Chapter 13

Snow White and Rose Red

They had waited as long as they could for Jun Pyo's package to arrive – and when at 4 pm, the courier had still not come, Ji Hoo made the decision to just go. After all, he reasoned, whatever was in the package would not change his decision to fly to Paris as soon as possible.

Yi Jeong, who had been roused from sleep by Woo Bin had precious little to add. "If you're going to Paris for Geum Jan Di, I'm coming with you." The potter insisted.

He then rather sadly advised Ji Hoo that Jun Pyo had not told him what he was sending or what it had to do with Jan Di, or even why he though Ji Hoo should fly to Paris.

"I'm sorry Ji Hoo-ah, that's all he said before he hung up on me."

"Some friend you are…" groused Woo Bin over the speakerphone while Ji Hoo continued to grill Yi Jeong about the latter's conversation with Jun Pyo.

"Yah asshole. You're a fine one to talk." Yi Jeong said angrily.

"What did I do to you?" Woo Bin retorted equally pissed.

"Other than stealing Ga Eul you mean?" Yi Jeong said sounding very hostile.

"She'd have had to have been yours to begin with." Woo Bin replied equally angrily. "As I recall, you very clearly told us…and HER..that she wasn't your type and that you didn't want her."

"I never said I didn't want…" Yi Jeong began.

At this point, Ji Hoo just shook his head and signalled Woo Bin that he was leaving the room though the angry Prince Song didn't even notice.

"Yah. Where were you last night So Yi Jeong? Weren't you out whoring as usual?" Woo Bin pounced.

Yi Jeong was quiet, unable to deny Woo Bin's accusations. Truth was, he HAD in fact slept with the blonde — they were all blondes or redheads now — all Caucasian and as different as possible in looks from a certain long, black haired girl who continued to haunt him.

"I thought so." Woo Bin said triumphantly when after a minutes of silence had dragged on.

Despite his anger at Yi Jeong though, Woo Bin knew he could not withhold information from Yi Jeong.

"The plane leaves in two hours. If you're coming with us, be at the Yoon Hangar before 6." Woo Bin said and then hung up.

Yi Jeong groaned and shaking awake the sleeping blonde next to him, handed her the tiny pieces of fabric that apparently constituted her clothing. "Sorry to kick you out sweetheart." He told her. "I need to go to Paris."

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As soon as the Captain had turned off the "Fasten Seatbelts" sign, Secretary Jun signalled the flight attendant to re-align their seats into conference mode. She handily rotated the seats to face Yoon Ji Hoo and then lifted up the small conference table in between the four seats, two across. The plane, like everything else the Yoons owned, was built for comfort as well as business and other than the slight humming of the engine, they could have been in any boardroom in the world.

Woo Bin and Yoon Seok Young got up to sit across Ji Hoo and Yi Jeong, (still hungover from a combination of too much scotch and too many blondes) sat beside his friend, ignoring the scalding looks Woo Bin was shooting his way.

Ji Hoo's hands shook as he lifted the small package handed over by Secretary Jun and tore open the packaging. It had apparently arrived at the Yoon mansion only half an hour after they had left for the airport and immediately had been dispatched to the hangar. The small rectangular objects were swathed in bubble wrap and bore a short, unsigned note in Jun Pyo's handwriting. "Try The Bouquinistes near the Notre Dame" was all the note said.

Ji Hoo felt the breath leave his lungs when he lifted the wrapping — before him was a small painting of the Notre Dame and in the right lower corner, leaning against the bank, was…himself, playing the violin. Quickly, he looked through the remaining paintings — they were all of Parisienne landmarks, the fountain in Saint Michel, a Metro exit, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc D'Triomphe – all very common scenes found in most of the paintings aimed at being sold to tourists all around the city. Except for one thing — in each painting there was a figure of a violinist and it looked remarkably identical to the sketch Jan Di had made of him in Macau on that night they confessed to each other at the Kwan Yin monument.

"Whoa." Woo Bin whispered, peering more closely at the paintings which Ji Hoo had laid out in a row on the table in front of him. "That looks like…"

"A lot like…well…you." Yi Jeong finished the sentence looking at Ji

Hoo. "But…how? How do we know it's even by Jan Di?"

Ji Hoo stood up quickly and opened the overhead bin and took out his violin case. Without a word, he opened the case and took out a small clear plastic sleeve, pulling out two small sheets of drawing paper which he also put on the table, next to the paintings.

