Oil On Canvas

“Indeed, yes, Signora was a remarkable person.”Angelo kept sweating profusely. It was easy to read the expression on his face, wondering what exactly Luca wanted. He considered making him more uncomfortable but found it tiresome.“If you don’t mind, I’d like to get straight to the point. How is the restoration department doing these days?”“What?”It was a simple question, but the restoration manager looked down and searched for his handkerchief. His movement was oddly irritating.Well, he disliked troublesome things, and now, due to the contract with Dojin, he had to personally deal with the restoration department issues. It should have bothered him from there in the first place.“The most important thing in a museum is the preservation of the works. The director should at least know how the restoration department is operating.”“Um, it’s running smoothly as usual.”“Nothing out of the ordinary, you mean?”“Uh…”Luca’s gaze swept over Angelo’s sweaty forehead. Angelo dabbed at his forehead and mouth repeatedly with his handkerchief.‘How long are you going to hold out?’Luca leaned back in his chair. He had plenty of time. There were many ways to get someone to talk. The restoration manager was less gutsy than he thought.“The new restorer, the Asian one, had some friction with Signora before, I heard. I don’t know the details, but that’s why he’s only working in the mornings. Other than those minor issues…”“Minor issues.”He echoed the notable phrase, with a hint of intimidation. As expected, Angelo’s eyes widened in alarm.“Do you think there’s anyone here who could have had friction with my grandmother? And they’re still working here despite that?”“That’s… I don’t really know, but that’s why he’s only working in the mornings.”“Only mornings.”It wasn’t news to him. Of course, he would only work mornings; he had to go to Marisa’s house to restore in the afternoons.Anyway, the conversation turning towards Dojin wasn’t bad.“What is this restorer’s role?”“Uh… he handles oil paintings and occasionally oriental paintings too…”“Does he have dual expertise? Is that possible? I didn’t know we had such talent.”“No, his major seems to be oil paintings, but I don’t know much because I’ve been focused on managing the works, but maybe…”His rambling was amusing. As soon as he accepted the director’s position, Luca’s first action was to check Dojin’s resume.‘Even his resume looks like a restoration project of his.’It was textbook. In other words, flawless.Though his experience was a bit short, the pieces he had restored at Uffizi were significant. With the disadvantage of being a foreigner, achieving this level meant he was desirable in any restoration department.‘It’s not confidence but the feasibility I’m speaking about.’His eyes sparkled when he said that. He was eager to restore <Water Play>, proving he was ambitious. Assigning oriental paintings to such a person out of nowhere showed these fools didn’t realize the true value of their talent.“A restorer specializing in oil paintings, regardless of your ignorance, shouldn’t be tasked with oriental paintings. And if oil painting restoration is critical for our museum, it’s worrisome that he’s only working mornings, taking on other tasks. When will he handle the oil paintings?”Even if Dojin hadn’t included this in his contract terms, any proper director would intervene. His grandmother might have appropriated that restorer’s work, but Luca had a similar role too.“Angelo. Are my concerns irrational?”“No, no… of course not. Communication within the restoration team, well, people there, including me, lack flexibility, and sometimes communication is poor. Maybe that’s why we inform and help each other.”“Inform each other?”“Restoration techniques these days, trying different methods can lead to better techniques. Like a fusion. Perhaps in that sense…”“It makes sense, but such activities should be personal research, not practicing on museum-owned pieces.”He sighed and shook his head theatrically. Angelo’s reddened face turned pale.“Practice should be completed at school, right? These paintings aren’t for practice. What do you think, Angelo?”“Right. The oil painting restorer should focus on restoring oil paintings. Of course. Yes, it’s not a place for practice… I’ll discuss this in the afternoon.”“Didn’t you say he only works mornings?”