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Until Fate Gave Us a Second Chance (DUBBED) #Dramabox
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm a model. Well, a different kind. In this line of work, most of us have sugar daddies.
00:07They usually hop from one to another. I have one too. His name is Jacob Griffin Wood.
00:14Come to think of it, it's been almost a year since we met. Our contract expires in six months.
00:22By industry rules, we need to decide whether to renew or part ways. After all, youth is my only
00:27asset. A good sugar daddy is hard to find. If we don't renew, I'll have to find someone new.
00:33Honestly, I'm happy with Jacob. If he wants to stay together, I'll celebrate the champagne.
00:39However, knowing Jacob is hard to say. He's just too attractive. When a man is this rich and powerful,
00:46people flock to him in droves. I can charm Jacob all I want. Alas, I've reached my body's limit.
00:52Over the year, we've tried everything in bed. Jacob isn't interested in me anymore.
00:56He gave me a mountain villa that's almost five, 300 square feet. His previous lovers lived there
01:02too. I don't know how many there were, but the thought of leaving in two weeks makes me depressed.
01:07Late at night, Mary Atkins, the maid, wakes me. She says, Jacob is here. I have to go serve him.
01:14This life isn't as easy as it looks. I have to do so much. You need charm and a lot
01:21of luck.
01:22With a bad sugar daddy, you lose your money and your health. I've been a model for three years.
01:27Some of my colleagues have to wear diapers now. I'm one of the lucky ones.
01:32Jacob's only flaw is how he treats me in the bedroom. But he's generous.
01:36I rush downstairs in a robe. Jacob is passed out on the couch. He reeks of alcohol.
01:42Mary hands me some honey tea. I hold it to his lips lovingly.
01:46I coo. Have some tea, Mr. Wood. He's surnamed Griffin Wood. But he has a quirk. He hates his
01:53last name. I'm a woman with no education. I didn't know compound surnames exist. That's how I caught his
02:00eye. He says when people call him Mr. Griffin Wood out of respect, he just wants to slap them.
02:07Jacob takes a sip and frowns. I quickly pull the cup away. The smell of booze and perfume makes my
02:13stomach turn. Still, I strip him down and fetch a basin of warm water. I wash him with a straight
02:20face. Jacob is still conscious. He moves his limbs for me. Georgia, how long has it been? Almost a year,
02:28Mr. Wood. Jacob nods. The contract's up soon, right? My heart skips a beat. He wants to talk
02:34about it now. If the renewal is a no-go, I wonder how much I'll get. Jacob is a generous
02:39man. If the
02:40payout is big enough, I'll quit being a model. But he doesn't say another word. I wait for him
02:46to speak, but he's already fallen asleep. The next day, Alice Lane invites me to the salon. As a kid,
02:53I never thought I'd visit a place like this so often. Models are competitive. We earn a lot,
02:59but we spend a lot. New girls are always joining. As I get older, maintenance costs more. I get the
03:07full head-to-toe package. I spend thousands every visit. I spend a ton at the salon. Once I spent
03:12$200,000 on a package. I was heartbroken that day. Then again, it was worth it. Jacob couldn't resist
03:19me at all. That's rare for him. His self-control is insane. I give it my all in bed, but
03:26he always
03:26holds back at the last second. Alice asks about my future. She knows a decent sugar daddy in high
03:32society. But she offers to take me to meet him. I turn her down. Although the renewal might not
03:39happen, I'm still within the contracted period. Looking for a new daddy in secret is a death wish.
03:45I wonder who's lucky enough to become Jacob's next lover. Alice sounds jealous. No idea. I snap back.
03:53Jacob hates being speculated. But guessing client thoughts is habitual. This past year,
03:59Jacob has had many playthings. Men or women. Sugar daddies care not about genders. As long as they're
04:07happy, the models get paid. Jacob used to be passionate, but now he's just cold. The honeymoon
04:13phase is over. He's lost interest in me. He'll likely replace me next year. Mid-facial, Jacob calls me.
04:21He gives me an address and tells me to get there now. It's a private estate. Members only. Very
04:27discreet. I know what's coming. When I arrive, Jacob is with clients from Halmion. I'm there to
04:33entertain them in alternative ways. This is my job. I'm in my element. I drink and flirt with the
04:41clients. The party is getting wild. One client hands me his card. He tells me he likes me right in
04:48front
04:48of Jacob. I glance at Jacob, trying to gauge his reaction. But I can never guess what he's thinking
04:55or how he's feeling. I'm not that smart, but I am cautious. I won't do anything to upset him,
05:02not right in front of him. I turn the client down tactfully. I even tell him I belong to Jacob.
05:08Everyone is amused by that. Everyone except Jacob. He just sits there, nonchalant, watching me with
05:15those mysterious eyes. I just give him a bright smile. When the first party ends, the night is
05:21actually just beginning. Everyone moves on. In the private room, the table is covered in pricey booze.
05:28Soon, a group of young people is led in. Like products on a shelf, they waited to be picked out.
05:33I spot a few fresh faces. In this business, you need sharp eyes. I can tell who's truly young at
05:42a glance.
05:42Jacob draws out lazily. The fresh one can stay. I'm instantly on guard. Shady tricks don't scare
05:49me. But I can never win against age. My purity is a facade. That girl is the real deal. Is
05:54this
05:55your first? Jacob asks. She nods, looking anxious. She tries to serve him a drink, but she's so nervous,
06:02she spills it. Jacob isn't even angry. He shoots me a look. I knew it. I'm the one who has
06:08to clean up.
06:08As for the entertainment, the newbie can handle that. I keep an eye on everything. I boost the
06:14mood with drinks and song. I'll dance too if they want. I hear Jacob talking to that girl in that
06:20languid tone of his. He asks her name and her age. She's Mila Jones, 18, and from some far off
06:25coastal
06:25town. Her family is sick and she's broke. That poor me story is so overused. It's so cliche, I never
06:32used
06:32it. When Jacob asked why I do this, I said I was lazy and hated working. I thought being honest
06:38was
06:38refreshing, and that was why he liked me. But apparently, he believes Mila. He even pulls out
06:45his checkbook and writes her a check. I'm stunned. I didn't know pity was so effective. He could have
06:51just said he wanted sad. In school, my grades were great. I was an essayist. Making up sad stories is
06:58easy for me. It's already 3am by the time the party is over. Jacob has already left with Mila.
07:04At least he remembered me. He got me a ride home as a reward for my work tonight. The AC
07:10in the car
07:11is perfect, but I overdrank. I'm warmer than usual. I try to hold it together, but I can't. I stop
07:19the
07:19car. I'm out before he stops. I cling to a trash can and retch. One year with Jacob, and my
07:26alcohol
07:26tolerance has dropped. After only 8 bottles of mixed red and white wine tonight, I've reached my
07:30limit. The driver kindly gets out and hands me some tissues. The bile I'm throwing up fills my
07:34mouth with bitterness. I awkwardly thank the driver. Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital?
07:41It's okay. I wave it off. I'm fine. I know my body. I've gotten drunk like this before. I'm not
07:47that
07:47delicate. I force myself to head home. My brain feels like complete mush. I feel like I'll fall into a
07:52deep sleep when I close my eyes. Yet, the second I hit the mattress, all traces of sleep vanish.
07:57I have this strong feeling that my position is about to be taken by Mila. How is she so lucky?
08:02It was her first time out, and she met Jacob? I'm freaking jealous. Turns out, I was right.
08:07For the next week, I don't see Jacob, but I hear about him from everyone. Mila has, unsurprisingly,
08:14become Jacob's new favorite. She's the talk of the town now. Every time I hear it, I just curse
08:19myself for choosing to be the understanding type back then. If I had been more demanding,
08:23I could have confidently marched up to Jacob and told him to not have a new woman replace me.
08:27Days pass, and eventually, the contract ends. I'm smart. Before Jacob even asks me to leave,
08:34I've already packed my bags. I know that he hasn't mentioned renewing the contract because he
08:39doesn't want to continue, but what can I do? Going from luxury to simplicity is hard. I don't want
08:43to give up this villa or the housekeepers. Jacob sends his secretary to talk to me. He offers me an
08:47apartment. It's a full-floor flat downtown worth around $6 million. My first thought is to sell it
08:52and cash out. I'm not exactly flush with cash, and my expenses are high. If I stay there a few
08:57months, I'll struggle to even pay the fees. The day after I move out of the villa, a business card
09:02comes into my hands. It's the one I turn down at Jacob's dinner. Alice tells me, I think he makes
09:07a good sugar daddy. You're done with Jacob now, so you need to grab this chance. I hesitate. He's from
09:13Kalmyan. I'm not keen on going there. I don't know that place. Oh, come on. You're worrying
09:18about nothing. A guy with his status? You won't be his only woman. He's probably got women stashed
09:23here and there, maybe even a dozen more overseas. Just have him rent you a place and stay here. If
09:28he's ever in town for business, you can take care of him. Listen, you can't rest now. In our line
09:32of
09:32work, once you stop, you'll never get back up. You have to keep networking and contact your sugar
09:36daddies. They're thousands of beautiful and fun women. You need to give them a reason to spend big money
09:41on you. Noticing my silence, Alice narrows her eyes. Georgia, don't tell me you've fallen for
09:47Jacob. You're right, I finally say. I need to get myself together. I need to make more money.
