Days passed, and the relationship between Diana and Yong blossomed further. Meanwhile, the love between Nicholas and Mary grew stronger each day. However, Mary, who initially believed that being with Nicholas would advance her career as a painter, began to feel herself drifting away from her art. She found that most of her time after work was spent having fun with Nicholas or helping him at his gallery.
One day at the studio, lost in her thoughts, she felt someone approaching. It was Yong.
Yong: "Why are you so deep in thought?"
Mary was so absorbed in her own world that she didn't answer. Yong smiled faintly and waved his hand in front of her eyes, repeating, "Hey... Mary... where are you?"
Mary snapped out of it: "What? Did you say something?"
Yong smiled: "When you're this lost in thought, it's definitely about painting."
Mary: "It's nothing. I'm fine."
Yong: "No, you're not. I know you're thinking about how you've drifted away from painting, and you didn't expect this at all. Honestly, I was the same way when my relationship with Diana started. We were always out having fun, but the thought of painting never left me for a second."
Mary: "Really? You were like that too? Well, what did you do?"
Yong: "I talked to Diana and asked her to let each of us follow our own path in our professional lives. You know, Diana really wanted me to quit painting and work at the company, but I don't know how to do anything else. Painting is what I'm passionate about."
Mary: "I know. I know you well enough by now... If I tell you something, will it stay between us?"
Yong: "Rest assured, I won't tell Nicholas about your thoughts on how your relationship was supposed to advance your painting."
Mary was surprised: "How did you know I wanted to say that?"
Yong: "Well, I know you pretty well too. Look, Mary, don't wait for anyone else. Pursue your dream yourself... in any situation."
Mary smiled: "It's good to have a friend like you."
Yong: "Then let me tell you the truth: talking to you makes me even more passionate about painting."
At the weekend, Mary and Nicholas went for a picnic. Nicholas, as always, was full of energy, joking around and preparing the food, while Mary arranged the fruit. Near sunset, Mary stood by the lake, gazing at the horizon, when Nicholas hugged her from behind and said:
"You've become the sun in my life; it's as if my life had no light before you."
Mary smiled: "Are you sure? I've heard you had many stars in your life before me."
Nicholas: "Are you saying that because of what Yong said? He's lying. It's true that many girls were after me, but I didn't care about any of them... Yong is just jealous of me."
Mary laughed: "Okay, you're right."
Nicholas: "Of course I am... My eyes see no one but you."
Just then, Nicholas tried to kiss her, but Mary, distracted by her own thoughts, said bluntly: "Nicholas, I want to paint. I mean, I want to go back to the studio and paint canvases like the first days we met. Even if I have to get help from Yong to improve my skills."
Nicholas immediately pulled back and said with surprise: "Yong... why him?"
Mary: "I know you're very busy right now, with the exhibitions at your gallery and Helen being overwhelmed too. Yong is the only one who is painting right now and has time, so it's better if I ask for his help. Although I don't know if he'll help me; you know Diana doesn't like me very much."
Nicholas: "Yeah, I know... but I can make time for you myself. There's no need to get help from Yong."
Mary hesitated: "Don't you want me to get help from Yong?"
Nicholas, not wanting to look insecure: "No, honey, why wouldn't I? If you want to, I'll talk to Yong..."
Mary smiled: "That's good, thank you..."
The next day, Nicholas went to the art studio and, after seeing Mary, walked over to Yong.
Nicholas: "Hey, working overtime again? Don't exhaust yourself."
Yong: "Looks like you've lost your way too."
Nicholas: "Forget it, you're not in the mood for jokes, I see. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you. About Mary."
Yong was surprised: "Mary? Did something happen?"
Nicholas frowned: "No, nothing happened... Why are you worried?... Anyway, I want you to teach Mary for a while until my schedule clears up."
Yong: "Do you ever have a clear schedule?"
Nicholas: "I'm serious. Right now, because Mary thinks I'm busy, she doesn't want to bother me and asked me to talk to you. Otherwise, you know well that I don't like you being close to Mary at all."
Yong: "I didn't know you didn't like me being close to Mary... What's the reason? Don't tell me you think I'm like you, taking advantage of every opportunity?"
