Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊

Chapter 9

A figure stepped out of the dark shadow stepped into view under the street lights. He was a young man with high features. Mike could clearly see him now; he looked human.

he figure managed a faint smile as he stood there long enough for Mike to realize that he was able to see Mike.

“You’ve been looking for me?” Mike asked.

“Who are you?”The figure stopped to think for a second. He glanced up towards the dark gloomy sky and looked back into the confused eyes of Mike.

He stood tall and stiff, with spiked hair and a diamond earring to complete the whole youth look.

“You know you’re dead right?” he asked.

“And you don’t know where to go or what to do, right?”

“Where are you getting at? I’m dead but I’m not stupid,” Mike replied back.

“Have you ever heard of...guardian angels?” he asked.

“I don’t believe in them,” Mike replied.

Neither man moved from their positions. The figure thought for a moment to choose the right words to explain. This was always the hardest part of his job.

“How about Angels of Death?” the man asked again.

“I don’t know. Who are you?” Mike asked tilting his head to the side.

“Name’s Joo Min Gyu, call me Brian. I’ll be your tour guide for this session.”

“What?” Mike asked in deliberate shock.

“Yes, I’m supposed to help you through this, but I couldn’t find you until now. I know Li Ann has agreed to help you, but there are some things you must understand,” Brian said thoughtfully.

“You’re supposed to help me?” Mike asked. He let out a small laugh, then regain composure and erased his smile.

“What do I need to understand? I’m obviously dead.”

“Li Ann cannot help you,” Brian replied seriously.

There was fog coming out of his breath as he spoke due to the cold weather. Mike glared at him and instantly didn’t like Brian.

“Well, we’ll just have to see about that,” Mike said as he turned and walked away. Brian sighed, then followed.

The busy street cars passed by with their rumbling engine sounds dropping streams of smoke a long the way making Brian choke.

“Look Mike, why don’t you just come with me alright?” Brian said as he tried to compromise with Mike.

Mike ignored him and kept on walking.

“You can’t force Li Ann to help you. It’s not part of the–...”

“Part of the what?” Mike interrupted.

“The system?!”

“Exactly,” Brian answered. Mike walked away from Brian again.

He walked faster to get away from Brian. He headed towards Li Ann’s house. Brian stopped following Mike. He knew Mike would be like this.

Many of the people he had to watch over before was as hard-headed and stubborn as Mike, but Mike was more determined.

Li Ann stood outside her door as Andy followed behind. She nervously bowed her head down to say goodnight, but instead of bidding her goodnight, he moved in closer to her.

He leaned his hand on the door to hold himself up closer to her. She moved all the way back until her back pressed upon the door. Her heart was pounding so fast and so loud she felt her cheeks burn as Andy smiled.

He knew the feeling he was provoking in her and was easily amused. This was all too easy. Li Ann would fall into his lure just as any other women had. Mike looked up and realized he was near her house.

He’d kept his head hung low all this time and didn’t realize where he was headed. He glanced up and saw Andy’s car, parked in the driveway, and a few feet across from that was Andy, moving in on Li Ann.

Mike took his time to walk up to Andy and Li Ann. Li Ann hadn’t notice Mike coming up behind Andy.

“How about another date?” Andy asked playing with the tip of her hair strand.

“Uh...okay...” Li Ann stuttered as she blinked.

Andy smiled and leaned his head in for a kiss. Li Ann squeezed her eyes shut. Mike wanted to laugh at how nervous she was. This must’ve been her first kiss perhaps, but she seemed terrified. Mike felt pity for her, so decided to step in for her.

Andy closed his eyes ready to press his lips upon Li Ann’s, but Mike walked around Andy and placed his hand right between then. Mike’s palm was against her soft lips, and Andy kissed the back of his hand instead.

Mike wanted to remove his hand disgusted, but he remained still until Andy stepped back. Li Ann opened her eyes and saw Mike standing there next to her, wiping the back of his hand on his jacket.

She realized that Andy didn’t see Mike, so was more relieved. Not wanting to seem crazy, she refused to say anything to Mike.

“Your lips...are so cold,” Andy commented, but then smiled to cover it up anyway.

“Oh...” Li Ann touched her lips. To her, it was Andy who had cold lips.

“Good night Li Ann, I’ll call you,” Andy said as he walked back to his car. She fumbled for her keys as she shot Mike a cold glare.

Opening the door, she waved goodbye to Andy and walked in.

“Had fun?” Mike asked from behind her. Li Ann jumped as she was putting her coat into the closet.

“Do you always have to come up from behind me and scare me like that?” she asked annoyed.

“I’m not trying to scare you,” Mike defended.

“Whatever, I’m off to bed,” Li Ann said in a tired way. She climbed the stairs to her room and ran into Calida.

“Hey Li Ann,” Calida smiled as she saw Li Ann.

“Calida? What are you still doing over here?” Li Ann asked looking at Calida, who was wearing Dongwan’s jersey. Calida blushed.

“I’m staying over with Dongwan,” Calida said as she rushed passed Li Ann into the restroom. Li Ann glared at Dongwan’s door, but ignored him and walked right to her room.

“You really like this Andy guy?” Mike asked from out of nowhere as she entered her room. Li Ann turned around and looked at him angrily.

“Hey! I’m sorry okay. It’s not my fault I just come from behind you and scare you,” Mike said throwing his hands in the air to surrender.

“Yes, I like this Andy guy,” Li Ann replied mocking Mike.

“He’s not a good guy,” Mike said bluntly.

“What?” Li Ann asked astounded. He continued the game in silence. She could tell he did not want to speak of this, but she kept the conversation going, because the pauses became filled with an acute expectation that unnerved her.

“Why do you say that?”

“I’m just saying, ya know,” Mike shrugged.

How would he put this into words to describe what he meant to tell her.

“Just tell me Mike. If you’re my friend, then you’ll tell me right?” Li Ann asked suddenly interested in what Mike had to say.

“Since when am I your friend?” Mike asked surprised.

“Well, since I am helping you, I just though I was considered your friend,” Li Ann said crossing her arms.

“I’m just kidding,” Mike smiled.

“Now, about Andy?” Li Ann asked again denying Mike’s attempt to change the subject. “He’s a corrupt company owner. Many people despises him and he has already started problems again with a band of thieves that had been harassing the area.

Basically, he’s just not a good person, and since you are my friend, I’m warning you,” Mike explained.

“Oh really?” Li Ann raised her eyebrows.

“Well, I don’t care,” she lied trying to stand up to Mike.

“Suit yourself,” Mike shrugged.

“He’s also a big time player.”

“Oh please, if he was a player, then why would he be such a sweet and charming man like he is?”

“Don’t you think he’s only doing that to get to you?” Mike replied. Li Ann looked at him frustrated, then decided not to argue with him any longer. She had only known him for four days and already is starting to argue with him over pointless things.

The next day, Li Ann and Mike took the same route to Mike’s house. Li Ann was fully dressed for her work already, but Mike guessed it was just in case she would run into Andy, that she would want to look good.

Li Ann stood in front of the house and looked at Mike. He nodded and encouraged her to continue. She sighed, then knocked on the door. A few minutes later, the door opened. Ji Yun looked down at Li Ann with dark eyes and then down her suit.

She didn’t seem to remember Li Ann from the other day. Li Ann brushed her hair back and tried to not stutter while speaking.

“Hi, um, do you remember me? The girl from the other day? The one you called a freak?” Li Ann asked trying to make Ji Yun remember.

Mike smacked his head at how stupid the situation was turning to. Li Ann was approaching his wife in the dumbest way she could think of. Ji Yun just looked at Li Ann blankly.

“What do you want?” Ji Yun finally spoke.

Her voice was as sharp as a metal scrape and her eyes pierced into Li Ann’s. Li Ann shuddered as she tried to speak again.

“I’m here to talk to you about your husband, Lee Mike’s corporation, it’s important,”

Li Ann said. She felt a bit relieved after her intro sentence.

“Come in,” Ji Yun said as she opened the door wider, allowing Li Ann to enter. The house was already remodeled. Mike couldn’t even recognize it as his own house.

Instead of white window curtains, and white carpet, the curtains had been changed to dark purple, and the carpet was black. The couches had been replaced with leather sofas. Everything was changed.

“What is it that you want?” Ji Yun asked with a bit of a rush in her voice.

“Um, I...well, it’s kind of complicated to explain. You see, after your husband died, he hung around, me, and he asked me to come explain to you that he doesn’t want you to sell the corporation to Shin Hyesung,” Li Ann said.

In between her words, she would catch a glance at Mike to be sure she was telling the right thing.

“What makes you think I will believe you?” Ji Yun smirked. She crossed her arms and pressed her lips together, with her eyebrows raised. Mike looked on.

“What do you want me to do? I mean, I’m just telling you the truth, you don’t have to believe me,” Li Ann replied cooly.

Mike pinched her arm. Li Ann jumped startled and shot Mike a dead glare. Mike bit his lips and motioned for Li Ann to keep talking.

He didn’t realize that even if he had talked, Ji Yun would have never heard anyway.

“I know what you want. If I give you some money, would you leave me in peace? You’re not the only one who comes up here with all kinds of bullshit,” Ji Yun said as she rolled her eyes sarcastically.

“Hey! I’m not doing this for money!” Li Ann protested. She hated when people looked down upon her like that. Li Ann had to stand up for her self-respect and dignity.

“Ji Yun, listen to her,” Mike pleaded as he came near his wife. Ji Yun walked over to Li Ann and looked at her like she was a piece of throw away trash.

“Listen, I know you’re just one of my husband’s ex-bitches, and you’re just too #### jealous that I married him instead of you, so you can just leave now,” Ji Yun spoke teasingly. She was getting on Li Ann’s last nerves.

If Mike hadn’t been beside Ji Yun warning her, she would have jumped in front of Ji Yun and choked her. Li Ann glared at Ji Yun and took a deep breath.

“Fine. Mike, you’re on your own,” Li Ann said as she picked her purse up higher on her shoulder, then with one swift turn, she walked right out. Li Ann started walking faster and faster down the hill that Mike lived on, angry and pissed off.

She didn’t want to be humiliated like that. Her brother and herself had been in many situations like this before, ever since their parents had died.

“Ji Yun...I can’t believe you would say such things,” Mike said in a sad tormented tone as he looked at her with sorrowful eyes.

She was different. Just as the interior of the house had changed, so has she. He took a moment to recollect himself, then took at long look at her.

