Epilogue (Part 3)

“Phew.”

Seo-hye let out a long sigh, feeling stifled, and paused dressing for a moment.

Meanwhile, Do-jin, who had entered the dressing room, spoke up.

“Are you not ready yet?”

It seemed that what Seok-young brought was not only Seo-hye’s clothes.

He was dressed in a new suit, looking neat and tidy, different from yesterday.

Seeing him looking impeccable, as if he was about to go to work, made her heart flutter for no reason.

“I’m almost dressed…! Please wait outside.”

Do-jin tilted his head slightly, trying to peek at her back, then closed the distance.

“Can’t you dress yourself?”

He quickly moved behind her, placing his hand on the zipper that had not yet been pulled up.

When his firm fingers touched the middle of her back, Seo-hye flinched.

The heat of desire quickly spread in Do-jin’s eyes.

“Try not to show such reactions before going out.”

When Do-jin spoke as if warning her, Seo-hye just nodded without saying a word.

Do-jin, taking in the sight of her white skin through the clothes, slowly zipped her up.

As the zipper reached just below her nape, Seo-hye hastily turned around, thanked him, and stepped back.

At the slight distance, Do-jin laughed as if feeling empty.

“I was going to kiss you after dressing you up, but why are you running away so quickly?”

“How could I not notice when your breathing is so rough…!”

Do-jin chuckled and pulled her forward by the wrist.

Then he slowly lowered his gaze from her forehead.

Everywhere his gaze touched seemed to burn with a blossoming heat.

When Seo-hye cleared her throat awkwardly, Do-jin slowly opened his lips.

“You look beautiful.”

Seo-hye lightly blushed under her eyes and fiddled with her skirt.

“Right? It’s because you gave me such… beautiful clothes.”

“No, I was talking about you.”

Seo-hye lifted her gaze to look at him.

“It’s worth dressing you in expensive clothes. You make anything look artistic.”

At the compliments falling right in front of her, Seo-hye bit her lower lip for no reason.

“Now I see, it’s not just your hands that are national treasures.”

“What?”

Do-jin’s fingertips slowly circled in front of her eyes, then pointed to her toes.

“Your whole body is a national treasure. Whatever you wear becomes art, and it mesmerizes those who see it.”

“Y-you must be crazy.”

Seo-hye stuttered heavily and pushed him away.

Do-jin pulled her hand and drew her close.

Without asking for permission, he immediately captured her lips, inserting his tongue and fervently caressing her inner mouth.

Excitedly pulling her close, he embraced her tightly, breathing into her several times until she wobbled and he let her go.

“…Now I have to redo my makeup.”

Seo-hye grumbled, wiping her saliva-slicked lips with the back of her hand.

Do-jin moved her hand away and wiped her lips with his own hand, replying,

“You don’t need lipstick. Seo-hye, you’re beautiful just as you are.”

Do-jin gently held her hand and led her out of the room.

Even as she was being led by him, Seo-hye felt so overwhelmed with happiness that she was out of breath.

Life in Cheongun-dong, where every morning started with verbal abuse, seemed like a distant memory now, she was so happy.

***

The place they moved to was Eung-soo’s favorite Korean restaurant.

When they moved to a private room located deep inside the restaurant, Eung-soo was already there, seated.

Seeing Seo-hye freeze immediately, Do-jin gripped her hand tighter and greeted Eung-soo first.

“Chairman.”

“Ah, you’ve come.”

Eung-soo gestured with his eyes towards the other side, indicating for them to sit.

Before sitting, Seo-hye bowed deeply to greet him.

“Hmm, yes. It must have been hard to come.”

On the way to the restaurant, Seo-hye had imagined various scenarios she might encounter upon meeting Eung-soo.

That as soon as she entered the restaurant, a cup might fly at her. Or he might pour cold water on her as she greeted him.

If not that, as soon as she arrived, he might shout in anger about how she dared to touch his precious grandson.

However, the reality was very calm and peaceful.

Of course, the awkwardness was unavoidable.

Until the food arrived, there was silence among the three.

And even after the food was served, Eung-soo didn’t say much beyond commenting that the food at this place was quite good and urging them to eat.

As the time dragged on, Seo-hye glanced at Do-jin.

She wondered if perhaps Eung-soo didn’t actually want to see her, and it was Do-jin who had insisted on bringing her along.