"It's her. I know." Ji Hoo said quietly.

Yoon Seok Young, Woo Bin, Yi Jeong and Secretary Jun turned their gaze to the table – and there next to the paintings were pencil sketches of Yoon Ji Hoo, identical to the violinist in the paintings except for the medium.

"Whaaa…where did you get these?" Woo Bin asked the question on everyone's minds.

"She drew them for me — that night in Macau. I know you probably don't believe me and maybe Jun Pyo has sent us on a wild goose chase…but I know..I know it's her and I need to find her."

Yoon Seok Young covered Ji Hoo's shaking hand with his —- "I believe you my son – and we will find her."

Ji Hoo then stood and walked to the rear of the plane, taking the window seat farthest away from everyone and stared broodingly out the window, wishing that the plane, and time, would carry him faster.

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After over 11 hours on the plane, the four weary travellers finally arrived at the Charles De Gaulle Airport where they were immediately met by members of the Korean diplomatic corps and whisked through immigration. In a matter of minutes, they were escorted to waiting limousines by President Yoon's bodyguards who had been dispatched by Secretary Jun on an earlier flight.

"Well this is certainly even better than travelling with you Yoon Ji Hoo.." Woo Bin remarked, stretching out his arms as he settled into the limousine, they had left Seoul at 6 Pm and with the 7 hour time difference, it was only almost 11 PM in Paris and the city was just coming to life. "Remind me to leave you behind next time and bring Harabeoji instead." Prince Song joked.

Yi Jeong smirked as he opened the wet bar and poured himself a drink – it was about an hour drive into the city given the traffic and he needed something to relax — avoiding conversation AND eye contact with Woo Bin in an enclosed space for the last 11 hours and now this…

Luckily, for security reasons President Yoon's security had decided that Yoon Seok Young and Secretary Jun should ride a separate limousine to the Plaza Athenee where they would be staying. Otherwise, Yi Jeong would have felt a bit disrespectful about drinking in front of Ji Hoo's Harabeoji. Being hungover AND stuck in a small (well…not really SMALL) airplane with his ex-best-friend the traitor did not make for the best combination.

Ji Hoo ignored both Woo Bin and Yi Jeong, instead pulling out his phone.

"Yoboseoyo?"

"Seo-hyun-ah?" Ji Hoo said softly. "I need your help"

"Of course! What can I do for you? Are you in Seoul? Isn't this too early for you to be awake?" Min Seo-hyun asked, a smile in her voice, knowing very well of Ji Hoo's sleeping habits.

"Actually, I..well…we are in Paris. Woo Bin, Yi Jeong, I and..my grandfather." Ji Hoo replied.

"I see." Seo-hyun said quietly, hiding her surprise and knowing there was a story behind this.

"Jan Di has been missing for a couple of months and she was last seen in Paris – I'm here to find her."

"Missing?" Seo Yin asked in surprise. She had occasionally ran into Jun Pyo in Paris,she knew he was here for work but he had never mentioned anything. But then again, she realized, he had not mentioned Jan DI at all – which should have struck her as strange.

"It's a long story – but are you free to see us?" Ji Hoo asked.

"Arasso. Shall we meet tomorrow? I'll take the afternoon off from work."

"Where?" Ji Hoo asked "We're staying at the Plaza Athenee but I can send a car for you."

"No worries – I am meeting one of my old law professors near the Sorbonne, why don't we meet at A. Lacroix Patissier? I remember it was your favorite last time." Seo Hyun suggested.

"Ne. See you at around 4? I need to go to the Korean embassy first."

Ending the call, Ji Hoo leaned back into the soft leather of the seat and was about to close his eyes when he noticed Woo Bin and Yi Jeong both looking at him speculatively.

"Was that a good idea?" Yi Jeong asked.

"What?"

"Meeting up with Min Seo Hyun?" The potter continued.

"Why not?" Ji Hoo asked exasperatedly. "She's lived here for years. Maybe she can help."

"Seriously?" Yi Jeong asked again, ever the skeptic.

"So Yi Jeong, that ship sailed and sank a long time ago — we are just friends now." Ji Hoo said tiredly.

"Friends?"

"Yah So Yi Jeong. Just friends." Woo Bin interrupted. He for one had a ringside seat to Ji Hoo and Jan Di's so far ill-fated romance and if that wasn't enough, having been the closest to Yoo Ji Hoo over the past two months, he knew the depths of Ji Hoo's worries, and fears and feelings for the girl. "Unlike some people, there are men who CAN be just friends with a woman."

