The Mysterious Art Museum
Chapter 45 (2) - The Mysterious Art Museum

The next day, in Paju

Around 11 AM, following Secretary Kim's unexpected call to Paju, I stand there, dumbfounded, as if in a dream.

'Is this a dream?'

No, it can't be.

This has to be a dream.

I pinch my cheek with my right hand. Ouch? It hurts?

Secretary Kim, with documents tucked under her arm, says, "The land area is 580m², and the building area is 109.9m². This building was purchased by the madam for reconstruction into a villa 6 years ago. The overall interior construction was completed two years ago, but the garden side has not been touched yet."

Before me stands a country house.

It's not as grand as Chairman Yu's house, but it's a two-story house with a garden. With shaking hands, I barely manage to ask.

"You're really giving me this house?"

"Yes, we'll handle the related taxes as well."

"..........................."

Even if it's not Seoul but Paju, a house like this would cost at least five hundred million won. Five hundred million won for a painting? This is too much.

"Can I, really, accept this?"

Honestly, I thought I should refuse.

But already envisioning a future living here with my mother and brother, I can't bring myself to reject the offer.

Secretary Kim hands me the documents she was holding.

"The moment you sign here, this house becomes yours."

"..........................."

My hands and feet are trembling. I gulp down my saliva and hastily flip through the documents. Secretary Kim says with a smile.

"Don't stand and do this. Go inside the house. It was intended for a villa, so it's furnished."

My eyes widen.

What? It's furnished? So, I just need to move in?

"Is it furnished?"

"All the appliances are installed as well. Please go inside."

Leading the way, Secretary Kim seems like an angel beckoning me to follow.

The two-story house built with orange tiles.

The exterior, a warm blend of red and yellow bricks.

The living room on both the first and second floors is made entirely of glass, giving an open feel.

Standing at the front door, I blankly stare ahead.

"There's a shoe rack."

It was my dream.

To live in a house with a shoe rack.

There was no shoe rack in the house in Namyangju where I lived with my mom, nor in the semi-basement studio I currently live in.

Though I don't have many shoes, it's different to have a shoe rack and not use it than not to have one at all.

I open the white shoe rack, and it has six doors. Each one I open reveals clean, empty spaces. It could easily fit fifty pairs of shoes. My mom might faint if she saw this.

I hesitantly take off my shoes and step inside, letting out another exclamation.

The spacious and comfortable living room.

From outside, it looked warm, but inside, it’s strikingly modern and contemporary.

The marble floor, the island table my mother wished for.

And there, next to the kitchen, behind a small door, the appliances.

Tears well up in my eyes.

'It's a dryer.'

A drum washer and an integrated dryer.

The fulfillment of my mom's wish, who still used a top-loading washing machine and air-dried clothes in the sun. I had promised to buy her one when I started earning money and could afford to bring home beef. Now, there’s no need to buy it.

In the middle of the living room, in front of triangle-shaped tables of various sizes, sat Secretary Kim on a comfortable-looking sofa, smiling and gesturing for me to sit beside her.

“Please, take a seat. Wouldn’t it be better to sign quickly?”

As if waking from a daze, I rushed to the sofa.

“Yes! I'll do it right away!”

Mom!

Brother!

Our struggles are over. Let's live together.

We can finally shed that burdensome label of being welfare recipients. It's time to live a dignified life.

I will make it happen.

I will do my best to maintain this life.

Just trust me.

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