PROLOGUE

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What would be the only reason left to live?    Does that reason even exist?

For her, it doesn’t. Everything had already ended. Her life was wasted. Her dreams are shattered. No more are those soaring visualizations.

The reason? She had already found out everything. The truths.

Then why was her life wasted though truths prevailed?

Because it was too late to do anything. She had found out his true colors --- A cheater. A player. A fool who lured her to his trap. And it was too late. Too late to undo choosing him instead of a happy life she could have possibly acquired...

She’s already dead. Her soul had already left her body, leading her into a seemingly dreamless sleep...

She woke up on a soft surface, and the spacious place she found has the shades of sky blue and white. Where am I? She asked herself, but there’s no answer to it yet. She sat up tall, with her sight still blurred from being closed. She held her head from the slight pain she felt. From afar, she could see a tall, golden gate adorned with white and yellow flowers. A bearded old man with a staff beside the gate stood. He seemed to be looking at her, yet she couldn’t tell.

She began to scan the surroundings. The whole blank surface was similar to a place full of soft cotton balls. Those fluffy ones. And she wasn’t mistaken. She knew right what they were. Clouds, she whispered in her mind. She rubbed her eyes, wondering if it wasn't and illusion and once she saw everything clearly, she slowly stood up. Only then she realized she was wearing a pure, white dress, and her bare foot touching the cold cloud surface. Over the gate at the far end, the sun was shining above. And if it’s human, it would be wearing a happy face. She relied to her senses, and she became aware of the tranquil, peaceful yet mysterious ambiance that engulfed the place.

Her eyes once again caught the glimpse of the old man. Seeing that another human in sight, she decided to approach him to ask for questions. Maybe it would confirm what was in her mind, on where is she. And it only took few steps to reach him, though it seemed to be far away. Even she herself was surprised.

“Soo Min.” The old man whispered audibly, surprising her. But something in her prevented her for asking why he knew her name. There was something about that man than makes her comfortable.

“How may I help you?” The old man continued. She snapped out of her thoughts and asked him the question that has been bothering her mind.

“Can you please tell me where am I?” Soo Min asked, her eyes wandering all over the place again. Though she knew she was standing on the clouds, she couldn’t comprehend where exactly--- the exact location --- she was. Her sudden chilly voice even startled her, but it didn’t matter.

The old man gave off a short chuckle.

“You’re at the Gate of Heaven, my dear.” He gladly replied.

Hearing his reply, she began thinking. Heaven?... Thoughts wildly meandered her mind. She searched for some explanations she had known. Why am I here? Questions floated on her mind. And few seconds later, she seemed to have remembered a bit.

She had faced death because of him.

Chan Yeol.

The name stood out in her thoughts, like that certain word had the limelight of the stage. She felt mixed emotions as she clenched her fists into a ball, holding a feeling of grudge inside. She remembered that he was someone she couldn't bear to stay with anymore.

Soo Min looked at the old man, who was still wearing his warm smile amid the silence.

“Am I going in Heaven now?” She suddenly asked since she was alredy at the gates of Heaven. The old man raised an eyebrow at her.

“Do you think you should?” He asked, and his questions had million meanings. “Are you ready to leave Earth?” He added. She looked down and stopped, taken aback.

Am I ready to enter Heaven? She asked herself. 

Have I finished my mission on Earth? Have I forgiven everyone I knew? Are my sins forgiven?

Did I already avenge for my death?

Avenge for her death. Revenge.

Without dubiety, she looked back at the old man, her eyes telling him she’s serious.

“No.” She answered honestly, with firmness in voice. She heard the old man’s chuckle again.

“I knew you’d answer that. Most people who come here do.” He said, nodding repeatedly and lightly.

“Then what would I do if I wouldn’t enter heaven?” She asked with curiosity. He looked up, his beard down, seemed to be thinking.

“Hmm…” He hummed for a brief moment before looking back at her.

“What would you want to do?” He asked. Soo Min stopped again to think.

What would I want to do?

Revenge. The word came up in her mind again, like a little voice bugging her. Because of this, she came up with an answer.

“I want to go back to Earth.” She told him, her eyes almost pleading. The old man stared at her quickly and nodded again.

“If that’s what you want. You can come back if you’re ready to go beyond these gates ---if you had left Earth without regrets. I will grant your wish, given that you will give me an exact time that you’ll come back here. I have to be strict with souls who never come back.” He answered. Happiness dawned on her. Finally, she thought. She only needs a short time for her quick, painful revenge.

“Give me three days.” She told him and paused before asking another question. “What if I didn’t come back or if I haven’t finished my mission on those three days?”

The bearded man looked at her like he has already told the answer to many people.

“Then you’ll burn your soul. Deep down there.” And by the tone of his voice, she knew where that place is.

“Okay, that settles it. Three days.” She closed the deal without hesitations. Only in this way can she forgive him. Even if she burn her own soul. He nodded again, his lips forming a little smile.

“Go, your time is running.” The old man announced, and then waved his staff in a slash, and a sandglass appeared magically on the air, suspended. The sand grains are rapidly going down, and seeing that, she felt anxietyr. The topmost part will be emptied and by that time she should’ve finished everything.

But I can do it. She cheered herself up before nodding, turning around and walking away.

“Soo Min.” A few moments later, the old man called out again. She stopped without turning around.

“May I ask the reason why you want to go back to Earth?” He asked, and it sounded like a yell because he’s already far again.

Soo Min took few seconds to think if she should tell him the exact answer. What would be the reason to hide everything at this point? Nothing.

“Revenge.” She confessed without uncertainty. And then continued walking away aimlessly, looking for an exit.

“But remember,” The old man spoke again. “You will come back to Earth as a soul.”