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All of a sudden, there was a loud noise that sounded like a thunderous boom, and then a shattering crash followed. The screech of tires tore through the air, scraping against the blistering, hot tar road.

A loud noise of metal striking against metal filled the air, along with a chilling scream. Amidst this chaos, the tranquil fluttering of a bird's wings, abruptly disrupted, fluttered away. Then, as swiftly as it began, an eerie silence enveloped her senses in its aftermath. That was the extent of her perception at that moment.

"Goodness gracious! Noémie, are you okay?" came an anxious cry. Noémie let out a groan as she lay on the scorching tar road, struggling to open her deep, liquorice-black eyes against the glaring sunlight filtered through her red and yellow helmet's glass visor. All she could discern were hazel-brown eyes peering down with concern, trying to assess any injuries. The face above her began to pale with worry, a hint of fear creeping into their expression, their scared eyes almost on the verge of tears.

Squinting, Noémie recognized her cousin looming over her, offering assistance. Ha-Ni gently supported her, helping her to sit upright. Glittering stars danced before her eyes, and Noémie sensed a searing pain in her lower back. The impact on her head started to pulsate, prompting Noémie to raise her hand and instinctively grip her forehead in discomfort.

"Oh, mon dieu, ça fait mal! (Oh my gosh, it hurts.)! Please, Ha-Ni, help me stand up." Ha-Ni assisted Noémie in rising on her unsteady legs. The delivery scooter looked rather sad on its side by the road's vision and struggled to focus on the damage, noticing a shattered front window and a slightly skewed appearance.

A deep sigh escaped Noémie as she envisioned her uncle's inevitable outbursts upon discovering the state of one of his delivery vehicles. As the door slammed shut and angry footsteps approached, Noémie could only see the shiny, snake-leather shoes directly in front of her while she remained seated.

"What the hell! Can't you read when the stop sign says stop? You stop! Are you a bloody moron!?" A man in an expensive charcoal-coloured Armani suit stood there, glaring down at her, his dark eyes flashing with rage and frustration behind his stylish amber-coloured sunglasses, his hands gesturing wildly in exasperation.

Noémie furrowed her brows, observing the rather attractive man. A small snort escaped her, surprising herself. She attempted to suppress a smirk but failed. He reminded her of the passionate Latin males she remembered from her hometown, though the situation was anything but amusing. The man was furious.

All Noémie witnessed was her timid cousin stepping forward with renewed courage, bravely facing the angry man on their behalf. "Sir, please accept our apologies. Noémie is unfamiliar with some of the new traffic signs," Ha-Ni explained uneasily. The man emitted an intimidating aura, causing Noémie to glance incredulously between her nervous cousin and the man in front of her.

What the hell! She's fluent in Korean; she can read signs. It was her right of way when she noticed a speeding black vehicle flying in front of them as if demons were chasing it.

Noémie stared at her cousin, wide-eyed with disbelief. "Seriously, Ha-Ni, this idiotic imbecile's cockeyed driver was most likely intoxicated. It was all systems go for us."

Observing the enraged man gesturing towards his gleaming, black Bugatti-La Voiture-Noire with his adorned fingers, Noémie couldn't help but think of him as an arrogant jerk. Fortunately, only four people stood by the deserted road, surrounded by foliage and a few lone trees. No other ars had appeared on this road.

"Hey, watch it! Do you know how expensive this car is? It's more expensive than the Lotte World Tower," he barked, directing his gaze at the bold girl before him, still donning her red and yellow striped helmet but visibly annoyed.

"Yeah, sure, it's just a stupid car, idiot... it's your flippin' blind driver's fault," Noémie gestured towards the anxious driver inspecting the damage while conversing on the phone with insurance and authorities.

"You, little crazy girl, you'll pay for it, or I'll sue that delivery restaurant for all they've got," the man threatened, pointing a finger in her direction. Noémie noticed the veins bulging in his neck as he clenched his jaws tightly. Despite her wobbly legs and lingering discomfort, she faced the man with wide, angry eyes.

Noémie's eyes widened. "What? It wasn't even my fault! If your demon driver had been paying attention to the road, he should have seen us in his blind spot and avoided turning the wrong way. It is his fault!" Noémie retorted, gesturing vehemently towards the driver, who ignored her while reporting the incident to the police. Her frustration surged in response to the man's insinuations.

