A Secret Love in Barcelona (French Love Stories 45)

Mañana

June 24th, the morning of the second day of my trip to Barcelona.

As I got ready to head out at the hotel, I found myself thinking about what happened with Yves last night.

...Why did Yves kiss me at that moment?

Was it just because we ended up in an embrace by accident!?

We had both been drinking, and perhaps the atmosphere—the illuminated Sagrada Familia and the festive, bustling noise—contributed to the surreal mood.

But would Yves, who is so mindful of Japanese etiquette, really kiss me so passionately on a whim...?

While I was lost in thought, the time for our meeting in the lobby drew near.

I decided to reset my mind and act as if nothing had happened with Yves.

"Good morning."

When I went down to the hotel lobby at exactly 8:30, there was Yves, the very polite tour guide, looking just as he did when we first met yesterday.

He seemed like a completely different person from the sexy Yves who had kissed me last night.

Was it really just a whim after all?

It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the hotel where I'm staying to the Sagrada Familia.

I am walking in the opposite direction this morning, keeping a respectful distance, along the same path where Yves had his arm around my shoulders as he walked me home last night.

Realizing the difference despite it being the same path, I feel a little bit lonely.

As we walked, Eve explained the Sagrada Família we were about to visit.

My mind was elsewhere, and I could only think about Eve despite her thoughtful explanation.

Even when I looked at Eve walking beside me, I couldn't read her expression behind her sunglasses.

I slightly regretted letting her wear those sunglasses yesterday.

Sagrada Família

We arrived at the Sagrada Família just before the 9:00 AM opening time.

Since she had booked the tickets in advance, we were able to enter smoothly.

The elevator, which is usually said to have long lines, was empty, and we were naturally left alone together.

...I wonder if she will kiss me again?

Hoping against hope, I stared intently into Eve's eyes after she took off her sunglasses.

Eve looked away from me and began explaining the interior of the building.

I suppose that means I should just give up, then...

It was sad, but I decided to forget about last night and treat her like a normal client.

After getting off the elevator and climbing further up the stairs, a breathtaking view overlooking the city of Barcelona awaited us.

In the distance, I could see the sea, sparkling under the morning sun.

Looking at it this way, I could see that the streets and buildings of Barcelona were laid out in a grid pattern.

I could hear Eve's voice explaining things from behind me.

Barcelona was expanded as a planned city, so it is very orderly.

Of course, there are exceptions like the old town, though.

I discovered a new charm in him, thinking, “I love this voice too; it’s so comforting...”

Once we finished looking at the view, we went down the spiral staircase inside the tower, round and round.

While I was distracted by the scenery visible through the long, narrow gaps, I accidentally missed a step and fell.

Yves immediately reached out his hand and effortlessly helped me up.

From there, he took my hand and guided me all the way to the bottom of the stairs...

To him, having been born and raised in a country of ladies-first, that response was likely just a natural escort.

Even though I knew that, I couldn't suppress the pounding of my heart.

Once we reached the ground, we entered the interior of the Sagrada Familia.

It felt strange to visit a building under construction as a tourist site, but in a way, I felt like I was shown a 'precious site that can only be seen now.'

Taking advantage of that, “panels featuring cool photos of the men working at the construction site” were displayed here and there, and I was impressed, thinking, “Europeans are good at showing off the people behind the scenes.”

Why are men here so charming no matter how old they get?

After leaving the interior, we went into the museum inside the Sagrada Familia and viewed Gaudí's original models and photographs related to him.

Even though I couldn't understand the explanatory text, I was grateful that Yves translated everything for me.

Finally, we bought Gaudí books and postcards at the gift shop, and our tour of the Sagrada Familia came to an end.

As we left the building, Yves asked me for my impressions.

“How was the Sagrada Família?”

I answered, including my hopes for the future.

“I first learned of the Sagrada Família when I saw it on TV during the Barcelona Olympics.

It’s been a place I’ve wanted to visit ever since, so I’m happy to see the real thing, even in its unfinished state.

But it’s not just this time; I want to come back and see it again when it’s completed in 2026.”

2026... I wonder if I’ll be able to see Yves again if I book a trip then?

I thought to myself that I must be at a terminal stage if I’m already thinking about things like that.

Palau de la Música Catalana

We got into Yves’s car and headed for the Palau de la Música Catalana.

While driving, Yves explained the Palau de la Música Catalana to me.

It seems this is the masterpiece of the architect “Lluís Domènech i Montaner,” who was said to be Gaudí’s rival.

The photos in the guidebook were lovely, and since Yves also recommended it, I was really looking forward to visiting this place too.

If you want to tour the interior, booking a guided tour is essential, and Yves had already booked a tour for 1:00 PM today in advance.

When I entered the building, I was enchanted by a super romantic world that was quite different from Gaudí’s works.

