Covetous Sponsorship - Chapter 32

The autumn, which had carefully placed the back on the easel after embracing it again, plopped down and sat anywhere.

Her eyes that had cried a little were red and swollen, but a happy smile naturally leaked out.

‘My father.’

Gazing warmly at the painting and letting out little laughs, Autumn suddenly began to look around the studio. Then, she soon frowned. A rather serious expression appeared on her face with a hint of worry in her eyes.

Come to think of it, there wasn’t a suitable place to keep this precious painting.

Until now, the paintings she had drawn were either for practice or to be submitted directly to the gallery, so storage wasn’t that important.

However, this painting was different. It was a painting that she would keep for herself, but the studio was right behind the garden, so it somehow felt… even humid.

‘What if the painting gets damaged like this…? Humidity is the most important factor.’

Autumn let out a groan. Keeping the painting in the studio definitely risked deterioration.

Seriously contemplating, Autumn suddenly picked up her cell phone as a thought occurred to her. Then, she sent a text message to Director Park.

[Director, if it’s not too much trouble, would it be alright for me to leave just one painting in the gallery’s storage room?]

Fortunately, he must not have been busy as a reply came back immediately.

[Of course. As much as you need. What painting is it?]

Expressing gratitude and briefly explaining the painting, Autumn wrapped a white cloth around the canvas again.

Although she wanted to keep it in sight and see it every day…

Preservation of the work was more important, so she barely consoled her regretful feelings and carefully embraced the painting in her arms again.

If she really wanted to see it, she could go and look at it from time to time.

When the day came for her to become independent from Chairman Han’s house, she planned to find a suitable place and make sure to take this painting with her.

* * *

Around the time when the busy exhibition ended, Director Park seemed to have a lot of free time as he showed up in the lobby at the time Autumn said she would come.

“Miss Autumn!”

“Director Park. Hello.”

Director Park approached her with a good-natured smile as if he was happy to see her. Autumn greeted him cheerfully with a bright smile.

After exchanging greetings, he briefly glanced at the canvas Autumn was holding. He seemed quite curious about what painting it was.

Autumn waved the painting at him as if she had noticed and asked him.

“Shall I show you the painting?”

Director Park quickly nodded his head. Autumn let out a chuckle and pulled off the white cloth.

Director Park’s eyes widened as he faced the . Then, as if puzzled, he asked.

“Uh…? Did you buy this painting, Miss Autumn?”

“What? Buy it?”

When Autumn asked back, Director Park, who tilted his head to one side as if he was even more puzzled, pointed at the painting with his hand and said,

“This is the painting that the Leon Gallery put out for this exhibition.”

“The Leon Gallery?”

“Yes. But I didn’t know you bought it, Miss Autumn. Since you must have many of your father’s paintings hanging at home, I thought you definitely wouldn’t be interested.”

Autumn smiled awkwardly. Not knowing her situation, he must have assumed that her father’s paintings were all over the house.

Come to think of it.

Did the Chairman go to the Leon Gallery as well? Or through his secretary…

While Autumn was speculating to herself, Director Park continued.

“The Chairman asked me about the Leon Gallery’s exhibition schedule, so I naturally assumed he had bought it.”

Autumn, who had been making assumptions based on Director Park’s words, widened her eyes.

He said he had never visited the main house? Autumn quickly asked, recalling Mi-jeong’s words again.

“Did the Chairman go to buy it himself?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure. He only asked and didn’t tell me what he did.”

Could it be that the Chairman bought it for me?

Why would the Chairman get my father’s painting…?

Even as she moved her steps towards the storage room, all her attention kept being drawn to him.

* * *

It had already been 6 months since Gi-tae, who had been traveling all over the world for the large-scale expansion of the gallery business, had settled down in Korea.

It was enough time for him to take back the work he had temporarily passed on to his older brother Gi-jeong when he returned to his position as head of department and to completely settle in.

There were occasional executives who voiced envious remarks towards him for immediately returning to the head of department position despite taking a long break. However, they soon trembled at his flawless work processing, making them wonder if he was doing it in his sleep. The noise had long died down with the department store performance that had risen unusually high that year.

Gi-jeong, who had gained some room to look around thanks to Gi-tae who had lightened his burden, had been furiously angry at Managing Director Seo for some time now.

It seemed suspicious that he kept secretly trying to hire celebrities with no recognition as promotional models. Upon investigation, it was revealed that he had been caught secretly embezzling company funds to give favors to his nephew who was a celebrity and make a fortune.

Gi-jeong was angry, saying he knew it as Managing Director Seo had been getting on his nerves lately due to frequent conflicts.

The angry Gi-jeong dealt with Managing Director Seo and started a reshuffle within the company, saying that the root cause needed to be cut off from the beginning. As a result, this time all the work was concentrated on Gi-tae. His brother was busy stirring up the executives.

“Chairman, you’re here.”

