Introductions
It had been roughly half a year since fully recovering from her coma, and almost a month after she regained her memories. Her life had been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. She could still recall the day she walked into the exhibit and the sudden rush of emotions that overwhelmed her.
"It wasn't a dream," she thought, as she stared into Wang So's portrait.
Go Ha Jin cried herself to sleep every night after that. When she had no more tears left, a growing loneliness enveloped her. She was not in Soo's body anymore, but her chest hurt no less.
I'll never leave you.
She promised. But left anyway.
She missed the princes - Baek Ah's music, Jung's laughter, and Eun's playful banter. She missed her talks with Woo Hee. Despite their messy history, she even missed Chae Ryung. But most of all, she missed So. She missed their shared jokes, their walks along the pond, and their private meals together. So's hidden smiles and careful touches were all frustratingly vivid to her.
She rubbed the spot between her eyebrows as the memories always seemed to give her a headache.
"You okay?" asked Chun-hwa, concern on her face.
"I'm fine" Go Ha Jin smiled at her coworker. "Just a headache."
"Honestly Ha Jin, you're the worst liar," she tsked. "I'm pretty sure boss won't be mad if you take the day off."
"I'm really fine. Honestly!" she raised her right hand. Besides, she already felt bad for suddenly leaving her post for more than a year. After waking up from the coma, it took Ha Jin a month of physical therapy and medication to fully recover. With more debt than before, she badly needed the money. She owed her boss a lot for taking her back in.
"If you say so," sighed Chun-Hwa. "You're as stubborn as ever."
"I know you love me for it."
Chun-Hwa laughed.
ooo
The sun had long set by the time Go Ha Jin stepped out of the barbecue restaurant. Chun-Hwa had asked her out for drinks after work and she had accepted. It had been a long time since she went out for drinks anyway. She hoped that the alcohol would make her hurt less, but now she's hurt and slightly tipsy. She sighed. She suddenly remembered the first time she drank with Baek Ah after Myung Hee's funeral. It didn't hurt any less then either.
"Ha Jin-ah, I'm taking a taxi." Chun-Hwa said. "Are you alright on your own?"
"Don't worry. My apartment's right there" she pointed just about two blocks away. "I'll be fine."
"You always say that!" Chun-Hwa pouted.
She laughed. "Yah, Just go home already."
"Make sure to text me when you get home!" Chun-Hwa waved as she hailed a taxi. Ha Jin waved back, a smile on her face. She couldn't help but think of Chae Ryung sometimes when she was with her. Both their enthusiastic dispositions were eerily similar. She frowned. Chae Ryung's lifeless body flashed through her mind. She may have hurt her, she knew, but she couldn't hate her for it as much as she tried. Just like her, she was just trying to survive.
She cursed the unfairness of it all.
In the end, she knew she couldn't stay in the palace. Yes, she regretted leaving So, but she realized she would not change her decision if given the chance. She wasn't selfless enough to stay by So's side after everything that happened.
It hurt to leave but it also hurt to stay.
Was it wrong to be selfish just once?
She patted her chest. The pain seemed to dull.
I'll survive. I'll get through this, she tried convincing herself.
A sigh escaped her lips as she started to walk home.
She was a block away from her apartment when she noticed she was being followed. She tugged her coat tighter around her body as she quickened her pace. She cursed. No one else seemed to be around. She gripped her bag, desperate to have some kind of weapon to hit with. She was about to break into a run when the man called her.
"Jagiya!" she paused, Jagiya? "What took you so long?" No, it was not the man behind her, she realized. It was another man. From afar, she couldn't make out his face, but there was a man standing in front of her building. He was waving at her.
Was he helping her? Was he an accomplice?
And why was he in front of her building?
She quickly weighed her options — if he was an accomplice, she probably would have been mugged already, but if he weren't, that meant he was her chance to flee. Before her potential assailant would notice her hesitance, she waved back.
God, she hoped her gut was right.
She picked up her pace again, chancing a quick glance behind her and saw that the man following her had the opportunity, she ran to her building.
"Thank you!" she panted as she slightly bowed to the man in front of the steps. She remained a respectful distance away from him just in case her judgment was wrong.
"Aish, you shouldn't be walking alone at night, woman." he reprimanded.
Okay, he sounded friendly and dare she say, familiar?
She laughed sheepishly as she lifted her head. "Sorry, to bother-"
Wang Yo frowned at her, an annoyed look crossing his features.
