Several days have passed since I fought with Ga Eul.

Gi Tae was at BYN, the bar where he often met when Ju Hyeok called him out.

After the wedding, Ju Hyeok had been busy with his honeymoon and various other things. So it had been a while since he faced Gi Tae.

He called him out to give him the gift he bought during his honeymoon and to catch up after a long time, but this friend wasn’t even prepared to listen out of courtesy.

Ju Hyeok leaned back against the sofa, looking at Gi Tae who was covering his face with his arm, and finally threw out a word.

“Hey, Han Gi Tae. Are you even listening to me?”

‘Did I force him to come out too much?’

Ju Hyeok kept calling and whining to Gi Tae, who unusually suggested postponing to next time.

Rather than drinking as usual, what are you doing? It’s draining just to look at you.

Ju Hyeok rarely clicked his tongue. He had prided himself on vaguely knowing everything about his friend of 10 years, but today he couldn’t even guess why he was acting like this.

“I see. You must have a lot of work these days. It’s tough, right? I heard everything from your father. That you’re still living busy. No, that you’re living even busier than before.”

“……”

“At that rate, aren’t you creating work even when there isn’t any because you’re obsessed with it? Take it easy.”

Thinking it was because of work, Ju Hyeok muttered that and patted Gi Tae’s shoulder, who wasn’t even listening. At that moment, a small box fell from Gi Tae’s jacket pocket onto the floor. The box that had been precariously hanging in Gi Tae’s pocket fell when Ju Hyeok touched his shoulder.

Discovering the red velvet box, Ju Hyeok said to Gi Tae.

“Hey. Something fell from your pocket.”

“……”

“Aren’t you going to pick it up?”

Alright, I’ll pick it up.

Ju Hyeok picked up the box instead of Gi Tae. About to return it right away due to the familiar appearance of the box, Ju Hyeok glanced at Gi Tae and sneakily opened the box. Then, surprised, he asked loudly.

“Hey! Isn’t this a couple ring?”

It was certainly sure to have fallen from Gi Tae’s pocket.

Feeling like there was an interesting smell, Ju Hyeok started to press Gi Tae.

“What’s this? Who are you giving this to? Don’t tell me, it’s for a proposal?”

Ju Hyeok, who was pressing Gi Tae, recalled Gi Tae’s previous statement and even started clapping.

Come to think of it, he was the one who had said that it would be okay to do the wedding as he said, as if he had never said otherwise.

Why did I only notice now?

He had a woman he was seeing. Otherwise, there’s no way he would have gone back on his word.

Ju Hyeok thought he understood and asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Cha Hye Su from Jemun Group?”

At Ju Hyeok’s words, Gi Tae lowered his arm and finally looked at him. Then, he answered irritably.

“What are you talking about.”

Gi Tae snatched the ring case and put it back in his pocket. But Ju Hyeok didn’t stop.

“These days, the only woman around you is that lady.”

Ju Hyeok spoke, recalling the facts he knew through his father’s company.

Come to think of it, Gi Tae, who used to have occasional scandal articles in the past, hadn’t had any news lately except for that woman.

Although he knew they were all fake scandals from journalists looking for a quick story, even those had been quiet for a long time, as if someone had put a stop to them.

‘…This is strange?’

Anyway, that’s why he naturally thought it was that lady.

But.

Did I guess wrong?

Gi Tae’s reaction was ice cold. Ju Hyeok scratched his head awkwardly.

“If it’s not her, then it’s not. Then who is it? When are you going to introduce me?”

Lest he might say something nonsensical to Ga Eul later, Gi Tae insisted it wasn’t her.

Annoyingly, Ju Hyeok’s questions gradually increased. Gi Tae irritably picked up his glass. But he only poured water instead of alcohol.

Ju Hyeok smiled slightly and waited for Gi Tae’s words.

Usually, a friend’s love life was the most interesting.

Especially, who would be the woman dating this self-centered friend? What kind of person would be able to handle and control such a person? He was very excited. So even if Gi Tae got angry, Ju Hyeok had no intention of backing down.

After emptying the water and putting down the glass, Ju Hyeok’s question followed as if he had been waiting for Gi Tae.

“Hey. Where did you meet her? What does she do?”

Ju Hyeok recalled various women who might have met Gi Tae.

“A painter belonging to my gallery.”

However, the answer that came out of Gi Tae’s mouth was far from Ju Hyeok’s expectation.

Ju Hyeok, who had been noisily chattering alone until now, shut his mouth. Then, he answered a beat late.

“…A painter from your gallery? I see. Um, I see…”

Ju Hyeok was taken aback. He looked at Gi Tae’s expression and carefully continued his words.

“That lady. It must be tough for her.”

