“April Rains and Come What Mays”

Dara POV

“You’re out of luck. It doesn’t usually rain so much in Paris. Only since you came.” I turn sideways to see Kwon Jiyong’s cousin join me by the window one rainy morning. It wasn’t hard to find him at the airport when I first arrived because he looked so much like Jiyong. And the 1st time we met, reminded me so much of how I met Ji. The scowl on his face proved that he didn’t want me here. It’s not like I’m not being used to this kind of treatment. What with having forced my presence upon Seunghyun the first time we met at his cottage in winter, a lifetime ago.

Okay, didn’t we agree not to think of Seunghyun?, she hears her conscience and she takes a deep breath to block all thoughts of the guy.

He lived alone at the penthouse of a Parisian apartment with 2 rooms. It wasn’t extravagant but it wasn’t simple either. He told me he was waiting a long time, so I apologized, as if the delay of the aircraft was my fault. I thought to move out but, he stopped me because truth was, we needed to share rent and that’s probably why Jiyong thought to send me here.

Six months living with the guy wasn’t so bad. He became more amiable and I tried not to get in his way most of the time. Song Mino was younger than I am, but his independence is praiseworthy. He oversees the family business stationed in Lyon but is also a talented photographer, a hobby he enjoys so much.

“Seems Paris wants to cry with me.”, I tell him before I sip on my coffee cup.

“So, what’s the sad story?”, he asked. “If you don’t mind.”

“Pathetic but, I needed to escape from a broken heart. I thought Paris can make me forget.” I answer honestly and he laughs so I glare at him. He bites his lip to stop but he was still smiling, probably mocking me but I’m used to that too.

"To forget someone you loved in the City of Love. Isn't that ironic?", he says before he asks, “by Kwon Jiyong?”

I shook my head and he pressed on.

“You mean, he never made a move on you?”

“No.” I answer straight to the point. “If there was something I admire in your cousin, it’s his loyalty.”

“Ahhh, I see.” I heard a click of a camera then I turn to him. True enough, his lens was on me and I look away immediately. “Sorry, you photograph nicely.”, he says. Another trait of Mino’s was that he speaks whatever was on his mind. He shows me the photo and I sigh. “I’ll give you 20% if someone buys it.”, he adds.

“50.”, I say, and he agrees. “How about you? What’s your story?”, I ask.

“I used to be an actor.”, Mino answers. “I worked in supporting roles and Seunghyunie-hyung helped me start in the business.” I look down but I saw him glance at me. Perhaps to guage my reaction at the mention of his name. I know that he knows now. “Then, because of a scandal I was sent here by my uncle to be a boring office guy.”

No, he wasn’t a boring office guy and I know because I saw him at the office, when he took me there on my 1st day here. Mino was accomplished; a businessman, an artist and a flirt. After his acting stint, he was forced to school by his family. He told me about how the previous manager taught him everything until he was ready to take over. It’s only been a year that he’s handling everything without help and it’s simple. All he needed to do is scout brands that the Korean office want and make a deal with them so they can sponsor their artists back in Korea. It wasn't too much work for him, for Song Mino had a compelling attractiveness that can inspire devotion in others.

“Scandal?”

“A video.”, he answers honestly. “Do you want to see it?” I immediately shook my head and he laughed. “You mean, you never saw it?”

“I did.”, I answer, as I remember a rumor around campus that time. “Was it really with a guy?”, I ask, and he laughs then shook his head. “I thought so. You don’t really give me that vibe.”

“Want to test that theory?”, he playfully invites, and I just looked away.

“I’m your noona.”

“The woman in that video was 20 years older than me.” This time, I really spilled my drink and he laughed so loud that the birds perched on our window got startled and flew away. I’m glad that this guy was now happy at my expense. I got the napkin on the table and began wiping my shirt. “You say you’re my noona but you’re such a kid.”

“Thanks.”, I glare at him then I sigh. “So, this is a punishment or something like that?”

“You could say that.”, he nods. “I work but I’m not really getting paid. Jiyong hyung sends me allowance and I have a trust fund that’s only to be spent according to the conditions that our grandfather stated on his will. So, I had to work another job to survive. I take photography gigs on weekends, and work as a bartender after office hours. The day I picked you up at the airport, I just got fired from my other job.”

“What? Why?”, completely surprised as this is the 1st time I’m hearing this. It’s the 1st time we actually sat down and talked to each other.

“Well, I work at this pub a few blocks from the office and I’m the one who closes it. We had a patron who always asked for my company. Turns out, she was married, and the husband came and almost shot me. He thrashed the place instead, so my boss fired me.”