She sat down on the leather sofa and cuddled a pillow to herself. No matter how harsh she had been to Li Ann, Mike thought that she only said it because she was scared and defenseless. Certainly she was still his angel Ji Yun.

But he had to follow Li Ann. She was the only one who could help him. Mike ran downhill to look for Li Ann. He stopped by the bus stop as he saw her, waiting for a bus. She kept glancing at her watch. She’d notice him coming towards her, but ignored him.

She was too angry to even speak to him. Mike slowly walked up beside her and stood still. He faced the direction of the street as if he was waiting for the bus, too. He knew that she was mad, so he decided to wait to talk to her.

The bus came, and they both entered. Li Ann found a seat in the back rows. Mike sat down next to her and they rode down to her work place in silence. He shifted a bit, then watched her again with that unsettling gaze.

The afternoon sunlight had dropped down on her long strands of hair, enlightening the once light blond steaks that is now covered by brown highlights. Her soft petal colored cheekbones and her glossed lips matched her brown eyes.

Mike noticed her, again. He smiled then looked away. Too bad he was married. He thought about if he hadn’t married and died, Li Ann wasn’t a bad choice to go after. They arrived at her workplace and Li Ann walked into her office, not inviting Mike. He came anyway. The office had been clean from yesterday.

Li Ann made a quick phone call to a patient, then started filing away more papers.

“Still mad?” Mike asked from his where he sat. He was near slouching down and dying of boredom.

“Yes,” Li Ann answered not looking at him. She kept herself busy still. She had lied to him. She thought that she would have felt more angrier than she had before, but this really didn’t affect her as she thought it would.

The connection was always a possibility when she cared for the dying, or now the dead, but this had been more immediate than ever before. And now this. Different. Stronger. Somehow even dangerous. He wanted something more. She could feel his spirit stretching toward her to break the silence and tension building up.

Li Ann tried to ignore Mike further into the working day. His eyes seemed to trace her every step.Li Ann and Mike arrived home later than usual, but it had not grown dark yet. Andy called and said he would be coming over.

Li Ann asked him if he would like to stay for dinner, and Andy agreed. Li Ann set to work immediately in the kitchen before Andy would arrive. Mike leaned upon the wall near the kitchen to watch her work.

He hadn’t spoken to her all the way from her work place to her home.

“You two aren’t even married yet, and you’re already feeding him?” Mike teased as he stood there with a remarkable amused face crossing his arms.

“No, I’m making dinner for us,” Li Ann rolled her eyes sarcastically.

“Makes sense,” Mike laughed. His wonderful eyes sparkled. He smiled slowly.

“I think,” he continued, “that you do not know what you are talking about.” She felt intimidated and trapped by his attention.

An exhilarating sensation shot through her. She shook her attention away to focus on the cooking. A power emanated from him. Her won will and strength retreated from it, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. She took a deep sigh as she chopped carrots.

“You know Li Ann, you look very pretty when you’re angry,” Mike complimented out of nowhere to brighten up the mood. Li Ann raised one eyebrow to look at him. She didn’t seem to be buying his line.

“I’m sure that’s what Andy sees in you as well,” he continued.

“I wouldn’t mind if he got lost. Makes more room for me,” Mike teased.

“Don’t forget that you’re a married man. A dead one too might I add,” Li Ann shot back as she ignored him and continued her chopping from behind the counter where she stood. Mike laughed.

“Like that’ll change anything. If I wanted to, I’d rip off your clothes right now and drag you upstairs,” Mike said with a playful grin. She somehow did not find that as funny as Mike. She slowly walked around the counter, with her knife in her hand and walked up to Mike.

He gulped and suddenly stood up straight, still with a silly grin. She smiled back, a sexy smile, then placed the knife, in an inward position, in front of his heart.

“Need me to permanently remind you?” she asked, pushing the knife closer to his chest. The tip of the sharp blade was on the edge of his shirt. Mike’s smile faded as he looked into her eyes. Her eyes burned with a soft evangelic glare.

Mike moved in closer. She stood still. The tip of the blade pressed closer now against his chest. It was as if he was tempting her. She began to feel defeated.

“Go ahead, I’m already dead,” Mike smiled slyly. Li Ann stared into his deep eyes.

They were sparkling with a black fire. She gently extricated her hand and removed the blade away from his chest.

“Perhaps next time,” she said as she walked away, feeling strange and shaky. She was not insulted, just surprised.

She could tell that he was watching her.

That confused her.

Had she misunderstood?

She had forced her self to acknowledge what had passed between then, and stepped away.

A moment of silence passed again, followed by a sudden door bell ring.

It was Andy.

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[To be Cont]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊


Chapter 8





Across the room back and forth Li Ann paced in a hurry to get ready for her date with Andy. Mike sat down near her desk and stared in an amused way.

She had quickly showered, changed, and glamour her way all the way through until the last needed part was fulfilled to complete her look for the night.

Li Ann brushed her hair aside to put on her diamond earrings, which Mike found very stunning on her. Li Ann smiled when he complimented. A bell was rung from the front door. Li Ann rushed out of her room to get the door downstairs.

Dongwan stepped out of his room to get the door also.

“Oppa, I got it,” Li Ann said quickly passing her brother.
Dongwan stared at Li Ann in a weird way, and then returned to his room.

“Andy!” Li Ann nearly shouted as he turned around. Li Ann had swung the door open.
Andy stood there with a single red rose in his hand, long with stem, leaves, and thorn.

“Wow, Miss Kim, you look beautiful,” Andy complimented handing her the rose.

Li Ann felt her cheeks redden, but quickly hid it by welcoming him in. She led him to the living room to sit down. Andy looked quickly around the two story house and sat down.

Mike made his way downstairs and leaned on the side of the wall next to the stairs to over look what they were doing.

A minute later, Li Ann came out into the living room with her purse and coat. She and Andy left the house and drove off to a restaurant, with Mike, in the backseat.

Li Ann had totally forgotten about Mike, again. The soon darkened sky glistened with velvet stars as Li Ann and Andy entered into a fancy restaurant filled with early diners and red cushion seats.

The tables were low to the waist, and the sitting seats were like little couches to suit two people on each side.

Li Ann nervously stood by Andy’s side as Andy did his usual greetings of all the waitresses working there, who gave Li Ann a jealous stare. She shrugged it off and followed Andy to a table in the far back corner, where the lights are dimmer, and the room a lot quietly.

Only a few people sat around there. They sat next to the glass pane that allowed access and full view of the night that was filled with thick clouds shadowing from the full moon.

The city lights and busy street cars ringed from down below. Li Ann guessed the restaurant was a few floors. It was one of those really lavished and expensive restaurants.

“So Li Ann, how do you like this place?” Andy asked as he made himself comfortable across from Li Ann. Mike sat in the table alone behind Li Ann, so she wouldn’t see him.

“It’s nice Andy,” Li Ann replied looking down at the small candle in front of her that sat in the middle of the dark brown table.

“It’s not as lovely as you,” Andy complimented. Li Ann blushed away a bit embarrassed. She wasn’t so used to people complimenting her two times in a row.

Andy sensed her not being very comfortable with the subject and decided to back off. Mike paid a close ear just to hear what they were saying.

“Andy...you’re too kind,” Li Ann tried to compliment back. She didn’t really know how to start a descent enough conversation with her.

“Do you come here a lot?” Li Ann asked. Andy looked up and smiled. He shook his head. The slowly piano music played from the far end of the room, barely reaching them.

“He comes here with every girl he takes out,” Mike mumbled to himself.

“Have you ever been here?” Andy asked. Li Ann smiled back and shook her head. The waitress walked up to them and handed them both menus.

Li Ann looked at the menu, and was completely lost. Crab and green bean paste was not on her mind.

“I’ll have the usual,” Andy said handing the waitress back the menu. Li Ann was too busy looking through the menu to notice Andy’s wink at the young waitress.

She smiled back shyly and nodded. Li Ann looked up and replied she’ll have the same thing as Andy.By the time Andy and Li Ann finished their meal, Mike was nearly asleep in his seat.

Andy reached his hand over and touched hers. Li Ann’s body twinged as she slightly moved her hand back. She smiled back embarrassed and looked away.

Andy reached for her hand again and began to stroke her lean fingers.

“So...Li Ann...What do you look for in a guy?” Andy asked slyly. Li Ann swallowed and tried to think for an answer.

Mike turned his head to glare at them, and his eyes narrowed on where Andy’s hand was. His expression and mood changed suddenly when he saw their eyes in a trance together.

He saw how Andy was luring her into his trap. Mike slowly stood up and walked around his seat to Li Ann. He sat down next to her. Li Ann looked at Mike, then quickly back to Andy. Andy didn’t seem to notice Mike at all.

He kept his eyes on Li Ann and his smile constant. Li Ann wanted desperately for Mike to go way, but Mike just smiled back tauntingly and sat still.

“What’s wrong?” Andy asked with worried eyes.

“Uh, nothing...” Li Ann said quickly turning back to Andy.

Andy smiled again and touched her hand further up. Mike leaned his chin on his palms as he leaned forward and looked mischievous. Li Ann’s heart paced as she tried desperately to get rid of Mike.

Andy lifted the red wine glass up to lips to drink when Mike scooted closer to Li Ann. She tried to scoot away, but he was so close to her she could feel his breath easily flowing out of him. Mike leaned in, like he was going kiss her.

She leaned back the opposite direction trying her best not to say anything unusual or disturb Andy. Mike suddenly stopped halfway near her, and instead of kissing her, his hand reached for her fork.

Li Ann’s eyes widened as she suddenly grabbed the fork out of his hand. Andy settled the glass down and looked at her. Li Ann offered a small smile and suddenly glared back at Mike as she stuck her fork down into her salad.

Mike sat back in his original position, allowing her to straighten out and sit normally. His next move was predictive as he wanted to tip Andy’s red wine glass over to cause a disastrous spill.

Li Ann’s hand suddenly tightened around Mike’s other wrist, which was below the table where Andy didn’t see. Mike stopped his quest and looked back at her disappointed.

“Excuse me, Andy, I have to go to the ladies room,” Li Ann stuttered as she stood up quickly dropping Mike’s wrist.

She motioned for Mike to follow her. He did with a smirk as he followed her into the ladies room.

“Mike! What are you doing?!” Li Ann demanded angrily.

“Nothing,” Mike replied defensively.

“Uh huh,” Li Ann crossed her arms angrily and glared at him.

“Can you leave me alone? Please?!” she asked not being funny at all. Mike’s smile faded as he slowly agreed. Li Ann walked back out of the ladies room looking behind her to see Mike walk out of the restaurant.