"-you.." She stared back at him disbelievingly.
He looked exactly the same, she marvelled. It was odd to see him in clothes other than his long robes and crown. A leather jacket was in its place instead, accompanied with a shirt, a pair of jeans, and white sneakers. He was missing his top knot but he had the same angry eyebrows and the same frown he always sported before. She remembered the four years she served as a court lady under him. She was never close to the prince, something she secretly regretted, but she always wondered if things would have changed if she tried to befriend him then.
"Pyeha," she breathed.
His eyebrows raised in surprise, his eyes lacking the usual kohl that rimmed it.
Belatedly realizing what she called him, she cringed inwardly. It was difficult to get rid of the habit.
Wait, did he recognize her?
She waited for recognition to flash in his eyes when-
"What dynasty are you from, Goryeo?" He said wryly, "A thank you was enough."
She continued to stare at him stupidly.
"Alright, I'll get going then," he said a few beats later as he turned to leave.
She broke out of her stupor. "Wait!"
He frowned at her.
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish.
"Um," Think, Ha Jin, think. At that moment, she cursed her alcohol-induced brain.
He stepped closer to her. Her eyes widened.
"Ya, are you drunk, lady?" he sniffed her, "Aish, you walk alone at night, while you're drunk and a woman. Please don't tell me you need help getting home."
She scoffed. How can he help her and be so rude at the same time?
"That's not necessary," she said, "I-"
"I'll get going then," he cut her off.
"Ya!" she called. Leaving her no chance to continue, he got on his motorbike and drove away.
"Ugh, what an ass," she murmured.
But then again, he was always an ass.
She sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time that day. It was a shame, she wanted to talk to him. She scowled at his vanishing form before climbing up the steps and going to her apartment. Now that she was safe, the adrenaline left her body and she felt tired all of a sudden. Fortunately, her flat was located on the second floor.
"Aigoo," she sighed in relief when she reached her bed.
She found herself thinking, If he was reborn into this century, was So here too? Better yet, were they still brothers? Were the other princes here? She should've asked him that, she realized in disappointment.
She could look for him tomorrow, she decided. There's enough time after work.
But where will she start looking?
Before she forgot, she sent a quick text to Chun-Hwa, saying she got home safely. She didn't realize how tired she was until she lied down. Sleep quickly overcame her as soon as she closed her eyes.
"Eh? A man followed you home? I should've walked you!"
Ha Jin winced at her friend's sudden outburst.
It was the next day and Chun-Hwa had offered her out for drinks again. She declined. Although she was thankful her friend was trying to cheer her up, she explained she was still slightly traumatized by the past day's events. Thus, the scolding.
She left out the part where her mind she was recently preoccupied by a certain prince. She felt both nervous and excited. There was a huge chance So would exist in her time as well. Ji Mong was there after all, although just like Wang Yo, he didn't seem to remember her (or at least pretended not to).
"Oi, Ha Jin, I'm bringing you home today," Chun-Hwa poked her.
"Chun-Hwa, I'll be fine," she held her friend's shoulders reassuringly. "Anyway, I have somewhere to go after work."
"You just said you were traumatized," Chun-Hwa retorted. "I'll go with you and bring you home."
"But-"
"No buts!" she crossed her arms. "Where are we going anyway?"
Ha Jin sighed. There was no way getting out of this. Although she didn't want to bother her, she appreciated her help and was secretly glad of her presence.
They headed for the lake after work. It was the same place she nearly drowned. She hasn't visited the place ever since, but she noticed it hasn't changed a bit. Chun-Hwa thought they were there for a stroll, but Ha Jin kept her eyes peeled for a prince with a scowl and angry eyebrows. They stayed there until sunset. To her disappointment however, he never appeared.
Eventually, Chun-Hwa brought her home, just like she said she would.
After finally seeing Chun-Hwa off, she sank on her bed with a defeated sigh.
It was wishful thinking, she knew, but she hoped that fate would bring her and So together again in that lifetime. Would So remember her too? What if he forgot like everyone else?
Her thoughts were interrupted by her stomach growling.
She got up to grab herself some instant noodles only to find her cupboard empty.
"Ugh, really?" she groaned.
Maybe she should have eaten with Chun-Hwa while they were out.
There was a convenience store not far from her building. She should stock up her instant ramen. I should probably buy something healthier, she thought. At the rate she was going, she might be needing a new kidney. But then again, ramen was cheap. Cheap and filling.
