"You just said you wouldn't do it!" Young-ho exclaimed.
"That was five seconds ago," Francesca claimed. "I've changed my mind now. When do I start?"
I was occupied looking at her sister, so I didn't have time to come up with a reply. Dae-jung told her Monday as planned. I only nodded in agreement. How was it that a couple could produce such beautiful offspring? I really hope my children are just as beautiful.
"I'm Jane." The beauty smiled at everyone. "Cesca's older sister. Well...one of them. It's nice to finally meet the fashion masterminds."
"Fashion...masterminds?" Young-ho asked.
"Of course. Père talks about you all a lot. I don't think he's ever criticized any of you."
I smiled. "I'm Kim Byeong-ho. I'm in charge of making sure new designs are worth your money. I respect your father and trust he has my best interest in mind."
"I'm Lee Young-ho. Nothing special about me. I check on things after Byeong-ho. If something needs to be fixed, I'm on it." Young-ho winked at Jane. She blushed.
Dae-jung stood and bowed. Of course, he was the one to be extra.
"Park Dae-jung. Wardrobe disasters are what I prevent. I'm part of the Sales department, so that's how Young-ho and Byeong-ho's clothing gets out." He laughed. "Without me, your father would be completely swamped in work."
Jane laughed with him and stepped in front of Francesca. I could see Francesca didn't like this and crossed her arms across her chest. All plans to talk about the mock trial flew from my head. My attention was focused on Jane. Until the other sister arrived. Slightly prettier than Jane.
"Ooh, a gathering!" she exclaimed. "I'm Marie. The eldest child of this beautiful family. Excluding Cesca, but who asked?"
Francesca looked like she might punch her sister and throw a tantrum at the same time. I wasn't going to stop this. It wasn't my fight. Now I can see why she believes she's ugly. This belief started in her household. It was going to be a little tough to break through it.
"I'm kidding, Francesca," Marie said. "If she hasn't accepted the offer yet, then I'll be honored to do it."
"Me, too!" Jane nodded.
"I said I would," Francesca muttered. "If you'd be so kind and fetch maman and Père."
"Of course..."
⚜⚜⚜⚜
"What made you change your mind?" I asked Francesca. We were outside getting ready to leave. Dae-jung had to leave earlier due to someone calling him back to the company. Young-ho was on a phone call with Nicolette being his personal secretary.
"She's my sister. Of course, I want anything she wants to do willingly," she said like it was obvious.
"If she jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?"
"Of course, not. Sisters are women you compete with when they want something you have or want. It feels good to be a model before she could even get an offer."
"...Oh."
"Exactly. If it had been one of my younger sisters, or even my brothers, I would have gladly stepped aside to let them have it. Jane and Marie aren't people I want to have looming over me, because they're model. It's already bad enough that we're related."
I will never be able to understand women. Francesca comes into our office and declares she wants to be beautiful, but the moment we ask her for something in return, she doesn't want to help us. If we were going to help her get over her delusion that she isn't beautiful, then I don't know what to do. Her elder sisters were more than willing. If Francesca didn't live up to her wants, then I would be forced to take in Jane or Marie.
We said our goodbyes and I headed to the car. Young-ho had finished talking on the phone and was already in the car. Nicolette offered to sit in the front with the driver. I wouldn't want to sit with Young-ho either if he treated me like he treats her. I would have to have a talk with him. It was one thing to pretend she was his personal assistant and another thing to make her feel uncomfortable around him.
Nicolette ended up being dropped off at the office to join Dae-jung. Young-ho decided that this was his chance to drag me around the city like he was my personal tour guide. I didn't like this one bit, but it was going to be helpful to know the hotspots in Paris. Who knows what's going to happen in the next couple of weeks? I could meet someone lovely or have to tell someone where the best places are to eat or hang out.
"Trust me," he said. "It's going to be a great experience."
Trusting people was the last thing I wanted to do. Even if it was someone I knew. Young-ho was known around Seoul to be one of the shadiest people I know. With us being good friends, he would always think it was hilarious to play me. Once, I almost missed an important meeting, because he called me thirty minutes before it started to get him some supplies he could have gotten himself. When I asked him why he did that, he only laughed and said it was a one time thing.
"You already know about the Eiffel Tower. We're not standing in line just to get to the top," Young-ho expressed bitterly. "How about we go look at some restaurants, yes? The street food here is to die for."
"Sure, sure," I agreed half-heartedly. "Will we eat?"
"Of course, hyung. I'll show you a few, then we'll have lunch. Maybe actually go to the hotel and sleep some."
"Great, because I need sleep right about now."
We seemed to be walking for ages. Young-ho was right when he said the food was to die for. I had a chance to taste empanadas, a little bit of Canadian food with a Parisian twist, and even kebabs with mystery meat. I never want to know what it is.
After what felt like two hours, which only turned out to be thirty minutes, Young-ho brought us to a stop at another street vendor. I could smell the Thai food before I saw it. Like most of the Koreans I knew, it took a lot to make us full. Like a full five course dinner. My stomach growled at me over the bustle to feed it more. I gladly obliged.
"This used to be my favorite spot when I visited my parents," Young-ho said. "When you're being fed your native food all the time, the joy of enjoying other cuisines leaves you. You have to try their shrimp with rice and noodles."
"Don't we have that in South Korea?" I asked.
"This is Bangkok, Byeong-ho. It can't get any more authentic than this in Paris."
I smiled. Of course, he was the one to say this. We were going to have to get Dae-jung something to eat. He was going to give us a mouthful if we didn't come back with food for him. For some reason, not bringing him food was the only way he could get pissed with us. Lucky for him, we're all rich and money isn't a problem.