The Artist and His Muse

Chapter 13

A few days later, Jungkook pulled a business card out of his pocket. He looked down at the name and swallowed hard. He wasn't sure he had the courage to call the person who's number was on the small card, but if anyone could understand his situation, this man could.

Park Guk Shin.

Jungkook held his phone with his thumb hovering over the numbers. He finally worked up enough courage to dial the number and then listened as the phone on the other end of the line rang several times. Just as he was about to hang up a voice came over the line.

"Hello?"

"Park Guk Shin?"

"Yes, may I ask who you are? I don't remember giving my card to any men recently."

Jungkook almost giggled at that last statement because it just sounded funny coming from a renown painter and grandfather.

"I'm Choi Yeon Ah's assistant, so to speak. You came to her exhibition on Saturday?"

"Oh yes! Yes! You aren't her assistant, if I remember correctly." The man was smart.

"Yes, sir, you're correct. I was wondering if we could possibly meet? I need some advice that I think only you can give me."

"This is a bold request coming from such an unknown artist, don't you think?"

Jungkook felt nervous all of a sudden and stumbled around before finally settling on a response.

"Yes, sir, I guess it is. But I hear you had a situation similar to mine when you started out also. I was hoping you could just give me some advice. Please help me, sir." Jungkook knew he sounded desperate but he couldn't help it.

"Okay. I'll make a special exception for you. Is it okay if I text the address of a small coffee shop to the number you're calling from?"

"Yes, sir! That would be fine! Thank you!"

They arranged a meeting time for a few hours later. Jungkook rushed through the rest of his work and headed out to the coffee shop.

He walked in to see the painter sitting in a corner, sipping his coffee slowly. Jungkook internally panicked thinking he might be late. He glanced at his watch and thankfully he was fifteen minutes early but apparently not early enough to beat the arrival of a famous painter.

He slid his chair out and carefully sat down. "Hello, sir," he said.

"Nice to see you again. Before we go any futher with this discussion, I insist on knowing your name." The elder smiled widely at Jungkook, putting his nerves at ease a bit more.

"Jeon Jungkook, sir."

"Jungkook-ssi, what is your full time profession? I'm guessing art isn't your main job."

"Ah, no, it's not. I'm an idol, a Kpop idol. I'm part of a seven-member group named BTS." He didn't think the man would know his group at all so he didn't worry about going any further.

"BTS? I thought you looked familiar! My granddaughter loves your group. She's always going on about some boy named Jimin," he chuckled as he talked about his granddaughter.

Jungkook's jaw dropped. He was dumbfounded.

"Let me guess, you didn't think this old man would know about such things, did you? I get around," he laughed again and winked at Jungkook, making the younger man laugh lightly. "Now, tell me how I can help you?"

"Oh, ah...well, you told Yeon Ah that you had also started your art career Iike this. Using a person to represent you until your work could be honestly recognized. How did you decide to come forward as the actual artist and begin using your own name and face to represent your art?"