Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 40
‘This feels so good. I’m so happy I could die.’
But is he really that displeased about her lying? It was the first time she lied and was late for a treatment session…
“I didn’t think you’d be interested. It’s such a sordid story… Even if I don’t owe you anything, I wouldn’t think of going against your wishes. So, I’ll definitely repay your kindness. I don’t know when, but I will…”
Her voice trailed off because she was unsure of how and when she could repay him.
She realized how difficult and potentially dangerous it was to get her paintings into a gallery after the last incident.
Maybe she should wait for the competition results. The chances of winning were slim, though. Even with a place to stay and a studio, making money seemed daunting.
“…Are you asleep, Eren?”
She had been talking for a while, and there was no response, so she asked again. This time, she got an answer.
“Do whatever makes you comfortable. But.”
His voice was heavy with sleep. He had probably been about to fall asleep.
“Stop going around to galleries.”
“How did you know about that?”
“I’ll introduce you to someone I know. Someone interested in paintings.”
“An introduction? But…”
That might not make much money. Even when she sold paintings through Hils’ contacts, she didn’t get a good price. To make a living from painting, she needed to build her reputation.
“He won’t underpay you. Don’t worry about that. He’ll give you enough to live on.”
“Really?”
“Do you doubt me?”
“No, I didn’t mean it that way…”
Did Eren really know how much an unknown painter’s work could sell for? She was uncertain about how much money he considered enough to live on, so she couldn’t fully celebrate yet.
“How do you know this person?”
After her recent bad experience, she was wary of meeting strangers. But she was also excited by the possibility of learning more about Eren through his acquaintance that was not part of the brokerage. She might be able to get some clues about him.
“It’s not because I’m curious about you, Eren. It could be someone suspicious. Ah, but since you’re the one introducing them, I’m sure they’re trustworthy. Still, it would be better to know who they are. So…”
She rambled, afraid he’d notice her curiosity and be displeased. But there was no response.
“Eren?”
The usually vibrant heartbeat had softened. He was so quiet when he slept that it was hard to tell if he was awake. But Macy could tell he had fallen asleep by his slowed heartbeat.
He must have drifted off during their conversation.
Macy, unable to sleep, listened to the soft thumping of his heart. She’d probably stay awake for the next hour or so.
‘But why is he doing all this for me?’
He initially seemed like he didn’t want any personal connection with her.
No matter how much she thought about it, his behavior was different from his earlier words. He visited her frequently during the day, even though their nightly treatments seemed sufficient.
‘Could it be that he wants to see me? Because he misses me?’
The thought rolled on its own, wishing he had the same feelings as her. Even though she knew it was unlikely. Still, she couldn’t help but smile at the idea.
She wanted to talk to him about why he visited so often during the day. But she couldn’t wake him just to satisfy her curiosity.
‘Such a shame…’
As Eren fell into a deeper sleep, his arm around her waist loosened. He wouldn’t wake up even if she moved around a bit.
For Macy, this was her free time.
She moved her neatly placed hand on his chest to his cheek. Even as she stroked his face and gently poked his cheek, he didn’t stir.
Giggling to herself, she gave him a light pinch. This playful mischief had started recently.
As she fiddled with his face, her fingers brushed against his lips. The warmth of his skin was soothing. Despite his overall cool demeanor, this part of him was warm. She found it fascinating.
As she touched it, she remembered something Anna had said a while ago.
“Like clouds, warm and meltingly hot, and sweet!”
That was Anna’s description after her first kiss with the delivery boy from the Baron’s estate. She had been so delighted, saying that if she had known it felt so good, she would have done it sooner.
She even urged Macy to try it, telling her she wouldn’t regret it.
‘If I do it secretly… will he get mad?’