"And you are implying what?" Yi Jeong said caustically.

"Nothing." Woo Bin said turning away and looking at the passing sights as they drove through the city. Idly, he lifted his hand to his cheek, still feeling the tenderness in the small bruise — and he thought, I guess I owe her a pair of shoes.

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"Really Harabeoji?" Ji Min said excitedly "All of them?"

"Yes! All of them – and Jacques told me that the buyer wants to know if you have new ones! Too bad you missed Jacques call – but he said he owes you 80 Euros – its what he got for all five paintings, minus that old man's commission of course!" Il Sung said happily.

"Anyway, he wants you to bring over whatever other paintings you have left when you collect your money." Il Sung continued, clearly thrilled for the girl who had grown as close to him as a real granddaughter would have had he had one. "I told him you were my granddaughter so that old bastard wouldn't cheat you."

"Gomawo…gomawo Harabeoji!" Ji Min said bowing, her cheeks pink in excitement. "I will go today — Kwang Si-ssi is sending me to pick up Il Jin's new school uniforms. May I go? May I bring Il Jin with me? He'll be home by 3."

"Of course!" Il Sung said, "It shouldn't be too busy today as it's a weekday."

"Thank you Harabeoji! I promised him I would buy him an ice cream at Berthillon* when I actually sold something, I didn't realise I actually would do it! Is there anything you would like too Harabeoji? "

"Omo! Berthillon! How fancy!" The old man said, his eyes twinkling with affection – she who had so little, and here she was so willing to share what little money she had with them. "Don't worry about me Ji Min-ah, I am supposed to be watching my diabetes anyway — you young ones have fun and don't let Il Jin wander off, you know how he is…"

"I'll watch him Harabeoji! We can leave as soon as I clear up after the lunch crowd." Ji Min replied happily.

A few hours later, Ji Min and Il Jin made their way to Monsieur Jacques' spot near the Notre Dame, fighting through the throngs of tourists who were as usual, fighting for space to take their selfies. Luckily, Il Jin could speak French as well as Korean, having been born in Paris with a Korean speaking family and could easily translate for Ji Min, in between intermittent licks to his chocolate ice cream cone.

"Monsieur Jacques said he will call Harabeoji when the client has come to buy your new paintings."

Ji Min smiled widely as the old bookseller nodded benignly at her.

"Pouvez-vous rester et rencontrer le client? Je peux l'appeler maintenant." Jacques said, looking at the little boy to translate.

"Ji Min noona? He wants to know if we can wait — the client said Monsieur Jacques should call him if you came — maybe he wants to meet you?" Il Jin asked the girl.

"We might get in trouble with your omma — she said to come right back home." Ji Min replied. Over the months, her relationship with her boss had improved somewhat, but Ji Min still had a healthy fear of Kwang Si and her lightning quick ability to deliver a slap or a pinch whenever she was displeased and Ji Min had learned that life was more peaceful if she just did everything Kwang Si wanted.

"Désolé monsieur, nous ne pouvons pas rester. Mais Ji Min et moi pouvons revenir quand les peintures auront été vendues." (I'm sorry sir, we can't stay. But Ji Min and I can come back when the paintings have been sold.)

"Ah! Oui! A bientot!" Jacques replied waving as the two quickly crossed the street. Pulling out his telephone, the bookseller dug around his things and found the slip of paper and called the young man who had purchased the last set of paintings.

"Bonjour Monsieur. C'est Jacques Argent, le Bouquiniste." He said by way of introduction.

"Ah, Oui Monsieur. Ca va?" (Oh yes. How are you?) Jun Pyo asked. It had only been a couple of days since he had purchased the mysterious J's paintings.

"Les peintures que vous avez achetées la dernière fois? La jeune femme a apporté plus." (Those paintings you bought last time? The young lady has brought more.)

"Merci. Ne les vendez à personne. Un de mes amis viendra les acheter ajourd-hui." (Thank you. Don't sell them to anyone else, a friend of mine will come to buy them today.)

Hanging up the call, Jun Pyo scrolled through his contacts and dialled.

