May 30, 2025

Yoona lets out a soft gasp as she gazes out the taxi window. The driver says something in French that she can’t quite catch, but she’s far too captivated by the scenery to even try to understand.

The clear blue ocean stretches endlessly, its waves glimmering under the evening sun. Rocky cliffs rise in the distance, their jagged edges glowing gold in the fading light. Below, the beaches curve like smooth ribbons of pale sand. The small town of Cassis comes into view, its narrow streets lined with pastel-colored houses and bustling cafés. Perched on a nearby hill, she spots what looks like a small medieval castle, its silhouette outlined against the soft pink sky.

She lets out a sigh of relief, feeling her shoulders drop. She made the right choice. For months now, she’s longed for a vacation. Something quiet, something peaceful. No crowds, no busy city noise. Just a warm beach and a small town where she could breathe, relax, and clear her mind. Cassis, a hidden gem in southern France, had caught her eye while browsing travel sites a few weeks ago. The hotel listing promised ocean views and just a few minutes’ walk to the Mediterranean shore. Now, seeing it with her own eyes, she knows it’s even more beautiful than she imagined.

As the taxi winds through the narrow streets toward the hotel, the sky deepens into rich purples and oranges. The journey from Korea has been long and tiring, and Yoona feels the weight of travel on her. Tonight, she decides, she’ll find a simple restaurant nearby, enjoy a quiet dinner, and explore the town tomorrow when she feels relaxed and full of new energy.

When the taxi pulls up in front of the small hotel, the last rays of sunlight catch on the white stone walls and the delicate wrought-iron balconies. It’s less like a hotel, she realizes, and more like a charming holiday house divided into flats. She steps out, stretching her legs, and pulls her suitcase from the trunk. After paying the driver and offering a polite “merci,” she turns toward the entrance with a flutter of anticipation.

A woman in her fifties opens the door just as Yoona rings the bell, her smile warm and welcoming.

“Welcome to Cassis.“

The woman says cheerfully.

“Hello.”

Yoona replies, smiling back.

“It’s really beautiful here.”

The woman’s French accent wraps around the words, making them feel soft and charming, even if Yoona has to concentrate a bit harder to catch every syllable.

After the formalities, the hostess leads her through the entrance hall, past light-colored stone walls and polished tile floors, and up a sleek staircase.

Soon, they stand in front of a turquise door.

“Here you go, honey.”

The woman says kindly, handing over the key.

Yoona steps into her holiday flat and stops, taking it all in.

The space is sleek and modern, far more stylish than she’d imagined. The walls are painted a bold, deep violet that somehow works beautifully with the soft gray curtains and light floor tiles. A large, low bed with a silky bronze cover glints softly under the light from a sparkling chandelier overhead. By the wall, a black leather sofa offers a cozy spot to relax, while the sliding glass doors open onto a balcony furnished with rattan chairs and splashes of colorful cushions. Through the glass, Yoona can see the tops of pine trees and, just beyond, the glimmer of the Mediterranean Sea under the fading sunset.

What truly catches her breath, though, is the photograph mounted proudly on the wall above the bed.

It’s a stunning, high-resolution image of the ocean. The waves are glittering under the sun like a field of tiny diamonds. But the highlight of the shot is a majestic whale captured mid-leap, its powerful back still submerged while its massive fin sends a spray of water droplets arcing into the air. The droplets catch the light perfectly, making the whole scene look as though it’s been sprinkled with stardust. Yoona can’t help but step closer, drawn into the image as if she can feel the salty air on her skin.

She smiles, feeling the weariness of her journey melt away just a little. Setting her luggage down near the foot of the bed, she runs her fingers lightly over the cool surface of the bedside table, then looks out again through the balcony doors. The peaceful sound of the sea, the soft colors of dusk, and the promise of a quiet night make her excited for the next days to come.

Yoona takes a few moments to wander slowly through the flat, trailing her fingers across the smooth countertop by the small kitchenette, opening a few cabinets out of curiosity. She tucks her suitcase neatly beside the wardrobe and carefully unpacks a few essentials. Her toiletries, a fresh, cute dress for tomorrow and her favorite paperback novel that she always travels with.

