After the girl leaves, Mary spots Yong from afar. Sadness floods his eyes, but Mary doesn't dare approach him.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoes in her ear.
Teacher: "Mary..."
Mary (surprised, smiling): "Teacher... Hello! How are you?"
Teacher: "Hi. I guessed it was you when I saw you from a distance. You look a bit different in the online classes."
Mary (laughing): "Yeah… You look much more handsome in person, too."
Teacher (joking): "You're good at flattery, huh?"
Mary: "No, teacher. I'm serious..."
Teacher: "I thought you wouldn't come. It would've been great if your painting had made it into the exhibition. But no worries—the academy is planning more shows if this one gets a good response."
Mary: "That's great! I'll do my best to be ready for the next one."
Teacher: "You're a great student. I wish you could attend in-person classes. You'd improve so much faster."
Mary: "I'd love that too, but my job doesn't allow it. I can't attend in person."
Teacher: "We run weekend workshops. If you're interested, those can really help."
Mary: "Really? That's awesome... I'd love to join!"
Teacher: "Just so you know, most participants are older, more experienced students. Don't expect too much from yourself at the start."
Mary: "Of course, teacher... Thank you."
The teacher glances across the hall. His eyes pause on Yong.
Teacher: "Great! Yong is here too. Let me introduce you. He's one of my best students. He's practically a master now."
Mary (a bit shy): "Actually… We've met. Well… not in a good way."
Teacher (surprised): "What happened?"
Mary: "I accidentally bumped into his painting at the entrance and ruined it."
Teacher: "Oh no… That's terrible. He'd been working on it until last night and was really hoping to sell it."
Mary (regretful): "I know... I'm truly sorry. I don't know how to make it up to him."
Teacher: "Don't worry. Yong's kind. He won't expect anything from you."
The teacher lifts his head and calls out:
Teacher: "Yong! Want to come join us?"
Yong turns toward them, smiles, and walks over.
Yong: "Hello, teacher."
Teacher: "Hi. I heard you were upset today."
Yong glances briefly at Mary, then looks back at the teacher.
Yong: "No, teacher. I'm fine… It wasn't a big deal."
Teacher: "I told Mary you're not one to hold grudges. It's okay—you can repaint it. I promise we'll get it into one of the big exhibitions."
Yong (smiling): "Thank you, teacher. You've always been so kind to me."
Yong (to Mary, curious): "So, you're one of the academy's students?"
Mary: "Yes. I've been attending online classes for a while now."
Yong: "Did your painting make it into the exhibition?"
Mary hesitates. The teacher replies:
Teacher: "No, Mary didn't finish hers. But even though she's new, she's one of my most talented students."
Yong gives a faint, bitter smile. Mary lowers her gaze; a weight still lingers in her chest from the sadness in Yong's eyes.
That night, Mary lies in bed, staring at the ceiling. She remembers how the students spoke so passionately about their paintings—so happy, close, and full of life. The sense of pride they had in their work was exactly the feeling Mary had been chasing. A feeling she'd never experienced at her company.
The next morning, when Mary arrives at the office, she sees Deniz. Deniz jumps up, runs to her, and hugs her tightly.
Deniz: "Mary… Thank you so much. Mrs. Anisa told us how hard you worked to get us back!"
Mary: "It was nothing. You would've done the same for me."
Deniz (excited): "Last night was amazing… Sit down, I've got to tell you everything!"
Mary (smiling): "Alright, tell me what happened!"
Deniz: "It wasn't just you and Rachel who didn't come. Mr. Connor said you couldn't make it, but Rachel skipped it on purpose. Apparently, her report was sent to the holding and they were shocked. They told Rachel's uncle, and—as usual—he cleaned up the mess."
Mary (surprised): "She's not back yet, and you already know all this?"
Deniz (grinning): "Hey, I've got my sources too!"
Mary (curious): "Who are these sources I don't know about?"
Deniz: "You'll find out later…"
Mary (suspicious): "Don't tell me you're dating someone and hiding it from me?"
Deniz stays silent.
Mary: "Deniz, that silence is suspicious!"
Deniz (laughing): "Come on! You're jumping to conclusions."
Mary: " right?"
Deniz: "Yes… We'll talk about it later."
Mary: "Seriously? Am I a stranger to you now?"
Deniz (bashfully): "It's really new… We'll talk soon. Now tell me—why did you suddenly hang up last night?"
Mary (regretfully): "Ugh, don't even ask… I totally messed up."
Deniz: "What happened?"
Mary: "While I was talking to you, I bumped into one of the students' paintings and ruined it. Poor guy lost his chance to sell it because of me."
Deniz: "Aww… poor guy. But it's not your fault. It was an accident."
Mary: "I know… But I think it was more than just about the sale. Later, I saw him arguing with a girl—looked like his girlfriend."
Deniz: "Oh wow… You really messed things up!"
Mary (coldly): "Weren't you supposed to console me?"
Deniz (laughing): "Sorry, sorry—don't worry. You'll make it up to him."
Mary (uncertain): "How though?"
Deniz (teasing): "Maybe help him get the girl!"
Mary (laughing): "Cut it out..."
All week, Mary's mind is preoccupied with the upcoming weekend workshop. She reviews class notes and practices. On Saturday, she enters the academy dressed in an artsy outfit and asks one of the staff for the workshop location.
When she enters, she sees the students painting in simple, even worn-out clothes. She glances down at her outfit and feels a bit self-conscious.
Teacher: "Mary! You made it? Come, take a seat."
Mary smiles and walks toward a chair. Just then, she notices Nicholas nodding at her with a smile.
A few girls whisper:
Girl 1: "Look at her outfit. She's dressed like she's going to a party!"
Girl 2: "I think it's her first time painting."
Girl 3: "But I do like her dress."
Suddenly, a familiar voice rises from the front row:
Voice: "Could you stop talking? You're ruining our focus."
Mary peeks from behind the easel. It's Yong sitting in front of her.
Mary (quietly): "Thank you."
During the workshop, Mary keeps worrying about staining her clothes, making it hard to focus. Suddenly, Nicholas holds out a smock.
Nicholas (smiling): "Here, wear this… You'll be more comfortable."
Mary: "Thank you… I forgot to bring one."
Nicholas: "Same thing happened to me on my first day."
He takes a deep breath and glances at Mary's canvas.
Nicholas: "Let's see your painting… Not bad."
Yong (muttering): "Ugh… Isn't it too early to give critiques, teacher?"
Nicholas turns to Yong with a serious look.
Nicholas: "Focus on your own painting."
Yong (smirking): "Yes, teacher… Of course."
Nicholas: "Stop calling me teacher so much."
Yong: "Sure thing, teacher."
Nicholas (to Mary): "Ignore him… I'll be back. Finish your painting and then we'll compare."
Mary nods with a smile.
Yong, under his breath: "Yes… teacher."
Nicholas: "Ugh…" He turns away angrily and slumps into his seat.
Mary, surprised by the back-and-forth between Yong and Nicholas, can't help but smile. She tries to hide it quickly, leaning over and brushing her paint onto the canvas so no one notices.
The painting workshop is a joyful space for Mary — a kind she had never experienced before. She savors every moment of being there.