NINA Marseille. A port city known for its diverse culture and beautiful scenic view of the ocean. People from all walks of life come here for a unique experience in Marseille—if Paris isn’t overcrowded with tourists that can make your overall experience terrible, so they say. As soon as we arrive, the sunrays illuminate the early afternoon sky and the temperature is much warmer than in Dawn City. But what strikes me is the view from below when I ignore my fear of heights and look down and all I can say is— Wow. My jaw drops as my hands press the porthole window. My eyes glue down below. The beautiful view of the traditional European architectural buildings brings an overwhelming feeling of excitement. Something that never comes to my mind when traveling is brought up as a topic.The ambience reminds me of the Spanish apartment we lived in. The boats lining up at the coast catch my eye and I turn to Luca who is pleased at my sudden interest in this city. “Do we have a chance to

NINAIt’s been two days since then and I notice that Luca has been strangely distant. Sure, he smiles every now and then and goes with his usual chattering whatever topic comes to mind but I have this inkling feeling that Luca’s hiding something. Because there is a hint of his peculiar behavior.“Qui, mon chou?” Sure, he teases me with French endearments which I later found out to be embarrassing.But what surprises me is the distance each time we walk, talk or even when he starts lecturing me with my lessons, he makes it clear to avoid “touching” me.What makes it clear for me when I finally started wearing that “organza” dress that he later suggested was wearing a jacket.“In this h-heat?” Bewilderment comes after and Luca turns red as his eyes avert from my gaze. “Err…if you remember yesterday, you chose this thinking it would look good on me…plus it’s good for this temperature.”“And that’s true. It so happens that when we walk around the streets, I should have taken the considera

LUCA“NINA!”The sudden, unexpected, thunderous voice I unintentionally released makes both Nina and the asshole jump in surprise. "L-Luca?" Her voice gives a high-pitch squeak while her eyes widen in vivid surprise. The guy stares at me then at her before he speaks, "You know, Luca de Milano? The Luca de Milano?!" His eyes and his smile widened, processing the thought. "I am a huge fan!"Oh boy, a sense of deja vu looming in my mind. "Not this again," I mutter, rolling my eyes. “I followed you on all of your social media! Oh, if you’re here, does that mean Mr. Kim Yu-Jun is here, too?!”While he is yapping about his idolatry, I only give him a cold stare. “Can’t you read the room, boy? We’re leaving now.”“Oh…” his expression now crestfallen, he finally gets it.Good.“S-sorry,” he mutters as he lowers his head. He turns to Nina as he gives her a weak smile. “Th-Thanks for hanging out with me, Nina.”“T-Thanks, Ant–ooh!”Grabbing Nina's wrist as I pull her away from him, I give h

NINA It was so sudden. Earlier we were arguing, an unreasonable banter that riled me up until I wanted to be alone due to this sour mood. But now, after his revelation and his desire for me, I couldn’t lose this chance. I would be too embarrassed to admit that since I caught his lovemaking with Heather, I…was envious. And that desire outgrew my envy as relief washes over my guilt. This desire that I wanted from Luca, the man who could bring these emotions within me. Not Yu, not Clarence and not even Gene. Luca is the only one who could challenge me, who could bring out these foreign emotions bottled up in me. My greediness to have him as mine. As we lie on the bed, our passionate kisses heighten the heat right through between my legs. It’s different when I had my first kiss with him—his drunken self not too long ago. This isn’t a drunken mistake anymore. I am being embraced by the sobered Luca right now. His hands wander around my skin, exploring as his warm fingertips

CLARENCE“Gene Sullivan? I’ve heard that you’re looking for me.” He’s all skinny bones.The first thing that comes to my mind the moment he turns, facing me with bandages nearly covering up his face.Seeing him in a dire state, I visibly flinch, and upon closer inspection, the bruises, especially the cut lip, the dampness of his bandaged head and a visible black eye on his left, are pretty much recent.His uninjured eye gazes at me and I’m visibly surprised that there is this intensity of his stare—instead of a victim of violence and abuse, he has the air of a soldier combating his enemy. A fighter, to sum it up. “Clarence, right? Nina talks about you from time to time.”Ah, this answers my speculation, all right. He is the “fake boyfriend”.I smile before giving an affirmative nod. “Well, I’m glad my name is mentioned from her very own lips. It’s an honor especially that she values you as her best friend. Pleasure to finally meet you, Gene Sullivan.” I extend my hand, implying comm