Chapter Text
25th January 2026
An interviewer named Peter McColl from Sotheby’s said, "Congratulations Miss Suzy on your successful art exhibition today. This is your 4th art exhibition in Sotheby’s Paris and 15th art exhibition over the past 5 years since your return to Europe. Thank you for accepting this short interview with me as I know that you are very busy. How are you feeling today with exhibiting your latest collection?"
Suzy smiled with her million-dollar smile and said, "Hi Peter happy to see you again please write good things about me as always. PS you are my favourite journalist, I always look forward to speaking with you. Today I obviously feel great that I can work with Sotheby’s Paris again who always welcomes me with open arms and truly understand my needs as an artist. I also need to thank all my loyal collectors who constantly buys my artworks wherever I am. I have been told that my artworks sell within a few days of exhibiting my collection which I am constantly grateful for."
Peter said, "Tell me about the story behind this collection and what's your motivation to constantly recreate amazing ground-breaking art pieces?"
"Well, I am good at what I do for starters and buyers love the story of every single art piece that I draw. The theme of this art collection is 5 stages of grief when we lose something important in our life: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance."
He laughed at Suzy's confident remark, "You are good at what you do, and the director of Sotheby’s love your work too. You said 5 stages of grief was the theme of your collection so let me ask you a personal question, have you gone through 5 stages of grief?"
Suzy replied softly while frowning a little, "My life has always been about going through 5 stages of grief. Every time I think I can move forward into the future without feeling any grief I feel it all over again. Every time I go back to Korea and leave Korea, I suffer from 5 stages of grief. My artworks are the portrayal of my emotions and life regardless of whether I am happy, sad or hoping for my happiness in the future."
Peter said, “That’s not a way for you to live your life for a beautiful woman like you. You are just saying that because you have not met your one true love, but I am sure you will find him or her eventually. Until then drawing and painting should be your motivation to continue doing what you love, and I can see how much you appreciate art. On behalf of your fans and the fanatics of the art world, thank you for constantly showcasing your art and showing your emotions on your paintings. I think I should not bother your successful day without further ado Suzy.”
Suzy said, “Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Peter. I look forward to our next meeting and your article about my collection today.”
"Don’t worry I will mail the copy of the magazine to your address as you will be cover of our February issue once it has been printed. Thank you once again for giving me an opportunity to have a good chat with you who is so amazing and talented. Let me tell you this in my 40 years career as an art journalist you are truly one of a kind Miss Suzy and I hope that you continue to thrive and strive for the best. Lastly don't lose hope about finding your own happiness a woman like you shouldn't be suffering in fact you should be very proud of your achievements and look forward to sharing it with someone you truly love."
"Oh, Peter I hope you're correct about sharing all my achievement with someone but thanks again for interviewing me I appreciate it." Suzy stood up and gave Peter her usual air kiss on both his cheeks which he returned as well.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Suzy. Please notify me when and where your next art exhibition is held at, I will show up to support you, congratulate you and write an awesome article about you and artworks. A heads up for you I think it is time for you to conquer Asia as well may be it is time for you return to your roots. Have a good day goodbye for now." He walked out of Sotheby’s with his notebook while giving a small wave to Suzy.
Suzy's assistant, Marina walked up to where she sat and said, "Boss you had a successful exhibition again which means more bonus for me and Nigel. You managed to sell all 5 paintings and 10 specially printed photograph 30% above market value. Should we go out to celebrate tonight?"
"Not tonight I want to enjoy Paris on my own. I do not want to celebrate. Why don't you take my credit card and go celebrate my victory with Nigel?"
"Are you sure boss?"
Suzy shot Marina a glare, " Yes just go and enjoy a night out with Nigel. I will be fine alone. Probably do some shopping and have something to eat near the Louvre."
Suzy and Marina were ready to leave Sotheby’s to head back to the hotel when Nigel notified Marina that he was waiting outside for them. As they walked out, Nigel was standing by the car door and greeting them with his best smile. “The great Suzy Choi congratulations on this spectacular achievement. Boss you have officially conquered Europe and America in 5 years since you graced us with your grand return.”
