Chapter 1: Lost Time
It was 6.00 am in the morning. Go Ha Jin woke up with a start. The dreams were crazy since the past year. Since the time she had woken up from her Coma. It was getting increasingly annoying due to that fact that it made her feel things she didn't want to and couldn't identify. She felt pain, longing, sadness, compassion, fear and mostly love.
Love for that one man that kept plaguing her dreams. Of that one man who she could see looking into her eyes lovingly. The man in his black robes who was exuding a dark aura around him but somehow, she wasn't scared. All she could feel was sympathy and love.
She looked around her room and realised it was time to move on and face the day head on. She was after a make up artist and since being left without a single penny due to that b****rd of an ex, she needed the job even more to pay of her debts, her hospital bills and eat with whatever was left.
She got herself cleaned up, wore her casual ones before packing up her uniform in a bag. She needed something since she was still on medication and eating on an empty stomach would not be good for her. She called up her friend and colleague Lee Min Hye and asked her if she wanted to grab a bite with her before heading to work. Since she said yes, they were meeting up at the café near their workplace to fill themselves before heading for work.
She loved make up, infact she loved and was proud that she can create make up from scratch with the simplest of things. Currently working at Damiwon, the beauty subsidiary of Shinhwa Industries was a blessing in disguise for her. They had recently released a set of beauty products for the customers which were inspired by the Goryeo Era. As an artist it was her insight that was sought by many clients as she explained to them its benefits, how best to use it, what would suit them and also give a demonstration on how it is made.
She thought at times if this was the reason, she was getting those dreams, her dreams or rather memories (which she didn't know yet) were also based in that era with the huge palaces, gardens, gazebos and the lake. The lake was her favourite.
She along with her colleague ventured into the building where the exhibition was held based on Goryeo Era and since their company was the one that organized it, their subsidiary had though it would be marvelous idea for them to market their Goryeo inspired beauty range.
"Annyeonghaseyo", Ha Jin smiled at her manager and colleagues before settling in her role wearing her uniform and a bright smile. She went about setting the products for displaying and readying the entire area before the influx of customers.
In another part of the building, from where the exhibition was quite visible, stood a tall and dark figure emanating a dark aura that causes people to tremble and freeze. He wasn't particularly warm and everyone knew that, so it was always better to not be in front of his gaze or even cross paths with him.
"Hyung", said his youngest brother Lee Baek Ah, "Everything has been set up and is going as planned. The exhibition has been carefully curated, pieces set on display and even Omma's Damiwon products have been placed." He said to his brother who was staring out the window.
He was hesitant for a moment but he asked nevertheless, "Are you still looking for that girl?" At the question Jun So's attention snapped from the view outside to his younger brother who was looking at him with an expression that was enough for him to chuckle.
Jun So looked at his brother with fond affection. "Yes I am looking for her. That's the whole point of setting up a Goryeo Era exhibition, isn't it? I want to see if she would come, if she also sees what I see, what I dream." He said with a faraway look in his eyes. "It is worth a try." Baek Ah said.
Jun So has been seeing dreams, dreams so vivid and clear as if during his sleep he is actually transported to another era where things play out in front of him. Though the dreams would vary, some clear, some blur, some just dropping hints of a life that was stowed away in the past. He was initially scared when they started infiltrating his sleep all of a sudden since the past year. He didn't know the reason but they have been plaguing him everytime he falls asleep. Slowly he realised what he felt when the dreams would come to him Hope, Longing, Betrayal, Hatred and most of all Love.
He found himself willing to give into those dreams to keep seeing that one girl who would appear time and again and rob him off his peace of mind. The girl, Hae Soo, he longed for her with a fierce love that almost pained his heart. He knew something bad had happened between them but his dreams would not tell him what.
He vowed to find that girl again in this age, if possible. He wanted answers and wanted them soon enough. One year of not finding her was already killing him. He tried to use everything in his power as the CEO of the organization to find something, anything about the girl, only to return empty handed always.
"Where are you… Hae Soo?" he muttered with a faraway look in his eyes.
In another corner of the room, a middle aged man with spectacles on his face looked at Hae Soo with warm eyes.
"Hmmmm, so many eras, so many centuries. I think its time for them to finally meet. To finally be able to call this world their home. To finally put an end to the longing. Brace yourselves, your majesties. Here I come." He chuckled.