She was somewhat relieved when she saw that Mike was soon gone. She sat down in front of Andy, who was now on his cell phone. She decided to keep quiet and wait for him to finish up. Mike walked along the lonely dark street trying to find his way back to God knows where.

He tucked his hands in his pockets and kicked a stone that rolled in front of him with every kick. A slight fog covered the path ahead as he skidded through it. Mike crossed a highway bridge and turned down the dark street.

He passed an old brick building that was empty. Mike glanced up and saw a dark figure quickly moving through the shadows. He squinted his eyes to follow the shadow, but it disappeared. Mike thought to himself for a moment, but continued to walk on.

Once he passed the alley, he saw another row of dark houses.

“Got a lighter?” a male voice asked him from behind.
Mike turned around slowly and stared back into the eyes of another man, around his age.

“I...I don’t smoke, anymore...” Mike replied still pondering the fact why this person could see him.

“Neither do I,” the figure said back carelessly as he leaned against the wall and crossed his legs casually.

“You can see me?” Mike asked coming in closer.

“Of course, I’ve been looking for you.”

[To be Cont]

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Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊


Chapter 7




Li Ann snuggled her warm pillow closer to her chest. She was dreaming. A nice dream filled with the scent of lavender petals and warm sunshine grass.

The heat bearing upon her skin was utterly hot. She peered her eyes open and found Mike sitting across from her room. She smiled and closed her eyes again.

Suddenly Li Ann remembered Mike and opened her eyes. She panicked and turned. A loud thump was heard as she fell off her bed. Li Ann sat up and rubbed her elbow.

Mike grinned.

“Had a good night?” he asked.

“What are you still doing here?” she mumbled with a pouting face as she got up.

“We had a deal, remember?” Mike smiled smartly.

“Oh, yeah...” Li Ann muttered as she stomped into her bathroom. Minutes later, she came back out. Her long hair was tied into a low ponytail as she picked out a pair of jeans and a long sleeved Calvin Klein shirt, then walked into the bathroom again.

“I’m ready,” Li Ann said with a yawn as she walked back out. Mike was suddenly at her side, surprising her. She jumped startled and looked at him with annoyed eyes.

“Will you stop doing that?!”

“Doing what?” Mike asked innocently.

“What you do! That...” Li Ann did little movements with her fingers.

“thing that you do!” Li Ann stomped out of her room frustrated. Mike shook his head and followed.

They walked out of her house and down the neighborhood until they reached the subway downtown. Li Ann held her little bag over her shoulders and down to her side as she waited for the subway to come.

Mike stood next to her with his hands in his pockets, but she managed to ignore him, knowing that if she talked to him, other people would start giving her a weird look.

Finally the subway pulled up as people started filing in and out. Li Ann walked in casually and found a seat next to a young boy. She smiled at the boy, who was reading a magazine. Mike sat down next to Li Ann.

“So, do you have in mind what you’re going to say?” Mike asked her.

“Well, let me think...no!” Li Ann replied sarcastically.

“I suggest you think now,”

“Why don’t you tell me what to say? It’s your wife,” Li Ann suggested in the most annoying way she can conjure up.

The boy sitting next to her glanced at her. She smiled innocently back. She tossed her head back to Mike and mouthed for him to shut up.

“Why don’t you tell her that Shin Hyesung is a liar and he will do anything to get to my company? Even when I was alive, he would throw all kind of bargains in my face just to get me to agree. That last meeting was going to be the big deal. The closed deal. Now that I’m dead, Ji Yun has to step up to the plate and make the final decision. I’m afraid she’ll agree and take the money he’s going to offer.”

“So you need me to persuade her that her dead husband who is now a ghost following me around that she shouldn’t sell your corporation to Shin Hyesung because he’s a maniac?” Li Ann asked with her eyebrows raised.

The boy sitting next to her walked away from her to sit on the other side three seats down. Li Ann sighed and rolled her head back to Mike.

“Mike, you’re making me look crazy,” Mike laughed and patted her back.
Li Ann shot him a pissed glare.

Once they got off the subway, Li Ann asked Mike for directions to his house. Mike showed the way after they got a taxi. Li Ann had trouble telling the taxi driver where to go and for Mike to shut up. The taxi driver gave her odd stares all the way.

When they reached a trimmed lawn and surrounded by flowers house, Mike pointed towards it, and Li Ann followed.

“You know what you’re saying right?” Mike asked with a bit of a worried look on his face. Li Ann nodded and sighed, as she breathed in the cold air and rolled up her sleeves covering her cold fingers.

She knocked quietly on the front door.

“I don’t think she’s home,” Li Ann said back to Mike.

“Try again. She’s home,” Mike urged on. Li Ann knocked again, this time harder. A few moments later, the door creaked open and Ji Yun’s lavished eyes peeked out.

Mike stepped in closer to see her. He missed her so much. His face and expression sadden when he saw her.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Ji Yun asked, not opening the door any further.

“Hi, um, I’m Li Ann. I wanted to talk to you...it’s about Mike’s company,” Li Ann stuttered nervously.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know you,” Ji Yun said closing the door.

Li Ann’s palm pressed against the door to stop Ji Yun.

“Wait, I really need to tell you this. Come on, you know, your husband is always stalking me to tell you this. Will you just please let me explain, and I’ll be on my way,” Li Ann said as persuasive as she could.

“My husband? Talks to you?” Ji Yun asked.

“Yes, in fact, he’s right here. He wanted me to tell you something really important, but I need you to believe me that he’s here,” Li Ann said as pleading as she could.

She was trying her best to talk to Ji Yun. Ji Yun only stared back at her with cold piercing eyes.

“Get out, get off my property! If you don’t, I’ll call the cops. I don’t make deal with freaks like you,” Ji Yun said coldly before slamming the door shut in front of Li Ann’s face.

Li Ann was taken back by surprise. Her mouth dropped as she stared at the door shocked. Mike was also surprised too.

“Ji Yun! Wait!” Mike called out stepping in front of Li Ann to knock on the door. His hands swept through the oak door. Of course, he had forgotten.

“That b**ch...” Li Ann muttered to herself.

“Hey, watch it,” Mike replied glaring at her.

“What? This is your wife? Unbelievable,” Li Ann rolled her eyes.

“I think the one being a b**ch here is you,” Mike said looking angry at her. Li Ann took a step back.

“Oh, I see how it is. It’s the same with you rich people. You ask for help when you need it only, and you don’t even appreciate it. I don’t need this,” Li Ann said in a hurt tone as she turned away and started walking.

Mike immediately regretted what he’d said. He chased after Li Ann apologizing. “Li Ann, wait! I’m sorry, I lost control. I’m sorry, wait, listen to me,” Mike pleaded as he pulled her elbow back.

She twisted free from his grip. “Look! Our business here is through. You said if I give it a shot, you’ll leave me alone. There. I did. And I was called a freak, turned down, called a b**ch, and now what?” Li Ann asked angrily.

Her temper was rising. She didn’t even feel the cold air biting through her cold skin. She’d never been talked to like that in her entire life. She felt assaulted and humiliated.

Li Ann rubbed her arms for warmth and didn’t say anything more to Mike.

“Li Ann. I’m sorry I was a jerk. Please understand. I...I just can’t stand it when somebody calls my wife a b**ch. She’s just scared to trust you okay. Won’t you please try again?” Mike begged.

He was practically leaning in on her to ask for her forgiveness. Li Ann thought about it for a moment and felt that tangy spot of empathy return to her. She didn’t want to feel that bit of sorrow for Mike, but she couldn’t help it.

She rolled her eyes and nodded slowly. A faint smile came across his face as he looked down and back up gratefully. “

Can we come back tomorrow? I’m late for work,” Li Ann asked tired. Mike agreed and started walking down the hill with her again.

Pretty soon, the two were laughing and talking again.

“So what do you do Li Ann?” Mike asked as they neared her house again.

“Um, I’m a psychologist,” Li Ann replied. “Oh, is that why...”“I don’t know.” Li Ann shrugged.

“I don’t think it’s the reason why I can see you. There are many other psychologists, but maybe they won’t see you.”

“Can I come with you to your work today?” Mike asked hoping she would say yes.

“Why?” Li Ann asked questioningly as they reached her front door.

“I get bored by myself,” Mike replied. Li Ann nodded slowly after a minute of thinking. She’d hoped Mike wasn’t going to be a distraction. Li Ann took several minutes to get dressed and grab an apple to eat.

Dongwan walked out of his room fully dressed for work. He greeted his sister and looked for his shoes.

“Tell your brother they’re behind the couch,” Mike said as he stood there leaning against the pole by the kitchen staring at Dongwan looking desperately for his good shoes.

“Oppa, Mike says they’re behind the couch,” Li Ann called out as she picked up her purse.

“What? Oh, here it is,” Dongwan smiled as he picked up his shoes, behind the couch. Dongwan stopped, then looked back at Li Ann.

“Who said what?” Li Ann looked up and realized she had said that without thinking.

“Oh, I said I saw them behind the couch,” she lied with a cheesy smile. She hurried Dongwan up and made him take her to work. When Li Ann arrived at her office, it was already noon. She bid her brother good bye and walked over to her office door.

Mike was right behind, but she forgot to notice him again.

“Nice,” Mike said entering the small office space.

“Thanks. I just opened two weeks ago,” Li Ann mumbled as she started picking up the left over papers on her desk. She glanced at her watch and smiled.

“My patient is scheduled at one p.m.,” Li Ann said to Mike. He returned her smile as he sat down in one of the seats in front of her desk. She sat down and began to write in her journal about her patients as Mike just stared at her.

It was funny to him how he’d never notice her attitude change when she was at her work. Dressed up professionally with her hair combed down, naturally waved and light make up on, Li Ann looked more mature, and beautiful. He couldn’t help but smile to himself.

Indeed she was very kind to help him out, and he would miss her when all this was over with. Li Ann looked up when the clock stoke one. Mike looked behind him to see the old grandfather clock. He wondered why she would keep a grandfather clock in her office.

The door bell sounded as a handsome young man fully dressed in a gray suit walked in with his light gray sunglasses on. He smiled when he saw Li Ann.

“Hi, I’m Andy, your new patient,”

“Hi, I’m Li Ann. Welcome Andy. I look forward to working with you as I said over the phone,”
Li Ann smiled back.

“You are too generous, Dr. Kim,” Andy said with a charismatic mode on and a enchanting smile. Li Ann blushed. Mike crossed his arms and sat back with an amused expression.

