Sunlight comes through the full-wall window and fills up the room. For a moment, Jimin halts his activity and stands up from his seat. He walks closer to the window as he brings his cup of coffee. He stares outside and sips his coffee slowly. It's almost a week and there is no day without caffeine. He needs to wake up early in the morning and he has to stay up until the midnight. The workload insanely makes no sense because of the merger with number one casino in Macau, Lucky Casino. He is too busy and he barely has time to meet Seulgi. Sometimes they text each other but of course this is never enough. It's crazy how she takes over his brain. Anytime, anywhere, he never stops thinking about her. Undeniable, he is 100% missing her.

In the middle of his thought, Jimin hears a knock on the door and when he turns his face, he sees his secretary, Kim Sohye, already bows to him. He then walks back to his desk and sits down on his seat as his secretary puts a weekly report there. He puts on his round glasses and reads the reports as he listens to his today's schedule. Like always, his schedule never allows him to breath but he doesn't want to complain because it sometimes just shows your inability.

"Lastly, Mr. Hwang from Younha Group just canceled the dinner so you're free this night, Mr. Park" Sohye informs.

Jimin nods but his eyes never leave the report on his hand. As time goes by, his secretary still stands on the spot and it makes him a little bit uncomfortable. He then lifts his chin up and looks at Sohye who stares at him with an adoring gaze. He sighs and claps his hand hard, making her jolt and waking her up from daydream about how hot her boss is with glasses on. She then repeatedly apologizes and bows at him before excuses herself.

"That's annoying" Jimin mumbles.

Jimin reads the report again but a minute later he just realizes he has free time tonight. His mind immediately goes to Seulgi. He takes his smart-phone and sends chat to her, asking if she has time for dinner tonight. Minutes pass and he gets no answer. He knows exactly that she is busy with her brush, doing her painting hobby and putting color onto blank and white canvas. From his experience, he believes waiting for her text right now is not wise because he will waste his time as she will reply hours later.

Jimin decides to focus on his work as he waits but until he leaves his office for meeting, he still gets no text back from Seulgi. He hesitates should or should not he call her. Eventually he chooses to not call her because he doesn't want to disturb her. He just hopes right after he finishes the meeting, he will find a notification of her message and good news from her because it will be great if they could spend some time together tonight.

***

Clair de Lune beautifully echoes inside the bathroom as Seulgi soaks herself in a warm bubble bath. She takes a deep breath to inhale the calming lavender fragrance as she slowly closes her eyes. She really enjoys this kind of relaxation right after long hours of painting. She spent almost seven hours to finally finish her mother's portrait but it's worth the time because she feels satisfied with the result. She is tired and she hopes she could fall asleep but unfortunately she couldn't because she has charity event to attend tonight.

Half an hour later, Seulgi steps out of the bathtub and wears her bathrobe. She then heads to her walk in closet and searches her wardrobe. She chooses navy lace sheath dress that designed and sewed by her own hands. She combines the dress with urban twist pump from Louis Vuitton and an inheritance Saint Laurent clutch bag from her mother. She lets her hair loose and keeps it simple. After she is ready, she immediately goes to the living room to meet Joohyun. Tonight she is not alone because her sister in law comes with her to the charity event.

"Kang Seola, stop crying"

Seulgi hears that as she finds Joohyun softly scolds Seola while her brother tries to separate them. Her little niece sobs because she knows her mother will leave her alone with her father. Seola throws tantrum as she screams loudly but once her father starts raising his tone, she stops and frowns, looking really sad. She gives up and lets her father take her away from her mother. She sulks and cries a little on her father shoulder, ignoring her mother who saying goodbye.

"I'll take care of her, don't worry" Minjae assures Joohyun.

Seulgi smiles softly as she watches the interaction between her brother and her sister in law. Her brother gives a slight peck on her sister in law lips and says his goodbye. She always feels a little bit envy everytime she sees them together. The way they look at each other, the way they treat each other, it's just romantically sweet. Many say they're couple goal and yes, she completely agrees with that.