09:52There's a golf event this weekend. I'll bring you along. Alice is pleased. You better seize the
09:57chance. I learn about Lance's preferences. He's my sugar daddy from Kalmyan. On the day of the golf
10:02event, the moment I see him, I can feel the weight of his gaze on me. I know right away
10:06that my business
10:07for the year is set. I make Lance laugh with my charm. Pretending I don't know how to play,
10:12I lean in close to him. I'm busy with the club, while he's busy with me. We both get what
10:17we need.
10:17From a distance, a golf cart approaches. I look up and see Jacob holding Mila in his arms.
10:23He's looking at me indifferently. I'm nestled in Lance's arms. The two of us move like a single
10:29entity as we swing the club. Following a solid thwack, the ball takes a nonsensical path. It flies up in
10:35the
10:36air and lands on Jacob's head. At that moment, I've already picked out where my grave should be.
10:40I must have committed some horrible crime against this ball. This golf course is huge. So why does
10:46it have to hit Jacob's head specifically? Lance behind me. Immediately, let's go. He looks like
10:50he can't wait to cut ties with me. I get it. In this place, nobody wants to get on Jacob's
10:55bad side.
10:56Whether I actually hit that ball today doesn't matter. The result can only be that I hit it.
11:01Mr. Griffin, Wood, I'm so sorry. Let me take you to the hospital. Lance rushes over, looking guilty.
11:08This is all my fault. I wasn't watching her closely enough. I raise my hand and rub my eyes.
11:13They instantly turn red. Looking panicked, I drop to my knees in front of Jacob. My voice shakes.
11:19Mr. Wood, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I really don't know what happened. Honestly though, this grass is
11:24pretty soft and neon. It doesn't hurt my knees at all. My head stays down so I can't see Jacob's
11:29face.
11:29But everything around us goes silent. The mood is clearly serious. I was kind of hoping Jacob
11:35might go easy on me since I've served him for a whole year. It seems like that's not happening.
11:40His bodyguards yank me up. Two guys, one on each side, grab my arms and practically drag me another
11:45step toward Jacob. Jacob sits there on his golf cart, looking down at me. His eyes are full of disgust.
11:52Looks like Mr. Corti's quite taking with Georgia. He says it with a smile, but his voice is ice cold.
11:56Guess today I'll be taking what belongs to you. Taking what belongs to me? She's just a plaything.
12:02How dare she hurt you? As long as you're satisfied, Mr. Griffin Wood. Do whatever you want.
12:06Lance sells me out without hesitation. You rarely visit. I wouldn't want you getting lonely.
12:12Jacob gives Mila a gentle nudge toward Lance. Think of her as a little gift from me. I hope you
12:18won't mind. People like us only exist to please others. So being treated like objects traded or
12:23given away happens all the time. I lost my new sugar daddy and pissed off my old one.
12:28My mind goes dark. I have no idea how Jacob will punish me. I'm scared of pain. I'm terrified of
12:33it,
12:33but I can't just end it all either because I want to live. I want to live so desperately.
12:38Jacob takes me to his actual home, a place I've never been. All of his homes are mansions.
12:44This one doesn't look that different from the one I used to stay in.
12:47The bodyguards throw me on the floor. Footsteps echo all around me. I press myself to the ground,
12:53too scared to move. After a while, everything goes quiet. Jacob's voice comes from above me.
12:59Georgia, look up. I flinch, then slowly lift my head to look at him. My face is covered in tears.
13:05Showing weakness is sometimes a tactic. It has nothing to do with gender. I never used to cry.
13:10I knew no one would care if I did, so I refused to let myself shed tears.
13:13Then, I got into this line of work and realized that men actually love watching us cry.
13:18They love being worshipped by the weak. Even more, they love crushing the weak.
13:22Grinding them down. Why are you crying? Jacob asks me.
13:26Subconsciously, I think his mood seems a bit better now because his posture is clearly more relaxed than
13:31when he was with Lance. I crawl toward him. Looking pitiful, I place my hands on his knees.
13:35My face is full of hurt. Mr. Wood, please forgive me. I really didn't mean to.
13:39Jacob's eyes darken. He reaches out and grabs my chin.
13:43His grip isn't hard? His thumb strokes my neck gently.
13:46Your new sugar daddy abandoned you. New sugar daddy, old sugar daddy, I only want you, Mr. Wood.
13:52I blink and tears fall. But you don't want me anymore. You have someone new.
13:57An old toy like me isn't good enough for you anymore.
14:00Funny? I've never heard you say this before.
14:02Jacob says to me. I force a smile and lower my eyes.
14:06Someone in my position has no right to say such things.
14:09Then why say it today all of a sudden? If not now, I'd never get another chance.
14:13In your mind, am I really that cruel and heartless?
14:16Jacob forces me to look at him.
14:18Any idiot knows this is absolutely not the time to tell the truth.
14:21But if I lie, Jacob won't believe me either.
14:24What do I do?
14:25My life depends on this.
14:26I grip my teeth, straighten my back, tilt my head up, and kiss Jacob's thin lips.
14:30They say people with thin lips are heartless.
14:32I think there's truth to that saying.
14:34Jacob doesn't push me away, but he doesn't kiss me back either.
14:37I close my eyes, kissing him carefully.
14:39My hands shake as I undo Jacob's belt.
14:41When it comes to pleasing men with my body, I'm way too good at it.
14:44As long as Jacob lets me see this through, today's incident will be forgiven.
14:48I work hard to please him.
14:50After a year with him, I know exactly how to satisfy him.
14:53Move back in tomorrow, he says.
14:55Don't bother packing your things.
14:56I'll have someone buy you new stuff.
14:58I don't know if this counts as a blessing.
14:59I'm back by Jacob's side.
15:01But this time, he doesn't make me sign a contract.
15:04Not only that, he no longer just visits the mansion once in a while.
15:07He moves in completely.
15:09My friends praise my tactics.
15:11I actually won Jacob back, and by the looks of it, I might actually become permanent.
15:15Going permanent doesn't mean becoming his wife.
15:17It means I'm qualified to stay with Jacob, not on a contract basis, but long-term and stable.
15:21The kind where I can rely on him for the rest of my life.
15:24That kind of relationship.
15:25Too bad I'm on pills.
15:27I can't have kids.
15:28Otherwise, if I gave Jacob a kid or two, my position would be completely secure.
15:32I don't really buy into all that.
15:34Never mind that I can't have kids.
15:35Even if I could, I would never have Jacob's child.
15:39At airport arrivals, I'm waiting eagerly.
15:42Jacob's been away for almost a month.
15:43Honestly, I actually kind of miss him.
15:46The display screen showed the plane had landed.
15:48I count down every second until finally I spot Jacob in the distance.
15:52Mr. Wood.
15:52I throw my arm up excitedly, waving hard.
15:55Jacob looks over.
15:56It's rare, but his eyes hold a hint of warmth.
15:59Every once in a while, I catch myself thinking maybe we're just a normal couple.
16:03No different from the other couples in the world.
16:06Lost in that thought, my gaze drifts to the side.
16:09My eyes meet someone else's.
16:10What a surprise.
16:12Of all places, I'm running into my mother here.
16:14My birth wasn't exactly honorable.
16:16Getting into this line of work wasn't voluntary either.
16:18But trauma has a way of clustering.
16:20My story might earn a few tears if it were on TV, but in this industry, it's nothing special.
16:25So, I never play the victim.
16:27Many people have it worse.
16:28Who am I to complain?
16:29The airport is crowded.
16:30I look away naturally and rush toward Jacob, throwing my arms around him to show how much I missed him.
16:35Jacob wraps one arm around me.
16:37His tone is casual, but his expression is soft.
16:40That happy to see me?
16:41Very happy.
16:42I nod enthusiastically.
16:44He chuckles, clearly pleased.
16:46Unusually, in front of others, he takes my hand.
16:50I'm completely floored.
16:51Jacob always travels with an entourage.
16:53My existence is an open secret, but my status was never respectable.
16:56He rarely shows affection to someone like me in public.
16:59I focus entirely on him, partly to show how much I missed him, partly to keep my gaze from
17:05wandering where it shouldn't, but in the end, I can't help myself.
17:08I glance back.
17:09My birth mother is chatting intimately with a young woman while smiling.
17:12That's probably my stepsister, someone I've never met before.
17:16What are you looking at?
17:17Jacob asks.
17:18Nothing.
17:18I quickly turn my gaze away and cautiously say, Mr. Wood, if you're going on a business
17:24trip again for so long, could you take me along?
17:26He doesn't answer.
17:26I suddenly realize that what I've said seems inappropriate.
17:29While I'm trying to think of a cover-up, he asks, why?
17:32Do you want to come with me?
17:34No.
17:34I wrinkle my nose and say, I haven't seen you in a while, so I've missed you.
17:38How clingy.
17:39Jacob sighs.