“Uh, you mentioned oil painting management… Should we keep the work hours as they are?”He couldn’t assign afternoon work. Dojin was now on the same side. He needed to restore <Water Play> in the best condition in the afternoons without arousing suspicion. It was crucial to make it seem like nothing had changed.“I’ll personally adjust his schedule. I trust my grandmother’s choices. If she assigned only mornings to a capable worker, she must have had a reason. Perhaps a bad temperament or issues with socializing.”“Probably so.”“Still, please be cautious about assigning work outside of his expertise. Of course, you’re busy managing, so you might not have known.”Angelo didn’t deserve his title if he didn’t know this. But it was necessary to appease him.The ritualistic comment lit up Angelo’s downcast face. His nodding implied he was innocent, truly unaware, which was frustrating. Luca didn’t want to talk further.“Angelo, you understand how external parties might perceive situations involving foreign employees. My grandmother seldom fired staff, but I believe in necessary reforms. Controversies about discrimination under my directorship would be horrible.”“Of course. Absolutely.”“I trust you’ll handle it well, Angelo.”“Yes, I will.”“Then you may go.”Luca stopped Angelo once more as he was about to leave.“One more thing.”“Yes?”“Could you tell that new oil painting restorer to wait for me at the Cà D’oro main entrance before he leaves? I have something to say to him personally.”“Personally… yes, understood.”Angelo’s face was quite serious as he repeated Luca’s words and left. With this, the absurd task of Dojin restoring oriental paintings should no longer happen. Angelo would understand well that the director was backing Dojin.After massaging his neck, Luca rummaged through a few more files. It had been a rather unproductive day for document searching.‘At least I managed to address one of the contract conditions.’Even if it was in a less sophisticated manner than he’d prefer, by threatening the head restorer.Luca recalled something Dojin had once said to him.‘Called me petty, didn’t he.’It was a memorable phrase, as he had never been told that before. It was also quite accurate.Stretching his body, Luca stood up and grabbed his coat. As he headed out, Carla rose from her seat.“Are you leaving already? Should I call a water taxi?”“No need. I have some work to do. Carla, stay here until closing time. And make sure no one enters the fifth floor without my permission. Be especially cautious when I’m not here, and be extra careful with my family members.”“Understood. Have a good evening.”Luca nodded lightly. The walk to the main entrance wasn’t far. As expected, he saw a slender figure there.Holding a tablet and with a distinctly white neck bent down, even when Luca got close, his mind was elsewhere. Glancing over, he saw the <Water Play> canvas fragment being rotated on the tablet.“Dojin.”He only slowly looked up after his name was called. His round eyes narrowed slightly. He put away the tablet and greeted him unhurriedly.“Angelo was exceptionally kind to me.”“You put it in your contract, didn’t you? To improve unfair treatment.”“As long as they don’t make unreasonable work demands, it’s fine. It wasn’t Angelo’s fault…”“Nonsense. The head restorer is always responsible for what happens within the restoration department.”Cutting him off, a shallow sigh followed. The light gray jumper he wore suited him well.‘How old is he again?’According to his resume, he wasn’t that much younger than Luca.Perhaps it was his overall rounded impression.It made sense he fought to secure the restoration position for <Water Play> and demanded a contract. With his youthful appearance, he must have faced significant disadvantages. While Luca was just admiring his face, Dojin seemed to interpret his gaze differently.“I first asked for your help, but it might seem pathetic. The current situation in the restoration department is quite burdensome for me.”“You don’t seem pathetic. You should think of it as the treatment you deserve.”“I’m worried about rumors of favoritism.”“There’s nothing I can do about Angelo’s goodwill.”Feigning ignorance, Dojin’s round eyes widened. Teasing him always elicited an immediate reaction.“There are rumors you’re the one showing favoritism, not Angelo.”“I can’t help it. There’s some truth to that favoritism.”“What do you mean?”Muttering something under his breath, Dojin spoke fluent Italian, despite his monotone delivery.The muttering was in an unfamiliar language, sounding anything but pleasant.