"Let's go before Seola starts another drama" Joohyun says.

Then Joohyun links her arm with Seulgi as they walk to the car. They talk about the charity which is held to raise funds for helping children in need. For tonight's auction, Seulgi donates one of her landscape painting while Joohyun donates an antique hand painted porcelain vase. Last auction, Seulgi's still life painting released for the highest price to young CEO of a technology company. It's no secret, everybody knows whenever men place bid on Seulgi's donation, it's a way to say that they are lowkey flirting to her.

"I can't wait to know who will win your painting this time"

Joohyun speaks after they're inside the car and her chuckle follows. Seulgi whines at her sister in law because of the tease but then she feels her phone vibrates inside the clutch and she immediately takes out her phone just to find three messages from Jimin. It makes her heart flutters crazily and at the same time she is not able to control her smile. She bites her lips to hold back her smile as she begins reading those texts.

'Do you have time for dinner tonight?'

'I have free time tonight'

'Kang Seulgi?'

Seulgi feels guilty because she is busy with herself the whole day and forgets about Jimin but she keeps smiling because she hears his whiny tone in that last chat. Her smile slowly changes into a slight frown as she informs that she has charity to do. She locks her phone and turns to see her sister in law already staring with a teasing smirk. She blushes because she gets caught and the next second she jolts as her phone rings, showing Jimin's name on screen. She never expects a phone call and it surprises her.

"Hurry up before he hangs up" Joohyun says as she winks.

Seulgi picks up the call and when she hears Jimin's voice, she unconsciously smiles wider "I'm so sorry, I just check my phone and---" Jimin cuts her off and gently says "It's alright, it's okay, hmm, you have charity to do, right? Where?" He asks.

"At TripleSeven's diamond ballroom" Seulgi answers and she just realizes it's his hotel.

"Oh? Really?---" Jimin sounds taken aback by that.

"---Okay then, enjoy the charity and let's have dinner next time, promise me?" He asks softly.

"Promise" She says.

Seulgi smiles and it already reaches her cheekbones. It's a short phone call but it's able to lighten up her mood. It feels like a spring day that melts down ice and frost, a time where flowers start to bloom and warmth begin to heave in sight. It comforts her heart and she likes it. She wants to keep experiencing this feeling in the future and one thing for sure, only Park Jimin who is able to shake her heart like this.

***

Right after they arrive, Seulgi excuses herself to the restroom and Joohyun decides to wait her inside the ballroom. She then walks alone as she glances left and right. She sees people stare at her, probably recognize her as Kang Seulgi. Some give her smile and she nods as she smiles back politely. After she enters the restroom, she stands infront of the mirror and touches up her lipstick. As she does it, someone joins her infront of the mirror.

"Kang Seulgi?" The gorgeous lady asks as she fixes her hair.

"Yes?" Seulgi says with a smile on her face.

"Do you know who I am?" The lady now watches Seulgi through the mirror.

"Hmm---" Seulgi pauses and tries to remember if she ever met this woman.

"Ah, you don't know me---" The lady turns her gaze to directly look at Seulgi.

"---let me introduce myself, I'm Yoo Hyorin, Park Junjin chairman's wife, Park Jimin's stepmother" Hyorin speaks coldly as she lifts her chin up to show her superiority.

Seulgi's eyes widen and she instantly bows while says her apology. She is in panic now because the look on Jimin's stepmother's eyes is not friendly at all. She is aware for his stepmother, it's kind of humiliation. She once again gives a deep bow and says sorry sincerely but the response is not good.

"What an insult" Hyorin whispers but loud enough for Seulgi to hear.

"Mrs. Park, I---"

"Enough, just forget it" Hyorin cuts Seulgi off.

