chapter 23

“The wrong rumors need to be corrected.”

The distance was close enough to convey the sound of breath, and Yeonhwa’s head went blank. Because of that, she didn’t immediately understand what Geonwoo was talking about.

“You correct what rumors?”

“It’s a ridiculous rumor that I have another woman.”

A voice that was sticky like honey wrapped around Yeonhwa’s ears. She didn’t drink a lot of champagne, but her head was dizzy. The top of Yeonhwa’s lips, where his breath hit, tickled. She couldn’t make eye contact with Geonwoo, and closed her eyelids halfway, thinking.

“You care. Again. I didn’t even give permission, but you rudely clapped my heart.”

Yeonhwa raised her eyes and looked straight at Geonwoo. Still looking down at Yeonhwa, Geonwoo did not avoid the gaze he encountered. Rather, he tilted his head and released his boldness. Then again her heart pounded.

“I don’t know how many people behind my back are looking at us,” Geonwoo said.

Yeonhwa thought there was no way to know because he didn’t have eyes behind his back, and there was no time to worry. Her only interest was the lips of this man, who seemed to touch her lips. The people over the glass door were chattering, but their eyes turned to them. From the moment they entered the hall, the main characters were them, not Miri.

Hojin Group’s only daughter Song Yeonhwa and Daejin Group’s only son Yoon Geonwoo have always been on the topic of people. Naturally, people were curious about their relationship. Will the two live happily ever after? People’s curiosity was slowly being solved by Geonwoo’s actions. Yeonhwa, hiding the trembling, reflected in his dark eyes.

“So, what are you doing with me now?”

Yeonhwa was guessing that Geonwoo would kiss or do something similar to silence the rumors. He was the one who kissed for comfort so it wouldn’t be strange if he kissed her now. Even though she knew what to expect, the nervousness remained. While waiting for his answer, her mouth felt dry and her fingertips felt cold, and her heart seemed to stop beating. However, Geonwoo just looked at her and his lips slowly opened.

“Well, I’m thinking about what to do.”

Yeonhwa’s pupils rattled at his low voice. She wanted him to kiss her. She didn’t want him to let go. Then, Geonwoo’s hand passed around her hair and his index finger swept her neckline. At that moment, Yeonhwa closed her eyes tightly as if she was preparing for the expected moment. Meanwhile, Geonwoo felt no different than her. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to do so, even more, when he saw the men looking at her at the ceremony. He wanted to monopolize her and wanted everything to be his from her white skin, her red lips, everything.

However, even though their desires were already reaching their limits, they could not do what they wanted. He was still cautious. He was afraid that Yeonhwa would not like his sudden change of behavior. It took him a long time to have the courage to hold her in his arms like this and it was hard to let go. It was lovely to feel the warm air on his lips and seeing her gentle trembling lips. And so he thought even if she would resent him, he wanted to keep her in his arms forever. He wanted to do so with all his heart.

*****

Sitting at the end of the bed, Yeonhwa only stared at the floor with unfocused eyes, and there was no motion. She has been in this state since returning from the ceremony. Then, her toes in the slippers wriggled, and the arm that held the pillow gradually became stronger. In an instant, Yeonhwa, who held the pillow tightly, lay on the bed and rolled around, screaming with frustration. “Ugh!” She closed her mouth with a pillow in case her cry leaked out the room.

She recalled the kiss they had was soft and warm. Then she removed the pillow that pressed her lips and quickly raised her upper body. She knew she had to sleep because of work tomorrow, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t sleep at all. A few hours ago, kissing Geonwoo on the terrace felt like a dream. But then the corner of her mouth that had risen went back to its place, and her shoulders dropped down.

There was only one thing that bothered her. If there was no woman, why would Geonwoo ask for a divorce? Yeonhwa was curious, but she didn’t want to know the reason. She may know it later, but at least it was not now, because she was in love. She was afraid to know the secret.

💞💞💞

The next day, Geonwoo, who was sitting at the desk, watching the news in the office with Secretary Kim. On a large TV screen, a photo of Seol Hyungsuk, with whom DS Fashion was trying to sign a contract, was displayed.

[On the last 3 days, painter Seol Hyungsuk, who was known for his warm and bright colors, was caught in prostitution in an officetel in downtown Seoul. Just two weeks ago, painter Seol dismissed the rumors of prostitution on his SNS as a misunderstanding, but the scandal has come under public criticism after it became known to the world.]

Geonwoo, holding the remote control, extended his long arm and turned off the TV. Seol canceled the meeting ahead of the contract with DS Fashion. And shortly thereafter, there was a news article about a collaboration project with Taeyang Korea, which was on par with DS fashion. Geonwoo didn’t expect the cancellation, however, he felt relieved after knowing the painter’s scandal.

“Mr. President, it seems that it was God’s hand that we did not get involved with painter Seol.”