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"Ji Hoo-yah!" Min Seo-hyun called out from her table by the bay window. She had been waiting for a minutes and had seen the handsome young man alight from the luxurious town car which had pulled up and enter the patisserie. She waved him over and she noted how much Yoon Ji Hoo had changed since the last time she had seen him over two years before. If possible, he was even more eye-catching than he had been then — the pretty boy had grown up into a handsome man and not a few women in the patisserie took notice but Yoon Ji Hoo, as usual, was oblivious to the looks being cast his way.

Ji Hoo saw her from the door and smiled – and several women in the café did a double take only to look away in disappointment when they saw him walk towards the model-esque beauty sitting by the window. Seo Hyun rose as Ji Hoo arrived at the table and kissed each of his cheeks in greeting as they held hands.

A waiter arrived and after their order had been delivered, Ji Hoo turned his full attention to gorgeous woman sitting across from him.

"You haven't changed at all Seo Hyun-ah. Still as beautiful as ever." He said, giving her one of his rare smiles.

"And you my Ji Hoo, have changed a lot." Seo Hyun said, smiling wistfully at him. They were good friends now and after that one night when they had made love for the first and last time, she realised that they were better off as friends. Still, looking at him made her feel a twinge of regret. Seo Hyun was happy with the life she chose for herself and occasionally, she dated. But sometimes, when she was alone in her apartment, or when she heard a beautiful piece of music, she would remember the young man who had professed to love her so ardently.

"How are you? What happened? And what is Jan Di doing in Paris?" Seo Hyun asked.

"It's a long story — but to cut it short, over two months ago, Jan Di vanished from Seoul. Her parents thought she had taken a short term job in Jeju but she never made it there. We couldn't find a trace." Ji began, his temper rising again as he recalled Jan DI's irresponsible parents. "Grandfather...he still has friends in government and there was sighting of Jan DI at the embassy here. We only found out yesterday and we flew in last night."

"Your grandfather?" Seo Hyun asked, mystified. She knew how Ji Hoo felt about his estranged grandparent and how grief it had caused him over the years. "How…how did you find him?"

"Yes." JI Hoo said softly. "Actually…Jan Di found him for me. And in a way, she brought him back to me."

The two were quiet for a while.

"I need to find her Seo-hyun." Ji Hoo said, a sad, far away look in his eyes. "I don't know how I will survive if she is gone for good."

Suddenly, Min Seo-hyun remembered the little boy she had found hiding under a piano. Taking both of his shaking hands in hers, Seo-hyun lifted them to her lips and gently kissed them. Smiling at him, she whispered. "We will find her Ji Hoo-yah."

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"Ji Min — this is the fastest way to the Metro." Il Jin insisted, dragging Ji Min behind him.

"It's also the the way that has the most patisseries and chocolatiers." Ji Min teased but allowed the little boy to lead her.

"That one is my favorite!" Il Jin said, pointing at A. Lacroix Patisserie across the street. "Please Ji Min, can we just look in the window display? I want to be a patissier when I grow up!"

The two hurriedly crossed the street, dodging cars and other pedestrians. Being so close to the Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter, this area was always crowded with tourists and cars and the two had to hurry to avoid getting mowed over. Suddenly letting go of Ji Min's hand in his excitement, Il Jin ran up to the display window, admiring the perfectly decorated cakes and pastries on display.

As Ji Min hurried to catch up to him, she craned her neck looking for the little boy who had wormed his way to the front of the display window, afraid that she would lose him the crowds.

And then her heart stopped.

And the memories that had lain dormant in her mind came roaring back to life as she saw his face. It was as if floodgates had opened and she saw her life flashing before her like scenes from a film.

"Yoon Ji Hoo." She whispered.

The one she loved.

Jan Di took a step towards the window — towards him, keeping him in her frame of vision through gaps and spaces between the bodies of people in front of her — as if in a trance, her arm aching to hold him, a smile breaking out on her face…everything would be ok. She had found him. She would be safe.

And then she saw he wasn't alone.

Min Seo-hyun sat across from him, their hands clasped together, her lips curved in a soft smile on her beautiful faces as she kissed Ji Hoo's hands.

Jan Di felt her heart break. It was nothing like what she felt that afternoon in Macau with Jun Pyo when she had felt and excruciating pain — it was as if suddenly she didn't exist anymore. As if all she was and all she had ever been had disintegrated into millions of little fragments and had floated out into the Paris air.

And she was nothing.

The girl in the threadbare red coat froze – her gaze locked on the couple in the window.

