. Thanks."
Diana asked,"What's going on?"
Yong replied smoothly,"Nothing, darling. Just exhibition talk."
Diana cast them both a cool glance. Mary looked equally puzzled.
Nicholas suddenly asked,"Diana, what happened to your plans to go abroad?"
Diana sighed."I'm still working on it. Once the company's registered overseas, I'll leave."
Nicholas asked,"You going with Yong?"
Yong's glare could have pierced stone. Mary felt the tension surge again.
Mary stood up."Nicholas, I should go. I have work early tomorrow."
To Diana, she added,"Hope you don't mind—just wanted to say goodbye."
Diana smiled."It was lovely. Take care of yourself."
Nicholas got up."Wait, I'll walk you out."
Mary hesitated."You don't have to—"
Nicholas interrupted,"It's no trouble."
They walked toward the door. Nicholas grabbed his coat.
"Alright, Diana... Yong... dinner's on me."
Yong said flatly,"No need. I've got it."
Diana looked at him, then turned to Nicholas."I didn't say anything in front of Mary, but… he's right. You've changed."
Nicholas smirked."You know I never change."
Yong stared at both of them.
Nicholas left.
Diana turned to Yong."Why does he think you're leaving with me?"
Yong shrugged."He likes to stir things up."
Diana sighed."I don't. Let's go."
Outside, Nicholas drove Mary home. She got out, took a few steps, then turned back.
"Can I ask you something?"
Nicholas raised an eyebrow."Sure."
Mary hesitated."Why are you like this with Yong? Isn't he your friend?"
Nicholas laughed lightly."You think I'm humiliating him? I haven't done anything."
Mary sighed."Fine. Forget I asked. Sorry for being nosy."
Nicholas stepped out of the car and caught up with her.
"Hey, we're friends now, right? I don't want you thinking badly of me. Things happened between me and Yong… I don't want to bring it up, but if you knew, you'd understand."
Mary met his gaze."We've only known each other a short time. I'm not judging you."
Nicholas smiled."Thanks. With this mess of a project… looks like we'll be seeing more of each other."
Mary gave a half-smile."Yeah… see you."
She went inside, head buzzing.
Ava called from the couch,"Late again! What, were you on a date?"
Mary ignored her and went straight to her room.