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"Jeongguk, are you asleep?"

It's 1:35 am, Jeongguk knows it from the neon signs on his watch.

"No..."

"Oh..."

It's not supposed to be awkward in between them. They don't let that happen— the settling of the silence to the point where they have to face the elephant in the room.

And with them? There's a whole zoo they need to address and neither of them knows where to start.

"Do you...wanna sleep on the bed?" Jeongguk asks. "You said everyone deserves one."

"You want me to sleep beside you?" Minhee whispers.

Both of them are looking at the ceiling, nowhere else with blankets stretched up to their necks. Jeongguk hesitates, would it be weird if he says yes? It's not like he's going to fall asleep anytime soon anyway, might as well give her the comfort for her sleep.

"N-no, I will sleep on the couch then."

What a hypocrite and a coward are you, Jeon Jeongguk? He mentally scoffs.

"I am okay here," Minhee says.

A beat of silence.

"What is your favourite movie?"

Minhee cringes, she seriously needs to shut her mouth sometimes. Why did she ask such a random question? And out of all, she could have instead.

Jeongguk chuckles, "Titanic, I think."

"Tsk Tsk, that's very cliché of you Jeongguk. Bet you read books like Fault in our stars." Minhee laughs, already feeling her eyes droop, pulling her back to sleep.

"Didn't read it," Jeongguk tells her. "Knew I would cry when I read all the reviews so I watched the movie instead. To finish up my crying session in an hour instead of days."

Why is he telling her that? She didn't ask. It must be the wine, hell.

"How efficient and smart of you," Minhee murmurs, chuckling because it's so silly.

"I don't know...I still cried for four hours," Jeongguk mumbles.

Minhee chuckles. "And your favourite singer is IU?"

"How did you know?" Jeongguk amuses, surprised.

"You always plan her songs in your car, even your Spotify liked songs are filled with her songs and random rap gods. Seriously? Expand your music taste, young man. Make a playlist."

"Please, who actually listens to the playlists they make?" Jeongguk says, folding an arm underneath his head. "One day I want to listen to this and the other day I randomly remember a song from 2010 and listen to that. No use of playlists."

"I will make one for you," Minhee says, yawning. "With the latest songs and all old gems too."

Jeongguk can sense the sleepiness in her tone. "Can't guarantee I will like all of them."

"If you like even one of them," Minhee sighs, yawning again as her eyes close. "My mission will be complete."

Jeongguk chuckles. He looks towards Minhee and says, "Goodnight."

She hums.

"Are you asleep?"

Another hum.

"Am I the most handsome one in the world?"

No answer. Jeongguk scoffs, turning away from her, "Of course, you won't answer that even in your sleep."

And he suddenly wonders, why didn't he ask Minhee to go back to her room?

And moreover, why did she not say that herself?

...

The meet and greet with Ileana Juliette flows like a breeze, with pleasantries exchanged, compliments exaggerated and Minhee surprisingly finds herself laid back. It's strange because all this time, such events kept her on edge—made her nervous but today she enjoys talking to other designers and businessmen on the cruise.

Jeongguk is by her side when she greets the host, Ileana, who congratulates them both for getting a feature on Persona. Then they sit on one of the tables, with the sunlight filtering through the glass as the cruise travels through the city of Paris, giving them an exquisite view of everything.

Ileana toasts to the beginning of a new chapter, her new product line whose profit will directly go to people who are fighting cancer and the food is served.

One thing Minhee noticed about the people here, and it surprises her that they seem to be very transparent. She has met a bunch of people since Abbie's show and even today, and it seems like people don't find silence awkward here. The businessmen talk and then they are on the way to enjoy the event they have gathered for— no unnecessary remarks about anyone; no absurd, diplomatic and vague conversations; impressions are created by how you convey your point in the least amount of words.

That's so different from what she is used to. It seems like the line between professional and personal life is thicker in some places than others and people define it on the basis of their boundaries instead of societal curiosity about how the rich work.

