“Is it really… okay to do this…?”

To think that this painting was drawn by my father.

Ga Eul, who would have flatly refused under normal circumstances, quickly asked.

Min Chul readily answered.

“Of course. As much as you want.”

A fresh smile bloomed on Ga Eul’s face, as if she had already seen the . Seeing Ga Eul’s bright smile, Min Chul’s eyes widened for a moment, then he burst into loud laughter.

“Now that I look at you, Young Lady Ga Eul, you’re not just good at painting, but a truly beautiful lady.”

“Pardon…? Ah, th-thank you, President.”

Ga Eul was flustered by the sudden compliment, but Min Chul continued speaking to himself.

“To the point where I want to introduce you to my grandson.”

Then, he suddenly began praising his own grandson.

“Of course, my grandson is also quite a man. I’m not just saying this because he’s my grandson, but he’s truly an outstanding young man.”

Although the conversation briefly veered off, he seemed intent on keeping his promise and made this proposal to Baek Ho.

“Since you’ve invited us to dinner today, you can come to our house next time to see the painting as well. Young Lady Ga Eul can come to see the painting, and you, President Han, can join me for a drink like today.”

“Hoho, that wasn’t my intention when I extended the invitation.”

“Isn’t it nice for us to reciprocate? My wife’s cooking skills are truly top-notch. I’d love to treat you to a meal.”

“Oh ho, is that so?”

The meeting was practically settled.

After that, Min Chul, who had talked about business, paintings, and drunkenly hinted that he was a fan of Dae Ho Yoon, drank until his face was bright red before the meal finally ended.

He left the main building, nearly leaning on his chauffeur. Ga Eul, facing his back as he was nearly unconscious, bowed in gratitude.

Baek Ho approached Ga Eul’s side. Ga Eul, who had been slightly excited, quickly composed herself and faced him.

He asked in a generous voice.

“So, you’ve joined the gallery?”

“Yes, President.”

“Good, well done. Just keep working hard like you are now.”

“Yes, I understand.”

He seemed relaxed, as if nothing had happened.

* * *

A few days later, Min Chul quickly fulfilled his promise. As a result, the dinner was arranged in short order.

Ga Eul ended up riding with Baek Ho to head to the mansion where the Shin family was staying.

It was her father’s painting that she would be seeing for the first time in nearly ten years.

Ga Eul had no room for other thoughts. Her heart was beating faster than usual throughout her body.

The car drove for a while and stopped at the entrance of President Shin’s mansion. Min Chul and his wife, who had known in advance, warmly welcomed the two as they got out of the car.

“Welcome, President Han. You said it was Young Lady Ga Eul, right? My husband told me in advance. Come on in, Young Lady Ga Eul.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Ga Eul entered the mansion along with them, receiving their attentive guidance.

Min Chul’s house was very spacious. There was a long corridor leading to the living room, and numerous paintings lined both sides of the corridor.

Her father’s painting would be mixed among these.

Ga Eul carefully examined each painting as she walked, lest she accidentally miss it. Then, she let out a hollow laugh.

‘…There it is. .’

How could she possibly miss her father’s painting by mistake?

was hanging next to that Ga Eul had painted. As if they had originally been one.

Ga Eul’s eyes, which had taken a step closer to the painting, soon drooped weakly, emitting a pitiful light.

How long had it been since she last saw her father’s painting…?

The back of her father painting those roses and his large hands wielding the brush vividly came to mind. Because she had been so excited to hear it was a collaboration with her father, she had fully taken in the entire process of the painting’s creation with her eyes.

She wanted to touch the painting with her own hands. However, since it wasn’t hers, she couldn’t carelessly touch it. Ga Eul awkwardly withdrew her hand that she couldn’t bring herself to reach out and just gazed at it from a distance.

‘It’s still the same… my father’s painting.’

Although time had passed, the painting’s true value was not obscured thanks to it being well-preserved.

The diverse colors of the red roses, the vivid green rose vines, and the old gray brick wall. Everything was the same as she had seen in her childhood.

Unable to take her eyes off the painting, Min Chul tactfully spoke up.

“It seems it would be best to leave Young Lady Ga Eul alone for a moment. Shall we start the meal first among ourselves?”

Min Chul led President Han to the dining room.

Ga Eul took advantage of the moment when her eyes met President Shin’s as he entered the dining room to express her gratitude.

“Thank you, President.”

“Not at all. Take your time looking and come join us. Don’t mind us.”

“Yes, I understand. …Truly, thank you so much.”

After confirming that they had disappeared into the dining room, Ga Eul turned her gaze back to the painting.

‘…I miss you, Father.’

Just by looking at the painting, it felt like the memories of that day were vividly resurfacing.

Then, greed inevitably crept in.

‘I want to have it.’

She thought she could be satisfied with just seeing it… That must have been a fleeting thought.

If she had a large sum of money, she would even make a request to the president to take that painting with her…

Ga Eul bit her lower lip to hold back the tears that had welled up before she knew it.

She must have stared at the painting in silence for a long time like that.

Suddenly, she sensed a presence, and someone appeared in the long corridor. Ga Eul’s gaze naturally turned towards there and paused.

‘Who is it…?’

Ga Eul was startled by the man she suddenly encountered.

However, it seemed to be the same for the man.

The man stopped for a moment as if surprised, then widened his eyes. Then, he walked down the long corridor and quickly approached right behind Ga Eul.

“…!”

Ga Eul unconsciously held her breath and shrugged her shoulders due to the man standing close behind her, but the man was only gazing at the painting as if it were nothing.

Seeing the man only looking at the painting, Ga Eul finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.

‘That startled me… He just wanted to see the painting.’

The man seemed very curious about what painting she had been intently looking at.

Having satisfied his curiosity, the man abruptly asked.

