chapter 10.2

The Rest Art Museum was established by the Hojin Cultural Foundation in 2006 and is operated by Yeonhwa’s mother, Mi-ok.

Yeonhwa worked as a curator there for three years and six months before her marriage. Since middle school, Mi-ok has taken Yeonhwa to museums and art galleries whenever she had time. After that, she always shared with Miok about her feelings and her work at the coffee shop. It was one of the happiest and most enjoyable times for Yeonhwa.

From then on, Yeonhwa had a dream of being a curator, and Mi-ok helped Yeonhwa to make that dream come true.

Standing in front of the museum’s office, Yeonhwa raised her left hand and knocked on the door. When she opened the door and entered, Mi-ok, who was sitting in front of the desk, raised her head.

“I didn’t disturb you, did I?”

“Yeonhwa!”

Mi-ok jumped up from her seat in joy, spreading her arms wide with a bright smile.

“It’s been a while, mom.”

Mi-ok gently patted Yeonhwa’s back as she was embracing her.

“Suddenly without a phone call. What about your body? Are you alright?”

Yeonhwa released her arms around Mi-ok.

“It’s improved a lot.”

Mi-ok shifted her gaze to Yeonhwa’s right hand, who seemed frustrated.

“Isn’t it time for the cast to be removed? Is it uncomfortable?”

“l am going to the hospital next Monday. Except for washing, it is not very uncomfortable.”

“Thank God. How surprised mom was when you had an accident.”

Mi-ok still swept down her fluttering chest. It wasn’t late until they noticed how nice it was to talk to each other again. After the secretary came in with some drinks, as they sat on the sofa, Yeonhwa took a sip of green tea then quietly put down the cup.

“I want to return to work at the museum.”

“Already? Isn’t it too fast?”

Yeonhwa knew well that Mi-ok would be worried. But before the accident, she had a great desire to finish the exhibition plan that was being prepared.

“There is something I must do for the exhibition. I can’t stay home forever.”

“Nothing to worry about because Mina took over the work you were doing.”

Yeonhwa could not hide the disappointment on her face. Even now, it would have been enough to say that her memories had come back and that She could take over the job again, but if that happens, her marriage with Geonwoo could end. Mi-ok reached out and took Yeonhwa’s hand.

“There is nothing to be so impatient.”

There were some gains from lying, but some of them were lost. The fact that she can’t proceed with the planning made her heart sad. She tried to lift the tail of her mouth to smile, but it only felt bitter. Mi-ok added a word and tried to comfort her, but the phone in the office rang.

“Wait a minute.”

Mi-ok, who got up from her seat, walked to the desk and picked up the phone. Even though Yeonhwa didn’t know who the other person was, she could tell that her mom was thrilled. It was because Mi-ok’s tight lips kept rising upward.

“Call me on your cell phone.”

Mi-ok held a pen and wrote down the number on the post-it note. Then she pulled it out and put down the phone. Yeonhwa asked at Mi-ok’s bright expression.

“What good news did you hear?”

“An excellent news. This is the mobile phone number of artist Go Joon.”

Mī-ok said as she was showing the post-it to Yeonhwa.

“Isn’t Go Joon in Paris?”

“I heard the news that he would be coming to Korea, but I think he already came to Korea a week ago.”

The name of Go Joon immediately aroused excitement in Yeonhwa. Go Joon was a painter who lived and worked in Paris, France. It was a well-known fact that Go Joon was Korean, but he/she never revealed himself to the media. Therefore, it was unknown how old Go Joon was, nor were they a woman or a man.

Not so long ago, Go Joon, who had a solo exhibition in New York, USA and received favorable reviews from many people, came to Korea.

“Would you like to contact author Go Joon?”

Mi-ok raised her lips as she was asking Yeonhwa the question.

“We should exhibit the artist’s paintings first.”

“I will do it!”

As soon as Mi-ok’s words were over, Yeonhwa spits out with confidence. Mi-ok, who was smiling at the spoken words without hesitation, quickly changed her expression.

“I know you particularly like Go Joon’s paintings, but this is work.”

“If I hadn’t suddenly lost my memory, wouldn’t you have left it entirely to me?”

Mi-ok quieted her lips. Yeonhwa was a curator with superior skills even compared to other employees. Mi-ok was also thinking so. She wasn’t saying it because Yeonhwa was her daughter. Yeonhwa knew how to discover new artists and maintain a strong bond with the painters. If Yeonhwa hadn’t lost her memories, Mi-ok would give her the chief curator’s position next month.

“Yeonhwa, you know it’s not because I don’t believe in you.”

But for now, she was worried about whether Yeonhwa could do well. Of course, she believed her daughter’s memories would come back someday. Yeonhwa was not anyone else, after all was her daughter.

“The director knows that I can do it well.”

Yeonhwa, who had been called her mother until now, called Mi-ok, the director. Knowing what the title meant, Miok couldn’t come up with the meaning of Yeonhwa at once. Miok, who had been worrying for a long time, handed a post-it note to Yeonhwa.

“Let me not regret giving you the job.”

When she accepted the post-it note, Yeonhwa’s mouth drew a long line.

“Thank you for trusting and leaving it to me, Director.”

In the end, Mi-ok raised her hand to tap Yeonhwa’s shoulder and shook her head as well.