17:41Despite his troubled expression, his gentle tone tells me he isn't upset by my request.
17:45Next time, I'll have my secretary notify you.
17:48He says, while scratching my chin, almost like petting a dog.
17:51There's nothing wrong with that.
17:53After all, a rich person's dog lives a better life than the people from poor families.
17:56The sex tonight leaves me exhausted.
17:58Jacob is like a wolf that hasn't eaten for a long time.
18:00Not a single part of me is left untouched.
18:03I guess his schedule this month must be very tight, and he can't release his needs.
18:07After all, he is a workaholic.
18:10Work always comes first for him, even when it conflicts with his needs.
18:14I'm so tired, my eyes hurt and won't stay open.
18:16I wake briefly as he pulls away.
18:19He sees me looking at him, so he explains.
18:22I have work.
18:23Go ahead and sleep.
18:24In the past, I didn't have the right to spend the night in the same bed as Jacob.
18:28But ever since I return to his side, occasionally when it gets too late, Jacob stays in my room
18:32to rest.
18:33Didn't you just return from your trip?
18:34I rub my eyes, forcing myself to sit up.
18:36My sugar daddy isn't sleeping, so how can I be?
18:38I don't have the guts for that.
18:40Sleep.
18:40Be good.
18:41Jacob says firmly, pushing me back down.
18:43When he sees I won't close my eyes, he sighs softly and leaves the bedroom.
18:47I hesitate between getting up and giving in to the drowsiness.
18:50But Jacob returns, holding a thick file filled with professional terms in Asperian.
18:56Just a glance makes my head hurt.
18:57Sleep.
18:58I'll stay here and read.
18:59He half reclines beside me and turns on the desk lamp.
19:01With glasses on the bridge of his nose, he even puts an arm around me so I can sleep while
19:06hugging it.
19:06I am over the moon.
19:07Then I fall asleep.
19:09The next morning, when I wake up, Jacob is no longer in the bedroom.
19:13I reflect deeply, thinking it is because Jacob has been a little too indulgent with me lately.
19:17People are like that.
19:18We easily get carried away.
19:19Although I deeply fear Jacob's power and influence, the tenderness he occasionally shows
19:24is really hard to resist.
19:25I remind myself repeatedly not to let my guard down but still find myself doing so without
19:29realizing it.
19:30While lost in thought, I sit on the bed and do a simple stretch to relieve the strain from
19:35last night's exertion.
19:36I casually pick up the phone from the table.
19:39I notice I have several missed calls from my birth father and mother.
19:43Ever since I get into this line of work, they only call me for one reason, and it is money.
19:47I am their cash machine.
19:49It was my birth father who led me into this line of work.
19:51He owed debts and used me as collateral.
19:53My first sugar daddy is my father's creditor.
19:56Back then, I was inexperienced and didn't know how to charm men, so I suffered a lot.
19:59Not long after, my first sugar daddy grew tired of me, and he sent me off for training.
20:04At a banquet, he handed me to my second sugar daddy.
20:06The second one had some fetishes, but he was very generous.
20:10With him, I paid off my father's gambling debts.
20:12Later, my biological mother heard that I was making a lot of money, so she called to say
20:16she needed some.
20:17I refused, so she came to my place and caused trouble.
20:20That interrupted my work, and for that, my second sugar daddy slapped me and made me lose
20:24a tooth.
20:24After I got involved with Jacob, I always did whatever they asked.
20:28I was afraid they would cause trouble.
20:30Earning money is hard, but living well is even harder.
20:33I make a lot, but I also spend a lot.
20:35Along with my parents' bottomless needs, I am living a very hard life.
20:39I actually consider giving up this line of work, but it is hard to get out.
20:43Truthfully, I am used to this luxurious lifestyle too.
20:46Without any skills, I can't make money if I leave this work.
20:49I won't be able to survive.
20:50Thinking about this, I expressionlessly call them back.
20:53Sure enough, my mother wants money.
20:55She saw me at the airport yesterday with Jacob.
20:57She believes I have gotten myself a rich guy.
21:00She feels what I give her isn't enough and asks me to double it.
21:03I don't have that much, I say.
21:06I checked with a friend at the housing bureau.
21:07You have a property under your name.
21:09You can transfer it to me.
21:10My mother says haughtily.
21:12Your sister just graduated.
21:13She needs a place to stay.
21:15Not possible, I refuse.
21:16Georgia, don't think that just because you found a strong backer that I won't deal with
21:19you.
21:20Trust me.
21:20If I make trouble outside Jacob's company for a few days, Jacob will immediately dump
21:24you.
21:25I believe her.
21:26After all, I lost my previous sugar daddy in the same way.
21:29They are only looking for fun and to relieve stress, not to clean up my mess.
21:33I sigh deeply.
21:34Give me some time.
21:35Hurry up.
21:36I don't have much patience.
21:37She huffs in frustration and hangs up.
21:39I steady myself, then call my father.
21:42Lately, Jacob likes you a lot, huh?
21:44My father says.
21:44I have something I need you to do.
21:46Once it's done, I promise I won't ask you for money again.
21:49What is it?
21:50You need to steal a document.
21:52It's related to X company's merger plan.
21:54I am not highly educated, but I know that whatever he wants me to steal is definitely
21:59not just a simple merger document.
22:00How simple?
22:01What if I refuse?
22:02I ask.
22:03If you refuse, I'll die.
22:05My father grits his teeth.
22:06If I die, I'll take you down with me.
22:08I end the call.
22:09Why are you lost in thought?
22:10The bedroom door is open, and Jacob is staring at me with his arms crossed.
22:15I don't know how long he has been there.
22:17I feel uneasy.
22:18I don't know how much he has heard.
22:20Nothing.
22:21Get up if you're awake, Jacob says.
22:23Come downstairs.
22:24I groggily get up and wash my face.
22:26When I got downstairs, I freeze at the site.
22:28The living room has been redecorated.
22:30There are balloons everywhere.
22:31The wall in the center usually holds a painting worth billions, but it is now removed and
22:36replaced with balloons spelling, happy birthday.
22:38Jacob stands by the stairs, holding a party popper.
22:41With a loud bang, the confetti sprays all over me.
22:43Georgia, happy birthday.
22:45I rarely celebrate my birthday, so when I see all the gift boxes and the two-tier cake in
22:49the middle of the living room, my first reaction isn't joy.
22:52It is unfamiliarity.
22:54Is today my birthday?
22:55I don't think so.
22:57Confused, I instinctively reach for my phone.
22:59Why aren't you happy?
23:01Jacob keenly notices my mood, and the smile on his face fades.
23:05Panicking at once, I rush up and force a bright smile.
23:09No, no, I'm just so surprised that I didn't know how to react at first.
23:13Mr. Wood, you're the first person to celebrate my birthday.
23:16I'm really, really happy.
23:17My own thoughts don't matter.
23:19What matters is not spoiling his mood.
23:21I'm the main character of the birthday party, but Jacob is the director.
23:25As an actress, I have to follow the director's requests and perform according to the script.
23:29Jacob has prepared many gifts for me.
23:31Among them are luxurious goods, sports cars, and even landed properties.
23:34His gifts have solved the urgent problem.
23:36If I accept these gifts, I'll have bound myself to Jacob permanently.
23:39That means I'll have to deal with my birth parents for the rest of my life.
23:42I'll have to live in constant fear.
23:43But if I don't accept these gifts, I won't have any money at all.
23:46That means I won't be able to survive.
23:47Heck, I don't even know how long I can last without money.
23:49Thing is, I really love the car keys that are printed with luxurious logos,
23:52and the watches that have sparkling jewels embedded on them.
23:54Yes, I'm just that realistic and materialistic.
23:56The gifts are placed before me.
23:57It's impossible for me to push them away.
23:59Happily, I reach out and accept the gifts.
24:00Then, I give Jacob a loud and deep kiss on his cheek.
24:02I don't care anymore.
24:03Even if I die, I'll die with these assets in my arms.
24:06I celebrate the grandest birthday I've ever known.
24:09Jacob is satisfied with my cooperation, too.
24:11He's supposed to be extremely busy,
24:12and yet he's able to block out a full day in his schedule to spend time with me.
24:15He's been spoiling me the whole time, but I've always been insecure my whole life.
24:17I can't help but wonder where exactly Jacob's bottom line lies.
24:20He's able to tolerate my occasional spoiled antics,
24:23just like how he's treating a pet dog that he adores.
24:25He can spare some time and effort to keep me company.
24:27In fact, he even prepares a pot of seafood boil for me on that very night.
24:31Ever since I joined this line of work, I've never had spicy and greasy food ever again.
24:34I need to remain healthy to avoid having rashes marring my skin.
24:37I don't want any dark circles, either.
24:38God knows just how much suffering I go through whenever I eat bland salads
24:40while watching others devouring amazing food.
24:42It's not an exaggeration to call it the greatest torture methods.
24:44The smell of the spices keeps me drooling.
24:47Uncontrollably.
24:48I take a deep breath and gulp loudly,
24:49before turning the seafood boil down as much as it pains me.
