By Zephyria 
“Let’s go, Young Master. He has been waiting for you.”
At Butler Do’s words, Seo Yi-kyung finally snapped out of it.
‘Now is not the time to be spacing out.’
His heart hammered violently against his chest, but Seo Yi-kyung stepped forward, striving to maintain a composed expression.
Han Seung-jae, who had been standing there until then, opened his large hand and took the umbrella from Secretary Park.
Seo Yi-kyung hesitated for a moment. As if sensing that, Han Seung-jae extended the umbrella, creating a wide space in front of him. Secretary Park’s gaze landed on Han Seung-jae’s back, on his black suit. The drizzling rain was soaking it.
“…….”
Unable to watch any longer, Butler Do gently placed a hand on Seo Yi-kyung’s back. He only hoped that the relationship between Han Seung-jae and Seo Yi-kyung would grow closer.
With his head slightly bowed, Seo Yi-kyung slowly stepped under the umbrella. Only then did Han Seung-jae move his long legs, which had been stationary. Raindrops splashed against his polished black shoes. Butler Do hurried over to Secretary Park, who was standing in the rain.
They followed the two walking ahead, maintaining a steady distance. Butler Do gazed at the backs of Han Seung-jae and Seo Yi-kyung walking side by side. Then, he turned his head slightly and whispered toward Secretary Park.
“Director Han seems to like paintings.”
It was a voice that could have been buried by the sound of the rain. Perhaps that was why there was no answer. Maybe it was because he served Director Han.
Eventually, Butler Do also fell silent and turned his head to look where Secretary Park was looking.
At the entrance of the art exhibition in the rain, lights were lit on both the left and right. The sight of the two climbing the stairs looked like a loving couple.
Butler Do, with a navy jacket draped over his arm, let out a soft sigh, feeling a sense of relief. In the Young Master’s life, there was nothing but paintings. In times of joy, sadness, or when he laughed out loud, paintings were always by his side. So, wasn’t this a blessing in disguise? Since that was the only thing he had, wasn’t the probability that Director Han would also come to like it truly immense?
* * *
“…….”
Tap, tap. Raindrops breaking against the umbrella pierced through the silence. Seo Yi-kyung’s chest, clad in a dress shirt and vest, rose and fell slightly.
They were so close that he feared his heartbeat might be heard. Every time his cast-covered elbow brushed against the black suit of the man holding the umbrella, he flinched.
Glancing sideways, he saw the prominent blue veins on the back of Han Seung-jae’s large hand gripping the umbrella. Was it because of the rain? The white sandalwood scent of the pheromones clinging to Han Seung-jae’s hand and black suit felt exceptionally potent.
Seo Yi-kyung felt his chest tighten and slowly turned his head. However, he had to lift his chin further to see his face. It was just as he hesitantly took in the sharp line of Han Seung-jae’s nose.
The clicking sound of heels approached through the raindrops.
“Welcome. I have been waiting for you after receiving the notice. I sincerely thank you for your interest in our Art Atelier.”
Im Jeong-yun, introducing herself as the director of the Art Atelier Gallery, wore a bright smile. Her bobbed hair and lips coated in light lipstick curved softly. The two employees standing behind her bowed politely as if greeting them.
Im Jeong-yun’s voice flowed gently through the sound of the rain.
“If it’s alright, may I introduce the paintings to you?”
Im Jeong-yun’s gaze landed on Seo Yi-kyung. He nodded. It was actually for the best. Not only did he not know much about paintings, but he felt that if the two of them looked at the art alone, it would be so awkward that he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything.
Secretary Park stepped forward and took the umbrella from Han Seung-jae’s grip. As if timing it perfectly, Butler Do unfolded the navy suit jacket he had been carrying and draped it over Seo Yi-kyung’s shoulders.
Due to the rain, the temperature inside the building was somewhat low. As soon as they opened the glass doors and entered, a massive crystal sculpture that seemed to reach the ceiling stood in the center. Beside it was a large electronic display, showing a panorama of the artists who had exhibited their works here.
Inside the art exhibition, where viewing hours had ended, a stillness resided. The lights pouring from the ceiling were all focused on the paintings displayed on the walls. Im Jeong-yun’s voice pierced through that illuminated space.
“……Is it not truly beautiful, a forest grown solely with brushes and paint?”
Seo Yi-kyung followed her gesture and looked at the painting in front of him. It was filled with dreamy, multicolored trees.
