Her Song, His Heart

Paris and New Beginnings

Chapter 64: Paris and New Beginnings

Mannon had been so caught up in the whirlwind of everything going on—the stalker, the surprise of Hyunjin’s confession, and the ever-constant changes in her life—that she had completely forgotten about the upcoming photoshoot in Paris. It wasn’t until the day before they were set to leave that she realized, with a jolt of excitement and nervousness, that she and Hyunjin were both invited to represent Versace for a campaign shoot.

She had been so consumed with the chaos surrounding her that she hadn’t even processed what this meant. Paris. Fashion. Her and Hyunjin together, on the same trip, for work.

Her stomach fluttered at the thought, and she couldn’t tell if it was excitement or something more, something deeper. Something she wasn’t ready to confront.

---

The next morning, as they all gathered in the airport lobby, Mannon could feel the tension in the air. The group was all here to send her off, but something felt different today. Maybe it was the fact that Hyunjin was looking especially fine in his tailored suit, his sharp jawline and tousled hair making him look like the epitome of high-fashion. Or maybe it was the way he kept glancing at her, as if he were waiting for something, or perhaps trying to read her thoughts.

As they boarded the plane, Mannon took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. They had barely spoken since their conversation about their feelings, and though Hyunjin had been respectful of her space, there was still an undeniable tension between them. They were both in the same industry, both facing the spotlight, and now they were about to share an intimate experience of working together in one of the most romantic cities in the world. How could this not change things?

---

Paris welcomed them with its usual charm, the city alive with lights and energy. They were quickly whisked away to the Versace boutique where the photoshoot was scheduled to take place. The team was already buzzing with excitement, and the atmosphere was electric with the anticipation of a high-profile shoot. Mannon felt a rush of adrenaline as she walked into the studio, her heels clicking against the polished floors, her Versace dress flowing elegantly around her.

Hyunjin was already there, looking like he had just stepped out of a magazine spread. He was talking to the photographers, smiling and laughing, but when his eyes found hers, the room seemed to stop for just a second. He gave her a small smile, one that made her heart race, but he quickly turned his attention back to the work at hand.

Mannon felt a mix of emotions. She couldn’t deny the attraction she felt for him, nor could she ignore the strange sense of nervousness that bubbled up inside her. The stakes were higher here. This was Paris—this was where everything seemed to change for everyone. She wasn’t just a girl from Australia or a rising star anymore. She was part of the world of luxury, fashion, and fame.

And now, Hyunjin was a part of it too.

---

As the shoot began, Mannon was pulled into a whirlwind of photographers, stylists, and makeup artists. She posed and smiled, the camera clicking with each perfect shot, but her mind kept drifting back to Hyunjin. She couldn’t shake the image of him watching her, his eyes always a little too intense, his gaze lingering a little too long.

She was glad when they finally broke for lunch, giving her a chance to breathe. She sat at a table with the other models and crew, but Hyunjin found her almost immediately, sliding into the seat beside her. He smiled, a playful glint in his eyes.

“So, this is Paris, huh?” he said, his voice warm and familiar, though there was something more behind it now. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Mannon nodded, a little too flustered by the way he was looking at her. “Yeah. It’s beautiful. Definitely a lot to take in.”

“You look stunning, by the way,” he added, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

Her cheeks flushed at his words, and she quickly took a sip of her drink to hide her reaction. “Thanks,” she muttered, feeling the warmth spreading across her face. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

He chuckled, the sound making her stomach flip. There was something so comforting about the way he made her feel, even when everything around them felt like chaos.

They ate in silence for a few moments before Hyunjin broke the tension again, his voice more serious now. “Mannon...about what we talked about before, I just want you to know that I meant everything I said. I’m not rushing you, and I’m not going anywhere. But if there’s a chance...I’d like to see where this could go.”

She looked at him then, really looked at him, and for a moment, she felt as though the rest of the world had fallen away. She wasn’t sure how to respond. Her heart was telling her to take a chance, to embrace what she felt for him, but her mind was hesitant. What if she wasn’t ready? What if she hurt him? What if it all went wrong?

“I’m...I’m not sure I’m ready yet,” she admitted softly. “There’s a lot going on in my life right now. I don’t want to drag you into that.”

Hyunjin’s expression softened, and he reached over to gently squeeze her hand. “I don’t mind. I want to be here for you, no matter what. We can take it slow.”

Mannon looked at their hands, then back into his eyes, and for the first time in a while, she felt like she could breathe. Maybe it was the city, maybe it was the moment, but she realized she didn’t have to have everything figured out right away. She could take it slow, see where this went, and let herself feel things she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time.

And as the conversation shifted to lighter topics, a sense of calm settled over her. Maybe things with Hyunjin didn’t need to be complicated. Maybe, just maybe, they could figure it out together.

The day moved on, the photoshoot wrapping up, and as they left the studio, the night air of Paris surrounding them, Mannon and Hyunjin walked side by side, their closeness palpable. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she was willing to find out.