24:52No thank you, Mr. Wood.
24:53You don't like seafood boil?
24:54Jacob then adds.
24:55I remember you telling me you come from Corville.
24:57Corville is known for having the best seafood boil.
24:59I do like it, I reply, clearly embarrassed.
25:01Then again, my sugar daddy has prepared so many surprises for my sake.
25:04Tonight, I must do my best to show my gratitude in bed,
25:06but it's been far too long since I had spicy food.
25:07What if my stomach can't handle the spice?
25:09What if I ruin everything when the time comes?
25:11I can't possibly imagine how disastrous things will be.
25:13Jacob can tell the reason behind my hesitation,
25:15so he tells me to sit down.
25:16Don't worry.
25:16He bends down and murmurs into my ear.
25:19I'll be very busy these few days,
25:21so I'll spare you from your duties.
25:23My eyes light up.
25:24The table is laden with all my favorite dishes.
25:26I only hate that after years of dieting,
25:28my stomach had shrunk,
25:30and I couldn't fit all the food in.
25:32Jacob prefers lighter food,
25:33so this meal isn't for him.
25:35Most of the time,
25:36he drops food into my bowl.
25:37Not gonna lie,
25:38with the broth on the table,
25:40the warm lights overhead,
25:41and Jacob's reminders for me to eat slowly.
25:44The scene was pretty cozy,
25:45but after some time,
25:47he stopped me.
25:48He says it's cause my stomach is puffed up like a balloon that will pop if I keep going.
25:51I'm really embarrassed.
25:52My belly's pretty flat,
25:54so it's painfully obvious when it juts out,
25:55even just a bit.
25:56When he helps me upstairs,
25:58he looks disappointed in me.
25:59I've never once restricted what you eat,
26:01so just eat whatever you want.
26:02Why make yourself suffer?
26:04As if,
26:05men are all liars.
26:06Once,
26:07I craved something cold and ate half an ice cream.
26:09I'd gotten a stomachache,
26:10so I couldn't give Jacob what he wanted.
26:12He'd frowned in displeasure and said I was unprofessional.
26:15Didn't I know what I should and shouldn't be eating?
26:18Later,
26:18after Jacob falls asleep,
26:20I'm still awake because I'm stuffed.
26:21I climb out of bed and take out the gifts,
26:23looking over them again.
26:24I love them.
26:25They make me feel secure and keep me standing.
26:28I quietly put them all away in the drawer,
26:31then slip out of the bedroom,
26:32and head to the study.
26:34It's a room full of mystery to me.
26:36Jacob hates being disturbed when he's working.
26:38His business is massive,
26:39and the amounts are huge.
26:41I'm always afraid I'll see things that I shouldn't.
26:43Plus,
26:43it's packed with books that are all foreign texts
26:45that I can't understand.
26:46It's always been a place of awe,
26:48fear,
26:48and respect for me.
26:49I can feel my heart pounding way too fast.
26:51I stand at the door,
26:52giving myself a full-on pep talk.
26:54But in the end,
26:55I don't go in.
26:55I'm not stupid.
26:56In this city,
26:57if I offend my father,
26:58and whatever big shot backing him,
27:00I can still run.
27:01But if I offend Jacob,
27:02I'll be better off dead.
27:03After that day,
27:04I don't answer any more calls from my father.
27:06I also come up with a plan.
27:08I go to Alice for help,
27:09and pay her to hire some thugs
27:10to teach my parents a lesson they won't forget.
27:12I've never done this before.
27:13Staying alive was hard enough.
27:15All I ever thought about
27:16was how to get through each day.
27:18But now,
27:18things are different.
27:19If I obey Jacob,
27:21I'll still have a way out,
27:22even if he grows sick of me.
27:23He won't make things hard for me.
27:25Alice asks me how far I want to take this.
27:27I ask how far things can go.
27:29A verbal threat,
27:30a warning,
27:31or some violence,
27:32or permanent injuries,
27:34or maybe stage a car crash to take them out.
27:37Different levels,
27:38different prices.
27:39I think about it.
27:40My father is gonna need a beating,
27:42or he won't take this seriously.
27:44As for my mother,
27:45get a few guys who look extra fierce,
27:47and have them tail my half-sister for a few days,
27:49then threaten her.
27:50She's my mother's whole world.
27:52Her pain would kill my mother.
27:53Oh, one more thing.
27:54When the guys make their move,
27:56make sure my parents are aware
27:57that this is all my idea.
27:59Okay,
27:59wait for my good news.
28:01Alice works fast.
28:02In just a few days,
28:03my mother calls me.
28:04She swears to make me pay.
28:07Better not threaten me,
28:08I say calmly.
28:09The money's with me.
28:10Put me in a good mood,
28:11and I might give you some,
28:12but if you piss me off,
28:14this time,
28:14I just scared your daughter.
28:16Next time,
28:17I won't stop there.
28:18My mother curses me out,
28:19but in the end,
28:20all she can do is hang up.
28:21Why was I so dumb before?
28:22Why didn't I think of doing this?
28:24I'd wasted so much money.
28:26Honestly,
28:26they were all bark and no bite,
28:27like balloons that would burst once poked.
28:30Meanwhile,
28:30my father doesn't call me at all.
28:31I heard those thugs roughed him up bad,
28:33so he'd been recuperating
28:35and hadn't even left the house.
28:36I let out a shallow breath,
28:37thinking that maybe
28:38I can finally have peace.
28:40Unfortunately in my life,
28:42peace never seems to last long.
28:44I leave the house
28:45for a quick trip to the spa
28:46when a van suddenly comes
28:47screaming down the street.
28:48The door flies open,
28:49and several guys in masks
28:51drag me into the vehicle.
28:53I don't even have time to scream
28:54before a damp towel
28:55is pressed over my mouth and nose.
28:57I'm genuinely surprised
28:58that someone like me
28:59is getting kidnapped.
29:00My life so far
29:01hasn't been smooth sailing,
29:02but a kidnapping
29:03is definitely a first.
29:05After all,
29:05I'm not rich,
29:06nor am I powerful.
29:07Why bother kidnapping me?
29:08I wake up to water in my face.
29:10It's pretty dark around me,
29:12so I'm guessing
29:12I'm in a basement or something.
29:13I shiver from the cold water.
29:15I force my eyes open
29:16and squint at the guy before me.
29:18I don't know him,
29:19but my father stands behind him.
29:20He looks as repulsive as ever.
29:22When he sees I'm awake,
29:24viciousness flashes in his eyes.
29:25He want to teach me a lesson
29:27but doesn't dare to do anything
29:28due to the pressure
29:29from the man in front of him.
29:30Georgia Lodge?
29:31I'm too scared to speak.
29:32This guy radiates
29:33that ruthless dominance
29:34those in power do.
29:36I can't afford to offend him.
29:37You don't look special.
29:39I wonder why you caught
29:40Jacob Griffinwood's eye.
29:41My father hurries to flatter him
29:42and says in a low voice,
29:44She was personally trained
29:45by Bob Jones.
29:46Bob Jones,
29:47my very first sugar daddy.
29:48Oh, him.
29:50I guess she's got some skills.
29:51The man sizes me up.
29:52Someone next to him
29:53steps forward
29:54to light a cigar for him.
29:55He takes a drag
29:56and exhales
29:57blowing the smoke into my face.
29:59So, what do you think?
30:00Consider being mine.
30:01It's as good as being with Jacob.
30:03I'm terrified
30:04but I still force a smile.
30:06Don't say that, sir.
30:07You and Mr. Wood
30:08are both outstanding men
30:09who are way out of my league.
30:10I can't pick and choose.
30:12If you know you can't cross me,
30:14then why are you saying no?
30:16He suddenly presses his lit cigar
30:17straight to one of my cheeks.
30:19The pain makes me tear up.
30:20Before the sting even fades,
30:22a hard slap lands
30:23across my other cheek.
30:24The blow leaves me woozy.
30:26How dare you provoke me?
30:28You've got some nerve.
30:30I didn't...
30:30I tried to deny it.
30:32How dare you deny it?
30:33My father steps forward,
30:34looking arrogant and smug.
30:36I work for Mr. Lowell.
30:37Laying a hand on me
30:38means laying a hand on him.
30:40Know who you're dealing with.
30:41Shame.
30:41You weren't much of a looker.
30:43Now that you're disfigured,
30:45you think Jacob will still want you?
30:46Mr. Lowell's rough palm
30:47slides over my neck
30:48then suddenly tightens around it.
30:50The suffocation hits immediately.
30:52I instinctively struggle
30:53but my wrists and ankles are bound.
30:55I can't fight back at all.
30:57Maybe I'm gonna die here.
30:58I don't want that.
30:59I don't wanna die.
31:00Being alive is painful
31:02but in this exact second,
31:04I realize I'm desperate to live.
31:05Forget it.
31:06Mr. Lowell abruptly lets go.
31:08I collapse to the floor
31:09and gasp for air.
31:10Do you wanna live?
31:11He asks with a smile.
31:13I nod vigorously.
31:14That depends on you.
31:15He waves a hand lazily.
31:17And the men surrounding us
31:19immediately step forward.
