Laughter and chatter filled the warm atmosphere of the restaurant. Golden lights above the tables cast a soft glow over the glasses. Mary looked around with a tired but content smile. Everyone was there—Ava, Deniz, James... and after a thirty-minute delay, Diana finally joined them.
Nicholas raised his glass with a loud voice that even caught the attention of nearby tables:
—"Alright, everyone, raise your glasses! Tonight is our night. Believe it or not, we earned a whole year's income in one night!"
Helen, visibly excited, added:
—"The professor said Mr. Parker paid double for the paintings out of respect for our art! I never thought mine would go for that price… Feels like, after all this time, our art is finally being seen."
Yong gave Diana a calm and thoughtful glance.
—"It's not just the money… Maybe we actually have a real job now."
Diana replied in a soft but slightly sarcastic tone:
—"Sweetheart, being a painting teacher isn't exactly a stable long-term job."
Yong smiled and shrugged:
—"Maybe not. But for now, for a start, it's pretty great."
Diana looked at Mary, swirling her glass.
—"Mary… You're really lucky this opportunity came your way."
Ava quickly responded, her brows furrowed:
—"Why lucky? Mary worked hard for this. It's time she gets what she deserves."
Diana offered a subtle smile:
—"Well… if she hadn't teamed up with Yong, Nicholas, and Helen, she might've had to wait a few more years to get here."
Mary, in a soft and calm voice, said:
—"Yes, I was lucky. But even more so, I was lucky to meet Nicholas, Yong, and Helen. Sometimes, having good friends is the luck."
Diana bit her lip and smirked.
Young smiled sincerely:
—"We were lucky too, to meet someone as kind as you."
Deniz nodded:
—"And I'm lucky that—"
James suddenly interrupted:
—"Enough with the luck! You're all lucky—fine! We get it!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
James continued with a grin:
—"Let's just order food before all your luck makes me hungrier."
When the food arrived, Diana raised her glass:
—"So, how long is the exhibition going on?
Nicholas replied:
—"Two more days. Then we'll start shipping the paintings to the buyers."
Yong hesitated:
—"I wish we had signed the contract when we delivered the pieces, not now."
Nicholas shrugged:
—"Does it really matter? It's better we signed it earlier. What if they changed their minds?"
Diana looked at Nicholas:
—"Exactly, sweetheart. And that advance payment was pretty generous. Even if they regret it, they can't break the contract."
Helen smiled:
—"It's written clearly—whoever breaks the deal pays double the penalty. It's airtight."
Deniz asked curiously:
—"So now that the money's in, what are you all going to do with it?"
Nicholas grinned:
—"Me? I'm buying a new car!"
Deniz turned to Mary:
—"What about you, Mary?"
Mary paused for a moment:
—"I'm not sure… I haven't really thought about it yet."
Diana teased:
—"Yong, you're not planning to give all of yours to me, are you?"
Yong smiled:
—"Diana, as much as I love you, this is my first real income from art. I've sold a few pieces before, but this is different. I want to get myself something meaningful. But from my teaching income, I promise I'll buy you something nice."
Diana gave him a playful frown:
—"Uh-huh... whatever you say."
Helen chimed in:
—"I want to buy a gift for my mom. She's supported me for years."
Deniz dramatically said:
—"Wow, you're all just flexing your money on me!"
Nicholas laughed:
—"No way, we're just spending it on our dreams!"
Ava still had a sharp gaze fixed on Diana, as if Diana's earlier comment still echoed in her head…
The next day, after work, Mary headed to the exhibition. Helen, Yong, and Nicholas were already there. The gallery was lively with visitors. About half an hour later, their phones started buzzing—payment notifications.
A few moments of silence… then joyful glances.
Nicholas said:
—"Well, I'm going to the car dealership tomorrow. You guys can wrap up the exhibition!"
Yong:
—"You can't! Tomorrow's the last day. We all need to be here."
Nicholas replied eagerly:
—"But there's this one model I saw, only one left in that color. I have to get it!"
Yong laughed:
—"Don't worry… with your taste, I doubt anyone else will buy it."
Everyone laughed.
Nicholas winked at Mary:
—"So, you're saying I've got bad taste? That even choosing Mary was a mistake?"
Yong teased:
—"The only good taste you've shown is picking Mary as your friend."
Mary smiled.
Nicholas turned to her with a playful expression:
—"Happy now? He just insulted me! Anyway… I'm going now. I'll show up with it tomorrow."
Mary smiled.
Helen added:
—"I'm leaving early too. Need to buy a special gift."
Yong asked suspiciously:
—"Why so mysterious?"