“Dojin, did you curse in Korean, assuming I wouldn’t understand?”“I was talking to myself. Do I need permission to mutter to myself in Italian?”“That’s pettier than I expected.”He didn’t respond, suggesting it was indeed a curse. Looking around more, his cheeks were noticeably red. His round lips pouted slightly as he changed the topic.“What else do you have to say?”“Let’s leave together. Or return together, whatever.”“Are you going to Marisa’s house?”“I need to go there to look for the certificate. It seems it’s not in the director’s office. I’ll search the house again. You should focus on the restoration for now.”“Don’t make a fuss when you’re in the studio.”“I’ll try.”Dojin’s gaze still held suspicion. Luca shrugged, but the dubious expression didn’t fade.‘Interesting.’It was an odd feeling. Being openly regarded as a swindler was refreshingly novel. Despite having a contract, he wondered what made him seem so untrustworthy.Dojin sighed openly and walked ahead quickly. Luca caught up in a few strides, and Dojin didn’t hide his irritation.“Can’t you walk a bit farther away?”“Why should I?”“People have been staring at us since earlier.”“Really?”Being stared at was nothing new for him.“Don’t people usually stare at you, Dojin?”“They do. But it’s more like, ‘What’s that Asian doing here?’ not to this extent.”With his unique looks and charming appearance, he should be used to the attention, even more so due to his different race.‘To this extent?’ Seeing Luca’s puzzled look, Dojin looked uncomfortable.“I think it’s because I’m with you… Mr. Orsini.”“Me?”“Yes, our pairing is unusual.”Ah, he finally understood. It wasn’t an obvious combination.‘A combination that would spark gossip.’In such a small place like Venice, getting caught up in gossip could be a nuisance for Luca himself. Still, it was irritating to see Dojin quicken his pace just because of a few stares. Luca lengthened his stride.“People might think we’re close. That could be beneficial for you, right?”“We’re outside the museum now. And I repeat, I wanted fair treatment, not to be seen as having some shady connections.”His serious expression on that round face was impressive. On closer look, his cheeks seemed slimmer than before.“Dojin. Did you have lunch?”“No. But I prefer to eat alone.”His swift rejection, even taking a step ahead, was also impressive. Luca bit his lip to suppress a chuckle, sensing that laughing might be seen as mocking.Despite rejecting outright, Dojin’s anxious gaze lingered, as if watching for Luca’s next move.“I’ve placed the painting at the house. Can you start restoring it today?”“I should. Soon.”“It wouldn’t do to have shaky hands while restoring. Let’s eat first.”The look of being caught off guard was entertaining. Framing it as removing a workplace hazard seemed to make refusal difficult. He paused, then glanced warily at Luca, as if suspecting he might be led somewhere unexpected.“I might get indigestion eating with you.”That was all he could come up with after such a long pause.“Why?”“Honestly, it’s uncomfortable.”“Why is it uncomfortable?”“We work together, but you’re my boss in the morning.”“And we kissed?”“Sorry?”His expression rapidly turned to shock. Those round lips revealed more than any words could.Luca’s earlier guess was right. Dojin’s insistence on denying his attendance at the private party seemed to stem from that minor kiss.“I’m not sure what you mean…”He barely managed to wipe his expression clean in such a short time. His forced calmness was overly serene.His trembling eyes gave everything away.Still, it would be a shame to push him too hard.“If you say you don’t know, then so be it.”A relieved expression briefly crossed Dojin’s face.Why get so flustered over such a minor incident?Luca briefly considered all the possibilities of what might have happened between him and Dojin ‘upstairs’ that night. Nothing warranted such a dramatic reaction to a simple kiss.‘Has he never been with someone?’Whether that was the case or not, it wasn’t surprising. Luca debated asking but decided against it, not wanting to see Dojin panic again.“Let’s go eat.”“I just said it’s uncomfortable.”“If it were truly uncomfortable, you wouldn’t have mentioned it. You can manage. Lunch is on me. If you get indigestion, they have good digestive drinks.”“Why ask if you don’t listen?”“I did listen. I just dismissed it. What do you want to eat?”Dojin pursed his lips. Luca expected more resistance but heard only a shallow sigh.