“Why.”

Although he had said love was important, he still thought Gi Tae would meet someone at least from a chaebol family. The Han Gi Tae he had known until now was that kind of guy.

That’s why he advised him to meet someone he liked even among those people and get married.

But.

…A painter.

Ju Hyeok immediately thought of Gi Tae’s grandfather.

It was obvious, no, certain that Gi Tae’s grandfather wouldn’t like it.

At the gaze fixed on him as if asking what he meant, Ju Hyeok scratched his head and then spoke, prepared to be hit.

“Honestly… aren’t you a bit scared of your grandfather? Even if it were someone from a chaebol family, he would still be picky, but if it’s a painter… it would be quite difficult.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Fortunately, Gi Tae answered without getting angry. Ju Hyeok, who had hesitated for a moment, began to speak comfortably.

“You might not know because you’re not afraid of your grandfather, but I was really scared of him, you know?”

Ju Hyeok recalled the times when Gi Tae stayed in Hannam-dong during their school days. And he recalled the first and last time he visited his house.

“Do you remember how much your grandfather disliked me? That’s why I always called you out to meet outside.”

Usually, people would treat their grandson’s friend kindly. Well, it might be different for someone who cares about family background.

But Ju Hyeok grew up not knowing such things thanks to his father’s name. However, Chairman Han was an exception.

Knowing that Ju Hyeok ignored the family business, he openly rejected him, fearing he might have a bad influence on Gi Tae.

“I’m scared too, but wasn’t that the lady you said you were meeting? If it had been me, if I had gone to greet your grandfather… You know what I mean? Forget about marriage. I would have run away without even being able to say a word about dating. That’s how strict and scary your grandfather is…”

At that moment, Gi Tae suddenly stood up.

Ju Hyeok stopped talking and looked up.

“Hey, I’m leaving.”

“Where are you going? Suddenly?”

“Something came up that I need to check.”

“Check…? Hey!”

Ju Hyeok called out to Gi Tae in disbelief, but he was already going down the stairs.

Ju Hyeok shouted loudly at Gi Tae, who was getting farther away.

“Han Gi Tae! Where are you going in the middle of our conversation! You should at least tell me!”

Then, unlike before, Gi Tae, with a spark in his eyes, left one word and disappeared into the elevator.

“Kim Ju Hyeok. Thanks. Thanks to you, I remembered something.”

Left alone, Ju Hyeok scratched his head again.

Then, looking down at the gift that was left undelivered, he muttered.

What is he thankful for…? I only badmouthed his family.

* * *

Meanwhile, Gi Tae headed straight to Hannam-dong.

While listening to Ju Hyeok’s story, he suddenly felt that Ga Eul’s words and actions that day were different from before.

That day, he was so deeply fixated on the fact that Ga Eul had let go of his hand and tried to hide it that he didn’t see it properly.

The thought he was having now could be a wild guess. It was just a sudden thought.

That Ga Eul tried to hide it because she was afraid of his grandfather.

The increasingly rapid tapping of fingers on the steering wheel grew faster and faster.

Tap, tap, tap…

The fast and irregular noise that had been heard gradually subsided again.

It was because another thought intervened.

‘Couldn’t she have just told me about that?’

If that was what she was afraid of, she could have just told him.

Maybe it was just a wild guess after all.

Gi Tae let out a bitter laugh. It felt like he was trying to see things the way he wanted to see them.

In the meantime, the sedan had already arrived at the main building in Hannam-dong.

Gi Tae got out of the car and headed towards Ga Eul’s studio.

If she wasn’t there, he was planning to go to the annex even if it meant being rude.

A small hope that had suddenly risen made him move.

But Gi Tae’s steps didn’t go far. It was when he had taken just a few steps after getting out of the driver’s seat.

“Yoon Ga Eul. Where are you going?”

“Ah, I…”

He ran into Ga Eul, who was heading somewhere at this late hour.

Ga Eul, who seemed as surprised as him, hesitated for a moment before answering.

“I was going to see you, sir.”

“At this hour?”

“…Yes.”

Ga Eul, who was awkward for a moment seeing his face after three days, smiled sheepishly and said.

“It’s quite late, isn’t it…? But, I have something I must tell you now. Then, what about you, sir?”

“I was on my way to see you too.”

“Why?”

“Something came up that I wanted to ask.”

Gi Tae felt hopeful that Ga Eul was trying to come see him.

Gi Tae quickly asked.

“Want to get in for now?”

.

.

.

The car that had driven smoothly stopped in front of Gi Tae’s officetel. Gi Tae led Ga Eul to his officetel.

The two faced each other after three days.

Having decided to tell everything honestly, Ga Eul tried to convey all she had to say.

