Page 119 of Scarbound

Noeul’s cheeks flushed. He looked away and hid part of his face behind his arm.

Ji-Woo laughed. “Very much.”

“Hey.”

Kija chuckled.

“I have some pieces I’d really like your opinion on,” Noeul said. “And Ji-Woo is updating his portfolio, so maybe we could come together?”

“I’d prefer that,” Ji-Woo added quickly.

Kija nodded. “Then bring whatever you have. Both of you.”

Noeul smiled. “Thank you.”

Kija took out his phone. “How about we exchange numbers? It’ll be easier to arrange the lessons that way.”

Before Noeul could reach for his own phone, Chung-Hee spoke. “That isn’t necessary.”

The sharpness of his voice caught everyone’s attention. He seemed to realize it too, because his expression immediately settled.

“You can communicate through me,” he continued more calmly. “Noeul knows how busy you are with work.”

Noeul looked at him.

There it was.

The same thing Ji-Woo had warned him about.

He decides who gets close to you.

His excitement dimmed slightly.

Kija, however, didn’t seem intimidated. “You’re busier than me, Hee.” He held his phone toward Noeul again. “Direct communication makes more sense. Besides, I’d like to see some photographs of their work before we meet.”

Chung-Hee’s gaze dropped to the phone, then to Noeul.

For a moment, Noeul wondered if he should refuse simply to keep the peace. The thought irritated him. Why should he? He hadn’t done anything wrong.

He pulled out his phone.

Chung-Hee said nothing, and that silence made Ji-Woo nervous.

“Before you arrange anything,” Chung-Hee said eventually, “perhaps you should tell them your fee.”

Kija smiled. “Worried I’ll bankrupt your employee?”

“Noeul may not be able to afford private lessons from you.”

The words were factual. Still, embarrassment heated Noeul’s face. It was true. With his current finances, private lessons from an artist as successful as Kija were probably far beyond what he could comfortably spend.

Kija stepped closer and rested a hand briefly on Noeul’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about that.” His voice softened. “If I’m working with both of you on a university portfolio, we can arrange something reasonable.”

Ji-Woo looked relieved. “Thank you.”

Noeul bowed slightly. “Really. Thank you.”

Kija smiled. “You can thank me after I see the work.”