Yong and Nicholas rushed toward the source of the sound. As they neared the instructor, Nicholas caught sight of Mary; his feet moved instinctively, and he pulled her into a firm embrace. No words, just a reckless hug amidst the noise of silence.
Yong, the instructor, and the others stood wide-eyed, watching the scene unfold. Yong gave a faint smile and mumbled under his breath, almost to himself, "Wish you hadn't denied it..."
Nicholas, catching the whisper, quickly stepped back and said, flustered, "We thought you were lost... Thank God you're safe..."
Helen, frowning, raised her voice, "You two grown men, aren't you ashamed of getting lost in the woods?"
Yong, teasingly: "Who said we were lost? We were just on our way back."
The instructor, weary of the argument, said, "Helen, let's just go back. These two—trust me—they won't admit to anything…"
Back at the camp, Mary and Helen walked toward their room. Mary was still wrapped in thought over Nicholas's sudden embrace. Something stirred inside her, but she didn't know what to call it. A faint smile lingered on her lips.
Helen noticed and, with a serious look, said, "Mary... don't waste your thoughts on pointless things."
Mary quickly hid her smile. "Me? No... I wasn't thinking about anything."
"I hope so... The world doesn't always go the way we want it to."
Mary, curious: "What do you mean?"
Helen paused, then gently said, "Just saying... You're a kind and sensible girl. I don't want you to get hurt."
Mary sighed. "I think I know what you're implying... But I'm not that much of a dreamer."
Helen gave a faint, bitter smile. A silence settled between them—a silence shaped like concern.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the camp, in Yong and Nicholas's room, another conversation was unfolding.
Nicholas, curtly: "Next time, if you want to say something, say it in your heart—not out loud."
Yong, mischievously: "What did I say?... Oh! That? Wait, didn't I say it in my head? How'd you hear me?"
Nicholas, expression dark: "Save it. I heard you. And I think Mary did too…"
Yong teased: "Not just Mary, Miss Mary…"
Nicholas, distracted, absentmindedly echoed, "Right... Miss Mary..." and then snapped out of it, "Shut up!"
Yong laughed: "You can't deny it. You've got feelings for her."
Nicholas paused. "I told you before—it's not like that... I mean, yeah... she's pretty... seems kind... has a steady job... but... but no. She's not my ideal."
Yong suddenly turned serious. He stood as if to leave, but before stepping out, turned and said, "If that's truly how you feel, don't occupy her thoughts."
"I'm not doing anything."
"If someone held me like that and worried about me, I'd think they loved me. She's a girl—she probably thinks the same."
"Come on, it's a different world now. Friends hug. It's just friendship—nothing more."
"Maybe for you, it's just friendship, because you're not the type to change... But I'm telling you for the last time—don't give her false hope."
"Fine, fine. It won't happen again."
Yong nodded and walked silently toward the shower.
The next day, when the bus arrived at the school, the students grabbed their bags one by one and said their goodbyes. Mary and Helen walked together to the exit.
Helen: "Mary, my car's parked right over there. Let me give you a ride."
Mary: "No, dear. Thanks. I'm not heading home. I need to go to the office—got a backlog of work."
"Now? Aren't you tired?"
"Yeah... but things at the company aren't great. Deadlines must be met."
"Alright, whatever works for you... Let me at least drive you to the office."
"No, I'll take the metro. It's faster that way."
"Okay... Take care."
Mary said goodbye and walked toward the subway station. Suddenly, a car horn sounded. She turned. A luxury car had pulled up beside her. Its tinted windows concealed the driver. The window rolled down. It was Nicholas.
"Mary... let me give you a ride."
"No, thank you."
"Where do you live? Maybe I'm going that way."
"I'm heading to the office... Metro's more convenient."
Nicholas, with a charming smile: "You sure?"
Mary wanted to get in. She wanted to get to know him better on the way. But Helen's words echoed in her mind. She composed herself.
"I'm sure. Goodbye."
She turned and walked away briskly. Nicholas stared after her, bewildered.
At the office, Mary sat down without delay. She placed her bag under the desk and powered on her computer. She needed to keep her mind off Nicholas.
Deniz approached with a smile, quickly finished her task, and turned to Mary.
"Mary, are you okay? You haven't taken a breath since you came in."
"I'm fine. Just behind on work."
"Come on, let's go grab lunch—chat a bit. Tell me about the trip."
Mary hesitated, but Deniz took her hand and pulled.
"Come on!"
At lunch in the restaurant...
"So, tell me—what happened on the trip? I was gonna call last night but didn't want to interrupt your fun."
"Fun? If you only knew…"
Mary told her about Yong and Nicholas's fight and how they got lost.
Deniz laughed: "So you did have fun after all!"
"You're mocking me?"
"No, really! Tell me about Nicholas... seems like he has feelings for you."
"Don't start fantasizing. He was just helping."
"Is hugging part of his help?"
"Deniz, please don't make it complicated. He was just worried, that's all."
"Alright... But one day, you'll come asking me for advice!"
"Now I regret telling you anything…"
Suddenly, Mary's phone rang.
"Hello... Hi..."
"Hey Mary, it's me. You left so quickly, we didn't get to talk. Can we meet?"
"Nicholas, I'm really busy today…"
Deniz smirked: "Speak of the devil!"
Mary frowned.
"I'm thinking of opening a new gallery for ceramic art. I wanted to ask you and Helen to help with the design."
"I'm not good at design... Better ask Helen."
Deniz muttered: "Just say yes... It'll be fun."
Mary ignored her.
"Alright... I won't bother you. Take care."
The call ended.
"What's wrong with you? Why'd you shut him down like that?"
"Deniz... I don't want to start daydreaming."
"So you do like him!"
"Are you crazy? Do you know how many girls are after him? He's got the looks, everything…"
"And how many of those girls have your character? Don't sell yourself short."
"I just don't want to get hurt..."
"Whether you win or lose depends on you. You don't have to fall in love—just get to know him. That way, even if it doesn't work out, you won't regret it."
"Maybe you're right…"
"Of course I'm right. Call him now. Say you'll help."
Mary paused. Then picked up her phone. She called Nicholas. Her voice was soft, yet confident: "Alright. We'll come to the gallery this weekend. Helen and I…"