Deciding she doesn’t want to venture too far tonight, she grabs her small shoulder bag and heads back downstairs.

The hostess is still in the front hall, flipping through a ledger behind the counter. She looks up with the same warm smile when Yoona approaches.

“Excuse me.“

Yoona says as she walks up to her.

"Do you know a good place where I can get dinner nearby?”

The woman’s face lights up.

“Ah, yes! You should go to one of the restaurants at the marina. Very good food, fresh fish, beautiful view.”

Yoona tilts her head slightly.

“Can I walk there?”

“Of course, of course! About fifteen minutes by foot. Very easy.”

The hostess reaches behind the counter and pulls out a small stack of flyers. She hands one to Yoona, the glossy paper slightly cool and smooth to the touch.

“Here. This will help you find it. Has the names of restaurants, cafés… even the little museums and shops.”

Yoona murmurs her thanks and steps aside, her eyes drawn to the flyer’s cover.

It’s another photograph, and it’s breathtaking.

The image shows the marina at sunrise. The sky is painted in delicate pastel shades: soft peach blending into lavender, fading upward into pale blue. The water reflects the colors perfectly, like a liquid mirror, broken only by the slender silhouettes of moored sailboats. The masts rise like fine ink strokes against the glowing sky, their reflections stretching downward in rippling lines. Along the edge of the marina, the white stone buildings are touched by the first warm rays of sun, casting long, gentle shadows. There’s a hush to the scene, a sense of stillness just before the world wakes up.

At the bottom corner of the photograph, Yoona’s gaze catches a small detail. Two initials, written in graceful, almost delicate script: JK.

She tilts her head slightly, curious. The photographer? she wonders, feeling a flicker of intrigue. The composition is so beautiful, so full of feeling, whoever captured this moment has an eye for light, for mood, for quiet magic.

She smiles softly to herself, tucking the flyer carefully into her bag. With one last glance at the peaceful front hall behind her, Yoona steps out into the fresh evening air, ready to discover a bit of Cassis and enjoy the first night of her birthday getaway.

Yoona walks slowly down the narrow street, her sandals softly clicking on the warm cobblestones. The air is filled with the faint scent of salt and blooming flowers, and the gentle hush of the sea carries on the evening breeze.

To her right, the street opens up to a stunning view. The deep blue ocean stretching wide, its surface now kissed by the lavender glow of dusk. A beautiful beach runs along the edge of the town, the golden sand still holding the warmth of the sun. A few couples walk barefoot near the waterline, leaving delicate prints behind, while children chase the last waves before being called in for the night.

Yoona pauses, pulling out her phone. She lifts it carefully, framing the scene: the soft ripple of the water, the pastel sky, the silhouettes of the little boats anchored further out. She snaps a few shots, smiling quietly at the peaceful beauty captured on her screen.

Finally, she continues on, following the map on the flyer until she reaches the marina. The restaurant is easy to spot. Small tables set outside under a striped awning, strings of warm fairy lights wrapped around the railing, and the low hum of quiet conversation filling the air.

Yoona picks an empty table at the front, where she can watch the boats bobbing gently in the water. She settles in, smoothing her hands over the tablecloth, and lets out a contented sigh. This was exactly what she needed.

After a few minutes, a cheerful young waitress comes over, smiling as she greets Yoona with a polite,

“Bonsoir!”

She places a menu on the table and disappears inside, leaving Yoona to browse.

The menu cover is a photograph of the restaurant itself, taken at sunset. The light is golden and soft, painting the marina and the boats in a dreamy glow. She flips it open and scans through the offerings, eyes dancing over descriptions of fresh seafood, handmade pasta, crisp salads. Her gaze lands on a dish featuring salmon, prepared with local herbs and served alongside roasted vegetables and lemon butter. Her mouth waters a little as she smiles, decision made.

When the waitress returns, Yoona points to the dish on the menu and orders.