‘What’s he going to ask for?’Finding the certificate and restoring were priorities, but he was prepared to dig out his car that had been parked for years if necessary.For some reason, Luca wanted to buy Dojin whatever he desired, even if it meant putting his name on it to get the best, most expensive food. It felt strange, but Dojin’s answer was worse.“Hawaiian pizza.”“Excuse me?”“And a green tea frappuccino.”Dojin’s expression seemed both determined and playful. Luca smiled gently.“That’s not proper food, Dojin.”Eventually, Dojin was nibbling on a thin pizza crust. Luca had personally picked up a margherita pizza from a place that didn’t deliver. It was topped with plenty of arugula and tasted impeccable. Luca sipped some white wine, while Dojin had a cola.“It’s not the taste I wanted.”“Is it bad?”“No, it’s good.”“Then eat up.”His puffy cheeks twitched. Though he was chewing, his eyes were filled with dissatisfaction.“For someone who doesn’t seem like it, you act very Venetian.”“I don’t want a restorer to die from eating garbage.”“What did you live on in London?”“Not things like this.”“Sure, I can imagine. Very impressive.”Hawaiian pizza and frappuccino. No one in London had ever suggested such food to him. If they had, he wouldn’t have accepted. Yet, he felt a strange urge to tease those pouty cheeks.“Garbage or not, that’s what I want to eat.”“Then let’s go. There’s a frappuccino in Milan if you want a drive.”“No, I need to start restoring.”His round eyes narrowed as he glared at Luca. He crammed the remaining pizza into his mouth and chewed for a while. His hands moved quickly to clean up and wash his hands thoroughly.It was odd. Feeling regret about this.“Dojin, do you drink coffee?”“I do drink it, but…”“I can make you a cup of coffee.”“It’ll just be espresso, right? No thanks.”“I can add milk.”“My hands might shake because of the caffeine.”His dismissive hand gesture felt unusually brisk. Luca watched his back as he loudly ascended the stairs, feeling an inexplicable sensation.* * *He searched the entire house.He turned over the old turntable and LP player, and checked every spot where a piece of paper could fit. He searched the desk in the bedroom, the corners of the sofa, and even inside the round porcelain jar where bills were kept. The scattered life of his late aunt Marisa, who always seemed to float above reality, was laid bare. The conclusion was simple.‘What a mess.’The house was filled with overdue bills and threatening letters, with a few requests for artwork submissions mixed in.His aunt, who had never known poverty, wasn’t lacking money; it was merely a case of procrastination. She changed secretaries as often as she ate meals, so none could manage these tasks for long.‘Did she throw it away? The certificate and everything?’He dismissed the thought.Throwing things away was a chore, and she wouldn’t have bothered. He pondered contacting Marisa’s secretaries but remembered it was 20 years ago and there were many of them. Luca sighed as his phone rang. It was his secretary, Carla.“Yes, Carla.”“Mr. Kit Soonam contacted us. He has a piece he wants to auction, a portrait by Vuillard. He said it was bought at Christie’s by his grandfather and it comes with a certificate. Do you remember him? He has consigned items to your previous auction house several times, and he attended Signora’s funeral.”“I remember. Is he still in Venice?”“Yes. He’s flying to England tomorrow. He mentioned returning around the Biennale, but he’d like to meet briefly today.”“Tell him to meet at our office, not the Cà D’oro director’s office. Or better yet, suggest dinner. Please make a reservation at a restaurant. You don’t need to accompany us for dinner.”“Understood. And they say high water is expected today, so taking a water taxi might be best.”“Let me know once you find a suitable restaurant. I’ll be fine without the taxi.”Luca ended the call. While he had reluctantly taken on the director’s role, founding the auction house was entirely his own decision.‘A novice who sells family heirlooms through connections.’How often had he heard that at the beginning?Luca never sold family items, and most bidders were wealthy Americans who knew nothing about Orsini. Though the Orsini name wasn’t a detriment.As a chief auctioneer, he was merely an employee at another’s company. Not anymore.