“Yes, I stopped by for a moment to check the exhibition schedule.”

Gi-tae, who was clearly showing signs of fatigue, entered the gallery. It was time to close the doors now. It was later than usual. He had just stopped by because there were documents to take care of.

Director Park, who noticed his condition, frowned and carefully spoke to him.

“Are you doing this even while sleeping?”

“I guess so.”

Gi-tae, who let out a laugh close to a snort while rubbing his eyes, caught the elevator located upstairs.

“Oh dear… You’ll get sick like that.”

Director Park had taken over all the gallery work that Gi-tae had to oversee these days.

“It’s alright. You’ve been working hard, Director Park.”

When Gi-tae expressed his gratitude, Director Park waved his hand, saying it was nothing. Looking at Gi-tae getting on the elevator that had just arrived, Director Park exclaimed “Ah!”

“Miss Autumn is waiting for you in the office.”

“…Yoon Ga-eul?”

What’s this about. Gi-tae’s face showed a puzzled expression as he asked back. But soon, the corners of his mouth that drew a slight arc rose up.

Taking the elevator and entering the office where everyone had left after work, Gi-tae turned on the lights in the dark office and said,

“Why are you sitting in the dark?”

“…”

Why does she have that expression?

Gi-tae also silently gazed at Autumn, who was looking up at him with eyes he was seeing for the first time. He suddenly became curious about what business she had come for today.

Autumn, who abruptly stood up, asked as if interrogating him.

“The painting of my father. Did you give it to me and leave?”

I quietly gave it and left, how did she know. Is that what she was waiting to ask?

Gi-tae, who shrugged his shoulders, soon nodded. Then, there were many follow-up questions.

“Why? I heard from the director that it must have been quite expensive…”

Autumn couldn’t understand. It was him who had never taken care of her for 9 years. He had been taking good care of her these days. He had even nursed and looked after her when she was sick some time ago.

But that painting that was only precious to her and was a mess. Even spending a lot of money to buy it, why on earth…?

In front of the person in question, Autumn’s mind became complicated.

Even if others said it was nothing special, it was not at all like that for her.

Autumn looked up at Gi-tae’s face again.

Or was that amount of money not a big deal to him? Was she attaching too much meaning to it?

Chuckling, he crossed the office and opened his mouth, maintaining the nicely arched corners of his mouth.

“I wonder why I did that. Even lining up at the gallery.”

For someone who says he doesn’t know, he seemed quite happy. The smile was still there.

At that, Autumn openly frowned. Her heart felt restless again at the incomprehensible answer.

He approached the sofa where Autumn was standing, after picking up the documents.

Tap, tap. Naturally fiddling with the ends of her hair as if it had become a habit, he looked down at her leisurely and directly smoothed out Autumn’s furrowed brows with his hand while saying,

“That’s Yoon Ga-eul’s father’s painting.”

“…So what?”

Autumn frowned again at him who kept giving answers that didn’t resolve her curiosity and talked in circles.

So that’s what I want to know, why the Chairman gave it to me…

Autumn shook her head.

“I don’t have money to give you. How can I accept a painting that you bought at such a high price…”

“I didn’t give you the painting to get money.”

“Then why…?”

“I’m just giving it to you. If I give it, just take it.”

Autumn looked up at him blankly.

He tapped her nose tip and moved away with a dazzling smile.

“To cheer you up.”

In the meantime, Gi-tae, who looked Autumn up and down, suddenly frowned.

“Did you lose weight?”

“Ah, yes. I was just feeling a bit under the weather… You look tired yourself, Chairman.”

“It’s something I always do.”

“…”

“You don’t listen even if I tell you to rest. I saw everything in the studio.”

There was concern mixed in with the scolding. The corners of his mouth that drew a slight arc, the eyes that looked down at her as usual with no particular difference, strangely felt warm.

Knock, knock, while Autumn was intently gazing at his face, Director Park came in with a knocking sound. Director Park, who was about to say something to Gi-tae, glanced at Autumn and his eyes widened. Then he quickly alternated glances between Gi-tae and her.

It was because Autumn’s expression, which had entered Director Park’s sight, had darkened and gradually became filled with moisture.

“Oh my. Did you make her cry, Chairman?”

Gi-tae, who looked down at Autumn who couldn’t find a way to deal with the tears that had welled up in that short time, let out a snort at Director Park’s question.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Then… Miss Autumn?”

In response to the gaze directed at Autumn as if asking why she was crying, Autumn slightly wiped her tears with her sleeve and answered.

“It’s because of the Chairman…”

“When did I ever.”

Autumn suddenly burst out laughing at the gaze looking down at her as if dumbfounded. Honestly, she was grateful that he had taken care of the painting, and was moved that he was concerned about her. Could it be that he was still worrying about her being sick after seeing Uncle Dae-joon…?

She made a complaint that she normally wouldn’t have.

