“What brings you here, Miss Ha-Jin? Are you alright? Wait, why do you look so pale?”

Her distress was that obvious that the presenter met her with a worried gaze in his eyes. She looked at herself at the mirror and realized he was right. Her pale skin was paler than usual and she looked so…scared.

“I…I need your help,” she told him, “I know you’re the only one I can trust.”

She gripped the frame of the chair tightly; she only realized how tight her hold was when it hurt. But she didn’t care. She had to straighten things out.

“Care for a drink?” he asked, indicating to the bottles nearby, “Looks like you need something to calm down your nerves. My daughter’s just about to bring in some glasses.” The good presenter looked outside of his study. “Sweetheart, are you there?”

“Yes, Father!” called out a girl’s voice.

Ha-Jin noticed hands were still shaking. Ji-Hyun approached her and took a hold of them, trying to calm her down.

“What’s going on?” he asked her, “Why are you shaking? Did something bad happen?”

She stared at the good presenter’s eyes—the exact same eyes of the astronomer he trusted. Ha-Jin knew she could trust him with her ordeal. Right now, there was no such thing as reality anymore. She had to tell someone.

“Father, I brought the glasses,” came the small voice.

Ha-Jin looked over the presenter’s shoulder to see his daughter, holding a tray with glasses. Her jaw dropped.

Ah no way.

---

(Three days ago)

“That cold lake could’ve killed you! Why in the world would your bring her there? Are you an idiot?”

“Ah Min-Suksshi, stop that. He’s already shivering,”

Baek Yoo-Hee gave her husband a reproving look as she wrapped a warm blanket around a shuddering Ha-Jin who was gripping her warm tea tightly with both hands. Opposite her was Hwang Jae-Yeong, holding a cup of tea as well, and being tended to by his friend.

“Out of all the places you can take a girl, you bring her to the lake during winter!” continued Min-Suk, “Have I taught you nothing about dating protocols?”

“Stop it, you’re making me look bad in front of Ha-Jin,” said Jae-Yeong, clutching the wooly blanket tightly, “Besides, the lake looks prettier during winter. I wanted her to see it; I didn’t expect we’d fall off the boat.”

Min-Suk thumped his friend on the head lightly. “You didn’t even make her wear a lifejacket!”

“Min-Suksshii, I said stop that,” said Yoo-Hee, “Your friend almost drowned and froze to death. He just saved a girl’s life. Please be the good example of a father to your unborn child.” She caressed her baby bump.

“Yeah, listen to your wife. She’s a good example of grace and virtue,” commented Jae-Yeong, accepting another towel from Yoo-Hee, “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if that kid turns out to look like me.”

“Ahh really—!”

Min-Suk was about to slap Jae-Yeong’s head, which the latter successfully ducked. Ha-Jin suppressed a laugh as she watched the two friends fight like boys.

“How are you, Ha-Jinah?” asked Yoo-Hee, “Do you need anything? We’ve got plenty of tea.”

Ha-Jin shook her head. “I’m alright and I still have tea,” she said, raising her cup, “Thanks for helping us out and for letting us in your lovely home.”

“Our house is always open for our friends. You’re always welcome to come,” assured Yoo-Hee, “Jae-Yeong knows that full well. He’s been in and out of here before.”

“Yeah and sometimes, I think he abuses the welcome,” remarked Min-Suk.

“Psh, I know you love it when I drop by,” countered Jae-Yeong, “You’re always giddy with excitement.”

Min-Suk rolled his eyes as Yoo-Hee’s laughter rolled as she went back to the kitchen. Ha-Jin took a sip from her cup and felt grateful for the instant warmth. The fire crackling from the couple’s fireplace was also a bonus—a far cry from the icy and unpleasant pain she experienced an hour ago.

“So, you just fell off the lake?” asked Min-Suk, “Was the boat not sturdy enough? Didn’t you check it before you rode?”

Jae-Yeong looked at Ha-Jin. They both knew why they fell.

“Ah well, about that—“ started Jae-Yeong.

“It’s my fault,” interrupted Ha-Jin, “I…I was a little shaky in the boat. I couldn’t stop moving. Jae-Yeong told me not to move too much but I didn’t listen.”

