Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: Beauty Portrait
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Who on earth is this beauty who came looking for me?
And someone who knows about this studio, no less.
Of course, it wasn't like there were no beautiful people among my acquaintances who knew about this place.
But most of the guests who'd visited so far had at least run into the staff once, so even if they described someone to me, they wouldn't do it in such vague terms.
"Did they maybe leave a phone number or something?"
"No, they just asked me to pretend I didn't see them, but I figured I should mention it just in case. I'll head back down now."
"Ah, yes. Thanks for letting me know."
Click.
The staff member headed back down to the first floor, leaving me to sink into thought.
[This is going to be tough to figure out.]
I couldn't just blindly call up everyone I knew who was familiar with this place and ask if any beautiful women among them had stopped by.
"Beauty" was way too broad a descriptor.
It was practically impossible to narrow down who it might've been based on that alone.
So, I decided it was pointless to keep agonizing over it.
My only option left was to wait.
[She'll come back eventually.]
Whoever it was had clearly sought this place out, so the chances were high she was someone I knew.
Which meant she'd probably show up again sooner or later.
For now, all I could do was wait for her return.
That's when Daeun, who was working on her underdrawing, piped up.
"Daddy! Why?"
She must've been curious about what the staff had said.
"Oh, apparently someone came by the studio yesterday while we were at home."
"Who?"
"Daddy doesn't know either. From what I heard, she was a total beauty, but she told them not to mention she'd been here."
"Really?"
Daeun pondered that intensely for a moment before chiming in.
"Pretty aunties are super pretty! Auntie Aram's pretty! Auntie Erina's super pretty too! And!"
If it had been any of them, the staff definitely would've recognized her.
Aram had visited the studio often, and Erina was a celebrity, after all.
I chuckled at Daeun rattling off pretty people in response to the word "beauty."
"Yeah, you're right. But since she asked them not to say anything, she probably wants to keep her visit a secret."
"Why? 'Cause she's shy?"
"Yeah."
Shy, huh.
Well, that could be it, but it might mean something else too.
For example, she might be someone who couldn't let others know she'd been here.
"Yeah, could be."
"Daeunie's super curious! Who is it?"
Even this topic seemed fun to Daeun.
She grinned mischievously, lost in her little imaginings.
"Whoever it is, let's give her a huge welcome if she comes back. Sound good?"
"Yeah! Good!"
Daeun beamed with delight at my suggestion...
But at that point, I had no idea.
No clue that I'd be utterly shocked when I finally met her.
Time flew by, and soon it was time to head home.
"Alright, let's head home."
"Yeah! Daddy!"
With that, Daeun grabbed her used supplies with practiced ease and headed inside.
At some point, she started tidying up on her own without me asking.
I'd tried to do it at first, but then I thought letting her handle it would build her independence, so I let her.
As she washed and organized the stuff we'd brought,
Daeun came dashing back, plopped something down, and bolted off without a backward glance.
Normally, she'd look back for praise.
Swish.
Finding that odd, I paused my tidying to check what she'd left behind.
It was a plate and a cup.
[Does she know she messed up?]
The cookie, still in its goofy poop shape, sat there untouched.
She must not have been able to throw it out, so she'd left it like that.
It was cute, but I'd have to talk to her about it later.
Not to scold her, just a gentle reminder.
Clink.
I washed the cup that had held the chocolate milk and set the cookie aside without tossing it.
It'd get a bit soggy, but I figured we could eat it at home, so I put it back in its original bag.
That's when—
Ding-dong!
Someone rang the intercom.
In the middle of cleaning, I couldn't go answer it myself, so I called out to Daeun.
"Daeun! Looks like someone's here. Could you get the door?"
She flashed a bright smile at my request.
"Yeah! Daeun-ie can do it!"
With that, I heard her pattering footsteps racing to the door.
I sped up my tidying to greet the guest.
Then Daeun's voice rang out.
"Who... Oh! Pretty big sis!"
"Yeah, pretty big sis?"
I startled at the sudden shout, then blinked in surprise at the voice that followed.
"Is this the studio of Painter Daeun Lee, by any chance?"
A woman with a soft, melodic voice.
Could this be the one from yesterday?
Dash!
I quickly dried my wet hands and hurried to the door.
There, standing in the open doorway, was a woman whose long hair was half-hidden under a deeply pulled-down hat.
I knew instinctively she was the visitor from yesterday.
"May I ask who you are?"
At my question, she hastily removed her hat.
"Hello. I'm so sorry for showing up out of the blue without calling ahead. I'm, um... well, you probably don't know me, but... Ki-, Kim Taerin..."