31:20If you can satisfy all of them,
31:22I might consider letting you live.
31:24I curl up on the floor,
31:25unable to do anything but watch.
31:27A camera is set up
31:28and aimed right at me.
31:29I hear Mr. Lowell say,
31:31give it your best shot.
31:32This blockbuster's first viewer
31:34will be Jacob Griffin Wood.
31:36You know what to do, right?
31:37I lower my eyes.
31:38No, I don't.
31:39Look at my men.
31:40They're all young and strong.
31:42Jacob's almost 40.
31:43Can he compare to them?
31:44Just look into the camera
31:45and tell everyone the truth.
31:47No man can take being mocked
31:48for not being good in bed.
31:50I'm Jacob's sugar baby.
31:51We've slept together.
31:53If I face that camera
31:54and look like I'm enjoying myself
31:55while saying that Jacob
31:57is no match for these thugs,
31:58I can already imagine
31:59how utterly humiliated he'll be.
32:01But I want to stay alive
32:02even if it's just a few extra days.
32:04I drop my gaze
32:05then put on a chastened,
32:06fawning smile.
32:08Mr. Lowell,
32:08I know what to do now
32:09but I want to serve you first.
32:11My cheek still burns
32:12but I don't dare touch it.
32:13I only look up at Mr. Lowell.
32:15He lets out a mocking laugh.
32:16You're such a whore.
32:18Don't think your price goes up
32:19just because you've served me.
32:20I'm not like Jacob Griffin Wood.
32:22People of your level
32:23don't even catch my eye.
32:24Despite his words,
32:26he has someone untie my vines.
32:28I grind my pride into the dirt
32:30and crawl over to him.
32:31Dignity means nothing to me.
32:33If it did,
32:33I wouldn't have survived this long.
32:35As a kid,
32:36I shamelessly begged,
32:37flattered and grinned like an idiot
32:38despite getting beaten
32:39all for a single bite of food.
32:42Now,
32:42to stay alive,
32:43I can lose my backbone
32:45and do every degrading thing.
32:46This is my line of work anyway.
32:48To me,
32:49I'm just serving a different man.
32:51I look up at Mr. Lowell
32:53and smile faintly.
32:54Then I kick him hard
32:55between his legs.
32:56Ah,
32:57a scream tears through the air.
32:59Fists and random objects
33:00rain down on me.
33:01Blood drips from my forehead,
33:03blurring my vision.
33:04I let out a ragged laugh
33:05and watch as the men
33:06rush to Mr. Lowell in a hurry.
33:07They're too scared to touch him.
33:09He roars that he wants me
33:10tortured and abused.
33:11I really do want to live.
33:13I do,
33:13but when I was with Jacob,
33:15I lived like a human,
33:15just barely.
33:16I can't go back
33:16to living like a rat.
33:18Maybe all he gave me
33:19were useless swaps of warmth,
33:20insincere greetings
33:21and perfunctory kindnesses,
33:22but even that was enough.
33:24It hurts.
33:25Every inch of me
33:26is in agony.
33:27My heart is deliriously alive,
33:28but I still can't ignore
33:30the physical pain.
33:31I collapse to the ground
33:32and curl up into a tight ball.
33:33Jacob,
33:34my life probably means
33:36nothing to you,
33:37but I'm about to lose it
33:38because of you.
33:39So,
33:39if it's not too much to ask,
33:41I hope you take a little longer
33:42to forget me.
33:43I wake up in a hospital.
33:44When I come to,
33:45I'm surprised I'm still alive.
33:47Am I that tough?
33:48Has my luck turned around
33:49after all this suffering?
33:50My gaze shifts
33:52and I see Jacob.
33:53Oh,
33:54I get it now.
33:55Jacob wrenched me
33:56right out of death's hands.
33:58Wait,
33:59something's off.
33:59Why does he look so worn out?
34:01I didn't steal his files.
34:03Did someone else leak
34:04his confidential papers
34:05and bankrupt him?
34:06I want to ask what happened.
34:08After all,
34:09I still have some savings.
34:10I'm worried he'll try
34:11to take back whatever I have.
34:12I would have taken death
34:14over that.
34:14But before I can speak,
34:16Jacob leans in
34:17and carefully cups my cheek.
34:19I blink dazedly
34:20and watch him lean over me
34:21to press a kiss to my forehead.
34:23He says,
34:24hoarsely,
34:24you're awake.
34:26Something warm slides down my cheek.
34:27It must be coming
34:28from Jacob's eyes.
34:29All in all,
34:30the long and short of it
34:31is that I survived.
34:32I don't know how it happened.
34:33According to Jacob's secretary,
34:35he'd never seen Jacob
34:36lose control like that
34:37or look so wrecked.
34:38Ever since I woke up,
34:39Jacob hasn't left
34:40my line of sight.
34:41Even during video conferences,
34:42he sits somewhere,
34:43he can see me at a glance
34:44and every 10 minutes or so,
34:46he looks at me
34:46to see what I'm doing.
34:47I'm really not used to
34:48him being like this.
34:49He's acting like I matter to him.
34:51The two things I care most about
34:53are money and my face.
34:55Thankfully,
34:55both are okay.
34:56The doctor saved my face
34:57My cheek had a cigar burn,
34:59but I don't scar easily.
35:01With proper care,
35:02my looks won't be affected.
35:03As for money,
35:05as long as Jacob stays afloat,
35:06I probably won't go broke.
35:08I'm in the hospital for a month.
35:10Only when I'm about to go crazy
35:11does Jacob agree to my discharge.
35:13After getting out,
35:14Jacob keeps me at home
35:15for two more months to recover.
35:17And from that point on,
35:19anytime I set foot outside,
35:20I have a security detail.
35:22Friends say I'm in for good things
35:23now that I've cheated death.
35:25They can't believe
35:26that I managed to
35:27go legit with Jacob.
35:29Before this,
35:29everyone thought
35:30I was set for life
35:31for as long as I stuck with him,
35:32but nobody expected
35:33that I'd become his wife.
35:35From what I remember,
35:36Jacob has never once
35:37acknowledged my status.
35:38How has this counted as legit?
35:40The night the doctor announced
35:41that I had fully recovered,
35:42I can't hold back anymore
35:44and try to give myself to Jacob.
35:45I don't believe men
35:46can have platonic relationships.
35:48I've seen so many men in my life.
35:50Shouldn't I know better
35:51how much they're ruled
35:52by what's below the waist?
35:53Jacob has been abstinent.
35:54In three months,
35:55other than toilet breaks,
35:56I wasn't out of his sight,
35:57even for showers.
35:58More than once,
35:59I've caught his dark gaze on me.
36:00Each time I think
36:01he's about to lose control,
36:02he still manages to hold back.
36:04I worry that if he keeps this up,
36:05he'll have problems.
36:06This is directly related
36:07to my happiness,
36:08so I have to take it seriously.
36:09I do all my prep work.
36:11I set up a nice scent,
36:12slip into something sheer,
36:13and lie on the bed
36:14to wait for him.
36:15Taking care of Jacob in bed
36:16is something I'm familiar with.
36:17I know every one
36:18of his sensitive spots.
36:19I'm sure this will be
36:20a scorching,
36:20no-holds-barred night,
36:21but to my surprise,
36:23Jacob turns me down.
36:24It's not his first time
36:25rejecting me,
36:26but it is the only time
36:27that I'm caught off guard.
36:28I quickly adjust though
36:30and back off,
36:31giving Jacob space.
36:32In my softest voice,
36:33I say,
36:34I'm sorry, Mr. Wood.
36:35I overset.
36:36Ultimately,
36:36I'd overestimated myself.
36:38I'd assumed that
36:38with his recent treatment of me,
36:40I'd found a spot in his heart,
36:42even if he hadn't fallen for me.
36:44But the truth is,
36:45I can't even read him.
36:46Why would I be special to him?
36:48I thought my near-death
36:49to protect Jacob's business
36:50was a big deal,
36:51but in reality,
36:52I was probably more like a pet
36:54that had locked
36:54a tiny pebble for its owner.
36:55I'd almost died for him,
36:57but it wasn't notable to him.
36:59Jacob tells me
37:00not to overthink it
37:01and to focus on my recovery.
37:03I do as I'm told
37:04and don't dwell on the matter.
37:05Then,
37:06he slowly stopped
37:07coming to the villa.
37:08Even contact is rare.
37:09When I meet my friends,
37:11they tease me,
37:12saying I've got a job
37:13I can't lose.
37:14They say I'm set for life
37:15as long as I stick with Jacob.
37:17I don't tell them
37:18that I'm going to lose the job.
37:19This time,
37:20things are different
37:20from when our contract expired.
37:22Back then,
37:23Jacob acted the same,
37:24despite the contract's expiration.
37:26This time,
37:27I can clearly feel him
37:28pulling away on purpose.
37:29One day,
37:30I go to the spa.
37:31When I get home,
37:32I find Jacob on the couch
37:34with a document in his hand.
37:36In that moment,
37:37I get it.
37:38Mr. Wood,
37:38I smile and walk over to him.