Ha-Ni appeared anxious and unsettled, particularly concerned for Noémie, who couldn't hold back despite the escalating situation. Noémie's short temper was a known trait, and she realized that anything she said now might worsen their predicament. Knowing her aunt couldn't afford the restaurant's failure or these exorbitant car repair costs, she felt the weight of the situation.

The man, wiping his forehead in frustration, stood with hands on hips, demanding, "Look, miss. You are going to pay for the repairs. Please give me your identity cards, contact information, and the name of your insurance company, Arthur! Grab their information—they aren't getting away with it!" His narrowed eyes locked onto Noémie's widened gaze.

Ha-Ni quickly stepped in front of her cousin to confront the man again, surprising Noémie with her sudden courage. When did Ha-Ni become so brave? Despite her introverted nature, Ha-Ni would do anything to protect her parents' shop.

The man turned to his conflicted driver, who spoke up, "Sir, I've sent a photo to the insurance company. They estimate the repair costs at around 17,800,000 won. If you want, a tow truck can be sent, and the traffic police are on their way," he reported solemnly.

The tension in the air was palpable as Arthur nervously glanced between the two petite females, their expressions suddenly shifting to shock and horror. Noémie audibly gasped at the exorbitant repair estimate. The amount seemed absurd for what appeared to be just a scratch, prompting her to conjure up reckless ideas for causing real damage to the man's car—throwing bricks, scratching the paint, and even contemplating using her helmet to break a window.

"Let me just show him what real damage will be done to his stinking car," Noémie sneered. Ha-Ni, taken aback by her cousin's words, swiftly reached out to stop her from committing another potential offence.

"Calm down, Noémie!" she hissed, shooting a concerned glance at the men standing before them while Noémie's hands hovered near her helmet, taking a deep breath.

The man's eyes widened as he slowly turned towards the girls, an intense look in his eyes. Noémie and Ha-Ni instinctively moved backwards, unsure of what his reaction might be—violence or something worse.

He seemed capable of handling venomous snakes, but instead, he wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose. Ha-Ni sought refuge behind her cousin, recognizing the significance of this man. Her mother would be furious; you wouldn't cross paths with Korea's unscathed elite.

"Arthur, give me a business card," he instructed his tense driver, who hurriedly retrieved a brown leather folder from the car. From it, he produced a small, expensive-looking, shiny black business card with silver embossed letters, handing it to his boss. The driver appeared terrified by Noémie's angry expression.

Noémie gritted her teeth, feeling the man's arrogance intensify. It wasn't her fault, yet her life had suddenly spiralled into chaos just days after returning from France. Her courage waned while Ha-Ni's tear-filled eyes conveyed their desperation to salvage the family restaurant. Wealthy individuals rarely showed mercy.

"Where would my girl get that kind of money?" Ha-Ni stammered, tears welling up. Noémie wiped her brow, unsure if it was nerves or the sweltering summer heat.

The man practically thrust the business card towards Noémie, prompting her to push his hand away in irritation. Who did he think was shoving the card in her face like that?

"Noémie erupted with irritation, firing back at the young man, "Don't you dare point that saucisses pas assez cuites (undercooked sausages) at me...your arrogant pug!"

The young man, visibly stunned and speechless, faced an unexpected confrontation. His expression shifted from furious to quiet as he glanced into Noémie's massive licorice-colored irises. Although she seemed composed, her heart raced like a roller coaster.

His face contorted with fury, struggling to hurl insults at Noémie but failing to find the right words. He pressed the card into Ha-Ni's trembling hands while locking eyes with her nervous gaze.

"Speak logic into your girlfriend's thick skull. You guys will pay up, or you, Miss Les Paens (heathen!!!), will spend the night in a cell," he threatened, pointing at Noémie's sour face. He displayed his linguistic prowess, suggesting he had comprehended everything all along. Noémie's brows shot up in surprise; he didn't just call her a heathen.

"Sir, we are not... she's not my girlfriend... like, a girlfriend!" gasped Ha-Ni. "She's my cousin." Noémie glanced at Ha-Ni, feeling exasperated. How pathetic could she get? Noémie refused to comply; she couldn't fathom acquiring such excessive money.

"Oh, shush, Ha-Ni! You don't have to explain anything to this idiot. We're not going to pay anything. Where are we going to acquire that type of money? Sell our organs." Noémie scoffed, turning to the smirking driver, Arthur, who remained silent.

"Why don't you say something? You drove like three hell-bound demons were after you!" Noémie scolded the driver, her tone sharp and angry.

