Side Story (Part 4)

Her prediction was correct.

As soon as Do-jin came home from work, he held Seo-hye and wouldn’t let go.

Seo-hye kept dodging his lips as they came down on her, trying to start a conversation.

“Do-jin, what if we only do this during our honeymoon?”

He nibbled on her cheek, then released it, softly whispering a question into her ear.

“Then what should we do during our honeymoon?”

“……You know. Those sweet things……”

“What, like cooking together?”

“That’s nice too…”

“Drawing together?”

“I like that too.”

“Watching TV together.”

“I like everything. I think I’d like anything as long as it’s with you, Do-jin.”

Do-jin chuckled softly. Then, he gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear as he continued the conversation.

“Since there are no ingredients at home, let’s postpone cooking for now.”

“Uh-huh… Right.”

“How about drawing? You said you wanted to draw each other while looking at the Seine River during the honeymoon.”

Come to think of it, she had dreamed of that when she was in high school, seeing a postcard of the Seine River.

That she would one day go to France and directly look at the Seine River to create a more beautiful painting than the postcard with her own hands.

So when Do-jin recently shortlisted a few honeymoon destinations, she said France.

And they decided to draw each other’s portraits there while looking at each other.

“…Right. We did say that. We should.”

Do-jin chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around Seo-hye’s waist as if to bind her. Their chests pressed tightly against each other.

“There’s nothing else to do but this, in the end.”

“….”

“If you don’t want to pout, then suggest something else.”

In truth, nothing else came to mind in their current state, with their bodies pressed together, and seeing Do-jin’s deep gaze only made Seo-hye want to embrace him more.

“Let me do it instead.”

Seo-hye grasped Do-jin’s cheeks and parted his lips with hers.

She then pulled away and slowly began to undress him.

However, with the last words of being too slow, her body was lifted.

The door to their bedroom closed mischievously once more.

Seo-hye’s words about needing to pack for their morning flight were drowned out several times by the sounds of their intimate contact.

***

One year later.

Three months after the opening ceremony of the Seonghan Art Museum, the first exhibition was held.

As it was the day the paintings of artist Lee Seo-hye, the true owner of the works attributed to artist Lee Hwa-woong, were being revealed for the first time, it garnered immense interest.

Those who viewed the paintings did not hold back their praise, saying that Seo-hye was an even more skilled artist than Lee Hwa-woong.

The most excited person at the exhibition was neither Seo-hye nor Do-jin, but Eung-soo.

Taking advantage of Do-jin’s sudden trip to the Busan branch due to company issues, Eung-soo was busy showing off Seo-hye, proudly introducing her as his grandson’s wife.

Seo-hye felt as if she had become a doll, which she didn’t particularly enjoy, but she reminded herself that Eung-soo was, after all, Do-jin’s grandfather in public, and she fulfilled her duties.

“Oh, Congressman Kim.”

“Chairman. Your granddaughter-in-law’s painting skills are quite extraordinary. She’ll mark another milestone in the history of Korean art.”

“Haha. Who do you think chose this granddaughter-in-law?”

“If there are any unsold paintings, please let me know.”

Seo-hye’s temporary secretary, assigned for the exhibition, whispered in her ear.

“Madam, all the paintings have been sold.”

Seo-hye was surprised but managed to mask her astonishment with a polite response.

“I’m sorry, but it seems all the paintings have been sold.”

Eung-soo briefly looked bewildered but then laughed heartily and praised Seo-hye. Despite following Eung-soo around, Seo-hye found it hard to focus, knowing that all her works had sold out in less than three hours since the exhibition opened.

“Dear. Let’s go upstairs with Congressman Kim and have a cup of tea. He said he wants to receive a painting from you separately.”

Furthermore, Eung-soo kept dragging her around, which annoyed Seo-hye, so she eventually took a step back from him and said,

“Chairman. I shouldn’t have a full stomach if I’m to entertain important guests. I’m already on my third cup of tea, and I’m too full of water.”

Eung-soo made a disapproving cough.

