Chapter 65 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum
2/2 Bonus chapter thanks to everyone on Ko-fi
What would you feel if 90% of the passersby on the street turned to look at you and your companions?
If you enjoy attention, you would relish the stares.
If you are introverted, the gazes of the pedestrians would be overwhelming.
But what if every look was mixed with envy, respect, and admiration?
Even the latter would probably feel good.
That's exactly how I feel right now.
"Wow, it's like being a celebrity."
Ikseon dong, Jongno.
Even though it's a weekday afternoon and not crowded, compared to other downtown areas, many people walking here, inside cafes, and in clothing stores, are all looking at us.
Isn't it obvious?
Even Monica alone would draw attention, but she's accompanied by the Ice Beauty, the Snow Queen.
Monica is glamorous.
She exudes the pinnacle of dazzling beauty, as if a Hollywood actress had descended.
Irina, on the other hand, is the complete opposite.
Cool, calm, and emitting a beauty that seems untouchable.
If the French artist, Auguste Rodin, had sculpted a beauty out of ice, would it feel like this?
Of course, I, stuck in between, must look like a celebrity manager to them, but some men look at me with eyes mixed with envy and jealousy. I don't mind such aggressive stares.
"Over here."nove(l)bi(n.)com
I led them to the last place we visited, shocked by the brunch prices, but Monica stopped at a different store.
"Junghoon. How about this place?"
".........."
It's the same cafe I visited earlier.
The one that was terribly rude and gave me a seat near the bathroom for being alone.
"..............................."
Ah, I almost swore.
Okay, I get that they would offer us a good seat since we are three. I can even understand giving me a two-seater when I was alone. But running out to solicit customers now? When earlier, they didnt even greet me when I was by myself?
Frankly, my feelings were more about indifference than actual displeasure, but they plummeted even further now.
I twitched my eyebrows stiffly and said,
"Do you not remember me?"
"Excuse me?"
"I was here a few hours ago, alone."
"............................"
She genuinely seemed not to remember.
Huh, I thought I wasn't that forgettable.
I glared at the bewildered employee and said,
"I had come here earlier to scout out places to bring the ladies. There was no greeting, no 'enjoy your meal'."
Honestly, I was upset about the seating, but that wasn't entirely the employee's fault, so I made up another excuse. After all, the employee had indeed been unfriendly.
The employee looked visibly panicked, glancing around frantically.
Ah, I spoke in Korean.
As I also looked around, I saw the crowd that had come to watch us now murmuring among themselves. Well, it's a business after all, I shouldnt make it worse.
"Monica, Irina. Let's go."
As I glared at the employee one last time and was about to leave, someone in the crowd shouts.
"Irina! Yes! The world-famous pianist Irina Sevanova! I knew I recognized her!"
"Wow, really? I've seen a video of that too!"
"She's a genius pianist! And she's so pretty!"
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