Definitely Andy was trying to make a move on her. He knew how men worked on their ways of courting girls. He had a foolish grin on as he saw an even more attitude change in Li Ann. During the whole process of talking to Andy about his problems, which to Mike did not seem too troubling at all, Andy couldn’t stop staring at Li Ann.

He couldn’t stop making eye contact with her. Every time Andy said something charming to her, she would shyly blush away and try to get on with business, but Andy seemed to be just lagging on the whole process.

This amused Mike even more. He keeps keen interest with their conversation, as Li Ann bluntly forgot that he was there. Her full attention was on the new and charming patient. Two hours later, Andy finally stood up to shake her hand. He bowed down and kissed her hand, leaving her in a daze.

Andy smiled.

“So Li Ann...Are you busy tonight?” Andy asked slyly.

“Me? Oh...um, I don’t think so...” Li Ann stuttered.

“How’s dinner?” Andy asked.

Mike smiled to himself with the thought that he had been right. Andy was making a move on her.

“Dinner? Uh...” Li Ann, still in a state of daze couldn’t come to an answer.

“I’ll pick you up at seven. Can I have your address?” Andy asked dropping her hand. Li Ann smiled coming back to reality.

“Um, dinner would be nice.” She walked over to her desk and scribbled her address on it. She handed it to Andy, who took it with a grin and waved goodbye. Andy drove off in his dark M Class Mercedes Benz.

Li Ann stared at her office door, which was made of glass, and sighed.

“Ahem,” Mike coughed from behind disturbing her thoughts. She quickly turned around, shocked and realized that he was there all along. She flushed with embarrassment at her recent behavior.

Mike couldn’t help but have an amused silly grin on his face. Li Ann frowned.

“What are you smiling at?” she asked as she stacked her papers away.

“So this is how you do your job?” Mike joked.

“What?! No Lee Mike. I am never like this. Not to my patient,” Li Ann defended.

“Oh really. Then what was that all about?” Mike crossed his arms.

“That...was...um...hey! If you want me to help you, then mind your own business,” Li Ann scolded as she turned away embarrassed by Mike’s joke.

“Fine, fine, with me,” Mike chuckled as he thought to himself.

This “date” should be pretty interesting.

Too bad Li Ann didn’t know that Andy was as much of a fraud as Hyesung was.
Too bad Li Ann didn’t know Andy ran one of the most controversial businesses in Seoul.
Mike knew all this too well. Andy was one of the big boys.
Mike had never met Andy personally, but of course, he knew.
He was just too excited about her date and how it would turn out, so he would just keep quiet and enjoy the show.


[To be Cont]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊


Chapter 6






Mike walked along the grounds of the almost silent cemetery in the higher grounds. He didn’t understand why Ji Yun would agree to bury his body so far away from her home.

He didn’t ponder.

During his funeral, many people came. Some of them, just to show their grieves or pay their respect. He didn’t even know half of the people that came. They offered their condolences to Ji Yun, but she wasn’t even crying or emotional.

She refused to speak when asked. Mike began to sense the change in her behavior. Certainly she didn’t act like she’d lost a husband.

Was she over his death that quickly?

Mike refused to think into that.

He forced himself to abide by her throughout the entire funeral service. Among the people who came, Junjin was one of them.

Junjin stood close to some of his co-workers and associates who once worked for Mike. Now Ji Yun owned the corporation, so they belonged to her.

Most of his men hated to work for a woman, but needed the money, so they stayed. The funeral was held in a chapel, decorated with fine linen and fresh flowers that smelled like the living.

Upon the alter was a black shiny coffin, and inside laid somebody Mike did not claim as himself. It was just a hollow cast, a shell, of who he used to be.

Why couldn’t Ji Yun understand that?

He was sitting right next to her throughout the whole service, wanting to hold her hand so badly, but she didn’t even seem at all moved or devastated.

She was a tough as a boulder and cold as stone. When they lowered his coffin into the ground, he couldn’t look. Mike stayed close by Ji Yun, who at the end of the service walked up and placed a single red rose on top of his coffin. Junjin followed behind.

“Why a red rose?” Junjin asked as he placed his white rose instead of a red. Ji Yun removed her dark glasses and looked up at Junjin.

“It is the color that I like Mr. Park. Indeed, white would be more appropriate, but this service is just so dead with white and black. Red is...more...murderous, you know,” Ji Yun spoke casually with a hint of slyness in her voice.

She winked at him with a foxy grin as she walked away back to her limo.

Junjin smiled and nodded after her.

He glanced back down at the coffin down below him and sighed.

“Goodbye Mike, it was a pleasure working with you, sir,” Junjin stated before walking away to his car.

“Mr. Park,” Ji Yun shouted from the limo she was in.

Junjin turned around to face her in the limo with the window halfway scrolled down.

“Yes?” Junjin asked.

“Is that deal with Mr. Shin still on hold? I would like to talk to you about it. I have my mind set on it. When will be a good time to reach you?”

“Um, I...well, let’s see. Oh, yes, tomorrow I am available at the office, after lunch. I’ll see you then?” Junjin asked.

Ji Yun smiled and rolled up the window.

The limo drove off and out of the cemetery.

Mike was in disbelief as he heard what Ji Yun had just said.
How could she?
Didn’t she know how important that corporation meant to him?

It was useless to regret it now. He felt so helpless and shattered, he just sat down on the freshly cut lawn, next to his grave.

He sat down and rested his harms on his knees, just waiting for the lonely afternoon to pass him by.

-------------------------------------

“Oppa, I am going to wait here for you, so don’t forget to pick me up!” Li Ann strictly ordered before walking into her office.

Dongwan started to laugh at her again.

He thought she was being stubborn again.

Li Ann worked through the day easily without distraction. She forgotten about Mike and carelessly waited for the day to come to an end. She hated her job.

It was frustrating and boring, but her love of psychology was what kept her in that line. She still refused to believe in ghosts.

Li Ann was waking from sleep on her desk when the grandfather clock stroke. She groggily looked around her desk behind the scattered papers.

She shuffled some in her hands and stacked them away. She looked around one last time before grabbing her purse and headed for the door. She stopped the instant she reached the door and remembered Dongwan was supposed to pick her up.

She grumbled angrily to herself at the time because Dongwan was late, again.
Li Ann locked and stood outside her small office, waiting for the usually late or forgotten brother of hers.

Car after car passed by, but he didn’t show up. Finally after a million thoughts of walking home, his car appeared at the corner of the streets. She was relieved and let out a sigh of joy.

“Dongwan! What took you forever! Do you know what time it is? I’m hungry, I’m cold, and I wanna go home!” Li Ann complained stubbornly.

Dongwan chuckled and nudged her arm when she got in. She crossed her arms angrily and stared straight ahead.

Once they got home, Dongwan tossed his keys onto the night stand and sat down on the couch. He reached for the remote control and clicked away.

Li Ann tiredly stumped upstairs to her room. She threw her jacket and purse onto her bed and began to take off her sweater.

“Hi,” Li Ann jumped startled and grabbed her heart.
She closed her eyes and breathed out relief when it was only Mike. Only Mike.

She started to scream and grab the nearest thing next to her to swing at him.

“Hey, hey! Calm down! I’m not going to hurt you!” Mike shouted as he ducked the swing of Li Ann’s night lamp.

She stopped swinging and ran to the corner of the room terrified.

“What are you doing? Leave me alone!” she shouted.

“I told you I’m not going anywhere until you help me,” Mike smiled as he plopped down onto her bed.

“What? You can’t do that! I don’t want to help you!” she protested.

“You have no choice. You’re the only one who can help me,” Mike shrugged.

She didn’t reply. She stood still and stiff as a rock as she didn’t blink at all. He smiled and decided to make her feel more comfortable.

“Li Ann, right?” Mike asked. She slowly came back to reality and nodded.

“Well, Li Ann, I’m going to ask you nicely. Just this once, that’s all I’m asking.” Mike pleaded looking her straight in the eyes.

To her, he didn’t look like a typical ghost. He was in full shape, his warm eyes full of life. His smile enchanted his smile as he stood there so casually in front of her.

She eased and relaxed her frozen muscles a little and finally breathed.

“Just this once? And you’ll leave me alone?” she stuttered. Mike nodded.

“Okay, fine....” Li Ann agreed. Mike smiled and thanked her.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” she muttered.

Mike looked around and sensed her non comfortable feeling of him being around.

“What...how, do I start?” Li Ann asked as she slowly walked back from her corner and sat down in a chair next to her desk.

“Well, I think we can go to my house tomorrow, then you can tell my wife, her name is Ji Yun, that I am here, and I can see her, but she can’t see me,” Mike explain.

“So usual,” Li Ann rolled her eyes. Of course she knew Ji Yun would never believe her.

“That’s not all. She’s thinking of selling my corporation to Shin Hyesung, a rich buyer of many companies. I don’t want my company to become one of them.”

“Oh....I understand,” Li Ann nodded. She suddenly wanted to smack herself in the face for talking to a ghost.

“Li Ann, you hungry?” Dongwan knocked on her door.

“Can my brother see you?” Li Ann asked Mike.

“I don’t think so,” Mike replied. Li Ann walked over to the door and opened it.

Dongwan stood there with his keys in his hands. “No oppa, I’m fine,” Li Ann smiled.

“Okay then, I’m going over to Calida’s for dinner, goodnight,” her brother said as he waved and walked back downstairs.

“Goodnight,” Li Ann called after her brother and closed the door.

“I guess he doesn’t see you...” “Yeah, me too,” Mike agreed.

“How come I can see you?” she asked questioningly. “I don’t know...I can touch you too, funny huh?” Mike asked with a grin.

“That’s weird. I mean, you’re a ghost and all...” Li Ann said quietly.

“Being one is weird enough,” Mike whispered sadly.

“How does it feel? To be dead?” Li Ann asked suddenly interested.

Her psychologic instincts were kicking in when she didn’t realize it.

“I don’t know....pretty much the same I guess. I can’t really explain it, but it’s just different from being alive, you know?” Mike raised his eyebrows.

He saddled himself down on her rug and sat down. Li Ann eased a little more when she realized he wouldn’t harm her.

He wasn’t at all ugly of a ghost either. He was attractive and charming. She thought he must’ve been pretty much the same when he was alive.

“So tell me more about yourself,” Li Ann asked just for the heck of it.

“Haha, what is there to know?” Mike chuckled. She returned his smile and sat down on the floor across from him. They began to talk to each other, for hours.