‘It’s time to show something.’With his career now under his name, he needed a significant impact.His first auction had to succeed. It needed a tremendous impact, and nothing fit the bill better than <Water Play>.If others attributed Luca Orsini’s success to family items, he was most curious to see just how great that success would be.* * *It was past eight o’clock. Living in England had somewhat shifted his perception of dinner time, but even so, dinner for an Italian like Luca never started before nine.He had turned the salon upside down. All he gained was a glimpse into the artist’s life.‘Has he gone home?’Dojin came to mind. It was late enough for him to have left, but Luca hadn’t heard him come down the stairs.‘I didn’t want to work together because he was a distraction.’Even if he was confined to the studio, it was so quiet he couldn’t tell if he was there. Luca went up to the studio. He knocked but got no response. Thinking he might be asleep, he opened the door. Luckily, it wasn’t locked.“Dojin, are you sleeping? I think I need to head out.”“Ah.”A soft voice finally responded. Dojin lifted his head, making a small sound. His face was pale, and his stiff hand pressed heavily on his shoulder.Though the studio was cool for the artwork, it wasn’t cold enough to stiffen a person. Luca approached Dojin, reaching out without thinking. Dojin’s hand was cold and stiff, like it might bleed or crack.“Your hands are cold.”“What are you doing?”Even his reaction was sluggish. The cold, stiff hand in Luca’s palm twitched.“I drank a lot of coffee earlier.”“Didn’t you say caffeine could make your hands shake?”Despite not touching any coffee. Dojin merely twitched his lips, having nothing to say.“Should I get you a blanket?”“No.”“Do you need tea or something? I think I saw teabags downstairs.”“No, it’s not that. I’m fine.”Dojin pulled his hand away forcefully. He quickly pushed his tablet and magnifying glass aside. The desk was cluttered with pieces of <Water Play> detached from the canvas frame. It didn’t look like there had been much progress.“Dojin, you should stop for today and go home.”“I have to continue. I’m sorry, I haven’t done anything today.”Dojin’s voice grew quieter, like someone confessing a sin. Luca blinked.‘Does he think I’m going to scold him?’Dojin’s face was bloodless. His white hand next to the magnifying glass clenched into a trembling fist.Luca tapped the desk a couple of times, feeling awkward. Dojin looked at him as if it were a signal. Even his gaze was frail.“Dojin, are you shaking?”“Me? No.”Even as he spoke, Dojin moved his hand under the desk. Luca rubbed his brow.“Or it could be drugs.”“Mr. Orsini, aren’t you speaking too rashly?”“Alcoholism?”“Are you crazy?”His ears turned red in an instant out of anger.‘At least the blood’s circulating.’It was indeed harsh to make such remarks to someone who even avoided caffeine to avoid affecting his work.“Then it seems like you’re nervous, Dojin.”Dojin closed his mouth upon hearing that. He seemed displeased but had no retort. He had boldly insisted on handling the restoration alone, carrying the canvas fragments himself, and now he was nervous?“I didn’t think you’d get nervous, Dojin.”“I’m human too, you know.”“So it seems.”It was a simple observation.Luca had thought of Dojin as solid and steadfast. Although he knew there were moments when Dojin unexpectedly showed his softer side. For Luca, the sudden shift was startling, like being doused with cold water, but he didn’t dislike the sensation.“Dojin.”Luca glanced at his watch and sat down. He had to leave now to make it in time for dinner.“Sit here for a moment.”Dojin hesitantly sat down.“Tell me why you’re trembling.”A painting by Vuillard, one of the representative artists of 19th-century French art, valued at a record $17,750,000, was waiting for Luca. Despite needing to beg for the auction, he was definitely going to be late.Yet, Luca chose to stay here.“Why are you trembling? Is it because the piece is too valuable?”Dojin’s tightly pressed lips remained closed. Luca made a thoughtful sound.“I can’t be sure of the value yet. It hasn’t been auctioned or sold before. The pieces you restored at Uffizi might be worth more.”“I know that…”“And restoration can be reversed as a principle, so even if you make a mistake, it can be corrected, right?”“That’s the principle, but corrections aren’t always easy. And this time, there’s also the time constraint…”Dojin clenched his pale hand into a fist until it turned red. He abruptly stopped speaking and closed his mouth.The deadline for the restoration was the preview exhibition day for Luca’s company. Even at best, it was 3 to 4 months away. Luca knew how lengthy restorations could be.