어느 정도 술이 들어가서 그런지, 순간 살짝 몸을 숙여 손으로 얼굴을 고이고 신팀장을 그윽히 바라보는 그녀의 얼굴이 은은한 촛불에 더욱 발그스레 비쳐지자, 신팀장은 그녀가 무척이나 아름답다고 생각이 들었다. 문득 그의 심장이 요동치며 가슴이 답답한 것만 같아 그는 와인 한잔을 한번에 급히 들이켰다. 분위기에 취하고 와인에 취하고 아름다운 파리 여성에 취하는 밤이었다.
그의 마음을 눈치라도 챘는지, 갑자기 미셸리가 분위기에 찬물을 끼얹으며 말을 꺼냈다.
“참? 일행들이 있는데…, 벌써 11시가 넘었네요. 이만 호텔로 들어가 봐야 하지 않나요?”
“네? 아…. 그렇죠. 하지만 그쪽 팀도 오늘 시장조사 끝내고 파리 야경투어를 하고 12시 다되어서 들어 온다고 했으니, 아직은 괜찮을 겁니다.”
그는 아직 그녀와 헤어지는 게 못내 아쉬워, 자리를 떠나겠다는 말을 차마 할 수가 없었다.
“그래도 다른 일행들은 여행도 하고 참 좋은 것 같아요. 신팀장은 제대로 여행도 못하고 이런 구석진 곳에서 나와 같이 있어서 어쩌죠?”
“무슨 소리에요? 제 말을 들으면 아마도 그들이 절 더 부러워 할 걸요? 파리 구경이야 나중에 또 해도, 이렇게 한밤의 파리 카페 분위기를 미셸과 함께가 아니면 어떻게 누릴 수 있겠어요?”
미셸리는 와인을 한 모금 머금으며 고개를 살짝 옆으로 기울이는 모습이 신팀장의 말이 과연 그런가 하는 듯 알 수 없는 미소를 지었다. 문득 촛불이 희미하게 스며든 그녀의 얼굴은 몽롱한 환상의 세계로 신팀장을 인도하는 듯하였고, 평상시와 달리 차분한 목소리가 촉촉하게 베어 나오는 그녀의 붉은 입술은 더욱 매혹적으로만 보였다.
그 때였다. 신팀장은 갑자기 앞자리로 고개를 내밀며 그녀에게 짧은 입맞춤을 하였다. 순간 돌발적인 입맞춤에 미셸리보다도 당황한 사람은 오히려 신팀장 자신이었다. 단 하루 만에 이렇게 다른 여자에게 마음이 빼앗겨 보긴 처음이었기 때문이다. 신팀장은 이 일을 어떻게 수습해야할지 어쩔줄 모르고 있다가, 침묵을 깨고 주섬주섬 말을 꺼냈다.
“아… 저… 미셸, 죄송합니다. 저도 모르게 그만….”
순간 미셸리가 다가와 그에게 깊은 프렌치 키스를 하였다. 신팀장의 심장은 쿵쾅쿵쾅 너무도 뛰어 다른 것은 아무 것도 들리지 않고 자신의 심장 소리와 감미로운 그녀의 입술만이 느껴졌다. 그녀의 살 내음과 함께 방금 머금은 와인 향이 그녀의 숨결을 타고 그의 후각을 자극하는 순간, 그는 어떤 격정이 가슴 속으로 치밀어 오르 뜨는 것을 느꼈다.
하지만 무한의 시간인 것만 같았던 짙은 키스는 찰나처럼 너무도 허무하게 지나가 버렸다. 여전히 요동치는 가슴을 달래며, 언제 무슨 일이 있었냐는 듯이 원래 제 자리로 돌아 온 그는, 한 순간 쑥스러움에 그녀를 바라보지 못하겠는지 마지막 남은 한 잔의 와인을 마시고 나서야 그녀를 보았다. 반면에 미셸리는 턱에 얼굴을 괴고 그를 더욱 그윽하게 바라보며 쑥스러워 하는 그가 더욱 귀엽기만 하다는 듯이 입가에 한껏 미소를 머금고 있었다.
“오늘은 마법 같은 날인가 봐요. 나도 미안해요. 이러면 서로 비겼으니 우리 모두 없었던 일로 해요. 이제 그만 가봐야 할 듯하니 우리 그만 나가요. 내가 택시 잡아줄게요.”
미셸리는 거침 없이 자리에서 일어났다. 사실 그녀도 당황하기는 매 마찬가지였다. 한국인이 아닌 프랑스인과 결혼하겠다고 호언장담을 했던 자신이 갑자기 한국 남성에게 이렇게까지 마음이 끌릴지를 몰랐기 때문이다.