"Ji Min!" Il Jin called, as he looked back and saw his friend standing stock still in the middle of the sidewalk. "Ji Min…noona! What are you doing?"

Without warning, a pedestrian who had run across the road to avoid a car, ran into the frozen Jan Di, sending her tumbling to the sidewalk. Il Jin reached her just then and held out his hand to help her up.

"Noona?" The worried little boy asked. "Are you ok?"

Unable to articulate any words — Jan Di just nodded dumbly and rose quickly.

She had to go.

She had to run away before he saw her – in her old ugly clothes and hand me down red coat, her raggedy hands cracked and broken from the dishwashing and grunt work.

Because he had moved on.

He must have.

Because he looked so happy, so perfect with the beautiful Min Seo Hyun.

Because he did not need a poor little nobody from nowhere to intrude into his perfect life with the perfect woman.

And because she would not be able to stand seeing pity in his eyes.

So she grabbed Il Jin's little hand in hers and ran, quickly getting lost in the crowd and then into the busy metro station.

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Ji Hoo smiled sadly at Seo Hyun, accepting the comfort he knew she was trying to give – as he turned to look out, his gaze was drawn a small commotion a few feet away on the sidewalk – it seemed as if a pedestrian had collapsed or fallen on the sidewalk.

A little boy was helping the woman – or girl - up from the ground, her red coat a splash of color amidst the blacks and greys typically worn by most of the Parisiennes and tourists around them — and as she looked up at the little boy and sprang up from the ground —Yoon Ji Hoo saw her face.

"Jan Di-yah!" He exclaimed, jumping quickly up from the table.

Min Seo Hyun stood up quickly as well, bewildered. "What happened?"

"I saw her — in the crowd, just now." Ji Hoo explained as quickly as he ran out of the patisserie.

Heart beating as if it were going to burst out of his chest, Ji Hoo ran outside the patisserie, turning in the direction where he had seen the Jan Di run — from a distance he saw a flash of red go down the steps leading to the Metro and sprinted towards it. But the Saint Michel station of the Metro was predictably crowded and Ji Hoo was unable to plow through the throngs of people.

"Jan Di!" Ji Hoo shouted, not seeing her anymore but hoping she could hear him "Jan Di-ah!!"

"Monsieur! Monsieur! You cannot go through the barrier — please purchase a ticket first!" A metro employee ran towards Ji Hoo who was about to vault over the turnstile — he had never taken the Metro before and had no ticket or pass — all he knew was that he had to get to Jan Di who was somewhere in the crowd.

Stopping, Ji Hoo ran his fingers through his hair exasperatedly. She was so close — he could hear the alarm in his heart screaming.

"Desole Monsieur – I was trying to catch someone." Ji Hoo apologized, trying to catch his breath.

The Metro employee looked at the young man before him – and seeing his devastated face, decided not to make a further issue.

"C'est bon, just do not do this again Monsieur."

"What has happened to you our Ji Hoo, first turning human and now turning to a life of crime?"

Ji Hoo turned, surprised to hear Korean in the crowd, and saw Woo Bin standing behind him, smiling sardonically at him and looking as if he were a bit winded as well.

"Woo Bin-ah — I saw her!" Ji Hoo explained "I saw Jan Di."

"Well we won't be able to find her now, trains passing here can connect to practically any of the other lines." Yi Jeong said, trying to steer Ji Hoo out of the crowded station, ignoring the curious looks they were getting from the crowds.

Woo Bin signalled the two men in the black suits, the security detail assigned by the Embassy to Ji Hoo and they immediately started dispersing the small crowd.

"How did you find me?" Ji Hoo asked, with a last long look at the passageway where Jan DI has disappeared to, turning to start walking up the steps with his friend who had put a comforting arm around his shoulders. Woo Bin followed behind Yi Jeong and Ji Hoo, instructing the bodyguards to return to Lacroix and tell Min Seo Hyun that they had found Ji Hoo.

"We saw you running out of Lacroix like the devil was after you and so we followed you." Yi Jeong explained, "Your speed has improved by the way…" he weakly joked. "All those naps must be paying off…"

"And by the way…your security is not happy that you went off without them." Prince Song added conversationally, as if a foot chase through one of the busiest districts in Paris was completely normal for them. "I would expect this behaviour from Gu Jun Pyo but not you…"

Ji Hoo was about to respond when he felt his phone vibrate in his coat pocket – the name on the caller ID surprised him. He had not heard from Jun Pyo in months, although he realised he should thank Jun Pyo for sending the paintings. He showed the ringing telephone to Woo Bin and Yi Jeong whose eyebrows lifted. In the last few months, Jun Pyo's communications had consistently been with Yi Jeong only and from what Yi Jeong could tell, Jun Pyo was still very angry at Ji Hoo, and by extension Woo Bin.

