Cityscapes (Jumin Han x OC)

Chapter 40

Jumin left out having spent most of the time stuck on his phone replying to messages and making calls. All the while, I sat uncomfortably across from him. It was odd having just bared our souls to one another, and having the conversation be punctuated with a ringtone.

I headed up to the room and looked at Elizabeth who was excited to see me. I could help but feel happy to see her too, but suddenly the reality began to hit me.

I love Jumin, and Jumin loves me, but I can't live this life with him. I began to tear up a little at the thought of not being with him, and Elizabeth tried to comfort me as she ran snuggled her head into my hand.

"Elizabeth. How did you handle him for so long? Well...it's not even him. How did you handle all of this for so long? The press? The phone calls?" I asked. She didn't answer and simply kept cuddling my hands. I don't know what I necessarily expected. I picked her up and held her gently to my chest, as I began to cry a little bit harder. God, if only Jumin knew I was sitting here on the floor of an exclusive hotel room, crying to his cat about things most people would kill for.

I feel so ungrateful, but I also...don't want this. I don't want the press to follow my every move. I don't want Jumin to be stuck on the phone all the time. I don't want to feel so alone despite being surrounded by people. I quickly searched for my phone in my pockets, and thought to call the only person I could think of.

"Miran?" Jaehee answered.

"Yes. I'm sorry. I know you must be inundated with work..." I sniffed.

"Oh. It's alright, really. Are you crying? Miran? What's happening?" Jaehee asked sensitively.

"I'm sorry. I just don't know what to do. Everything and everyone is so busy, and I don't like the press. I don't think I can keep up with this life."

"Where's Mr. Han?"

"He's at a business meeting."

"Oh. Alright. Well...Miran...I know this can be hard. This can be very hard. It must be very lonely."

"It is," I cried, a little harder.

"But of all the people who understand, it's Mr. Han. Odds are, he dislikes things as much as you do."

"I know he does...but that's not the problem. I just don't think I can handle it."

"I know. The problem is getting used to it," Jaehee answered softly. "It doesn't feel like there is any getting used to it, but there is. It's very sudden, but it does happen. One day...the pressure is just suddenly lifted."

"Really?" I asked suddenly feeling slightly better.

"I promise. Listen. You're in Paris. Go somewhere. Do something. It's not fair to limit yourself," Jaehee explained.

"You're right," I sighed calming myself.

"Yes. So go do that something, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, Miran. Goodbye, Miran."

"Goodbye, Jaehee. Thank you."

"Of course."

I looked down at Elizabeth. "Alright...who wants to go on a little trip?"

~

Elizabeth and I travelled around Paris, excitedly looking at small landmarks. Not the big ones, but the smaller ones like Pont Neuf or Champs Élysée. It's more fun shopping with Elizabeth, especially considering her expensive taste. We were looking at the Seine when I suddenly got a text from Jumin.

I've always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower at night. Meet me there at 7pm tonight.

- Jumin Han

Oh, the signature. I wonder if he knows that I know it's him by now? Or at least that there are no other Jumin's in my life?

I headed back to the car, realizing I didn't have much time to get back to the hotel and showered for meeting Jumin. The car sped back to the hotel and I raced upstairs leaving out dinner for Elizabeth.

I showered and dressed in the first thing I saw, a pink lace dress. With the rate everything seems to be going, even this dress feels out of my league. It's a dress my father bought for me, meaning that it's expensive and yet underwhelming. I've always prided myself in dressing simply, but I've always liked to be at least a bit recognizable. Recognizable has been all I've been as of late so maybe it's natural that I reached for this dress.

I quickly stumbled to the car, changing my shoes in the process. The driver immediately knew where to take me, and I was excited to see that I arrived before Jumin. The sky was beginning to dim, and the street lights were turning on. It wasn't particularly magical, but nevertheless jarring to see the Eiffel Tower immediately lit, with thousands of stunning lights. I was caught up staring at the monument when I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a tired, and gentle looking Jumin.

Before I could speak, he planted a soft kiss on my lips. I didn't want to speak though, because I could tell this moment was precious.

"I missed you," he whispered.

"It's been a long day," I whispered back.