(Taehyung POV)
I pressed my jaw hard, still unable to believe what I saw in front of me. Lily actually touched that man and….smile!
And what's even more annoying, that man's gaze looks even more sparkling and sly as he accepts Lily's demeanor, making me want to jump over this table immediately to grab that man's collar and...
"Taehyung-aah... have you finished your meal? Come on... it's time to look at the painting" Joanna poked my arm quickly, dispelling my anger.
I glance at the Chun couple who were standing up and leaving their seats, followed by Namjoon and two of our staffs .
Argh, my mind was really messed up tonight because of that man, to the extent that I didn't even notice that dinner was over.
I glanced at Lily and Pierre who were now also standing up from their seats. The man seemed to put his palms on Lily's waist without hesitation. Damn it.
"It's time...." joanna clasped her fingers on my arm with a beaming face, making me snort softly and forced a smile back at her
"You don't look excited tae... but don't worry, we can party after this is over. Right?" Joanna asked happily, making me even more uncomfortable because she reminded me of the party.
She pulled me as she walked quickly towards the gallery room without waiting for an answer to her question.
We all finally entered a spacious room that was arranged luxuriously. The four walls are decorated with gold-framed paintings. My eyes kept exploring each painting by several legendary artists that I really know, including the last supper by Leonardo da Vinci, Guernica by Pablo Picasso and what caught my attention the most was the last painting,
a replica of Michael Angelo's painting "the creation of Adam".
The painting is enormous and extends most of the length of the right wall.
My eyes were glued to the painting, especially when I noticed the figure of a beautiful girl standing still in front of it. She looked amazed and unblinking as if trying to understand the painting.
"I guess I'll chill and have some wine in the corner over there...you want one too?" Suddenly Joanna whispered to me.
I spontaneously shook my head
"No, thank you.. I want to observe the painting first..." I replied
Joanna scowled at me then her eyes quickly traveled around the room. She suddenly caught sight of her cousin who was walking towards the wine table.
"Aah, then I'll accompany Pierre. Tell me if you're getting bored, taehyung-ah..." she whispered again happily while gesturing with her index finger, pointing to the top floor of her house
I nodded slowly then smiled faintly at her, making her quickly walk towards the wine table, leaving me statuesque there.
Yess….. finally….alone at last, I thought
I stepped with certainty towards the girl who was still frozen in front of the painting and finally stood side by side with her
"Adam's creation..." I said while glancing at the girl slowly, trying to get her attention.
Lily glanced back at me without smiling. She seemed to be biting her lip slowly.
"Hmm... only with the touch of God's fingers then Adam comes alive in this painting.. amazing isn't it?" I said again while exploring the painting from end to end with my eyes.
Lily took a deep breath
"I don't think that's the point of this painting.." she said without looking at me
I chuckled softly
“Really...?"
She sighed again
"The space that surrounds the figure of God here is believed to be the human brain, judging from its shape. And God sticks out his finger from the vestibule in the human brain which plays an important role in human feelings.
So yeah... it's not about physically bringing Adam to life, but more about awakening feelings and all the human potential that exists in the figure of Adam." She said without looking at me at all.
Her words made me stare at her without blinking.
"Wow... I didn't expect you to understood the painting that deep.." I stared at her.
She glanced at me with a low grunt.
"You think all I can do is make drinks and cook for you? And.. oh getting you a towel?" She said with a little cynical.
I was spontaneously surprised,
weeh.. why did she suddenly become so snappy??
"Issh, what's wrong with you? Are you not in a good mood tonight? I thought you were having fun with your dinner partner?" I said no less sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes at me. Her pretty eyes seemed to radiate annoyance
"Did I have another choice?? Issh…Looks like God forgot to touch his finger on you so your humanity suddenly vanished today." She said curtly, making me gasp for a moment
"Hey... what do you mean? I'm not the one who neglect promises and commitments. Is the charm of European men really so great that you forget all of that?" I said with a pounding heart because I actually didn't expect the sentences to came out of my mouth like that. I can't resist The feeling of annoyance that began to well up in my chest at this time because I remembered that Lily should have been sitting beside me all night.
Lily clenched her jaw while looking at me angrily.
