CHAPTER-8: RED PORTRAIT

DAYUN: (notices her distress) "What's wrong, Eve-chan? You seem tense. Is everything okay? Do you need help with something?"(Concerned tone)

EVELYN: Is it.. that obvious..(smiles) but it's nothing you can help with..Dayun-sshi. Just about work...nothing else (forces a smile)

DAYUN: (leans in and whispers) "You can tell me, Eve-chan. I may not do much but I am a good listener. You know, sometimes talking to someone can make a big difference." (smirks) "Plus, it might be nice to get to know each other more, hmm?"

''Would it be alright to tell him about the investor?.. No, He would think that I'm being pathetic again.'' She said to herself. 

The idea of being looked down on by Dayun, scared her. But suddenly, another thought popped up in her mind.

''If he's such a hot shot then he might help us find the investor through his connections. It would be alright. Let's tell him.'' She crossed her fingers and told him about her issue. 

EVELYN: Actually, I'm in a tight spot at work... The thing is.. I've developed a game which was supposed to launch tomorrow but.. due to some personal reasons, my boss.. rejected it and told me to bring in a new investor.. for our game. The thing that's bothering me is the 2 days deadline he had set. (Covers her face with hands and shakes head in despair) But this is almost impossible for me to find an investor in such a short time period. This is really frustrating. 

DAYUN: (leans back in his chair and taps his chin thoughtfully) "I see, the situation is difficult indeed. What to do now? (Thinks while looking at me and then smiles) don't worry, Eve chan. The investor is right here. I'll invest in your game and help you launch it. (Smiles Confidently) I give you my word. 

EVELYN: (Surprised) What? Dayun-sshi, there's no need for it. I have told you about my situation as a friend. And you have already done a lot for me. I can't take such a big help from you. 

DAYUN: "Eve-chan, trust me. This is not out of pity but because I genuinely believe in your game. I'm not too much into games but you might have put so much efforts in it so, i want to see it succeed. Plus, it's a good investment on my part. So, let's shake hands on it." (holds out his hand for a handshake)

EVELYN: (looks at his face in dilemma)... But.. Dayun-sshi.. I..

DAYUN: Don't think too much, Eve-chan. You are a hardworking person and something trivial like this must not stop your success. That's why I'm helping you. (Smiles)

At first, Eve was reluctant to take help from Dayun but considering that he was rich and willing to invest on his own, she hesitantly grabbed his hand and accepted the offer. 

After shaking hands with Dayun, she felt a sense of relief that her game would still have a chance to get launched. 

EVELYN: you again have pulled me out from a difficult situation. Thank you so much, Dayun-sshi (smiles)

DAYUN: Don't thank me, Eve-chan. It's just my duty as a friend to help you out. Besides, I never back down from a challenge. You and your game have my full support. We'll make sure it's a hit. (Leans in closer and smirks) In exchange, you have to treat me to a fancy dinner after the launch of your game. 

EVELYN: Of course, I'll treat you to a meal. By the way, do you live alone, Dayun-sshi? 

DAYUN: (looks at me surprisingly) no.. i don't.. live alone.. i mean.. I do li... (A thud sound comes from the kitchen)

Evelyn turned towards the sound and her heart started racing as she saw Dayun's expression change. He quickly stood up from his place and dashed towards the kitchen. 

DAYUN: It must be her. (Goes towards the kitchen and sees a dish on the floor) Snow, come out now. (Shouts and claps his hands)

Evelyn stood frozen wondering who he was referring to but then, her mind was at ease after watching Dayun coming out with a cute Persian cat in his arms. 

Dayun's pet cat, Snow, came down, looking guilty. Dayun gave her a stern look before turning back to Evelyn with a sigh. 

DAYUN: You know you're not supposed to be on the kitchen counter. (Glares at the cat) And where's your collar? I told you to wear it at all times. (Sighs and looks back at her) Sorry for the disturbance, Eve-chan.

