“You should get out of your studio more often. Seeing a variety of art can really help improve your skills.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

They continued to tour various booths together, discussing only art. Ga-eul secretly smiled to herself during their art-focused conversations.

As they were about to move on, he suddenly grabbed her wrist again.

Surprised, Ga-eul looked up at him, and he nodded towards another booth.

“We should visit our gallery’s booth too. That’s the main purpose.”

“Oh, right.”

“I thought you forgot, wandering around on your own.”

As she sheepishly pursed her lips in embarrassment, they approached a booth located at a prime spot on the path.

TS Gallery.

Just as they were about to enter, a familiar voice halted them.

“Kitae, were you here?”

It was Hyesoo.

Ga-eul looked up at Kitae.

Hadn’t they finished their conversation earlier?

Before Ga-eul could grasp the situation, Hyesoo approached them, addressing Ga-eul directly.

“So, Ga-eul, you were here too. I was so worried when you both disappeared for a moment. I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Actually, I got separated while looking at the paintings. I just ran into the director nearby.”

“Oh, I see. I was really sweating looking for you.”

With the misunderstanding cleared, Hyesoo playfully pouted again.

Ga-eul smiled gently in response, but inside, she was puzzled.

She hadn’t realized they’d be accompanying each other the whole time.
Just then, Ga-eul turned her head as she felt a tap on her shoulder, only to see the man standing next to her bringing his phone to his ear.

“Ga-eul Yoon. I need to take this call. Wait here for a bit.”

“Okay, Director. Go ahead.”

He quickly exited the booth, seemingly on an urgent call.

“…….”

“…….”

Left alone with Hyesoo, Ga-eul felt a bit awkward and could only muster a sheepish smile. Hyesoo, seemingly unfazed by the situation, approached Ga-eul and struck up a conversation.

“What’s your relationship with the Director?”

“Relationship? What do you mean…?”

Startled by the sudden seriousness of her question, Ga-eul’s eyes widened in surprise.

Hyesoo leaned in closer and whispered so only Ga-eul could hear.

“I saw you with the Director. He usually doesn’t accompany people from the gallery.”

“Is that so.”

“So, what’s your relationship?”

Hyesoo asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

What should I say,

Though she mentioned he didn’t usually accompany gallery artists, that was exactly their relationship.

Ga-eul replied honestly, “There’s nothing between us. I’m just an artist from his gallery.”

“Really?”

Hyesoo’s eyes still held a trace of doubt, prompting Ga-eul to nod again.

“Yes. I still have a lot to learn, so he brought me along for educational purposes. Just for studying.”

“So, there’s nothing romantic between you?”

Hyesoo’s persistent questioning left Ga-eul with no choice but to acknowledge what she was implying.

Ga-eul nodded.

There were times she felt a flutter around him, and her heart raced occasionally, but… they weren’t in that kind of relationship.

He was different.

Ga-eul nodded once more.

Satisfied, Hyesoo smiled and backed away.

“Hey, Hyesoo.”

This time, it was Ga-eul who stopped her.

“Yes? What is it?”

It was an impulsive question she wouldn’t normally ask.

“Why did you ask me that?”

Hyesoo’s lips curved into a smile.

“Actually, I have feelings for Kitae. It would be good for both our families to connect, and I want to marry him.”

“Oh… I see.”

“Please keep what I just told you a secret.”

Hyesoo was very candid with her emotions. Somehow, that made her even more radiant.

Ga-eul had nothing more to say and simply nodded.

Hyesoo, unlike Ga-eul, seemed relieved and beamed a beautiful, confident smile.

“I get nervous when there’s an unknown woman next to the man I want to marry. That’s why I asked. …Kitae! Are you back?”

Kitae had returned to the booth after his call.

Ga-eul felt a strange bitterness in her mouth.

Seeing her downcast, Kitae approached her.

“……?”

Surprised by the shadow suddenly before her, Ga-eul looked up at him. He lightly tapped the top of her head and asked,

“Did you wait long?”

“What? No, it’s not that.”

“Why the long face?”

He inquired if she had grown tired, and Ga-eul nodded as if that might be the case.

“Is that so?”

He watched her quietly before turning away without further comment.

Then, he briefly greeted Hyesoo.

“See you next time.”

As he was about to leave, Hyesoo stopped him.

“….Kitae!”

He looked at her inquiringly, and she grinned widely, saying,

“When you have time, let’s have a meal together. Maybe the Chairman can join us too.”

“Sure, we can do that.”
“When you have time, it would be nice to have a meal together. Maybe the Chairman could join us too.”

“Sure, we can do that.”

Kitae briefly replied and then disappeared from the booth with Ga-eul.

Hyesoo watched their departing figures until the end, then her expression hardened, and she irritably picked up her phone.

After a few rings, she answered with a smile as if nothing had happened, speaking in a sweet voice.

“Chairman, how have you been? I just ran into Kitae and thought of you. How about having a meal together sometime, maybe with my father too?”