The next morning, the sky was cloudy and uncertain—just like Mary's heart. She, Rachel, and Mr. Connor headed to an important meeting, one that could determine the future of their project. Despite the stress and pressure, the meeting went well, and the client left the hall satisfied and smiling.
On the way back, sitting in the company's official car, Mr. Connor turned and smiled at his two young colleagues.
Mr. Connor:"You've done the company a big favor. This project was really crucial for the board—especially with the short deadline."
Rachel, sitting behind the driver with exaggerated confidence, replied:"Yes, we really did an excellent job in such a short time."
Mary, confused, asked softly:"Short time? But you said—"
Rachel quickly cut her off, raising her voice slightly:"Mr. Connor, we were really exhausted yesterday. Could we take the rest of the day off?"
Mr. Connor, more focused on traffic than Rachel's tone, replied with a casual smile:"Sure. No need to return to the office. You can head straight home."
Rachel immediately said to the driver:"Please drop me off right here."
The car stopped. Rachel got out and walked away without even glancing at Mary. Mary remained in the back seat, staring at the foggy window. Pieces of a puzzle began to fall into place in her mind. Rachel's silence, her insistence on staying, Deniz's absence—Mary now saw that Rachel had planned it all along.
Mr. Connor:"Where to now? I can drop you off."
Mary, her voice low and dull:"Thanks, but I'd rather go back to the office. I have a small thing to do."
Mr. Connor:"Alright, we'll head back."
At the office, Mary saw Deniz at her desk—cheerful, energetic, with her usual childish smile.
Deniz:"I heard Mr. Connor made Rachel stay overtime yesterday… finally! It's her turn now!"
Mary, hesitantly:"It's not exactly like that..."
Deniz:"What do you mean?"
Mary took a deep breath. Her mind buzzed with questions. She knew that if she told the truth, Deniz would be hurt.
Mary:"Rachel asked to stay."
Deniz, surprised:"Really? She's not exactly the kindest person… why would she do that?"
Mary just looked at her. She wanted to say something but her tongue felt heavy. She chose silence.
Mary:"Never mind… it's over now anyway."
Deniz fell quiet for a few seconds, then quietly turned back to her desk.
Later that day, Mary returned home, her heart still tangled in thought. She opened her laptop and joined her virtual painting class. The instructor was enthusiastically praising the students' works. Mary felt smaller than a blank canvas that wasn't yet complete.
Suddenly the instructor's voice called out:
Instructor:"Mary… Mary?"
Mary jumped:"Yes, professor!"
Instructor:"You haven't submitted your painting yet. I assume you didn't have time?"
Mary, blushing, smiled:"Yeah, I really couldn't. I'm sorry… but I promise I'll send it by tomorrow."
Instructor:"Great. Then we'll talk about your piece in the next session. Alright, let's move on to today's lesson..."
He began explaining the proper way to move the brush to create different emotional effects. Mary listened with great focus and began practicing.
After the class, she immediately sat down at her desk. She prepared her paints, adjusted the canvas, and began. Every stroke, every curve, every shadow was a reflection of her feelings.
When she finished, she stared at her work.
Mary (smiling):"It really changed… I guess brushstrokes do matter. I think it turned out great."
With a warm heart and tired eyes, she took a photo of the painting and sent it to her instructor. That night, Mary fell asleep with a heart full of hope—dreaming in silence, in colors, in peace.