Chapter 29 (2) - The Mysterious Art Museum
"Ah, the card."
Scanning the surroundings with a flustered gaze, I spotted the card sensor and quickly placed my card against it. Then the door closed, and I felt the elevator ascend.
It feels like I'm entering a castle of the Demon King, making me increasingly tense.
I wish this damned elevator had a display showing which floor it's on, something to look at while waiting. But there's nothing inside this elevator to indicate where I am.
Trembling with just my legs, I waited for the elevator to stop, feeling a slight pressure on my spine and instinctively knowing I had reached my destination.
The doors opened, and the interior was revealed.
Of course, the CEO's office in a conglomerate hotel would be decked out with expensive furniture. When I lifted my head, imagining the high value of everything, I was shocked once again.
"Wow, is that really an original?"
The first thing you see when you step out of the elevator is a wall with green wallpaper.
On it hangs a painting as large as a person.
The problem is that it's a painting by Jason Pollock.
This tragic icon of Abstract Expressionism, born in 1912, revolutionized modern American painting with his drip and action painting techniques.
Up close, the texture of the paint is alive.
"Wow, it really is an original."
Crazy, a painting I should be seeing in a museum, why is it here?
How much would this even be?
Standing in front of a painting rumored to be worth several hundred billion, my legs tremble. Then, a beautiful and composed female voice is heard.
"Mr. Ban Jeong-hoon?"
I whip my head around with eyes wide as if caught peeking in a women's bath, and a beautiful woman in a sky-blue suit with shoulder-length hair enters my view.
"Oh, yes."
The woman approaches and extends her hand.
"I've heard a lot about you from Monica, I'm Yoo Min-young."
Her hand, with thin white fingers.
Clean hands without any trace of nail art, yet they seem too luxurious to shake.
After rubbing my palms on my trouser legs, I awkwardly shake her hand in a mortifyingly humble posture.
"I'm Ban Jeong-hoon."
Damn, this isn't right.
I'm not some subcontractor here to get orders, I'm an artist. Get a grip, man.
Fortunately, she seems unbothered, releasing my hand and gesturing to a seat.
"Please sit here, would you like something to drink?"
"Just water is fine."
"Alright, one moment."
I glanced around and reluctantly sat on a sofa that looked more expensive than what I could afford even if I sold my studio's security deposit. Suddenly, I realized that Min-young, who had been talking to me, had disappeared, and I looked for her.
"Huh?"
Min-young appears in the distance, carrying a tray with a cup of water.
Don't CEOs in places like this usually press an intercom and ask someone to bring things? Why is this precious lady fetching water herself?
That's when I realized that there's no secretary in this room.
What's going on? Is she a conglomerate who doesn't want to appear like one? But even the chair in this luxurious room seems too expensive for me to afford.
Min-young places the glass of water on the table in front of me and sits opposite.
She looks at me for a moment and then speaks.
"Monica was right, you're very handsome."
"Ah.. thank you."
"You probably know, but I'm the major shareholder of MG Electronics."
"I'm aware."
"The refrigerator they're about to launch, I was very impressed."
"It's all thanks to Monica being such an amazing designer. Honestly, I didn't expect my paintings to be designed that way."
"Ha, everyone knows Monica's capabilities. Did you know? During her school days..."
Min-young shares stories of Monica's school days, dripping with charisma, stories so funny that I couldn't imagine them with her current image, melting away the tension I felt from meeting a person of a wealthy family.
As I listened to her jokes, I smiled, realizing the change in my heart.
'This is her ability.'
An impressive ability.
A boss who can thaw a frozen heart and allow it to perform at 100%.
If she were my boss, maybe working would be a bit more enjoyable.
After chatting and laughing for over 30 minutes, I naturally connect the conversation to Monica and this job.
Monica mentioned that you were going to entrust me with a job.
Ah, yes, right. Look at me, all lost in other stories.
Min-young, pretending it was her fault to save me from embarrassment, is somehow likable.
She smiles lightly and says.
There are two things I would like you, Artist Ban, to take care of.
Oh! Two opportunities? That's great.
What are the tasks?
Min-young extends a finger on each hand and explains.
Well, technically, it's just one task for now. Depending on how the first one goes, we'll decide whether to proceed with the second.
I bite my lip slightly, realizing the hidden meaning in Min-young's words.
A test.
A relatively easy task to verify my capabilities before entrusting me with the real job.
Monica had done something similar with me.
Of course, given my current reputation, this is still an opportunity.
At least it's not like I have to walk the streets again, painting portraits with no other opportunities.
What's the first task?
Min-young smiles and nods her head.
Don't worry, it's in your area of expertise.
Ha, it seems like its another portrait.
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