8 months later~~~

"I would like to proceed with the marketing team and development team. The rest I didn't call may leave the meeting room, thank you for coming today"

8 months and nothing seem to change about business. Meeting and meeting all day long. New launching events every six month. Then evaluation and then repeat again. 

Yes. Nothing change much about business but something did change about Bae Irene. That's what people have been talking about. What so different about Bae Irene?

What changes about her probably her smile. Yes. Bae Irene rarely smile in the past but somehow she smile frequently to everyone. Even to people she never knew, even to the reporters.

How about that for changes? 

Oh. Also don't miss out the time where Bae Irene took the initiative for donation event. people who talk bad about her. Seeking for public attention and sort of things.

Bae Irene doesn't care about it anymore as long as there is people who support her, whatever she's doing, she will be alright. More like, as long as she has Seulgi by her side, everything will be alright.

A week after Jennie's wedding, the news about her and Seulgi dating are all over the news. Either Irene or Seulgi doesn't say anything about it because they are not dating yet.

They are still in the phase of getting to know each other and getting closer with each other. So there is still no status between them despite the night they been through. 

Although, both side didn't give any clearance regarding their dating news, even after months, the news still on. People are making speculation about them and most of them wish they are dating. 

Some say they are good together and will be a cute couple. Some also say they will be a powerful couple. That's true though. With Irene's company dominating the technology marketplace all over Asia right now and Seulgi dominating the art world, they will be good together. 

Talking about after that night in New York, both of them went back to South Korea together. Ever since then, they would go out together every weekend. Sometimes Seulgi spent the weekend to sleep at Irene's place which she decided to stay at her apartment for awhile.

Irene said she is currently renovating her house so she stayed at her old apartment which not really far from her company. Sometime it goes the other way.

Seulgi bought apartment near her studio which requires 30 minutes drive from where Irene's apartment is. Most of the time, Irene would be the one who came to Seulgi's apartment because she's bored with the same view everyday.

After all, being in Seulgi's apartment brings comfort for her. Also she could drop by Seulgi's studio to see her painting. But sometimes, Seulgi would always be secretive. Saying that Irene cannot go in to her studio because she's having a very top project.

Irene could only roll her eyes and at the end of the day she ended up in Seulgi's apartment, waiting for the monolid girl to finish her so called 'top project'. She also didn't ask Seulgi what is the project because she know Seulgi will tell her when the time is right.

She was right though. Irene went to Seulgi's art exhibition where all the money will go to the donation company. Of course Seulgi's object on her painting is none other than Bae Joohyun herself.

She name the painting as 'Young CEO in Her Own World'. Yes. She drew Irene while she's at her office. Looking all so focus with the papers on her table. Seulgi drew her beautifully and Irene couldn't resist to kiss her publicly.

That only give the media another public consumption. After all, the painting clearly talking about Irene which only make the public more sure about their status. People getting more sure that both girls are dating but again the two refuse to give further confirmation. 

With the news spreading and the picture of them kissing, of course Mrs. Bae cannot stop herself from teasing her older daughter. Wendy also did the same thing to Irene.

Honestly, Irene's relationship with her mother and Wendy are getting a lot better. She would call them frequently every weekend which she also bring Seulgi to chat with them.

It was beautiful if people see them. They look like a happy family. Well to tell the truth they are not there yet but on progress to go there. Irene didn't have the right time to go to Canada because she's very busy with her business here.

Seulgi also busy with her Gala Party where she will auction all of her painting and half of the money will be donated to Woman's Cancer Community. 

The Gala Party is tonight and Irene promise she will go to the party once she finish her job. Meanwhile, Seulgi will be waiting for her in the party since she's the host of the party, she should be there before anybody else. 

Also to do some round check of her painting and also the venue. 

"Are you ready for tonight?" asked a beautiful young woman with her charming smile.

"Sejeong! You came early. I was checking around the venue and my paintings. What are you doing here?" asked Seulgi looking so surprise as she greet Sejeong with a friendly hug. 

