As the sun dipped below the skyline, Mary's phone buzzed.
"Hey Mary, where are you?"
It was Helen.
"Hey, I'm with Deniz. We're heading to a store, then maybe stopping by the studio," Mary replied.
"Can I join? Yong said he'll be late, and Nicholas hasn't shown up yet."
"Sure! We're on the main subway line. I'll send you the location."
"Perfect. I'll drive there. See you soon!"
Just as she ended the call, Helen glanced out the studio window. Nicholas was walking toward the building, calm and collected as always.
She whispered to herself, "Right on time…"
Grabbing her bag, she rushed downstairs. At the door, Nicholas appeared before her.
"Hey, heading in? Mary and Deniz are out shopping. Feels like a waste to stay here alone, doesn't it?"
"I don't mind. I've got a few things to work on," he replied with a casual shrug.
"Come on. I'm heading to meet them anyway. Maybe you'll find something nice too."
He hesitated for a second, then smiled. "Alright, let's go."
When they arrived at the store, Helen quickly called Mary.
"I'm here! Where are you?"
"We're near the fountain," Mary answered.
Moments later, they spotted each other. Deniz nudged Mary and grinned.
"Look who's with her… Nicholas!"
"Seriously?" Mary blinked.
"He's behind Helen. Looks stylish as usual," Deniz teased.
Helen waved as she approached, Nicholas following closely with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey everyone," Nicholas greeted them.
"Hi… didn't expect you here," Mary said, trying to keep her voice neutral.
"I ran into him at the studio," Helen explained cheerfully. "He was kind enough to drive me here. Now I want to buy him a t-shirt as a thank-you."
"A gift for me?" Nicholas raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Sure, what's wrong with buying something for a friend?"
"Just letting you know—I don't wear cheap stuff. I'll choose it myself."
"Deal. Pick whatever you want."
She led him toward a clothing rack.
Mary and Deniz stayed behind. Deniz leaned in.
"Are you okay?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Mary said quickly.
"They seem... kinda close, no?" Deniz pressed.
Mary frowned. "That's what I don't get. Since when did they get this friendly? She barely talked to him before."
"Jealous much?" Deniz teased with a smirk.
"I'm just surprised, okay? Helen's my friend. She doesn't even really know Nicholas. And now she's buying him gifts?"
"Well, it is her money…"
"That's not the point. I'm just worried she's getting too involved without knowing who he really is."
"Mmm hmm. Sure. Let's catch up before they disappear."
Inside the store, Helen held up a yellow t-shirt.
"What do you think of this one?"
"Nice color," Deniz said.
"Doesn't suit Nicholas," Mary replied.
Helen rolled her eyes. "Okay, next one."
She tried a purple one. Then gray. Navy blue. Mary shook her head each time.
"No. Nope. Still no."
"The last one was great! Why'd you say no again?" Deniz whispered.
After a few more tries, Helen sighed.
"Alright Mary, you pick one. I'm exhausted."
Mary smiled slightly, stepped into the racks, and returned with a dark green tee with a minimal graphic and subtle text.
"This one. It suits him."
Helen hesitated, then nodded. "Hmm… yeah. That could work."
"It's perfect," Mary added firmly, then turned to Nicholas. "Try it on!"
"Okay, okay…" He chuckled and disappeared into the fitting room.
A minute later, he stepped out. The t-shirt hugged his frame perfectly.
"Looks good on you!" Deniz said.
"Yeah, really suits you," Helen added.
"Told you. My taste is always on point," Mary said proudly.
"I actually like it a lot," Nicholas agreed.
They headed to the cashier.
"How much?" Deniz asked the clerk.
"Two thousand," the clerk replied.
Mary and Deniz froze for a second.
"Well Mary, you picked it. You should pay!" Helen teased with a grin.
"Wait—wasn't it your gift?" Mary frowned.
"Yeah, but since you chose it, maybe the gift should come from you."
Mary hesitated. Nicholas noticed the awkwardness.
"It's fine. I'll pay," he said casually.
"No—I'll do it!" Mary interrupted quickly and handed over her card.
Outside the store, Nicholas was still wearing the t-shirt.
"Let's head to the studio. I wanna make Yong jealous," he said playfully. "He says only blind people fall for me—wait till he sees two gorgeous ladies just bought me a shirt!"
They all laughed.
"You've got amazing taste," he told Mary. "I'm curious what other choices you'll make in the future."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just saying." He smiled.
"Mary got you a gift this time. Next time, you owe her something," Helen said with a playful nudge.
"Absolutely. Maybe I'll buy her an evening dress and take her dancing," Nicholas grinned.
"Alright Casanova, calm down!" Helen laughed.
They all burst out laughing.
A few steps behind, Deniz whispered to Helen,
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"What?" Helen asked, pretending innocence.
"I'm with you, by the way. Our friend doesn't get romance at all. It's up to us to push her along."
Helen grinned. "So we're teammates?"
"You bet."