“Just do as you feel.”

“……Okay.”

Thereafter, there was hardly any conversation between them.

As if their hearts were in their overlapping hands, their pulses raced and throbbed strongly at the fingertips.

Having overlapped for a long time, their hands seemed to have warmed up, becoming one with his body temperature.

Autumn bit her lower lip hard.

Perhaps because blood rushed to her bitten lips, they reddened more than usual.

He occasionally let out a laugh, seemingly amused.

Due to their close proximity, his breath brushed and fell off her cheek.

“This is fun.”

“Right? That’s why I think there are quite a few people who paint as a hobby.”

Autumn deliberately responded calmly.

She couldn’t tell whose racing heart she felt between their overlapped hands, and her mind felt as blank as a new canvas.

A few days later, Autumn sent all but the last of the five promised paintings to the gallery. Then, to discuss the changes in her paintings, she visited the office directly.

“I didn’t have high expectations for this exhibition’s paintings, considering the boss’s instructions, but…”

“…….”

“It’s different from before, but not bad, right?”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s distinctly different from my usual style, but it has its own charm. I think they’re all good for the exhibition. It seems like a good attempt.”

Though Director Park said that, Autumn knew that because TS Gallery was planning to prominently display the works of other main artists, not all of her paintings could be exhibited.

Even if more were to be hung, it would be those artists’ works. That was the policy of TS Gallery.

But she was grateful for the words. It meant they were good enough to want to hang all.

It felt like a reward for her hard work.

Autumn, who had only been smiling shyly, suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” and said to Director Park,

“Director, I haven’t sent the last one of the promised pieces yet. I’ll send it as soon as it’s finished.”

“Okay. You’ve worked hard, Miss Autumn.”

“Yes, thank you, Director.”

Stepping out of the office, Autumn’s footsteps were lighter. She was excited to see which of her paintings would be chosen for this exhibition. Her hard work had paid off.
Autumn, who was leaving the gallery through the glass door, encountered him as he was getting out of his car.

“Boss!”

“Ah, did you come to check on the paintings?”

“Yes.”

“Why come yourself?”

“Just… wanted to hear it directly.”

Autumn greeted him cheerfully, and he, too, let out a chuckle.

Then, he walked past Autumn.

Though he turned away quickly after a friendly greeting, Autumn felt a pang of disappointment. She merely bowed and greeted him as he passed.

Then, as he was pushing the glass door to enter, he spoke without even looking at her.

“I’ll take you home. You’re going home, right?”

“Ah, yes!”

Waiting for him to return from the gallery, it wasn’t long before he reappeared. He gestured for her to get into the car, and Autumn tactfully climbed into the backseat.

Today, with a chauffeur accompanying them, she was able to sit next to him in the backseat.

Autumn hesitantly started a conversation with him.

“……Is there no business at the gallery?”

“No. Just stopped by briefly today.”

“Oh, I see.”

Her gaze kept shifting to his hands, recalling the recent memory of them touching.

“Did you see my painting, Boss?”

“The new one?”

“Yes.”

“Well… I did catch glimpses of it as you were painting.”

Lost in thought and hardly aware of their conversation, they quickly arrived in front of the main building.

Autumn got out of the car and thanked him.

“Boss, thank you for the ride. Please take care.”

“Okay. Go inside.”

As soon as Autumn got out, he quickly drove off, seemingly having no intention of stopping at the main building. As she watched him leave and was about to turn towards the annex, she noticed that Baek Ho was standing in front of the main building. He was intently looking at her.

Surprised, Autumn quickly greeted him.

“Chairman, hello.”

“Right.”

He responded curtly as usual, then suddenly broached a strange topic.

“I’d prefer if you avoid being seen with Ki Tae for a while.”

“What? What do you mean…”

Autumn asked, taken aback.

Standing at a distance, he then said something unexpected.

“It seems Hye Soo is quite concerned. Ki Tae will have to get married soon; there’s no need to cause unnecessary worry.”

“…….”

Autumn was speechless. Unlike her, he appeared calm and collected. He didn’t seem to suspect anything between them, despite mentioning ‘Hye Soo’ directly. It seemed more like something Hye Soo instigated rather than the Chairman’s own wish. Living in this mansion, she had that much sense.

She resented Hye Soo momentarily for blowing things out of proportion, even though she had clearly said no.

And it was utterly absurd that Baek Ho, who had tried to push her into the gallery, now said not to be seen close to him.

For the first time, Autumn felt a sense of rebellion and asked him.

“We can’t help but run into each other often.”