“Are you afraid of the water?”

“Yes, but he didn’t know about it,” she said, “I only told him when we were in the middle of the lake. I was too fascinated by the surroundings. He was right, it was beautiful…so beautiful I forgot about my fear of the water.”

“Ah Ha-Jinah, you should tell people immediately about those kinds of things,” said Min-Suk in a gentle tone, “Sometimes, it can cost you your life. You should’ve told this idiot about that earlier so he wouldn’t have rode the boat.”

“It’s still my fault?”

“Shut up,”

Jae-Yeong feigned another wounded look as he finished his cup of tea just as Yoo-Hee brought him a steaming bowl of ramen. He accepted it gratefully and patted her baby bump.

“Aigoo, he’s getting big already,” he said, “I hope he doesn’t grow up judgmental like his father.”

“Better be judgmental than an idiot like his future godfather,”

“Ah you boys, I won’t have any fighting in my house,” reprimanded Yoo-Hee, handing Ha-Jin her own bowl, “Here, have some of this while it’s hot. It will help with the shivering and also, I cooked with my mother’s secret recipe. I hope you like it.”

Ha-Jin accepted gratefully, setting down her tea and allowing the warmth of the bowl to comfort her freezing hands. She took the first taste, despite the burning sensation on her tongue. The soup felt so right—calming down her still shivering interiors.

“By the way, Min-Suk and I decided you guys should stay the night,” said Yoo-Hee, “We’re not having you drive out in the cold since you both resisted medical assistance. I’ve prepared the guest room.”

“Don’t worry, Ha-Jinah. You’ll sleep on the bed,” assured Min-Suk, “Jae-Yeong will sleep on the floor. If he does anything weird, feel free to scream. I’ll kick him out.”

She smiled while Jae-Yeong frowned at his friend.

“Thanks for the trust,” he said sarcastically, “It’s like you don’t even know me,”

“We’re just being safe.”

The CEO-to-be just shook his head and rapidly finished his bowl of ramen. “I’ll just tell the people to not expect me tomorrow,” he said, picking out his phone, “Thank God I had the mind to bring my waterproof case today; otherwise, my phone’s a gonner.”

“Tomorrow’s a Saturday,” said Min-Suk, “They want you to work?”

“Well…Il-Sung might get the chance to shine,” remarked Jae-Yeong, “I’ll give it to him…that’s what he wants anyway.”

There was a serious silence. Ha-Jin saw Min-Suk give his friend a meaningful look, which the latter reciprocated with a nod. Min-Suk must’ve known about the brothers’ disagreement as well. The whole world must know.

“Ha-Jinah, I’ve laid out some clothes for you,” said Yoo-Hee, “If you’re ready, you can come with me.”

Ha-Jin stood up and left the room. As soon as she set out of the living room, she heard the boys dive into a serious whisper of conversation. Yoo-Hee, on the other hand, was waiting for her by the guest room with another towel.

“I cannot thank you enough,” said Ha-Jin, “You and Min-Suk have been so kind. I don’t know how I can repay you.”

“Best wishes for the baby will do,” said Yoo-Hee.

“I’ll send a lot of baby gifts when he comes,” promised Ha-Jin, “It’s a boy, right?”

“Oh, yes he is,” gushed Yoo-Hee, holding her bump, “And thank you! But you don’t have to repay us anyway. Min-Suk and I are very welcoming of our friends and their friends. In Jae-Yeong’s case, you are more than welcome, actually.”

There was a playful tone in her voice. Ha-Jin had to know why.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.

Yoo-Hee handed her a pair of pajamas. “Well, during the entire year I’ve known him, I’ve seen Jae-Yeong’s various phases—most of them were unpleasant,” she confessed, “He wasn’t the best man, but he wasn’t the worst either. I met him when he was brokenhearted. While it was what brought him closer to us, it was painful to watch him.”

Ha-Jin immediately thought of Nari. But she couldn’t be the only problem.

“But recently, there’s a change in Jae-Yeong,” she continued, “The painting helped him before, but now, it’s like he doesn’t even need it anymore. I know it’s crazy to assume, but I think you had your part.”