Also, Jeongguk looks extremely different today. Minhee has been avoiding looking at him ever since she found him waiting in the lobby because today, Jeongguk looks pretty.

No, Minhee has seen him before, even in the magazine covers, at home when he has not had a bath— there are times when Minhee finds herself thinking how good it would have been if she had gotten those eyelashes instead, or his neck, his lips or only if she knew how to walk like that. (And then she hits her head somewhere hard as if it will make it stop thinking.)

But those are the days when he's effortlessly beautiful, and they still hold the roughness of features.

However, today, he has made the effort to look so. He has a slight shimmery eyeshadow on his eyelids, with pinkish accents, his eyeliner is elongated to give it a wing but it's not very noticeable. Then there's a smudge of darker shades to give it a smokey look.

It's baffling because it compliments him so well. It makes Minhee wonder if Jeongguk started his own company instead of joining Wings because of his profound love for makeup.

"Why do you love makeup Jeongguk?"

Jeongguk's pauses, fork held midair as he flicks his eyes up towards Minhee. He blinks twice and eats the piece of meat before placing it on his plate. "Awfully curious, aren't you?"

"I just wanted to know," Minhee says, mindlessly slicing through the already cut gap of the meat. "Why would you open a business after getting a degree in science?"

Jeongguk chuckles. "What about you?"

"It's a good business," Minhee simply shrugs, "Constant throughout the year with its profits."

Jeongguk scoffs, standing up with his plate, "That's your reason?" he says, perplexed. "Why didn't you open a food truck, Missy? Sell sundaes, all days."

Minhee rolls her eyes but before she could point out that he's turned her question back to her, he walks away. "Thank you for joining me all today, here. Hope to see you all soon in the Ego Runway fashion walk, my secretary will guide you to the exit."

Oh? The brunch is over? She didn't even get a moment to talk to Ileana! She had planned it all, to talk about her wish to work with her and get her on board. What the hell?

"If you plan to stay here the whole day, here's a warning for you," Jeongguk says, standing behind her. He holds her head and turns it towards a notice stuck on the wall. "It says, don't leave your pets and children unattended."

Minhee closes her eyes as Jeongguk laughs, letting her head go and pats her head. You're not being yourself Jeon Jeongguk, don't pat my head! She screams in her head but scampers her way towards the exit.

They stand on the deck, exchanging goodbyes with everyone and cluelessly look at each other. Minhee wonders if Jeongguk is interested in walking around the city a little bit, given they have the rest of the day free. "Where to now?"

"You, or me?" Jeongguk says, pointing to her and then himself.

Minhee furrows her eyebrows, mimicking Jeongguk's gesture. "You and me."

Jeongguk immediately gives her a tight-lipped smile, shrugging. "We go our own ways, wifey. You are not coming with me." And he starts walking away. Minhee is quick on her feet to follow him, struggling to keep his pace by just walking.

"Oh come on, are you going to go back to the hotel just like that?" Minhee says."We are in Paris, we need to explore more."

But when she realises that the hotel is the other way and not in the direction Jeongguk is walking to, she holds his arm. "Where are you going?"

Jeongguk sighs, removing her hand from his arm. Minhee is taken aback when he looks at her that way as if he's requesting her. "Go back to the hotel Minhee, please."

"But where are you going?"

"Since when have you cared?"

Minhee shuts her mouth. Jeongguk starts walking again and this time, Minhee doesn't stop him or follow him. Right, since when has she cared?

She watches him walk away and merge into the crowd, leaving her to sigh and walk around alone.

...

"Thank you, Secretary Kim," Jeongguk says, walking out the public restroom in casuals, giving back the attire he had worn for the brunch to him.

"You sure you don't need me to tag along with you?" The elder man says, keeping the folded clothes inside his bag and giving Jeongguk his backpack.

"Am I a kid?"