During the time spent without him, she realized that her pride was of no use. Before Gi Tae could say anything, Ga Eul spoke first.

“Sir. I’ve never even thought about breaking up with you.”

“…I see.”

Encouraged by the gentle tone, Ga Eul continued speaking.

“I think I only hurt you by not properly conveying what I should have said. That day… I was wrong. I’m really sorry.”

Gi Tae focused on Ga Eul’s words.

“I was scared. I thought the chairman would oppose our relationship if he knew about us. So I wanted to hide it. If it reached the chairman’s ears and he told us to break up right away…”

Even while speaking, Ga Eul bit her lip and frowned as if in pain.

Watching Ga Eul struggle to continue speaking, Gi Tae’s expression also darkened.

“But, I don’t want to break up with you, sir. I want to keep staying by your side.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Gi Tae asked gently. Then, Ga Eul answered with an even more distorted expression.

“Because it felt like I was admitting that I’m not suitable for your family… Those words just wouldn’t come out.”

“Who says that Yoon Ga Eul doesn’t suit me?”

“…I just, I just thought that way on my own. It’s… also true that my family doesn’t suit your family.”

He wanted to hear her true feelings, but seeing her seemingly criticize herself made his heart ache. Gi Tae slightly reached out his arm to Ga Eul.

The meeting after three days created a distance between them, but Gi Tae didn’t mind and pulled Ga Eul into his arms. Then he kept patting her back slowly but warmly.

He felt sorry. He should have noticed first, but he made her say such regretful things.

In the midst of this, Ga Eul earnestly pleaded.

“So, can’t we keep our relationship a secret? I still want to stay by your side a little longer. A little later… not now, but a little later…”

Unable to bear seeing Ga Eul like this anymore, Gi Tae cut off her words and said.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of letting you go.”

Then, he took out the ring that was in his pocket and put it on one of Ga Eul’s hands.

Looking at Ga Eul, who opened her eyes wide in surprise, Gi Tae also conveyed his true feelings without hiding anything.

“At least you wear the ring.”

Gi Tae recalled Ga Eul crying at his grandfather’s scolding.

It wouldn’t be bad to buy some time for now. So that Ga Eul wouldn’t get hurt.

It was just buying a little time. But that was enough.

Gi Tae brought Ga Eul’s hand with the ring to his lips and kissed it. Then, he whispered, emphasizing one word in particular.

“How about we announce our relationship when we get married?”

Marriage.

He mentioned marriage, and especially emphasized it.

It was to make her realize that his feelings were no different from Ga Eul’s.

In fact, he couldn’t imagine anyone but Ga Eul now. Of course, their end had to be marriage.

Ga Eul, who had opened her eyes wide for a moment, kept murmuring the word ‘marriage’. Soon her eyes welled up and she burrowed into his arms. Gi Tae held such a Ga Eul tightly. With her face buried, Ga Eul nodded her head vigorously and answered.

“Yes. When we get married, let’s tell them when we get married. I’ll tell them myself then.”

“Alright.”

The faces of the two who confirmed each other’s feelings wore faint but happy smiles. Gi Tae kissed Ga Eul’s forehead with a soft touch and said gently with his lips curled up.

“Whatever Yoon Ga Eul wants.”

* * *

Gi Tae stayed up all night.

Using the excuse that it was too late, he let Ga Eul sleep in his bed.

He gave her his arm as a pillow until she fell asleep, kept patting her back, and hugged her. That’s how he kept Ga Eul by his side, whom he hadn’t seen for three days.

After watching Ga Eul sleep all night, stroking her hair and kissing her, he got up from his seat when the sun rose.

Gi Tae carefully covered Ga Eul with a blanket, left a small note for her in case she woke up while he was gone, and headed to the gallery.

As Gi Tae pushed open the glass door, Manager Park greeted him warmly.

“Sir. You’ve arrived.”

“Yes, Manager Park.”

It was still busy, but as things were wrapping up, there was a smile on Manager Park’s face.

Manager Park, wondering about Gi Tae’s rare visit around lunchtime, asked.

“You came early today?”

“Yes. I was thinking of making some modifications before the exhibition.”

“Modifications? What kind of…”

Gi Tae moved towards the main booth within the TS Gallery.

The main booth was placed in the best location. It was clear to anyone who looked that this booth displayed paintings selected by TS Gallery’s discerning eye. And most of them were sold at the highest prices.

The booth was already filled with paintings by artists selected by Manager Park.

Staring intently at the central spot in the main booth, which was actually valued the highest, Gi Tae suddenly said.

“Let’s put Yoon Ga Eul’s painting in the central spot of the main booth.”

“Pardon?”

It was exactly one day before the exhibition.