After shopping, everyone excitedly returned to Deniz's art studio with their hands full. Deniz, eager to see the group painting, rushed in ahead of the others. As the door to the hall opened, they saw Yong seriously painting. He glanced at them with a frown.
Yong (frowning): Looks like you had a great time... you're an hour late.
Mary (with a nervous laugh): We thought you'd be late too...
Yong: Why would I be late?
Mary glanced at Helen. Helen, flustered, quickly said:
Helen: I called you. You said you'd come later...
At the same time, she tried to signal something to Yong with her eyes. Yong, initially confused, suddenly caught on:
Yong: Oh, right! I remember now... my appointment got canceled, so I came earlier. Forgot to tell you.
Helen (with a smile): Exactly...
Nicholas strutted over to Yong with a smug look.
Nicholas: So we're an hour late. What are you, the hall monitor?
Yong: You got it wrong. I meant if you'd arrived earlier, we could've finished the painting sooner.
Nicholas (calmly): Well, we're here now... but sorry, I won't be touching any paint today. Don't want to ruin my clothes.
Yong glanced at Nicholas's T-shirt and said mockingly:
Yong: You say that like your shirt is a designer label!
Nicholas winked at Mary and nudged Yong with his foot:
Nicholas: Of course it's branded... it's a gift. Something you'll never get!
Yong, still clueless, asked:
Yong: A gift? Another one of those poor girls buying you stuff? New girlfriend?
He grabbed a water bottle and started drinking. Nicholas looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Helen (smiling): Don't joke, Yong... Mary got the shirt for Nicholas.
Yong choked on the water and started coughing.
Yong (between coughs): Mary... I was wondering how Nicholas could have such good taste. So Mary bought the shirt...
Deniz, Helen, and Mary laughed.
Nicholas (with mock pride): See? I told you my charm is irresistible—even Mary bought me a gift!
Yong (laughing): If anyone deserved a gift, it should've been me... I came up with the group painting idea!
Mary (smiling): It was spontaneous... actually, Helen wanted to buy him something first. But don't worry, I'll get you a gift too.
Nicholas (half-joking, half-serious): Absolutely not! No gifts for Yong. Let Diana buy him something! (to Yong) Don't get ahead of yourself, got it?
Yong (laughing): Alright, alright, no need to get jealous.
Nicholas (trying to regain composure): Nonsense... why would I be jealous?
Helen: Okay, let's get back to the painting.
Everyone put on their aprons. They even had one for Deniz. They gave him a section of the background to paint, and he excitedly began coloring.
The next day – Company, Mary's desk
Mary was focused on her work when Rachel approached.
Rachel: Mary, you've been really cheerful lately... got something going on? Are you seeing someone?
Mary (calmly): Really? I seem cheerful? Maybe it's because work is going well.
Rachel: Hmm... by the way, I'm not going to the subsidiary in the southern province anymore. I've got a new assignment—from the holding company. I'm being sent to one of the biggest construction firms.
Mary: Good luck. Why are you telling me this?
Rachel (coolly): Because you're taking my place at the subsidiary.
Mary (shocked): What? Why me?
Rachel: Because you're good at your job. I asked my uncle to recommend you.
Mary: You shouldn't have. I'm not going.
Rachel: I was trying to help... but suit yourself. Just know it's an order from the holding company—refusing it might hurt your reputation.
Mary (angrily standing up): Look Rachel, leave me alone! I don't need your concern... just like when you "cared" about Deniz and got him laid off!
Rachel (forcing a smile): Whatever you say...
Just then, Deniz, who had overheard, walked up.
Deniz: What's going on?
Mary: Rachel spoke to the holding company to send me to the subsidiary.
Deniz: But they pay double there, and it's only for a month. Not a bad deal...
Mary: I'm not going. I'm sure she has a plan. Maybe she found out I'm working on a group painting.
Deniz: No way! I didn't say anything...
Mary: Then how did she find out?
Deniz shrugged. Just then, Mr. Connor called Mary to his office.
Mr. Connor's Office
Mary: Mr. Connor, you asked for me?
Mr. Connor: Yes, the holding company called... They want you to go to the subsidiary instead of Rachel. It's a one-month assignment, a good opportunity.
Mary: I'm sorry, I can't go. I'm involved in an external project I have to finish.
Mr. Connor: Alright... I'll try to propose someone else, but I wasn't consulted either. Let's hope they accept.
A few minutes later – Company, Mary's desk
Deniz: What did he say?
Mary: I said I won't go. He said he'll try to suggest someone else.
Deniz: You think they'll approve?
Mary: I don't know. But this time, I'm not giving up on the group painting.
Deniz (with a subtle tone): You know... you're in a pretty crucial position right now—it might change your future...
Mary: You mean the painting?
Deniz: No... never mind. I've got something to do.
The next morning – Company
Mr. Connor called Mary to his office again.
Mr. Connor: Mary, I'm sorry. The holding company rejected my suggestion. They said you have to go.
Mary: But I'm not obligated. I can refuse.
Mr. Connor: True, but it might damage your image...
Suddenly, Deniz burst in, out of breath.
Deniz: Sorry, Mr. Connor, I'm a bit late. I just came from the holding company...
Mr. Connor (surprised): The holding?
Deniz (smiling): Yes. Mary told me yesterday she doesn't want to go, so I proposed someone else. They approved it this morning. Mary's name isn't on the list anymore!
Mr. Connor (relieved): Really? But yesterday, at the end of the day...
Deniz (confidently): It got finalized early this morning. You can relax.
Mary looked at Deniz in awe.
Mr. Connor: Alright then... Mary's very lucky. You can get back to work now.
Mary and Deniz walked out of the office.
Mary: Deniz, are you sure they picked someone else?
Deniz: Yeah. It took a lot to convince them.
Mary: Who?
Deniz: James.
Mary (loudly): What?!
Everyone turned to look at them.
Deniz: Keep it down... Looks like you were right. Yesterday I asked James to look into it. Apparently, Rachel's uncle insisted it had to be you. So I begged James to offer himself instead. You know no one dares say no to him because of his dad.
Just then, Rachel's voice rang out.
Rachel (angrily): What does that even mean?! How can this happen?!
She stormed past Mary and Deniz, fuming.
Deniz (smirking): Oh Rachel... this is just the beginning. You don't know who you're dealing with...
Mary: I wish you hadn't forced James... I don't want him to be upset with you.
Deniz: Oh, come on! When I said, "Take me with you somehow too," he was thrilled! We'll work and have fun—kill two birds with one stone!
Mary (surprised): Wait, does that mean you might come too?
Deniz (raising an eyebrow): What did you think? You want me to send James alone so other girls can snatch him?
Mary: Deniz, you're truly amazing!