“Sorry to hear that.”, I look curiously at him and remember last night. “Pardon me but, the woman last night?” Mino nods and my mouth could only form an O.

I just got back from a late-night stroll when I heard screaming from the inside. I opened the door to our apartment without knocking, thinking that Mino was in trouble when I found a woman in her late 40s screaming and throwing a vase at him.

“She came looking for me”, Mino adds. “I told her that I didn’t want to see her again. Thank you for what you did, Dara. You looked like you were really going to hurt her if she didn’t leave.” I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I was so scared that he was going to get hurt, to be honest. The woman’s husband came, and I got lucky that he didn’t hurt women when I charged at him after he punched Mino.

“Stop! This is trespassing, and I will call the police if you do not leave us alone! Sir, I think you need to put a leash on your wife since she keeps coming back here! We will file a restraining order and I will be happy to see you both in court! And I will not stop until you are behind bars, Madam!” I recalled saying.

“Who do you think you are?”, the woman screamed at me and I showed them my hand. The 24-karat pink diamond glistening on my left ring finger. A ring that Seunghyun gave me on my 25th birthday, the only birthday I got to celebrate with him. I found it in my jewelry box this morning and thought to wear it, thinking that I was walking around Paris with him. But gone was the sappy sentimental thoughts I had as soon as I got home. “I am Mino’s fiancé", I lied,  "and he has told me about how you kept on harassing him! So, what will it be? I’m sure our CCTV cameras had a good capture on how you came here and started assaulting my fiancé.”

The couple left but I was only able to breathe normally after Mino pulled me to his embrace. “Thank you.”, he murmured against my ear. “I’m sorry and thank you, Dara.”

“Where’s your ring?”, he asks, and I look at my hand. I take it off and give it to him. “Is it really a betrothal ring?”

“A promise ring.”, I say.

“From the guy who broke your heart?”, he asks, and I could just nod. “Then, why do you still wear it if he broke your heart?” I couldn’t answer that question without further humiliating myself so I keep mum.

“Mind if I keep it?”, he asks, looking me in the eye. “You say that you want to forget. Maybe I can help you.”

“Do you like living dangerously?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s not like I’m testing my mortality.”, he answers while grinning. I give his question another thought. This young man has been through so much, I didn’t want to add to his burden. Not when, I think I’ll never really get over Seunghyun. Or maybe I will get over him, but I’ll never forget him.

“Did you ever do something that’s out of your comfort zone?”, he asks again.

“Coming here is totally not part of the plan, but it’s going well, so far.”, I answered. I can feel his eyes on me, but I dared not turn. He stood up, all 6 ft and 1-inch obscures my view of the rain. I am trapped between his arms as he leans over me. “You got me out of my mess, now allow me to return the favor.”

“Mino, we hardly know each other.”

“So far, you’re the only woman who has lived with me for 6 months and that is saying a lot. Give yourself a chance again, Dara.”, Mino says before he leans down and kisses me.

And I found myself not wanting him to stop, either.

The Eiffel tower gleams in the distance and the stars shine brightly over the city of love. Two handsome bachelors were dining among the elite in a high ceilinged, rooftop restaurant in its heart. The older one had ash blonde hair, perfectly combed in place, clad in an expensive looking suit while the younger one, with black hair that almost covers his brows, in a casual albeit designer coat and inner white shirt. A waitress checks on them every now and then and wouldn’t stop until Mino says that their they were satisfied with her service.

“So, what brings you to Paris, Seunghyun hyung? I forgot to ask when I picked you up at the airport.”, Mino calmly asks while cutting his steak. Seunghyun turns to the view outside and grins at him. “Didn’t the main office inform you?”, Seunghyun answers instead.

“You are a week early.”, Mino says. “The schedule we plotted are all for next week, so I was surprised when you called. And where’s my annoying cousin? I thought agents are supposed to go where the artists go.” Seunghyun bit back a laugh and grinned mischievously at Mino. “You don’t say…”, Mino let the statement hang and Seunghyun couldn’t help but laugh openly now.

“He doesn’t know you’re here, does he?”

A nod.

“And what am I supposed to say if he calls and asks?”

“Tell him you don’t know.”

“And why would I do that?”, Mino looks suspiciously at Seunghyun.

“Mino, he can’t know I’m here.”

“Why?”

“I just want to spend some alone time in Paris before our schedule becomes crazy again.”, Seunghyun answers honestly. “I called you because I’m sure Jiyong will try to contact you. Please, Mino. I know you will understand. And, about the hotel reservation, its fine. I rented an apartment down in Champs, close to your place. I’ll be staying there for a week.”

