Beyond This World / Moon Gang-tae & Ko Mun-yeong (On-going)

Chapter 4: Everytime I See Your Eyes (MGT)

• Moon Gang-tae's point of view (POV)

Everything happened so fast. It was so fast and weird that it drained out all the energy left in my body.

Do you know the saying "You should know when to keep fighting and when to stop" or something along those lines? I felt it earlier. I mean, I know that girl just won't hit on the brakes. She keeps on going and going and we're running in circles and I just suddenly got so drained.

Her energy is a magnet and it sucks on mine.

That's why I'm here, lying down on an old bed in our "new" room, awake again after an hour or two of sleep.

I look at Sang-tae at the bed next to me. He looks peaceful and fast asleep.

Omma, I hope I made you smile tonight, wherever you may be. I took a leap and didn't look back. From a small shack to a mansion. You know that being able give Sang-tae a comfortable life is my ultimate joy--just like you.

Now I know how you felt when we were small. It's only now that I'm beginning to realize where you're coming from--on why it has always been Sang-tae you're looking after--it's because he needed you more than me.

Omma, I'm so sorry for doubting your love. Just like you, I would never allow anyone in this lifetime to lay a hand on Sang-tae. I will do everything keep my promise to you.

Not even that girl or ghost or whatever you call her--can kick me out of this house. Do you know her? Have you seen her there in heaven? Probably not, no? Because she's your exact opposite. She's loud, naughty, playful, hard-headed. Given those, she probably didn't end up in heaven, right?

But you know what? She's a bit beautiful. Well don't get me wrong, she's not as beautiful as my Omma. But for a ghost, she's pretty decent.

I really just hope that--

"Gang-tae...Gang-tae...you...you're talking to Omma again. You're so loud, oh? Talk to her outside and let me sleep."

"Arasso, arasso. I'll go outside first. Go back to sleep, even if I know that you're back to it now."

I look at my phone clock. 12:15 AM.

I'm too tired to stand up but I think I need a breath of fresh air right now. My head feels heavy from everything that has happened in the past six hours.

I must admit this is not the friendliest-looking house in the neighborhood and honestly, this place has been giving me the creeps.

I slowly walk out of the room, afraid of making any noise that would wake up Sang-tae.

It's silent and dark except for the living room with the chandelier on. Did I forget to turn it off? Probably.

But wait...I can hear something.

Footsteps. Heavy footsteps. Like someone's trying to hit a wooden floor over and over.

Am I just imagining things? Or am I just sleepwalking? I slap my face and it stung. Okay, so maybe I'm really awake.

If my heart can only jump out of my shirt, it would have been running frantically on the streets by now.

The sound would stop. And then it would start again.

The hair on my nape are as awake as I am, I can't even smoothen them out.

What the heck did I get myself into? Perhaps tomorrow morning I can already start packing our things.

Ah, no. I'm sorry, Omma. Your son here is about to pee on his pants but I will be brave. I just need to see what's causing the sound right? And then turn off the lights. Then come back in our room and lock the door. And bury myself under the sheets, right? Righr, that's the plan.

I slowly made my way towards the living room. I should see everything from upstairs. Should. But I can't.

The sound suddenly stopped.

Probably it's that crazy ghost? Ani, ani, she must be sleeping by now.

I silently go down the stairs and looked at everything that my sight can reach. No one. Nothing.

I scan the place again and suddenly the sound can be heard again.

It's coming from behind me...getting closer and closer. I wanted to move but my body is disobeying me. I'm stuck and is continuously being tortured by that sound.

I can't take this anymore. I need to gather all my strength and turn around and--

"Why are you not sleeping yet?"

The moment my head turned, my lips nearly brushed hers.

She was so close that I can smell her sweet floral scent.

And those eyes...those eyes that are piercing through my soul--I'm sure I've already seen those eyes before.

If my whole life is a library, right now I'm flipping through every page of every book. I need to know--

"Moon Gang-tae, don't you recognize me?"

I am beyond mesmerized at the beauty standing before me.

Small face. Tall pointed nose. Sexy lips. A pair of eyes that lacked warmth. Sexy lips. Did I count that twice?

"Y-You're the ghost from earlier."

I swear if she moves unnecessarily, our lips would be touching.

Thankfully, she pulled her face away from mine before such unfortunate thing happens. But why am I a bit disappointed?

She stepped back and it is finally dawning on me that she's now...a tangible person.

My eyes nearly fell out of their sockets.

"Ya! Why are you looking at me as if you've seen a ghost?"

Her voice. That voice. It's louder now. And deeper. And whole lot sexier.

"W-Well, I-I'm surprised that you're not a g-ghost anymore."

She suddenly twirled around and walked like a model. The living room was suddenly transformed into a runway.

The short black long sleeve dress she's wearing is leaving nothing to the imagination but thankfully she's wearing some knee high stockings and black boots with heels. Ah! That's it. That's where the noise is coming from!

"You like my outfit?"

"Waitaminutewaitaminute--before you keep on strutting your outfit--how, what, why?!"

Surely, I needed to hear some good explanation from this woman.

But the moment she opened her lips, I suddenly got lost in my thoughts.

"Ya, Moon Gang-tae! Did you hear everything I said?"

Moon Gang-tae, stop it. Is this the first time you've seen an extremely beautiful and sexy lady? Yes? Yes. Okay. But please focus.

"Can you repeat? Because this is your fault. I'm still shocked okay? You see--"

"Shocked at what?"

Shit. She's getting nearer again. I need to take a step back.

Gang-tae, think quick. "I thought there was a thief who was making sounds here in the living room. And then I find you instead."

"I understand that you're shocked by my beauty and you're just mesmerized by my perfect looks but that's fine. No big deal. What I was saying earlier is that when clock strikes twelve, I become tangible. But it lasts only for one hour."

"Huh?!"

"You heard me and I'm not going to repeat it for the third time."

She sat on the chair and now I need to double my effort in fixing my eyes on her face. Don't let it slip down, Gang-tae. Focus.

We look at each other and stare at each other's eyes.

It kept going for seconds. Then minutes. Neither of us are giving up on this staring game.

"I remember you now."  I found the page in the book. That part of my life where I saw those eyes that lacked warmth.