When You're Gone (Colette)

"Sir, I would like to make a deal with you too." After what seemed like an eternity, James finally spoke. His suggestion startled the Grim Reaper. "What deal do you want to strike?"

The Grim Reaper had an amused twinkle in his eyes. He wanted to learn more about this deal.

James, meanwhile, was glad that the Grim Reaper did not turn him down, which meant there was a possibility after all. He told the Grim Reaper everything on his mind.

"I would like to give up all the life I have left in exchange for a chance to be reborn with her." This was the only idea he came up with after he heard about Colette's deal with the Grim Reaper.

His speech was met with a snicker from the Grim Reaper.

"Colette Anderson gave up reincarnation for a mere seven days with you. What makes you think you could give up the rest of your life in exchange for a next life with her?"

The Grim Reaper shook his head, mocking James' arrogance and naivete. Changing one's destiny wasn't something that could be easily done, and it certainly wasn't within James' power. Besides, they were talking about a woman whose soul was already gone.

Embarrassed by the Grim Reaper's words, James quickly composed himself. He decided to raise the stakes if his initial offer wasn't enough. "I can give up anything for another life with Colette."

The sincerity in his voice caught the Grim Reaper's attention, but he still shook his head. "Even so, you can only have one life with her. I can't guarantee your relationship in that life."

James fell silent, feeling hopeless. Even if he sacrificed everything, there was no certainty he could return to the way things were with Colette. The thought made him chuckle sadly.

Losing patience, the Grim Reaper cut him off. "Deal or no deal?"

Initially, the Grim Reaper thought James would back off, given his silence. He was about to instruct his assistant to take James away when James stared at him and said, "Deal."

James wanted to make it up to Colette for what he had done to her. Even if they might not cross paths in the next life, all he wanted was for her to have a good life.noveldrama

Peering down arrogantly, the Grim Reaper asked coldly, "Is that your final decision?"

James nodded decisively. "Yes."

"I shall grant your wish. In your next life, you will not carry memories from the past. Whatever happens is out of your control."

After the Grim Reaper made the announcement, a wintry breeze swept through the space, sending chills down James' spine.

In the next second, James lost consciousness.

A long time later, James woke up in an entirely different environment. The only source of light poured in from a crack in the ceiling of a dim and dingy attic. He squinted under the blinding light and raised his hand to block it out.

A thin rag covered him. He flipped it and prepared to stand up when he choked and sneezed hard from the falling dust.

James Vanderbilt tried to stand up straight, only to hit his head on the ceiling. He caressed his head and scammed his surroundings to realize attic was barely his height.

that e

He went down the wooden stairs and frowned at the poverty-stricken house. Somehow, he had a feeling

an

that he shouldn't be living in sught,

environment, but on second thought, he could not have envisioned a different lifestyle.

After some thinking, James concluded that his illusions must have come from a

dream in that long nap he took.