“Me? That’s…ridiculous,”

Yoo-Hee laughed, “I don’t believe in ridiculous things; I’m a big believer of fate. And I firmly believe that you are in his life for a reason, Ha-Jinah,” she said, “I don’t know why but I thank you.”

She smiled graciously at Ha-Jin—the face of Woo-Hee from Hubaekje. Ha-Jin returned the smile, grateful for this little reunion—even if Yoo-Hee does not know about this relationship. She took the clothes from her and bowed.

“Honey!” called out Min-Suk, “Help me talk some sense into this idiot!”

“Ah, those two,” sighed Yoo-Hee, “Change up. I’ll be back in a second.” She left Ha-Jin in the guest room, who took the time to sort out her thoughts.

Today was out of the ordinary. Apart from Jae-Yeong taking her out, the sudden gush of memories proved to be too powerful for Ha-Jin. She was remembering bits and pieces clearly; even some of the littlest details. Unfortunately, her physical responses were the ones that got them into trouble in the first place.

Her head still throbbed; she placed a hand on her forehead and sighed.

This isn’t normal anymore, she said, I need to get this out of my head.

“Ahh what am I going to do?” she asked out loud, “I can’t go on living like this. My head is all messed up.”

She threw herself on the big bed and sighed.

“What am I going to do?”

--

The room was too dark when Ha-Jin opened her eyes. She realized she was sprawled on the bed in the exact same position. Apparently, she had fallen asleep without changing her clothes. The pajamas Yoo-Hee had laid out where beside her, all rumpled.

Ha-Jin sat up and rubbed her eyes, hoping to ease her still throbbing head. It wasn’t as worse as before, but there was still a sting.

“Ugh…do they have aspirin?” she asked. She was about to get out of the bed when she realized Jae-Yeong was asleep by the foot of her bed.

He was dead to the world as always—asleep on his side. Ha-Jin edged away a bit, hoping not to wake him up. But she ended up watching him for the nth time.

I don’t know what’s happening, she told him in his thoughts, Everything’s been so weird and…just odd. But most of them became weirder when you came.

He replied with a soft snore. Ha-Jin wondered how tired he was; after all, he did just throw himself into a freezing lake just to save her. It made sense that he was flat out tired. But Ha-Jin continued talking to him, albeit only in her thoughts.

This thing about me, about past lives…I don’t know what they mean. I know I used to be her, but what am I supposed to do with the memories? And how are you connected to all of them?

The turnaround of recent events has been crazy. Any normal person would’ve exploded. But Ha-Jin knew she was out of the ordinary. After all, how many people have woken up from their past lives before?

Just then, she saw him frown in his sleep, his eyebrows scrunching every now and then. His fingers started to twitch as he started to murmur. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she was sure he was having a dream.

A bad one.

“No…no…” he said in his sleep, his hands trying to ward off something or someone, “You…let go.”

He started moving wildly in his sleep. Ha-Jin knew she had to wake him up.

“Hwang Jae-Yeong,” she said, shaking his arm, “Hey, Hwang Jae-Yeong.”

He didn’t open his eyes; instead, he started flailing, his arms warding off whatever he was facing in his dream. She got down from the bed and shook him by the shoulders, trying to wake him up.

“Hwang Jae-Yeong, wake up,”

“No…No…I…don’t go…”

“Wake up!”

“Stop!”

“Jae-Yeong!”

His eyes opened all of a sudden, the whites of his eyes more visible and shook with fear. He was looking around, breathing heavily, and sweating. After seconds of disorientation, he looked at her.

“Are you okay?” she asked him.

Jae-Yeong ran a hand through his mop of messed up hair. He was catching his breath as if he just ran a marathon. “Not again,” he murmured, taking off the mess of blankets he made. Ha-Jin didn’t know how to help him out. She kept a hand on his back, rubbing it.

“Do you need anything?” she asked again, “Water?”

“No…I’m…I’m fine,” he said, “It’s just…a bad dream.”

Despite the cold room, he was sweating like crazy. Ha-Jin wondered if he was suffering from a fever again.

