Clues
A Butterfly in a Vase (4)
"Director Cha."
The owner of the voice upon arrival****** that surprised Gaon. His sharp eyes and firm voice, which even made the people next to him feel intimidated, out of nowhere came the gentle and calm. It was hard to believe that he was the same person who threatened the dead by putting a sword around his neck.
His appearance was also very different from his usual appearance, which was sharp. With her hair down and generous cardigans hugging her thin body, she looks like a college student in her early 20s. Is his face supposed to look this young? If we meet on the street, will I miss it?
"Good morning."
"Yes." Yeah."
Ji-Won who greets politely, carefully watches Gaon who answers in a low voice and sweeps his hair that has not dried. As soon as his sleeves were lifted and his wrists slightly opened, Ji-Won's neat brows swayed. He knew he was thin, but his white wrist with blue veins was too thin and slender. It was as if he could break it if he made up his mind and gave it a bit of strength.
'The sword looked heavy, how could he swing it with that wrist? Unexpectedly, could it be that his bones were strong?'
"I heard you were on vacation."
"It's okay. I happen to have something to do in London, so I'm leaving the country tonight.
“Gallery works?”
"Yes. I heard that there will be a vase Emile Galle* in Sotheby's*. This is a work that fits the concept of the autumn exhibition I planned, but it is not a one or two cent business, so I have to see it in person before buying it.”
[T/N: Emile Galle (8 May 1846 in Nancy – 23 September 1904 in Nancy) was a French artist and designer working in the field of glass, he is considered one of the major innovators in the French Art Nouveau movement. He is best known for his Art Nouveau glass art design and Art Nouveau furniture, and was the founder of the School of Ecole de Nancy or Nancy, a design movement in the French city of Nancy.]
[T/N: Sotheby's (/s) is an American multinational corporation founded in the United Kingdom with headquarters in New York City. It is one of the largest brokers of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, and collectibles in the world. It has 80 locations in 40 countries, and maintains a significant presence in the UK.]
Gaon smiled faintly at Ji-Won's reply. He looked like he was looking at a commendable obedient child. 'That's great.' Ji-Won feels a very complicated and strange ambivalence at the whisper.
The CEO remembers what I did? But I don't have to work harder at the gallery because of what he said. What do you mean it's great? I'm not a preschooler, but.. Why do I like it so much? Ji-Won suddenly feels like a child for praise even at the age of thirty.
“If important. I can go alone, so Director Cha can do his own thing.”
“No, the auction is next week, so I have to go before that.”
No. gabe. If I really went to do my business, I don't think you'd make trouble, but Kwon's siblings wouldn't leave me alone. As expected, Hee-Joo's face immediately changed and she shook her head strongly as if it was impossible.
“It makes no sense for the CEO to go alone on a business trip. In addition, you will go to a foreign country…. If you're really going to do that, I'll follow you.
"How can a person who can't even climb into the attic because of his acrophobia be able to get on a plane?"
"Why did you throw him out?"
“I regret calling someone who is on vacation. Jayden will be out when I arrive in London.”
Excuse me sir. If you think that's true, I wouldn't have been summoned here from the beginning, would I? Ji-Won, who is watching the war of words between the two, takes the makeup bag without saying anything and puts it in the bag. At first glance, Gaon's claim doesn't seem to work.
“CEO, are you really going to do this? Even in Hong Kong back then..”.
"How long will you keep talking about it?"
“I will do it until I die, and I will write it down in my will and hand it over to the next generation. So promise me, you will never go alone, please.”
“Hah, okay. I'll stay next to Director Cha.
“Do not forget that there is a way to check everything later.”
"All right."
Hee-Joo, who constantly nags even as Ji-Won stuffs her suitcase, closes her mouth only after Gaon, who silently nods, pats her on the shoulder a few times. Even so, Ji-Won's heart is very anxious to see how worried her eyes are (Hee-Joo).
It's only a five-day business trip, including back and forth, but is this a big deal? Is there a big risk I don't know about this business trip? Ji-Won glances at the rearview mirror before she starts driving the car to the main road, and sees Hee-Joo, who is still standing in front of the gate, looking towards the car. Although the car had already passed far away, its silhouette was already visible. The impatience and worry on his face felt intact.
What is the relationship between the two? It is more than affection to be considered a simple working relationship, but it is too polite to have a blood relationship. What else is going on in Hong Kong?
Waita minute. Why am I so curious about someone's personal life? The suddenly conscious Ji-Won cuts off the question that keeps biting her tail. Then he focused on driving by just looking ahead. He was a little curious about the situation in the back seat, but he did not bother to turn his head to check it out.
***
Gaon, who called the crew to prepare the bed along with the seatbelt sign turned off, lowered all window coverings as soon as the mattress was installed. Seeing her lying in her pajamas in a hurry, she seemed determined to sleep.
"CEO, shouldn't you eat?"
"Later. I'll sleep first.”
“This will be the night when you arrive in London. If you sleep now, I think you will have trouble adjusting to the time difference.”
“I know..., I couldn't sleep last night. I was in Jungcheon until 7 am.”
Ji-Won, who is secretly troubled by the need to take care of all these basic things, opens her eyes a little wide.
"At 7 this morning?"
"Yes." Yeah."
“If you need anything, contact me immediately.”
"Yes." Yeah."
“Are you not wearing an eye patch? Do you want me to close the door?”