37:40Sit.
37:41He looks up at me,
37:42then slides the document toward me.
37:44Take a look.
37:44I obediently pick it up.
37:46Is this my severance pay?
37:47He sure is generous.
37:49Thanks, Mr. Wood.
37:50I accept the contract
37:51and don't cause a scene.
37:52Who am I to throw a fit?
37:54Jacob's face is devoid of emotion.
37:56I've given you plenty of money.
37:57Turn over a new leaf
37:58and live a decent life.
38:00Don't say in this line of work.
38:02He doesn't need to be here.
38:04He could have sent someone else,
38:05like before.
38:07I will.
38:08I stand up and curtsy to him.
38:10I'll move out tomorrow.
38:11And this time,
38:12after leaving,
38:13I won't be coming back.
38:14Our relationship is ending,
38:16but I wrap things up properly.
38:18Jacob spends the night here.
38:20I draw him a bath
38:21and give him a full body spa.
38:23The bathtub faces the windows.
38:25The glass is one way,
38:26so when he's in the tub,
38:28he can enjoy the view in privacy.
38:29How long have you done this?
38:31I don't remember.
38:32Maybe five years?
38:33That's good.
38:34You're not worn out yet,
38:35so you can still find a husband.
38:38Mr. Wood,
38:38after being with a man like you,
38:40I'm afraid it's going to be hard for me
38:41to be interested in other men.
38:42Oh?
38:43Is that a hint not to let you go?
38:44I wouldn't dare.
38:45I'm just being honest.
38:46I actually know exactly
38:47why Jacob is letting me go.
38:49It's because he discovered
38:49my feelings for him.
38:50I have never claimed
38:51to be some morally noble person.
38:53In a life or death situation,
38:54I shouldn't be sacrificing my own life
38:56to protect Jacob's interests.
38:57But that's exactly what I did.
38:59I've fallen for him,
39:00so he can't keep me around.
39:02Money and profits
39:02make the most solid bonds.
39:04Jacob can give me all of that,
39:05but he won't give me
39:06even the slightest bit of love.
39:07I love him,
39:08so I can give up my life for him.
39:10But I might hurt him
39:10because he doesn't love me.
39:11I get that,
39:13so I accept this outcome.
39:14After moving out of the villa,
39:16my life settles.
39:17Jacob really is generous.
39:18Including this last payout,
39:20I now have three properties,
39:23tens of millions in cash,
39:24and even some stocks.
39:26As long as I don't splurge
39:27in ways that might break the law,
39:28what I have now
39:29has me set for life.
39:31After grinding for so long,
39:32I can finally start
39:33my retirement early.
39:35Alice comes over to hang out.
39:36She has a new sugar daddy.
39:38He's from Hutton
39:39and treats her pretty well.
39:40In just a few short months,
39:42he's already spent plenty on her.
39:43After cashing out on this job,
39:45I'm going to retire too.
39:46She takes a drag of her cigarette.
39:47The smoke curls around her face,
39:48so I can't make out her expression.
39:50I'm not getting any younger.
39:51It's time to settle down
39:52and actually live a normal life.
39:54You?
39:54Saying stuff like that?
39:55That's not like you at all.
39:57You remember my previous sugar daddy, right?
39:59The one from Jarton.
40:00Yeah, he's the only one
40:01who prematurely terminated
40:02his contract with you.
40:03I remember you cleaned him out
40:04right before you walked away.
40:05You were really proud
40:06and kept bragging to me about it.
40:07He went bankrupt.
40:08Alice looks despondent.
40:10I only found out recently.
40:11That money I took from him
40:12was probably everything
40:13that he had left.
40:14What?
40:14I'm stunned.
40:15He knew he was going under.
40:16That's why he ended things
40:17and handed over pretty much
40:18all the liquid assets
40:19he had left to me.
40:20She stubs out her cigarette
40:21and lets out a bitter laugh.
40:22If he were going to pull that,
40:23he should have hidden it better
40:24and kept it under wraps.
40:25Look at the situation I'm in now.
40:27It feels wrong to return,
40:28but it's also wrong if I don't.
40:29You want to do it though?
40:30I can see right through her.
40:32That's not all.
40:33You're even thinking of
40:34handing over all the money
40:34you've made
40:35to help him make a comeback.
40:36Alice looks miserable
40:37but doesn't deny it.
40:38You're out of your mind.
40:39I shoot to my feet
40:40frustrated by her idiocy.
40:42You know what you're doing?
40:43With our history,
40:44we'll never be the kind
40:44to get to sit at the nice table.
40:46How much of that friendship
40:48between men is real?
40:49And how long does it last?
40:51Right now,
40:52you're remembering his kindness.
40:53But once you spend the money,
40:54once he makes a comeback,
40:55and once you're old and ugly,
40:56there'll be a line of fresh faces,
40:58prettier than you,
40:59sweeter than you,
40:59and wilder than you.
41:00When that time comes,
41:02how will you fare against them?
41:03And what about you?
41:04It's the same with Jacob,
41:06no?
41:06I'm at a loss for words.
41:08Women really are soft.
41:09We can't love in our work,
41:11so it's all about
41:11each getting what we need.
41:13It's a simple transaction.
41:14The lessons of those before us
41:15are still fresh in our minds,
41:16yet we somehow still end up
41:18making the mistakes they did.
41:19At least I took the money.
41:20I'll never have to worry
41:21about money, I say.
41:22I won't pay to be with him.
41:23That makes me better than you.
41:25That's because you got lucky
41:25and ran into Jacob.
41:26That guy is a businessman
41:27who never makes a losing deal.
41:29Believe it or not,
41:29if he goes bankrupt right now,
41:31you'll give him all your money.
41:32Don't jinx me.
41:33I quickly stop the conversation.
41:35Some things just can't be said.
41:37I learn about Jacob's bankruptcy
41:39from the news.
41:40In the past,
41:41I never watched the news.
41:42People like me
41:43were barely even educated.
41:44Why keep up with the news?
41:45But since splitting up with Jacob,
41:47I've started watching it.
41:48Because every now and then
41:49he shows up on the screen,
41:50how can you go bankrupt?
41:51But as the reports pile up,
41:53it starts looking real.
41:54I go around asking
41:55a few friends in the industry.
41:57Their sugar daddies
41:57all have connections,
41:58so they help me ask around.
42:00Turns out,
42:01the rumors are true.
42:02Alice also calls me.
42:04I asked around.
42:05It's probably by the same guys
42:06who kidnapped you last time.
42:07They're out to get Jacob.
42:08Jacob is far too influential
42:10in this city.
42:10It's practically his monopoly.
42:12Unless someone drags him down,
42:13everyone else will be stuck
42:15fighting over scraps.
42:16It's the result of standing out.
42:18I spend a few days at home
42:19before starting to go over
42:20all my assets.
42:21Everything I have
42:22is because of Jacob.
42:23I know that,
42:24to him,
42:25what I've got
42:25is a drop in the bucket.
42:26But at least it's something
42:27to show where my loyalties lie.
42:28As Alice predicted,
42:30I was righteous with her
42:31but when I was in her shoes,
42:32I was throwing all my money in
42:33and even more desperate
42:34than she ever was.
42:36At least Alice dreamed
42:37about being with her sugar daddy.
42:38I didn't even dare
42:39entertain a thought like that.
42:40I have Jacob's private number,
42:42but he doesn't answer
42:43when I call.
42:44So,
42:44I sent him a message,
42:46weighing every word carefully.
42:48In the end,
42:49Jacob's secretary calls me back
42:51and turns me down.
42:52Miss Lodge,
42:53Mr. Woods said to tell you
42:54that he appreciates the gesture.
42:56He hopes you'll live well
42:57and that you'll stop
42:58worrying about those
42:59from your past.
43:00I'd figured as much.
43:01Jacob's refusal of my kindness
43:03is not for my sake.
43:04His pride is in the way,
43:05making him refuse
43:06to accept charity from me.
43:07I'm prepared for that outcome,
43:09but I still feel disappointed.
43:11I know all too well
43:13the huge gap between us.
43:14I can't even do
43:15the smallest things for him,
43:16but I still go ahead
43:17and do what I want to do.
43:18In all my years alive,
43:19I've rarely gotten to be willful
43:20and to follow my heart.
43:22So,
43:23I'm more than willing
43:23to throw myself at him.
43:25When Alice loans me money,
43:26she prods me in the forehead
43:27and grumbles non-stop
43:28about how I can't repay her
43:29after borrowing so much from her.
43:31Some other friends
43:31also feel bad for me.
43:33When they lend me the money,
43:34they even suggest
43:34getting me a new sugar daddy.
43:36He's not exactly a great guy,
43:37but he's generous.
43:38I just need a year with him.
43:39I turn them all down.
43:40I take that card
43:41holding everything I own
43:42and mail it to Jacob.
43:44Then,
43:44I tell myself we're even
43:45and to stop thinking about him.
43:47I get an ordinary job
43:48and I start online content creation.
43:50After being with sugar daddies for years,
43:52I'd at least seen
43:52a lot of the world.
43:53I'd picked up some things
43:54about aesthetics and makeup.
