Chapter 1
"Welcome, Jia." said the man wearing a black outfit facing me, crossing his arms.
"Who?" I asked. I know that I died because of an accident. I look at the white room with an attractive man.
"Hmm, Let's just say I'm God." He answered me casually as if he just told me something natural. He smiles at me.
"Ah, but I thought I would go straight to hell," I told him earnestly and remembered all of my sins.
"You're a special case. Well, technically, you will go to hell, but I changed my mind because you asked forgiveness, and you died pitifully." He said, then stood up, strolling into a room.
The white space room where we are staying changes to a closed office room. There are a lot of record books on the tall shelves and a wooden table. I went to a wooden chair to sit and watched the good-looking man wear his reading glasses, for effect, I think. He looks ridiculous, though. A book suddenly appeared in his hands. He opened it.
"You have a nasty record, huh?." He said while moving the pages, then continued to read the blue book.
"But you regret them." He continues and gazes at me. I can't read what he's thinking.
"I caused people death." I bravely admitted. Remember the stupid decisions, I made when I was alive.
"You have tons of sins, but I can give you a chance…." He said in an intense tone. He closes the book and faces me.
"Eh?" I was confused.
"But your sins need 600 years of working for me before I can grant you a reincarnation." The black man said and looked at me.
I stare at him with awe, not trusting his words. I was about to speak, but he beats me that stop my mind to asked further stupid questions.
"I don't want to be reincarnated. I want to go back." I said in a determined voice.
I need to correct my mistakes and make sure that their love will continue-...
"You want to rewrite their fate?" The black man asked me in bewilderment.
"Hmm. You are indeed special. Most people choose reincarnation, but you wanted to go back to the past." He said, grinning at me.
"I can work for you in exchange." I absentmindedly offered it to him.
"But rewriting fate is forbidden. My dear Jia." The black man looks at me sarcastically after hearing my unreasonable request, but he continues to speak.
"But I like fun made by humans. I like how they tried to do their best to live by their choice. The stubbornness of humans in fighting their fate sometimes surprises me, and I had fun watching the results they are so desperate to achieve. I give them the freedom to choose, but that's their ticket to destiny. Do you think it's unfair? That God provides a destination but not a journey? Dear, Good or Evil. Humans are remarkable. I want to watch you stubbornly change fate. So, I agree." He smiled at me, and a suspicious smirk formed on his lips.
"But you won't be reincarnated anymore, and you only have 100 days to rewrite fate." He said in a serious tone. His eyes changed, and I felt the chill in his words, but I didn't back down.
"I don't have plans of going back as a human anyways. I'm tired of living, you know." I said as if I was an old person who experiences life to the fullest.
"You made me sad in your words, child." He dramatically whispers and acts like he is about to cry.
I rolled my eyes at him and patiently waited for his drama to end. The black man stood up again and after walking into the office room. We teleported to the Namsan Tower, where I can see the beautiful city lights in Seoul. He then speaks.
"Remember that you only have 100 days. I will give you special service since you will soon work for me." The black man said, and we teleported again to the hospital.
I was surprised that no one could see us walking in the hallway. The man stopped at the ICU door. A patient is lying on the bed. A sick child is sleeping with a tube of oxygen covering his face.
"He is Daniel. Penelope's younger brother. He needs surgery immediately, but because of your selfish wishes, he died without even having a chance to see his sister." The man said while his eyes glued to the boy.
The door opens, and the familiar figures enter the room. A beautiful girl with pale skin and delicate features sits in the chair and holds a boy's hand. Her eyes are tired, but she still smiles at the boy while telling him a story.
"Penelope Hernandez. 18, Second grade, Class A. Smart, Friendly and Soft Hearted girl. She is originally from Tennessee, South USA, but her family moved to Seoul, Korea, because of her father's business. Her mother is Korean, and her father is half American. Her younger brother had an accident that happened in kindergarten. Her father's company goes bankrupt after a bad investment. Penelope's father borrowed money from the loan shark. The dep was repeatedly harassing them, making their life more miserable. Her father committed suicide while her mother runs away, leaving her alone with her sick brother and debt. She has tons of part-time jobs, and that's how she meets you. Jia Kim, 17. Prodigy, Second grade, Class A. Spoiled brat, from a rich household and the reason for Penelope's suicide." The man in black stops talking and glances at me.
My hands were trembling as I listened to him talking. The place changed again, and we teleported to the rooftop of St. Mary's Hospital.