“Ah, it’s hot,” he said. Quickly, he took off his shirt and threw it by the end of his bed. Jae-Yeong buried his face in his hands, catching his breath over and over again. She had taken her hand off him—she didn’t have that confidence to touch his bare skin.

But he looked so distressed.

“Bad dream, huh?”

He brushed his hand through his hair again. “Yeah, I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said, “I’ll go get water.”

Jae-Yeong stood up from the bed and proceeded to the table where Yoo-Hee left glasses of water. His back turned to her, Ha-Jin couldn’t help but stare at his . She was ashamed of herself for admiring his good physique when he just had a bad dream. Admittedly, he looked so good with nothing but sweatpants.

“Aisht, I must’ve forgotten my meds,” he said.

“You take medicine?” she asked, “Can’t sleep well at night?”

“On occasion. I’ll have to remember to take them again tomorrow,” he told her. He poured himself a glass of water, gulped it gratefully, “My doctor’s going to kill me.” Jae-Yeong reached for the switch and turned the lights on.

Good lighting gave Ha-Jin a better image of his bare body. She clutched her blankets closer, hoping to hide that blush.

He noticed her sudden discomfort.

“Oh? Does this make you uncomfortable?” he asked, “I’ll get my shirt back. Hang on,”

“No, it’s not that—“

Jae-Yeong reached for his shirt, putting it back on, before lying on his back again. Ha-Jin, who sat back on the edge of her bed, was flabbergasted with his sudden calmness. You would’ve thought he didn’t just suffer from a nightmare.

“Do you have nightmares often?” she asked.

“Before, yeah,” he confessed, “But they subsided for a while. Recently, I’ve been a bad sleeper. That’s why I need the meds.”

“Why?”

He grinned at her. “You’re not the only one suffering from accidents, Miss Ha-Jin,” he said coyly, “Ugh, I have to get some sleep. Is it all right if I leave the lights on?”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Why? Are you afraid of the dark?” she teased.

“No, it’s not that!”

“Big man like you, scared of the dark,”

“Stop that,”

“What are you going to do if I don’t?”

“I’ll take my shirt off,”

He smiled devilishly at her, tugging the ends of his shirt. Ha-Jin, furiously blushing again, hid under her blankets. She heard him laugh at her—a stark contrast from the cries he had a while ago.

“Go Ha-Jin,” he said, “Quick question.”

“Yeah?” she asked, peeking out of the blankets. He had already laid down on his bed because she couldn’t see him.

“Do you believe recurring dreams mean something?” he asked.

“What?”

“Recurring dreams,” he repeated, “Do they mean something?”

“I…I believe so,” she answered. Immediately, her senses heightened at his curiosity. Why was he asking about recurring dreams? Did he have them?

Oh my god.

“Huh, really?” he asked. There was a ruffling of sheets, suggesting he was moving. “That’s funny.”

There was a long silence between them. Ha-Jin waited for him to talk more about it; she was curious as to why he would ask but her head was trying to find the right words. She didn’t want to seem too excited neither did she want him to freak out.

“Jae-Yeongah—“

She wasn’t able to continue her sentence. His soft snore indicated that he was fast asleep once again. Ha-Jin rested her head on her pillow and allowed her thoughts to run wild once again.

Why would he ask about recurring dreams? Did he have them often?

Her head throbbed at the head rush of memories plaguing her brain for the nth time. She closed her eyes and tried to lull herself to sleep. But the fact that Jae-Yeong had recurring dreams—it said of something. She just couldn’t point at it…or maybe, she couldn’t believe it.

--

(Present time)

She couldn’t believe it, but then again, everything has been unbelievable. Her brain had that common “WTF” moment, which immediately adjusted once she remembered that this was her situation anyway.

Park Ji-Hyun’s daughter set the glasses on the table, looking shy as she did.

“Ah, Hanna, come say hi to my friend,” said her father, “This is Miss Go Ha-Jin, the cosmetic specialist working on our Goryeo line.”

“Hanna. Park, Hanna,”

“My classmate in psychology. She likes to spend time at this café and her friends said this is her study hub.”

Ki-Joo’s voice echoed in Ha-Jin’s head as she stared at the presenter’s daughter, who gave a small bow and a smile. The girl seemed flustered at the sight of the surprised unnie; after all, Ha-Jin hadn’t said anything for a second.