“You’re the one who made me cry.”

“This girl.”

He ruffled her hair, telling her not to be cheeky.

But for some reason, her heart started beating faster than usual at his touch.

Why is this happening…? Although it happened occasionally, today her heart was being squeezed as if under a spell and pounded wildly. The flustered Autumn bit her lower lip while putting on a serious expression.

As if her words were ridiculous again, his laughter that he rarely let out loudly resounded throughout the office.

Did the Chairman just laugh…?

The surprised Autumn widened her eyes and looked up at him.

His smile that didn’t hide his pleasant mood came into view, and his laughter tickled her ears again. The refreshing laughter that she was seeing for the first time filled her entire field of vision, making it impossible to take her eyes off him.

* * *

It was the day Gi-jeong was coming for a meal.

Following Mi-jeong’s request, Autumn headed to the main house in the evening. Autumn, who squeezed in between Mrs. Ansan and her mother who looked busy, carefully opened her mouth while reading the situation.

“Um… What should I help with first?”

“Autumn is here!”

“Autumn is here?”

Mi-jeong appeared between Mrs. Ansan and her mother who were welcoming her.

“Autumn, can you take out all the dishes from the cabinet first? I think we’ll need more dishes than usual.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Autumn, who reached out to the cabinet, took them out one by one starting from the bottom shelf.

So that the side dishes could be put in right away, she neatly laid out the side dish containers and was about to reach for a higher shelf.

“I’m here.”

“Oh my, Gi-tae, you’re here early today.”

“Yes.”

“What should I do. It’s still a long way to go.”

“It’s alright. I came early because I have some documents to look at.”

At the welcome voice, Autumn’s ears perked up.

Stopping midway taking out the dishes, Autumn turned around and confirmed it was him. The gaze that had been directed at Mi-jeong while conversing moved to Autumn who had been looking at him.

Thump, thump, thump. Strangely, her heart had been pounding since yesterday. She could even feel the heat rising in her face.

Gi-tae, who chuckled at the suddenly met gaze, approached Autumn closely. Then, he took out the dishes that Autumn’s hands couldn’t easily reach.

Autumn’s heart raced at the close proximity.

‘Ah, really… Why am I like this since yesterday?’

I guess I was really greatly moved.

Autumn, who bit her lip tightly while fidgeting, wondering if her face had turned bright red, cautiously looked up at him who was still looking down at her. As all the family members were gathering, he was standing in a suit with the tie neatly tied, looking more neat than usual.

He even pulled up the corners of his mouth and asked.

“Why are you here?”

“I just stopped by to help.”

“Is that so?”

“…Yes.”

Strangely, he’s been smiling well since yesterday.

The whispered words at a distance close enough for the cool scent to keep tickling her nose made her shoulders shrink involuntarily as they sensitively reached her ears. Everything bothered her.

After patting her head and saying I see, he immediately left the kitchen and headed towards the stairs.

“I’ll go up and look at some documents. I’ll come down before the meal.”

After answering Mi-jeong like that, he disappeared to the second floor very quickly.

.

.

.

Autumn, who had neatly scooped out the side dishes, started moving them one by one to the dining room. They were dishes that showed Mi-jeong had put in a lot of effort, as it was a rare occasion for everyone to gather together.

Marinated crab, yukhoe (seasoned raw beef), braised short ribs, grilled fish, grilled deodeok (bellflower root), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles). All kinds of side dishes.

The kitchen, which was still busy cooking something else, was still hectic. Then, a face she hadn’t seen in a long time entered the main house.

Autumn, who made eye contact right away and felt awkward, greeted first.

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

Gi-tae’s elder brother, Han Gi Jeong.

Due to the significant age difference, he greeted Autumn like a little kid even though they weren’t close. It was a friendly tone, just like a neighborhood elder brother.

After casually greeting her, Gi Jeong passed by Autumn and entered the dining room. Autumn bowed once again to the woman behind him and went back into the kitchen.

It seemed like they were nearly done. Mi-jeong, who briefly scanned the kitchen, glanced around the dining room and stopped her gaze at Gi-tae’s empty seat. Then she quickly called Autumn who had entered the kitchen.

“Autumn.”

“Yes, lady.”

“Could you go and call Gi-tae for me?”

“Yes. I’ll be right back.”

Autumn, who received Mi-jeong’s request, went up the stairs and stood in front of his old room.

Knock knock, she carefully tried knocking first in case it would greatly disturb him while he was looking at documents.

‘Huh? Why isn’t he answering?’

Autumn, who tilted her head to one side for a moment, called out to him.

“Chairman.”

“…”

Could it be that he’s looking at documents somewhere else, not in this room? Hesitating, Autumn tried calling him one more time.

“Chairman…?”

“…”

Strangely, there was no answer.

Autumn, who checked for any sound outside the door for a moment, placed her hand on the doorknob to enter his room where she couldn’t sense anything.