I am about to sit on the bench with my hands still trembling, but I lost the strength of my legs, and I fell to the ground. My whole body is sore, and it's harrowing inside my chest like something is squeezing my heart. I felt suffocated, and a successive cough followed. I tried to gasp for air to lessen the soreness, but my whole body shook from pain while sweating a lot. There's a scorching heat in my heart that makes my entire body tremble. I look at the black man with tears in my eyes, begging him to save me from this hell, but all I can see are unemotional cold eyes. He towered over me and spoke in a very chilling voice.
"You will feel that pain from time to time as compensation for your sins." The man in black told me, staring at me ruthlessly. He lifted his hand, and the pain in my chest vanished like magic. I stare at him indifferently. I was resentful to him for not healing me quickly and just watching me suffer.
"You need to experience the pain first hand for you to get used to it. You can feel the pain every two days, and it will last for two minutes. But I'm not that heartless boss. I could lessen your pain for a minute. You have to survive the pain because that will be the reminder of your sin." The black man coldly told me and annoyingly smirked at my pitiful condition.
"Change your gear. Let's go to the next person." He clicks his fingers, and the place changes again. We're in a formal restaurant, and a family appeared in front of us."Yejun/ David Lee. 18, Second grade, Class A. Clever, Sharp, Talented and Handsome son of a business tycoon. Your dark plan was to bankrupt Penelope's family business using Yejun's parents. To separate them, you made her father agree to a lousy investment and caused it collateral damage. You cleverly plan it so that the result was all Penelope's father's fault. Yejun and Penelope met in the US, but they lost communication when Penelope's family moved to Seoul. Yejun met you at the formal dinner and got interested in him because of your parent's enthusiasm for his talent. Yejun dislikes your arrogant attitude, and he made it clear that he hates your guts. Your pride can't accept rejection and felt humiliation. You plan revenge. Upon determining Yejun's downfall, you met Penelope. You learn his weakness and target Penelope for your wicked scheme. You successfully ruined it by spreading nasty humor that made Penelope drop out of school, and even she was already expelled, the harassment didn't stop. You made her quit her job and isolate her. Yejun is planning to help Penelope, but you made it look like it was his fault that her life got ruined. You controlled their fate and manipulated them. Penelope killed herself in front of Yejun, and that incident lost his mind. He learned that it was all your doing with the support of his family. He can't handle the truth, and he killed himself." The black man stops again from talking to check on me. He continued speaking after seeing me flustered.
"Jia Kim did not love Yejun and just wanted revenge. Your evilness is giving me goosebumps, my dear Jia." He said and looked at my face. My heart skipped a beat because of the guilt I inflicted on Yejun.
The black man clicked his hand again, and our location changed. We're in the spacious living room. There's a huge chandelier at the center of the room. The man in black walks in and sits on the black sofa, and crosses his legs. I followed him and sat down voluntarily next to his side. I'm used to extravagant house structures, and this place isn't new to me anymore. I see him smirk, and a brown paper suddenly pops out in the air.
"You just need to sign a contract with me." He said and showed me an old piece of paper with bold font. I see my name engraved in the letter.
"Oh, before I forget, call me Haru, not a black man. I feel the distance between us if you keep calling me that." He mumbled and winked at me.
I ignored him and quickly got the pen. I signed the contract without even reading it. His brow raised, and an amused grin showed on his face.
"The contract is valid as of now. Your soul is mine, and you're going to work for me. It's a pity that you didn't even check the contract while I was expecting you to demand more, but looking at your enthusiasm in signing a contract with me makes me blush. Congratulations Jia." I facepalm when he forcefully shakes my hand. After letting go of my hand, his aura changed, and his smile vanished.
"Your 100 days will start now. If you're having a hard time, call me on this phone. I am available 24/7 but just like normal customer service. I also have breaks and can't attend to you unless it's an emergency. You have to remember that you are no longer a human. Your sickness will come every 48 hours. Now, My last gift to you as your kind employer."
A white light illuminated the whole room. I close my eyes because of the blinding light, and when I open it. I am already in the classroom. In the standard room, I bullied Penelope. The bell rings as a signal that class is about to start. I saw Penelope sitting beside me, and she's writing in her notebook. In the past, I stole her notebook and read it to the class. I humiliated her, and the bankruptcy of her family business and debts from loan sharks spread in school. I sighed and remembered the incident when Penelope's younger brother got in an accident. I need to think of something that will help her brother to survive."Jia!" a sudden call of my name from Yumi.
