AMF | Chapter 2.1

The theme of this exhibition was ‘Light.’ Various artists’ works centered around light were displayed throughout. There was a dark room where a spotlight was focused on a single piece, and another room with lights changing colors to show how paintings appeared differently under various lights.

Eunho, the gallery representative, was observing the audience’s backs before moving. On the first day of the exhibition, he was personally roaming around to gauge the audience’s reactions. However, despite his brisk steps, his mind was swirling with distracting thoughts.

With a furrowed brow, Eunho opened his wallet. What he pulled out was a hard, rectangular business card. The name, now familiar, was engraved in English. Below it was other information about ‘Kang Yieon.’

Eunho had learned that he was the CEO of a U.S. investment company and that the company was based in Manhattan, New York. He stopped walking and fiddled with the card in his hand.

‘That’s not all.’

A young businessman residing in Manhattan. The information was intriguing. Despite thinking he should forget about someone he wouldn’t meet again, his curiosity persisted. Eventually, Eunho sneakily searched for Kang Yieon. Within seconds, he was surprised by additional information about Yieon.

‘He’s the youngest grandson of the Shinkang Group. That means Chairman Kang Seokyong is his grandfather.’

Who was Kang Seokyong? A giant who had taken over a small business and grown it into a leading conglomerate in Korea. Such an impressive figure being his grandfather. A man with the title of a successful foreign company CEO and a golden spoon.

Eunho recalled the information he had seen on the search site. Unlike his cousins who inherited subsidiaries of the Shinkang Group, he had started his own company, and the investment firm he founded was thriving.

A question suddenly arose. Why did he return to Korea? He should be busy working in the U.S. Puzzled, Eunho realized he had wandered into a room without thinking.

“Oh.”

He looked up absentmindedly, and his expression darkened. Right in front of him was a large painting. The painting, as tall as a person, was filled with brilliant colors. It was dazzling, reminiscent of diamonds reflecting light.

Eunho slowly lowered his gaze after admiring the blindingly bright painting. The artist’s name was engraved below the painting.

[Ryu Minjun]

His face hardened as he read the name several times. The eyes that had been shining kindly turned dark, and his jaw tightened, forming a faint walnut shape. Eunho put the business card back into his wallet. He had no room to think about Kang Yieon anymore. A cold anger had seeped into his chest.

Turning his back completely on the painting, Eunho went outside. The staff, who had been waiting together, were startled. It was because they saw the expressionless face of their representative. From him, they felt an icy, cold emotion.

“Uh, Representative… was there a problem?”

A senior staff member cautiously approached and asked. Only after hearing the timid voice did Eunho relax his expression. Though his stiff eyes didn’t soften completely.

“…No, nothing. Let’s check out the outdoor exhibition.”

“Please let us know if there’s any problem.”

Eunho shook his head and led the way outside. The staff followed, flustered. Saying it’s nothing, that couldn’t be true. For the usually gentle representative to have such a hardened face, something must have gone wrong. The staff exchanged silent glances.

‘What’s the problem? What went wrong?’

Leading the way, Eunho turned his head to observe the staff’s faces. Seeing them flustered like guilty people, he felt sorry. He had forgotten to manage his expression.

Eunho decided to tell the staff who kept glancing at him. There was no problem with the exhibition. It was just… he wasn’t feeling well. Of course, he couldn’t mention the reason for his condition. Because Ryu Minjun was…

“Seo Eunho.”

Eunho’s eyes widened. Did he hear wrong? But the call was too clear to be a mistake. Looking around, Eunho quickly found the owner of the voice.

“Kang Yieon?”

Yieon was standing in front of a painting displayed outdoors. He nodded his head in greeting, arms crossed. His hair was neatly styled, and he wore a suit that highlighted his firm and slender body. He looked similar to when they first met at the bar that night.

“It’s a great exhibition. I feel like buying a painting.”

It was a face he hadn’t seen in a week. He remembered what Yieon had said just before they parted.

‘I’ll come to see you soon.’

He really did come. Eunho, flustered, approached him. Yieon smiled and turned his gaze to the painting. His eyes sparkled like jewels, admiring the painting as if he liked it.

“How did you find this place?”

“Search.”

“…”

“We exchanged business cards, remember? The gallery address was on it.”

Yieon’s voice was languid and soft.

“Well, I didn’t expect to run into you while admiring the paintings. All the works are great. I was planning to look around and then come find you.”

“Just because I’m the gallery representative doesn’t mean I’m always here. You might have made a wasted trip.”

“Then I would have called. Your phone number was on the card too.”

“…”

“Don’t be so reluctant. You were really sociable when you were drunk. You were the one who gave me your card first, saying let’s get to know each other.”

“Th-that’s not true.”

“It really is.”

There was a playful tone in his informal speech. He seemed amused by Eunho’s surprised reaction.