“But you have no security and what if…”

“Mino, I’m a grown man. If I need anything, I can call you, right?”

“Of course, Seunghyun hyung.” Mino nods.

“Jiyong mentioned that you’re living with someone now.”, Seunghyun states, looking curiously at Mino. “I hope she’s not married, Mino. Your taste in women are so peculiar. I agree that age shouldn't matter but Mino, can they not be married? I don’t even know how you just let these women use you. I still remember how Jiyong and I stopped your uncle from killing you that day.”

“She’s older but she’s definitely not married.”, Mino grins at the older actor. “I think you’ll even like her when you meet. She’s April rains and come-what-mays."

"Huh?", Seunghyun looks curiously at Mino. "Is she as impulsive as you?"

"You could say that but it's more unpredictable rather than impulsive. I say that because ever since I met her, it’s always been raining in Paris and there wasn’t a day that I could predict what she’ll do. I think she reacts to anything on impulse, too.” Mino laughs as he talks fondly of her. Seunghyun could clearly see that the young man was more than besotted.

“If she inspires your poetic soul, then she may be a keeper.”, Seunghyun smiles, genuinely happy that the Mino has finally found his match. “You think this will last?”

“I pray it will.”, Mino smiles thinking of the woman in his home.

Dara got accustomed to the Parisian life with Mino’s help and she had to agree with Jiyong when he said that he was the best chance they’ve got. The language was quite hard, but Mino made it easier for her to learn when he proposed that he wouldn’t answer her questions or anything she says, generally, if she didn’t speak in French. He also ransacked her wardrobe one day and declared that he should take her out shopping the essentials for Parisian fashion.

“Now, you’ll blend in quite well.”, Mino smiles as he gives her a look over. He insisted that she got white button downs, black blouses and casual troussers and jeans, as well was coats; one white, black and khaki.

“Parisian women don’t wear a lot of colors and their beauty shines even with the simplest materials. I see you can pull it off. You’re not exactly lacking in the looks department.”, he adds, and Dara smiled for that was probably the 1st time he complemented her looks.

“I really appreciate all your help, Mino.”, she says but he pretends not to hear. “J’apprécie vraiment toute ton aide, Mino.”, she repeats in French.

Mino grins at her and says with a mock bow, “Pas de quoi!”

Summer was almost here, and rain would come occasionally, much to Dara’s dismay. She loved the rain in Paris. It was comforting. She fixes her red beret and sunglasses while sipping coffee at the Le Peloton. Mino left early that day to meet with a French designer and promised Dara a date after. She took her latest read, the classic Le Petit Prince, recommended by Mino, of course, and read while waiting for him. Reading books will help her polish the language; he says.

The afternoon sun didn’t burn so much, however, it illumined her skin as it shone through the glass windows. Mino was about to knock on it but stopped at the sight of her. Dara was so engrossed on the book, her brows pulled together, her lips reading without any sound, her legs crossed under the table. He smiled, taking the camera from his bag and making sure that he got the perfect shot of his perfect muse.

Mino bought a white rose from the vendor outside the café before he enters. Her back was to him and he surprises her with a kiss to her cheek. “You look busy.”, he says and Dara smiles at the rose he gave her.

“Done with your meeting?”, she asked, and he nods. He takes her hand and pulls her to stand.

“Let’s go!”, he says, and they walk hand in hand towards a boutique of vintage wear that Mino loved. Dara was busy looking for a suit for him, but Mino wasn’t paying attention.

“Shouldn’t you wear a properly tailored suit for this event, Mino?”, she asks. “Since you are going to represent the company, then you should look…I mean, you always look good but…” Mino chuckles at her and drops a peck on her lips before he guides her to a dress, a vintage Dior on the farthest wall. “Please try it on.”

“I probably can’t afford that.”, Dara says but Mino already asked for the dress and pushed her inside the dressing room. He waits outside patiently while skimming through other items on the racks. After a few minutes, she calls him. “How do I look?”, she asked and when he saw her, his smile was enough to know that the dress fit her perfectly. “A modern-day Audrey Hepburn.”, he says although Dara didn’t quite hear. The woman in the store even gasped and told Dara that she was very pretty. “You can never go wrong with Dior.”, she adds. “She’s so beautiful.”

“Ces’t ton fiancé?”, the woman asks Mino, but he shook his head. “La petite amie”, he answers proudly but the woman scoffs at him. “You should propose before anyone else does. A woman as beautiful as she is won’t stay unmarried for long.”

“Okay so, why did you insist to buy me a dress?”, Dara asks Mino while they were having dinner. “Mino, it is beautiful, but we cannot be spending too much!”

