His Paws On My Palms [DoShin]

CHAPTER 20: A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

These past few nights, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was constantly thinking about Shinyu. I wondered what he felt after our awkward encounter with Youngjae that day. I had no idea why I was feeling this way, but something gnawed at me, a sense of unease as if I had done something wrong.

To escape these intrusive thoughts, I decided to visit the museum again. I needed to shift my focus onto something important, especially with my family struggling financially.

I found myself standing in front of Museo d'arte e di Persone, the same museum I had visited before.

"Oh my! Is that really you?" I flinched as someone called out. I turned towards the source of the voice and saw the cute, bubbly owner.

I pointed at myself, confirming if he was talking to me. It was just me there.

"Yes, you are, beautiful person," he said.

As he approached, he quickly hugged me, taking me by surprise. I almost lost my balance but managed to regain my footing.

"It's nice to see you again!" he said, releasing me. I gave him an awkward smile.

"I'm just disappointed!" he blurted out, his expression suddenly turning serious. My throat went dry, fearing I had done something wrong. I was speechless.

"What took you so long to come back? Day by day, I was expecting you," he explained.

My jaw almost dropped. I had never promised him, nor told him that I would come back every day.

"I'm sorry, I was just busy at school," I said.

"Okay! Reason accepted, welcome back!" he said, his mood shifting as quickly as the wind.

What the? He's so weird. His moods change like a flip of a switch.

"Oh! By the way! You just missed him!" he said.

"Sorry?" I asked.

"The artist! Remember the painting I gave you?"

I nodded, realizing what he meant.

"He just left when you arrived. It would have been amazing if you guys met."

"I see, too bad I came late," I said.

"Don't overthink it. That guy is obsessed with someone, he doesn't even want me to introduce you to him. He's driving me crazy," he said.

"What?" I asked, genuinely confused. It wasn't that I hadn't heard him clearly, but rather because of what he had said.

"Oh, nevermind. Come on, let's talk inside," he said.

"Okay," I replied.

The museum was bustling with visitors, which I had expected.

"It gets busier nowadays, now that we sell some products, from paintings to art materials," he explained.

"So that explains why," I replied.

We continued walking towards his office. This guy, he's a lot younger than me, but his entrepreneurial mindset amazes me. I wonder if he comes from a family of businessmen because if he does, I wouldn't be surprised.

"I wanted to expand my horizon, I also wanted to help aspiring artists to create a value of their masterpiece," he said.

"You talk like my father," I commented. It was as if my family was having a business meeting.

"Really? I'm sorry," he said.

"It's fine, I'm used to this kind of conversation, my parents are businessmen," I said.