It was pretty soon when she realized that it was past midnight. She yawned. Mike apologized for keeping her up so late.

“It’s okay Mike, you’re a cool guy, just don’t get too creepy okay? I get mood swings, so I can be a little crazy sometimes...” Li Ann warned.

“Okay,” Mike laughed. He got up to leave. She stood up too but suddenly groaned in pain as she fell down on her bed.

“Are you okay?” Mike asked touching her arm to hold her up.

“My leg, it’s asleep,” Li Ann offered a sheepish smile. Mike released her arm.

She suddenly felt a cold feeling flush through her at his touch. It seemed magical, and she could sense herself tired.

“Okay, alright then,” Mike said as he backed away.

“Thanks,” she muttered as she started punching her leg.

“Hey Li Ann,” Mike turned around before walking out. She glanced up and stared at him.

“Do you mind...if I kick it downstairs? I mean, I don’t really know where to go...” Mike asked with a confused voice. Li Ann understood immediately.

She nodded. “You can sleep in the living room. It’s hardly occupied.” she offered with a smile.

“Thanks,” he grinned.

He was awfully thankful of her kindness. She sat in her bed with her long hair in strands covering her shoulders. She kept hitting her sleeping leg.

Mike looked around the hallway, then back to her.

“Goodnight Li Ann.”

“Goodnight Mike.”


[To be Cont]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊

Chapter 5

Li Ann froze in her place too shocked and frightened to move. A cold swift air passed through her body as she continued to stare at Mike. He walked over closer to her.

“Now do you believe me?” he asked coming close.

She stumbled backwards.

“Don’t touch me! Yo...you’re a....gh-ghost?” she asked.

Her face was the color of white as she shook.

“Don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you, I can’t do no harm, I just need your help okay?”“No, this can’t be. You...you’re not...leave me alone,” Li Ann stuttered as she scurried away from Mike.

He continued to chase her down the dark empty street that led to her neighborhood. Li Ann felt so relieved when she saw her house, beaming with the lights on full. She almost wanted to cry. So many things had happened that day that she desperately needed to see her brother.

“Dongwan!” her scream echoed throughout the house as she flung the door open.

Her purse dropped to the floor as she desperately looked around for him.

“Li Ann?” Dongwan asked coming out from the kitchen with a blue apron around his waist wiping his hands on a white towel.

“Dongwan!” Li Ann cried as she wrapped her arms around her brother and hugged him tightly. Dongwan pulled back and looked at her worried.

“What’s wrong? Who took you here? Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost...” he asked concerned.

“I did! Oppa! I’m so scared! Close the door!” Li Ann panicked as she rushed to the open door and slammed it shut, unaware that Mike was already inside.

“Whoa! Lili, calm down, let’s have a seat,” Dongwan said grasping her shoulders. He forced her to sit in the nearest chair.

Li Ann’s dry throat tried to talk, but she was shaken, still not believing what she had saw.

“Okay, what happened?” Dongwan said as he pulled a nearby chair under him. Li Ann took a deep panicking breath as she spoke quickly to Dongwan.

“Oh my God oppa, today was the worst day of my life. First I had three utterly boring patients, then I was so hungry that my brain wanted to explode.

I left a message in your stupid answering machine but you never picked me up, so I walked home and got mugged by this one bum, and then a guy saved me, but he is a ghost!

And he wants me to help him with some corporation crap, and now he’s following me!” Dongwan stared back at her blankly, trying to digest what he was being told. He looked at Li Ann as if she was crazy or had gone psychopathic.

“Okay...I heard something about boring, muggy, and crap,” Dongwan replied with a blink.

“Oppa! This is not the time to be fooling around! I am serious!” Li Ann yelled.

Dongwan started laughing. Li Ann pouted and stared at him as he got up and walked back into the kitchen. A short minute afterwards, Dongwan came back out with a bowl of hot soup.

“Here, I think you should eat, shower, and go to sleep. Maybe you’ve overworked yourself,” he assured her.

“I am not crazy,” Li Ann mumbled under her breath as she took the soup.

Dongwan happily walked back into the kitchen, leaving Li Ann alone in the dining room. Taking deep breath, she concluded that maybe she was just crazy and overworked like Dongwan had said. She calmed down and forgot about why she was frightened.

She was about to sip the taste of the warm soup, but with one glance up, she slammed the bowl of soup down and stood up immediately, bumping into the counter behind her. Mike smiled at her from across the table where she sat to drink her soup.

“Stop following me! Leave me alone!” Li Ann shouted with her fists balled at her sides.

Mike shrugged and leaned back, enjoying himself. She closed her eyes, but quickly opened them again, hoping that Mike would disappear. Unfortunately, he didn’t.

“I just want you to help me, that’s all,” he replied.

“No,”

“Then I won’t leave, I’ll stay here, I’ll live with you and haunt you,” Mike smirked devilishly.

He was beginning to like this whole ghost ideal.

“Go to hell,” Li Ann muttered.

“I can’t, I can’t go to Heaven, I can’t go to hell, I don’t know where to go. So I guess I’ll just stay here with you,” Mike stated as he stared off into the distance.

“Your brother’s a real cool guy.” Li Ann calmed down a bit and took a deep breath.

She looked up again, and Mike was still there, sitting in that chair across from her.

“Who are you?” Li Ann asked quietly.

She stood as stiff as a board, not even blinking.

“Relax woman, I’m not going to eat you. My name’s Mike, Lee Mike?” Mike replied with a half smile.

Li Ann recalled quickly of Lindsey and Amy’s conversation, about the young man that had an accident.

“So you’re Mike,” Li Ann repeated.

Mike nodded understandably. The whole town knew about his death.

Everybody talked about it. News like that was hard to miss, especially for a well known man like himself.

“Tomorrow’s your funeral...”

“It is? I don’t know...I haven’t been around my wife much since I died,” Mike replied.

“What do you want from me?” Li Ann asked. Her voice was slightly trembling as she tried to regain herself to talk to unbelievably a ghost.

“I’m not asking much, I just need your help,” Mike asked quietly with pleading sorrowful eyes. No matter how much Li Ann wanted to believe that she was only hallucinating, that she was just overworked and crazy, she couldn’t.

But then she suddenly felt sorry for Mike. He had everything to live for. Everything. Just like her parents that died in a house fire when she was fifteen.

Remembering her parents, she wondered if they were ghosts just walking around like Mike.

“I...I don’t know how to help you, I mean...wait!” Li Ann stuttered trying to regain and collect her thoughts.

“I can’t help you. You’re not real! This can’t be happening. I’m sick, yes, that’s it, I am ill, I need to go to the doctor.

I’m crazy, I am going to a mental home.”

“Okay, now you’re really crazy,” Mike rolled his eyes.

“You’re not a ghost! You...you can’t be! I mean, I don’t believe in such things!” she pronounced.

“Well, believe it. I’m a ghost and I’m going to bug you until you agree to help me!” Mike teased.

“Dongwan!” Li Ann screamed. She heard a loud cuss and her brother mumbled something as he walked back out of the kitchen into the living room.

“What is it?!” Dongwan asked holding his finger in his hand.

“What happened?” Li Ann asked turning to Dongwan to inspect his finger.

“Will you stop screaming like that?! I burned my finger,” Dongwan said as he looked at his now red finger.

Mike smiled as he saw the siblings acting so funny. He chuckled.

“What are you laughing at?” Li Ann glared at Mike.

“I’m not laughing,” Dongwan replied.

Li Ann suddenly remembered that Dongwan probably can’t see Mike. She looked up at Dongwan’s face terrified and shook his shoulders.

“Oppa! There he is! The ghost!” Li Ann said as she tried to get her brother to believe her.

“Aish, stop with all this nonsense. I’m going to finish cooking, Calida’s coming over tonight. Do you want to join us?” Li Ann took a moment to think.

“No...” she mumbled.

“I’m going to bed.” With that, she went to find her purse and stomped upstairs to her room. Li Ann slammed her door and locked it tightly.

She walked over to her drawer and started digging out something.

“Hey,” Mike said from behind. She jumped up startled and turned around. She stuck a cross in his face. Mike started laughing.

“Die you evil thing!” Li Ann shouted as her trembling fingers held the cross in front of Mike. “Stop it, you’re killing me,” Mike laughed at her.

“What’s so funny? Argh!” Li Ann shouted in frustration as she threw the useless cross on her bed. She crossed her arms and stood in her corner, just looking at the ghost in front of her.

“####, I’m a ghost, not a vampire,” he chuckled.

Li Ann didn’t reply. Mike was getting on her very last nerve.

“Get out,” she demanded.

He stopped laughing and looked at her. He crossed his arms and replied, “No.”

“Get out!” she raised her voice.

He stood still. She was still too frightened to move, so she stood still, just looking back at him. It was like a staring contest.

“Um...I have to go to sleep, can you come back tomorrow?” Li Ann asked innocently.

Mike had a suspicious look on his face.

“Please? I have to change,” Li Ann asked nicely.

“Fine, I’ll let you think about it. You’re still going to help me nonetheless,” Mike replied as he walked out her door, not even opening it.

Mike smiled proudly as he thought he had conquered his ghost antics and could use them however he wished, if only somebody would just tell him what he was supposed to do.

If he’s just going to continue on like this, will he always be like this?

A helpless soul with no place to go?

[To be Cont]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊

Chapter 4

The next morning, Li Ann woke up bright and early. She dressed in her professional outfit; a knee length brown skit, white buttoned shirt, and a brown matching jacket.

She curled the tips of her hair and added light makeup. Li Ann grabbed her portfolios and slipped on her heels. It was Tuesday, and she was booked to meet with patients. She knocked on Dongwan’s door to get his attention.

“What?” Dongwan asked groggily rubbing his eyes as he swung the door open. He let out a big yawn and scratched his head lazily.

“Oppa, can you take me to work? I have an appointment with my patient in one hour,” Li Ann asked checking her watch.

“Sure, put on a coat,” Dongwan replied with a yawn as he walked back in to change. Half an hour later, Dongwan and Li Ann arrived at her office.

It was small, but enough for her to work in. She would have regular patient visits. Li Ann loved talking to people, especially those who were troubled. She bid Dongwan good bye and a few minutes later, her patient Kang Ta arrived.

“Good morning Mr. Ahn, how are you doing?” Li Ann asked as she sat down on a comfortable chair across from where Kang Ta sat, ready to pour out his personal problems.

“Miserable,” Kang Ta mumbled under his breath as he rubbed his knuckles.

