SELA - 17

After blurting out her bold proposal, a slight wave of nervousness washed over Na-yeon. She tightened her grip on Ji-hyuk’s arm as the surrounding crowd watched with bated breath, eager to hear his response.

Ji-hyuk, however, remained unfazed, his expression as calm and composed as ever. Without prying her hand away, he gently guided Na-yeon a few steps away to a quieter spot near one of her artworks. The onlookers, disappointed at being left in suspense, began murmuring among themselves.

The piece they stood before was titled Lover 9, one of Na-yeon’s most iconic works. It was a striking black-and-white photograph featuring nine intertwined couples in the nude, its overwhelming size dominating an entire wall. The juxtaposition of intimacy and raw emotion made it impossible to ignore.

Strangely, Ji-hyuk didn’t push Na-yeon away despite their close proximity. Was it because of the audience? Or perhaps… something else? Na-yeon couldn’t suppress the growing amusement bubbling within her. With a mischievous grin, she tilted her head up to meet his gaze.

“Na-yeon.”

Her name rolled off his tongue in a low, velvety tone. Ji-hyuk raised one corner of his lips in a faint smirk and leaned closer to her ear.

“Did you take something?”

“What?”

Na-yeon’s eyes widened in disbelief before she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Ah, typical Shin Ji-hyuk.”

Without breaking eye contact, Ji-hyuk took a sip of his champagne, his expression smug, as if he could see right through her antics. Na-yeon playfully shoved his chest and untangled her arm from his.

“You really do have the intuition of a ghost.” 

---

Despite the playful banter, there was an undeniable undercurrent between them—a mix of familiarity, teasing, and something deeper that neither seemed willing to acknowledge outright. The atmosphere around them crackled with unspoken tension, drawing curious glances from nearby guests who whispered speculations about the nature of their relationship.

Meanwhile, Sa-hee wandered through the exhibition, pausing thoughtfully in front of each artwork. Her mind occasionally drifted back to Ji-hyuk and Na-yeon. Though she tried to focus on the photographs, snippets of their interaction lingered at the edges of her thoughts. She wondered how Ji-hyuk would respond to such a bold proposition—even if it had been delivered half-jokingly—and whether Na-yeon truly meant what she said.

As Sa-hee turned a corner, she found herself standing before another of Na-yeon’s pieces: Reflections. It depicted a lone figure gazing into a fragmented mirror, each shard reflecting a different version of themselves. Something about the image resonated deeply with her, stirring emotions she couldn’t quite articulate. For a moment, she felt as though the fragmented reflections mirrored her own conflicted feelings toward Ji-hyuk.

Lost in contemplation, Sa-hee didn’t notice Ji-hyuk approaching until his voice broke the silence.

“Enjoying the exhibition?”

Startled, she turned to face him. “Yes, it’s incredible. Na-yeon has so much talent.”

He nodded absently, his gaze flickering over the artwork behind her. “It suits her.”

There was a pause, during which neither spoke. Finally, Sa-hee ventured cautiously, “What did she say to you earlier?”

Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her curiosity. “You heard that?”

“I… overheard part of it,” she admitted, feeling a twinge of guilt for eavesdropping.

“She asked me to marry her,” he said matter-of-factly, taking another sip of champagne.

Sa-hee blinked, unsure how to react. “And… what did you say?”

“I told her she must be drunk.”

To her surprise, he chuckled softly, a rare display of levity. Sa-hee hesitated, then smiled tentatively. “That sounds like something only you would say.”

“Would you expect anything less?” His tone was light, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

Before she could respond, Na-yeon appeared beside them, grinning broadly. “Having fun chatting without me?”

“We were just discussing your masterpiece,” Ji-hyuk replied smoothly, gesturing toward Reflections.

“Oh, that one! I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Na-yeon looped her arm through Sa-hee’s and pulled her closer. “Come on, let’s toast to my success. You too, Ji-hyuk.”

The three of them clinked glasses, though Ji-hyuk’s smile remained enigmatic. As the evening wore on, the air between them grew lighter, yet the unresolved tension lingered—subtle, persistent, and impossible to ignore.