"Huh. Is that what you've been thinking all along?fine Mr. Taehyung... whatever you say! I'll make sure my job is done well tonight. That's all that matters to you right? I'll make sure you're satisfied!" She said firmly and then left me angrily
"H-hey...." I intercepted trying to grab her wrist but she just brushed it off.
Yaah! Why did she suddenly become like that?? This was the first time I saw such obvious anger on Lily's face. My chest felt tight instantly because I really didn't want to make her angry, or put us both in an uncomfortable situation like this.
I walked quickly intending to chase her but my steps stopped suddenly when I saw Pierre approaching the girl and handing over the glass of wine in his hand.
Oh damn.
Lily, who still looked angry, immediately accepted the glass and drank it quickly, making the Caucasian man astonished.
He then touched his palm on Lily's waist casually while talking to her, making my blood boil even more.
I have to talk to Lily tonight. It’s a Must! My brain reigns firmly, taking my steps with certainty toward the two of them.
But before I went far, my left arm was gripped tightly by someone
"Tae.... come with me, Mrs. Chun invites us to a corner over there to see the main painting.." Namjoon-hyung suddenly whispered into my ear firmly.
I looked at my hyung and took a deep breath.
"Okay.." I replied. I glance at Lily and Pierre who are still having a close conversation, inviting a swish in my heart.
Luckily Namjoon hyung tapped me on the shoulder asking me to step towards him, breaking my gaze on the both of them.
Mr & Mrs Chun walked in front of us both then stopped at the corner of the room, where a painting decorated with spotlights was being displayed.
My eyes widened spontaneously when I saw it.
"Nature Morte..." I whispered.
Namjoon-hyung smiled at me, he looked very happy to find the rare work of his favorite painter.
"Pablo Picasso.." he muttered happily.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnZpM9FQap
"We got this painting from a tight auction in Paris two weeks ago. Fortunately, Christie's auction house was kind enough to hold an online auction because Paris was under lockdown for 4 weeks, so it was difficult for us to go there directly..." explained Mrs.Chun
"Picasso's masterpiece in 1921. It's amazing..this is indeed a treasure..." Namjoon said without stopping in his admiration.
I smiled then observed the painting in front of me, all the unnatural formations of objects that exist in my daily life were successfully poured onto the canvas by this great painter. Makes me think that even something as simple as this can look so dazzling.
Aah...
Just like that girl...
Huh...Lily...
My eyes spontaneously scoured the room, looking for her figure but I couldn't find her.
"Okay gentleman, I'll leave you all here so you can observe all the paintings here more privately. I've prepared the best wine on the table for you. Please..." said Mr. Chun politely.
We bowed as a sign of thanks until the matching pair joined hands and left us all there.
I tried to explore the room one more time to find Lily but nothing. Pierre also did not appear at all in my view.
"I'll take another look from the other end, Taehyung-ah... wanna join me?" Namjoon raised his eyebrows at me.
"Ah, I'll catch up, hyung... I have to make a call first..
ah, btw... are we going straight home after this or are we still here for the party?" I asked.
My hyung shook his head quickly
"No party, Tae. We still have to work tomorrow.." he said wisely.
"Ok Hyung... I totally agree with that. I'll catch up later..."
I said sighing in relief because I really wasn't in the mood for parties and such tonight
Namjoon-hyung nodded then walked away from me with one of the staff.
After finding a private spot to call, I pressed the girl's contact and called her.
The sound of the phone ringing sounded several times but she didn’t pick it up.
I clamped my jaw then called her back.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowpBm9wf2y
where is she?
The ringing sounded again several times, making me even more nervous because she still didn’t pick it up. I was about to turn it off when suddenly I heard a clicking sound on the other side.
"Yes?" The girl's voice was low. Swallowed up by the noise behind her
" where are you, Lily?" I asked while frowning.
"Hmm? Sorry? I can't hear you. Can you speak louder?" She said. Noisy music sounds clearly behind her.
My goodness, where is she??
"Where are you? Why aren't you in the gallery?" I asked in surprise.
"Ah yes, I'm on the 3rd floor. Pierre said the painting is here. Now he wants to show it..." she said a bit haltingly.