However, Seo-hye stood her ground.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll stay here. It would look odd if the artist isn’t present.”

Without a response, Eung-soo left with Congressman Kim.

Finally relieved, she took a deep breath and looked around the hall.

Watching people view her paintings one by one, her heart began to feel heavy.

About a year and a half ago, when she was living in Cheongun-dong, she couldn’t have imagined presenting her paintings under her own name to so many people.

However, shortly after they got married, Do-jin immediately established an art gallery under the name of Seonghan for Seo-hye, and he didn’t hesitate to support her so she could hold exhibitions soon after.

Thinking about how she met such a person, there are still many times when it doesn’t feel real.

“Madam.”

“Yes?”

“There are people who would like an explanation about your paintings.”

Seo-hye hid her joy and moved to where the secretary directed.

***

Around ten at night.

Without a moment to sit, Seo-hye had been greeting guests and even conducting the docent tour herself, leaving her utterly exhausted.

Too tired to even go home, she sat in the office waiting for Do-jin, eventually nodding off.

She was so weary that she didn’t fall into a deep sleep, but it was hard to open her eyes. Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted.

Without the strength to be surprised, she slowly opened her eyes and smiled weakly at the sight of her husband.

“Do-jin.”

“You must have been really tired today.”

“Very much. I’m completely worn out. Maybe because you weren’t here, it felt even harder.”

Do-jin lightly kissed her forehead and continued to brush his lips against hers.

“You did well. I tried to come early, but it didn’t work out.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re busy, and besides… this exhibition wouldn’t have even opened if it weren’t for you, Do-jin.”

Seo-hye snuggled deeper into Do-jin’s arms and whispered.

“I’ve been so busy preparing for the exhibition that I haven’t even properly thanked you, Do-jin.”

“The fact that you worked hard to prepare is already thanks enough.”

Seo-hye slightly pulled back her head to meet his gaze more clearly.

“Did everything go well in Busan?”

“Yes.”

“Do-jin.”

“Seo-hye.”

“Yes?”

“Me first.”

“What?”

“There’s something I need to confess.”

“What is it?”

“I did something wrong.”

Seo-hye widened her eyes and asked him to put her down. He carefully lowered her to the ground.

“What did you do wrong?”

“…”

“Did you cheat on me while you were in Busan?”

Do-jin frowned.

“How could that be possible? Leaving you?”

“Then there’s no way you did anything wrong, right? Or did you talk behind my back to Secretary Yoo?”

“What do you take your husband for, Seo-hye?”

Do-jin laughed incredulously and flicked her nose with his finger. Seo-hye grabbed his hand and said,

“Come on, tell me already. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

What could Do-jin possibly have done wrong?

In the past year, he had never once troubled her or neglected her.

What could he have done wrong to make him admit it himself?

Seo-hye’s anxious eyes met his again.

“I was too greedy.”

Seo-hye frowned and reached out to hold his hands.

“What is it? Tell me quickly.”

“I bought all your paintings.”

Seo-hye was so taken aback that all she could do was blink.

Do-jin looked down at her carefully and slowly began to speak.

“They’re the first works you painted with complete focus after leaving Cheongun-dong.” 

“…”

“It was too upsetting for me to give them to someone else, from my perspective.”

“….”

Do-jin looked at the silent Seo-hye, unsure of what to do.

Instead, he held her hand tightly, pulling her closer and asking for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry if you’re angry.”

“Why would I be angry?”

“You’re not angry?”

“It’s not like you bought them because you thought they wouldn’t sell. You bought them because you wanted them. Why would that make me angry?”

Seo-hye smiled.

Then she slipped out of Do-jin’s grasp and hugged his waist tightly.

“Actually, it’s rather nice. To be honest, I couldn’t sleep last night either. These are the first paintings I’m putting out into the world under my own name, not my grandfather’s….”

“….”

“The thought of having to give them to someone I don’t even know was unsettling. I have a special attachment to these paintings.”

“No wonder I wanted to buy them.”

Do-jin murmured softly as he embraced Seo-hye, who was nestled against him.