Wrong Luggage, Perfect Curves

Two years had passed since Claire left Korea. During those years, she returned to her life in France, but also focused on her culinary career. Her skills in preparing dishes that combined French and Korean cuisines had gained significant recognition, and a Korean company specializing in international culinary projects offered her a one-year contract. Claire was excited about the opportunity but also a bit nervous. Returning to Korea meant she would have to readjust to a completely new environment, separate from her old life.

Her job was unique—she worked as a consultant for Korean restaurants looking to expand their menus and offer dishes that blended Korean and Western flavors. Claire's task was to develop new recipes, organize workshops, and collaborate with chefs. The goal was to create new culinary experiences that would refresh traditional Korean restaurants and even introduce Western culinary elements to Korea.

Although the offers were exciting, returning to Korea was challenging. Claire had to find an apartment because she didn't want to stay in luxury hotels like the last time. This time, she wanted to refresh her daily routine and feel like a part of the city. She found a small, charming apartment on a quiet street where she spent the first days of her new life in Seoul. The apartment was simple but cozy, perfect for her initial period.

After a few days of getting used to the new city and job, Claire decided to visit one of the most famous shopping malls in Seoul to buy some furniture for her apartment. She didn't want anything too expensive or luxurious—just things that would make her feel comfortable and at ease in her new surroundings. The shopping center was a huge, bright building with numerous stores, restaurants, and furniture shops. She walked through the halls, browsing through pieces, occasionally pausing to think about whether she truly wanted something.

Min-jae was also at the shopping center that day, but for completely different reasons. His company had decided to open a new gym in that part of Seoul, and he had to check some technical specifications for the weight center and meet with the managers responsible for the equipment installation. He was his usual business-oriented self, thinking only about the company's expansion plans, but he had to visit one of the key centers, which happened to be in the same building where Claire was shopping for furniture.

They both wandered through the shopping center, completely unaware that the other was there, as the days went by in their usual rhythm. Although two years had passed, memories of their previous interactions were still there, lingering in the back of their minds, but both had pushed them aside.

A few moments later, as Min-jae was exiting the sports equipment store, he spotted a familiar figure. Her shape, her charming look, the way she held the shopping bags... it all seemed so familiar. Although he was sure he was mistaken, his heart skipped a beat. It was the moment when their eyes finally met. Claire immediately looked up, and their gazes locked.

"Claire?" Min-jae was taken aback, the question coming out as if she were from the past, something already forgotten.

"Min-jae?" Claire replied, surprised to see him. She hadn't expected to find him in the shopping center. Two years had passed, and their previous interaction was now just a distant memory in their minds.

The few seconds of silence that followed between them made it feel as if time had stopped. Claire nervously glanced at him, unsure of what to say. He, on the other hand, was surprised but also confused. They hadn't heard from or seen each other in all these years, and now everything felt like it had been much longer than they had expected.

"What are you doing here?" Min-jae finally asked, trying to relax.

"I'm here for work," Claire responded with a slight smile. "I have a contract with a Korean company to work on developing new culinary experiences... I'm thinking of combining French and Korean cuisine."

Min-jae was taken aback but also impressed by her job. Although two years had passed, all he knew about her was that she was someone who never failed to surprise him.

"Interesting," Min-jae said, wanting to keep the conversation as relaxed as possible. "And... how's it going?"

"It's a good start," Claire answered calmly, still somewhat surprised by the encounter. "I almost feel like I never left."

Silence took over the space once again, but this time, neither of them knew how to break it. They both felt that their story was still unfinished, but neither knew how to continue it.