Hye Su’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment. However, that was all.

She shrugged her shoulders. She was even subtly smiling, so if Ga Eul continued to face her, it didn’t seem like anything good would come out of it.

Ga Eul’s brows furrowed on their own.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but it looks like you’re very upset, Ga Eul.”

Her unfazed expression looked genuine enough to be momentarily deceived. However, Ga Eul couldn’t sense any sincerity from Hye Su as she apologized.

Ga Eul retorted to Hye Su, who was feigning ignorance.

“What position would I be in if you say that to the chairman, Cha Hye Su?”

Although the chairman intervened and Ga Eul had no choice but to follow her words, she could still confront her. At that, Hye Su’s eyes sparkled with interest, unlike before.

“You’re bolder than you look, Ga Eul. You seemed so docile.”

How unexpected, Hye Su muttered softly. Of course, that voice also quietly reached Ga Eul’s ears.

Ga Eul bit her lower lip. However, Hye Su merely brushed it off again.

“I had a chance to have a meal with the chairman. At that time, I merely asked a few things I was curious about regarding you, Ga Eul. It seems the chairman misunderstood that I was concerned about you.”

“Are you calling that an excuse now?”

“An excuse? I don’t know what happened, but I had no intention of upsetting you at all, Ga Eul. As you can see, the chairman cherishes me, so he must have scolded you. I’m sorry.”

“The chairman directly told me that it was what you wanted, Hye Su. He even told me not to be by the CEO’s side.”

“Hmm… As I just said, I only asked a few things about you, Ga Eul. I never did that. Why on earth did the chairman say that?”

“…”

This isn’t getting through to her.

Ga Eul was at a loss for words. Hye Su checked the time and urged her.

“I didn’t come here to leisurely waste time with you, Ga Eul. I just dropped by for a moment to ask why Gi Tae was in a bad mood that day.”

“…How would I know that?”

“Hmm, is that so? If you don’t know, there’s nothing I can do. I understand.”

Hye Su, who brushed her wavy hair over one shoulder, let out a small laugh.

She was about to turn around, but suddenly stopped and turned her head back towards Ga Eul, taking a step closer. Then, she asked with a slightly wary tone.

“Ah! Ga Eul. I’m just asking in case, but you don’t have any other feelings for Gi Tae, right?”

“…Pardon?”

“You said before that you were nothing, but you could have feelings, Ga Eul. If you’re lingering around him with such emotions, I would feel a bit… uncomfortable.”

Unlike a moment ago when she was overflowing with composure, her eyes became much sharper.

“…”

Ga Eul clenched her fists tightly.

If she said something wrong here, would Hye Su twist her words to the chairman again…?

She was angry at the woman who kept trying to manipulate her.

However, with the thought of not wanting to be involved any further, she began to tell lies that weren’t even in her heart.

“I… dislike the CEO.”

Words that were completely different from her true feelings burst out. Ga Eul was surprised at her own words.

“Hmm? How can that be.”

“…”

“Is that true? It seemed like you two were always together?”

“Yes. We’re only associated because of the gallery work. …I have no feelings.”

“Hmm, well, I understand.”

Hye Su, who had been staring intently at Ga Eul’s face for a moment with an unwavering gaze, nodded and easily backed off.

“Then, I’ll get going.”

“…”

After telling lies for the past few days, it seems her acting skills have improved.

Her heart was erratically pounding without rhythm.

Was it because she was angry? Or because she said something she couldn’t be sure of…

She herself didn’t know.

Ga Eul’s eyes soon drooped down weakly. A scream flowed out from Hye Su, who had refreshingly passed by her.

Ga Eul lifted her head. Then, upon confirming the man standing in front of her, she held her breath.

“What is all this about?”

It was unknown how long he had been standing there, but Gi Tae was intently staring at Ga Eul, skipping over Hye Su. When their gazes met, Ga Eul unknowingly took a step back, but he approached faster.

Just like the day she made a contract with him, he approached her ominously, as if he would immediately carry her on his shoulder, and their eyes locked.

As he suddenly came close with a somewhat frightening face, the flustered Ga Eul avoided his gaze.

He called her name first.

“Yoon Ga Eul.”

As if avoiding his gaze had touched a nerve, he recited in a low voice.

“…!”

Ga Eul inhaled again at the hand strongly gripping her waist.

His angry voice quietly settled near her ear.

“If you don’t want to be dragged off again, obediently follow me.”

“…Yes.”

That voice sounded like a warning, making Ga Eul more tense. Seeing Ga Eul obediently responding, Gi Tae finally spoke to Hye Su as well.

“Ms. Cha Hye Su, I will contact you separately.”

“…Pardon?”

The flustered Hye Su stammered.

Leaving Hye Su behind, Gi Tae tightened his grip around Ga Eul’s waist.

It seemed like a warning to walk on her own feet obediently, so Ga Eul had no choice but to move her steps without even knowing where she was headed.

Hye Su urgently grabbed Gi Tae as the two were trying to leave her behind.

“Gi- Gi Tae! I’m sorry for coming to find you last time without making an appointment. But today…!”

“Ms. Cha Hye Su.”

Gi Tae sighed as he irritably looked down at Hye Su’s hand that grabbed the end of his jacket. Hye Su’s eyes widened as he called her name in a cold tone.

“I said I would contact you soon, didn’t I?”

“Yes. Then I’ll be waiting for your call…!”

Before Hye Su could even finish her words, he turned his back.

Despite her shouting ‘Gi Tae!’ from behind, the force wrapping around her waist urged Ga Eul.

His face was distorted.

Ga Eul was busy gauging his mood while moving her steps, wondering what she should say, just like Hye Su.

