As Gaeul asked in a wary tone, Yeonwoo quickly replied, “Don’t misunderstand! I found out by asking Grandpa.”

As he hurriedly explained, he arrived in front of Gaeul.

Gaeul looked at Yeonwoo in such a way.

Unlike usual, he spoke directly and hurriedly with a face lacking composure.

“Ms. Gaeul, a few days ago, did something bother you a lot?”

“…”

“If I made you feel bad with the painting talk… I’m really sorry.”

Yeonwoo offered an apology that he had repeated in his mind several times in advance.

After finishing his words, Yeonwoo silently observed Gaeul’s reaction.

After a while, Gaeul spoke.
“Yes. I didn’t expect Mr. Shin Yeonwoo to say such things. I was very surprised, and honestly… it hurt my feelings.”

Gaeul conveyed her feelings to Yeonwoo with a calm voice.

The pupils of Yeonwoo, who learned Gaeul’s honest feelings, could not help but be startled.

Regret was all that could be seen in his apologetic expression.

As if he wanted to say something more, his lips twitched as if in regret. However, since Gaeul was also upset, she answered more honestly.

“It’s nothing else. That’s my father’s painting. You knew very well how I feel about that painting…”

“…”

“I wouldn’t enter into a romantic relationship for the purpose of obtaining that painting. So, I hope you won’t come around anymore.”

Leaving only those words behind, Gaeul turned around without hesitation.

As Gaeul distanced herself, she shouted, “Ms. Gaeul! I’m really sorry!”

After work, Gaeul arrived at the restaurant with him, who came to pick her up.

Gaeul accompanied her wine at the restaurant.

When Gaeul finished a glass of wine and was already holding the second glass, he tilted his head for a moment and asked, “You seem to be in a good mood. Why are you drinking so much today?”

“I’m drinking because I’m in a good mood. Since I’m here at the restaurant where I had dinner with you for the first time, I guess I’m feeling uplifted. I’ve finished preparing for the exhibition, so I feel relieved.”

While answering, Gaeul took another sip of the freshly poured wine.

Although she felt a bit uncomfortable due to the presence of Yeonwoo, whom she had encountered before meeting him… The good mood was genuine.

The sense of liberation was immense. The statement that she felt relieved after completing the exhibition preparations was sincere.

As Gaeul focused on the wine, Kita picked up a piece of finely sliced meat, smiled, and placed it into Gaeul’s mouth.

“I brought something delicious, and you don’t even look at it.”

Gaeul, in response to his words, smiled slightly and replied, “I’ll eat it.”

“Okay.”

With my response, he suddenly asked a strange question.

“Yoon Gaeul.”

“Yes?”

“You’ve never been abroad, right?”

“… Huh? No. No.”

Gaeul was puzzled by the sudden question but answered obediently. Then, he continued to ask various questions.

“Really? Then, where do you want to go?”

“Why do you ask?”

Instead of answering my curiosity, he shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Even if you haven’t been there, someday you’ll go. Yoon Gaeul.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m just curious about Yoon Gaeul’s preferences.”

“Well…”

Gaeul got lost in her thoughts.

She had never thought about traveling abroad. Now that the assumption that she could go somewhere had arisen, her interest was growing.

Japan nearby…? Since she had never been out of Korea, Japan nearby felt refreshingly new to Gaeul.

If she were to go, would the distant United States also be okay?

While Gaeul inflated various imaginations, she sneakily glanced at Kita.

Come to think of it, he was the one who used to talk about going on a trip together before.
Perhaps, is it a plan to travel together later?

While he still wore a refined smile, Gaeul also smiled subtly and opened her mouth.

“I…”

Then, she briefly paused due to the scenery outside that caught her eye.

During their first meal together, he had only focused on the beautiful scenery outside and had mentioned that Venice was even more magnificent.

How was his expression at that time?

Thinking for a moment to recall that day, Gaeul, who had furrowed her brows, soon lifted the corners of her mouth.

It was a place he did not praise generously but considered the most beautiful.

As he spoke to that extent, she also wanted to see it.

In that case…

With her smile widening, Gaeul answered, “I want to go to Venice.”

“Venice?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

My unexpected answer caused him to momentarily widen his eyes.

“I want to see the canal that you mentioned, Representative.”

If she ever went abroad for the first time… Gaeul mentioned his overseas gallery branch while thinking about it.

“I also want to take a look at the Representative’s gallery in Venice.”

Upon hearing her words, he chuckled as if he found it absurd.

“Even during a trip, you don’t leave out art talk.”

Even though she found it amusing along with him, Gaeul replied, “It can’t be helped. I really love art.”

“Yoon Gaeul.”

“Yes, Representative.”

“You, really. You don’t listen.”

With slightly staggering steps, Gaeul, who walked ahead, was scolded by Kitae in a stern voice.

However, even as he scolded her, a gentle smile was the only thing present on his lips.

Perhaps due to drinking a bit too much today, Gaeul was slightly tipsy. Considering her suggestion that she wanted to stroll a bit and then return, Kitae obediently followed along.

Kitae wondered why Gaeul was particularly nostalgic about the day they had their first meal together today. However, while he thought about it, he approached her.

Gaeul, who was a bit ahead, suddenly stopped, making it easy for him to catch up.

Approaching her, Gaeul playfully tinged her rosy cheek and reached out her hand.

“Representative. I can’t walk anymore.”

So, this was why she stopped.

Although she had been walking just fine a while ago, Gaeul stopped and stood where I had carried her before.

Responding to her blatant lie, Kitae lifted her onto his back with a smile.

“Today, do you keep remembering the day we first had a meal? You asked where I wanted to go for a trip, talked about Venice, and now this.”

With an inquisitive question, Gaeul, with her arm around Kitae’s neck, nodded her head.

Once Gaeul was on his back, Kitae began to walk.

“Representative. Is it heavy by any chance? If it’s heavy, you can just put me down. It was just a joke because I remembered the past for a moment.”

Responding to Gaeul’s cautious question after already lifting her, Kitae shook his head and replied.

“It’s fine. You can stay up there.”

With his response, Gaeul quietly leaned against him.
With an elevated perspective, Gaeul’s mood gradually became a bit more cheerful. Everything was the same as that day.

However, instead of playfully skipping like she did back then, Gaeul began to whisper into his ear.

“Representative.”

Upon being called, he responded with a calm voice.

“Why?”

Gaeul playfully laughed and whispered into his ear again.

“I really, really like you, Representative.”

“…….”

“No, I love you a lot. Do you know how much I love you, Representative?”

Being carried, she could only see the back of his head. Nevertheless, Gaeul asked again.

“Why… Why no response? Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”

There was no way he wouldn’t know. It was just a playful question since there was a moment of no response.

After a while, he finally responded quietly.

“I know. I know.”

Looking closely, one side of his cheek was slightly indented.

As he turned his head to check the signal to cross the street, it was clear that he was smiling as if he was delighted. That’s why he didn’t respond immediately.

Gaeul laughed heartily and brought her lips to Kitae’s ear again. Then, she continued to whisper.

“Representative, I really love you.”

“It tickles.”

“No, it’s not. You like it.”

“I can’t deny that.”

Gaeul’s whispers continued until they reached the parked sedan.

He said to himself.

“This won’t do. Let’s go home quickly.”