The Vanishing Portrait

chapter 2

Y/N awoke to the sound of her alarm blaring, the remnants of a strange dream fading from her mind. In her sleep, she had been wandering through an empty art gallery, the paintings on the walls shifting and changing with every step she took. The eerie silence of the dream still clung to her, leaving her with a sense of unease.

Shaking off the lingering feelings, Y/N sat up and rubbed her eyes. Today was the day of her interview at the Kim Gallery—the opportunity her aunt had set up for her. She had heard of the gallery’s prestige and fame, but it wasn’t just any art institution; it was tied to the legacy of the elusive and enigmatic CEO, Kim Taehyung. Her mind flashed back to the brief search she had done the night before. The man was a walking enigma: cold, powerful, and surrounded by rumors that painted him as both brilliant and ruthless. He had a reputation for his demanding nature and was known to fire people on a whim.

Y/N’s stomach twisted with nervous excitement as she got ready for the day. She stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting her blazer and smoothing down her hair. "You can do this," she whispered to herself, trying to exude confidence. Deep down, she knew this was the kind of job she had been searching for—one where she could truly use her skills and make a difference in the world of art history. But the thought of working under a man like Taehyung sent a shiver down her spine.

As she left the house, her aunt waved her off with a bright smile. “Good luck, Y/N! Don’t forget to smile and show them what you’re capable of!” she called out.

Y/N waved back, trying to shake off her nervousness. “Thanks, Auntie. I’ll do my best!”

The bus ride to the gallery was a blur of anxious thoughts. She tried to focus on her qualifications—her extensive knowledge of art history, her experience in various internships, and her passion for preserving and curating works of art. Yet, no matter how much she tried to calm herself, the thought of meeting Kim Taehyung kept creeping back into her mind. His intense gaze from the photos she’d seen online seemed to follow her even now.

When she finally arrived at the Kim Gallery, she was struck by the sheer grandeur of the building. The gallery was housed in a historical estate, a sprawling structure with towering columns and intricately carved stone walls. It was the kind of place that made you feel small, as if you were stepping into a world filled with centuries of history and untold stories.

Y/N’s breath caught as she walked through the massive iron gates and into the garden that surrounded the gallery. The path leading to the main entrance was lined with sculptures and statues, each more intricate than the last. As she approached the front doors, she could already feel the weight of the gallery’s legacy pressing down on her.

Inside, the gallery was even more impressive. The walls were lined with priceless paintings and artifacts, each one carefully curated to tell the story of different eras and cultures. The air smelled faintly of wood polish and old books, and the soft echo of her footsteps made her feel as though she was walking through a time capsule.

A friendly receptionist greeted her and directed her toward the office where her interview would take place. Y/N took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way down the quiet, marble-lined corridor. Her shoes clicked softly against the floor, each step bringing her closer to the moment she had been both anticipating and dreading.

When she reached the door to the interview room, she hesitated for just a second before knocking softly. A deep, calm voice from the other side called out, “Come in.”

She pushed open the door and stepped into the room, immediately hit with an overwhelming sense of presence. Behind a massive oak desk sat none other than Kim Taehyung himself. He was even more imposing in person than in the photos she had seen. His sharp, well-defined features seemed to command the space around him, and his dark eyes held a depth of intensity that made her feel exposed. He was dressed in a tailored suit that emphasized his tall, lean frame, and his expression was unreadable as he looked up from the papers on his desk to meet her gaze.

“Y/N, is it?” Taehyung asked, his voice deep and smooth, though lacking any warmth.

Y/N swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, sir,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

“Sit,” he commanded, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

She obeyed, sitting down and clasping her hands together in her lap, trying to calm the nervous energy bubbling inside her. For a moment, Taehyung said nothing. He simply observed her, his sharp eyes assessing her in a way that made her feel as if he could see right through her. The silence was heavy, but Y/N refused to let it break her composure.

Finally, Taehyung leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him. “Tell me,” he began, his tone casual but laced with authority, “why do you want to work here? The Kim Gallery isn’t just any place for an art historian. It requires dedication and commitment to the preservation of not only art but history itself.”

Y/N took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking. “I’ve always been passionate about art, but more than that, I’ve been passionate about preserving history through art. The Kim Gallery is renowned for its collection of rare and priceless works that span centuries, and I want to be part of that legacy. I believe that art is one of the most powerful ways to connect with the past, and working here would give me the opportunity to contribute to that preservation.”

Taehyung’s expression didn’t change as she spoke, but his eyes remained locked on her, studying her every word. When she finished, he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his desk.

“You’ve had several jobs in the past, yet none of them seem to have held your attention for long,” he said, his tone sharp. “Why should I believe you won’t grow bored of this position, like the others?”

Y/N felt a flush of embarrassment but quickly composed herself. “I’ve been searching for a position that truly challenges me,” she explained, meeting his gaze with as much confidence as she could muster. “The jobs I’ve left in the past didn’t offer that. I’m looking for something that excites me, something that pushes me to grow as both a historian and a curator. I believe the Kim Gallery is that place.”

For a moment, Taehyung said nothing, his eyes never leaving hers. The silence stretched on, and Y/N felt her heart racing in her chest. Was he going to dismiss her just like that?

Finally, he stood up and walked around the desk to stand directly in front of her. He was tall, his presence almost overwhelming as he looked down at her. “I don’t tolerate mediocrity,” he said quietly, his voice low but filled with authority. “The Kim Gallery is my legacy, and I expect nothing but the best from anyone who works here.”

Y/N nodded, her pulse quickening. “I understand.”

Taehyung’s eyes softened just slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. “Very well,” he said, stepping back toward his desk. “You’ll start on Monday. Don’t disappoint me.”

Y/N blinked in surprise, hardly believing her ears. “Thank you,” she stammered, standing up and offering a polite bow. “I won’t let you down.”

As she left the office, her mind was reeling. She had the job—but something about Taehyung’s intense gaze and cryptic words left her feeling unsettled. She had a feeling that working at the Kim Gallery was going to be more than just a job.

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