Just as Ga Eul was about to open her mouth to say something.

“I don’t know what kind of lies you’ll spew out again.”

“CEO…”

“Don’t make me angry and quietly follow.”

“…”

Following where he led, they entered his office.

As they reached the entrance of the office, he instructed his secretary.

“Don’t let anyone in.”

‘Yes, CEO.’ Despite the heavy atmosphere, Ga Eul could feel curious gazes following them as the secretary answered.

He opened the office door with force, filled with anger.

Bang, the door that was opened forcefully closed just as loudly. Leaving the startled Ga Eul behind, he finally released his grip on her waist and approached the window while running his fingers through his hair.

Sighing, he turned around and called her.

“Yoon Ga Eul.”

“…Yes, CEO.”

“It seems the chairman told you to make room for me.”

“That’s…”

Ga Eul closed her mouth without finishing her sentence.

The anger directed at her was unfair.

It was Hye Su who made the chairman warn her and gave her a hint to avoid her seat.

Ga Eul merely appealed her grievance to Hye Su. She didn’t even tell him what Hye Su had done.

It just so happened that he appeared at this time and overheard her conversation with Hye Su.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

Ga Eul sighed. And then easily admitted.

“…Yes.”

As Ga Eul no longer denied or told lies, his sharp gaze softened.

While staring at the floor, the sound of men’s dress shoes approaching closer was heard.

Ga Eul carefully lifted her head.

Although an awkward atmosphere still lingered, his expression was no different from usual.

…He didn’t seem more angry.

However, her shoulders tensed up under his gaze that was staring at her a bit more intensely than usual.

She also didn’t want to lie anymore. To appeal her sincerity, Ga Eul also directly met his gaze. In the locked gazes, he took one step closer.

Ga Eul’s eyes widened at the suddenly narrowed distance and the hand that came up to her waist again, just like before. Although she was too startled to be aware of it earlier, her heart began to pound erratically.

He’s too close.

‘Why does he keep doing this…?’

Afraid that her pounding would be conveyed to him, Ga Eul subtly pulled away. She was scared that her heart, which had begun to be conscious of him at some point, would be exposed.

“You forgot even after hearing it directly.”

“…?”

While trying to cool down the heat and suppress the pulsation that resonated throughout her body, he suddenly recited in a low voice. The puzzled Ga Eul turned her head again to face him.

His expression had turned very cold.

“No one would like being touched by someone they dislike.”

“…Pardon?”

“That was a mistake just now. Be careful.”

Ga Eul tried to say no. However, he took a step back and cut off her words before she could speak.

“No need to try so hard. It must have been uncomfortable for you, Yoon Ga Eul, as I kept calling for you without knowing your feelings.”

It’s a misunderstanding. She told that lie with her eyes closed to shake off Hye Su, who was persistently clinging to her.

“I kept you around because I thought it would be helpful for you.”

“CEO! That’s not it!”

“Get out.”

* * *

That evening, Gi Tae headed to the main house.

“Contact my grandfather.”

“Yes, CEO.”

The secretary, who thought he would take a stroll in the garden behind the main building as usual, hurriedly made the call while taking advantage of the red light after receiving his instructions.

The speeding black sedan stopped in front of the main building.

Gi Tae got out of the car without any particular instructions and entered the main building, where only the study room was lit.

Baek Ho, who had been waiting after receiving his call, came out to the living room to greet Gi Tae.

“Yes, Gi Tae.”

“…”

“What brings you here at this late hour?”

Baek Ho pointed to the study with a nod of his head at Gi Tae’s expression, which was lower than usual. Gi Tae, who had been silent, got straight to the point as soon as he entered the study.

“Why did you say strange things to Yoon Ga Eul?”

“Are you here to talk about Hye Su?”

“Yes. You know it well. Don’t scold Yoon Ga Eul because of Cha Hye Su.”

“…Hmm, alright. I understand.”

Unexpectedly, a compliant answer flowed out from Baek Ho.

“What is there for this old man to mind between you and Ga Eul? That child Hye Su was unusually concerned about Ga Eul, so I merely conveyed a word. Gi Tae, you should also get married soon, so there’s no need to upset Hye Su, right?”

“Why should I consider that woman’s feelings?”

Baek Ho’s eyes narrowed at Gi Tae’s answer.

“Weren’t you also keeping an eye on Hye Su as a potential match?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

An answer that wouldn’t have come out not long ago easily flowed from his mouth. Despite her being from a family that would be beneficial for business.

Before leaving the study, he stopped and clearly warned his grandfather as well.

“Yoon Ga Eul is now my person since she entered my gallery. If you interfere again, you should know it won’t be pleasant.”

.

.

.

Gi Tae, who had left the main building, suddenly stopped while walking towards the sedan. His gaze naturally turned towards the usual back path of the garden, Ga Eul’s studio.

It was a place he naturally headed to whenever he came here.

As if possessed, he moved his steps and saw the studio with the lights off, unlike usual. He ran his fingers through his hair once and headed to the studio.

As he pushed open the door and entered, it felt empty.

As Gi Tae’s gaze indifferently swept the studio, he noticed an unfamiliar canvas.

‘What? It must have been here until a little while ago.’

The paint that hadn’t dried yet. The brush that was placed upright, allowing water to slowly drip down, informed him that she hadn’t left the studio long ago.

Could she be avoiding him?

He didn’t want to make such speculations, but his thoughts kept drifting in that direction.

“I… dislike the CEO.”

“It really ruins the mood.”

Gi Tae’s face crumpled. Although he didn’t want to believe it, those words seemed to be deeply etched in his mind, making his senses sharp as they were repeatedly heard.

His emotions were boiling to the point where he couldn’t control them.