"Speak of the devil…." Woo Bin muttered.

"Yobeseoyo Jun Pyo"

"Did you get the package?" Jun Pyo asked, not wasting time on pleasantries.

"Yes. Gomawo. I am in Paris now looking for her. I really…appreciate your help" Ji Hoo said. His rift with Jun Pyo hurt him, they had been friends for so long and yet, he still had not completely forgiven his friend for how he had hurt Jan Di.

"Go find Jacques Argent. He is the Bouquiniste I bought the paintings from, he called me to say there were more. If it's really her — maybe he can help you find her." Jun Pyo said. "His stall is along the left bank, almost across the Notre Dame, you can ask around for him."

"Thank you Jun Pyo." Ji Hoo said quietly. "I am in your debt."

"Don't thank me. Just find her. And then we are even." Jun Pyo said quietly before he hung up the phone.

For a moment, somewhere across the city, the heir of Shinhwa stared at his phone after the call ended. He would have wanted to be the one that found her. The one that rescued the princess. But he realized that in this version of the fairy tale, he was not the Prince. He had been, for a while — but then he had thrown it away and in a few weeks, he would be returning to Korea to celebrate his wedding to a stranger. A bride he had never seen. Another gutless pawn in the game of big business.

"Take care of her…" he whispered into the phone, even though Ji Hoo was no longer there.

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"Jacques Argent?" Ji Hoo asked.

The old bookseller turned around, his eyes going wide, a bit intimidated by the two well-dressed young men and the beautiful woman who stood in front of his stall, flanked by men in dark suits who looked like bodyguards. He got nervous, the young men and the lady did not seem like bad people, but those bodyguards…were they like the Chinese triads he had heard of in the news?

Jacques wondered if he had gotten himself into trouble. Or maybe it was that girl sent by Mun Il Sung? Were the paintings stolen? But she seemed like a nice little girl — and of course he had known Il Sung for a few years and this was granddaughter after all….

Still, it didn't hurt to be careful he thought, deciding he would not give out too much information — after all, he was just here to make a living.

"Parlez vous Anglais?" (Do you speak English?) Ji Hoo asked.

"Un petit peu Monsieur" (A little sir.)

"I'm here to pick up some miniatures? Peintures? My friend purchased some by the same artist the other day." Ji Hoo explained.

"Ah yes. The young gentleman told me to expect you." Jacques replied nervously, going to the back where he took out a small package. "I have not opened them myself…would you like to take a look?"

He handed the package over to Ji Hoo who immediately began unwrapping the brown paper encasing the package. There were five — of him playing the violin in front of the IM Pei glass pyramid of the Louvre, under a streetlight in front of a cafe, on the steps of the Sacre Coeur, on the deck of a Bateaux and the last, which made him pause for long moments, sitting on the steps of what looked like a metro station but which could have been the fire exit where he and Jan DI had often sat in Shinhwa academy.

"It's her." Woo Bin said softly, looking over Ji Hoo's shoulder. "It can't have been anyone else…"

"Monsieur – we would like to buy these. Combien?" Yi Jeong asked the Bouquiniste.

A cunning look crossed the old bookseller's eyes — it he was in trouble or the girl, the very least he could do was to get her as much money out of the deal as he could.

"A hundred euros each Monsieur"

Yi Jeong pulled out his wallet and without batting an eyelash handed over the 500 Euros as if it were small change.

For a second, Jacques wanted to kick himself. He could have probably gotten more out of the deal. They didn't seem like stupid tourists, maybe they just didn't care to know that paintings like these were only worth a fraction of what he quoted.

"Do you know the artist?" Ji Hoo asked, looking up finally from the paintings.

"Oui Monsieur" Jacques replied. "But I have only seen her for the first time today. She does not come regularly."

"But she came today?" Woo Bin persisted.

The old man nodded hesitantly, looking askance as the burly bodyguards who seemed to be moving uncomfortably closer.

"Do you recognise this girl?" Ji Hoo asked, pulling up a photo of Jan Di on his mobile.

