The Light of Dead Stars | KSJ

19

You didn't think that Jin's grandparents enjoying the sweetened rice cake you made for them would mean this much to you, especially when they say that it tastes like the ones they used to make when they still had the patience for it.

"Oh, darling. This just means you and Jin would have to visit us here again," his grandmother says. "Or we'll visit you. Whichever, as long as I get to taste more of this."

"You're welcome. You've just been so wonderful to me and I can't thank you enough," you respond, hugging them and his parents as you and your husband prepare to leave.

"Not a problem at all, dear," his mother now says. "We're just happy that our son is happy. I've never seen him laugh and smile this much in years, and I'm not exaggerating."

She doesn't seem like the type who would; she's always been straightforward and intentional, but you still take it with a grain of salt. Jin has had Seri for years, and he had to do his part of acting during this trip, too, even if you know there was sincerity in how he was with you.

You thank them again and wave them goodbye. You hug Sejeong and Hyo-seop and carry Geonhoo and Ji-hoo who are sad that they won't be seeing you for a while.

"Just another week, we'll see you back home," Jin assures his niece and nephew. "Be good, okay? Don't give your parents a headache."

They give both of you sweet kisses and you walk towards the car where Emile has packed all your luggages already. You and Jin settle in and take the hour and a half car ride to Saint-Tropez, with both of you listing the cafes and restaurants you'll be eating at.

You finally arrive at the palatial hotel perched on a hillside that's overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It's got modern and classic touches that add to the serene ambiance of the place, especially as it's nestled between gardens and large trees.

You're assisted by the manager who informs you of the activities that have been paid for - you just have to set a schedule for them. There's the boat trip that'll take you around the coastline, the full-afternoon spa treatment, and a special dinner at the private beach club.

"Oh, Jin," is all you manage to say, somehow not surprised anymore.

"Well, the other option was Paris and that would've been much more romantic," he shrugs. "This isn't so bad. I mean, it's an old fishing village with little cafes and stores."

"That does sound fun, and more like us," you smile. "Guess that's what we'll be doing on our first day?"

He nods and gives your preferred schedule to the manager before you're accompanied to your suite.

It's bright and spacious with a living room and a kitchenette. The glass door leads to a garden outside with spectacular views of the French Riviera. It's private and perhaps a fitting end to this whirlwind of a trip with your husband, knowing that after all this, you'll go back to Seoul, back to your jobs and your own rooms, back to your own businesses, and back to the lie you won't have to make in the comfort of your home.

You take it all in. Everything that's happened in the past week isn't what you expected - from getting as close as you are with Jin, kissing him, being okay with it... and seeing Namjoon, the man who let your heart beat again, the man who reminded you what it was like to care, to love, to wait, to hope, and to hurt.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Jin says as he marvels at the view from next to you. "It's not crowded, and the town's not far from here."

"It's beautiful," you smile, letting the memory of yesterday stay at a nook of your mind for now. "Should we get going? I'm excited to eat."