43:56I didn't have a proper education,
43:58so I had to make money differently.
43:59Thankfully,
44:00my second video blew up.
44:02I've always felt like
44:03my luck was never really that bad.
44:04Sure,
44:05my parents neglected me,
44:06but at least I didn't starve.
44:08Later,
44:09I became an escort.
44:10It wasn't a respectable job,
44:11but I only suffered at the start.
44:13I got used to it
44:14after blending in.
44:15Then,
44:15when Jacob no longer wanted me,
44:17he still made sure
44:18I was taken care of for life.
44:20Food and bills were settled.
44:21And now,
44:22I may be broke again,
44:23but my career,
44:24which has never taken off before,
44:25is on the verge of blowing up.
44:27Good,
44:28isn't it?
44:28That's why we need to stay alive.
44:30There's a future to look forward to.
44:32I work a day job,
44:33shoot at night,
44:34and life keeps getting better.
44:36But one day,
44:37Alice suddenly calls me
44:38and says Jacob is back on top.
44:39I've gone out of my way
44:40to avoid news about him.
44:42Hearing about him again
44:43feels surreal.
44:44Really?
44:45That's good.
44:46I say earnestly.
44:48We will never be together,
44:49but I still hope he does well.
44:51You really are hopeless.
44:52I'm doing pretty great,
44:53and I'm pretty happy too.
44:55I even try to talk Alice into it.
44:57If you're gonna quit for good,
44:58then come work with me.
44:59I have a decent following now.
45:01I can send traffic your way,
45:02maybe when I hit rock bottom.
45:03I'm just calling you today
45:04to update you,
45:05so you can stop worrying.
45:07Forget about Jacob.
45:08This call is unnecessary.
45:09I probably won't ever
45:10stop thinking about Jacob,
45:11but I'm also prepared
45:13to never see him again
45:14and to never check
45:15any news about him.
45:16I may seem like an idiot,
45:17but I'm actually really smart.
45:19With anything or anyone
45:20that may disappoint me,
45:20I never let myself
45:21expect anything from them.
45:23Just like I never once hoped
45:24that my parents would love me,
45:25I also didn't dare hope
45:26that Jacob would fall for me.
45:27After expanding my horizons,
45:29I make a lot of new friends.
45:30They don't know what I used to do
45:32and that I had sugar daddies.
45:33To them, I'm the best.
45:35Their comments are full of praise.
45:37Deep down, I'm uneasy.
45:39Maybe there's a name for it.
45:40Something like PTSD,
45:42post-traumatic stress disorder.
45:43Someone like me
45:44shouldn't have things
45:45go smoothly or be disliked.
45:47They think I'm perfect and flawless,
45:49but I know I'm tainted.
45:51Then, one day,
45:53the dirt on me spreads online
45:54along with hate and insults.
45:56I suddenly feel at peace.
45:58Part of me mocks myself
45:59for being happy about the hate.
46:00The other part makes a video
46:01of a sincere chat about myself.
46:02The whole process is even fun.
46:03I have nothing about my past
46:05that I feel the need to hide.
46:07Each and every one of those incidents
46:09shaped who I am today.
46:10Life can knock me down,
46:11but I will never stay down.
46:13I'm prepared to not be accepted.
46:14I tell myself
46:15that at least I've made good money lately.
46:17The debt I'd originally planned
46:18to pay off in 10 years,
46:19I can now clear in just two.
46:20That's good enough.
46:21To my surprise,
46:22I'm accepted.
46:23Many called me shameless
46:24and said I had no dignity
46:25for making such dirty money
46:27before cleaning myself up now.
46:28But even more people leave comments
46:30to cheer me on
46:30and tell me not to give up on life.
46:32They message me privately
46:33to share their own stories with me.
46:34It's like sharing the suffering
46:35makes it less unbearable.
46:37I cry a lot, to be honest.
46:38In front of my sugar daddies,
46:39I would always whine,
46:40put on a pitiful act
46:41or play the victim
46:42just to spark their sense of conquest.
46:44But that was a survival tactic,
46:46not who I really was.
46:47I don't know what I ever did
46:48to deserve being accepted and liked.
46:49This world can actually be beautiful.
46:51If I hadn't had the nerve
46:52to take that first step,
46:53maybe I never would have seen
46:55this side of the world's kindness.
46:56At the end of the year,
46:57a platform invites me
46:58to attend an awards ceremony.
47:00I dress to the nines for it.
47:01The ceremony is a grand one.
47:03Besides big influencers,
47:04there are also several celebrities.
47:06I already know which award I'm getting,
47:08so I've prepared a speech.
47:09I'm about to go on stage,
47:11but I'm still memorizing it.
47:12I do have a terrible memory.
47:14It's only a few lines,
47:14but they just won't stick.
47:16Next, let's welcome our award presenter,
47:18Griffinwood Group CEO,
47:19Mr. Jacob Griffinwood.
47:21The host beams at the crowd
47:22and the audience is surprised.
47:24My smile freezes on my face.
47:26Influencers run the economy now,
47:27and every influencer here
47:29easily makes tens of millions a year.
47:30But why would Jacob?
47:31I stand there and follow the host's line of sight.
47:35Under the spotlight,
47:36Jacob walks toward me with all eyes on him.
47:38He still looks the way I remember.
47:40He's lofty, untouchable, and immaculate.
47:43Congratulations.
47:43He takes the trophy and passes it to me.
47:46Thanks, I say in a small voice.
47:48You've done very well,
47:49better than I expected.
47:51He shakes my hand,
47:52and we stand side by side,
47:54facing the audience.
47:55I've never imagined a day like this,
47:57when I can openly stand by Jacob's side,
47:59accepting applause.
48:00Georgia.
48:01Jacob calls my name.
48:03Yeah?
48:03Do you want to be with me?
48:04I don't answer.
48:05This time,
48:06you have every right to stand by me openly
48:08as my fiancé.
48:09Jacob Griffinwood first met Georgia Lodge
48:11at an ordinary cocktail party.
48:12Many wanted to suck up to him,
48:14but not everyone was qualified to do so.
48:16Everyone else addressed him as
48:17Mr. Griffinwood.
48:18Only Georgia,
48:19like an uneducated brute,
48:21had called him Mr. Wood.
48:22Because he rarely heard that form of address,
48:24he'd given her a second glance.
48:26When someone held power,
48:27even a single look from them
48:28would be dissected and analyzed
48:30by the people below.
48:31That one look at Georgia
48:32made someone decide
48:33he must have taken a liking to her.
48:34And so,
48:35in no time at all,
48:36Georgia was delivered to his side,
48:37along with a background check
48:38and a medical report.
48:40He didn't have a companion then.
48:41Georgia stood in front of him,
48:43smiling stiffly.
48:44She hid it well,
48:45but he still caught the disgust
48:47and resentment in her eyes.
48:48The women sent to him
48:49were always thoroughly trained.
48:51He was a little curious
48:52how long someone like Georgia
48:53could survive
48:54in this world of power and profit.
48:56Unfortunately,
48:57she turned out to be a bore.
48:58Jacob later realized
48:59that whatever emotions
49:00Georgia had felt that day
49:01would never have any real impact
49:03on his life.
49:03He could tell that she was trying her best
49:05to blend into his circle.
49:07She fawned,
49:07acted cute,
49:08and bowed and scraped.
49:09To keep herself attractive to men,
49:11she splurged on cosmetic procedures,
49:13even going in for those
49:14so-called tightening packages
49:16that sounded magical,
49:17but didn't even have
49:18basic safety guaranteed.
49:20He'd lost control that one time.
49:21It wasn't because
49:22of the tightening treatment.
49:24Jacob just happened to pass by
49:25and saw Georgia
49:25limping out of the spa,
49:26dressed to the nines,
49:28but with her face
49:29twisted in pain.
49:30She looked so gaudy.
49:31People around her
49:32threw her strange looks,
49:33but she seemed oblivious.
49:34But when she turned the corner,
49:36Jacob saw her
49:36with her arms around her knees
49:37and her head buried.
49:38She crouched there
49:39for a long time.
49:40She had a thin figure
49:41and she looked so lonely.
49:43Jacob had seen
49:44way too many women like her.
49:45Whether they made a fortune,
49:47they always ended in tragedy.
49:49Almost none got happy ending.
49:50In that instant,
49:51Jacob suddenly had the thought.
49:52It wasn't impossible
49:53to keep Georgia
49:54by his side forever.
49:55He could just treat her
49:56like a pampered pet
49:57and a distraction.
49:58Not that he'd ever
49:58told her about it.
50:00As the last day
50:00of their contract
50:01crept closer,
50:02Jacob watched as Georgia
50:03found it harder and harder
50:04to quiet her growing anxiety.
50:06He kept wondering
50:07when she would come to him
50:08and ask to renew the contract.
50:09Unfortunately,
50:10she was just too well behaved,
50:11so much so
50:12that she never overstepped.
50:13Even when he openly
50:14brought in someone new,
50:16all Georgia did
50:16was swallow her hurt
50:17in silence
50:18and play her part
50:19up to perfection.
