Ephemeral | Heehoon

5

It wasn't to Heeseung's surprise when he heard the mention of the art agent. He had done thorough background research on him after finding everything that the girls shared in common. After their questioning with the professor, Heeseung decided that Sunghoon would visit the art gallery the girls were pointed to. It was an impulsive decision but they were running short of time, especially since they couldn't trust the professor. He could warn the agent at any time.

"Reporter, you'll be giving the agent a visit. I'll put together his information in the meantime." Sunghoon nodded at Heeseung's command but before the detective could even see it, Heeseung was already gone. Sunghoon frowned but he wasn't stupid, he understood the severity of the whole situation. He shook the thought out of his head and did as assigned.

- - -

Sunghoon carefully adjusted his disguise as a wealthy art collector before entering the agent's prestigious art gallery, his heart racing with anticipation. As he made his way through the elegant displays, he couldn't help but notice the agent's predatory gaze fixed on a young woman with strikingly familiar features- brown eyes and heart-shaped lips.

She was the artist behind one of the paintings, and Sunghoon's suspicions deepened as he witnessed the agent's unsettling behaviour towards her. It was clear that the artist was uncomfortable and Sunghoon scowled. Keeping his composure, Sunghoon approached the agent, playing his role to perfection as he prepared to unravel the dark secrets hidden within the gallery's walls.

"Kim Jaehyun," Sunghoon smiled as he extended his arm to shake hands with the agent, who had his arm wrapped around the small of the artist's back, his fingers squeezing the flesh beneath. The agent flashed Sunghoon a smile, before meeting his hand with Sunghoon's and raised a brow, "I'm afraid I don't recognize you, have we met?" Sunghoon forced out an airy chuckle.

"We haven't but I must say, what you do is impressive, Agent Kim. I've heard lots about you. Isn't that right, Jagi?" Sunghoon turned to the artist and brushed her cheek with his thumb, noticing the fear in her eyes subsiding and turning into something fierce. The girl giggled, pushing herself off of his hold as soon as his grip loosened and stepped closer to Sunghoon, "I thought you weren't coming back for some time, I missed you."

Sunghoon smiled and pulled her close, planting a soft kiss on her forehead, "Wouldn't miss this for the world." When they pulled back, the agent sighed and turned his attention to the painting in front of him. "How about you wait in the car?" The artist nodded and rushed outside, not once looking back at the art gallery that almost cost her her whole life.

Once she was gone, Sunghoon took it as an opportunity to get his attention, "She's impressive, isn't she?" The question easily rolled off of his tongue and he turned to face the agent, "I want to buy her piece but I don't want to while I'm here, her colleagues could easily inform her. It's meant to be a surprise. Will you be able to come down to my office so we can close the deal?" Sunghoon smiled as he handed the agent his card and the agent nodded.