Helen smiled:
—"Just wait. You'll see when it's ready."
Mary asked curiously:
—"What kind of gift is this that you're being so secretive?"
Helen only laughed and left.
Now alone, Yong turned to Mary and asked gently:
—"Aren't you going to do anything with your money tonight?"
Mary sighed:
—"You won't believe this, but I don't even know what to do with it. I used to think if I ever had money, I'd have so many plans… but now, nothing comes to mind."
Yong said:
—"I want to buy painting supplies. There's a major art auction in Italy. I want to be there, even if I have to spend all my money."
Mary, admiringly:
—"You really love art."
Yong smiled:
—"You'd be surprised… but when I look at you, that's exactly what I think too."
Mary smiled. A warm silence settled between them.
The next day, the final day of the exhibition, Nicholas and Helen walked in with bright faces.
Nicholas, excited:
—"Mary! Come quick… You have to see my new car!"
He grabbed her hand and led her to the exit. Outside, he stopped and proudly said:
—"Look! Isn't it beautiful?"
Mary stood there, wide-eyed, mouth slightly open.
—"This… this is your new car?!"
Nicholas, beaming like a child, ran his hand over the shiny surface:
—"Yeah… look at the color! It talks to you, doesn't it? Light pink… like cherry blossoms in the spring breeze."
Mary laughed, still torn between surprise and admiration:
—"It really does speak to you. Girls usually love this kind of color..."
Nicholas raised an eyebrow:
—"What's that supposed to mean? Guys can't like this color?"
—"No, no! I didn't mean it like that… I just didn't think you were into bright colors. You're always about black, gray, or maybe navy."
Just then, Yong arrived. He glanced half-heartedly at the car and muttered like talking to himself:
—"Looks like one of the visitors made quite the statement… What a girly car."
Nicholas, annoyed, shot him a cold look:
—"You clearly don't know anything about trends. This color is in right now."
Yong, sarcastically dramatic:
—"Of course, professor. You're the king of style."
Mary quickly stepped in to calm things down:
—"It's really pretty, Nicholas… congrats!"
Nicholas grinned, stuck out his tongue at Yong, and said:
—"See? Now get inside, don't be jealous!"
Yong laughed, and the three entered the exhibition. A few steps later, Helen approached, speaking on the phone:
—"Yes, sir… Thank you. I'll move in this week."
When she hung up, Yong asked curiously:
—"Helen… are you moving?"
Helen's face lit up:
—"Not me. I bought a small house with a yard… for my mom. Just paid the down payment. I'll transfer the rest in the next two months. She always dreamed of a house with a yard, flowers, maybe a pomegranate tree. I thought now's the perfect time. I wanted to use the painting money for something she'd never forget."
Mary grabbed her hand, amazed:
—"Wow… That's so beautiful and kind! When you said you wanted to get her a gift, I thought you meant a dress or something… I never imagined it'd be a house!"
Yong nodded in admiration:
—"Seriously impressive. If you need help with the rest of the payment, just tell us."
Helen smiled humbly:
—"Thank you, guys. That means a lot…"
Nicholas shrugged and joked:
—"So you didn't spend a single cent on yourself? Lucky future husband of yours!"
A bittersweet smile flickered across Helen's face. She said nothing.
Yong quickly changed the subject:
—"Well, since we're all confessing… I've got something too."
Helen asked curiously:
—"Don't tell me you spent all your money too?"
Yong nodded.
Nicholas warned playfully:
—"Just don't say you got a car like mine! I want to stay unique!"
Yong laughed:
—"No worries. I've got a real surprise. I rented a small workshop, got some gear for mural and street art. I'm thinking of starting a small art collective with students from the academy—kind of a street art startup. Good income, and it's what we love."
Nicholas nodded thoughtfully:
—"Not a bad idea. Mural and street art are trending now. Even galleries are starting to show them."
But just then, a loud alarm-like voice echoed through the gallery:
—"Fire! Fire! Everyone out! Get outside now!"
Within seconds, smoke filled the air. Breathing became heavy, eyes darted around in panic. Footsteps and screams rang through the space. People rushed to the exits. Mary, Helen, Nicholas, and Yong followed the crowd outside.
At the exit, Nicholas and Yong stopped. They looked at each other—no words needed.
Nicholas said:
—"Our paintings… We need to get them out!"
They turned to go back, but the crowd blocked their path. Hands reached out, stopping them:
—"No! Don't go back in! It's too dangerous!"
Mary watched through the smoke, eyes filled with worry. Helen held her hand tightly—but her own heart was trembling too.
Would the paintings they poured their hearts into vanish in smoke and fire?