Chapter 14: CH 14

The man who left the Zebra Gallery nervously, got into a car.

“I can’t believe it.”

“ I…..I’m sorry.”

“I don’t think you understand.. why I’m here…. Listen carefully. I, Henry Marceau came here to buy art, not to see all these piles of junk. Do you understand?”

“But currently there is no place thats exhibiting the works of Ko Sooyeol and Jang Mirae…..so we can’t….”

“Then why don’t you just go to them in person! Why do we keep all these contact information for…dammit?”

“that….”

“What…..say dammit.?”

“Both of them……… refused.”

” …What.?”

Henri Marceau, who had inherited a fortune from his parents, could not believe what his secretary is saying.

Any painter would want to add their work to Henry Marceau’s collection.

But they refused.

‘Impossible…’

“Are you sure? Did you tell it’s me Henry Marceau who contacted them?”

“Yes. Ko Sooyeol turned it down because he had to attend his grandson’s exhibition, and so did Jang Mirae.”

Henry Marceau pinched his brow.

“I, Henry Marceau was rejected just because of some playhouse exhibition of his grandchild.?”

“They want me to actually believed that.? They’re just trying to get some penny more. Acting smart…huh.?”

“That……”

Henry Marceau opened a wooden box and took out a cigar.

He rubbed the end of the cigar to control his anger.

“Go to the exhibition hall. Tell them I shall meet and talk in person?”

“Yes. I will contact immediately…”

Secretary Arsene made calls to Ko Sooyeol and Jang Mirae in turn, but neither of them took the call.

Henry Marceau said angrily.

“That’s it dammit…. Let’s go.”

The secretary started driving the car.

“How dare they ignore me, Henry Marceau, the genius artist of the century.?”

Henri Marceau nervously cut off the end of the cigar.

He lighted the cigar lowly and savoured long smoke before excitement subsidizing his anger.

‘No…No… it’s Alright. Besides there must be a reason.’

Henri Marceau, who highly valued Ko Sooyeol and Jang Mirae, thought that as an artist they should have at least that much level of pride.

‘But are you worthy of that? We’ll find out when we meet.’

Henri Marceau smiled leisurely.

After a while, Henri Marceau arrived at the Seoul Museum of Art and he headed for Exhibition Hall 1.

“El patron…!”

At the call of his secretary calling him, Henry Marceau turned around with an irritated expression on his face.

“What.…?”

“Sorry…. El patron.”

Secretary Arsene bowed his head to apologize and said.

“It seems that the exhibition is over there.”

Henri Marceau looked in the direction the secretary was pointing.

He could see a panel leading to an exhibition of emerging artists.

“Exhibition room 3?”

“Yes. It is on the second floor.”

Henry Marceau, grinned his teeth and searched for an elevator.

“I think we have to go by stairs.”

“What kind of rundown building is this. Are they still living in the stone age..dammit.”

Henry Marceau glared at his secretary as he climbed the stairs and reached the third exhibition room where the exhibition of new artists was held.

“You go look for them. If you find them, bring them here immediately.”

“Yes.”

Henry Marceau slowly looked at the exhibited works and started to walk.

‘It’s good that there are few people.’

‘The only good thing is that there is no one to interfere with me viewing the work.’

The things that were actually hanging were below the standard.

Occasionally, there were works that showed small potential, but they were all pile of junks based on Henri Marceau’s standards.

‘It’s a waste of time.’

‘Rather, the paintings hanging at the Zebra Gallery pretended to be a work of art.’

Henry Marceau shook his head and stood in front of the exhibition hall and started walking.

Suddenly…

There was a brilliance that washed away his stained eyes.

Sunflowers overflowing with colours that seemed like melting of gold.

A delicate touch and boldly stretched stems as if it was alive with wounded leaves.

As if this single sunflower was enough, the background was just painted white.

Henry Marceau’s heart was set ablaze with desire.

______________

Grandpa and Jang Mirae left me in the exhibition hall to discuss the price of the painting with the museum.

There were a lot more people than in the morning, so I was sitting in a chair and watching other works, but the reporter whom I saw the other day came to visit again.

I think his name was Kim Jiwoo.

