Unexpected

Part 50

We will be visiting the famous landmarks and buildings. How could we skip the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe? So I dress in a flirty violet colored dress with sparkly flats (we'll be walking a fair amount), and put my hair up in a French twist. My makeup is understated, like most days (yesterday at Moulin Rouge it was more dramatic, though).

After eating breakfast at the hotel (crepes and omelettes) we go to the Louvre Museum. Since we don't have much time we utilize the Skip the Line Tour, which will show us only the most famous pieces. I personally am looking forward to seeing the Mona Lisa. Truthfully, I'm not a connoisseur of art. I don't understand the appeal of most modern art, for example. But I do want to see in person what I've heard about in school and media for years.

"I feel a song coming on," says Suhyun quietly as we're admiring the piece I most wanted to see. He sings a couple lines.

"I knew it!" exclaims Sangil in a whisper. "That's from the chorus of Mona Lisa by Mblaq," he tells Mika and me.

"Ooh, I like Mblaq," says Mika. "Especially the guy who rips his shirt onstage."

"Who wouldn't?" pouts Suhyun.

I nudge her in the ribs to advise her to stop teasing.

After the Louvre we visit the Notre Dame cathedral. We can't go inside, because it's closed after the April fire, but we take photos outside. The fire is also why we plan to see many tourist attractions. What if we didn't, and they were destroyed?

Our next stop is the Eiffel Tower. We ride the elevator up, stopping at each level until we reach the top. We have lunch reservations at the restaurant there. Along with ordering something I know I'll love, I also try escargots, or snails. They're not bad. I ask the others if they want to try a taste, and Sangil readily agrees, but Mika and Suhyun are hesitant, though I manage coax them into it at the end. Sangil and I share a creme brûlée for dessert.

"You guys look so comfortable with each other," says Suhyun mournfully.

At first I don't understand why he sounds so glum, but in his face I read regret. I think he wishes that he could be both an idol and have a romantic life. "It comes with time," I gently reply.

When we take a bathroom break, since the cameras don't follow us, I tell Sangil to talk to Suhyun. "Let him use today as a date. You know? Hold hands, flirt, that kind of thing."

"He already is, isn't he?"

"He seemed kind of jealous of us earlier. And they haven't held hands yet. Maybe we should encourage it, like we encouraged Taewoong."

When Mika and I are alone I tell her something similar. "Perhaps you should be the bold one," I urge her.

"I'd love to!" she enthusiastically responds.

"And stop teasing him by bringing up other idols or actors."

"Sorry. I know that's a bad habit."

Before leaving, Suhyun says he wants to look out over Paris again from the top. I'm enjoying the view when Sangil takes my left hand. I look over at him with a smile, and he drops to one knee.

"Sochi, I never had the chance to ask you. Perhaps it's better this way, because now I know the beautiful person that you are, both inside and out. You're also kind, funny, determined — and lots of other things that I'm forgetting at the moment. Will you marry me?" He brings his other hand up and holds out a ring.

I cannot believe that real tears have collected in my eyes and spill over. "Yes," I whisper, nodding. He slips the ring next to my wedding band, and when he stands up I hug him tightly. Tourists nearby applaud, and I notice that Suhyun and Mika are not the only ones filming this event. After we separate Sangil places a kiss on my forehead.