"Just asking," Secretary Kim sighs. He pats the younger's shoulder, turning around to walk back to the hotel. Jeongguk scoffs, "Why does he always exaggerate things? Am I going to war or something?"

He opens his map and tries to navigate his way to the day's first place, Jacques Genin, a dessert shop of one of the best chocolatiers in Paris.

On the way, he mentally notes how many chocolates he needs to buy for his family and friends, probably some close business partners too.

The ambience is extremely nice, Jeongguk thinks. The light bricks set up filter out the afternoon heat and also locks in the smell of fresh coffee and chocolate within the shop.

A young boy welcomes him, explains to him about different chocolates and gives him a piece or two to taste as well. Jeongguk hums every time chocolate melts in his mouth, eyes closing when the burst of flavour sends him to heaven.

"Which one would you like to buy?"

"This—"

But it's not his voice only. There's another voice, he knows it very well and with a face twisted in agitation, he looks at the other speaker.

"This one's better, buy this," Minhee says, eating the piece of chocolate she has in her hand.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Jeongguk asks, lips parted in disbelief.

"I am not following you, for the record," she clarifies, "I was on my way to the shopping street down there when I saw you walk in here. Small world, yeah?"

Jeongguk scoffs, looking outside towards the street. Small world my foot.

"I see you've changed too," Minhee says and then stretches her leg straight to pose, "I did too. Brought this for five euros, saved money didn't I?"

Jeongguk rolls his eyes.

"Are you two a couple?" the young man suddenly asks.

No answer, just a questioning stare thrown his way.

"Actually we have these pastry classes," Jeongguk's ears perk up as the young boy speaks, "It's held by our shop's owner himself. Would you guys like to join in?"

Jeongguk licks his lips. Fate really likes to play games with him.

2. Attend a couple's pastry class

He looks at Minhee who is scratching her head, cluelessly. She hasn't said no yet? Didn't correct him, or show any disgust?

"Ofcourse, we'd love to." He says, looking back at the young man who claps excitedly. "This way, lovebirds."

Jeongguk quickly texts Secretary Kim, saying he has to cancel their plan to attend the pastry class at the other cafe and starts walking inside.

"You really want to attend it? A couple's pastry class?" Minhee says, giving a pointed look to him. "Why?"

"Who cares if it's a couple or not? Just wanted to learn how to make some little desserts..." Jeongguk mumbles.

There are three other couples already inside, all set with their aprons and random smooches from time to time to attend the pastry class.

"All right lovebirds, the magic and art of pastry making is said to have to make couples fall in love with each other more and create more memories in the Parisian air, so let's dive into it directly. We are going to try making a macaron, get your caps on and lets all Macaron!!"

"Tell me you regret it already," Minhee whispers, looking at her apron. How do you wear this?

"We are learning to make macarons, what's there to regret?" Jeongguk shrugs.

Minhee rolls her eyes. It's slightly uncomfortable when the other couples are all over each other and then there's her and Jeongguk who don't even look at each other.

"I think something is wrong with the apron...why does it have two hoops like this?" Minhee says, staring at the apron held in her hands.

Jeongguk sighs, taking it from her and somehow gets a loop around her neck and pulls her closer. Minhee's heart jumps when he loops his arms around her to tie the apron behind her.

Surprisingly, Jeongguk doesn't let go and just leans back to look at Minhee. He's wearing lenses too. Minhee notes. They are light brown.

"Better wifey?"

Minhee gulps, her hands hanging loosely. She can't bring herself to hold him. "O-ofcourse honey."

Minhee can't believe she retorted back to his comment like that. He seems to be taken aback as well because there's an amused smirk on his face.

He then spares her a glare before he smiles, fake. "Sugar."

Minhee cocks a brow.

"Flour."

Minhee now rolls her eyes and Jeongguk's smile morphs into a grin.

Oh, you're not winning this Jeongguk. "Butter, Egg, Cream, Preheat to 180 degrees."