End of chapter 1.Chapter 2"Yumi!" I hug her tightly. I cried in her arms, making a minor stir in the class. The people are weird looking at me, and some are mumbling about why I am crying. The teacher glances at Yomi and me before entering the room."Jia, what happened?" Yumi tapped my back and worriedly asked me.Our teacher told Yumi to send me to the clinic. She also asked why I was crying, but I didn't answer her. My crying face is a mess. I told our teacher that I am fine and smiled faintly, then entered the room. Yumi also goes with me and sits in her chair, still looking at me worriedly. I nodded at her and went back to my chair.My tears didn't stop, and I kept wiping them with my hands. A white handkerchief suddenly appeared near my face, and I saw Penelope expanding her arm to give it."Thank you." I bow to her after accepting the handkerchief. I use it to wipe my tears.The teacher only gives us an assignment because
Chapter 3My eyes are hurting and I purposely went to the school clinic to borrow a cold compress for my eyes. I see the nurse and tell her my needs while she's kind enough to give me a cold compress. I lie down on the bed with my eyes closed. Yumi is already in the classroom. She told me to go to the infirmary to treat my wounds. I obeyed her and got treated by the nurse. She also patched my wounds. I close my eyes and try to relax. I didn't intend to but I fell asleep after lying on the bed.I open my eyes and it's already sunset. I skip classes. I heard the bell and I plan to go to the kindergarten Haru told me about before. It was the school where Daniel, Penelope's brother, is attending. I need to make sure that his brother will survive the accident.I hurriedly left the infirmary and went to the classroom to get my bag. I see the students preparing to go home. I saw Yumi who was taking my bag. I went to her and she smiled when she saw me.<
Chapter 4Yejun softly patted my back and worriedly looked at me. After a minute, the pain is gone, but I'm still annoyed at Haru's false information. I need to call him later because of the abnormality I experienced. I removed the paper bag from my face and looked at Yejun that was near me."I'm sorry, and Thank you," I said and moved a distance away from him."You always apologize. It's new to see you say thank you." He said and cracked a smile."Ah, I-I..." I can't find the right words to say, so I close my mouth again. I stood up and awkwardly faced him."Thank you. Goodbye." I bow at him and am about to walk, but he stops me. He grabbed my pulse, making me halt from moving."Let's wait for Penelope. I will send you two home." Yejun said and gripped my pulse. It hurt me, but I didn't say a word. I just nodded at him.Yejun went inside the convenience store while dragging me with him. He let go of my h
Chapter 5"What did I just see?" Haru asked me after a while. He drove his car, and we went near the Han River."What?" I asked him, confused."Why is Yejun running after you?" He said and gave me a paper bag. I checked it out and saw a new polo shirt."Eh? Because I accidentally carried his vest?" I said and checked out the clothes that he gave to me."You stupid." He scolded me and shook his head."I like this! Why did you buy me clothes?" I asked him excitedly."Tss. I can't just let you go home with this blood. You idiot!" I frown after looking at him. I gritted my teeth after hearing him calling me stupid many times."What is your problem?!" I shouted at him. I wanted to cry because I feel like I'm doing something terrible, and my efforts are all wasted. I glared at him."Woahhh. Hush there, sweetheart. Calm down. I'm sorry, okay?. I didn't know that you're sensitive today." He said while both his hands were in the
Chapter 6I woke up because of the alarm from my phone. I rise from bed even though I’m still sleepy. Today is the day where I will look for craft shops that I can add to my study. I also wanted to ask Penelope so that she could offer her father's business. Now that I think about it, Penelope doesn't need to have a job because her family has a company, but I don’t have any idea of her lifestyle before. There are many things to do, but I only have limited time, so I need to move even though my body and mind like rest.I yawned and rushed to shower and wear my new uniform. I plan to eat breakfast today, so check my bag and make sure that my gift to Yumi is inside. I leave my room and go to the dining room to eat.The servant was shocked when she saw me sit in the dining area. There's food on the table, and I quietly eat it alone. I finished my food without talking, and I saw her wide eyes after making sure that I didn’t say any nasty remark
Chapter 7The library is empty. There's one receptionist at the entrance who smiled at me after I entered the room.I went to the shelves and saw a book with the title Master of Korean Tradition. I opened it and saw photos depicting step-by-step knot instructions. I checked it out and found out that the book only has common designs. I checked another book and many of the designs are for making traditional Korean ornaments. I learned by reading them and plan to create a picture in my head.The books are quickly filling up on the table after I decided to make notes for every helpful information. I really need to quickly start it but I have no time to do it since I only have 99 days left. I sighed thinking I have so much work and I need someone else's help. A forbidden image comes out in my head but I quickly erase it. He offered help but it's not time yet for him to get involved. I plan to ask for Haru's help instead and with that thought, I quickly co