Nicholas: "Please, stop talking nonsense."
Yong laughed: "Alright, alright, just kidding. Don't worry, my love for Diana is real. But honestly, Mary is a very good friend, and I'll help her because of our friendship, not your request. I don't want to be a liar like you, so know from the start that my friendship with Mary is more valuable to me than my friendship with you."
Nicholas took a deep breath: "Really?... Fine, just stay friends, then. So we've settled this between us."
Yong: "There was nothing to settle; everything was quite clear."
Nicholas rolled his eyes and said: "Fine, I'll go give the good news to Mary. Let her know that her good friend has agreed to help her."
Nicholas walked past Yong and went toward Mary.
Mary: "What happened? Did he agree?"
Nicholas: "Of course. How could he not?"
Mary was happy and took Nicholas's hands: "Thank you, that's great... I really love Yong's painting style... As always, because of your kindness, I'm happy again... Thank you for convincing Yong."
Nicholas was surprised at first, then smiled, squeezed Mary's hands, and said: "Always be happy. I love your laughter."
Days passed, and Mary happily practiced painting with Yong. One day, while painting, Yong seemed distracted, and Mary noticed.
Mary: "Yong, are you okay? You seem to be lost in thought."
Yong: "It's nothing special."
Mary: "I don't want to pry, but it seems like Diana... never mind, let's continue."
Yong: "No, go ahead. What about Diana?"
Mary: "It seems Diana can't see your passion..." Mary took a deep breath and continued: "I accidentally heard your mother-in-law's words at the gallery that day. Yong, if you want Diana's mother to realize how much you love her daughter, you have to let go of some things."
Yong: "Like what?"
Mary: "I don't want to say you should quit painting, but wouldn't it be better to help Diana with her company work? This way, Diana can also defend you in front of her family."
Yong nodded: "You're right, but I don't know anything about that kind of work."
Mary smiled: "Everything has a beginning. Besides, I think someone as smart as you will surprise everyone in a short time."
Yong smiled and said: "Thank you... Okay, I'll give it a try."
Mary spent more time with Yong, and her time with Nicholas decreased. Helen, seeing Nicholas's sadness, noticed this and tried to help him by calling Deniz and telling her about the situation. On a day off, when Mary was packing her art supplies to go to the studio, Deniz went to Mary's house and knocked. Mary opened the door.
Mary: "Deniz? It's you... Why are you here this early in the morning? Did something happen?"
Deniz: "No, honey... I just came to talk to you."
Mary: "Come in."
Deniz sat down, and Mary put her art bag on the corner of the table.
Mary: "Did something happen? Did you have an argument with James?"
Deniz: "No... no... I wanted to talk about you."
Mary: "Okay, go ahead."
Deniz: "Look, Mary, Helen called me yesterday and said Nicholas has been very frustrated lately and his mind is elsewhere... She said he's constantly lost in thought."
Mary said with surprise: "No... he's fine... I talked to him, and there was no problem."
Deniz: "He doesn't show you anything, but he's really not okay... I'd be the same if I were him. For a few weeks now, you've been spending all your free time practicing painting and haven't paid any attention to Nicholas."
Mary: "No, honey, how can I not pay attention to him? We are constantly talking on the phone."
Deniz: "That's exactly your mistake. Mary, just as much as you love Nicholas, he loves you. You can't express all your affection over the phone. He needs your presence."
Mary: "If that were the case, he would have definitely told me."
Deniz: "He can't say it because he wants you to be happy... He knows that painting makes you happy... Look, Mary, even though painting is your love, you can't sacrifice everything for it. You have to pay attention to other things too... Since I met James, at least I know that men feel happiness with a woman's presence, not just with her voice and a few romantic sentences... I don't want to interfere, but I think it would be better to spend more time with Nicholas."
Mary looked down with sadness: "You're right... I didn't notice at all; it was as if that painting space was all I wanted... Honestly, I didn't pay any attention to Nicholas at all... Thank you, Deniz."
Deniz stood up: "You're welcome, but I emphasize again, I just wanted to advise you as a friend; I have no intention of interfering."
Mary laughed: "Okay... I know..."