"NO. Not needed."
Gaon, who replied in a whisper, closed his eyes gently. Although it seems like she didn't fall asleep right away, Ji-Won carefully arranges the lights and curtains and returns to her place. Although he ended up feeling a little comfortable, he felt nervous inside even though he did not want to.
Ah.., it was really a turbulent day. The trap is that the day is not over. Even by London standards, there's still 17 more hours in a day, right? Ji-Won, who immersed herself deeply in the carriage and groaned with her eyes tightly closed, opened her eyes slowly after feeling a sudden sense of hunger.
She had a bad breakfast because she was facing her aunt's suspicious gaze, and it had been a long time since lunch. It is very uncomfortable to leave a sleeping person and eat alone, but it is also impossible to starve together. Ji-Won who glanced at Gaon who was flipping through immediately called the flight attendant.
“I want to eat. I want steak, medium cooked, for the main course. Do not drag the cart, and please insert enough salad. No need to get dressed. Just baguette for bread. And for dessert, I want every kind of fruit.”
"Yes sir. I'll be preparing your meal soon.”
“Do not disturb the person sitting next to me. I'll tell you when I need something.”
"Yes sir."
Ji-Won, who looks at the chair next to her during a meal, reflexively frowns whenever Gaon flinches. To have a sleep disorder like this. He said he stayed up all night, but he also can't sleep well now. Wouldn't it be better to take medicine and sleep well? No, then he won't be able to sleep in London anymore. It will continue to be a vicious cycle. Sighs…. Let's get rid of that. I can't do anything about it. How will it help him if I keep glancing at him?
Ji-Won, who consciously takes her eyes off, casually drinks coffee and chooses a movie. He couldn't drink alcohol and stretch from the standpoint of appearing as his boss' assistant, so he had to do something to hold the boredom in his calm mind. She played a movie that had a good plot among the ones she had watched before because she had not come across anything that was not particularly liked. But an interesting movie every time he watches it is strangely boring today. Is it because the screen is too small? He's not impressed.
Ji-Won, who yawns many times while watching a movie, takes out a draft for the exhibition and begins to tear apart. Normally, he could concentrate for two or three hours, but strangely, this did not attract his attention either. Why can't I concentrate today? Am I tired?
Ji-Won, who shakes her head from side to side while rubbing her shoulders, stops moving when she sees Gaon's neat face lying on its side. It seems like he's finally asleep. He's been back and forth for over two hours. But his face is very small. His facial lines were the same even though he was lying on his side. He had not noticed before because he always had a harsh expression, but surprisingly Gaon had very delicate features. It was a face that could attract people's attention. Ji-Won wants to draw her face at least once. But I can't draw people's faces….
For some reason, his hands felt so itchy that he had to clench his fists in disappointment. Suddenly, the plane encounters an unstable and highly fluctuating airflow. Then Gaon who was asleep with regular breathing opened his eyes like a ghost. Oh, of all things, the plane should be shaking right now. He wanted to let her sleep for a few more hours. Ji-Won silently kicks her tongue inside as she sees Gaon lifting her body with a face completely lost from her sleep.
"…What time is it?"
“It's 7 o'clock passing slightly in Korean time. If you're not going to sleep again, let's eat first. Lady Kwon told me to make sure to feed you twice a day.
"Well, I gotta eat."
"The main dishes are steak and roast perch, what should I order?"
"Anything."
It was the answer that put Ji-Won in a dilemma whether or not both of them were okay. They say he is the one who eats whatever is served. Is it better to eat well-digested fish because it tastes less? Ji-Won, who thinks for a moment, suggests a third option while looking at Gaon who drinks a cup of cold water, as if his mouth is dry.
"CEO, do you want ramen?"
"...Ramen?"
"Do you like it? If you have no appetite, I think you should eat something spicy. ”
"Well, I've never tried it before."
Have you ever tried ramen? Not ever? How can modern civilized people do that? As the always calm Ji-Won cannot hide his surprise at the unexpected answer, Gaon looks a little awkward. No matter how dark Gaon's world was, he knew that ramen was a very popular food.
“Do not let Bu Kwon know that I eat instant noodles.”
I think I know the reason now. Mrs Kwon had to choose the organic ingredients carefully for each meal and prepare a royal dinner for her. Ji-Won, who immediately nods, recommends the menu again, but to her surprise, Gaon chooses an adventure.
"Then let's roost."
“This ramen…. I want to try it.”
After a while, Gaon, who received a steaming bowl of ramen, initially seemed a little embarrassed by the more voluptuous aroma than expected. However, as soon as he tasted it carefully, his expression changed. Looking at Gaon, whose eyes are wide open, Ji-Won understands for the first time the feeling of a mother feeding her baby for the first time. He was so proud that someone ate the food he recommended with pleasure.
"Do you like it?"
"It's very nice."
"That's a relief. Anyway, this is a secret from Mrs. Kwon.”
"Yes. I'll save it.”
Gaon, who nods inevitably with the chopsticks, is so funny that Ji-Won chuckles without even realizing it. Then, he began to appreciate Gaon eating ramen with his chin resting on his palm. He did not know the look of charm on his face the entire time. Gaon was also unaware that he had never shifted his gaze elsewhere because he was busy emptying a bowl of ramen.
~☆~☆~☆~
Help Follow Tiktok Author Account yes guys @khoeruldilah1 @akbarrifqi67