Honestly Lying ❌

Chapter 32

"I'm really sorry Mina. I just recognized someone from that group. She's a regular of our gallery. I cannot just disclose my real identity right there. So I used the name of your late lover. I was so nervous that I couldn't think properly. The only name I remembered is that person whom we just recently talked. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to stir your feelings."

I closed my laptop harshly when I remembered what Chae said last night. 

After crying and hugging her, thinking that she regained her memories, she quickly bid goodbye to that group and talked to me privately. She then explained the situation to me.

And I couldn't help but walk out on her after. She tried to follow me but I quickly went to my car and drove home.

I am not mad. I am just.. hurt? Disappointed?

I don't know! 

I sighed and decided to catch some fresh air outside.

I walked around and when I entered the lobby, one of my employees came up to me.

"Ms. Mina, the painting materials that you've ordered just got delivered. Where should I put them ma'am?" She asked.

I looked behind her and saw a box on top of the reception desk. "Are those the materials that you're talking about?" I asked pointing to that box I just saw.

She nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Okay. You can bring that to my office. Thank you."

The female employee slightly bowed at me and then left to do what I instructed.

Painting huh? I almost forgot about that I excuse I made. Will Chae still do it after what happened last night? She might be sulking right now with guilt.

I sighed. I need to talk to her.

And without thinking twice, I went to her room and knocked. But I got no answer. 

Is she out?

I tried knocking again but still no response. When I turned the knob to check if it's locked, it clicked open.

She doesn't lock her door? What if someone comes in? 

That thought annoys and worries me at the same time. I'll have to give her a scolding later. I wanted to close the door back but something urges me to come inside.

'Okay! I'll just check if she's here. If she's sleeping, then I leave and lock the door. If she's not here, I'll do the same of course!'

I let out a deep breath. What am I even thinking right in the middle of the day? 

I cleared my mind first, then went on my way inside her room. The bed is already done and there's no Chaeyoung sleeping there. 

So she's out?

Or so I thought, because just as I was about to look around, the door of her bathroom flung open and Chaeyoung on her bathrobe went out.

Oh God Lord, why do I always see Chae every after her bath? This is plain torture.

"Mina?" She exclaimed.

She looked as shocked as I am. 

"Uhmm. Hi?"

It was really awkward. I wanted to stare at her but can't, so I looked here and there just to avoid her eyes. Then my eyes landed on the exit door. I moved my feet and walked towards it but got bumped on Chae.

She moved faster than me and blocked my way.

"I.." 

I gulped. "I'll just wait outside." I successfully completed my sentence without stuttering.

"You're already here. No need to go anywhere." She said closely to my face. 

I was trying so hard to avoid her gaze that I ended up looking into her lips. 

It's red. 

And inviting.

"I'll change inside the bathroom. Just wait here." She said and quickly grabbed her clothes with her, back inside the shower room. 

When she closed the door, that was when I breathed. I didn't realize that I held it in the entire time. I then sat on her bed as my knees lost it's strength to support me. 

Images of Chae's lips kept on playing back in my head. 

I slapped myself. I need to wake myself up. There are much more important things than Chae's lips right now!

Minutes later, a fully-dressed Chaeyoung went out. She quickly went towards me and bowed 90 degrees in front of me.

"I'm sorry Mina! I'm really sorry! I know that what I did last night is so stupid. I forgot to consider your feelings and just blurted out the name without thinking! Please forgive me." 

She said it straight while her head is still down. I stood up and tapped her shoulders.

"If you're really that sorry." I paused.  She tensed up. "Then let's start doing the portrait later."

-----

"I'm all set now Mina. We can start anytime." 

Chae said after she setted up everything she needed. I was on the phone that time so I just gave her a thumbs up.

"I am just waiting for someone Hyung Soo-ah, we can start when he arrives." I later told her after my call.

She looked puzzled but she just shrugged and didn't ask any question.

Not so long after, the person I am waiting for, arrived.

"Momma!" 

Chaemin exclaimed when he entered the office together with his nanny. I quickly went to him and hugged him tight. He then giggled when I showered him kisses on the face.

"That tickles Momma." He complained while laughing.

I felt a stare and saw Chaeyoung looking at me and to my son alternately. Her forehead forms a straight line and her brows furrowed as her eyes narrowed at us.

I also looked at her and introduced Chaemin. "This is my son Hyung Soo-ah. Would you mind making a portrait of us together?"

I saw her hand clenched on the brush she's holding but she smiled at me. She nodded and turned around to prepare.

"Sure thing. We should start then so that I can finish this in the remaining days of my stay here."

She sounded annoyed and in hurry to leave, when she said that. Her mood also changed and didn't even gave me a glance after that.

I know that she's just so focused on what she's doing but I couldn't help but notice the sudden change. 

Did I do something to upset her?

"Let's eat dinner together?" I asked her after I sent my son home. That kid is already sleeping on his nanny's shoulder so I decided to send him home first.

"Your son needs you. You should also head home now." She answered without even looking at me.

I was taken aback with the coldness of her tone.

She's upset. That I am sure now. But why?

"My son is already sleeping. And I also wanted to treat you some dinner since you agreed on letting my son join in, even if it's so sudden." I said to insist.

"I'm not hungry." But she remained cold.

So what I did, is sat on the couch and waited for her. When she noticed that, she wrapped up and covered the canvass then went straight out without saying a word.

I was so surprised that I followed her so late. She already went inside her room and locked it.