"I'm sorry, Miss... but you drove over a stop sign," the driver attempted to explain, eliciting a gasp from Noémie. The audacity!

"It's not true!" Noémie retorted just as a siren emerged—the traffic police arrived. Noémie and Ha-Ni exchanged uneasy glances; facing authorities made Noémie nervous. She hoped her scooter permit was still valid. Why hadn't she double-checked?

As the cops approached and conversed with the individuals involved, Noémie noticed their surprise at the young man's involvement. The officers appeared to be genuinely sorry for the inconvenience caused by this unfortunate incident.

Noémie and Ha-Ni stood with dropped jaws as the men conversed with the traffic cops. Ha-Ni sighed, resigned to the situation, explaining that the man was a member of the country's billionaires—signalling that the law was usually on their side. Fear flickered in her hazel eyes as she gazed at Noémie, who keenly felt the unfairness of the situation.

"But Ha-Ni, it's outrageous! We can't throw away millions of Korean won. This is my second day back in Seoul. If my parents find out I'm in trouble with the law, they'll murder me," Noémie lamented, fighting back tears, determined not to show weakness to the arrogant man.

After giving their statements to the police, Noémie passionately detailed the incident with animated hand movements, emphasizing how the reckless driver had disregarded her presence on the road. The older traffic cop smirked as he listened to Noémie's exaggerated account while the other officer took Ha-Ni's statement.

While Ha-ni was still giving her statement, Noémie got out her iPhone and began capturing all the damage to her red scooter. Then she walked to the jerk's car and took several pictures of the scratches. She'll have to find an assessor and a very cheap one. Nobody will defraud her here in Korea. Noémie hopes her insurance in Paris will cover it. Her mother is going to eat her alive if she finds out.

Noémie sneaks a peek at the attractive young man who is now on the phone with someone, and the look on his face indicates that he is not pleased with the conversation.

She wishes he'd talk louder so they could hear what he's saying. The traffic police tried to catch Noémie's attention, but no one noticed how she was also blatantly checking out the handsome snob.

"Well, ma'am, you're in luck. Mr. Jung Ji-seok will not press charges against you, but he will tell you what he has worked out for you. You are both quite fortunate. Oh, Miss Seo, your license will expire in a week. Don't forget to renew your license as soon as possible. I don't want to see this red scooter riding illegally on the road. Understood?"His small, wrinkled eyes smiled into hers as she took her permit back and smiled in relief. Oh, thank you, Lord! Noémie doesn't feel like sleeping in a jail cell tonight; her squeaky reputation cannot be scarred, especially in her work.

Ha-ni had been bowing a million times. Noémie merely bowed once and then tapped Ha-ni on the back. "Okay, okay, Ha-ni. They are not part of North Korea's military. Come on! Let's go before Mr. Jung Idiot sees us. Get your scooter!" Noémie whisper-yelled, sneakily eyeing her poor red scooter as Ha-Ni stood by it, wondering what she was up to.

The traffic police round up their reports, bow respectfully to the females and males involved, and step back to their vehicles, speeding away with a loud siren and leaving them in the wake.

"But...?" Ha-Ni stumbled, casting a wary glance toward the guy engrossed in his phone.

"Ha-Ni, let's get out of here!" Noémie urged, eager to escape. She hurried to her scooter, lifting it with determination. Just as she was about to mount it, strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Noémie squealed in surprise, locking her grip on the scooter's handlebars as if her life depended on it.

"Where do you think you're going? Attempting to flee the scene of the accident? That's a criminal offence!" Mr. Jung stared cautiously at Noémie's scrunched-up face. This girl is cute but infuriating—a cheeky and defiant foreigner of a different breed.

"No way! Let go! The officers said we're good to leave!" Noémie squirmed, trying to pry his fingers from her waist. When she glanced up at him, her heart raced erratically. Pulling away, she couldn't help but notice his razor-sharp profile and exquisite jawline. His eyes scanned her face, and she found herself returning the scrutiny. He wore a smirk that suggested he found her amusing. Noémie's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Oh no! He caught me red-handed. How inconvenient," she thought with shame.

"Get off me, you arrogant carlin Lay (ugly pug)!" Noémie continued her attempts to smack and wriggle free from his grip, feeling his erratic breathing on her neck, which made her nervous. No man had ever invaded her personal space like this without ending up with a bloody nose.