“ Hey…Hun.”

“Hello.”

“Did you see my article.? It got 3,000 views.”

“I didn’t see it.”

“Why? Aren’t you curious? The comments were also very good.”

“I don’t have a smartphone.”

“Ah.”

Kim Jiwoo showed his smartphone and when I  looked at it, I saw my painting in it.

“You are really a journalist.”

“Why? Did you not believe it? Don’t I look like a journalist?”

“You said you will make sure to sell the painting. But it’s still here. How can I believe such a guy who tell lies.?

“Uh… that…..… Anyway, read it.”

‘I think my grandpa pushed the surface like this with his hand.’

I doubted whether it was the right way to do it, and after following along, I could see below.

The more I look at it, the more strange it becomes.

Is it good?

It’s good, but isn’t it a bit overkill.

It’s because he’s the grandson of Ko Sooyeol.

You have to see this for yourself.

Seeing the real work and seeing it in 　　　photos are different.Stop spreading hatred.

I really like it. The atmosphere is really good.

It feels bit lonely, but it’s powerful, and the colour is amazing.

How do he use this colour?

I went to see this yesterday and it’s crazy.

I felt like the picture is shining.

Now, They even advertising paintings.

How much did the reporter get for this?

Ah, I was a little depressed today, but looking at this picture, I feel relieved.

.

How long is this exhibition?

for one week!

I honestly don’t believe it.Did a ten-year-old really draw this?

There were many things I didn’t understand, so I wondered if the response is really good.

“Mr.Kim Jiwoo, Do you advertise paintings?. What does it mean by how much did you get for this?”

“No, don’t look at that, look here. Some say that the atmosphere is good, and some say that they saw it in person and said it was very good.”

I felt thankful for them.

“Leave it to me. I’ll make you famous, Then more people will come to buy your paintings, so it’s no different than selling your paintings.”

As always, the price of a painting seems to be determined by the publicity it makes.

Will I really become famous just for drawing a single painting?

I think it’s impossible 

“I don’t have money.”

“What money?”

“Isn’t you did this because you want money?”

“What money…..? Do you know that I can get paid with real money if I write advertisements? But I’ve never written one like that…. it’s a provocative, boy.”

I don’t know why he helps me without asking for anything.

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I had nothing else to give, so I took out a candy that Mirae gave me to eat when I was bored.

“Here…take this.”

“candy?”

“it is delicious.”

Kim Jiwoo hesitated a bit, but took it and put it in his mouth.

“It’s been a long time since I ate a candy.”

“If you bite it, it disappears quickly.”

There were no more  spectators.

Grandpa and Jang Mirae weren’t here, so we were chatting to clear our minds.

At that moment an arrogant looking man stopped in front of the [sunflower].

He had dark brown curly hair, Deep eyes and big nose.

‘Is he a French?’

I was paying attention because his features looked familiar, but he didn’t even look at the exhibited works. 

He seems to be a rude person.

But he seems to like [Sunflower].

“ It seems like I know that face. Where did I see him before.?”

Kim Jiwoo tilted his head and looks at the man.

As he was watching, a man approached him and spoke to him.

“El patron, they seem to be talking with organizers. So it might take a while……”

It’s French

The man concentrating on the picture doesn’t seem to be able to hear the words, so he didn’t show any reaction.

“El Patron……!!”

“Shut up. Dammit.”

I don’t know what kind of relationship those two have, but seeing him treat the man so harshly makes me feel uncomfortable.

I lost my interest in explaining the painting to him, and sat down on the chair, while the arrogant man opened his mouth.

“Hey…, does anyone know who drew this?”

While he was turning his head left and right, I shouted lifting my hand while sitting on the chair with my legs crossed.

“I drew it.”

The arrogant man came near me, raised his chin and looked down at me.

Then scanned me up and down uncomfortably.

My head started hurting because of looking up at him, but I didn’t drop my head down.

After staring at me for a while, he spoke.

“Are you Ko Sooyeol’s grandson?”

“Yes.”

He turned his head to look at [Sunflower] , and then turned towards me.

One side of lips started going upwards.

“ Je vois..… It was like that.”

He pulled out a bundle of checks from his jacket pocket.