Chapter 8"Yumi, Are you busy today?" I asked, looking at her while we're at the music club. I just recently submitted a form to join here and Yumi is an old member. Even before she told me to participate in this club but I always refused her. It's also my chance to watch for Yejun and Penelope.I sat at the piano chair while Yumi was beside me playing. She shifted her head and looked at me."I'm not busy after this." She said and we looked at the door that opened.Na Hyuk enters the room and surveys the area. He saw Yumi and me at the piano and he stayed his gaze at me."Na Hyuk, I've been waiting for you," Yumi said and gave the paper to Na Hyuk.He frowns after checking the paper that serves as my application for joining the club. Then he looks at me. I awkwardly cling my arms to Yumi and turn my gaze to the Music club president.Na Hyuk is a very serious person. He is tall with a deep set of black eye
Chapter 9We stayed silent after, and I focused on reading the schedule, but my phone suddenly rang. I checked my phone and saw the number of my parents' secretary Ms. Shin. I answered the call while massaging my temple."Ms. Jia?" A voice of a woman from the other line."Hello, Ms. Shin." I greeted her"Are you home?" She asked in a polite voice."Uhm. Not yet. I'm still in school." I said to her, trying to sound calm."I understand. Your parents will be back tonight, and they want to have dinner with you." She said in a formal tone in addressing my parents."Alright. I will be home before dinner." I said and was about to end the call, but I waited for her reply.Ms. Shin is my parents' witty secretary. She handles most of the transactions and meetings of the CEO, and she's excellent in her job. In the past, I'm not aware of her presence and not interested in her, but she was mostly the pers
Chapter 23"Are you alright?" Yejun touches my right cheek while asking me. I cringed because of the coldness of his hand."Y-yeah." I retorted."That bastard Seohyun! If only I knew that he would do this, I might have ended him a long time ago!" Juno growled. His eyes are piercing while scanning me, maybe because I look beat up."Mr. Choi, you need to go to the doctor," I said in concern. I turned my attention to him while Yejun was still looking at me."Let's go to the Doctor, Miss Jia." Mr. Choi was worried about me, so I quickly nodded my head to him."Thank you for saving us." I glance at Yejun. He didn't answer me. Instead, he kept his eyes on me.Mr. Choi started to walk to the elevator while Yejun and Juno were following us. There's a silence in the air aside from Juno's babbling from time to time.We reached the second floor, and Mr. Choi quickly guided me to the doctor's room while Juno and Yejun waited outside."Ms. Kim. You've frequently been visiting me," says Doctor Yeon
Chapter 22Today is the day where we will visit Penelope's brother Daniel. I have no news for his father yet, and he seems quiet these days. Yesterday, all of the club members had a meeting about the club's activity next week. We need to visit an orphanage that Na Hyuk suggested. We have a plan to hold a mini-concert.I'm not into it, but I need to fulfill my responsibility as a music club member. We plan it briefly, but nothing is final yet. I'm an extra and new here. So, they mainly distributed their parts according to what they used to do. I'm guessing that they don't know where they will put me. Yejun and Penelope are our vocals, while Juno, Hyuk, and Yumi will play instruments. Yumi will also have a solo performance playing the piano. While Penelope has a solo aside from her duet with Yejun, she also proposes to play the guitar.I don't mind what kind of performance I will do, but Yumi suggested that I sing while playing the piano. I'm confident, but I'm not entirely enthusiastic
Chapter 21I made it home after that. Except for Haru and Mr. Choi, no one knew that I almost died and slept half a day in a hospital. Today, I have school, and I plan to come since people have been looking for me since yesterday. I'm glad that Yumi didn't find out what I have been through to that day.Everything was set when I left my room and went down to eat breakfast. The cook did not speak, but she made me a portion of healthy, nutritious food. It is awkward for me, but I don't mind this kind of act. Mr. Choi must be worried; I could tell the cook's eyes that she is curious yet worried for my being.After eating, I thanked her for the delicious food. I saw her smile. I went to the door to walk to the gate and found Mr. Choi waiting for me. I get in the car and put on a blue scarf because I feel the sudden chills. I will take it out later after I reach school. The campus is weirdly quiet when I walk in the hallway. Students were loitering, but everything seemed normal. I went to
