Death of a Bachelor

#2 Little life

They say Paris is the city of love—a place where romance blooms around every corner, where lovers stroll hand in hand and where the air itself seems to be filled with the promise of serendipity. It’s the city where, they say, you might meet “the one” But for Simone, Paris is not about love. Paris is the city of art, and for her it’s nothing short of a sanctuary. To her, France is a literal heaven. The country is renowned for its breathtaking architecture, peaceful countryside, and vibrant art scene. It boasts some of the world's most famous painters and museums, and—most importantly—it offers countless opportunities for artists like her a place where creativity is celebrated, and where someone with her talents could truly appreciated.

Three years of her life had vanished in a blur of hospital rooms, chemotherapy, and endless doctor’s visits. Cancer had taken so much from her—her health, her youth, and nearly her spirit. One day, she woke up and realized that she was already twenty-five years old. She felt as if she had done nothing with her life, nothing of meaning or value. Now, she was rushing to catch up, to live the life that had been put on hold for so long.

This sense of urgency sometimes overwhelmed her. She couldn’t help but compare herself to others—people her age who were already climbing the career ladder, earning impressive salaries, and starting families. They seemed to have it all figured out, while she felt as if she was just beginning. But there was one thing Simone was proud of—her art studio, It wasn’t large or fancy, but it was hers.

It was a place where she could pour her heart and soul into her work, where she could lose herself in the process of creation. Teaching had also become a passion of hers. She loved guiding children through the world of art, helping them discover their own creativity. Simone remembered her self when she was a kid while watching them struggled to hold a brush of mix colors and listening to their dream help her a lot to continue and love her passion even more.

"C'est tout pour le cours d'aujourd'hui, j'espère que vous avez beaucoup appris avec notre leçon d'aujourd'hui," Simone said to her class, signaling the end of the day’s lesson. The children, full of energy, began to chatter and gather their things, eager to go home. One by one, their parents arrived to pick them up, and soon the room was quiet again.

Simone leaned back in her chair, feeling both tired and satisfied. Although she only taught ten students for two hours, their endless energy always left her drained. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to gather her strength.

"Bonjour" a gentle voice greeted her as the door opened "How was the class?" Julien asked, stepping inside and glancing around at the unfinished paintings left behind by the children.

Simone quickly opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Julien. "Hey, what’s up?" she replied softly, sitting up and starting to organize the books on the shelves behind her. "It was tiring, but fun" she added.

Julien was a full-time Geography teacher at the same school. He had been a great help to Simone when she first started teaching there, guiding her through those early, challenging days. He was kind and, more importantly, he spoke English fluently, which made Simone feel comfortable around him. She watched as he walked over to the window, opening it to let in the cool breeze. His dark, curly hair moved slightly as he looked out at the children playing in the playground below.

"Aren’t you hungry?" he asked, turning to her "My treat"

"I am, but I need to deliver this painting first" Simone replied, her gaze shifting to a canvas on the table, carefully wrapped in kraft paper "Mr. Steven asked for it last week, and it’s time to give it to him"

Simone stood up and reached for her coat hanging on the bookshelf. "Oh, yeah, I remember that" Julien said with a nod as she put on her coat "Should I help you?"

She shook her head and smiled. "No, Julien, I’ll be fine. I’ve been here for two years now I won’t get lost" she reassured him. Julien chuckled, accepting her answer "But I’ll message you if I need help, adios!" she added before heading out the door with the canvas.

The cold wind brushed against her face as she stepped outside. Paris was bustling with life as always—tourists were everywhere, and the streets were crowded. But Simone loved it. Fortunately, the school where she worked was in a quieter part of the city, about thirty minutes away from the busiest areas. It was a safe, peaceful environment for the children.

Simone decided to walk to the metro station. She knew her body needed the light exercise, and she enjoyed taking in the sights of the city as she walked. When she finally boarded the metro, she found a seat and held the canvas carefully on her lap, making sure it wouldn’t get damaged.

After about two hours, the train arrived at her destination. Simone waited for the crowds to exit before stepping out herself, taking a deep breath as she emerged into the fresh air.

....

"Konnichiwa!" an elderly man greeted her as he opened the door. His bright smile and long white hair caught her attention. Simone smiled back, handing him the wrapped canvas.

"You don’t need to pay me it’s a gift for you and your late wife" she said kindly.

Mr. Steven shook his head. "No, I will pay you, but you must have some tea first. Come on in" he insisted.

Simone took off her shoes before entering the house, her eyes wandering around the familiar interior. The home had a subtle Japanese influence, with a few photos hanging on the walls. But what stood out the most was the large painting of Mr. Steven’s late wife, Mizuki. Mizuki had been Simone’s first art teacher and had taught her so much about painting.

"Shotaro wants me to take down that painting, or maybe even donate it—of course I won't do that" Mr. Steven said with a sad smile. Simone turned to him, shocked.

"Has Shotaro lost his mind? I will kill that man when I see him!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with playful anger. The elderly French man just laughed at her outburst.

"Maybe he’s just worried about me" Mr. Steven replied gently.

Simone didn’t say anything, her eyes locked on the painting. She had memorized every detail of it, and Mizuki had explained the meaning behind each brushstroke to her long ago. Simone sipped her tea in silence, her heart heavy with regret. Mizuki and Mr. Steven had taken care of her when she first arrived in Paris, guiding her through the challenges of adapting to a new culture. But Simone could never shake the guilt she felt for not being able to attend Mizuki’s funeral. At the time, her illness had made it impossible for her to travel.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She glanced at the phone screen and saw Jordan’s name "Yes?" she answered.

"Some guy came to your studio asking for his painting" Jordan said.

Simone frowned. "What are you doing in my studio?" she asked, her voice sharp.

"I was bored, so I decided to clean" Jordan replied, sounding innocent.

"W-wow, excuse you!"

"By the way, the guy is still here, just chilling on your—well, now clean—sofa thanks to me, of course! He’s waiting for you" Jordan added, with a hint of mischief. "And let me tell you, he’s gorgeous, hot, yummy, and a total gentleman!" she whispered flirtatiously, making Simone roll her eyes.

"Remember, you already have a boyfriend" Simone reminded her "And please tell him I won’t be there anytime soon because I’m two hours away" she added before ending the call. She looked at Mr. Steven, who was now watching her with a puzzled expression.

"Some pesticides asking if I'm okay" she said, shrugging off the interruption as she turned her attention to the painting hanging on the wall.