"Ah..well…it could be Ji Min…but I am not sure Monsieur…I have not really seen her that often."

"Ji Min?" Ji Hoo asked.

"That's what she said her name was – she came with her little brother Il Jin today. Although the last time, it was her grandfather who brought the paintings."

Yi Jeong and Woo Bin exchanged perplexed glances. This was looking like another wild goose chase – as far as they knew, Jan Di's little brother was safe in Ulleongdo with her parents — and she had never mentioned grandparents.

"Her grandfather?" Woo Bin asked.

"Yes — Monsieur il Sung Mun, I have known him a few years. We play boules* in the park near here."

"Do you know where they live? Do have his number? Can we call him?" Ji Hoo asked.

"I'm sorry Monsieur, I'm afraid I don't know where they live. I've only ever met him at the park or he comes here. And I don't have his number." Jacques replied. He didn't want to seem too closely connected to Il Sung or the girl in case they were in trouble. He decided he would warn his old friend first before he gave out any more information.

Ji Hoo was frustrated. He sensed that the old man was not being completely honest but short of physical violence he did not know how to get more information out of him.

"Merci beaucoup pour aider Monsieur" Ji Hoo said politely, giving the man a small bow.

"If she returns, would you ask her if she would consider a commission? I would like a miniature of the Ponte Alexandre* with the violinist. But as I am leaving Paris, I need it in a week's time. I'm prepared to pay 1,000 Euros for it….as a gift for someone. But I will only accept the painting if it is delivered to me by 6 pm. I have no time to come back here but my hotel is very close to that area. If she is uncomfortable about meeting us, I will send one of my men to meet her and pay for the painting on the left side of the Bridge near the statues of the Nymphs. But she has to deliver it personally. If she comes with the painting as agreed, there will be another thousand euros for you as commission but please do not tell her anything about me or who asked for the painting — or the deal is off."

"I will ask her Monsieur." Jacques replied. The gears already turning in his head. It would be safe right? The Ponte Alexandre was such a busy place — he didn't think she would come to harm? And — a thousand euros for each of them — that was a windfall that he needed.

"Very well Monsieur – please leave a message for me at the front desk I am staying at the Plaza Athenee." Ji Hoo concluded and with a nod to his companions, turned to enter the waiting limousine. "Again, please make sure she doesn't know who commissioned the painting or else she might not come." He said before getting in.

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"I'm so sorry Ji Hoo-yah…" Min Seo Hyun said quietly as the four settled into back of the limo.

"Don't be. I know it's her. I saw her." Ji Hoo said with conviction. "I just don't understand…does she hate me that much that she would run away?"

"Chingu…" WooBin said glancing at Ji Hoo's downcast countenance, "I'm sorry this didn't pan out…but I don't think it's Jan Di..I can't explain away the grandfather..or the little brother..maybe the violinist is just a coincidence?"

"Don't worry Ji Hoo-yah, even if this painter is not her — we'll find her. We know she is in Paris now at least." The potter elaborated. "Maybe we can put out ads? Or post a reward?"

"No Babo." Woo Bin objected "That would either make her run away even farther if she is really running from us or worse, make her a target for every money hungry criminal looking for easy money."

"You have a better idea Don Juan?" Yi Jeong challenged.

"Actually I do." Woo Bin smirked. "While you were all busy interrogating that man, I've put surveillance on him. IF Jan Di ever comes back or he goes to see her – we'll know."

Yi Jeong pouted, having been once more one-upped by Don Juan.

"Well there's nothing we more we can do tonight…"Yi Jeong muttered. "Hey Min Seo Hyun, why don't you take us out for dinner? I heard you fancy french attorneys know all the good places to party around here…"

"And can we perhaps pass by the nearest Loboutin store? There's someone I owe a pair of shoes to." Woo Bin interjected.

"And who is this unlucky woman?" Yi Jeong demanded suspiciously.

"None of your business." Woo Bin grinned and crossed his arms in front of him, signalling that the conversation was over.

Min Seo Hyun laughed and shook her head — these boys (except maybe Ji Hoo) never changed. "C'est bien. We will party tonight — and I promise to discreetly disappear in case you find dates for the evening. Are you coming with?" She asked Ji Hoo who had been staring blindly out the window.

"Gomawo Seo Hyun-ah but no." Ji Hoo said. He just wanted to go back to the hotel and be alone with his thoughts — and the memory of the fleeting glance he had caught of the girl he loved so much. "I need to update Harabeoji on what we know so far."