As he toured the exhibition while listening to Im Jeong-yun’s explanations, his fear faded slightly. Moreover, the fact that he wasn’t alone with Han Seung-jae gave him a sense of relief.
Secretary Park was handling work on a tablet PC a short distance away. Beside him, Butler Do was preoccupied with monitoring Seo Yi-kyung’s complexion. Despite that, his gaze frequently drifted toward the paintings.
From a piece where meticulously painted petals occupied the entire canvas, to the fact that the flowers blooming on long branches were red plum blossoms, Seo Yi-kyung listened intently to Im Jeong-yun’s words.
He listened, completely absorbed, to anecdotes about an expressionist artist whose work was close to photography, and the process of how a first-generation master of abstract art’s painting was born. Perhaps he wanted to escape the pressure emanating from Han Seung-jae by immersing himself in her words.
Throughout the viewing, there was no conversation between the two of them. Inside the space where the works of nearly thirty artists were exhibited, only Im Jeong-yun’s voice echoed.
“The painting you see here is Artist Seok’s representative work.”
Following Im Jeong-yun’s fingertip, Seo Yi-kyung’s gaze reached a certain spot.
The painting, depicting sunlight shining through a window where flowers bloomed, evoked a languid afternoon. It felt so comfortable, as if he were standing by a window looking outside.
Im Jeong-yun, who was moving to introduce the next work, stared intently at one spot.
When her voice stopped, Secretary Park, who had been looking at his tablet, looked up. Watching the situation unfold, he approached Im Jeong-yun and spoke. At that, Im Jeong-yun’s eyes turned ecstatic.
Im Jeong-yun’s lips, coated in light lipstick, moved slightly. She murmured as if confirming an intuition she had felt for a while. Director Han isn’t interested in the paintings, is he? It was a voice only Secretary Park could hear.
After receiving notice a few days ago that Director Han would visit, Im Jeong-yun, as the director, had volunteered to personally lead the tour. Director Han of the Myeong-jun Financial Group had exceptional foresight regarding investments.
If rumors spread that he was interested, not only would the artists’ values skyrocket, but the standing of the Art Atelier Gallery would also change.
The Art Atelier Gallery strictly hosted commercial art exhibitions. Selling paintings was part of the job.
Although Im Jeong-yun had provided long, elaborate explanations without a moment’s rest, Han Seung-jae seemed to be letting them slide.
Rather, instead of looking at the paintings, he had been watching Seo Yi-kyung.
Unaware of that gaze, Seo Yi-kyung was simply staring, as if possessed, at the painting of the languid afternoon.
* * *
After finishing the tour of the art exhibition, Seo Yi-kyung stepped outside the Art Atelier Gallery building. They had spent over an hour viewing the art.
Han Seung-jae reached out and took the umbrella held open by Secretary Park. There was no room for Butler Do to intervene.
As Han Seung-jae’s umbrella covered Seo Yi-kyung’s head, a deep shadow fell over Seo Yi-kyung’s pale face.
The two descended the stairs, retracing the path they had come.
Butler Do walked close to Secretary Park. Soon, Secretary Park approached with quick steps, but Han Seung-jae opened the door to the back seat of the sedan himself. Butler Do’s eyes shook minutely.
Seo Yi-kyung climbed into the sedan Han Seung-jae had arrived in, and Secretary Park took the passenger seat. It seemed there was no room for Butler Do there. After hesitating for a moment, he sat in the car that had been waiting behind. The two cars moved along the same road.
The destination was a high-end restaurant lounge. Seo Yi-kyung looked at the raindrops hitting and sliding down the vast window. The night view looking down from the 120th floor was so beautiful it was thrilling.
Perhaps it was because he had just come from the art exhibition. Watching the rain, he suddenly became sentimental. Looking at paintings wasn’t as bad as he had thought. Some paintings even made him feel a sense of comfort.
He imagined the face of the painter he had never seen and felt a sense of curiosity. However, the reverie did not last long.
“Are you going to keep doing that?”
“……?”
Seo Yi-kyung slowly turned his head. Han Seung-jae’s eyes were narrowed slightly. He reached out his long arm and placed a plate in front of Seo Yi-kyung.
As if drawn, Seo Yi-kyung lowered his gaze to look at the steak, which had been sliced into bite-sized pieces. Then, he looked up at Han Seung-jae again.
Just how long had he been staring?
Seo Yi-kyung had a momentarily thoughtful look in his eyes. Had he done something to make him uncomfortable?
“You haven’t looked at me at all for a while now.”