I thought that if I could stay in Barcelona a little longer, I would love to attend a concert held here.

I couldn't help but fantasize, thinking how nice it would be if Yves came with me at that time...

“Yves, have you ever listened to a concert here?”

To my abrupt question, Yves gave an unintentionally honest answer.

“Well, I went there a few years ago with my girlfriend at the time.”

I couldn't help but feel jealous of that girlfriend.

7 Portes

For lunch, we went to 7 Portes, a long-established restaurant famous for Catalan cuisine in Barcelona.

This restaurant has a history dating back to 1836, and the servers wore crisp uniforms like hotel staff, creating a calm atmosphere like a high-end restaurant.

While eating the 7 Portes specialty paella, Yves explained in detail the complex relationship between Catalonia and Spain.

“Catalonia is an autonomous community of Spain, with Barcelona as its capital.

Catalans live their lives speaking Catalan.

When sightseeing in Barcelona, you must have seen signs in Catalan along with Spanish and English.

Spain is a country formed by the union of several nations, a collection of various ethnic groups.”

I felt ashamed that I only had a strong longing to travel to Spain, but knew nothing about the country's origins or circumstances.

Just as I only know a part of Spain, I still only know a little bit about the Yves who is right in front of me...

Barri Gòtic

Since there was still time before my flight, he took me to the old town called the Gothic Quarter, where we strolled through the Plaça del Rei and the Cathedral.

There was only a little time left to be with Yves...

I burned the scenery of Barcelona and Yves into my memory, as if to savor the time I had left.

After finishing our walk through the old town, Yves was supposed to drive me to the airport.

Confession

We are in front of the departure gate at the airport.

It was finally time to say goodbye to Yves.

“Merci beaucoup, Yves!! J’étais heureuse d’être avec toi.”
(Thank you, Yves. I was happy to be with you.)

I poured my heart into my final farewell, saying it in his native French.

Upon hearing those words, Yves’s expression changed; he hugged me as if overcome with emotion and kissed me passionately.

After a long kiss, Yves seemed to steel himself and began to speak of his feelings.

“Reiko-san...

I’ve been debating whether or not to say this since yesterday, but since it’s the end, I will tell you.

As we spent time together, I found myself falling in love with you.

Even after we kissed last night, I truly wanted to be with you longer.

I tried to hold back, thinking I shouldn’t mix work and my private life, but... honestly, the thought of not being able to see you again is painful.”

“Yves...!?”

Yves’s expression was completely serious.

I felt myself being drawn in once again by his amber eyes, which held such strong resolve...

“Reiko-san, won’t you come back to Barcelona to see me?

Or I could come to Paris to see you on my days off.

I cannot bear the thought of never seeing you again.

I don’t want to lose you.”

I was stunned by Yves’s confession.

Even though he had been acting so businesslike just a moment ago...

I was truly happy about Yves's feelings.

I am attracted to him, too.

But I am not the kind of woman who can handle a long-distance relationship.

I already learned that from my failed relationship with Raphael in Tours.

After calming myself down, I spoke my honest feelings.

I am attracted to you too, and if I could, I would want to be with you forever.

But... I get lonely very easily, so a long-distance relationship is impossible for me.

I love Barcelona, but I don't have a visa and I don't speak Spanish, so I can't live here.

I also have my job in Paris, so I can't stay away for long.

So... I'm sorry.

Before I knew it, tears were overflowing.

Yves was silent for a while, but finally he said this.

I understand...

But it would be okay to send you emails, right?

I'll contact you when I go to Paris, so I'd like you to meet me again.

Even if he said that, there was no way I could think about the future.

It's fine if you send me emails, but I don't know if we'll be able to meet in Paris...

Yves looked at me as if he were reluctant to let me go.

However, the flight time was approaching, and we had no choice but to part ways.

Paris

Upon arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, I took the Roissy Bus to its final stop at the Opéra Garnier.

While on the bus, I looked at the photos of Barcelona stored on my digital camera.

There were many landscape photos, pictures of me that Yves had taken, and a few photos of Yves that I had taken in jest.

They were happy memories, but now that I was back in Paris, everything was being replaced as something of the past...

“My reality is Paris, not Barcelona.”

...It felt as if I had just woken up from a dream.

I felt like a different person compared to the one who, just a few hours earlier, had shed tears while lamenting my parting with Yves.

A few days later, I received an email from Yves.

It was a formal message expressing his gratitude for my services as a guide.

He must have set aside his personal feelings and returned to his Japanese-style business persona.

...He, too, must have surely woken up from that fleeting dream.

I did not reply to that email.

And so, my two-day love affair in Barcelona came to an end.

The memories of Yves are etched in my heart as a sweet and bittersweet travel memory.

In July, in Paris, my own “reality,” various encounters were waiting for me once again...