Nicholas tossed and turned in bed until midnight. Yong's words kept echoing in his mind.
What if Yong was right? What if someone from the art academy was actually after Mary?
His head was flooded with unanswered questions.
He murmured to himself:
"Was he telling the truth? No, he was just messing with me… or maybe trying to push me into doing something. But what if someone really is after Mary?
Well, it's none of my business… we're just friends… I'm more comfortable that way..."
He paused for a few seconds. Then, in a more serious tone, he said:
"But what if he's not the right kind of guy? Mary's a sweet girl… if she opens up to him before realizing who he really is, what then? No… this won't do. I need to do something."
Suddenly, he got out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and headed to Yong's room. He knocked hard on the door.
Yong opened the door with sleepy eyes and grumbled,
"What the hell? Have you lost your mind waking me up at this hour?"
Nicholas barged in without waiting, sat on a chair, and said,
"Yong, just tell me straight—who is it? If he's not someone decent, we need to do something. Mary's too kind… she might just jump in without thinking.
I'm saying this just as a friend. We're nothing more than friends..."
Yong gave a sleepy smile.
"Take a breath—you just dumped it all at once."
Nicholas scratched his head.
"I mean, as friends, we should look out for her."
Yong replied sarcastically,
"As friends? Funny… I've never seen a friend so worried he can't sleep past midnight..."
"Don't start with your jokes. Just tell me who it is."
Yong calmly took a sip of water and said,
"Relax. I'm watching out for her. The guy who's into her is decent. If Mary likes him, it's not a problem… unless you see yourself as more than just a friend."
"You're messing with me, Yong."
"No, you're messing with yourself. Are you telling me you really don't have feelings for Mary?"
"I don't want to get involved with anyone right now..."
"Then stop worrying. Let things run their course."
"But I care about her..."
Yong opened the door.
"Go back to sleep. You're driving me crazy too..."
"Just tell me who's chasing after Mary."
Yong snapped,
"Nicholas! Enough already… I told you, I don't like indecisive people. Helen and I are idiots for still trying to help you."
Nicholas was caught off guard.
"What? You and Helen? What do you mean?"
Yong frowned.
"Nothing. Just leave. Don't get on my nerves."
Nicholas, now flustered, said,
"Wait… fine. I admit it. I do have feelings for Mary. But I'm still not sure she's the one I think she is. I just need time."
Yong spoke firmly,
"If you wait too long, you might see her hand in someone else's."
"But Mary's never been with anyone. I'm sure of that. I just want one more chance to get to know her."
Yong warned him,
"Well, this time it's different. I heard William has been asking around about Mary. He likes her…
He's got more money than you, and plenty of girls chase after him. If he gets close to Mary, who knows if she'll reject him or not..."
Nicholas, angry now:
"That bastard! Didn't he have a girlfriend?"
"Broke up with her two months ago."
"Mary's not the type to go for money."
"I'm just giving you a heads-up."
Nicholas hesitated:
"So… what should I do?"
"Go back to your room and think about it. But please… don't wake me up again."
"You just want me out of here."
Nicholas stood, paused, and looked at Yong.
"You've never been a real friend."
Without looking at him, Yong muttered,
"Get lost..."
And slammed the door shut.
The Next Morning – At the Workshop
Mary was sitting at the top of the scaffold, painting next to Yong. Nicholas tugged at Yong's shirt from below.
Yong leaned down and looked at him.
Nicholas motioned for him to come down so he could go up instead.
Yong gave a mischievous smile but said nothing. Then he suddenly clutched his back.
"Ouch… my back! I need to come down."
Mary asked,
"Want me to help?"
"No, Nicholas is here. Hey, give me a hand."
Nicholas quickly grabbed Yong's hand to help him down.
At the same moment, Helen said,
"I'll go up and join Mary."
Nicholas suddenly blurted,
"No! No need… I'll go up."
Mary and Helen both looked at him in surprise. He was flustered. Yong jumped in:
"Yeah, let Nicholas go. I need your help down here, Helen—with the color mixing."
Nicholas climbed up and sat beside Mary.
"Mary, do you have plans for tonight?"
"I'm tired. I just want to go back to the hotel and sleep."
"There's plenty of time to sleep. Let's go for a walk?"
"Where?"
"Around here. There are lots of pretty spots. It'd be a shame not to see them while we're here."
"Okay... what do you think, Helen?"
Helen smiled,
"Sounds good. I'll search a few places."
Nicholas muttered under his breath,
"But I wanted it to be just the two of us..."
"What did you say, Nicholas?"
"Nothing. Didn't say anything."
After class, they all went to a street-side restaurant for dinner. Then they headed to a historic temple.
Nicholas kept looking for a chance to be alone with Mary, but she and Helen were inseparable.
Frustrated, he grabbed Yong's arm.
"Do something!"
Yong replied calmly,
"Are you serious? Or still unsure?"
"Oh, don't start again..."
"I just want to be sure. Are you serious?"
"Yes! That's what you wanted to hear, right? Help me..."
Yong gave a sly smile. Then he turned to Helen and said,
"Helen, can you help me with something? I want to get a gift for Diana—I need your opinion."
Helen looked surprised.
"Here? What kind of gift?"
"I saw a street vendor with some traditional bracelets. Let's go check them out."
"Diana doesn't like stuff like that… let's get something tomorrow at a proper shop."
Yong took her hand with a smile.
"Come on. Maybe we'll find something nice."
Yong and Helen slowly walked away, disappearing into the warm lights of the street stalls.
Mary and Nicholas stood a few steps behind, watching them go.
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees. Laughter echoed softly as Yong and Helen faded into the distance.
Nicholas took a deep breath.
It was the perfect chance.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Mary suddenly said:
"I still think there's something going on between them… look how comfortable they are together."
Nicholas glanced at them briefly. A faint smile touched his lips, but his eyes were serious.
"You only see other people's feelings."
Mary turned to him, puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
Nicholas hesitated. He looked down, then slowly said,
"You don't see my feelings..."
Mary was silent. Her eyes reflected a mix of surprise and uncertainty. She lowered her head slightly and asked:
"What feelings?"
Nicholas took a breath, like he'd been holding it in for a long time.
"I think it's time I said it… I don't want us to stay just regular friends anymore.
Not that we need to turn into some official teenage couple overnight…
But maybe it's time we take this vague thing one step further."
Mary frowned. She was confused—but not upset. Just surprised.
"I… I don't know what to say. You just dropped this on me. I didn't think you saw me as more than a friend..."
Nicholas, softly but firmly:
"Well… now I do. I just want to know… do I have a chance?"
Mary opened her mouth to answer, but Nicholas quickly continued:
"Not now... I don't want you to feel like you have to answer here. Just think it over... and whenever you're ready, tell me."
Without looking into Mary's eyes, he took a step forward and slightly turned his head:
"By the way... where did they go? Come on, let's go find them."
Mary smiled. A mix of disbelief, warmth, and a new feeling stirred in her heart. Without saying a word, she started walking and followed Nicholas. The wind gently tousled her hair, and her heartbeat raced faster than ever…