“Ha-Jinah?”

Presenter Ji-Hyun’s voice brought her back to her senses. She saw both father and daughter looking at her, anticipating a reply.

“Ah…uhm…hello!” she greeted too enthusiastically, “It’s nice meeting you.”

Park Hanna bowed again and fixed the glasses, “Father, don’t drink too much all right?” she said, “Mom would kill me if she knew I let you raid the whiskey cabinet last night. So please, control yourself.”

“Ah it’s not just for me,” explained Ji-Hyun, “Your unnie here needs one too.”

Hanna approached the bewildered Ha-Jin, offering a glass. The latter accepted gratefully, trying to brush off the strangeness of the situation. She just found it weird that Park Hanna was not wielding a sword nor was her father a general.

“Thank you,” said Ha-Jin.

Park Hanna kissed her dad on the cheek and left the two alone. Ji-Hyun poured himself a glass of scotch and offered the bottle to Ha-Jin.

“So, what do you need me for?” he asked, “You seem completely shaken, Miss Ha-Jin. Is everything all right?”

After downing a glass of scotch, she set the glass down. Her senses were mixed; part of her didn’t want to be here, but the other insisted it was the right thing to do. After seeing Park Ji-Hyun’s daughter, she was convinced she had to get this out of her chest.

“Ji-Hyun-nim, you’re the only one I can trust with this,” she began, “I know it’s going to sound crazy but please, try to open your mind. I wouldn’t do this unless it was completely necessary. But I really need help.”

The senior sat down and poured himself another glass.

“I’m listening,” he said, “You can trust me Ha-Jinah.”

Ha-Jin took a deep breath. The events of the past days have been weirding her out, but it explained a lot about herself—by herself, meaning Hae Soo. She needed someone to talk about it. Otherwise, she’d go crazy.

“Remember when I asked you about past lives?” she asked.

“Yes, you were doing it for a friend,”

“I…wasn’t doing it for a friend,” she confessed, “I was doing it for myself.”

“And I gather this is not for a book?”

She shook her head. The presenter’s pleasant face was becoming more intrigued with what she had to say.

“I…I want you to believe me, Ji-Hyun-nim,” she pleaded, “I’m not making this up. I used to think it was all a dream, but clearly, it’s not anymore. I know who I am and I know what’s going on in my head. I just don’t know why.”

“What do you mean you know who you are?”

She took another deep breath.

“I am not just Go Ha-Jin; I am Hae Soo of the Hae household of the Goryeo period,” she declared.

The presenter looked stumped with her revelation but Ha-Jin wasted no time. She had to get everything out now.

“I am the cousin of the Eight Prince Wang Wook’s wife. After her death, I entered the palace,” she continued, “I am Court Lady Hae Soo, the top madam at Damiwon, who served during the reign of two kings. I am the wife of Fourteenth Prince Wang Jung after I pleaded for him to get me out of the palace.”

She took another deep breath. Park Ji-Hyun must’ve thought she was crazy, but she no longer cared. As she declared her life out loud (the major parts she remembers, that is), she gained confidence.

“I am the Court Lady Emperor Gwangjong loved. I knew him since he was the Fourth Prince; loved him before he ascended the throne,” she said confidently, “I spent most of my years serving him and the Palace and I’ve seen everything—all the deaths that took place and the bloody fight for the throne.”

“I’m not a myth. That is who I am and who I was,” she ended, “As Hae Soo, I am alive and well.”

She stopped for a while before she continued,

“And I believe…so is he.”

---

A/N: I’m currently watching LJG’s Two Weeks because I really miss seeing him on the small screen. Maybe you’d like to watch it with me too?

I’m pleased that some of you guessed right about who would come to Jae-Yeong’s aid. I love Min-Suk; he is Baek-Ah after all. Word of caution: the next chapters might be a mix of fluff and serious stuff. So, brace yourselves, dear readers. 

Oh and did I mention that there's another chapter uploaded? It's a small one but two in one, am I right? Hope it makes you happy.

*Tip: read the Foreword then read the Interlude :)