"Well, I came to inform you that I will not be in the party tonight"

"Oh? So sudden?" Sejeong nodded.

"I need to go to Paris. Apparently there is an investor who want to invest in my art exhibition next month and I need to meet them ASAP" 

Seulgi nodded in excitement. Kim Sejeong is a world class artist. Her arts are known all over the world and she's very famous. She been to television shows as guest.

As an artist she also become an influencer at the same time with millions followers on Instagram. Seulgi's glad that Wendy let them meet because she wouldn't be where she is without Sejeong help.

She's happy seeing Sejeong achievement and will always support her no matter what. 

"Then what are you doing here? Go to the airport now and get that investor right away!" said Seulgi and Sejeong could only laugh. 

"Yes, I know Kang Seulgi. I just want to say congratulation on your party and I already sent you flower so make sure to post it on Instagram!" said Sejeong before she give Seulgi a hug.

"Arasseo! Safe flight!" said Seulgi as she wave goodbye to Sejeong.

Today's party will be amazing. She already check the whole venue and her teams also told her that the number of guests tonight will be around 500 people.

Which quiet a lot for a Gala Party. Seulgi can't help but to smile at herself because of how proud she is with her achievement. Also, she cannot wait to see Irene tonight.

Since this is a Gala Party, of course Irene would be dress with beautiful gown tonight and Seulgi cannot wait to see how beautiful she will be tonight. 

Seulgi of course already prepare her gown for tonight. Hopefully she be able to make Irene amaze with her. Just the thought about it make her excited. 

"Seulgi noona!" called Lucas.

"Oh? Wae?"

"It's time for you to make up and get dress"

"Ah. Right"

She gave last look at the venue before she go to the backstage and get ready for the party which only few hours ago before guests start to come. 

Meanwhile, the busy young woman still in her meeting room. Currently evaluating the teams performance which took two hours almost before she finally dismiss them.

To tell the truth, it's been a rough week. She's been to her launching event and did some meeting with the shareholders and then meeting with the event team. Do some evaluation for their performance. What to be fix and what to be improve.

Also she cannot skip Taeyeon's session that's their deal in the first place. So, she has to move forward the whole meeting so that she be able to go for Taeyeon's session yesterday.

For her mental health, Taeyeon said she improve a lot and that she cannot wait to see more improvement from Irene in the future. She still need to take her medication since she still see hallucination sometimes.

But Taeyeon reduce to amount she need to drink. Overall, Taeyeon is quiet proud with Irene's improvement. She has to say Irene is quiet different from her other patients.

She still has the sense and purpose to live while some of her patients don't. It's quiet to deal with people like that and apparently, dealing with Irene is a lot more easier than she thought.

Taeyeon need to say that sometimes Irene could be difficult to control but overall, she's quiet an obedient patient. When Irene heard that she cannot help but to roll her eyes. 

Seems like a psychiatrist can throw jokes like that too. 

Well, anyway. She look at her watch only to notice that she's late to the salon. Before going to Gala party of course she need to look pretty and that is why she asked Kim Bum to booked a reservation at Red Velvet Salon.

One of the hottest place lately and also very popular online. Irene get herself rushing to the ground floor and Kim Bum already waiting for her in the lobby.

"You already bought the dress I chose?" asked Irene to Kim Bum. 

"Yes, Miss Bae"

"Reporting from Four Season Hotel, my name is Jang Won Seong and today I will be reporting news on Kang Seulgi's Donation Gala Party. As you can see behind me, the guests are starting to enter the venue. We received an insight news that many influencers, businessman and businesswoman, and artist also came as guests in today's Gala party. The Gala party is host by Kang Seulgi herself and half of the donation will go to the Woman Cancer Community. Kang Seulgi has been-" 

Flashlight there. Flashlight here. Reporters there. They are all over the place and yet with her popularity these days, Seulgi still can't believe this whole thing is happening right now. 

She still cannot believe a lot of reporters came and guests too. Currently, she's hiding in the backstage because she will welcome the guest with her speech.