"Come on Ji Hoo-yah!" Woo Bin argued, "You still need to eat right? I promised Wonder Girl I would take care of you — and I don't want a Jan Di Special spin kick to the face if she thinks I haven't been doing my job!"

"Yah Ji Hoo!" Yi Jeong intervened, "Your Grandfather told us he would be at that embassy dinner tonight anyway – he won't be there even if you went to the hotel now."

Ji Hoo sighed, knowing that whatever he said, the two would not stop until he relented.

"How about this…" Min Seo Hyun interrupted "Why don't you at lest join us for dinner - Alain Ducasse at your hotel is excellent — and then I can take Yi Jeong and Woo Bin out for a drink after."

Ji Hoo just nodded and turned to the window once more watching the streets whizz by.

In a few minutes, the limousine pulled over under the distinctive red awning of the Plaza Athenee and the group alighted – heading directly for the famous Michelin starred Alain Ducasse restaurant.

"Madmoiselle Min! Bon soir! Lovely to see you join us again." The Maitre'd greeted Min Seo Hyun effusively.

"Bon soir Thierry!" Seo Hyun responded, "Pardon, je ne c'est pa reservacion. But maybe you could squeeze us in somehow?"

Min Seo Hyun was here often enough to be recognised by the Maitre'D', she was not only easy on the eyes, but she also tipped very well. And further, as it was a relatively slow night, Thierry thought the a small tip to the paparazzi would also be in order (accompanied by a small gratuitie to him for providing the tip of course) – Min Seo Hyun was locally well-known as a socialite – her exotic Asian looks, the fact that she was an ex-pat wealth heiress and her impeccable dress sense made her interesting to the local press.

"Certainment Madmoiselle! Please follow me." The obsequious maitre'd said leading the way to a table for four, strategically placed in the center of the dining room. He noted that the young gentlemen with Madmoiselle Min were the same ones who had taken over the hotel's most expensive suites, and were in the entourage of a foreign dignitary. Not to mention that they were all just as young and good looking as the delectable Madmoiselle Min. Yes, they would certainly be a very decorative and lucrative addition to the evening's clientele.

Seo Hyun was leaning closely towards Ji Hoo who was showing her photographs of himself, Jan Di, Yi Jeong and Woo Bin on his mobile, when a flash of light from a camera temporarily distracted her.

"Madmoiselle Min — who are your friends? Isn't this your former boyfriend Monsieur Ji Hoo Yoon? Are you back together?" The reporter said – he had been tipped off that it was a slow night and to make the hours he had spent hanging about worth while at least, he had slipped a gratuite to one the waiters to turn a blind eye so he could approach this table.

"No comment." Min Seo Hyun said as Ji Hoo twisted towards her, turning his face away from the camera.

"How long is he here? Are you dating again? Should we expect an engagement announcement?"

"No comment."

"A picture of both you at least?" The reporter persisted.

"The lady said no comment." Yi Jeong gritted out. Woo Bin looked on, neither him nor Yi Jeong were shy around the press but were a bit miffed that their quiet dinner had been interrupted. Woo Bin simply lifted his hand as if to summon the waiter.

A few seconds later, Woo Bin smiled and the reporter felt a cold chill go up his spine as he felt heavy hands on his shoulders. F3's security quickly frogmarched the reporter out the door and the group continued their meal, forgetting the interruption.

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Author's Note : We're getting closer to the end!! Maybe 3 chapters left and I am very excited to finish. Thanks for reading and please review!

Berthillon – is a famous ice cream store on the Ile St. Louis, a must-try when you are in Paris

Plaza Athenee is the one of the oldest, most beautiful and most expensive hotels in the City, it's famous for its Michelin starred restaurants and its red awnings

Pont Alexandre is one of the most beautiful, if not THE most beautiful bridge spanning the Seine. It has beautiful statues of nymphs and a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower. It is very popular for couples having their pre-nuptial pictorials done — a lot of them Asian couples. If you have seen Kim Hyun Joong's video for "Why" this is where they shot it — and I must confess, I was imagining the video when I wrote the next chapter and actually selected this location for my story because It is one of my favorite spots in Paris.

I hope your enjoyed this chapter — and I can't wait until you read the next. (I am waiting until I hit at least 75 reviews before I post the next one).

Bissous! Daphne