"What?? What painting do you mean? you...come hurry back here!" I whispered loudly in panic
"Ha? What? I can't hear you... I have to go tae.." she answered quickly.
"Hey! Wait... you.." my words were cut off because her call was suddenly disconnected.
I snorted indignantly.
Painting on the 3rd floor??
Was he trying to persuade Lily with some cunning trick? What other ridiculous painting is he referring to?
Without thinking too much, I took a big step and directed myself towards the stairs leading up to the top floor quickly.
(Lily POV)
"Is everything OK?" Pierre looked at me with his blue eyes. His eyebrows seemed to be raised
"Um? Ah yes... I'm fine" I replied while putting my cell phone that I just turned off into my handbag.
Tae's voice that just sounded in my ear made my concentration break. Anger still seeps in my chest remembering his attitude today to me.
"Joanna and Taehyung will be here in a minute. She said we can relax here while waiting for them." Obviously the man convinced me
Pierre then invited me to walk beside him as he entered the large, noisy room. It was a Luxurious modern style room on the 3rd floor with lots of large mirrors and luxurious sofa that look soft when sat on. Unfortunately my view was a bit disturbed by the lack of lighting in this room and the sound of DJ music that was thumping everywhere.
I could see a group of young people here and there talking on the sofas in the corners of the room while holding drinks in their hands. Not to mention a group of other guests who filled the front side of the long and luxurious bar counter.
A female bartender is seen showing her skill on combining alcohol drinks.
What a shock. I didn't expect the atmosphere here would be really different from what I saw downstairs.
"Hmm... How can music this loud but could not be heard downstairs?" I muttered confused.
"Soundproof.. they used the best materials they could ever find for this party room.." Pierre suddenly whispered from behind my neck, making me surprised.
His arms suddenly wrapped around my waist casually making me forced to turn my body to avoid it
"Aah i see... pierre... you said you're gonna show me the paintings.." I said while slowly giving distance
"Oh? Ah.. I will... in a minute. I think we need to drink something first.." he said with sparkling eyes and a big smile
"Umm, thanks... but I think I had enough for today..." I said softly, smiling slightly at him.
"Ah, cmone... what's a party without liquor?" he said laughing.
But I still shook my head firmly.
Uh, I don't know why but I'm starting to feel that being here is not a good idea.
Pierre came closer to me and stretched out his arm
"No drink huh?... you prefer to dance, then?" He whispered to me while suddenly wrapped his arm again around my waist quickly and pulled me closer to his body
"Hey...!" I said surprised
"Relax..." he whispered as he continued to press my waist closer to him.
"W-what are you doing....?" I asked choked
"Enjoying my view..
Gosh... I've never seen a face as beautiful as yours since I arrived in this town..."
he whispered ignoring my reaction. His eyes fixed on me.
His face got closer and closer, making me panic
"....pierre.. please...I-i didn't follow you here for this!" I said while trying to release the grip of his fingers attached to my back.
"Umm... well, it's kinda too late to say that, don't you think?" He smirked a little at me. His strong arms move back closer to my body towards him
"P-pierre..stop it!..seriously...i need to go back downstairs..." I said getting annoyed because of his demeanor.
This man's face was even getting closer, I could smell the alcohol from his mouth.
"Cmone, baby....let's have fun just a lil bit...hm?" He said while looking at me deeply. His gaze fell on the part of my lips, making me panic even more. especially since he suddenly decided to locked my arms behind my back.
Oh God, I really have to get out of here!
"Pierre I'm dead serious.. let go of my hands! Or else I'll scream!" I threatened while thrashing in his arms. The DJ's music seemed to be thumping more and more along with my erratic heartbeat.
"Oh my dear Lily....you think they will hear you?" he whispered into my ear, his tone was dangerous.
I struggled again but still could not make me free from his strong grip.
"Let...me go!" My screams getting panicked
Pierre just laughed out loud.
"Hey!
You heard her... get rid of your hands!" A deep voice suddenly sounded from my left side.
When I looked up, I saw a wavy-haired man with piercing eyes that burned with anger.
His arm that was no less strong gripped tightly onto Pierre's arm.
TAE????
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