The speech she has been practicing at home with Irene listening to her. She feel the need to practice really because again she's not really good with public speaking.

"5 more minute everyone! Seulgi noona, please get ready" said Lucas and Seulgi nodded.

The event feel even more intimidating because Seulgi hasn't receive any messages from Irene. She has been trying to reach out to her but Irene happened to not answer any of it.

Of course Seulgi is worried but Irene promise her that she will show up tonight. If anything bad happen to Irene right now, the news will probably everywhere and that Seulgi will cancel today's event.

But so far, there is no bad news and Seulgi pray nothing bad happen to Irene. Perhaps she's busy with her work? Seulgi can tolerate with that because Irene has been very busy the past few days.

She can't sleep over at her place last weekends because she spent most of the time in her office, preparing the whole event with Park Joy herself. Oh! Speaking of Joy, she is also coming to the event with Kim Yerim.

Seulgi make sure her two best friends will buy one of her painting or else they are not allow to get out from the venue. Hehe...a joke to her best friends which receive an annoying scream in her ears.

After she bought apartment, Joy also decide to move out from their old apartment and move to a more decent apartment like Seulgi's. Meanwhile, Kim Yerim still leave with her parent since she felt more comfortable staying close with her parent. 

Each and one of them are now living a decent life with good performance in their own jobs. Joy still working for Irene of course and she is Irene's trusted person. Everything related to work, Irene would always counting on Joy's. Of course, she receive big amount of bonus and salaries.

Irene said Joy deserve to get that because of her amazing job performance and also her loyalty to the company is greater than her loyalty to her life. Sometimes, Irene would asked Joy to take some vacation but the young woman always resist because she love working more than vacation.

Little bit Irene can see herself in Joy and that is why she adore Joy a lot and maybe she will trust the company to her one day when she thought that it's time for her to retire.

After all, Irene wanted to do something other than her family business. For sure it is something related to herself and to Seulgi. Perhaps a week of vacation to other country might do. 

But for now, she still has a lot to do. 

Going back to Seulgi, the monolid girl took a deep breathe when she heard the MC finally come up to the stage and deliever a small greetings to the guests. 

When her name being called, it's time for her to deliver her speech. Great. 

She walk up to the stage with applause and cheers being heard among the crowds. Lights are on her, guiding her to the mic on the center of the stage and there she stand infront of large amount of guests she invited.

From here, she can see where her best friends are. They are waving at Seulgi and give her thumbs up. Seulgi simply smile before she look around the venue and notice one seat is empty.

That seat is the seat right next to her and that is for Bae Irene. Disappointed? No. More like worried. Three months working with Bae Irene, she knew the young CEO hate to be late to an event. Even to a meeting.

So this is quiet unusual for her and of course she's feeling damn anxious and worried at the same time. But for now, she need to deliver the speech before she check on Irene. 

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to my Gala party and I am very thankful to see all of you here today. Thank you for your time to come here and I hope everyone enjoy the party and the services we provide tonight. First of all, as you all might know, half of the donation will go to Woman Cancer Community. And of course the half of it is to pay for tonight's venue rent" said Seulgi joking at the end but at the same time it's true though and the crowds could only laugh at her joke.

"I took the iniative to raise funding from this event in order to increase awareness on cancer and I would like to help people that are need help with their medical bills. In order to achieve my goals, I would also like to invite you all to donate. To achieve that I came up with this idea and surprisingly, a lot of people came today. Please do donate all of your money today because I can assure you the paintings are great!" said Seulgi throw another joke which the crowds laugh again.

"Just to let you guys know, the paintings for today events are not just mine but also other new raising artists. I would like to help them get their arts known by people. Since I know how hard it is to depend life just from arts, I also want to help those new artists out there who make art on the street to make money. Hopefully by contributing in this events will also help them financially. This idea came from a very close friend of mine and she is very pretty too. But currently she-"

Before Seulgi could even finish her next sentence, she is surprise to see beautiful young woman coming in from the main door of the venue. Despite the lights focusing on her, she could see who that person is.

