Once More, Love 3

21. Stopovers

"Oh." Chaeyoung's eyebrows scrunch after looking into Mina's direction. His hand is still on the sand castle that he and his son are playing with. "Who..."

From afar, it can be seen that there are two men standing by the shore and pointing to the direction where Mina is seated on the sand. And with Mina right now, there is a man sitting about a foot away from her.

"Chaemi." The painter calls out to the busy boy who is patting what looks like great walls of China leading to the sand castle.

The kid answers without looking at his father. "Ne, Dada?"

"Stay right here. Okay? I will just check something with mommy."

"Ne." Chaemi replies again without even paying a glance to the painter.

Chaeyoung then stood up from the sand and began brisk walking to where Mina and the unknown man are currently seated. While he was nearing them, he was able to overhear their ongoing conversation.

"Are you sure you won't be available, miss? It's a huge party. It'll be fun! Our beach house is just a ten minute walk from here."

Mina politely bows with an awkward smile. "Sorry. I really am not into those kinds of things. Plus, I came here with other people. We also have plans later tonight."

"I can wait." The man insists. "What time does your commitment with them end? I'm sure waiting for you will be worth—"

Chaeyoung finally reached the dancer's feet. "Yeobo." He swiftly bends to peck Mina's cheek. The dancer was looking a bit shocked as the painter just smiled at her. Then, Chaeyoung turns to the man who is now gazing back at him. "Who is this... boy?"

The man scoffs, glances at the sand, then back to Chaeyoung. "Out of all the people on earth. Who would've thought I would actually run to Son Chaeyoung and his mystery wife in this part of Korea?"

Despite the attitude thrown to him, the painter's expression doesn't seem fazed one bit. "Excuse me?"

"I'm an art collector." The man stands up from the sand while nodding to himself. "And I know you. And now..." He flashes a smirk. "I know her."

"Great." Chaeyoung exhales sharply. "I'm glad I don't have to explain it further. So it's clear now that you can't invite her to your late night party, right?"

"Oh. Actually, I can." The man chuckles. "I just did. Multiple times. It's just too bad she is so faithful to her awfully lucky husband." He then gives Mina a look, smiles at her, and politely bows. When he looked again at Chaeyoung, he offered a handshake to him. "Take care of her, sir. We're both art persons so we know how much of a gem she is."

Chaeyong scoffs but takes the handshake anyway. He presses the man's hand stronger than he should while looking at him dead in the eyes. "Too bad you can't see how just as good she is on the inside."

Mina who was just silently watching the scene unfold in front of her, stifles a smile. From her point of view in the sand, she can clearly see how Chaeyoung had to tiptoe because the man is way taller than her petite guy.

"The art industry is a small world." The man maintains his smug face while returning the same strength of handshake Chaeyoung seems to be giving him. "I hope we'd meet again sometime where we could be our professional selves. Bambam's the name, by the way. Such a shame you don't know me. But, maybe you'd want to remember me this time."

Chaeyoung scoffs and finally pushes the man's hand away. "Just go."

Bambam shrugs at the painter, then playfully salutes at Mina before turning his heel around. "See you around, Mrs. Son!"