Chapter 20Yejun sat beside Na Hyuk with his stern face. I know that he's confused, but I'm not sure if he knows that Seohyun was using him. I remember him as a close acquaintance of Yejun. He was also part of the art club, which was also a member of Yejun. I met him in the past after he offered me a deal for Penelope's information. Even if I was trash before, that guy was the worst. He was pleased that Penelope was getting bullied. He said that Penelope is a work of art that every time she was suffering, the more beautiful she became. I don't even understand myself, but I agree to work with him. Now, the feeling of disgust is making my throat dry."Tell me everything, Kim Jia." I heard Yejun's warning. My heart started to beat faster, and the familiar pain was growing inside my chest. His eyes are like daggers to me. I try to show a fake smirk and sip my coffee, persuading myself to withstand the unbearable heat. I tightly hold my drink and daringly look at Yejun."Why do you think y
Chapter 19Days have passed, and I can't get the timing to talk with Na Hyuk. I look at his way. He was busy on his computer. There's a serious expression on his face and a distant aura that tells you not to approach him, but I don't care about that. I have an essential thing to say, and I can't just tell him about the spy recording here because I'm not sure if the culprit installed another spy device in this room."Mr. Na Hyuk..." I called his name. His attention is still on the screen of the computer, but he answers me. "Hm?" I heard him, but I didn't speak. I stare at him, and I believe that he isn't that oblivious to ignore me."What is it?" Na Hyuk finally met my eyes. I grin after an idea pops out in my head. You spy! Let me test you for a sec. "Let's go on a date. Are you free tomorrow?" I asked him shamelessly. Tomorrow is a holiday, and the timing is good. "What?" Na Hyuk is taken aback. His eyes blink, then frown. He looks at me with a different vibe. "I will text you th
Chapter 18It's been three days since I argued with Haru. I texted him to apologize, but I didn't receive any reply. That day Juno accompanied me until sunset. We spend our day talking about trivial things, and Juno is unexpectedly humorous. Classes resume, and next week is the second semester's first periodical exam. Many students, especially seniors, are cramping because of graduation. I feel content watching their tension. However, I'm still in a rush. In three days, Nothing major happened, and I became more anxious that way. I, unfortunately, got close to Juno, and I can now sometimes ask him for an errand. He is surprisingly good with everything except for his personality. Juno will be perfect. I also offered to work for me officially. I plan to sign him a contract one of these days. "Jia! Help me with this music sheet." Juno brags in our class, and my head literally goes to him. "What?" I got startled because he suddenly went to my desk and put a piece of paper in front of me
Chapter 17 "Hi. I like two slices of cheesecake, one latte, and watermelon juice." I ordered, my eyes were sparkling because of the food. "Can you please add one espresso?" I looked at the voice on my back and found out Haru. He seems fresh with his outfits that are a mix of plain T-shirts, flannels, and denim jeans. It's my first time seeing him not wearing a black outfit. "Haru! You scare me." I greeted him. Many of the customers turned their heads to us, and most of them were girls. Haru is good-looking with his boy-next-door fashion. I agree while checking his wholesome model-like posture. "How are you, dear?" He smiled at me and patted my head. "Join us today. I'm with Yumi." I said. Haru is paying for our food. I got used to him paying for me. I let him bring our order and lead the way to Yumi. "I'm back." I said while smiling. Yumi's eyes widened when she saw Haru with me. I told him to sit beside me. "Haru, this is my best friend, Yumi Chen. Yumi, my cousin Haru."
Chapter 16“Hello?” I answered the call from Yumi. She’s been calling me a few times, but I didn’t answer her because of the spy device. I’m already in the lobby. I tried to book a taxi, but Yumi’s call kept popping out on my phone, so I answered her call.“Where are you, Kim Jia?!” Yumi’s voice thundered in my ear. I got startled and pulled the phone away from my face.“Aww. You surprised me, Yumi!” I stop walking and stand at the entrance shed of the school building.“Why are you so late? Everyone’s already here.” Yumi scolded me and didn’t even lower her voice.&ldq
Chapter 15I rushed to the door and saw that Mr. Choi was already waiting for me at the gate. He bows at me, and I greeted him while hearing my phone beep with consecutive notifications from our group.I ignore it and open a file with the record of the workshop studios I will be going to today. There's the Samcheong-dong where I originally planned to check because the attached pictures are just suitable for the workshop I'm planning to open up. Mr. Choi is reliable, and I entrust the management and other niceties in the shop, but before I think of anything, I might first purchase a place.The distance is only 1.3 miles from Seoul, and I prepare it nearby. I spent my time checking the other places, but the location was far more than I thought.<