자기보다 나이도 어리고 평상 시는 마냥 천진스럽다 못해 철부지 같기만 한 그가 일할 때는 확고한 자신감과 지치지 않는 열정으로 누구도 예상치 못한 일들을 만들어 나가는 모습을 보면, 마치 그가 자신보다 한참 위의 연상이자 멋진 사내처럼 느껴지기도 했다. 그러다가도 지금처럼 일상에서 보면, 어린 아이 같은 귀여움에 마냥 그를 품에 안고 싶은 충동을 참을 수가 없었다. 그녀는 일단 지금은 자리를 피하는 것이 좋겠다고 생각했다.
신팀장은 갑작스런 그녀의 돌변에 얼떨떨하였다. 그는 자기도 모르게 자석에 끌리듯 그녀를 따라 일어나서 그녀가 잡아주는 택시에 올라탔다. 미셸은 운전수에게 호텔까지 태워다 달라고 말하며 그녀의 손에 입을 맞추고는 신팀장 입술에 손을 대며 말했다.
“오흐부와(Au revoir)~!”
호텔로 가는 길, 아직도 그녀의 향취와 입술의 흔적이 남아있는 듯, 신팀장은 눈을 감으며 꿈 속에서 깨어나지 못하는 것만 같았다. 신팀장은 호텔에 도착해서야 비로소 현실로 돌아왔다. 룸메이트인 김대리는 벌써 들어와서 혼자 즐겁게 여행한 것이 오히려 약간 미안했는지 그의 눈치를 살피며 미팅이 잘되었는지 등을 물어봤지만, 그는 건성으로 응대하며 그의 말을 흘려 넘겼다.
아직도 와인의 향취와 미셸리의 달콤한 입술과 그녀의 살 내음과 함께 감각 깊이 파고드는 푸레시 플로럴 향이 온 몸에 살아 감싸주는 것만 같았다. 파리의 마지막 밤은 짙고 몽환적인 마력과 함께 지나가고 있었다. – 계 속 –
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The evening had already set in, and the group moved to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a French meal accompanied by wine. They relished the escargot covered in cheese sauce and the tender steak served with foie gras, which they had never tried before, as the night in Paris deepened. The slightly dry yet clean-flavored wine from the Médoc region of Bordeaux balanced the richness of the French cuisine, allowing Team Leader Shin to finish every last bite.
After parting ways with Madame Sophie, Michel dropped off Team Leader Shin and Director Min at the hotel, bidding them farewell before turning away as if concluding the long and exhausting day. Team Leader Shin hesitated, alternating his gaze between Director Min entering the revolving hotel door and Michel walking towards the parking lot. After a moment of contemplation, he called out and ran after her.
“Michel, wait a moment!”
Michel, who was about to start her BMW, paused, rolled down her window, and looked at him with curiosity. Without hesitation, Team Leader Shin opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat beside her.
“What’s the matter?”
At her question, Team Leader Shin got straight to the point.
“Boss, this is my first time in Paris, but I spent the entire day in meetings. I haven’t even seen a single corner of the famous city. If it’s not too much trouble, could you show me at least the Eiffel Tower?”
Michel seemed slightly troubled, hesitating before giving instructions to her chauffeur in French. After sending him away, she spoke in her characteristic melodious voice.
“Get out. I’ll drive and give you a Paris night tour myself. The front seat is a better view than the back.”
“Really? Thank you so much!”
Grateful for Michel’s thoughtful consideration, Team Leader Shin quickly stepped out and moved to the front seat of the BMW. The sheer thrill of riding beside her in such a luxury car was overwhelming, but as the breathtaking night view of Paris unfolded before his eyes, he felt as if he had entered a world of dreams. They stopped at the Eiffel Tower, strolling beneath its dazzling lights and capturing the moment in photos. Then, they moved on to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.
“I know a bar I frequent. Want to grab a glass of wine?” Michel suggested.
“Will you be okay driving after drinking?”
Michel laughed and explained that her home was nearby, so she could walk back. She then led him to her favorite bar.
The bar was lively with young Parisians, and the thick haze of cigarette smoke filled the air. Yet, instead of being put off, Team Leader Shin found the exotic Parisian atmosphere utterly charming. As they entered, several patrons recognized Michel and greeted her with the French custom of kissing both cheeks. Engaging in casual conversation, she appeared entirely in her element, exuding an air of sophistication that made her seem more like a Parisian than a Korean.
