“Ms. Lim, fancy seeing you here,” Junho said with practiced ease.
Yoona was just about to respond when a jovial voice interrupted. “Oh my!!! Junho! You really came!”
Junho turned to see Jooyoung Shin, his animated cousin-in-law, approaching with an enthusiastic smile. They exchanged a quick peck on the cheek.
“Oh, Ms. Lim. Hi!” Jooyoung said, giving Yoona the same high-pitched, enthusiastic greeting. “I see that you already met my cousin-in-law.”
“Yes, Ms. Shin, we were already acquainted. Thank you again for inviting Aphrodite Galleries. I’m so excited to see the new gallery wing. I heard it is quite exquisite,” Yoona said, her voice as smooth and poised as ever.
“I am also excited for everyone to see it,” Jooyoung replied, her excitement bubbling over. “I am even more thrilled now because our dear distant cousin is here too. How come I didn’t know that this is your scene now, Junho?” She turned to Junho but continued talking without giving him a chance to answer.
“You know what?” She turned to Yoona again, eyes twinkling. “He practically begged me for an invitation to this exclusive event. I was really surprised and delighted. This is already my eighth gallery in the country, but this is the first time he visited one when I am just opening a wing. A wing!” She exclaimed, squeezing Junho’s arm with delight. Yoona and Junho’s eyes met, her eyes narrowing with the tiniest hint of suspicion.
Tirelessly, she continued, “Your cousin would be very happy to see you too. Where is that husband of mine? Oh, there he is! Come on, Junho, he should see you.” Jooyoung excused them both politely and swiftly, not giving Yoona and Junho the chance to say another word.
“See you later, Ms. Lim,” Junho managed to say before being whisked away by Jooyoung.
As they walked away, Junho glanced back at Yoona, feeling a little bit of frustration.
Junho managed to slip away from his cousins after the ceremonial opening of the new gallery wing. Spotting Yoona by the finger food station, he reminded himself that this interaction was necessary for his plan, despite how much he disliked her. After that first meeting, her self-assured demeanor grated on him, but he had to push through.
Weaving through clusters of people, Junho finally reached her side. “Hello there, Ms. Lim,” he said smoothly, his voice a low murmur as he stepped close enough for their shoulders to brush.
Yoona glanced at him, a flicker of annoyance for his invasion of her personal space crossed her features before she masked it with polite indifference. Junho handed her a flute of champagne, his fingers deliberately brushing against hers as she took the glass.
“Hi Mr. Lee,” she turned and greeted, her tone cool. “Are you also getting some snacks?” She tried to be polite, even though their heated first meeting lingered at the back of her mind.
“I just wanted to say hello,” he said, his voice dripping with charm. “And maybe enjoy your company for a bit. I don’t know many people here.”
“This isn’t how your usual day goes, I suppose,” she said, focused on filling her plate with mini quiche and Greek vegan wraps.
“It’s not, but it’s interesting.”
“I have to say it’s a surprise seeing you here,” Yoona said nonchalantly, still not looking at him and now eyeing the brie and raspberry bites. “I didn’t know you were such an art connoisseur. Or are you just here for the free wine?”
Junho, aware of her cold response, raised an eyebrow. Trying a different tactic, he said, “Oh, Ms. Lim. You wound me,” placing his left hand over his chest, feigning offense. “I am a fan of the arts too. And I am here to support my cousins. And you know," he paused dramatically before continuing, his eyes dancing with mischief, "I never thought I'd find myself so captivated by something or... someone at an art event. Maybe it’s not just the art that is drawing me in tonight."
Yoona turned and properly looked at him for the first time. “Is that so?” she asked rhetorically.
Junho just slightly tilted his head, meeting her gaze with a playful glint in his eyes.
Yoona sensed what he's doing. Annoyed, she averted her gaze to the surroundings. “So, how are you finding it so far?”
Junho noticed that his tactic got a reaction. Touché.
He answered her, gesturing toward the new gallery wing, “I love the pieces displayed in the new wing. But I must admit, the art reminds me of you.”
Yoona’s annoyance deepened, sensing another punchline. So she decided to challenge him. “Oh really? Which one, the Chasing Mirage or the Maelstrom?”
Junho hadn’t expected her to test him so suddenly, so he picked randomly, “The Maelstrom.”
“That piece is about anguish,” she said matter-of-factly.
Junho was taken aback but didn’t let it show. “Well, every interpretation is different. That piece, I find it bold and captivating, just like you,” he replied smoothly. “I can’t quite figure it out completely, but I want to spend more time trying,” he continued. “Perhaps I’m seeing something that others haven’t noticed yet.”
Their eyes lingered to each other’s. His gaze full of charisma. Hers full of skepticism.
Their conversation was interrupted by another guest wanting to talk to Yoona. She politely excused herself, a bit stunned and confused by Junho’s sweet talking. As she walked away, Junho watched her go, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. He knew his words would linger with Yoona for a while.
Checking the time on his Piaget watch, he realized he had another meeting to attend, forcing him to leave sooner than he wanted. Although his conversation with Yoona had been brief and he was still far from reclaiming the Salvation necklace, he was confident he had caught Yoona Lim’s attention. Feeling a sense of accomplishment, he walked away with a mission accomplished, satisfied that he had made a significant first move in his calculated plan.
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