“I just wanted to give you something that you’d like.”, he holds her hand and links their fingers together. “And perhaps, casually do what couples do once in a while.”

“I appreciate it, Mino but I’m not asking for too much. The rose was enough.”, she smiles at him. “And spending time with you is all I want.”

“Then, will you come to the gala with me?”, he asks and Dara nods immediately. “Seunghyun-hyung will be there.” Dara froze but she felt Mino’s hands hold hers protectively. “I won’t let him come near you if you don’t want to see him.”

It was unfair to him if she continued to be scared of Choi Seunghyun. Dara closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “It’s fine, Mino. It’s been a good 6 years since we last saw each other. Maybe it’s time that we see each other and let bygones be bygones.”

“Thank you, Dara.”, Mino smiles at her. Dara continues to eat her pasta while Mino watches her. He takes the napkin and wipes the side of her lip and chin tenderly. He loved taking care of Dara. And if he would be honest to himself and to her, he knew he was falling in love. But those 3 words wasn’t something that he casually threw out. He never actually said it to anyone else, except his mother, who died when he was just 10 years old. He loved his mother. She was everything that he thought a woman should be. She was elegance, grace and beauty personified.

“She would’ve loved you.”, he says quietly, and Dara looks at him. “My mom. If she was alive, I know you’ll get along. She died when I was 10, from a heart attack.”

“Oh…how about your father?”

“I never knew my father. That’s why when she died, my uncle took care of me and Jiyong hyung became more like a brother to me.”

“I’m sure your mother is proud of you, Mino.”

“I guess, she will be now.”

Choi Seunghyun is a very patient man. He was also very thorough, and he believed that no one else can do what he wants, except for himself. That is why he came to Paris early. Because he wanted to see her.

Jiyong surely did his part in protecting Dara from him. It was a request that he made when they broke up and Jiyong never let him down. If he wasn’t too proud, he could have just asked Jiyong for Dara’s address, but he didn’t. So, for days he sat al fresco along the Avenue of Champs Elysees, watching and waiting until finally she passed by.

She was wearing a simple white sleeveless button-down dress, with a brown belt at the waist, hair was up in a pony tail and her shoes were red flats. She was laughing while speaking on the phone and her voice, it was the best give away. He could still remember the sound of her voice clearly. It haunted him day and night.

He follows closely behind her but not enough that she would see. He stops a few steps away, as they wait for the crossing sign to turn green, all the while, watching her. She says goodbye tenderly then waves a hand across. Seunghyun follows her with his eyes as she crossed the street, then he sees the person waiting for her.

Mino.

The young man catches her at once and kisses her lips before they walk away. Seunghyun couldn’t follow after them. Her laughter, the tenderness in her voice, how prettily she walks, they were all for him once, but not anymore. He felt an ache in his chest that his hand fisted over his shirt.

It hurt to see Dara hurting after they broke up.

But that hurt doubled when he saw her happy now, with someone else. 

And he got no one else but himself to blame.

“I want to break your face now, you know that!”, Jiyong says once he arrives at the hotel where Seunghyun was now staying. “Why wouldn’t you tell me that you already went here? Even Mino didn't say anything! I need to talk to that treacherous cousin of mine about that and make sure it never happens again, or so help me, I will…”

“You will what?”, Seunghyun looks at Jiyong. “You will tell Dara to go back home?” Jiyong’s eyes widen at the realization that Seunghyun knows that Dara is here. He smirks at his agent. “Maybe you should. Do you also know that they are probably sleeping together?”

“What?”, Jiyong asks and Seunghyun laughs out loud.

“I should have known Mino would take a liking to her. That boy always found older women appealing.” Seunghyun cynically looks at Jiyong. “Did that ever occur to you when you sent her here? That maybe, they could fall in love?”

“You asked me to help her, Seunghyun!”, Jiyong was annoyed. “What is it to you if Dara loves someone else now? You broke up, remember?”

“Yes! I know that!”, Seunghyun shouted. “You don’t have to repeat it over and over again!”

“What is your problem?”, Jiyong looks at his friend. “When the mother and your child died when she was giving birth, I told you to let her know. I told you to go back to her but what did you ask me to do? You told me to protect her from you! You told me that I should ask her to stop yearning for you! Now what in s name are you angry at? You denied yourself of her love! None of this would have happened if you just walked to her house when she was still in Korea and begged for her to take you back! I told you that I didn’t agree with your plan or your moronic claim that you don’t deserve her when it was clear to me that you loved each other, still! This is all on you, Seunghyun! Don’t blame Mino for it. Don’t blame Mino for seeing Dara’s worth because you know that you let her go so easily!”

The full moon graced the Pari