“Thank you, Nigel without the both of you managing my schedule I wouldn’t be here today. In return for both of your loyalty, I told Marina that the 2 of you should enjoy Paris together as a new couple. Don’t assume that I didn’t see all the sneaky glances from you two even though I am busy all the time.”
Nigel and Marina blushed furiously while all 3 of them entered the car and Nigel drove back to Hotel Le Meurice, one of the most romantic hotels in Paris with unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower and Champ-Elysees. During the journey, Marina asked, “Boss have you ever thought about what Peter said just now about finding true love? Don’t you think it is about time you start looking? You do know that there are many available and dashing bachelor and bachelorettes who would die to date you?”
Suzy said while looking out of the window while touching her pendant, “I know that there are many people who are dying to know the real me however they are not the person that I am longing for.”
Nigel butted in the conversation from the driver seat, “Then let us know who you want, and we will find that person for you. You do know that I have connections in the MI6 when I was still working for them back then.”
Suzy laughed sadly, “I know where that person is, but that person does not want to see or contact me ever since I left Korea 5 years ago.”
Nigel frowned as if he was in deep thoughts, “Who is this dumb person that does not wish to speak with you? He or she is a crazy arsehole. Right Marina?”
Marina nodded, “I agree with Nigel remarks but maybe if I send out a formal invitation would that person respond?”
“Don’t waste your time Nigel and Marina. I know the both of you care for me and wish for my happiness, but we made promise to find one another after she is ready. I promised that I would wait for her even if I must wait 10 years I will because both of us are faithful and keep our promises. So, you two just need to focus on each other and my schedule.”
Nigel said, “Wow boss that’s deep and we shall respect your decision. Anyways we have finally reached the hotel. Hand over your credit card please as it shall be mine for tonight.”
Suzy laughed as she reached into her Hermes Birkin for her wallet and handed over her credit card to Marina. “Have fun guys. Spend as much as you want you deserve it.”
Marina said, “Awesome thanks boss. See you tomorrow afternoon for your fitting with Nicholas Ghesquiere from Louis Vuitton.”
“Yes, I remember Nicholas personally texted me earlier to remind me of the fitting session.” Suzy walked out of the car where the bellboy opened the door for her, and she was greeted by the hotel manager who leads her to the lift and enters her executive suite level. “Have a good evening Mademoiselle Suzy.” She flashed him a smile as the elevator doors were closing.
As she walked into her room, she dumped her Birkin on the nearest couch, hung up her coat, removed her jewellery and shoes. Suzy walked out of the balcony to breath some fresh air while enjoying the view of the Eiffel tower and the park located in front of the hotel. After a few minutes, she walked into the bathroom to have a quick shower and started dressing up for her night out in the city of love.
Suzy proceeded to spend her night walking around Champ-Elysée’s and settled to have dinner at her favourite Japanese restaurant. The head chef of the restaurant personally showed her to her seat.
“Suzy a pleasure to see you again. I heard one of my customers raving about your exhibition and told me to congratulate you on his behalf as he knows that this is one of your favourite restaurants to visit whenever you are in Paris.”
“Thank you for relaying the message. I am famished and thirsty so would you be able to feed me anytime soon.”
Chef laughed and said, “Yes I shall serve you my menu for today. Would you prefer sake or wine to go with your meal? I think sake suits today’s menu better.”
“I trust with my life so if you say sake is better with today’s dinner just proceed with the preparations. I will be waiting. Thank you.” She was served with a bottle of hot sake, and she was scrolling through the news and stumbled upon an interesting headline about South Korea as the 2nd Asian country to recognise and acknowledge gay marriage due to Parliament approving the law. Suzy was jumping with joy internally while keeping a cool façade on the outside as she knew her hope of being married to the woman of her dreams can finally come true. 20 minutes later she was enjoying her meal with a smile on her face and after she finished dinner, she walked back to her hotel to settle down for the night. Suzy thought to herself 25th of January 2026 is a day to remember.