Chapter 36 (2) - The Mysterious Art Museum
At that moment, there's a commotion in the corridor. The lady straightens up like a spring and quickly moves away from me. As soon as the lady reveals herself, she bows and silently heads towards the kitchen.
I was about to get up to greet Mrs. Kang when she stopped me with a smile.
"Greetings are unnecessary, we've been seeing each other for three days now."
"But still."
"More importantly, about the portrait."
"Yes?"
"Is my portrait in the style of Alphonse Mucha?"
"Pardon?"
"Your painting style."
"Oh, no, it's not."
How could that be?
A portrait for such a mansion should naturally be a traditional, realistic one to maintain its dignity.
As I pondered how to explain this well, Mrs. Kang spoke first.
"Just curious. If not, that's fine."
Hmm, it seems like the correct answer is no. That's a relief.
But where has she seen my painting? Oh, the refrigerator. Like the auntie mentioned earlier. Mrs. Yoo Min-yeong being a board member of MG Electronics, perhaps she received an early production model? Has it already been made?
Curious but hesitant to ask about the household items, I casually opened my notebook. I should continue what I was working on. What story should lead our conversation today?
As I pretended to sharpen my pencil to buy time, Mrs. Kang asked me a question.
"You like Alphonse Mucha?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes. He's one of my favorite painters."
"I see. You painted a portrait for Monica too, didn't you?"
"Yes, that's right. I heard she's a friend of your daughter. That's why she entrusted this job to me."
"I'd love to see the painting you made for Monica."
"Haha, it's no longer in my possession."
"Maybe I should ask Monica to show it to me."
I continued the conversation, twitching my eyebrows.
Something had changed.
Not just her attitude, but her interest in me.
It seems yesterday's hour wasn't wasted after all.
Yes, this will do.
Slowly, gradually opening up the heart.
Mrs. Kang spoke first again.
"Actually, I got one of your refrigerators."
So, it was true.
But, how? Even for a powerful family, it's only been a week since the board meeting. How did they get the product so soon? Is there anything money can't do in Korea?
Mrs. Kang smiled slightly, tiredly.
"I had some trouble changing the kitchen interior, but it was worth it."
How they got the fridge is none of my business.
I felt a pure joy seeing a customer's satisfaction with a fridge featuring my design.
"Haha, you really like it?"
"Oh, were you not confident?"
Mrs. Kang's eyes widened in surprise.
I quickly sketched her expression in my notebook. It was the first time I'd seen it. I began sketching her face, as memory has its limits.
The detail differs when drawing someone familiar versus a stranger.
Klimt must have taken a long time to complete a portrait for this reason.
Enough time to observe the exterior and contemplate the interior.
Yesterday was mere doodling, but today I started a real sketch, smiling.
"The design for Monica's portrait, do you approve?"
"Your own painting?"
Ah, should I call that my painting?
I pondered, looking at Mrs. Kang's face.
Her expression seemed to urge me to speak.
Why do I see my mother's face overlaid on hers?
I don't know why, but I don't want to lie in front of this person.
Why am I thinking this? I can't organize my thoughts.
But what's the harm in being called crazy? I won't see her after the portrait is done, and she's not a colleague.
Hmm, but saying that art galleries make me dream sounds crazy even to me. Let's omit that.
"Actually, I had a dream."
"Eh?"
"A dream."
"Suddenly, what about?"
"That painting on the refrigerator."
"Oh, a scene from your dream?"
"No, actually."
I calmly talked about how in my dream, I followed the life of Alphonse Mucha and saw his last moments. It's just a dream anyway, whether she believes it or not.
Madam Kang blinked in amazement at my astonishing story.
"So, is that painting a gift from Alphonse Mucha in your dream?"
"Yes, something like that. Ha ha, I thought it might be a painting from my memory, so I searched the internet, but it wasn't there. I felt it was too good to just bury, so I entered it in a competition and, to my surprise, it was accepted."
"My goodness."
Madam Kang's astonished expression.
Not the slightly startled look from yesterday, but a genuinely surprised one.
This is the first time I've seen such a face. I quickly turned the page in my notebook and sketched her current expression.
Hm, even if I don't get any useful information from today's conversation, the harvest is quite good?
The more sketches of various expressions I have, the better the painting will be.
Good, very good.
Let's continue to share many stories and gather information for the remaining period.
I'll also sneak in sketches of various expressions.
I smiled, looking at Madam Kang's face, feeling pleased with how well things are going.
Originally, I should be the one entertaining Madam Kang, but strangely, it feels like the conversation is being led by her, and I'm enjoying it more. But what does it matter?
As long as I reach my destination, it doesn't matter which route I take.
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