Honestly Lying ❌

Chapter 23

I reached the resort after 25 minutes. 

"Where's the artist?" I asked the clerk stationed at the reception area.

"Ms. Hong toured her around while waiting for you ma'am. Would you like me to call her?" She asked.

"Yes please. Tell her I'll be waiting at my office."

The clerk nodded.

"And also, send us drinks and snacks inside after." I added before walking my way to my office.

I am so thrilled to meet the person behind that painting. I wanted to know him or her. I wanted to know if they really felt sad while making it. Because if they are, then those emotion successfully reached me.

Just like Chae's works.

I stopped walking and stood right in front of my office. 

I felt pathetic.

I am actually hoping that it's her. That Chae's the one who painted it.

Because deep inside, I'm wishing that she's still alive. That it's not her who died that day.

That's why when I saw that painting, I unconsciously hoped that she would one day show up. And then tell me that she managed to escape from that burning cab. That she survived and lived all this time.

But thinking about it right now made me feel pathetic. I am wrong. She's really gone. Forever.

I should not do this anymore. I should stop hoping for the impossible.

I wiped the tears that escaped from my eyes.

I'll return the painting.

Dahyun was right. It's time for me to let Chae go. For her peace. And mine.

"I don't know exactly why were you crying, but can I atleast help by offering this to you?"

A voice from behind suddenly spoke while I am still in my thoughts. I quickly turned around and saw a woman handing a handkerchief to me.

She's smiling warmly while I just stood there staring at her in surprise.

----
"What are you up to this days Tzu?"

I asked Tzuyu one time when we were eating lunch together. Sana brought her lunch and luckily, she also made some for me.

"Why?" She asked.

"Well, I just noticed that you were always out whenever our staff needs your signature. I can't just keep on signing it on your behalf you know."

She chuckled nervously and avoided my eyes. "Well, just doing this and that."

I shrugged. "Well, it's not that I'm complaining or something. I am just reminding you that we are business partners. You should be involved on the decisions we are making on the spot whenever we encounter problems. Small or not. I don't wanna surprise you with anything if ever."

"Geez. I completely trust you Mina. It doesn't bother me at all. I know that your decisions are for the betterment of our resort. I won't complain whatever it is. I promise."

"Alright. I'll remember that. Don't come complaining to me then when the time comes."

She just took a bite of her sandwich and nodded.

We were still eating when Tzuyu received a call. She looked at her phone and tensed up suddenly upon seeing whoever the caller is. She then looked at me.

"I-I'll just take this Mina."

I nodded. She walked her way out of her office quickly and answered the call outside.

I was staring at her back while she's talking over the phone. It's kinda weird that she talked to that person away from me. She often answers her call on speakers even when I'm around.

Must be something really personal.

I finished eating and returned to my office after.

I looked up at the new painting hanging behind my table.

It's pretty.

And positive.

Unlike the old one. I smiled sadly.

"It's for the best Mina." I cheered myself up.

I sat back to my chair and continued my unfinished work earlier.

----
I took the woman's handkerchief and thanked her.

She doesn't look like a guest. Is she an employee?

She's not wearing a uniform though.

"Oh! Where's my manners. I'm sorry."

She offered her right hand for a handshake.

"I'm Park Soo-young. Manager Hong sent me here first, saying that she needs to prepare snacks for us. I'm the artist behind" Longing". Are you perhaps..." She scanned her phone quickly. "Myoui Mina?"

"Yes." I shook her offered hand. So she's the artist then.

"Longing?" I asked confusedly.

She nodded. "That's the name of the painting you have inside." She answered as she pointed my office.

I see. The name suits the piece well.

I then opened my office using the key I have inside my pocket.

"Have a seat." I said as I sat down on the couch opposite to hers.

She looked at the painting first before sitting. "The painting looks good in here. Too bad, I'll have to take it back. I am really sorry for the misunderstanding. I heard you don't wanna return it. Can I plead to change your mind?"

I took a deep breath before answering. "No need. I'll return it."

She looked surprised. "Really? That's a relief then. I got scared when Ms. Hong said that you're determined on not returning it to us." She chuckled.

The woman looked pretty. She's tall and got hazel brown eyes. She looked bubbly. Too bubbly to be the artist behind that painting.

"Ahm, I'm sorry but can I ask you something."

"Sure."

"When did you paint "Longing"?"

She hesitated for a second before answering. "About 4 years ago."

I see. I nodded.

"Why do you ask?"

I shook my head. "Just got curious, you looked so happy now that it contradicts the emotion you're portraying from that piece."

She fell silent and chuckled after. "Well, things happens." She said hoping for me to drop the subject.

The door opened and Ms. Hong entered with a tray of tea and biscuits.

"By the way, Tzuyu mentioned that the owner of the gallery is disclosing your identity firmly. Is it fine for you to show up here?" I asked.

She took a sip of her tea first. "It's my decision to keep myself away from the public. The old man just obliged."

She continued. "That painting is just that important, for me to gamble my identity and privacy."

I nodded. It must really mean so much to her then. Guess my decision of returning it was right after all. I'm hitting two birds with one stone.

We talked for a while about her other pieces before she called her people to take the painting away and replaced it with the new one.

"Here's my number. Call me whenever you want to buy again." She handed me her business card before finally leaving.

I stared at the new painting. I need to start positively, and this painting is just right.