"Alright! Quit squirming like a worm. Do you want to hear my proposal, or should I call the cops back and let them press charges? It'll go on your record," he asserted. Noémie let out a loud exhale and ceased her struggles; their eyes locked for a moment longer before he released her, and she shot him a glare.

Arthur and Ha-Ni gawked at them, jaws hanging open. Was there a "moment" between these two adversaries?

The driver had never seen his boss so affected by a feisty girl, and Ha-Ni was shocked that Mr. Jung hadn't received a punch on the nose like all of Noémie's other unwanted suitors who dared to touch her.

Ha-Ni still can't believe she was in the company of the most prominent Elite Club members. South Korea's most affluent bachelors are in high demand. And her cousin had his full attention. Noémie has no idea who he is. A member of the Elite Club touched her. Noémie is so lucky, and she is so oblivious to how jealous the ladies will be.

"Okay, just so you know, we don't have that kind of money, and we're nobody's sex slaves. Sorry," Noémie wrinkled her nose, contemplating the bizarre proposition.

"Good, because you're not my type, even as a sex slave!" He chuckled, eyeing her slender figure with a lopsided smirk on his lips. Noémie glared at him,

her lips pursed tighter, while Ha-Ni suppressed a snort but looked at Mr. Jung wistfully.

"You, Miss Insolente (sassy), will pay half the money for the repairs. You will both report for duty at the Jung Saray Towers in Gangnam-gu before five o'clock in the morning as punishment," he declared, watching their bewildered expressions.

"What!?" Noémie began to protest, but he quickly silenced her. "Quiet! Shush!" He pressed his forefinger against her lips, preventing her from speaking further. "I'm still talking, and because of your apparent disregard for your elders and lack of honorifics, you're going to work for me for at least three weeks!"

"Three weeks!? Do I seem insensée (insane) to you? We have our own business to attend to. I won't have time!" Noémie protested in disbelief, while Ha-Ni seemed on the verge of tears. Managing her parents' restaurant left her with no spare time, especially after returning from a catering delivery just hours ago. Noémie appeared as if she were about to face a nest of cobras.

Her vacation was supposed to be a joyful escape, but now it seemed engulfed in chaos. With little time to spare, she realized she wasn't just on vacation visiting her Korean family but also on a working holiday.

"Well, sorry, just make the time. Either it's working for me, seeing it as community service, or paying the money right away," he stated with a malicious smile, adjusting his hair with his fingers. Noémie found herself fascinated by the expensive rings he wore and couldn't help but feel curious about the luxury brand they came from.

Looking a bit defeated, Noémie glanced at him with downcast eyes. "Okay, but let Ha-Ni off the hook. She is needed at her family's restaurant. I'll come and do both our parts, but just for the three weeks with regular hours. And I want a contract outlining how much I was supposed to get paid working for you."

"Miss Insolente! You have no legal right to impose any rules or demands on me. You must be prepared and sharp tomorrow," he scoffed, abruptly turning away upon noticing a car and a tow truck approaching around the curve.

He mockingly saluted and got into the vehicle through the door left open by the driver. Noémie. and Ha-Ni watched with apprehension as the car drove out of sight.

"Thank you, Noémie. Mom and Dad would be very disappointed if they knew what happened today. I'm sorry your three-month working vacation has been ruined," Ha-Ni said in relief.

"It's okay, although it's not a vacation. Ha-Ni, don't worry, he'll wish he'd never seen Seo Noémie!" She said it with determination as she tightened her helmet.

Ha-Ni chuckled softly, aware of Noémie's rebellious nature. "Don't give him stress, Noémie. Mr. Jung is a sweetheart known as our Korean, Mr. Sunshine!"

"Oh, really now...maybe the sun is shining out of his butt! I don't like arrogant, affluent jerks," Noémie scowled.

Ha-Ni teased her, noting her conflicted feelings. "Yet you find him attractive." she laughs out loud while wiggling her eyebrows, which doesn't suit Noémie well.

"No, don't be marrante (funny)!" Noémie scoffed, her thoughts drifting to Mr. Jung's hotel business.

Ha-Ni laughed and urged them to head home. Noémie revved her scooter's engine, contemplating the upcoming challenges that awaited her tomorrow.

A/N: The first chapter of the original version of JeT'aime is out. It went through major editing. I hope you like the sassy character of Noémie. ☺️

•❣•୨୧ 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙀𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 ୨୧•❣•

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