EVELYN: No, no it's alright. What a cute little thing! Is it.. yours, Dayun-sshi? (Looks excitedly at the cat)

DAYUN: Yes, she's my pet. Last winters, I found her wandering on the streets and couldn't resist taking her in. She's been with me ever since that day. (Smiles at Snow) Don't let her cuteness fool you, she can be quite a handful sometimes. 

EVELYN: Can I..touch her, just once ? (Looks at him with puppy eyes)

DAYUN: Sure, go ahead and pet her. Just be careful, she'll try to claw at you. (smirks) Don't say I didn't warn you. She's quite fierce when she wants to be.

She cautiously reached out her hand to pet Snow, who gently nuzzled against her palm. Dayun watched her with a small smile as she bonded over his beloved pet. 

The cat was disobedient but seemed to be comfortable around her. As she was playing with Snow, her eyes fell on a painting of a white cat, hanging on the wall. 

EVELYN: (looks at portrait) Did you.. paint it? 

DAYUN: Yes, I did. (looks down at his hands) It's my favorite painting. I always had a fascination with cats and their unpredictable nature. They represent a part of me that I can never fully understand. Do you like it? 

EVELYN: Yeah! It's very nice. And cats are so fluffy and cute. How can anyone not love them (Smiles) 

DAYUN: Thank you, Eve-chan. I'm glad you appreciate my art. (Smiles) I'm still learning though, it's a work in progress. But maybe someday, I'll be able to capture all the complexities of my subject on the canvas. I would be happy to show you my latest art pieces (pauses) And... I can make a portrait of yours.. if you are interested. (Looks in her eyes with a mischievous smile on his face)

EVELYN: I would love to.. if you wouldn't mind. 

DAYUN: Of course, I don't mind at all. (smirks) I would love to have someone appreciate my art, especially someone as interesting as you, Eve-chan. (Guides her inside to a room filled with paintings)

Dayun seemed to be a more keen artist than she had imagined. Eve could see that every time she brought up the topic of art, he would excitedly begin to admire his art works. 

His paintings were not only a source of income for him but his passion and a never-ending source of inspiration. He was more serious about his profession. And that was the thing about him which attracted her. 

While walking towards the room where the paintings were kept, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of portraits he could have painted. 

As Evelyn walked into the room, she became pale and her eyes widened at the sight of Dayun's paintings. 

Each one of them was filled with signs of violence and bloodshed. It seemed like each painting was conveying a dark and brutal story of its own.

And the paintings appear to be so real that.. it felt like each person and every person being painted.. was once a living soul. 

That sight was disturbing. It disgusted her to such an extent that she was about to throw up. 

Her heart raced as she was experiencing mixed feelings of fear, shock and confusion. Her mind was not ready to believe that the gentle and caring man she had come to know was capable of creating such dark and twisted art. 

''Was he asking me to make such a portrait of mine?'' She thought to herself. A wave of fear ran through her brain. 

DAYUN: (confidently starts admiring his art pieces with a mischievous grin on his face) do you know, Eve chan..there are so many colours in a pallet but I love red the most. It has different meanings for different people. For one, it might mean love.. but for me, it shows passion and temptation. That's why, most of the portraits here are red. These paintings were not easy to make. You need a talented hand and a strong mindset to draw such a piece of art. (Pauses) And.. all these are.. made from.. real blood. This is a little secret which I'm sharing with just you.. Because you are special. (Noticing her discomfort) "I'm sorry, Eve-chan. I didn't mean to make you feel uneasy. My art is just a way for me to express my ideas. But I understand if it's too much for you to handle."

EVELYN: (covers the mouth) no.. Dayun-sshi. I'm.. fine. I guess.. my stomach is a bit upset. I.. i.. think.. we better.. get out of here first. (Runs out of the room)

DAYUN: (calls out to her) Eve-chan, wait! (follows her out of the room) I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. My art may be dark, but I promise you, I am not. I just paint such kind of portraits because they have a high demand in foreign countries. I sure have gone crazy to show you such bloody paintings. Please forgive me. 

Eve couldn't shake off the eerie feeling that lingered after seeing Dayun's paintings. 

Despite his attempts to explain it away, her mind couldn't help but wonder if there was something more sinister behind his art. What kind of person was he truly? Was she in danger?