Ji Mong approaches Hae Soo with confident steps. As soon as he comes near Ha Jin turns to him. "Anneyonhaseo", Ha Jin says while giving a bow. Ji Mong is curiously looking at her to see if she is still the same Hae Soo and if she remembers things. He looks at her name tag.
"Go Ha Jin?" Ji Mong asks. "Yes, I am Go Ha Jin", she smiles. "Did you know the last name Go was Hae in the Goryeo Era?" Ji Mong asks her.
"Oh? Really? We happen to be selling makeup from the Goryeo Era. That's a fun coincidence." She replies.
"There is no such thing as coincidence. Things only return to their original place." Ji Mong utters. 'I wish you realise that its time to return to yours now', he seems to think.
"What?" mutters a confused Ha Jin.
Ji Mong takes a deep whiff of the emanating fragrance. "It smells like a lot of roses in here."
"Ah, that's because our products have a lot of rose oil in them. Especially this serum here. It's made with Bulgarian Rose Oil." She explains in full sales woman mode.
Suddenly out of nowhere, she hears a voice in her head "Bulgarian rose oil. You didn't use that, did you?" She seems confused and lost but Ji Mong has started to notice the change. He fervently prays 'Remember who you are Hae Soo'.
"Are you alright?" He asks concerned but secretly hoping that she remembers.
"It's nothing." She continues her sales pitch in a dazed mode. "It's good for your skin if you regularly use it. Oh, did you know that they had something like BB cream in the Goryeo Era. Men use it a lot these days." she says picking up a sample.
She is transported to a conversation that she feels she has had with someone before, someone special. She seems to recollect the mans face, her applying makeup to cover his scar. "You'd better prepare yourself now. I will never let you go"
Her steps falter. She holds on for support. Ji Mong merely tells her "I think you need to rest".
Her colleague comes running to her aide, "You shouldn't be here. Don't worry about it and go home. I'll take care of it."
Muttering an apology to Ji Mong, Ha Jin changes and leaves to rest. As luck would have it, she passes through the section of the exhibition that has Goryeo Era Paintings on display. Her eyes fall upon the dance first, where the princes along with the crown prince had to perform a ceremonial dance to ward off evils, then the rain ritual, jung, wook, eun. She recollects everything. As realization hits her that its not a dream, never was a dream, she immediately looks for the one she loved.
Seeing his portrait stirs in her feelings that course through her veins. Feeling of longing and sadness. She reads a brief about him; she is relieved that she was able to change history a little. As now people will not remember him as a bloody king but a wise one.
Slowly she moves to the last painting where she can see him all alone, standing in front of his palace. Her heart moans in pain and she wishes to reach out to him but all she can say is Sorry. 'I am sorry for leaving you alone. I am sorry' as she crumbles to the floor clutching herself.
Ji Mong sees the entire event hidden from her eyes. 'At last Lady Hae Soo, you finally remember. My work here is done. Now to move onto the next one', he muses.
Ji Mong goes to the floor where Jun So is. Knock, Knock. "Come in" Jun So says. "Hello Sir, I am from the HR department. I have bought you the list of employees who will be working for the exhibition. Kindly go through it. If you wish I can arrange a meeting with them for you." Ji Mong says with a mischievous smile.
"Thank you. You may leave it on the table. There is no need for any meeting." Jun So says.
"Are you sure sir? Maybe you would like to meet with the employees of Damiwon? I hear the staff are true beauties." Ji Mong says with a wink.
"I think its high time you leave my office. Don't you have work to do?" Jun So says with a glare.
"I am sorry sir. I forgot myself for a moment. But I do wish you find sometime. You never know whom you may meet, especially if its somebody whom your heart has been craving for since centuries." Ji Mong replies and exits quietly with a smirk on his face.
'What a weird fellow. I need to check who recruited him.' Jun So muses. He picks up the file and reads everybody's name and keeps it aside.
He goes back to his window to see the exhibition, but there is someone who catches his eye. A small petite girl, wearing a white dress, looking completely dejected with tears in her eyes. Her faced was covered by her hair but she was walking as though in a daze not caring about the people passing by.
She stops for a moment, looks up and tucks her hair behind her ear.
"Wait! Is that….?"
Disclaimer: I do not own Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. This is just my attempt at completing their story the way I would want it.
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