‘It’s unreasonable.’Yet, Dojin had confidently claimed he could do it. Dojin hadn’t forgotten that, so he didn’t want to use time as an excuse.Luca saw through the thought process. It was an almost bizarre level of diligence and responsibility.“Dojin. It’ll be less nerve-wracking once you start. Have you never been nervous before? You restored a Titian painting at Uffizi. You restored a 500-year-old painting.”“With Titian’s painting, there were guidelines, and it wasn’t as damaged as this. I’ve been a bit nervous before, but never this much… this is the first time.”It seemed more challenging. Luca had anticipated as much. <Water Play> was nearly in fragments, and no one knew what the original painting looked like.But to be more nervous than with Titian? It was an unusual reaction, according to Luca.“It’s strange. Everyone gets nervous.”“You don’t get nervous, Mr. Orsini.”“Who says? I do.”Luca leaned back in his chair. The unconvincing look on Dojin’s face showed disbelief.‘This is a bit unfair.’People always thought of Luca Orsini as a finished product. It never particularly bothered him since it was partly true.But he experienced nervousness, anxiety, jealousy, and distress just like anyone else. He was simply well-trained in hiding them.“You get used to it and forget the nerves. I’m just an ordinary person; I get nervous too. Especially before big auctions.”“Thanks for the consolation, but you don’t need to make things up.”“It’s true.”“Mr. Orsini, the part about you being ordinary doesn’t make sense.”“Thanks for saying so, but I really do get nervous. Before an auction, I cry, scream, take tranquilizers, smoke a joint, and then cross myself before going in.”By now, he should be leaving to secure Vuillard’s painting. But this seemingly pointless conversation was far more engaging.“You’re lying… right?”Dojin didn’t try to hide his slack-jawed reaction. His narrowed, suspicious eyes scrutinized Luca.Luca shrugged with a serious face. Dojin didn’t hide his shock, and Luca couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing him laugh, Dojin looked confused.“Partly.”“Which part?”“I do cross myself. It’s a habit.”Dojin still looked dubious, but then he rubbed the back of his neck tiredly.“Should I cross myself too?”After seven years in Italy, not knowing how to cross himself, Dojin’s hand wavered in the air. His face showed defeat.The deep sigh didn’t suit him. Confidence and defiance suited him better. Luca took Dojin’s hand.“Do you know what’s good for nerves?”“What?”Dojin didn’t pull his hand away. Eager for a solution, his dim eyes brightened again.“Getting distracted.”“Getting distracted would just get in the way of the work.”“Don’t you trust your hands? They say hands remember more than the head.”“Have you ever tried restoring something yourself?”“Marisa said it while painting.”The flicker of doubt in Dojin’s eyes, which soon softened into semi-trust, was entirely thanks to Marisa.Mentioning her was part of Luca’s strategy, and of course, it was effective. Dojin, slightly belatedly, looked down at his hand being held, but that was all.“No, I’m not getting distracted… Where would I even get distracted? I’m already overwhelmed with Water Play.”“That’s the one.”Dojin tilted his head quizzically.“From here, I don’t think I can offer much more help.”Originally, this was where Luca should have stopped. He had to get to the restaurant by now.“Consoling should have its limits.”Yet the angle at which the troublesome restorer slightly parted his lips and tilted his head was rather alluring.That small head was likely filled with nothing but Water Play, yet the speck on his cheek, like spilled paint, stood out vividly under the bright light.“I wonder if that cheek feels cold, too.”The hand Luca held was still cold. It was an unusual curiosity.The sudden impulse to cup Dojin’s face was far from playful. He wasn’t even curious about Dojin’s reaction afterward.“I can help you. We’re in the same boat now, aren’t we?”This was more like a confirmation. Luca was curious about his own response, rather than what would come next.“What?”Luca tugged Dojin’s hand.If he said he hadn’t thought of compassion at the sight of something so pale and trembling, he’d be lying. Dojin’s body was pulled closer.Why? Dojin’s face was full of question marks. Luca released Dojin’s hand and placed both of his hands on Dojin’s cheeks.