“What seems to be the trouble?” Li Ann asked pushing her fake glasses closer to her nose. “My girlfriend...she....says....” Kang Ta said slowly.

“She?” Li Ann asked trying to get it out of him faster.

“She says I am not romantic enough,” Kang Ta confessed.

Li Ann stared at him oddly. She sighed.

“Okay Mr. Ahn, when you girlfriend complained about your smoking, did you quit?” she asked.

Kang Ta nodded.

“Good, now, when she said you were not good in bed, did you try to improve?” she asked again looking at his file.

Kang Ta nodded with a bit of embarrassment. A light pink tint showed in his cheekbones as he blushed away.

“So now she wants you to be romantic?” she asked for the last time. He nodded his head, not looking at her.

“Very well, let’s start with the first principles, first off, we have to talk about what you are doing that is being a turn off for her,”

Li Ann stated in a bored way. This was going to be a long day for her. After Kang Ta left, another patient arrived.

“Good afternoon Vivian, how are you doing?” Li Ann asked.

“I’m in love with my step-brother! Li Ann, you have to help me!” Vivian pleaded desperately.

The third patient was a charming young lady named Frances. She had only been coming to Li Ann for help for a month, but was so far doing better.

“Frances, what is happening in your life right now?” Li Ann asked.

“Well, after my boyfriend cheated on me, I moved from France to here. We were still together, but I went behind his back and cheated on him, then he decided to get back with me, but my new boyfriend won’t let me, so I don’t know what to do Li Ann! Should I just dump them both? I mean, they’re both very hot and all, but I just don’t know!”

Frances said exasperated with her thick half French accent.

Li Ann’s head was pounding with a migraine after Frances left. She packed up her portfolio and decided to eat two head medicine pills before closing the office.

It had seemed to be getting dark outside, so she called Dongwan.

“Yo! You have reached the Kim’s residence, if you want to order room service, call later, too busy right now. Haha! Just kidding, ya’ll know what to do after da beep, bye!” Dongwan’s voice said from the answering machine.

Li Ann had told him plenty of times to change the message, but Dongwan could never get his lazy butt to change it.

“Hey oppa, I need a ride from work, right now it’s 6:37, so see you soon, right?” Li Ann said, then she hung up. She sighed and looked outside.

She was hungry and tired. Li Ann just stuck around the office for a while longer. Dongwan didn’t call back, or pick her up. It was already 7:23. Li Ann picked up her belongings and purse, then locked the office door and walked down the busy streets into the lively market.

She stopped at a little restaurant and ordered a quick meal. Finishing it, it was already 8 P.M. There was no payphone nearby, so she decided she’d either walk back to her office and wait for her brother, or walk home.

She was already half way, so she picked the second choice. Li Ann walked quickly down the streets, which were getting darker by the block.

The chilly air hit her warm cheeks as her teeth chattered, holding onto her portfolio and her purse over her one shoulder. Her long hair flapped in the wind and her long coat waved behind her.

“Hey Miss, got a dollar?” a voice asked from behind her.

She whipped around surprised to find a young looking man in ragged clothes.

“Um...yes,” Li Ann said as she dug her purse quickly for a dollar. She was scared and cold, her fingers trembling and numbed white as she handed the man a couple of bills.

“Thanks,” he said not talking his eyes off her low buttoned blouse. She quickly tried to walk away, but he pulled her elbow back.

“You’re not from around here are you?” he asked eyeing her up and down.

“What are you doing? Let go of me...” Li Ann said harshly as she tried to pull away. His movement was now rougher as he held her still in place.

“I’ve never seen such a pretty face around here for a while. Girls like you shouldn’t be walking around at this hour,” he said with a sly grin.

The color from Li Ann’s face dropped, as she tried to run. Looping his arm around her neck, and the other around her waist, he forced her into the dark alley nearby.

“Help! Somebody help me!” Li Ann screamed. Mike tried to kicked the small stones laying on the ground but was unsucessful as he heard somebody scream for help. He glanced across the street and saw her being mugged and dragged into the alley. He sprinted across the street as fast as he could.

“Get off me you bastard!” Li Ann shouted as she pushed his face away and reached for her purse.

“Let go of her!” Mike shouted as he came near them. Li Ann found her purse and quickly grabbed out a small bottle of pepper spray.

She pointed it to the man’s face and sprayed it right into his eyes. He man yelped and shouted in agony, covering his face with his hands. Mike got between them and reached for her hand to pull her away from the man’s grip. He wasn’t looking at her, but when he touched her arm, the man rushed towards her.

He quickly punched the man’s cheek, causing him to fall back. Then he let go of Li Ann’s arm and kicked his stomach with the knee. The man groaned and fell the ground.

Li Ann stood frozen against the brick wall as she stared from Mike, to the man on the ground. “You b**ch,” the man shouted as he pulled out a dagger.

Before he had a chance to use it, Mike kicked him in the chin, knocking him backwards. “What’s going on? Who’s there?” the man shouted waving the dagger in all directions as he stood back up holding his chin.

He glanced back at Li Ann, who stood there frightened like a block of ice. The man’s eyes were still red and teary from the pepper spray. He couldn’t believe it was her that had kicked him. Somebody, or something, had to be present around her.

Frightened to the senses that something unseen was around, he dropped the knife and ran into the dark alley way, looking back as if something was going to following him.

“Are you okay?” Mike asked panting as he turned back to Li Ann.

“Yes, thank you,” Li Ann said with a quick nod as she started picking up her things. She stuffed them into her purse and walked out of the alley way quickly.

“Wait! Wait,” Mike called after her. He ran up to her still panting. He stopped and looked at her. She looked back.

“You can see me?!” he asked catching his breath.

“Um...yes,” Li Ann said unsure of what he meant. She turned to walk away, but he quickly got in front of her. She stopped and looked up at him.

“Look, thank you very much for helping me out, now I need to get home if you don’t mind,” Li Ann said cautiously as she tried to walk around him.

“You can see me?!” Mike asked again. Li Ann stared at him startled.

“Are you a ghost too?” Mike asked desperately.

“Um...nice meeting you...I’m going to go–..” Li Ann said with a blank look as she thought in her head he must definitely be crazy.

“No wait! You don’t understand, how can you see me? And how come I can touch you?” Mike asked quickly.

“Bye!” she said walking around him.

“Wait! Listen to me, I’m a ghost, I’m dead, and you can see me! I can touch you too,” Mike said with a sparkle in his eyes as he picked up her hand and showed her. She pulled away immediately as she thought Mike was insane.

“Leave me alone,” Li Ann pleaded a bit frightened.

“I’m a ghost! You have to help me if you can see and hear me, please,” Mike asked with serious eyes.

“Okay, you need to come and see me, here is my card,” Li Ann said as she searched her purse for a business card.

“I’m a very professional psychologist, maybe I can help you.”

“No! I’m not crazy, I’m dead. I died a few days ago, and I need your help, please!” Mike begged.

Li Ann tried to walk faster away from him, but he kept following her.

“Go away!” she shouted half running.

“Listen to me, I need your help. Only you can see and hear me!” Mike shouted as he kept chasing her. They reached another busy street, filled with people. Li Ann was relieved when she saw people.

“Look, if you keep following me, I’m going to call the cops!” she threatened.

Mike rolled his eyes frustrated.

“Hey lady, you can go ahead and call the cops, I’m already dead, they can’t see me. I just need your help okay?” Mike said with a impatient tone.

“I’m not a very stupid person, you can quit your jokes now,” Li Ann said annoyed as she stopped at a bus stop.

“No, you have to believe me. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but you have to help me,” Mike asked with his eyes brimming with tears.

Li Ann looked at him, wondering why he was doing this. She sighed.

“Fine, what do you want?” she asked crossing her arms.

“I need you to tell my wife not to sell my corporation to Shin Hyesung,” Mike said quickly in one breath.

“Why can’t you do it?” she asked turning away uninterested.

“Because I’m dead! She can’t see or hear me!” Mike replied.

“Ha, and I’m from South Africa,” she rolled her eyes sarcastically.

“Fine, you don’t believe me? Come here,” Mike pulled her hand towards the nearest restaurant.

“Let go of me!” Li Ann shouted hitting his back with her purse as she tried not to drop her portfolio. People started staring at her weirdly. Mike stopped when they reached the restaurant.

“Excuse me sir, can you see me?” Mike asked the nearest person that walked out. The drunk old man stumbled and walked away. Li Ann crossed her arms and waited for him.

“Excuse me, can you see me?” Mike asked the next couple that walked out, hand in hand, smiling and laughing to each other. They didn’t respond and kept on walking.

“They’re just ignoring you, and so should I,” Li Ann said with sarcasm. Mike was getting a bit impatient. Finally a delivery boy walked out.

Li Ann stepped in front of him and asked him,

“Excuse me, but can you please tell him that you can see him.” She pointed to Mike. The delivery boy looked over to the direction where she was pointing, then looked back at her with a blank expression.

“I don’t see anybody,” the delivery boy shrugged.

“No, I need you to tell that man that you can see him and he’s crazy!” Li Ann said frustrated.

“Uh, sorry Miss, there’s nobody there, I have to go,” the boy said with a weird look to Li Ann as he stepped around her and walked away to his car.

Li Ann fumed with anger as she glanced at Mike. He had an amused grin on his face. It was the first time he’d smiled since he died.

“See? I told you I’m a ghost,” Mike smiled. “Ha-ha, can I go now?” Li Ann said in an annoyed tone and crossed her arms.

Mike looked around and saw a bike parked nearby. He walked over to it and looked over to Li Ann. She stared back. He suddenly swiped his hand through the handle bars, not touching them.

His hand passed through the handle bar, swaying back and forth. Li Ann’s eyes widened as she stiffened her spine and looked at him shock. Scream filled her ears as she saw what she thought would never be possible.

It was after a few seconds when she realized the scream was hers.

[To be Cont]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊

Chapter 3

Mike wandered endlessly down the cold lonely streets of Seoul. He could only remember climbing out from under that bridge and the wreckage two days ago.

He remembered he was stunned, too shock to even ponder anyone with questions. Cops had surrounded the entire accident scene. Mike walked around blankly without a clue in his mind of what had happened.

The only one person he could think of was Ji Yun. Where was he? Where was she? What on earth was going on and why were there so many people around in the middle of a bridge?

“Hey, what’s going on?” Mike asked an investigator who was still in the middle of a conversation with a forensics specialist.

“His car was pulled off the bridge it seems, due the slippery road,” the forensics specialist explained.

