Artist Company (1)
Dad's reaction was similar.
Unfamiliar with art, Dad often failed to understand the masterpieces he saw.
Even looking at a Jason Pollock painting in his office, he merely commented it looked like someone spilled paint.
Now, Dad is smiling brightly, alternating his gaze between the painting and Mom's face.
“Wow, honey. Isn't this beautifully drawn?”
“You're overly glorified in it too, aren't you? Oh my, our Minsu, Minhyuk, Minyoung. They looked like angels when they were little. So very cute.”
Minyoung was stunned by their reaction.
'What about all those beautifully drawn portraits I've done before? The ones with Mom's hand subtly drawn in, or those cunningly hiding fingers upfront?'
The blatantly exposed cut fingers.
But the fingertips are blurred just enough not to look grotesque.
Most importantly, the family in the center of the painting looks so warm that it draws the attention away.
Seeing Mom's positive reaction, Dad quickly stands and points at a large frame in the living room.
“Honey, let's replace this painting with that one. What do you think?”
Minyoung screams in shock.
“Dad! That's a Henri Matisse painting!”
“Henri Matisse or Thierry Henry, I don't care. I never liked this snowman-like painting without even proper facial features. What do you think, honey?”
Expecting Mom to oppose, Minyoung crosses her arms, but Mom's response is astonishing.
“Sure, I'll ask Secretary Kim to change it.”
Frozen in place, Minyoung stammers.
“What... did you say?”
Madame Kang stands up to take a closer look at the painting.
She keeps fidgeting near the painting, as if wanting to touch it, but never actually does. Her hands keep hovering around the children's faces.
Unconcerned with her dismayed daughter, Madame Kang smiles at the painting, then looks up at Jeonghoon standing behind.
“Thank you, it's a wonderful painting.”
“..........................”
Jeonghoon simply smiles, relieved.
Madame Kang turns to her husband.
“You got such a painting, you'll surely compensate properly, right?”
Minyoung hastily interjects.
“I'll pay for the painting!”
Chairman Yoo pushes his daughter aside and raises his hand.
“Of course, of course! Let's say I gifted this painting.”
Madame Kang chuckles and turns back to the painting.
“I'll think about it.”
**
My legs are shaking.
I acted composed, but in truth, I've been sweating since before the painting was revealed.
'It's a relief they liked it.'
Any artist would have confidence in their work, but it seems I still lack the consciousness of being an artist. Nervousness precedes confidence.
Wanting to give the family time, I quietly leave the mansion. The chauffeur secretary bows as I exit.
“Is your work finished?”
“Ah, Secretary Kim.”
A face I've become familiar with during my visits.
He's a chauffeur secretary, a butler-like figure, handling all major and minor matters of the mansion. It's beneficial to be on good terms with him.
I glance back at the mansion and smile.
“Fortunately, it seems to have ended well.”
“..........................”
Secretary Kim looks silently at Madame Kang and Chairman Yoo in the living room, smiling at the painting, then speaks.
“It's the first time I've seen them like a painting so much.”
I take out my phone from my bag and turn it on.
“Has Madame drawn many portraits?”
“................Did you not know?”
“Who would tell me something like that?”
“.............................”
I check my phone for any messages.
‘Huh? Why did Monica call?’
There's a missed call. I should call back. She's a colleague and a client who bought my painting for ten million won.
Ah, right, Monica introduced me to this job too. I should treat her to a proper meal. But what should I buy? Would she be offended if I offered beef tripe and soju?
As I was thinking, Secretary Kim gently asked while guiding me to the mansion's main gate.
“Mr. Ban, the artist.”
“Yes.”
“About Madam Kang’s accident…”
I stopped walking and looked at Secretary Kim.
“Yes.”
Secretary Kim hesitated before asking, “Did you hear about the accident from Madam Kang?”
“No? I couldn’t dare ask. What happened?”
He looked astonished and glanced towards the mansion.
“You painted such a picture without knowing the accident’s details?”
I tilted my head, looking at the mansion following Secretary Kim’s gaze.
“The accident’s details aren’t really related to the painting’s meaning. But did you see the painting?”
How could he have seen it while standing in the garden during the reveal?
Secretary Kim bowed his head and replied, “I apologize, I saw it from outside through a window.”
“Oh, I see. No need to apologize for something like that.”
Secretary Kim looked at me for a moment before hesitatingly asking, “If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask about the painting?”
Because he’s a personal assistant of a chaebol family?
He tends to ask questions in such a formal way, even when he could ask more casually.
“Of course, ask as much as you like.”
Secretary Kim glanced at the mansion briefly before asking, “About the pack of wolves in the background. What’s the meaning behind it?”
Huh? He doesn’t know?
Everyone inside seemed to understand.
“Danger.”
“…………………………”
“To protect the children from the dangers of the world. Isn’t that every parent’s mission?”
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