“They are cold.”As expected.Luca covered the speck on Dojin’s cheek with his thumb. He thought that might have been the source of his irritation, but even with it covered, Dojin was still plenty interesting—and irritating.Dojin’s eyes widened, almost like they were opening for the first time. His brows knit together slightly before his round lips parted.“Uh…”It was impossible to tell what he was trying to say. Whatever it was, Luca was certain it was something he didn’t want to hear. So, Luca leaned down and closed the gap.Their lips touched.It was a clear kiss. It wasn’t some accidental mistake like before. There were excuses, but this wasn’t something he could chalk up to a slip-up.As he had noted before, Dojin’s lips were full, soft, and inviting.Dojin’s body tensed, rigid with nervousness. Luca sucked on his lower lip, feeling the faint exhalation of a stifled breath. Overwhelmed, Dojin leaned back so far his chair nearly tipped over. Unwilling to fall, his arm reached out and found its way to Luca’s back.“Ha…”If Luca had known that would provoke him, he would never have done it—if he had been a more informed person, that is. But clueless Dojin ran his hand across Luca’s back, almost clinging. Luca bit Dojin’s lip.“Ah!”Dojin gasped, a small sound escaping from his open lips. Their breaths mingled. He seemed to be warming up. Luca didn’t let the opportunity slip.Their tongues intertwined.Dojin barely moved his, only flinching slightly at the stimulus, but that was enough for Luca. The taste was sweet, and a faint moan echoed in their shared space. When Dojin’s hand, fumbling on Luca’s back, finally pushed against his chest, it brought an end to the moment.“Orsini!”Dojin shot up from his seat, yelling. His voice lacked power despite his outburst. His face was a mixture of shock and indignation, his lips glistening from the kiss. He avoided Luca’s gaze, his eyes darting everywhere. Luca gave a light shrug.“I told you, I’m helping.”“This isn’t about focus or tension or anything like that—”A soft pink flush spread across Dojin’s pale cheeks. He had looked lifeless earlier, but now he seemed more human. Seeing that, any fleeting regret Luca had about his impulsive behavior disappeared.“I could do that a few more times, I think.”It had been a short kiss, yet it left him feeling languid. The urge to repeat it welled up, or maybe to tease Dojin with a few provoking words.Dojin’s chest heaved as he struggled to regain composure. Luca thought he might say something, but all he got was a wary glare.The silence was finally broken by the ringing of Luca’s phone.― Orsini! Where are you right now? Kit Sunam’s assistant is calling me, and it’s chaos!“Ah.”The assistant seemed understandably flustered, her voice audible even without the speakerphone. Dojin, still standing stiffly, stared at Luca with a reluctant expression. Luca chuckled softly.“I’m on my way.”― You’re lying, aren’t you? Do you know how much I’ve—The voice, which had been raised in agitation, suddenly lowered.― I’m already at the restaurant I told you about. Just tell me how much longer you need me to stall. I’ll text you an excuse, and I’m opening a bottle of wine now.“Got it. I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”― You’re acting so strange today, you know that? I’ll do my best to hold them, but if you don’t show up, I’m washing my hands of this.The client wasn’t going to leave. Carla was a competent assistant, after all. Even so, it wouldn’t have mattered much if they did.Ending the call, Luca turned to Dojin.“You should… probably get going. No, I mean, go.”“Yeah, I should.”His answer was nonchalant, almost dismissive. Leaving wasn’t hard. It just didn’t feel like the right moment.‘The right moment? Hah.’For Luca Orsini, it was an unfamiliar excuse.He slowly stood up and looked at Dojin, who was standing a bit away. Dojin’s face showed a hint of relief, thinking Luca was finally leaving.“Just one question before I go.”“Please, ask quickly and go…”“What’s your restoration plan? I see you’ve already dismantled the canvas frame.”“Ah.”In the corner, there was a canvas frame that looked beyond repair, with small numbered Post-its attached.“The frame is still a heritage item.”Dojin spoke calmly. Though he had been wary, he didn’t seem to mind discussing work.“We’ll keep it for now and eventually donate it to a museum or gallery.”His expression asked if it was okay to continue. Luca nodded, and Dojin, stammering a bit, went on. Like many dedicated professionals, Dojin seemed to enjoy talking about his work.