When Secretary Kim, who couldn’t hide his smile, said, Geonwoo shook his head slightly. He put his elbows on the armrests of the chair and tapped on his temple, thinking deeply. As the target audience for the project was women, there was no way for Taeyang Korea to continue a contract with the artist who committed prostitution. Taeyang Korea would be looking for a new artist, and there was guaranteed that Go Joon would be nominated to replace artist Seol’s position. He had to succeed in signing a contract with Go Joon before the Taeyang Korea group did. Geonwoo corrected his posture and instructed Secretary Kim.

“Tell team leader Lee to come up right away.”

The team leader of the planning team, who had been depressed for several days, stood in front of Geonwoo with a guilty face. Since he had roughly guessed the reason Geonwoo called him in, the team leader moistened his dry lips with his tongue. Geonwoo, leaning deeply on the chair, opened his mouth.

“How is the process of recruiting artist Go Joon?”

Gulp, the team leader swallowed hard.

“I talked to artist Go Joon on the phone last Thursday, and he turned down the collaboration proposal.”

“Did he tell you the reason why he declined?”

When Geonwoo asked without a change in his expression, the leader of the team dropped his head down.

“He just said he wouldn’t do it as soon as I asked, and he kept avoiding my contact.”

Geonwoo knew how much passion this team leader had put into his work. However, there was no good result.

“If you give me a few more days, I will ask artist Go Joon to meet in person.” The team leader said, bowing his head.

“If Taeyang Korea gets to artist Kojun first, this project may have to be closed.”

“Is Taeyang Korea group recruiting artist Go Joon as well?”

“It’s just speculation. Artist Go Joon is famous so I would be surprised if they haven’t contacted him already.”

The team leader, who was convinced, closed his mouth and nodded. Then Geonwoo tore off a white post-it note in front of the computer and handed it to the team leader.

“Please write down artist Go Joon’s phone number.”

“Are you trying to contact him directly?”

“Yes, because there is no time to delay.”

As Geonwoo pointed to the post-it note, the team leader walked closer to the front of the desk and wrote down Go Joon’s phone number. After team leader Lee left, Geonwoo picked up his cell phone on the desk. As he was about to make a call to Go Joon, the number appearing on the screen somehow seemed familiar, but he quickly dismissed it that he was mistaken. After pressing the call button, Geonwoo held the phone in his ear. The tone rang for a very long time and passed. The other party didn’t answer the phone. However, the moment he was about to put the phone on the desk, a call came. It was from Go Joon. Geonwoo pressed the answer button and brought the phone to his ear.

[Hello, this is Yoon Geonwoo, president of DS Fashion. I contacted you to ask if you’re interested in a collaboration project.]

Go Joon said nothing. The phone didn’t hang up. And after a long silence, Go Joon said in a voice full of laughter.

[I guess you haven’t saved my number. I saved yours though.]

Geonwoo immediately recognized the number. It was from the man who had the car accident with Yeonhwa and that same man who knew Yeonhwa a long time ago. He was bothered by this entanglement. And this time, he was silent. Go Joon, who knew enough about the reason Geonwoo lost his words, opened his mouth instead.

[You must have been surprised because I am Go Joon.]

Geonwoo was indeed surprised. It wasn’t simply because he was the man with memories of his wife, but also because he was the artist who Geonwoo was looking forward to doing business.

[Yes, I was very surprised. Your name is not Go Jun-young, but Go Joon.]

[I was also surprised. DS Fashion is not an ordinary company. Besides, you’re the company’s president. We hid a lot about each other, didn’t we?]

Throughout the phone call, Geonwoo continued to worry. When he knew Go Joon’s real identity, Geonwoo didn’t want to get involved anymore. He wondered if he should give up this project. At the end, he decided not to let his personal feelings interfere with business.

[Let’s meet and talk.] It was Go Joon who made the first proposal.

[Do you have time today?] Geonwoo asked.

“[Today I have an appointment.]”

[Let me know when you’re available, I will clear out my schedule.]

[In Korea, information can leak out fast fast. I’m thinking of changing my cell phone number tomorrow, so I’ll contact you after changing it.]

In France, Go Joon could control his own information as well as his cell phone number. However, the moment he entered Korea, everyone knew about it, and shortly afterwards, his cell phone number began to spread all over the place. Fortunately, his place was still unknown to the outsiders.

[Please contact me.]

[Well then.]

Just before the phone got hung up. A faint voice was heard over the cell phone.

“Artist Go Joon?”

It was Yeonhwa’s voice. Geonwoo’s lips were wide open, but the phone had already ended. After arriving on the second floor of the museum, Yeonhwa once again confirmed the message from Go Joon. Only one photo arrived without any content, a painting by Emanuel Nielsen on a long wall. Yeonhwa, breathing deeply to release the tension, slowly moved to the place where Go Joon was. As she reached the area where Nielsen’s painting was hung, her steps gradually slowed down. There was a man, who was standing with his back facing her, seemed deeply drawn in by the painting on the wall. Yeonhwa, who stood behind the man, carefully moved her lips.

“Are you Go Joon, the artist?”

When the man turned halfway around at Yeonhwa’s gentle voice, her eyes widened.

“Hello, Song Yeonhwa.” Go Joon called out her name with a bright smile.