“What?” Mike asked. It seemed as if they two other person couldn’t hear him at all.

“Yeah, poor guy, he died immediately, bad head injury,” the investigator spoke as he drank his coffee.

Mike looked stunned. He was dead.
He couldn’t believe it.

So the Mike he is right now was just a ghost? Impossible. Mike had never believed in such things. How could he? Was it all possible?

Still he didn’t know what to think or believe. The thought of being dead still did not settle on him, until he followed the police to the hospital, where they showed his limp body to his wife.

When Ji Yun saw Mike’s dead body lying there, she wasn’t crying at all.
He guessed it was because she was too scared and shocked to react.
When the detective and doctor questioned her about where Mike was headed, only then she let her tears fall.

She could barely speak properly to the cops, and Mike’s heart dropped at seeing her cry so helplessly.

“Mrs. Lee, could you please tell me where he was going that morning?” a detective who was investigating in Mike’s death kindly asked again for the third time.

“He...he...he was going to...a meeting, and...and I...” she sniffed out, then cried again. Her face dropped in her hands and she wept silently.

He wanted to hold her, to touch her again and tell her how much he loved her, and that he was right by her side, but he couldn’t.

He didn’t know what to do anymore. Ji Yun returned home silently that evening after they found his body. Mike walked into his house, unknown to the familiar territory. Everything seemed normal, the way it was and used to be.

A large piece weight hung on his heart to leave such a person like Ji Yun alone in a home like this. He’d never expected to die, to lose her like this. Mike felt guilty, that it was all his fault, but what could he do?

Fate has its perceptions, and destiny is at all determined. Just the night before he was talking to her, holding her in his arms, joking with her, and now all this.

He indeed, was a lost and confused person, just waiting for somebody to tell him what was going on, or what was bound to happen. Ji Yun walked to the kitchen and fixed herself something to eat before cleaning up and heading to bed.

She seemed all the while tired and dull only. Mike followed her closely everywhere, but didn’t say a single word. He feared that he might frighten her, but she would not hear him nonetheless.

Concluding that he’d probably just be in her way, he decided to leave to see what he could do, or what would happen next. He’d not learn much about Heaven or Hell when he was alive, but nothing was happening to him now.

Mike looked back at his wife, sitting on the couch, cuddling a pillow to herself, just staring at the television screen. He sighed to himself, then reached for the door handle, but he couldn’t grasp it. Mike tried again, but his hand seemed to vanish every time he touched the door knob.

Realizing that he was dead, and a ghost, Mike slipped his hand out and felt cold air. Indeed he knew now that he was surely dead. It crushed him to know that he’ll never get to talk to Ji Yun or touch her again.

Would she ever forgive him for leaving her? She had to know, she just had to. Taking a deep breath, Mike swiftly pushed himself forward and soon found himself outside his front door. Mike was amazed.

It felt different, like he was missing something. His skin could still feel the bitter wind’s touch, but he knew in the back of his mind that he was no longer human. Mike walked along the long path of the hill he lived on.

He’d never look back once, afraid that if he did, he would never leave.Mike skidded along the road, with both hands in his pockets and his head hung low.

He’d remembered the details clearly, that he had a meeting with Hyesung; he wondered how that went when he didn’t show up.

Pretty soon, he reached a lighted market, with people still wandering around and business in boom. Prostitutes lined along the sidewalks and bums laying around in the cold night air. He saw the many different kinds of soups and food being sold on the markets, but didn’t feel like he was hungry.

It was odd being dead; you just don’t feel like you are yourself anymore. He trailed down further until he reached a near empty parking lot, in front of his corporation. He walked around the building, examining it closely.

Suddenly the door flew open as Junjin walked out. He was making his way toward his car when his cell phone rang. Mike slowly followed Junjin.

“Oh, yes, Mr. Shin? Oh, you haven’t heard?” Junjin asked into the phone.

Mike just stood there next to him and listened to the conversation.

“Yeah, Mr. Lee was in a tragic accident, he’s dead,” Junjin said with a sigh.

He nodded a couple of times and did a lot of explaining.

“What? Wait, we have to talk about this, I mean, I’m his right hand man, but I can’t do anything about that,” Junjin replied sincerely.

“What’s going on?” Mike asked, but realized a moment later that Junjin cannot hear him. Mike was getting pretty close to driving himself insane not being seen or heard by others.

“What? I can’t sell it to you!” Junjin exclaimed shocked.

“Sell what? My corporation?” Mike asked.

“I...I’m not sure Mr. Shin...perhaps I’ll have to talk to his wife,” Junjin said.

He nodded quickly afterwards and hung up the phone. Junjin stepped into his car, and so did Mike. Somehow, he seemed to not fall out of the car. Junjin drove up a similar way, towards Mike’s house.

A lump rose in the back of Mike’s throat as he sat still in his seat. Once Junjin reached Mike’s house, he stepped out and walked towards the front door. Mike followed closely behind.

After a few knocks, Ji Yun opened, not looking surprised.

“Mrs. Lee? I...I’d like a word with you...it’s about Mike’s corporation,” Junjin stuttered. She nodded and opened the door wider for Junjin to step in.

“What is it Mr. Park?” she asked crossing her arms, not interested.

“I know this is too early for you, but Mr. Shin Hyesung wants to buy Lee Corp., with your permission of course, since now you are the only one that is responsible for upholding it,”
Junjin explained.

“Sit down, I’ll get you some coffee,” Ji Yun said as she walked into the kitchen. Junjin nodded with a thanks as he sat down on the clean couch. He glanced around the clean room, with everything neatly held in place.

It was like a museum, clean and perfect. Indeed, Mike did live a grand life, but only for such a short time.

“What? Sell it? You can’t Ji Yun. That corporation belonged to my grandfather, and my father, three generations, you can’t!” Mike pleaded Ji Yun, following her into the kitchen, but he was ignored, because he was unheard.

Ji Yun came back out with two cups of warm coffee and handed Junjin a cup. She smiled faintly at him at him as she handed him the mug.

“Thank you,” Junjin smiled talking the coffee.

“Now, you were saying?” Ji Yun asked as she sat down from across Junjin. Her eyes were narrowed on him from behind her coffee mug.

“Ah, yes, I received a call, and Shin Hyesung is willing to buy the Lee Corp., because you may not be able to hold the company by yourself, it’s a very profitable business, but he is willing to offer you a high price,” Junjin explained looking down at his coffee.

“How much is it exactly?” Ji Yun asked putting the mug down on the glass coffee table.

“I’m not sure, you can talk to him if you’d like, I’ll give him your number,” Junjin replied.

“Fine, give me a few days to think about it,” Ji Yun said as she looked away and sipped her coffee.

After a few sips, Junjin stood up and said good bye. Junjin walked away from the house and back to his car that was parked by the curb. Mike was left devastated and helpless. The corporation was held and passed down to him from his grandfather and father.

He loved that corporation. In one blink of an eye, it’ll probably be gone too, just as Mike did.

“Ji Yun, you can’t sell the corporation, I know you can hold it, you have to...” Mike said as he bent down near her.

She didn’t even look his direction. Sadness hung in his heart as he sighed and walked out. It was useless. Everything was useless to Mike.

He wanted to ask God why him? Out of all the petrified human beings on this earth, why is him? What had he ever done wrong to deserve such a fatal life?
Mike decided to leave Ji Yun again.
Seeing her without her knowing he was there was eating him inside out.

[To be Cont]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊


Chapter 2


Li Ann slept somewhat peacefully in her warm bed.
It had been two days since the news of the fatal accident.

The flashes of lightning stoke through the windows as the wind continuously howled. Chill filled the room and the only light visible was from the dark moon hovering above the thick clouds.

The night had been peaceful, but somebody’s touch was near.
Li Ann stirred in her bed, with her blanket twisted around her feet and waist. A cold finger slightly stoked her cheeks, causing her to turn her head.

She mingled her feet together for warmth as she pulled her blanket up. A voice ran through her mind, and the closer it gets to her head, the closer she can feel the presence of another person. She shivered as the form neared, inching its way towards her.

She opened her eyes and screamed.

“Li Ann!” her brother Dongwan shouted a few seconds later as he ran into her room looking around. He was panting with concern, but seeing her on her bed relieved him.

Li Ann realized she was still shaking and gasping for breath from the nightmare.
“It...it’s okay oppa, I’m okay,” Li Ann whispered as she finally calmed down.

“Bad dream again?” Dongwan asked with a sigh. Li Ann nodded and slowly got off the bed. She walked over to her brother where he welcomed her with a warm hug.

“It’s the same dream again,” Li Ann whispered.

“Ah, come on, let’s go get something to eat,”
Dongwan said cheerfully as he led her into the kitchen. Dongwan walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a tube of ice cream.

He then gathered two bowls and two spoons and handed a set to Li Ann. She sat silently at the counter and waited for him.

“So tell me about this dream?” Dongwan asked as he sat down and started scooping out he ice cream.

“I don’t know...it’s always the same, like a message almost, or a vision, I’m not sure, but I’ve had ever since I came back to Korea,” Li Ann replied with a sigh.

“Hmm...sounds cool,” Dongwan said cheerfully. Li Ann shot him a not-so-funny glare.

“It’s scary to me, I could almost see a resemblance in all my dreams you know, like a person calling to me, but I’m not sure,” Li Ann said as she poked her frozen scoop of ice cream.

“Yeah, but hopefully it’ll pass right?” Dongwan asked as he ate his ice cream. “Yeah...” Li An replied slowly.

“So what are you still doing up?”

“You screamed so I thought somebody had broken in,” Dongwan replied with a chuckle. Li Ann frowned.

“Well, I was talking to Calida.”

“Calida? You guys are still together?” Li Ann asked raising her eyebrow.

“Of course! We’re the bomb!” Dongwan said feeling proud.

“Oh please,” Li Ann mumbled as she got up to wash her bowl. Dongwan just continued to smile to himself thinking about his girlfriend Calida.

After Li Ann finished cleaning her bowl, she stacked it back up in the cupboard and patted Dongwan’s shoulder good night. When she reached her room, she slumped down on her bed, but she kept thinking about her dream.

What did it mean? And who was calling to her? It was all too complicated to make sense of it. The dream was hardly visible, everything was blurry, but she knew there must be a reason for all this. It was the same dream for countless nights ever since she’d arrived to Korea two weeks ago.

Li Ann glanced out the window and stared into the darkness for a few minutes. The sound of Dongwan closing his door snapped her back into reality. Li Ann snuggled back into bed and closed her eyes, saying a quick prayer in her head. Early the next morning, Li Ann prepared herself for her day.