Hyorin still feels the need to attack Seulgi more and she looks at her, from head to toe, she wants to judge her but her fashion sense is undeniably superfine. She thinks hard and once she remembers about Seulgi's donation, she smirks. She is part of the charity committee and she knows that Seulgi donates her own painting for auction. It's a perfect weapon to insult her.

"Kang Seulgi, I hear you donate your painting" Hyorin starts.

Seulgi feels a little bit taken aback by the switch of topic. She politely answers and tries to build a better conversation by asking about Hyorin's donation. She then finds out Jimin's stepmother donates her Caresse d'Orchidées Par Cartier jewelry sets. She praises his stepmother's kind heart but there is where the attack begins.

"Yes, I have a kind heart, but it's not only me, but also those donors and bidders, everybody donates luxurious and antiques items, except you" Hyorin gives a stern look and takes a step closer.

"It's a humiliation to this charity, if you are not sincere, at least step out of this event---" Hyorin viciously gives a mean advice.

"---who would willingly buy that ugly painting?" Hyorin says lowly as she passes by Seulgi, leaving her alone.

Once Hyorin is outside, she sends text to her friends, asking to place a low bid for Seulgi's donation or ignoring it is even better. She smiles evilly as returns to the ballroom and gets ready for her opening speech. In the other hand, Seulgi doesn't move even an inch from her spot. She feels pain because of Jimin's stepmother's insult. She knows her painting is nothing compared to other's donation but she sincerely donates it for children in need. There is no doubt, those luxurious jewelries are higher in price but her painting has higher value because she put her love and time into it.

***

The charity night starts with a performance of the top Korean's singer. It continues with a speech from Yoo Hyorin as a representative of JJ corporations. Seulgi looks down as she sees Hyorin up there. She breathes in and out to calm herself as she holds back her tears. Hyorin's words keep replaying inside her mind and it discourages her. She worries through out the auction and she often loses her focus. Joohyun is aware about this and she questions immediately.

"What happened to you? You look sad" Joohyun asks.

"Hm? Nothing happened" Seulgi lies and fakes a smile. She doesn't want to make her sister in law worry.

Joohyun knows that Seulgi lies, but she lets it pass because she understands Seulgi doesn't want to share it yet. Thereafter, her attention turns into the event again because the auction begins. One by one the item is shown on stage and bidders start raising their auction plates and shouting number of their bid. Joohyun's antique vase released at two hundred million Won. Now, it's Seulgi's turn. Two staffs bring her painting up to the stage and the master of ceremony opens for first bid. One minute, two minutes, the ballroom is quite death and no one raises the auction plate. It's sad to see their reaction because last auction everyone in the room tried to win her painting.

"A hundred million Won"

Seulgi turns to see her sister in law already raising her plate and giving the number of her bid out loud. It really touches her heart how her sister in law saves her like this. She then feels a pat on the back of her hand and it's of course Joohyun who tries to comfort her. She really is grateful because Joohyun is here with her. She hears the emcee raise the bid to two hundred million but no one response to that. Who would willingly buy that ugly painting? Jimin's stepmother's voice echoes inside her head and she proves it right. No one wants her painting. She bites her lips as she feels sad and embarrassed. Tears brim on her eyes and she tries her best to hold it back.

"No one?---" The emcee asks awkwardly "---Then, this painting goes to---"

"One. Million. Dollar"

Everybody turns their attention to the source of the staccato voice which comes from a man who just enters the ballroom with an auction plate on his left hand. No one believes their ears at first. They hear 'Dollar' instead of 'Won' but after they find out it's Park Jimin who places the bid, they know they're not hearing wrong. On her seat, Seulgi just stares at Jimin and when their eyes meet, he gives her a reassuring smile and it speaks a lot. It may look like he just cockily brags about his wealth and money but more than that, she knows, he tries to protect her, and she feels thankful for that.

***

P.S: I hope you will enjoy reading this chapter. Thank you to all the subscribers, thank you for leaving comments and giving upvotes. This encourages me a lot :)