(a/n: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. All characters, places, and incidents are either imaginary or used fictitiously.)

 

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Paris, the enchanting capital of France, known for its art and fashion, remains an evergreen destination that beautifully combines the experience of learning French with immersing oneself in a city steeped in history.

 

"Paris is a good place to have , the eiffel tower in front of you is what makes it more romantic." 

 

People call Paris “the City of Love” because of the romantic atmosphere it exudes. In fact, The City of Love isn't just a random nickname given to Paris; it's the perfect description anyone who visited the French capital would give to the city for all the romantic vibes they find there.

 

For Yoona, arriving in Paris was always a favorite experience. The city holds a dual reputation as both a cultural hub and a hub of romance. She finds it amusing and somewhat absurd, though. While it does exude a certain romanticism, the reality often overpowers the ideal.

 

The middle-aged French man looks at her with confusion as she speaks English, a language he doesn't understand. He retrieves her luggage from the car compartment and proceeds to drag them along.

 

Nestled on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne in Paris, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée stands as a luxury palace, renowned for its top-notch service and accommodations. Many celebrities choose this establishment as their home when in Paris, adding to its allure.

 

"Tu es d'accord avec ce que j'ai dit, non ? (You agree with what I said, right?)" 

 

The French man is taken aback, his expression showing his surprise. "Peux-tu répéter ce que tu as dit? (Can you repeat what you said?)"

 

"Paris est un endroit idéal pour faire l'amour, surtout devant la Tour. (Paris is a great place to have , especially in front of the Eiffel Tower.)"

 

Yoona chuckles with amusement as she witnesses his sudden discomfort. I mean, that was my intention all along. My day wouldn't be complete without embarrassing human beings.

 

"Eiffel En fait, je suis à court de mots. (Eiffel? Actually, I'm at a loss for words.)" 

 

Yoona grinned as she listened to his response, her attention immediately captured by the French people within the hotel. French people, especially women, were like treasures to her. Their glances met hers, and she observed them as if they were prey.

 

The "French girl look" was a style trend she appreciated, marked by a natural, effortless beauty. French girls embodied classic elegance, often dressing in neutral tones and exuding a put-together appearance even without much effort.

 

"Pourquoi ? Tu as baisé une femme mariée ici il y a vingt ans. (Why? You ed a married woman here twenty years ago.)"

 

A chuckle escaped her lips as the French man stared at her in disbelief. They stepped into the elevator, and she narrowed her eyes at him, still rooted in his spot.

 

"Je ne suis pas une personne patiente. (I am not a patient person.)" she added, her tone firm.

 

He apologized and followed her inside. "Comment le savez-vous ? Tu es trop jeune. (How do you know? You're too young.)"

 

"Ce jour-là, je baisais une femme française ici. (That day I was ing a French woman here.)" she replied with a mischievous grin.

 

As she witnessed his reaction, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. The elevator doors opened, and her laughter resonated even more within the confined space, realizing she had successfully made him look foolish.

 

Memories flooded back as she returned to this place. That alluring and captivating French woman from before had left an impression on her. Now, she was married to a businessman and had children. Time seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye, as if it were just yesterday.

 

After bringing her bags inside, the Frenchman seemed unable to meet her gaze. Amusement danced in her eyes as she observed his discomfort. He bid his farewell, and she surprised him by leaving a tip.

Locking the door to her hotel room, she gracefully stepped onto the balcony, a smile gracing her lips. She closed her eyes, embracing the soothing touch of the air against her skin as it put her at ease.

Jennie and the others must have arrived earlier, she found herself curious about Jennie's room number. In any case, she possessed Jennie's phone number and decided it was time to give her a call.

 

Dialing the number, the voice line echoed in the room, followed by the disappointing message that the customer was currently unavailable. An exasperated scoff escaped her lips.

 

She blocked my number? We were on good terms last time. Did something go wrong?

 

Shrugging off the frustration, she opted to take a leisurely stroll outside the hotel, ending up at a nearby café. While enjoying the view of French women passing by and glancing her way, her thoughts remained fixated on Jennie.

 

Retrieving her phone, she dialed the number again, only to receive the same unavailability message.

Why is she ignoring me?

Returning to the hotel with a sigh of resignation after multiple attempts, she stepped out of the elevator and spotted Jennie alone, seemingly exploring her own room.

 

"Jennie!"

 

To her surprise, the idol quickly entered the room.

Isn't it clear that she's been avoiding me? Well, at least I have her room number now.

"You're playing hard to get, Ruby Jane, but you should know how much I'm chasing after you."

With a scoff, she retreated to her hotel room and settled in the living area. A small white envelope and a pen were taken out from her coat. She had come across a store selling various flowers and envelopes, which prompted her to write a message for Jennie.

The idea of buying flowers was halted by her uncertainty about Jennie's preferences. Without overthinking, she grabbed a small piece of paper and jotted down her intended message.