It was an early friday night so she didn't have to worry about being alone on the streets. She was sure there were a lot of people. She grabbed her purse and keys and headed out.
To her dismay, there was only one cup left of her favorite flavor in the convenience store.
She tsked. Her hand reached for the last cup but not before it was snatched away by someone behind her.
"Yah!" She turned angrily on the perpetrator. The next thing she knew, she was standing face to face (chest?) with Wang Yo.
"Ah, it's you again," Wang Yo smirked at her.
Their proximity startled her. The aisles were narrow and with his height, he was practically towering over her. She had to crane her neck just to look at him.
She can't believe it. He was here, annoying smirk and all. She didn't know if it was fate or mere coincidence, but she finally had the opportunity to find So!
"You took my cup," she said, schooling her features before she got lost in thought again. She crossed her arms, trying to look intimidating. She would have laughed. How can you intimidate Wang Yo of all people?
"Oh, this?" he pretended to inspect the seafood flavored ramen in his hand.
"Give it to me, please," she tried to ask nicely.
"But I like this flavor."
"Well, I was here first"
Not once in her dreams did she ever imagine arguing with Wang Yo over a cup of noodles in a convenience store.
"Well, I got it first," he said with a smug grin. Jerk.
Then he turned to leave.
"H-hey!"
Why does he always do that?
She was about to run after him before remembering the reason for her visit to the store. She quickly grabbed a number of cups of chicken flavored ramen instead and a bottle of coffee. She paid for it at the counter and by the time she got out of the store, he was only a few ways ahead.
"You're an ass you know?" she said after catching up to him.
Her plastic bag swayed as she struggled to keep up with his long legs.
"An ass that saved your life, mind you," he pointed out.
She made a face at him.
There were so many questions in her mind, she wanted nothing but to blurt them all out. But she decided it would be best to start slowly.
Control yourself, Ha Jin.
"Why were you in front of my apartment last night?" she asked. "Are you a stalker?"
Probably not the best way to start a conversation, but she was out of ideas.
He snorted.
"Don't think too highly of yourself," he said, "I live in the same building, idiot."
Ah, that makes things easier.
"Why were you leaving then?" she pushed on, ignoring his insult.
"I was-" he paused, "On second thought, I'm not going to tell you."
She huffed but continued. His rotten attitude was not going to deter her.
"Why haven't I seen you around then?"
He sighed, clearly growing annoyed.
"I just moved in," he said.
"Do you-"
"And that's enough questions for the day," he stopped to look at her. "Honestly, you're chattier when you're not drunk. Is this because I took your ramen? Wait, no, don't answer that. Just, no more questions until we get home."
He looked at her pointedly before walking again.
This time though, she didn't have to struggle to keep up with his strides.
Not wanting to push his buttons, she begrudgingly stayed silent throughout the whole trip back to the building. The elevators were under maintenance so they took the stairs. Ha Jin was glad she didn't live on the higher floors. Wang Yo climbed the stairs ahead of her. He was so frustratingly Wang Yo, she couldn't help but stick a tongue out at his broad back. She hoped he lived on the top floor. The possibility made her chuckle inwardly.
In her spite, Ha Jin didn't bother to say goodbye when she reached her floor. Only, she didn't need to say goodbye after all because Wang Yo walked to the second floor.
Oh no.
She watched him intently, following behind with silent steps.
Until he stopped in front of room 207.
"You live in 207?" she asked incredulously.
He turned to her, shocked.
"Yah! Were you following me?"
"Aish, I can't believe this," she rubbed her forehead.
They were neighbors? She didn't know if she should feel relieved because searching So would be easier, or feel stressed because it's Wang Yo.
"Quit following me, you stalker"
She spluttered.
"Stalker? More like neighbor," she said, "I live in 208." She nodded her head at the farther room.
"Oh. Well, that's unfortunate," he deadpanned.
"The feeling's mutual," she said.
If she were to be honest, living next to Wang Yo wasn't an exciting idea. But there was that small glimmer of hope that So was his brother, and that gave her purpose. This was the perfect opportunity, she decided. Befriending him would be the easiest way to get information. She stepped up to him.
"Go Ha Jin," she said to him, reaching out her hand.
"What?" he raised an eyebrow at her.
"My name's Go Ha Jin, I figured if we were neighbors, we could at least get to know each other's names," she explained.
He sighed, seeming to accept defeat.
He reached for her hand and shook it.
"Wang Yo."