“Who are you? I wasn’t told about any guests coming today.”

Ah, right. Come to think of it, the introduction was late.

Ga Eul, who had forgotten to introduce herself, hurriedly began.

“Hello. I’m Yoon Ga Eul, who was invited by President Shin. I’m accompanying President Han Baek Ho.”

The man, who had been silently listening to Ga Eul’s introduction, suddenly curled his lips into a pretty smile. That appearance seemed to overlap with President Shin for a moment.

However, his skin was still transparent and lively, and his soft eyes and smile that he showed felt like those of someone around Ga Eul’s age. Even his slightly disheveled hair felt soft. The man, who gave a favorable impression, looked like he would be quite popular.

The man, who had been smiling brightly, stared at Ga Eul’s face for a moment, then gently furrowed his brows and asked.

“…Were you crying by any chance?”

“Ah, no!”

“It looks like you were crying though?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

Ga Eul hurriedly wiped away the remaining moisture with her sleeve. Then, to change the subject, she blurted out a random question.

“Um, are you perhaps a family member of President Shin?”

“Yes. That’s right. He’s my grandfather.”

“Ah, I see.”

No wonder…

It was foolish of her to be flustered when she wasn’t told someone else would be coming. It was natural for someone who frequented this house to be family. They looked quite similar too.

Having nothing more to say, Ga Eul lightly smiled, hoping he would quickly pass through this corridor.

However, as if he had no intention of just passing by, he asked another question.

“But why were you staring so intently at this painting?”

“Ah, that’s… This painting was drawn by my father.”

“I see. Then why didn’t you come with your father to view it? Why did you come alone?”

The man was asking with a pure intention, still wearing a gentle smile, so Ga Eul answered as indifferently as possible.

“My father… passed away.”

“Oh…”

“Thanks to President Shin’s permission, I came to see it for a moment. I don’t have any of my father’s paintings.”

The man still had a gentle smile, but his eyes showed a hint of apology.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Not at all. You couldn’t have known…”

Her plan to appreciate the painting alone seemed to have already been disrupted.

It was a bit regrettable, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Well, thanks to him… her tears had definitely stopped.

“It’s a beautiful rose.”

“…Yes.”

Ga Eul resignedly answered the man who kept striking up a conversation.

Their shoulders often brushed close as they viewed the painting side by side, which made her self-conscious, but he seemed unfazed, still wearing a bright smile.

A fresh and clear scent, like leaves, wafted over from his shoulder, tickling her nose. The clear and refreshing scent evoked the feeling of entering a forest.

“By the way, aren’t you going to ask my name? Hm, are you not curious?”

“Ah, no. Your name is…?”

“Shin Yeon Woo.”

“Ah, yes. My name is…”

“You told me earlier. You said it’s Ga Eul.”

“Ah, yes. I did say that.”

As they were having a long, meaningless conversation, President Shin’s voice suddenly came from the direction of the dining room.

“Yeon Woo, you’re here?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Then why aren’t you coming in instead of dawdling?”

“Yes, I’ll be right there.”

Only then did Ga Eul bid farewell to Yeon Woo, who had taken a step back.

“I should also head in soon.”

“Really? That’s good. Then, let’s go in together.”

“…What? Wait, hold on…!”

When she answered that she would go in, Yeon Woo, who showed a smile as fresh as leaves, gently grasped Ga Eul’s wrist.

Ga Eul was greatly flustered by the man casually taking her wrist, but he just kept walking towards the dining room with a bright smile.

Led by his gentle pull, Ga Eul also entered the dining room in a daze.

Unlike when he held Ga Eul’s wrist, Yeon Woo naturally let go once they arrived in front of President Shin and President Han.

Ga Eul then sat next to President Han, while Yeon Woo sat beside President Shin.

.

.

.

After the meal ended, Ga Eul and the slightly intoxicated President Han stood up from their seats.

President Shin was busy offering well-wishes and farewells to President Han, who was about to get into the back seat of the car. Ga Eul also opened the door to the back seat on the opposite side, following President Han.

At that moment, someone tapped Ga Eul’s shoulder.

Turning around, it was Yeon Woo.

“What is it…? Mr. Yeon Woo.”

Yeon Woo narrowed his eyes into a pretty eye smile and spoke in a gentle voice.

“Will you come again next time to see the painting?”

Ga Eul shook her head. Then, she answered rather firmly.

“No. Seeing it once was enough.”

At that, he muttered as if he couldn’t understand.

“…Why? Is seeing it once satisfying?”

“Pardon…?”

Then, as if finding something amusing, he narrowed his eyes prettily once more and continued.

“No, didn’t you say you don’t have any of your father’s paintings? Then won’t you want to see it again?”

“…”

His words were entirely correct.

Having seen it once, greed arose, and beyond wanting to see it again, the desire to take it with her was overwhelming.

That’s why she intended to cut ties here.

“No. I think if I see it again, I’ll keep thinking about it. I just… want to be content with seeing it once today.”

“Really? When I see something once and it stays on my mind, I go see it again, and if I still want it, I feel the urge to have it. Isn’t that usually the case?”

Ga Eul let out a chuckle at Yeon Woo’s words, which sounded like a joke, and waved her hand.

What kind of simple-minded idea was that?

Where in the world is there someone who has and buys everything they want?

“No. I’m not like that. Because you can’t have everything you want.”

“…”

President Han, who seemed to have finished his greetings, called for her, and Ga Eul bowed to Yeon Woo before turning around.

Then, he spoke to her again through the car window.

“Take care, Ga Eul. Let’s meet again.”

There would be no reason for her to come see the painting again, so how could they possibly meet again?

He was a man she would never see again. Nevertheless, Ga Eul smiled and bowed in lieu of a farewell. There was no need to express it in words.