“Kid, do you know me?”

“I do’nt.”

“ You…….You are……… Henry Marceau..!”

I was startled.

When I turned my head, Kim Jiwoo hurriedly took out his camera.

“That person’s right. You should remember it, if you want to step into art industry.”

The man named Henry Marceau gestured to the unlucky man standing next to him.

He took out a card and handed it over to me.

“Is this your first exhibition?”

“Yes.”

“I will buy your first painting. You should know it’s honour for you and your painting.”

Kim Jiwoo trembled as he looked at the business card in my hand.

“Hun! what? Why did he give you his business card?”

“He wants to buy my painting.”

“eeeeeeee……really……!”

I thought about it last time, but this person’s voice is too high.

“Really? The real Henry Marceau wants to buy your painting? why? Why…? did he like it so much?  How much does he want pay? Did he came after seeing my article?”

“Who is this noisy guy.?”

“Ahhhhhh…. I….I’m a journalist.”

“Ah. journaliste”

Henry Marceau looked at the unlucky man next to him and moved his eyes.

Soon the man came to Kim Jiwoo and said.

“Sir, would you mind giving space for the two of them to talk? I will explain the situation to you.”

He spoke Korean with a slurred pronunciation and an awkward accent.

“No. I want him to be here.”

I spoke firmly, and the unlucky man whispered it to Henri Marceau, then he treated Kim Jiwoo as if there was not there.

He then looked at [sunflower] and started speaking.

“The composition and technique is outdated, but the use of colour is worth looking at. You seems be used to drawing with a brush.”

After giving his comment, he turned his head towards me.

“How much do you want.? Say the number.”

I looked at his suits and shoes.

I didn’t know where they are made, but they show the essence of a craftsman.

Looks like someone with money.

He has an employer, and he has an arrogant personality and asks how much I want. 

It’s a confidence that comes from his financial ability to pay any amount.

“I’m not selling it to you.”

Henry Marceau furrowed his eyebrows.

“Que…?”

“I want to sell my paintings to people who know the value of them.”

Henri Marceau looks at me.

“What?  Hun.? What are you talking about?”

Let’s ignore Kim Ji-woo for a moment.

Henri Marceau closed his eyes and raised one eyebrow.

“Do you mean that I don’t have eye for paintings.?”

“Yes.”

“This cheeky little brat.”

Henry Marceau came closer.

My neck hurt even more, but I didn’t avert my gaze.

“Hahahahaha…..…”

He started laughing.

“I will give you 100,000 euros. sell it.”

It’s time for Kim Ji-woo.

“Uncle, how much is 100,000 euros?”

“What…Uncle…? I’m just 29…… No, doesn’t matter now, Did he say he will give you 100,000 euros?”

“ Yes. Hurry up.”

“Uh… about 140 million won? Amazing, Great. Are you getting that for your first painting?”

If you divide it 50/50 with this exhibition hall, it is 70 million won.

“Look. As I said, You don’t know the value of a painting.”

When I provoked, he took hands to his chin, and with a smile asked.

“en réalité…? Then can you tell me what is the real value of this painting?”

I stood up from the chair and looked at him in his eyes and said.

“It’s the first painting of someone who will one day surpass Pablo Picasso.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

Henri Marceau laughed as if his voice could be heard throughout the exhibition hall. 

I can feel gazes of everyone in the exhibition hall looking at us.

He glanced at the sunflower and spoke again.

“Ouais… Ouais…..When they are young everyone says like that. But once they enter the art world, they will know that it can’t be done. Dreaming big is good, kid…. but it shouldn’t be this big…… quel blagueur.”

“I will do it.”

I starred at him without blinking my eyes.

The smile disappeared from Henri Marceau’s lips.

He got away from me and went towards [Sunflower].

He placed his hand in the wall next to [Sunflower], then looked at it up and down, and after which turned his head towards me.

“Look at that absurd confidence of someone who just started holding a brush. bravo à vous…. I like it. Call the amount.”

Henry Marceau looked up at the unlucky man and soon the man took a pen and placed it on a book.

Without taking my eyes away from Henry Marceau, I said.

“Two million euros.”

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