 

Ruby Jane, 

         Words fail to convey the sincerity with which I seek your forgiveness. (If I've wronged you in any way.) Your performance is scheduled for later, and I extend an invitation for dinner afterward. Anticipating that you might disregard this sentimental note, should you agree, kindly proceed to the parking lot where I'll be waiting.

P.S. I'll be attending the show, though I must inform you that the last live performance I attended was by the Pop King, Michael Jackson. Consider yourself special.

 

She exhaled contentedly after neatly folding the note and slipping it into the envelope. Leaning back on the couch, she gazed up at the ceiling, pondering what the remainder of the day held in store.

I'll leave the letter at her door. Rising to her feet, she ventured outside her room and paused at Jennie's door. Kneeling down, she deftly inserted the letter, ensuring a swift exit before drawing any attention.

Successfully inside the Accor Arena, the venue for today's show, Yoona took in the bustling crowd. The cheers of the spectators reverberated throughout the arena, overwhelming the senses. She also spotted several notable figures in attendance.

 

"Ms. Lim," 

 

Following the source of the voice, she turned to find a YG staff member addressing her.

"Please allow me to you to the VIP Area where you can relax."

"I'm fine here. I'll relocate if I feel the need."

With a bow of his head, the staff member departed. She was already positioned close to the stage and had an unobstructed view, making the VIP area unnecessary. She preferred not to be surrounded by the cacophony of enthusiastic fans shouting at the top of their lungs.

 

The arena erupted in a burst of loud music, followed by a chorus of shouts and cheers. Blackpink emerged from beneath the stage, launching into their energetic performances. The pink glow of thousands of BI-Ping-Bongs (Blackpink's hammer-shaped lightstick) illuminated the crowd, a spectacle that captivated Yoona.

 

"Here, Ms. Lim," a staff member handed her a light stick, a thoughtful gesture since she had forgotten to bring hers. This is incredible. Michael Jackson's concerts were never like this. A refreshing change of pace.

 

The mix of Korean and English lyrics resonated with her, a reminder of the challenges of performing in a foreign language. Before transitioning into other hit songs, VCRs showcasing the group played on the big screen, followed by solo performances.

 

Jisoo took the stage first, delivering a beautiful cover of Camila Cabello's "Liar." Her voice is a delight to listen to.

 

Next up was Jennie, stepping into the spotlight to perform her unreleased track "You and Me," greeted by chants of her name. Yoona couldn't tear her eyes away; Jennie had a magnetic presence. Unbeknownst to her, Jennie's glances occasionally met hers, an unspoken connection in the midst of the performance.

 

Rose and Lisa followed with two brief solo performances each. Rose showcased her soothing vocals, leaving an impression that made Yoona wish for her to sing her a lullaby every night.

 

Lisa's energetic renditions of her hip-hop single "Money" garnered cheers from the crowd, and she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself.

 

In the end, Yoona was taken aback by the passion and quality of the show. The group undoubtedly put on a stellar performance, solidifying their position as one of the world's most popular girl groups.

 

As the concert concluded, Yoona found herself stepping out of the arena and heading towards her car. Disliking the noise and commotion of crowds, she was quite the opposite of her father in that aspect.

 

Arms crossed, she paced back and forth, her eyes scanning the area in search of a familiar figure. To pass the time, she retrieved a pack of cigarettes. However, her disappointment grew as she failed to catch any glimpse of the person she was waiting for.

 

She eventually settled onto the hood of her car, swinging her feet back and forth like a child in anticipation. It was a habit she had developed while waiting for Lu to return from his errands. Some habits, it seemed, were hard to let go of.

 

Glancing at her Rolex watch, Yoona noticed she had been waiting for fifty minutes already. Normally, she would have taken the opportunity to do something else, perhaps visit a nearby club. But today, she was dedicated to her mission, hoping against hope that the person she was waiting for would eventually appear. As others began to leave, she couldn't help but notice that only her car and the vehicles belonging to Blackpink were still parked there.

 

Despite her appropriate attire—a brown turtleneck, black slacks, a black classic trench coat reaching below her knees, a burgundy scarf wrapped around her neck, and her distinctive French black beret—the weather was chilly.

 

Letting out a sigh of disappointment, she lay back in her car and gazed up at the stars scattered across the night sky.

 
How much longer are you going to keep me waiting, Ruby Jane?

She was so engrossed in stargazing that she didn't immediately notice the sound of car ignitions around her.

"I didn't realize you could be so persistent."

 

Yoona bit her lip, smirking before sitting up to face the person who had finally arrived.

"Persistence is practically my middle name," she replied, intending to lighten the mood, but Jennie appeared tense. Yoona wanted to break through that stiffness. "I was half expecting you to leave me hanging."

Jennie's outfit almost matched hers, except for her navy blue beanie hat and blue scarf in place of the beret cap.

 

Cautiously glancing around, Jennie seemed concerned about being caught, even though it was late and their fans had already dispersed.

"I was planning to," she answered wearily, as if she just wanted the conversation to end.<