“There are some damaged parts of the painting, so I found a canvas of the right size and period. I’m debating whether to overlay the painting onto it or cut and stitch only the damaged parts using that thread over there.”Despite his earlier hesitation, Dojin leaned in as he explained his restoration plan.“I ordered this thread, which is actually surgical thread used in hospitals. It’s very fine and should work well for stitching.”“Your plan sounds perfect. What about the parts that are damaged or completely missing?”“I plan to perfectly align the remaining parts first. Once that’s done, the missing parts should be easier to handle.”Encouraged by Luca’s nods, Dojin seemed excited. He lifted the fine thread, then met Luca’s gaze, and his enthusiasm turned to slight embarrassment.It was endearing. Moreover,‘It’s a meticulous plan. If it works…’Dojin’s nervousness seemed inexplicable. Despite the difference between planning and execution, Dojin wasn’t inexperienced enough to be unaware of that.“Since you’ve planned so well, just follow through.”“But still…”“I told you earlier.”Dojin looked like a child who had lost a pet, knowing something important was missing but unsure where to start looking.Luca’s phone rang again. It was surely Carla, urging him. He really had to leave now. Luca tapped Dojin’s hand with his finger. It was white but had more color than before.“Trust yourself a bit. You’re good at this.”Dojin didn’t respond. He just looked distracted. At least the tension that had gripped him was gone. Luca found that quite satisfying.“We’ll proceed with the reserve price and guarantee as discussed. Have we covered everything?”The businessman living in England seemed to prioritize practicality, which was fortunate for Luca.During the thirty-minute wait, he had finished the most expensive bottle of wine at the restaurant and took two similar bottles as gifts. It wasn’t a waste, considering he secured the Vuillard portrait with a reasonable guarantee. Luca shook the offered hand firmly.The conversation ended past midnight. The inebriated client was escorted out by his secretary. He didn’t mind his trousers getting wet from the high water. Carla handed him the boots she had prepared.“I called a water taxi earlier. You can catch it at the canal just past the alley, but it hasn’t arrived yet. I didn’t specify a destination since I wasn’t sure which house you’d go to.”As Carla spoke without pausing for breath, Luca changed into the boots. He stretched his neck, and Carla watched his expression.“Dealing with clients is tiring, isn’t it?”“It’s unavoidable. I’ve done it before, so it’s fine.”As a chief auctioneer, there was a department for client acquisition. It was a large company, after all. Despite that, some clients insisted on meeting Luca Orsini personally.“Right now, clients only trust my name, so it’s unavoidable.”Even though he said that, being in a subservient position wasn’t entirely comfortable. It was just something he had to do. Luca’s hand, which had been massaging his shoulder, paused.‘Has Dojin left?’The thought was sudden. But considering how often he had thought of Dojin lately, it wasn’t entirely out of the blue.He recalled the faint color on Dojin’s cheeks after their kiss.“Ah, just a moment.”Carla, seemingly on the phone with the water taxi driver, asked,“Mr. Orsini, which house are you heading to? The one near the Accademia Gallery?”“Carla, you take the taxi. Don’t worry about me.”There were many places in Venice that could be called home, both under the Orsini name and Luca’s personal ownership.Luca was tired, and his schedule was tight. He had a lot of paperwork to handle due to the unwanted director’s role.“You want me to take the taxi?”“Yes. I need to check something nearby. You go ahead.”It wasn’t necessary, and he knew it well.Luca sighed. Splashing through puddles, he headed to Marisa’s house. He hoped his hunch was wrong.One o’clock.Luca checked his watch and chuckled.Light spilled from the ground floor, and through the wide-open front door, he saw Dojin in boots. It wouldn’t have been surprising if that were all, but Dojin was holding a bucket from who knows where.The situation was so baffling that the question was obvious.“Dojin, haven’t you left yet?”“Ah, I did some work, thanks to you.”“That’s not what I meant.”“Isn’t it? No, I haven’t left yet. As you can see.”