Sensing Seo-hye’s gaze, Do-jin looked at Eung-soo.

“Chairman, it’s a bit uncomfortable to just have someone sit here after being invited.”

Seo-hye was so shocked that she almost gasped internally.

How could he speak like that in front of his grandfather?

Eung-soo closed his eyes tightly. Upon closer inspection, his eyelids were trembling slightly.

He seemed to be holding back his anger.

By the time Seo-hye’s nervous gulp was audible, Eung-soo opened his eyes and smiled.

“Well, all the buyers of the paintings have agreed not to hold Seo-hye responsible.”

Seo-hye’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Do-jin added an explanation for her.

“The Chairman is making arrangements so that you can paint without any issues.”

Seo-hye flinched in surprise and looked at Eung-soo.

“I failed to properly assess people and almost brought Lee Hwa-woong into Seonghan. Hmm.”

Silence followed.

“Anyway, I thought it was only right for me to handle the noise that arose because of this.”

Seo-hye recalled the articles about Seonghan bringing in Artist Lee to boost their art business and the engagement news between Do-jin and Hae-mi.

Indeed, since the whole country had been made aware of the connection between Seonghan and the artist Lee Hwa-woong, Seonghan would want to handle it neatly.

“For whatever reason, thank you, Chairman.”

In response to Seo-hye’s soft-spoken gratitude, Eung-soo nodded.

“And… fortunately or unfortunately, everyone still wants your paintings, Seo-hye.”

“My paintings?”

“It’s indeed an extraordinary painting. How about coming to Seonghan and painting there?”

Seo-hye furrowed her brows as if she had misheard.

“I’ll support you generously, so become my granddaughter-in-law and paint to your heart’s content.”

Seo-hye was so shocked that she couldn’t even close her parted lips.

Instead of scolding me, was he now asking me to marry Do-jin?

“Uh, Chairman.”

“I’m not very patient. I’d like to hear an answer first.”

Seo-hye looked at Do-jin.

Do-jin closed his eyes briefly as if asking her to understand.

“Ah. Ah. Yes.”

As Seo-hye stammered, Eung-soo looked somewhat relieved.

“You’ve made a good decision. Seonghan’s support for your painting activities won’t be bad. You might become the most renowned painter in South Korea.”

Seo-hye couldn’t believe if this was a dream or reality and couldn’t respond properly.

Just then, there was a knock, and Eung-soo’s chief secretary entered.

“Chairman, it’s time to move to your next appointment.”

Eung-soo stood up without any regret, like someone who only works for a fixed period.

And he glanced at Do-jin.

Do-jin watched Eung-soo with an expressionless face and spoke dryly.

“That’s enough. You can go. Seo-hye and I will set a good date for the wedding.”

Seo-hye couldn’t fully understand why Do-jin was so cold towards his grandfather, but what mattered more was that she could officially be by Do-jin’s side now.

Eung-soo muttered quietly about the impudent boy as he walked towards the door. Then he paused for a moment.

“Ahem.”

Silence followed.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke to Seo-hye.

“If… if it’s alright with you, would you paint my portrait?”

Seo-hye was momentarily dazed, then quickly nodded her head.

“Yes…! As long as it’s alright with you, Chairman, I’d be happy to.”

“Thank you.”

Leaving only those words, Eung-soo exited the room.

Seo-hye, still unable to hide her surprised expression, called out to Do-jin.

“Um, Do-jin. Isn’t the Chairman unwell? Suddenly asking us to get married and… his face was so flushed at the end.”

“Maybe he was sincere about what he said at the end.”

“What?”

Do-jin stood up.

And he extended his hand toward Seo-hye.

“Let’s go.”

“Again? Where to?”

“I’ll get you a ring. The most beautiful one in the world.”

As Seo-hye, feeling weak, tried to stand up, she sat back down.

Do-jin, without any intention of helping her up, muttered to himself.

“…But I wonder if such a thing exists.”

“What?”

“Nothing, because there’s nothing more beautiful than you, Lee Seo-hye.”

Do-jin gently kissed her forehead and helped her up.

“Let’s go, to prepare for the wedding. It’s taken too long.”

The words “it’s taken too long” made Seo-hye’s heart ache a little.

Perhaps it was something she should have said first.