‘He really came!’

Both cheeks turned red. Seeing him reminded Eunho of what had happened before. Entering any bar randomly, drinking like crazy, crashing at a stranger’s place, and then panicking because he couldn’t remember anything.

Eunho awkwardly cleared his throat and mouthed to the staff, ‘Go about your business.’ He felt a bit relieved watching the staff retreat. He didn’t want to show his flustered state in front of his colleagues.

“Your cheeks are red.”

Yieon’s gaze was already on his cheeks. His eyes were still brightly sparkling. It seemed it wasn’t the painting that made his eyes shine.

“Of course. Kang Yieon, you’re a dark history for me. I’ve never blacked out from drinking before…”

Trailing off, Eunho rubbed his face with both hands. His already red cheeks turned even redder from the friction. Eunho groaned like a sick person and asked.

“Why did you come?”

“I said I’d see you soon. I didn’t want us to just be acquaintances.”

“So why… Why did you want to see me again?”

Yieon hummed and stroked his neck with his long, white fingers. He seemed to be pondering whether to answer. After a moment, Yieon asked a question instead of answering.

“Have you been well?”

“More or less.”

It was a lie. Every day felt like hell. The betrayal of his fiancé kept suffocating him. The hardest times were when Dohoon, the source of all his worries and pain, contacted him. He pretended to be angry with the kind and gentle voice Eunho knew well.

― I was worried. Why aren’t you answering my calls?

He added a few words to the speechless Eunho. He was surprised not to see him at the party. No matter how much he called, Eunho didn’t answer. He expressed concern, asking if Eunho was sick.

― I’ll come to your house.
‘No.’

Eunho barely managed to say.

‘No, you don’t have to. I want to rest alone.’

Trying to stop Dohoon from coming over made him feel nauseous. Dohoon, knowing nothing, acted like a devoted fiancé who cared deeply for his partner. His acting was so perfect, it was infuriating.

“From your expression, it seems you haven’t been well.”

Yieon said, noticing Eunho’s darkened face. Eunho’s forehead tensed.

“Just say I have. I’m trying to live well.”

“Ah.”

Yieon’s smile changed. The playful smile was replaced with one filled with warmth.

“That’s a good thought, Seo Eunho. You’ve thought well. The one who cheated is someone else. The wrongdoer should suffer, not the victim.”

“…Why did you really come? To comfort me? Or did you find my story that interesting? Sorry, but it’s not interesting anymore. There’s nothing more to do here.”

Despite the sharp tone, Yieon wasn’t flustered.

“There is more to do. I’ll make a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

Yieon nodded slowly. As he stared blankly, he caught a whiff of Yieon’s pheromone scent. Though faintly suppressed, it was enough to heat Eunho’s body. The sudden warmth confused him, making him blink irregularly.

“Yes, a proposal. It’s a story both you and I will find interesting.”

Yieon’s whisper pierced his ear.

“Get revenge on that guy. I’ll help you.”

It was something he hadn’t expected. This man really surprised him multiple times.

“Yieon, you’ll help me? Did I hear that right?”

“You heard right.”

“What is this…”

“I looked into you a bit more. You’re impressive, but your fiancé’s family is quite something too. The LE Group, I mean.”

Eunho flinched. Just as he had looked into Yieon, it seemed Yieon had done the same. Well, it wouldn’t have been difficult. Just entering the details from the business card into a search engine would reveal everything. What family Seo Eunho came from, what he studied, what he currently did, and who he was engaged to.

“But it can’t compare to our family. Break off the engagement, and come to me.”

Unbelievable. Eunho was so taken aback, he couldn’t speak. He shot a look that said, “Are you crazy?” but Yieon seemed unfazed. He simply nodded gently, meeting Eunho’s gaze.

“Are you saying… to date you?”

“No.”

Yieon frowned as if displeased. His gaze was reproachful, as if asking why Eunho didn’t understand. Eunho mirrored his expression. He told him to break off the engagement and come to him. After saying something so suggestive, why was he giving such a look? After a moment, Yieon added in his characteristic easygoing tone.

“I mean let’s pretend to be lovers. Not actually date.”

“I don’t understand at all. Ah, I’m not asking for an explanation.”

Eunho raised his right hand and waved it.

“I still don’t know what we talked about when I was drunk. But I’d like it if you didn’t care anymore. It was just nonsense from when I wasn’t in my right mind. Things I didn’t mean.”

“Well.”

“Let’s just go our separate ways. Being with you is embarrassing enough. And pretending to be lovers, it’s ridiculous. Why should I be in such a relationship with you?”

He was short of breath from speaking so quickly. Exhaling his disordered breath, Eunho clenched his fists. Yieon still maintained his composure. He seemed to have anticipated Eunho’s huffing and puffing.