"Ki-, Kim Taerin...?"
I hadn't recognized her with the hat on.
But the moment she said her name, I knew exactly who she was.
And I could guess who had told her about this place.
"You're actress Kim Taerin, right?"
"Ah, yes. That's me, Kim Taerin."
Holy crap.
Who could've predicted that actress Kim Taerin would visit Daeun's studio?
I gave an awkward smile and asked,
"What brings a celebrity like you to a place like this...?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have just barged in like this. My apologies."
"No, no, it's fine that you came. But what if we hadn't been here? You're the one from yesterday, right?"
She bowed her head again at my question.
"Ah, you heard. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have come like this..."
I didn't know her circumstances, but it seemed she had some unspoken reason.
Daeun, meanwhile, grabbed her arm and tugged.
"Pretty auntie! Daeun-ie invites you!"
"Yes...?"
At the word "invite," Taerin smiled faintly and bowed in thanks.
"Thank you."
"Eek!"
Unlike my surprise, Daeun welcomed her warmly, just as we'd promised that morning.
A bit late to the party, I followed suit.
"Uh, why don't you come inside first?"
"Is that okay?"
I needed to hear her out, after all.
"Yes, let's talk for a bit inside."
She bowed once more and followed me into the studio.
We'd just finished working, so it was a bit messy.
But Taerin seemed fascinated by the atmosphere, glancing around curiously as she sat in the spot I'd indicated.
I cut straight to the point.
"Did Erina tell you about this place?"
"Ah! N-no, not exactly an introduction. I just... overheard her mentioning it in passing. She said there's an amazing artist with a studio nearby where she's preparing hers. I got a rough location, and it suddenly clicked..."
Ah, so that's why no word from Erina.
If Taerin had said she was coming, Erina's personality would've had her jumping on it—calling right away to set something up.
"So Erina doesn't know you're here?"
"...Yes."
It felt like an impulsive visit.
But there had to be a reason.
A reason she absolutely had to come here.
"If it's not too rude, could I ask why you've come?"
Taerin replied to my question.
With something I never saw coming.
"Could I possibly buy one of Painter Daeun Lee's paintings?"
"Sure!"
Daeun and I both blurted out...
"Yes!"
[Uh, Daeun?]
So, that was why Taerin had come to Daeun's studio—to buy a painting.
"I saw them last time I visited Erina's studio. They gave me so much comfort, I really wanted to own one."
Showing up out of nowhere to buy a painting.
Of course, it wasn't unsellable.
But most of what we had ready now was for the exhibition.
If it were just personal collection pieces, I wouldn't hesitate like this.
[Even if I wanted to sell, I can't.]
We were already short on pieces as it was.
How to explain that?
Then,
"Ah, if it's too sudden, you don't have to sell. I just came on the off chance. Erina mentioned it roughly—how you're preparing for an exhibition."
If she'd heard about the studio, she'd probably heard about the department store too.
This place itself was part of the benefits they'd provided.
"I'd love to sell one, but unfortunately, everything we're preparing now is for the exhibition."
Curious, Daeun asked,
"Daddy! Can't sell Daeun-ie's picture?"
"Yeah, no choice, sweetie."
I hadn't told her we were short on pieces yet.
But I couldn't let her lie either.
Taerin looked genuinely apologetic.
"Ah, I shouldn't have asked so abruptly. I'm sorry—I know better than to show up like this. W-well, I'll get going then. I hope I didn't waste your busy time."
She stood abruptly, like she was fleeing, and headed for the exit.
I couldn't lie and say yes to something impossible.
It was a contracted commitment, after all.
But sending away someone who genuinely admired Daeun's work didn't sit right.
So, I called out to her as she hurried off.
"Uh, if it's okay with you..."
"Yes?"
"You could at least look at Daeun's paintings."
Taerin's eyes widened.
"R-really?"
I grinned.
"Of course. They're for exhibition anyway. Think of it as a sneak peek for a friend of a friend."
Gotta use that connection perk now, right?
Daeun lit up even more and told Taerin,
"Pretty auntie! Daeun-ie will show you Daeun-ie's pictures!"
"M-may I?"
"Yeah! Follow Daeun-ie!"
Even after that, Taerin glanced at me anxiously.
I smiled reassuringly at her, and her expression softened.
"Th-then, if you'll excuse me."
"Yes! Daeun-ie excuses you!"
Not quite what I meant, but...
"Please!"
[As long as the meaning gets across...]
Close enough.
And so, with our surprise guest Taerin in tow, we headed to the room with the exhibition pieces.