63. Paris (3)

Josh and Sharon spent their days in Paris full of laughter and fun.

As per the list they had made long before their departure, they started exploring one tourist spot after another.

Their first destination was, of course, the Louvre.

They walked hand-in-hand through the iconic pyramid-shaped glass entrance, Sharon's eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Inside the museum, they stopped for a long time in front of the Mona Lisa painting, talking quietly, joking about how small it was compared to their expectations. Josh took many photos of Sharon in front of other famous paintings.

No matter that there was a ban on photography in some parts, Josh quietly stole moments - too eager to capture Sharon's contented smile.

Afterwards, they walked to the Eiffel Tower.

There, they took pictures at various corners of the Champ de Mars park, and then climbed to the top of the tower, getting a bird's-eye view of the entire city of Paris.

Sharon hugged Josh tightly as the wind picked up, chuckling and teasing, “If I fall, you'll catch me, right?”

Josh just smiled and rubbed Sharon's head, feeling a part of him bonding strongly with her.

They enjoyed the afternoon at a small café nearby, ordering warm croissants and café au lait, talking casually as if the world belonged to the two of them.

Their days continued to the majestic Notre-Dame, where Josh held Sharon's hand tighter as they strolled the cobbled streets, marveling at the old church's gothic architecture.

They even climbed up the tower, getting close to the creepy gargoyle statues, taking pictures while pretending to be scared.

In Montmartre, they got lost among the small cobbled streets.

Sharon was busy going into small shops selling antiques, looking for something to take home as a memento.

Josh patiently waited, carrying Sharon's increasingly heavy shopping bags.

Versailles became an exhausting but satisfying day trip.

They walked the halls of the magnificent palace, took pictures in the Hall of Mirrors, and lay back in the spacious garden behind the palace.

Sharon leaned on Josh's shoulder, while Josh gazed up at the sky, feeling for a moment that this was all... so perfect.

They also spent time on a boat ride on the Seine River at night. The lights of Paris sparkled in the water, creating mesmerizing shadows.

Sharon gazed at Josh with shining eyes, as if the world around her had vanished, leaving only him before her.

Every night, they dined at fine restaurants. Tasting foie gras, escargot, steak frites, and various other French specialties.

Sharon always smiled contentedly after the meal, posing coquettishly for Josh to photograph.

In all these places, they took pictures.

A million poses, a million smiles, a million memories captured on Josh's camera.

Those pictures, Sharon thought, would be proof of their love-that they once had Paris.

But for all Sharon knew, and Josh was fully aware, there was one bitter truth lurking beneath all the excitement.

The fact that this was all an escape. Because behind those beautiful photos, there was Ashley walking alone.

There was Ashley staring at Josh and Sharon's backs from a distance.

Ashley who was supposed to be enjoying her honeymoon. Ashley who was actually invited to Paris not to be set aside, but to be loved.

But Josh, caught up in Sharon's charm, was complacent.

He knew it was wrong, but he chose to turn a blind eye.

One afternoon, when they had come out of Montmartre and were just sitting in a small café on a street corner, Sharon was leaning back in a chair, sipping her red wine and chuckling.

Josh took the camera out of his bag and peered at their photos.

There was a picture of Sharon holding him on the banks of the Seine. There was a picture of the two of them kissing under the Eiffel Tower. There was Sharon laughing in the gardens of Versailles.

Josh rubbed his face, feeling claustrophobic.

One other photo appeared on Ashley's screen.

It was taken the morning before their departure, when Ashley smiled shyly in the hotel lobby, carrying her large suitcase.

The smile was clean. Sincere.

In contrast to all the emotional turmoil that now surrounded her life with Sharon.

Josh let out a long sigh.

“Are you tired?” asked Sharon indulgently, clasping Josh's hand on the table.

“A little,” Josh replied briefly.

“We can go back to the hotel if you like,” Sharon offered, her eyes shining hopefully. "Or... do you want to go for another walk? We haven't been to my favorite boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré yet."

Josh forced a smile.

“Fine, we'll go to that boutique.”

What else could he do?

Every time he tried to move away, Sharon pulled him deeper.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, Ashley sat on the edge of the large window, looking out blankly. The Eiffel Tower was visible in the distance, glistening in the afternoon sun. Her hands fiddled with a small notebook, a list of places she should go.

Ashley stood up, grabbed her jacket, and stepped out alone. She decided to walk without direction. Looking for something that could fill the void in her chest.

That night, in the hotel room, Josh entered quietly, trying not to wake Ashley. But Ashley wasn't sleeping. She sat on a chair by the window, staring out, her back to Josh.

Josh opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say.

Words seemed futile in the face of the distance that now stretched between them.

"I guess this is our honeymoon," Ashley said slowly, her voice almost inaudible.

Josh held his breath.

"I thought..."

Ashley turned her head, her eyes red. "I thought you'd at least pretend to care."

Josh walked over, but Ashley stood up, shying away.

"It's late," she said stiffly. "You must be tired. Get some rest."

That night, Ashley stood looking at Josh who was already half asleep on the couch.

The man's face looked utterly exhausted, and his heart pinched with pain.

After all, Josh had just come from a long journey from Korea, had a busy schedule, and now... he was letting him sleep in a cramped and uncomfortable place.

With a sigh, Ashley gave up.

She walked over to Josh and tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"Josh," she called. "Just sleep in the bed."

Josh opened one eye, still semi-conscious.

"But you—"

"We made a deal," Ashley cut in quickly. "No touching each other. At all. Like we don't know each other."

At that, Josh chuckled softly, then nodded.

"Okay, Miss Superior," he half-joked.

Ashley just shook her head and walked to the side of the bed.

They lay down, each facing the opposite side, trying their hardest to keep their distance.

It was silent, only the soft sound of the air conditioner could be heard filling the room.

Ashley took a deep breath, trying to get rid of the anxiety inside her.

It had been such a long day.

And Josh... even though he was annoying, he was still Josh. Still the man who managed to make her heart flutter in silly little ways.

Soon, tiredness took over, and Ashley fell asleep.

But as the night rolled into midnight, Ashley woke up. Something was strange. She found Josh, unknowingly, had moved closer.

The man's arms were around her waist, hugging her tightly, as if she was a living pillow that couldn't be let go.

Josh's face sank into the pillow, very close to Ashley's - so close that he could feel Josh's warm, rhythmic breath on his cheek.

Ashley held his breath, stiff.

At first he wanted to move away, but Josh's body felt heavy, warm, and... cozy. Her eyes focused on Josh's face that was fast asleep, carefree, like a child. There was peace there. A small smile played on Ashley's lips without her realizing it.

He observed Josh's jawline, his long eyelashes, and his slightly furrowed brows, as if even in sleep Josh still carried the weight of the world.

In that silence, Ashley felt something warm seeping into her heart.

I don't know when this feeling grew.

I don't know when she started wanting more than just a business marriage.

Ashley sighed softly, allowing herself to savor this small moment.

He turned his head a little closer, almost touching Josh's forehead, letting the man's masculine scent wrap around him like a warm blanket.

For the first time in days, Ashley felt at peace.

As if the outside world didn't matter anymore.

Smiling a little, he closed his eyes, letting himself drift back to sleep, still in Josh's accidental embrace that felt so right... so comfortable.