50:20Jacob saw Georgia's mockery
50:21when the newcomer
50:22told her sob story.
50:23He also saw the despair
50:24in her eyes
50:25when the golf ball
50:25came crashing down on him.
50:27At the time,
50:27he'd wondered why
50:28he was being so harsh with her.
50:29Since he was invested in her,
50:31he would just keep her around.
50:32What Georgia really thought
50:33didn't matter much.
50:35As long as he felt satisfied,
50:37that was good enough.
50:38After getting back together,
50:39Jacob would sometimes
50:40spend the night
50:40in Georgia's room.
50:42Seeing her so sleepy
50:43that she couldn't open her eyes
50:44and kept nodding off
50:44while swearing she wasn't tired
50:46was pretty cute in his eyes.
50:47He'd never seriously considered
50:48what exactly Georgia meant to him.
50:50In any case,
50:51as long as he wanted her,
50:52she wouldn't be able to leave him.
50:54Later,
50:54he realized he was wrong.
50:56Georgia could leave.
50:57After all,
50:57in this world,
50:58no one could bridge the gap,
50:59bridge the gap between life and death.
51:01At first,
51:02when Jacob heard that Georgia
51:02had been kidnapped,
51:03he didn't panic.
51:04Kidnapping was always about profit
51:06and Georgia had always known
51:07when to give in.
51:08They had an intimate relationship
51:10and she knew a thing or two
51:11about his affairs.
51:12She could tell them what she knew
51:13and that would keep her alive.
51:15And with her skills,
51:17she could easily find another sugar daddy.
51:20So,
51:20when Jacob's subordinates
51:21reported the news of Georgia's kidnapping,
51:23he hadn't even paused his meeting.
51:25She was just a pet he kept.
51:27If a bag went missing,
51:28he'd have the maids look for it.
51:29If it couldn't be found,
51:31he would simply buy another one.
51:33Things changed when his men found Georgia.
51:35They didn't know if she was alive
51:36and her face was so swollen
51:38they couldn't even tell
51:38what she used to look like.
51:39If anything,
51:40she should be glad
51:41she'd only had cosmetic treatments
51:42and not plastic surgery.
51:43Otherwise,
51:44the implants alone
51:44would have pierced through her skull.
51:46She had several broken ribs,
51:47some organ damage
51:48and her limbs abused
51:49to the point of being twisted out of shape.
51:51When a video was sent back,
51:52Jacob took one look
51:53and tossed his phone aside.
51:54Then,
51:55he headed to the hospital.
51:56Georgia was in the operating room
51:57for a full nine hours,
51:59from nightfall until dawn.
52:00When she was finally wheeled out,
52:02she had tubes everywhere.
52:03Jacob was busy,
52:04busy putting out fires at the company
52:06and dealing with his rival's attacks.
52:08Once Georgia was in the ICU,
52:09visits were limited to specific hours.
52:11So,
52:12staying at the hospital
52:12wasn't of much use.
52:14Still,
52:14Jacob chose to follow
52:15what his heart told him to do
52:16and remained at the hospital.
52:18The accommodations there
52:19were far from comfortable.
52:21Even someone as tireless as Jacob
52:22couldn't help looking worn out.
52:24Yet,
52:24the rate at which he grew haggard
52:25was nothing compared to Georgia.
52:27She just lay there silently
52:28on that hospital bed
52:29and grew weaker with each day.
52:31The doctors said
52:32her will to live was weak,
52:33which was why she was still out.
52:35Jacob secretly mocked them for lying.
52:37If she really didn't want to live,
52:39why would she have fought
52:39to cling to that last breath
52:41and hold on until he could save her?
52:42Jacob had never bothered
52:43to figure out
52:44what exactly he felt for Georgia.
52:45But in that moment,
52:46he suddenly started to understand
52:47his own heart.
52:48The fact that,
52:49deep down,
52:50he'd allowed Georgia
52:50to trade his secrets
52:51in exchange for her own life
52:52already meant he'd fallen for her.
52:54With Georgia,
52:55Jacob did indeed experience
52:56many emotions
52:57that were useless yet novel to him.
52:59Like the joy and agitation he'd felt
53:01the moment Georgia finally woke up.
53:03Like the heartache he'd felt
53:04when she pushed through rehab
53:05and pretended to be fine,
53:06even making herself smile at him.
53:08He'd nursed Georgia back to health,
53:09throwing everything at her
53:10to rebuild her body,
53:11and he'd assigned bodyguards
53:14to make sure she was always safe.
53:15Only he knew the genuine emotions
53:17he'd poured into all of that.
53:19To him,
53:19love was useless.
53:21Small doses were a fun distraction,
53:23but too much of it
53:24would only limit his efficiency.
53:25And so,
53:26after thinking it through,
53:27Jacob ultimately decided
53:28to end the relationship.
53:30He knew he'd fallen for her,
53:31and he knew Georgia
53:32had also fallen for him.
53:33But this was what the world
53:34was often like.
53:35Pure interest could keep
53:36a relationship going
53:37and even make it unbreakable.
53:39But when feelings got tangled up,
53:40the whole thing became fragile.
53:42Cutting their losses early
53:43was the best choice
53:43for both him and her.
53:45Georgia left without hesitation.
53:46She was never the type to cling,
53:48and she vanished from his life.
53:50She knew better.
53:51The first few days,
53:53Jacob hadn't been used to it.
53:54But as work piled up,
53:56he no longer had the time for romance.
53:58The traps he'd laid for so long
53:59were finally starting to work
54:00per his plan.
54:01News of his bankruptcy
54:02spread across the entire country.
54:05After that,
54:05he got a call from Georgia.
54:06He didn't answer it.
54:08So,
54:08she sent him a message instead,
54:10sounding as she always did
54:11with her familiar flattery,
54:12afraid of upsetting him.
54:13Jacob had his secretary
54:14reply for him.
54:15But not long after,
54:16he'd still received a bank card.
54:18The amount on it
54:18was higher than he'd expected.
54:20Maybe Georgia's friends
54:21had helped.
54:22They all had their own sugar daddy,
54:23so even if they weren't filthy rich,
54:25it was still a sizable sum overall.
54:26Still,
54:27Georgia had promised him
54:28she would quit that line of work.
54:29If she borrowed so much money,
54:30how was she going to pay it back?
54:32Jacob later had his answer.
54:33She'd gone into doing online content
54:34and had gotten somewhat popular.
54:35Per your instructions,
54:36I staged an encounter
54:37with Miss Lodge yesterday.
54:39His assistant reported,
54:40She seems to be
54:41in pretty good spirits.
54:42She said her career's on track,
54:43she has lots of fans who like her,
54:44and she's making good money.
54:45Is that so?
54:46But as far as Jacob knew,
54:48every single one of her videos
54:49had hate comments.
54:50People called her ugly and flashy,
54:52and just a few days ago,
54:53someone had exposed her past
54:54and how she used to be an escort.
54:56Her haters flooded the internet.
54:57If not for that,
54:59Jacob wouldn't have gone out of his way
55:00to arrange the chance encounter.
55:02He'd worried she would hurt herself,
55:03because that was what she was like.
55:05Whenever it came to her own pain,
55:07she always brushed it off.
55:08Maybe it was because she knew
55:09no one really cared about her
55:10and that looking sad
55:11wouldn't change anything.
55:13But he knew perfectly well
55:14she had pills hidden in her cabinet.
55:16The pills had been saved up
55:17one by one and over a long time,
55:19but Georgia had never taken them.
55:20When the contract had expired,
55:22Jacob had brought her back
55:22out of fear
55:23that she would take them.
55:24Later, he'd let her go
55:25because he feared
55:26she'd be more attached.
55:27If he couldn't love her,
55:29she might ultimately
55:29still end up taking those pills.
55:31And after that,
55:32when Georgia had given him money,
55:33he hadn't returned it,
55:34so it would tie her to this world.
55:36If she remembered her debt,
55:37she wouldn't give up on herself.
55:38She needed to have a bit of hope,
55:40so she had a reason to keep living.
55:41Don't clean up the mess online
55:43too perfectly.
55:44Jacob said,
55:45Georgia is smart.
55:46Overwhelmingly positive comments
55:47will only make her suspicious.
55:49Understood, sir.
55:50Jacob knew then that in the end,
55:51he really did treat Georgia differently.
55:54Different enough
55:54that he was willing
55:55to break his own rules for her
55:56and pay attention to these details.
55:57He was willing to give Georgia time
55:59and wait for her to be remade.
56:00She had to look at the world again.
56:02There would be good and bad,
56:04but the good outnumbered the bad.
56:05At the end of the year,
56:06Jacob received word
56:07that Georgia had agreed
56:08to attend the awards ceremony.
56:10He had shares in the platform,
56:12but it was just one of his many assets.
56:15It wasn't particularly important.
56:16Even so,
56:17Jacob still showed up
56:18in full formal attire.
56:19He did it to stand before Georgia again
56:21and give her an opening.
56:23This time,
56:24he wanted her to have the courage
56:25to speak up
56:26and keep hold
56:26of what she truly wanted.