She's walking elegantly with her beautiful white dress fully cover her body from up to the bottom. She's wearing a beautiful white dress which look like a long sleeve shirt and a long dress covering her legs. *the dress Irene wear during Miu Miu event...If I'm right(?) 

The belt cover with diamonds circling around her small waist. She let her hair fall beautifully and the moment their eyes met, Seulgi couldn't help but to be nervous.

Perhaps she is wrong. She is the one who is surprise to see Irene because how can she not? When Irene dress so beautiful like that? Her skin make her look very shining and flawless. Her beauty...is not real. 

Seulgi couldn't help but to realize how lucky she is to have Irene by her side and to have the young CEO love her so damn much. Irene on the other hand couldn't hide but to smile directly as she saw Seulgi up there on the stage. 

In this moment, all she can see right now is Seulgi. She look very beautiful with her navy blue open shoulder dress. Always look stunning and Irene realize how damn lucky she is to have Seulgi.

Took a moment for Seulgi to realize she need to continue her speech. If it's not because of Lucas, she wouldn't stop staring at Irene. Apparently, the guests are talking about them and whispering to each other. Such as,

"Isn't that Bae Irene?"

"Woahh...she so beautiful!"

"I bet they are really dating! They always together at each other events!"

"So supportive!"

"Both womans are beautiful! Oh my god, I cannot believe my eyes right now"

Seulgi clear before she continue her speech and Irene proceed to her seat which being greeted by the guests in that table. 

"Please enjoy tonight's Gala party. Thank you" said Seulgi as she finished her speech and went down the stage.

She look like she's rushing because she is. Well, she cannot wait to sit next to Irene and hear people talking about them because it make her happy somehow.

Well. who wouldn't want to brag about being with someone beautiful like Irene? Technically, they are not together...officially. But perhaps soon. And Seulgi is okay with how they are right now.

After all, status just status. Nothing will change between them. But well...if they decided to be more serious Seulgi will know when and for now she just want to enjoy everything with Irene.

Starting with today's event. As she walk herself to her table, from distance she can see Irene's enjoying the party. Because of how focus and serious she is watching every painting that are being auction on stage.

Once she arrive, she patted Irene's shoulder gently only to receive the most beautiful smile as her welcome. Seeing Irene this close make her heart flutter more and more. 

"Hi" said Irene.

"Hi. You're late" Irene roll her eyes.

"I end the meeting a little late and I need to go to the salon which took awhile. So...I'm sorry for being late" Seulgi shake her head and smile.

"It doesn't matter because now you are here. I was really worried back then" 

Irene reach for Seulgi's hand and squeeze it gently. Trying to assure Seulgi she is alright and that she's here right now.

"Sorry for making you worried and thank you for worrying me" said Irene and Seulgi just smile. 

Both of them get themselve drawn to the event as they saw many people are donating their money. Every painting that being show up on the stage were sold for high price.

Hearing those amount of money really surprise Seulgi. While for Irene, she heard a lot of those numbers. But at the same time she also surprise that many people would buy those paintings with very high price.

There is one painting that really attract a lot people. Even Joy and Yeri were fighting at each other who will buy that painting. They were fighting with numbers of course.

Keep on blurting out numbers and numbers until Yeri gave up due to the high bid. At the end Joy wins the bid with 500 million won. She bought a painting from a stret artist Seugli recruited herself and Seulgi shoud say Joy bought the right painting. 

Meanwhile, Irene hasn't buy anything yet. She seem a bit picky with the paintings. It's true though. She's very picky because she only want to buy painting that are made by Seulgi herself.

When the paintings from the new artists are finished, now it's time for Seulgi's paintings. A lot of people are waiting for this and so is Irene. To be honest, this will be Irene's first time buying painting by herself.

Usually she would ask Bogum because she was too busy with her work. But now...she is here. Present. She will show how competitive she is and will get what she want.

Her target of course is the main painting. The one Seulgi always paint either it's about her or it's about both of them. 