Putting on her long sleeved white blouse and jeans, she tied her hair up into a low pony tail and applied a bit of blush to bring out her cheekbones. Dongwan greeted her in the kitchen for breakfast.

He’d cooked a wonderfully delicious and healthy breakfast for the both of them after he had his jog.

“You seem energetic today,” Li Ann commented as she drank her coffee.

“I am! I’m taking Calida to the museum today,” Dongwan grinned.

“You guys have to be the most boring couple on earth,” Li Ann said sarcastically.

“I wouldn’t want to be your child, you’ll bore me to death too.”

“Haha, yeah yeah, at least I have a life!” Dongwan snapped back.

Li Ann choked on her coffee. “Okay, life? I do have a life!” Li Ann defended.

“What? You call working with psycho people a life?” Dongwan teased.

“Oh, no, you mean, you call painting a life? Ha, funny.”

“Shut up Dongwan, or I’ll make sure you have a miserable life! I promise! I do not work with psycho people, I am a psychologist.” Li Ann shot back.

“Well– ” Before Dongwan could finish, a knock was heard from the door.

“Calida!” Dongwan jumped. He sprinted immediately for the door and opened it with a huge grin. To his surprise, nobody was there.

He frowned for a second, then suddenly Calida jumped out from the side of the door and screamed surprise. She jumped on him with both legs wrapped around his waist and kissed him. Dongwan carried her as he kissed her back.

“Guys, guys, please, get a room, for my poor virgin eyes,”

Li Ann said with all the sarcasm she could find as she walked past them. They fell down on the couch and started laughing.

“Hey Li Ann, I’ll take you to your workshop, it’s a bit cold out today,” Dongwan said finally as he stopped laughing.

“Hi Calida,” Li Ann greeted.

“Hey,” she replied as she got off the couch and pulled down her jacket.

“That’s okay oppa, I’ll manage,” Li Ann said as she started picking up her shoes.

“I said I’ll take you, it might rain again,” Dongwan said as he geared himself up. Thirty minutes later, Dongwan and Calida dropped Li Ann off at her little workshop that she usually take on the weekends; a painting class.

Li Ann loved modern arts and culture, a gift her mother carried. Calida and Dongwan waved her goodbye, then continued on to the museum. Li Ann entered her class, which was already filled with activities by her fellow colleagues.

Li Ann took out her painting piece from the cupboards and sat down at a stool. She clipped the painting onto the clipboard and stared at it.

“Hi Li Ann, good morning,” her friend Lily asked with a bright smile.

“Hey Lily, good morning,” Li Ann replied.
She stared back at her piece and examined it, holding a plain brush in her hands.

“Hey, have you heard of that tragic accident?” she heard Lily’s friend Amy whisper.

“Which one? Oh, you mean that, yeah, it’s pretty sad. That guy was popular when we were in high school, can’t believe he just died like that,” Lily replied.

The two was talking lowly to each other, and helplessly, Li Ann was eavesdropping on them. She inched in closer to hear better.

“I heard he was murdered!” Amy whispered loudly.

“Nah, they said it was just an accident. His car slipped off a bridge or something,” Lily shrugged.

“His poor wife, they’d only gotten married, now she’s gonna be all alone,” Amy said with a bit disappointment and sympathy.

“So what are you and Tae Jung doing?” Lily asked changing the subject. Li Ann leaned in back on her own private matter, but she wondered to herself about the short little conversation the two girls had just had.

Indeed it was a pity, and her heart went out to whoever the dead man’s wife must be. She could only wonder what the wife would do now. Li Ann could never imagine her life being torn like that. She cleared her mind of these thoughts and quickly chose a dab of light blue to finish her scenery in front of her.

[To be Cont ]

Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊

Intro

A lonely tortured soul with an unhealed wound walks the earth. He lurks in the shadows because he cannot be heard. Twisted fate had caused this tragedy where he could not escape the soles of death, nor could he venture on with life. Stuck in a maze where he must find the path of his destiny, and where it leads him. He sees everything, yet nobody sees him. They say some things are left better unsaid, and some things, are better left unseen.

Chapter 1

On a cool Autumn day, the sky had just darkened and willow trees sway in the night wind, as Mike stepped out of his office building holding a thick pile of papers in his palm.

He had worked all day going through each file of his clients for updates. Happy to go home, and eager to see his wife, he hurried out the door before the rain fell.

“Mike! Wait!” called Junjin.

Mike stopped and turned around to see what his close partner Junjin needed from him in such a hurry.

“What is it?” he asked as Junjin approached.

“Where are you going tomorrow?” Junjin asked with sweat breaking out from his brow.

He had chased Mike all the way from the fifth floor, afraid he may not catch Mike on time.

“I have a corporate bond meeting with Hyesung and regarding his father’s company, why?” Mike asked raising the files over his head to protect him from the rain.

“Oh, okay then, see you back here Monday alright?” Junjin said with a pat to Mike’s shoulder, then ran off back into the office building.

With the rain now coming down hard and wind blowing even faster, Mike made a dash for his car. Reaching home in less than an hour, he embraced his wife Ji Yun in a tender kiss. They had only been married for two and a half weeks.

“Had a good day?” she asked with her bright smile warming his heart every time.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“Come on, you’re getting wet,” she said with a smile as she pushed him inside.

Once he had changed, she served him a hot plate of food. She was beautiful with bright features and creamy white skin. Her smile was enchanting, sure to cheer him up any time. Her warm brown eyes that tinkled every time she looked at him made him think what a perfect life he’d chosen for the both of them.

She was perfect indeed, in every way. Not a single flaw could be shown. She was everything to him, all that he’d ever wanted. Mike was a rich young man who had inherited all his grandfather’s wealth, passed on by his father.

They had just bought a grand home on a residence hill with the rest of the wealthy folks and is just starting their new life. The two couple lived alone on a small residential hill, surrounded by rich neighbors who barely came out of their territories.

After dinner, Mike and Ji Yun sat in the living room, cuddled up drinking Mango tea and listened to the slow soft music playing from the stereo in the back of the room. He laced his fingers through hers as he smiled at her every minute.

“Honey, what are you plans for this weekend?” Ji Yun asked her husband.

Mike was amazed at how many times that day he’d been asked that. The house was amazingly quiet, and the only sounds heard was from the rain outside, pricking the windows.

“I just have that meeting with Hyesung, why?” his eyebrows raised to question her. “Nothing, I just wanted to know.” she shrugged, then snuggled in closer to him.

“I don’t want to leave you alone again, but I have to go, why don’t you go shopping or something?” Mike suggested as he lifted her chin up to him.

“I’ll go, but I need some money,” she said with a slight laugh.

“You know where our money is,” he replied. “Our?” she asked astounded.

“Of course, everything I have is yours,” he answered, then leaned in for a soft whispering kiss. A few minutes later, Ji Yun stood up. Mike pulled her hand to sit down again.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I forgot something in the garage,” Ji Yun said with a sweet smile as she kissed his chin, lips, and nose.

“Don’t go now,” he whispered pulling her in close.

“I’m going to fetch it before I forget,” she whispered back, then pulled away. Mike smiled at her as she left the front door. He walked over to his desk and searched for his wallet.

If Ji Yun needed money, he would give her all she wanted. She was his wife, therefore he trusted her with all his heart. As Mike flipped the wallet open, he saw a glimpse of the picture of him and Ji Yun there, when they met just a few months back.

He smiled at it, then flipped it closed. A few minutes later, Ji Yun returned, half soaked and wet.

“Did you go dancing in the rain?” he asked with a grin.

“No, it’s raining like hell,” she muttered as she wiped her hands on her sweater.

“Here, go change, you’re going to get sick,” he said handing her a towel, then turned back away to his desk. Once she came back from the bathroom, he smiled as he handed her a envelope and two credit cards.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“It’s just some cash for you, you know, shopping?” he grinned.

“Hm...thanks baby,” she said with a low seductive voice, then pulled him in for a sweet savoring kiss. The next morning, the rain had turned the day cold and dull, no sun in the sky and the road slippery.

Mike dressed appropriately for the meeting. He wore a simple black buttoned shirt, no tie, black jacket, and black slacks. Once Mike opened the door, Ji Yun tapped him on the shoulder. Mike turned around and smiled, then hugged her and kissed her soft cheek.

“I’m going to miss you, have fun okay?” he said.

“Me too, hurry back,” Ji Yun replied sweetly. He kept kissing her, but she pushed him out the door with a chuckle.

“Good bye sweetheart, I love you,” Mike said with a lopsided grin as he reached his car. “Bye,” she waved her fingers at him with her other arm across her waist.

The garage door was already opened, allowing easier access for him to just drive out and away. The garage door automatically closed in afterwards. Mike smiled to himself intentionally, half excited about what the day would bring about. Along down the hill, his speed increased.

“Junjin? Good morning, I need you to see correctly the time of my meeting, and post a new assignment for Charlie to take care of, if Jung Min calls, tell him I’ll be busy all weekend, and tell Samantha that she needs to file the blocked transcripts away okay? Okay, thanks Jin,” Mike explained.

He hung up the phone and turned on the radio to listen to some news. Once Mike passed the third block, he knew there was a nearby school, and students would be crossing. Mike slowed down his car for the stop sign, but strangely, the brake would not work.

Mike tried again, pressing it down to the bottom, but the car just kept its pace. Mike tried again, pressing harder, trying all he could to stop the car. It wouldn’t.

He glanced up and noticed a few children ready to cross. Mike realized the car wouldn’t stop, so he did a sharp turn and ran over a fence.

The car spun out of control, but Mike managed to pull it back onto the road. The slippery road brushed with that early morning’s rain made the conditions extra worse, as he tried to steady the car.

Living among rich people where it was a high elevated place, and a not flat land was making his task harder. As he continued down the hill, the road twisted and turned. Mike struggled again with the brake, but nothing would work.

Up ahead was a low 15 foot bridge, and below it was a steady stream. Mike gripped the wheel, using all this strength to hold on. He tried turning the car, but the slippery road twisted his turn and pulled him off the bridge.

The entire side of the bridge was torn as Mike’s car headed head first into the canal like stream. It was only a split second before a loud crash was heard, as Mike’s head pushed forward slamming him into the wheel.

It suddenly went pitch black as the water slowly rushed up and claimed his car entirely.

The last person on his mind, was his beautiful wife, Ji Yun.

[To be Cont]