"Funny." Jungkook deadpans, backing away from her. "Didn't you hear the instructions? It's 150 degrees."

...

During the pastry class, something shifts in between them. They realise they are capable of working with each other in silence and without any disagreement.

They bake their macarons, five each and happily savour two of them in the shop itself.

"It was lovely to see you two!" the chef tells them when the class is done, "It's rare to see a couple so quiet but so in love too. Bless you, both, here, it's my personal treat."

Jeongguk hesitantly accepts it, wondering what part of them made him feel like they are in love?

They head out and it's already evening till then, nearly sunset. Jeongguk flicks his watch up, "There's this cafe down here, I heard they serve good cocktails."

"Aren't you full?" Minhee asks, widening her eyes. "Brunch, macarons, chocolate, coffee and now drinks?"

"I am not asking you to come with me." Jeongguk says, "I am telling you that I am going there so you may continue your way to the shopping street."

Minhee thinks, ideally she should. But.

"I wanna come with you too." Jeongguk would like to dig up a hole and bury himself there. "You don't even drink, you need me."

Oh shut the fuck up. "As you wish."

On the way, they come across a whole street of assorted flowers. Jeongguk is absolutely mesmerised as he goes around the shops, looking for the best flowers. He's dragged outside by Minhee, ten minutes later, knowing that the tree-loving nature is in the blood and it would take him hours if he is in there.

Paris is known for its strange designed bars and restaurants. The Little Red Door is the entrance with the red door as the name suggests. Then there's a bar whose entry is like a pizzeria's freezer with random ham pieces hanging from the ceiling. (They are real, Kim told him the other day.)

Lavomatic is another such cafe.

"Is that a washing machine?" Minhee points, "Is this your better way to kill me? Wash me, squeeze me, dry me and then what?"

Jeongguk sighs. "Can you not be that dramatic please?" he points at the door. "That's the entrance, looking like a washing machine and the rest are real washing machines lord."

"Oh."

And it's all mind-boggling to Minhee. The ambience, the concept and the place itself. They sit in the corner, ordering the simplest and lightest drink because say it or not their stomachs are full.

"Wow...how did you even know about it?" Minhee says when they walk out of the cafe. "Did all your bucket list come in handy huh?"

Jeongguk freezes, halting on his path.

"Seriously Jeongguk, I didn't expect you to be like this," Minhee says, placing a hand on her belly. It's too full.

Jeongguk doesn't react, doesn't move, doesn't know what to do.

"You even carry a paper map. That's so old fashioned. You seem like a character jumped straight out of a film that's made on a teen's journey to self-discovery." She laughs and it's genuine, so genuine that it hurts.

"So what?"

Minhee furrows her eyebrows, still laughing, "What?"

"So what if it's old fashioned?" Jeongguk says, stepping closer. They are in the middle of a street, he knows. "And how did you know about the bucket list?"

"Woah dude," Minhee raises her hand up in defence. "What's gotten into you all of sudden? And you just guessed about the bucket list, otherwise, why would you have such specific places to go around here?*

Mistake. He should have sent her away today.

"And honestly I find it childish like who makes bucket lists nowadays? When there are so many good things—"

"Shut. Up." Jeongguk says, staring at his feet. "Not a word more."

"You're overreacting Jeongguk," Minhee says. "I mean I am sorry if you felt bad even though I don't understand why—"

"You would never." He says, stepping back. "Do you ever?"

"Jeongguk—"

"Thank you for attending the class Minhee, with me." He says, "Go back to the hotel."

Minhee furrows her eyebrows, stepping forward. "Wait, why? Your list has one more place—"

"I will sort out my list on my own!" Jeongguk raises his voice. A few passersby look at them, concerned and judging. "It's none of your business!"

And he turns around, walking away.

It's like a deja vu to Minhee. Except for this time she has a box of macarons in her hand. And guilt building up in her heart.

What did she do wrong this time?

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