After exchanging pleasantries, Michel led Team Leader Shin to a cozy corner and ordered wine along with a simple platter of cheese and crackers.
“Thank you, boss. You didn’t have to go this far…”
“Hmm… But, Team Leader Shin, can you stop calling me ‘boss’? It’s a bit awkward for me.”
“Well… but you are my boss. I can’t exactly call you ‘sister’ either… Haha.”
His joke made Michel chuckle softly.
“Hoho~ We’re only a year apart. Just call me Michel.”
“Oh… okay! Michel~ Haha.”
At first, calling her by her name felt unfamiliar to Team Leader Shin, but after a few glasses of wine, it became natural. Their conversation flowed, drifting from her childhood experiences moving between Africa, the United States, and France due to her diplomat father’s career, to her opinions about relationships, complaining that Korean men were too stoic and didn’t know how to cherish women, insisting she would marry a Frenchman.
After finishing one bottle, Michel ordered another of a different variety. While the first was a smooth and mellow Shiraz, the new bottle was a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with a strong, stimulating aroma, more in line with Team Leader Shin’s taste, accustomed to soju.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, when Michel leaned slightly forward, resting her chin on her hand and gazing at him intently under the soft candlelight, her flushed complexion appeared even more radiant. Team Leader Shin suddenly found her breathtakingly beautiful. His heart pounded, and an unexplainable tightness filled his chest. Unable to handle the rush of emotions, he hastily downed his glass of wine. He was intoxicated by the atmosphere, the wine, and the mesmerizing Parisian woman before him.
As if sensing his emotions, Michel abruptly shattered the mood.
“By the way, your colleagues are waiting… It’s already past 11. Shouldn’t you return to the hotel?”
“Oh… right. But they said they’d be back around midnight after their own night tour, so I think I still have some time.”
Unwilling to part just yet, he hesitated to suggest leaving.
“They must be having a great time traveling. It’s a shame you couldn’t explore much and ended up stuck here with me.”
“What are you saying? If they knew, they’d be the jealous ones. I can always tour Paris another time, but experiencing this late-night café ambiance with Michel is something I could never have on my own.”
Michel took a sip of wine and tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable as if contemplating his words. The dim candlelight cast an enchanting glow on her face, her voice softer and more alluring than usual, and her crimson lips seemed irresistibly captivating.
Then, in a spontaneous moment, Team Leader Shin leaned forward and pressed a brief kiss to her lips. More than Michel, he was the one who felt utterly stunned. It was the first time in his life that he had been so drawn to a woman in just one day. Flustered, he scrambled to find the right words.
“Uh… Michel, I’m sorry. I… I didn’t mean to…”
Before he could finish, Michel closed the distance and captured his lips in a deep French kiss. His heart pounded so loudly that it drowned out all other sounds. The intoxicating scent of her skin and the lingering aroma of wine in her breath sent a surge of emotion rising within him.
But just as the moment felt like it could last forever, the passionate kiss ended all too quickly. Still catching his breath, he returned to his seat, unable to look at her out of embarrassment. He only mustered the courage to glance at her after downing his last sip of wine. Michel, on the other hand, simply smiled at him, resting her chin on her hand as if finding his flustered reaction endearing.
“Tonight feels magical. I’m sorry too. Since we’re even now, let’s just pretend this never happened. It’s getting late, so let’s go. I’ll hail you a cab.”
She stood up decisively. Truthfully, she was just as bewildered. She had always insisted she would marry a Frenchman, yet she hadn’t expected to be so drawn to a Korean man.
Despite being younger and often playful to the point of seeming childish, when he worked, he exuded confidence and an unstoppable drive that made him seem much older and incredibly charismatic. And now, seeing his boyish charm, she felt an irresistible urge to embrace him. She decided it was best to leave before things escalated further.
Team Leader Shin, caught off guard by her sudden shift, followed her lead. He climbed into the taxi she had hailed, watching as Michel told the driver his hotel’s address. Then, she gently kissed his hand before placing a finger on his lips.
“Au revoir~”
As the taxi drove away, he closed his eyes, still lost in the lingering sensations of her fragrance and touch. Even when he arrived at the hotel, he felt as if he were floating in a dream. His roommate, Deputy Manager Kim, had already returned and was asking about the meeting, but he barely responded, lost in his thoughts. The rich scent of wine, the sweetness of her lips, and the delicate floral notes of her perfume still clung to him. The final night in Paris passed with a deep, mesmerizing enchantment.
- To be continued –