Seulgi's paintings are unique. No one could tell who that person she paint because she would always let the person face be blurred. Looking all so mysterious and the only person who can see that is Irene herself.

Because the person Seulgi always paint is none other than herself. How did she know? Well, it's easy to read Seulgi and her paintings. After all, she's a fan of arts and that make her able to read messages behind every paintings. 

Irene realize when she saw all the paintings she bought from Seulgi's past art exhibition. Yes. She's the anonymous buyer. She's the one who bought all the main paintings Seulgi drew.

All of it are about her. Starting from the young woman shining in crowds, CEO in the office, Museum of Arts in New York, etc. Now she's wondering what did Seulgi draw for her main painting. 

"And next! Probably the one people have been waiting for! The main painting! Seulgi-sshi name it as Present and Future" 

The moment the painting being show on the stage, people couldn't hide how surprise and amaze they are. Most of them gasp the moment they saw the painting and even before the MC said the number of starting bid, people starting to bet.

"5 million!" said a guy in tux.

"10 million!" said a lady in the corner.

"20 million!"

The bet starting to get off beyond the MC control and Seulgi look so damn surprise with the high bid people are offering for this painting. She's hoping that Irene would take the bid too but somehow the young woman seem so relax. 

What is she planning? Seulgi always know Irene has plan but she never knew what it is. She wonder what is Irene planning right now. 

As things go a bit messy, Irene suddenly stand up and hold up her number. 

"900 million" said Irene.

Many people gasp with the number she bid. Seulgi even widen her eyes the moment she heard that number. Alright. Miss Bae Irene is on the move everyone!

Let her through!

Of course no one able to give higher price over that. After all, she's the Bae Irene. The most richest young woman in the Asia. Pretty, smart, and rich. What a special package. 

"Sold to Miss Bae Irene! Congratulation, Miss Bae" said the MC. 

Honestly, Seulgi need to take deep breathe because she realize she has been holding her breathe this whole time. This is what Irene called as 'her power'. 

Only she, herself, able to do that. She get herself back to sit and smile to Seulgi. Doesn't even show any regret of how much money she use to bought that painting only for herself.

Irene is more like proud because at the same time she can donate, help Seulgi, and get that painting for herself because she know Seulgi made that painting for her.

At the same time she also cannot believe how beautiful Seulgi painted that painting. It was...the most beautiful and meaningful painting Seulgi ever made. 

The painting...speak for them both. Their promise to each other that they are living in the present with each other and expecting the future with each other standing side by side. 

Seulgi painted the painting in two different side on one canvas. The left side painted with dark background and two person holding each other hand, walking down a path under the lampost in some sort of a garden.

Irene realize Seulgi painted them during their time in New York and that garden is the Central Park. Where both young woman walk down the road and the light from the lampost guiding their way to the rainforest building. 

Then the right side painted with bright background. It still blurry but Irene know what Seulgi mean by the painting. She picture them in a wedding ceremony. Seulgi painted the two different situation with the two person back. So their face remain unknown.

But for Seulgi and Irene....they both knew who those person are. So...Seulgi has been picturing themselve getting married in the future. Cute to think that Irene always picture the same thing. 

Both of them staring at each other eyes and hand holding each other hiding under the table. Not wanting to draw much attention with their hands. 

When Seulgi said she wanted to do something romantice, this is what she meant. All the scenes in romantic drama are way too boring and she want to make her own romantic scene.

This is one of it and she can see right through Irene's eyes that the young CEO really enjoy it. She's happy to know that the paiting is on the right hand and under the person she's targeting ever since the first time she made the painting. 

She cannot wait to see the painting hung up in Irene's house. Talking about Irene's house,

"Come with me to my house after this" said Irene.

"You're done renovating the house?" Irene nodded.

"Let's check it out together" Seulgi nodded. 

One more chapter guys. Get ready and then I will really end this story with an epilog. Relax, guys. You'll get to see jealous Irene in the next chapter and romantic Seulgi in the epilog. Enjoy.